Lorain County Piecemakers Quilt Guild
Volume 24 Issue 5 – January 11, 2023

President: Chris Yoo
Treasurer: Sue Schillig
Secretary: Open
Vice President: Margaret Miller
Community Service: Maria Lucki
Hospitality: Maryann Doucette & Jean Tobia
Membership: Karen Neuschaffer & Sandy Gallagher
Honor Quilts: Kaye Koler
Sunshine Committee: Val Watring
Challenge Committee: Kelly Grace
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:
Chris Yoo

1. Welcome.  At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2023, Chris welcomed members and a few guests to the 2023 Holiday Potluck.  Chris noted that tonight we are celebrating a wonderful 2023 that has passed, the upcoming holidays, and the new year that is knocking at the door.

2. President’s Report: Chris began by thanking the Honor Quilt committee, as they awarded her a quilt this evening for her military service.  Chris shared that she served in the US Army in the early 80’s as a military police officer and an undercover investigator.   Chris went on to share with the group that the Second Baptist Church (SBC) of Elyria, Ohio, in conjunction with their Adopt-a-School Initiative awarded 3 scholarships to quilt groups that were important to MaryAnn Grayson, who was not only one of our past presidents and members, but she and her husband were also active with the SBC.  The scholarships were awarded to the African American Quilt and Doll Guild, the Sewing for Pleasure Guild, and our own Lorain County Piecemakers Quilt Guild.  Chris reported that she and several members represented the guild at a luncheon on December 4th where she was presented with a scholarship check in the amount of $700.

Chris noted that she discovered that the mission of the SBC Adopt-a -School Initiative is to rebuild our community from the inside out with a comprehensive educational program designed to improve and enrich the lives of our youth and their families. And during the presentation of the scholarship, it was noted that because our guild serves the community and helps others, we were selected.  Their mission and this statement told me that this money is targeted to our community service efforts.  Chris asked if the guild members were okay with targeting this money for community service and there was a resounding affirmation.  The check was presented to the treasurer.

3. Approval of Minutes:  The minutes from the November meeting were distributed by Kelly Grace.  After a call for corrections or changes, having heard none, the minutes were approved as distributed.

4. Treasurer’s Report:  The treasurer’s report and all financial documents of the guild are filed for audit and can   be made available for review upon request of the guild treasurer, Sue Schillig.

5. Committee Reports by Committee chairs.  The membership heard reports from 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.

6. Unfinished or On-Going Business:    Chris reminded the group that at the last meeting she announced that she was stepping down as the President at the end of this term, on August 8, 2024, so she had asked for a nominating committee to be formed to help find her replacement.  Tonight, Chris reported that she has had two volunteers come forward and they are Marcy Delvan and Holly Francis.  Chris also said that he is asking her Treasurer, Sue Schillig to assist them if necessary, so that she has a current sitting officer on the committee

Chris reminded members that Marcy, Holly, and Sue are responsible for helping to identify candidates for open officer positions and they are the “go to” for all recommendations (nominations) from members for her replacement.  Chris pointed out that any member can also nominate themselves.  If you would like to be President, please talk with one of the 3 ladies on the committee and you are welcome to talk with Chris about the duties.  Chris shared that she knows there are many creative people in this group who would make a fantastic President so she is asking people to seriously consider stepping up.

A member reminded the guild that there is also an open Secretary position.  So, anyone interested in acting as the guild secretary should talk with Chris.

Finally, Chris noted that in the next few months she will start reviewing the responsibilities of the office of President so that possible candidates will know what to expect.

7. New Business:  None Noted.

8. Announcements:  A reminder was noted that in April 2024 the guild sew day and meeting will be held on the THIRD Thursday of the month (April 18, 2024) because the hall is rented for the 2024 Holy Mackerel Fishing Tackle Event on our typical 2nd Thursday.  We will continue to remind everyone and put out special emails and social media posts.

9. Show-n-Tell:  To say we are an amazing group of quilters, sewists, and needleworkers is the understatement of the year!  It was also noted that the Secret Santa exchange was a huge hit this year and it is not surprising because we have such a create group!!  We rock!!

10. Adjournment:   The next meeting will be January 11, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.  Program – Sara Hume from KSU will present Ohio’s Historical Quilts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Sunshine Committee
Val Watring

Meeting minutes:  Thank you, Marcy, for the Make and Take wreath.  You were generous with your idea and supplies.  We had a wonderful December potluck.  Thanks to all our members.

Newsletter: Wishing everyone a healthy winter with much contentment!

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.

Membership

Hello everyone,

The month of December saw 6 members renew their membership and 1 new member, Vickie McClintock.  We currently have 86 members this year.  The updated membership roster will be sent out shortly. Membership cards can be picked up at the front desk when you sign in.  If you have any questions please see Sandy Gallagher or Karen Neuschaefer.

Notes from the President
Chris Yoo

Happy New Year!!  I started out 2024 by looking BACK.  I pulled my President’s Message from January 2023 and noted that my number one priority for this past year was to help the guild pull off a successful quilt show.  Well, I think that goal was accomplished for sure, but the key word there was “help” because it took a huge committee of volunteers to pull of that fantastic show!!  This past year for the guild was very busy and very rewarding.  Our guild had many accomplishments including helping our community in so many ways such as through the Honor Quilts Committee presentations led by Chairperson Kaye Koler, and the efforts of our Community Service Committee, led by Maria Lucki.  We also enjoyed many wonderful programs and lectures due to the efforts of our Vice President and Program Chair, Margaret Miller.  We also had the opportunity to participate in many fun and create guild challenges thanks to the ladies who keep us creating, which committee is led by Chairperson Kelly Grace!
The upcoming year looks just as exciting and could possibly prove to be even better.  I believe my number one priority for 2024 is to help this guild nominate a new President and to make sure they have a solid foundation.

Please know that each and every one of you make this guild a success.  If you did not have the opportunity to attend many meetings in 2023, I encourage you to make a New Year’s Resolution to attend more in 2024.  If you cannot make the evening meetings, please stop in during the day and sew, quilt, stitch, or just chat with us!  A big part of this guild is “community.”

Happy New Year my quilting and stitching friends.

Your Pres, Chris Yoo

Honor Quilts
Kaye Koler

No Report

January Birthdays

Bonnie Bliss – January 5
Marcy Delavan – January 5
Vickie McClintock – January 8
Sue Wallick – January 8
Linda Bell – January 21
Peggy Paterchak – January 22
Jean Tobia – January 22
Pat Logar – January 26
Peggy Hughes – January 30

Programs/Workshops

January:   Sara Hume from KSU, Ohio’s Historic Quilts.

February:  Hidden Stitches

March:   Afternoon Workshop—English Paper Piecing with Roseanne from Anna’s Sewing Center
              Evening:  Successful, Professional Binding with Roseanne from Anna’s

April:  Paula Senghas From Stitches In Time in Wellington will be joining us in the evening.

May:  Sew 4 Service

June:   Judy Riggle Sew Day

I will have sign up sheets for the March workshop on English paper piecing at the January and February meetings.

Best Wishes and Happy Quilting to Everyone in 2024!

Margaret

Challenges
Kelly Grace

UFO Challenge

Signups are open for the 2024 UFO Challenge!! Lists are due to me NO LATER than January 31st at midnight. Once the calendar turns to February the challenge is on! Please remember that $5 is due to me when you sign up, This is to help with prizes that are given out at the December meeting – You must complete at least one of your UFO’s to be included for prizes. 1 member has already sent me a list and I have my updated list done as well. Although at least 1 item (maybe 2) might be removed before the deadline because I’m already working on them!

Fat Quarter Exchange
Fat quarter exchange turned out awesome this year as usual! Signups for 2024 will start in February.

Monthly Challenge
We will have a new challenge in January!

Secret Santa Exchange
Secret Santa Exchange turned out awesome, I saw a lot of great items that were received!

Block Exchange 
On hold until 2024! Maybe next years Hoffman fabrics will get more people to participate! We will revisit this in March-April when the new fabrics are released.

President’s Challenge
As Chris’s last challenge, she requested that you make a name tag. It must be something new – not something you already made.

Community Service

Maria Lucki

Happy New Year!

We received thank you notes from We Care We Share and Genesis House for all the Guilds donations in 2023.

In 2023, the Lorain County Piecemakers donated 313 quilts, 655 pillow cases, and lots of misc. items (I.e. food, used clothing, shoes, household items, dog beds, etc) to various charities.  Wow.

The Lorain County Dog Kennel will no longer accept dog beds as they say the dogs tear them apart and create quite a mess and clog the drain pipes.   They would, however be very appreciative of any donation of old bath towels.

Pillow cases are always in need at many charities around the county.   I have more “kits” made up should you need them.    I also have material if you need it to make quilts or pillowcases for community service—just let me (Maria Lucki) know.

If you can make a quilt, quilt top (baby, lap, or twin size) for Community Service it would be wonderful.    If you cannot make a whole quilt, consider a 12 1/2 block.    We will be accepting block this year that can be assembled into quilt tops.   If you need fabric for this see Maria.

Maria will not be at the January meeting, but Margaret will be there with pillow case kits and can accept any completed project for Community Service.

Finally, I would like to extend a huge thank you to all who have helped by sewing, quilting, binding and donating.   The need in our community is great right now and The Lorain County Piecemakers is making a difference.   Many hands make light work.   Thank you all and Happy New Year.

Maria

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.

Did you know the guild has an Accuquilt Go? This will be brought to sew days by Chris Yoo if you’d like to use it. There is a list of dies owned by other guild members on the website (https://loraincountypiecemakers.wordpress.com/accuquilt-dies/)

STRAY THREADS…

Sue Schillig

Happy New Year!   I love the start of something new, even in winter!  I have taken a look at my past UFO list and started making my new one.  Last year I finished almost one third of the projects. This year the list is longer. How can that be? Well, I picked up a few more stray blocks that can be sewn into lovely quilts.  I was gifted a couple more unfinished projects.  I’ve plans for a few of my scraps.  I’ve a couple new ideas, and some left from last year.  I might try my hand at making a purse.  My fabric bins are overflowing, and ideas are not far behind.  When my granddaughter Alice asked what my resolutions were for this year, I told her I don’t make those anymore.  Too many times I’ve resolved to do something and couldn’t keep it up.  But I do make goals.  In 2020 I made a goal of 20 quilts finished and reached my goal.  I’m not trying for 24. But I’ve set a few goals.  Make a few community service quilts, like 2 or 3.  Finish some on the list. Have fun.  Shrink the stash.  All good goals and doable as well.  Hope you are having a great start to the new year.

Piecefully,
Sue Schillig

Treasury Report
Sue Schillig

Treasurers Report and Financial Statements of the guild are on file for audit and will be made available for review upon request.

Sue Schillig, treasurer