Lorain County Piecemakers Quilt Guild
Volume 21 Issue 11 – July 8, 2021

President: Chris Yoo
Vice President: Available 🙂
Treasurer: Pam Scholle/Lori Quinones
Secretary: Chris Yoo/Committees
Community Service: Marcy Delavan
Hospitality: Maryann Doucette & Jean Tobia
Membership: Marilyn Novak & Karen Neuschaffer
Quilts of Valor: Kaye Koler
Sunshine Committee: Val Watring
Challenge Committee: Kelly Grace, Susan Thornton, Helen Smelser
Communication Committee: Kelly Grace
Bits & Pieces Editor: Kelly Grace
Articles due by Saturday before meeting, Newsletter sent out Sunday before meeting.

Meetings:  2nd Thursday of month
Time:        7:00 PM
Location:  New Russia Township Lodge,
46300 Butternut Ridge Rd, Oberlin, 44074
Additional Info: Please remember that there is always a sew day the day of our meeting – starting around 10!

Website: https://loraincountypiecemakers.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/LorainCtyPiecemakers
Guild email: loraincountypiecemakers@gmail.com

Meeting Minutes:
At 7:00 p.m. President Chris Yoo welcomed everyone and several guests and returning members.

Program:  Chris introduced Cindy Casciato who is a teacher, designer, author and most importantly, a quilter with decades of experience teaching quilting and related topics.  Cindy has several publications that include Block Explosion, One Stitch Quilting, and Stash with Splash Quilts.  Cindy is also a pattern and quilting tool designer. If that wasn’t enough, some of you may know Cindy from the very successful Quilt Escape, Quilters Retreat, as she was the founder of that wonderful event that started back in 1994.

Cindy presented her lectured entitled “Behind the Seams” which revealed a simple way to rotary cut quilts without the time-consuming hassle that often includes adding 1/8″ measurements.  We discovered all the secrets to making quilts faster and with increased accuracy.  Cindy presented a huge trunk show as part of the lecture.  Cindy also shared multiple handouts to help us learn her techniques and she took the time to vend some of her magic tools this evening.  It was a fascinating and inspirational program!  Thank you, Cindy!!

President’s Report:   Chris took this opportunity to thank all the participants in the 2020 President’s Challenge:  Karen Neuschaefer, Val Watring, Marcy Delavan, Peggy Hughes, Helen Smelzer, Kaye Koler, and Merridee Pavlenko.  The challenge was to make a fabric postcard that embodied the spirit of one of your favorite vacations.   Chris was tasked with picking her favorite 3 that screamed vacation.  Chris admitted that they were all adorable and it was a very difficult decision.  However, she chose the postcards of Kaye Koler, Marcy Delavan, and Karen Neuschaefer.  These 3 ladies will receive a small gift card by email for winning.  Congratulation’s ladies!   Chris reminded everyone to include their postcard in the quilt show!

Approval of the Minutes:  The minutes from the May meeting were distributed in the Newsletter by email and posted on the webpage.  Hearing no changes were necessary to the minutes, they were approved as distributed.

Treasurer’s Report: Both Pam and Lori could not be at the meeting; however, Chris noted that the state of the treasury was reported in the Newsletter and there have been no changes.  The treasurer’s report will be filed for audit.

Committee Reports: The membership heard reports of all Committees that were present.  The Committee Chairpersons will submit their individual reports to Kelly Grace for inclusion in the newsletter no later than the Saturday before the next meeting.  For up-to-date information from the Committees, please review the individual Committee Reports noted in this newsletter.

Unfinished Business:  Chris reported that she has enough volunteers signed up to help staff the guild’s booth at the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo in Akron, Ohio in July.  Chris reminded everyone that the event will be held at the John S. Knight Center, in Akron, Ohio from Thursday, July 15th through Saturday 17th.   Chris also noted that the guild participates in this event to (1) to sell raffle tickets for our gorgeous quilt, and (2) to distribute postcards and advertise our quilt show!  Chris reminded the members who have volunteered to help that although they get into the show for free, they will have to pay for parking.  Make sure to check-in at the volunteer ambassador table for your name badge.  The guild booth is in the Vendor Hall Booth #112.  Stop by to say hello!

New Business:  There were multiple members who questioned whether or not we could change the start time of the meeting to 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. Chris indicated she was not against having a discussion on this topic, but several members in attendance pointed out that there are members who work during the day and the 7:00 p.m. start time was ideal.  Since Chris believes this issue was brought up in response to the May meeting which went very late, which was unusual, Chris noted that no action will be taken at this time.  However, Chris encouraged members to talk amongst themselves about this topic and if there was serious interest in possibly changing the start time of the meetings, this issue had to be brought to the floor as an official motion and seconded so there can be open discussion followed by a vote.  Chris noted that any change in start time would have to be passed by a majority of the members and the bylaws would have to be revised.

Announcements:  Chris reminded the group that during the day in July she will be hosting the annual Christmas in July sewing event.  Please plan on coming to sew the day away on a holiday project, Christmas gift, or bring one of your Fair entries or quilt show entries that you need to get finished!!  Oh, and bring a tray of cookies to share!!  Beverages will be supplied.  Watch your email for more details to come!  Good times will be had by all in attendance!  There will be games, prizes, and Christmas music

Show & Tell:  It was a fabulous showing this month!  Chris reported that she is still constantly amazed at the sheer talent in this group of quilters!!

Next meeting:  July 8, 2021 @ 7:00 p.m.  We will have Judy Pickworth from the Lorain County Fair to talk about what to expect this year in the Needlework Barn and our own Ruth Groot will also be talking about volunteer opportunities for set up and judging days.  If you have never participated in a county fair, come to find out what it’s all about!

Upcoming Schedule of Programs:

August Day:  Sew Day (10:00 a.m. – Dinner)
August Evening:  Deb Strain Moda designer and artist extraordinaire.  She will be vending. (7:00 p.m. start)

September Day:    Setup Quilt Show (10:00 a.m. – Dinner)
September Evening:  NO MEETING.  Quilt Show Prep.

October Day:  Sew Day (10:00 a.m. – Dinner)
October Evening:  TBD

November Day:  Sew Day (10:00 a.m. – Dinner)
November Evening:  Anything Sews, Chris Brauning (7:00 p.m. start)

December Day:     Sew Day (10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
December Evening:  Potluck and Celebration. (6:30 p.m. Starts Early)

Minutes completed by Guild President, Christina Yoo.

In-Person Meetings and Sew Day Etiquette: Wear your name tag.  Please remember to avoid chit-chat while someone is speaking to the group, both during presentations and during Show-n-Tell. Please set your cell phone to silent mode or turn it off, and do not take photographs during presentations without asking permission first. Thank You Sew Much!

Membership

No Report

Karen and Marilyn

REMINDER: The July meeting is when we have the opportunity to donate to the MaryAnn Grayson Scholarship. What a wonderful memorial for honoring MaryAnn.

The Grafton Prison is taking items for their sewing projects. This includes items such as fabric, yarn, thread, needles and knitting needles. NO sewing machines.

Julie Bragg will be at the guild meetings to take your items for the Grafton Prison. For the month of July “only” you may place your sewing items in the box, in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodists Church, 127 Park Place, Wellington, Ohio for their July mission project.

During our “August” LCP Sew Day Bruce’s Tool Sharpening is coming 12:00-5:00 to sharpen scissors and knives.

Here are the prices:
(Cash and correct change is appreciated)

Scissors:
All sizes $3.50
Pinking shears $5.00
Rotary Cutter blades $1.00

Knives: (no serrated knives)
Large knives $3.50
Medium knives $3.00
Parry Knives $2.50

Community Service

Marcy Delavan

Hello Quilters!  Thank you all for your efforts last month at the Judy Riggle Community Sew Day!  If you have items to turn in I will be at the Christmas in July sew day July 8th.  I also plan to be at the meeting in the evening.

If you’ve been on Facebook you already know that I have found an organization (A Better Christmas) which is a non profit in Lorain County. They would love some Christmas Stockings!  I will be bringing whatever Christmas fabric that is in the Community Service stash for anyone who would like to make stockings on July 8th.  I will be collecting stockings until November 1st if you would like to make them in the next few months.

I recently participated in helping to build beds for Good Knights of Lorain County.  They make beds so no one sleeps on the floor.  They will take quilts that are 66×90 if you are interested in making a quilt or two for them.  They are also working on a plan to make beds for 2 homes to house Veteran’s.  One will be for women and one for men.  The beds will be full size beds.  I will get more information to share with you in the near future but I thought that might be something we could provide.  Knowing several Veterans from different branches of the service, I think a generic red, white and blue quilt would be better than a specific service related quilt.

Happy quilting all!
Marcy

LORAIN COUNTY SAFE HARBOR/GENESIS HOUSE: Provides temporary safe shelter, food, and support services to victims of domestic violence and their children.  Serves roughly 25,000 annually.

BLESSING HOUSE:  Founded in 2005 to house children, birth to age 12, when their parents are addressing their own crises.

July Birthdays

Kathryn French – July 2
Beverly Tucker – July 9
Pam Scholle – July 10
Maryann Doucette – July 11
Kathleen Wells – July 13
Dianne Clawson – July 15
Sharon Lutz – July 16
Vicki Morris – July 20
Teri Walter – July 22
Mary Jane Toney – July 24
Ruth Bradley – July 25
Cindy Kraft – July 29

Programs/Workshops
July:
During the Day – Christmas in July
Evening Program – Judy Pickworth from the Lorain County Fair will speak about the 2021 Fair and answer questions.

August:
During the Day – Sew Day
Evening Program – Designing Fabric and More – Deb Strain (vending!!)

September:
During the Day – Quilt Show Setup
Evening Program – Quilt Show Setup

October:
During the Day – Sew Day
Evening Program – Open for suggestions

November:
During the Day – Sew Day
Evening Program – Anything Sews – Chris Brauning

December:
During the Day – Sew Day
Evening Program – December Potluck & Celebration (6:30pm start)

Quilt Show Report

Quilt registration:
We need your quilt registrations in by the August  guild meeting. Please don’t wait til the last minute. That creates a lot of work typing up the quilt labels in a small amount of time for Karen. Send (313 Augusta Dr. Elyria, OH 44035) or email (krayon227@gmail. com) your registrations to Karen before the August meeting if you can not get it ready for the July meeting.

You may enter up to 4 quilts in the September Quilt Show plus any challenge quilt. So if you made 2 challenge quilts plus 4 other quilts for the show, you need to fill out 6 quilt  registrations.
Here is the quilt registration

Signup sheets to help out with the show will be available at our August meeting. Julie will have extra quilt registration forms at the meeting. Questions?  Please contact:  Julie Bragg

Raffle Baskets:
What they need for the baskets are “notions” to add to the materials or ($)  “Money” to pay for notions, bows/wrappings. It’s these little things that sometimes make the baskets attractive to the quilt show attendees. Barb says, “they have all the fabric and baskets (40 !!!) we need for the Basket Raffle.” If you are making your own basket, please add a list of everything in the basket and bring the basket to the meeting and give it to Barb Spieker or Barb Cowger-Vilagi. If you have any new or new-like notions you can just bring them to the July and August meetings and give them to Barb and they will be put in a basket that the committee makes. Can I repeat myself?  $ is always useful if you can’t donate a notion. Questions? Please contact: Barb Spieker spieker2412@gmail.com

Country Store:
Fran Weber and Peggy Hughes are in charge of our “Country Store” for our Quilt show. They have told me that they have reached their limit on items donated.  Everyone has been so generous with your donations.  It probably took a COVID year to clean out your sew rooms/areas. Thank you, everyone for your donations. If you have any questions please contact: Fran Weber fdies@neo.rr.com

Challenges
Kelly Grace

UFO Challenge

I show that we are up to 19 finishes from the UFO lists! Great start to 2021 UFO’s. Please remember that we ask for $5 to go toward prizes at the end of the year – please if you can get this to me at the next meeting that would be great. I want to start looking for more great prizes for December.

Fat Quarter Exchange
Bags were handed out at the June meeting. Bags will be due back at the August meeting.

Quilt Show Challenge
40th Anniversary Quilt – see notes HERE – These will be displayed at the quilt show this year!

Monthly Challenge
Use the provided fabric to make something – any size, any item and due at the July meeting.

String Challenge
The idea of the Strip Quilt Challenge is to use up scraps, in this case, strips. Helen says she has plenty to get shed of, so you may want to contact her if you run low. The deadline is the August meeting, there will be a drawing for a prize, and it will be fun to see what recycling yields. By the way, you don’t have to use jelly roll strips, just whatever strippy beings you have and are keen to use up:
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without.

Block Exchange 2022
We will put this on hold until next year – but you can show your interest and sign up between now and the end of the year.

Do you have an idea for a challenge? Please drop a note in the suggestion box or send an email to the guild email (address above).

Sunshine Committee
Val Watring

Committee Report:   Meeting minutes: Thank you for signing a card for Libby Betounes.  If any member knows of an issue:  get well, sympathy, etc. that I should address; please contact me.  Thank you! vwatring@oh.rr.com

Newsletter Update:
July 10, 2021  Members signed a card for Libby Betounes.  Vickie Morris let us know Libby and her husband needed to move to Abbewood,

June 18, 2021  We sent a get well card to Helen Smelser.  Wishing Helen comfort for her hand as she recovers from surgery and as she will tackle physical therapy eight weeks later on her thumb.

June 20, 2021  Aiming to send an encouraging word, we sent Bunny Hugs to Maryann Doucette as we missed her at the meeting and she is to have a 2nd back surgery.

June 22, 2021  A card was sent to Cindy Kraft as she is recovering from back surgery. …we wish you BACK to the guild soon.

Fondly, Val Watring

By-Laws Section 8:  The Sunshine Committee shall notify members in case of illness or bereavement.  Cards will be sent; unless it is determined a blue basket is needed.

Blue Baskets:  When members lose a spouse or child, we support them by giving them fat quarters of fabric in their favorite colors.  The Sunshine Committee will supply the bag and card to be signed by the membership.

STRAY THREADS…
Sue Schillig

No Report

Quilts of Valor
Kaye Koler

No Report

Notes from the President
Chris Yoo

Happy Independence Day my stitching and quilting friends!!  Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.  I will be spending the holiday weekend stitching on a couple of my Quilt Show entries to make sure they are all ready to go.  I’ve prepared my Quilt show entry forms to turn into Karen this month.  A few items are all done and a few more are “in progress.”  Making a serious commitment to get those babies done and ready for the September show.  I hope many of you are ready to turn in your forms to Karen at this month’s meeting.  The forms are not actually due until August; however, if you are ready, I know Karen would appreciate having them as early as possible. Both Karen and Julie are gearing up to make sure we have a fabulous show this year!

I’ve been advertising the show all across social media and I know our advertising guru Val has all kinds of advertisements in the works to get the word out to folks who don’t droll the internet.  Another fabulous way to advertise our show is word of mouth.  Please make sure you are telling your family and friends about our show.  I’ll do another big push in early September to remind everyone of the fabulous event we have planned.  Our quilt show is our biggest fundraiser and it allows us to keep the guild membership dues steady and our very reasonable $25 a year.   So, help me spread the word.

I hope to see many of you at the annual Christmas in July event this month!!  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….

Your Pres,
Chris Yoo

Treasury Report
Pam Scholle

No Report