February 2012 Meeting

Our February meeting was held on February 21 at Helen's house. 

Attending were Randi, Peggy, Rita, Ellie, Helen, Linda, Margie, Dawn, and Tricia. Linda's daughter Rachael and granddaughter Chaya also attended the meeting with Anita from the DAR joining us for dessert.

We had a full house at Helen's and a festive, eclectic dinner of delcious sausage soup from Randi, salad from Margie, tostadas from Helen and Ellie, and bread from Rita.

Next Meeting

*** Tuesday, March 20 at Helen's ***

Food: Tricia - soup; Linda - salad; Margie - bread; Randi - dessert

Demonstration: Dawn will demonstrate the Double Diamond ruler
(Note for April meeting -- Peggy will demonstrate the Twister tool.)

Business

Box Quilts: We began our meeting with the box quilt exchange. Remember that block size should be 12 -1/2 inches unfinished -- please be as accurate as possible so that all blocks will match well when combined into a quilt. Randi emphasized the commitment of each quilter to participate every month by making arrangements with another member if she is not able to attend a meeting. For example, Peggy knows she will not be at the March meeting (she is going to see her new grandson for the first time), so she will send the box she's been working on to the meeting with Tricia, and Tricia will bring back a different box for Peggy.

Spa Basket: Margie volunteered to be this year's basket chairman. Bees should inventory items they have on hand that can be donated to the spa basket and send that information to Margie. Bring items to the next meeting so we can see what we have and make arrangements to fill in what is needed to make a nice basket for donation. There was some discussion about setting a budget, using dues, etc., which will be continued at the next meeting.

Quilt Show: The Northern Nevada Quilt Guild's annual quilt show and competition will be held on May 18-19 at the Fallon Convention Center. Check the Nevada Quilt Guild website for details on locations, classes, special events, etc.

Sweatshirt Jacket Workshop: Previously we discussed the idea of continuing our tradition of doing a member-led workshop, and the Bees expressed interest in making a sweatshirt jacket like the one Peggy sometimes wears. Margie was able to reserve the meeting room for Saturday, September 29 -- time TBD. It's so much fun to sew together as a group. Please try to plan your schedule in advance to be able to participate!

Start looking for good deals on sweatshirts. You should get at least 1-2 sizes larger if 100% cotton because they shrink quite a bit.  If you want a longer jacket (like Peggy's), you'll need two sweatshirts. (If you buy three sweatshirts, you can probably make two long jackets!) More details to come.

Visit from Anita

Anita from the DAR arrived for dessert, and we were all excited to get a chance to thank her in person for the generous donation to our club. She explained that when she presented our project to her DAR chapter, they collected a "love offering" for us -- meaning that the money came out of their pockets as a special collection rather than an expenditure from their dues-- making their participation in our project even more special because it comes straight from their hearts. Again, we extend our thanks to Anita and her DAR sisters.

We then asked Anita some questions about the DAR and the Battle Born Chapter. The Battle Born chapter is one of the smaller chapters having 26 members with about 11 active members who attend meetings. They participate in both national initiatives and local projects, which encompass both charitable works and educational projects. All members can trace their geneaolgy back to a relative who served in some fashion in the Revolutionary War. Randi asked how one goes about seeking membership. Anita said the best way is to attend a meeting. There are genealogists available to help prospective members establish a connection and to submit the required paperwork. None of us were familiar with the DAR, and it was interesting to learn about this service organization for women.

We then feasted on sumptuous homemade desserts. Peggy made scrumptious whoopie pies and Ellie made delicious flan -- always a favorite. Yum!

Show and Tell

Dawn made a darling Linus quilt from a panel she bought for $1.00 at the 4H Club rummage sale.

  

She also made a child's quilt for a Ditch Stitchers' project using fabric from a fabric exchange. By the luck of the draw, Dawn got fabric donated by Linda. Dawn also made a quilt for one of her mother's friends who recently lost her husband. The friend is 80 year old and a former nurse -- although not clearly visible in the photo, the quilt is made from silly nurse fabric. (Click to enlarge the photo.)

Randi finished a beautiful table runner.

Peggy took a zen doodling class from Paula at Fabrics Unlimited and is becoming quite a talented art quilter.

Linda made a baby quilt for a neighbor's baby, Leilani (one of her 2012 goals). It sports orange buttons she collected from the Bees.

Rachael brought some fabrics she plans to use for a disappearing nine-patch quilt, and the Bees gave her suggestions on how to arrange the fabric for different effects. We look forward to seeing the finished quilt!