Patchwords
published monthly
by
St. Andrew Bay Quilters’ Guild, Inc.
P.O. BOX 16225
Panama City, FL 32406
Circulation Editor
Sue Wahlgren

This month’s issue published by Sarah Hough

PRESIDENT’S NOTE Summer and vacations are coming to an end and quilters are getting serious. The Quilt Expo committee is really busy. The "Bees" are buzzing with projects. Plans are being made for retreats, the Christmas party, workshops and many other things. We have lots to look forward to. I have heard lots of good things about the UFO challenge and different ways to list and document the UFO's. Some quilters are taking pictures, also listing what it will take to finish each one.

I am in my new quilting room but still have to organize fabric and put in the new cabinets and a few other things. It is so nice to have a cutting table and three sewing machines ready to use at any time. I know I will really enjoy it when everything is in place.

I have been thinking about quilters—who are we, what do we do and what we stand for. I believe quilters are special people who are creative, curious, patient, friendly, caring, concerned, encouraging, happy, funny, young, old, healthy, disabled, students, collectors, "doers" and "givers". As collectors we like to collect fabric, books, patterns, all quilting notions, etc. We keep seeking new techniques and want to learn more about quilting. As "doers" and "givers" when there is a need for such things as nap quilts, VA quilts, blocks for cancer, bibs, etc., we get excited and come together striving to meet the needs. I do believe we are happiest when we are giving comfort and meeting the needs of others. We are also pleasing God when we do these things. Quilters, be proud of your quilting abilities and keep up the good work. We do make a difference. I am proud to be called a quilter and to be a part of Saint Andrews Bay Quilt Guild and hope you are, too.

Keep stitching and God Bless You,
Susie

DAY MEETING REPORT
From India:
The August day meeting program—Flea Market—was great fun and profitable for those participating. Our spotlight quilters were mother and daughter—Effie Maris and Helen Russo—two unique and interesting ladies. There were 31 members and 3 guests present. The program for September will be by Beverly Pierzchala.

From Marilyn Hermansen:
Thank you, Sandy Sturgis, for hosting "Sit 'n' Stitch at your home. Assisting her: Cordelia Bealor, Carole Mabardy, Kristin Rolle and Marilyn Hermansen. And, thanks to the following ladies for hosting the 9:30 meeting: Sue Fluker, Rosemary Martens, Bobbi Caldwell, Shirley Vaucher, Marylu Baxter, and Sydney Fridell.

SOMETHING IS MISSING – DO YOU HAVE IT?

EVENING MEETING REPORT
38 members, one guest, and two new members were present.

Carolyn Swope, chair of the Quilt Expo guild boutique gave the following report:

• Each day will have two co-chairs. There will be two hour shifts. Members are encouraged to work.
• A change in policy was announced in that members who entered items to sell in the boutique did not have to work. Because many members are employed during the week, it was felt that insisting that they work that weekend would be a hardship and reduce the items entered for sale
• Members who had entered items in past boutiques would maintain their same ID number for use again.
• Do not to use stickers on items, but rather use the two part cards for easy identification.
• Plastic bags are needed desperately for sale items. We are encouraged to save them and turn them in at meetings, sit-n-stitch, workshops or any time we gather.
• It was planned that we sell a few disposable cameras and perhaps some film at the boutique to accommodate those attendees who forgot their own cameras.
• More discussion about numbers will be forthcoming.

Reida Surber showed some of the quilt tops that are being prepared for our many charitable offerings. She had taken strips and scraps to a meeting of the Hummingbird bee group and explained that the group made 350 blocks. At this time 35 veterans' home quilts (four of which were lap sized), and 27 Head Start nap quilts had been turned in.

Sally Bendschneider of Headstart thanked everyone for their efforts and announced the opening of three new centers for ages 1-3 and 3-5 years. When they took quilts over to one new center the staff cried for joy because they hadn't expected anything so lovely and didn't even have blankets for the children. More quilts are always needed so this is a continuing project. Another member had called Sally about delivering some nap quilts to Sally's home. When Jackie Brookins dropped off her latest group of quilts there were eleven! Another need for the centers is bibs. They feed the children 3 meals a day and wash them after each use. JoEllen Rogers challenged us to meet the need for 50 bibs by next month's meeting.

Susie Pippin read a lovely thank you card from Mary Ola Miller. Ms. Miller is 90 years old. The guild presented her with a certificate and a lifetime membership to the guild. The board decided that any member who turns 90 should be awarded a lifetime membership. The thank you card also mentioned that she wanted to do something to honor Janice Roberts, a friend and guild member, who is ill. She made a $100 contribution to the guild for this purpose. Plans for the donation will be announced later.

Many thanks to Ann Vassie for her comprehensive minutes.

Mary Ola Miller being presented with a certificate and lifetime guild membership by Susie Pippin and Helen Russo. Congratulations, Mary Ola.

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UPCOMING EVENTS
START STRIPPING!!
"Strip Twist" - a Scrap Quilt Workshop

Date: Sept 9, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Place: Church
Fabric: 2.5" strips, at least 18" long, but no shorter than 9" need at least 48 light and 48 dark
Supplies: Sewing machine, rotary cutter, ruler & mat, neutral (gray) sewing thread, and basic sewing supplies
Contact: Linda Kelley or Mary Molinari
THERE IS A WAITING LIST FOR THIS CLASS

UFO CHALLENGE - India Belisle
The UFO Challenge will start with the September meeting.

1. Bring a list of your UFO's.
2. For each UFO you finish, you will put your name in the pot for a prize to be awarded at the May meeting.
3. A certificate of participation will be given to each participant.

CHRISTMAS PARTY NEWS, Helen Russo
Our Christmas Party will be here before we know it. The Sisterhood is busy making plans for a wonderful party. Last year we embellished hats. This year we decided to embellish purses. We will have a contest for the "Best" purse. The winner will be chosen by the group. Only purses that are made by the individual will be eligible to enter the contest. Any theme can be used for embellishment. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. The date is Dec. 2nd, 11:00am at the Black Angus Restaurant.

SUNSHINE & SHADOWS, Bobbie Clemens One of our long time members passed away on July 28. Joan Carter had been a member of the guild for more than 20 years. The past few years, poor health prevented her from being an active member. This spring she seemed to be feeling better and attended several meetings. Her death left a void for all who had the opportunity to know her. By the time you read this newsletter, Elma Stewart should be home from the nursing home. She suffered a fall and some surgery. Our prayers are for a quick recovery. Shirley Love has been in the hospital once again, this time with pneumonia. Her health is of concern to all of us. Bob (her husband) says she is using a wheelchair around the house. I talked with Shirley and she is in good spirits, and only asks that we keep her son-in-law in our prayers as he has stage 4 throat cancers.

A little sunshine after all these shadows: Susie Pippin is celebrating her 52nd Anniversary this month, and in October Betty Williams celebrates her 54th.

Donna Gibbens, Loretta Akerlind and Sarah Hough presented Janice Roberts with a quilt from blocks made by the Flamingo Flock. Linda Kelley assembled and quilted the blocks. Donna Gibbens, Sam Lopez and Sarah Hough did the binding. The quilt was made signed with love and good wishes by many of Janice’s friends. We love you and we are praying for you, Janice.

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Rosemary Martens
Looks like the Bees have been really busy this summer.

• The Ladybugs are planning a retreat at the home of Shirley Vaucher in the fall for some sewing, shopping and food.

• The Baltimore Babes have opened up their membership. Anyone wishing to join them is welcome to attend their group meetings the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Quilt Room (across from Byrne Hall). Call Aking for further information.

• The Hummingbirds worked on Charity Quilts with Reida Surber at their regular monthly meeting. They also had another mini retreat weekend.

• The Sisterhood is starting a new type of Round Robin. At the end of 12 months, each of its members will have 12 blocks to make into a quilt. In June 2007 they will present a program on Round Robins.

• The Monday Afternoon Group has continued to meet through the summer. They said good-bye to
Charter member Shirley Crawford who moved to Kansas. Their focus is on finishing their UFO's.

• The Dothan Ladies are planning on working on the Churn Dash Block (click here for pattern) for the Quilt Show Boutique. They have also made Comfort Quilts and that were quilted by June Bauman.

• Marylu Baxter is having her Annual Craft Sale September 20 through 23rd. Members who attend will be treated to a light lunch. Information 334-792-2537.

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ROAD TRIP TIME!
Thanks to Mary-Jeanine Ibarguen for the following. For more information on these and other events and ongoing information about quilting events in Florida, please go to www.FloridaQuiltNetwork.com. Mary- Jeanine lists upcoming quilt shows, exhibits, shop hops, national teachers coming to teach, quilting retreats and trips, calls for quilts, symposiums, new quilt shops, challenges, and always the Simply Quilts upcoming schedule on HGTV

• Thru - Sept 4 Quilt Exhibit in Gainesville rg10001@bellsouth.net
• Thru - Sept 10 Quilt Exhibit in West Palm Beach http://norton.org/exhibitions/advancedschedule4.htm
• Sept 12-15 Handwork Retreat in Leesburg jtoth002@tampabay.rr.com
• Sept 14-Dec 3 Quilt Show in Tallahassee contact ann@twistedstitcher.com
• Sept 21-24 Quilt Show in Jacksonville www.quiltfestjax.com
• Oct 6-7 Sue Benner Workshop in Ft. Myers 239-541-0226
• Oct 19-21 Shop Hop in West Central Florida debsquiltbasket@aol.com
• Oct. 20-22 19th Suwanee River Quilt Show & Sale Stephen Foster Cultural Center & State Park, White Springs, www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster
• Oct 25, 27, 28 Jamie Wallen Workshop in Palm Coast elaine@elainequilts.com
• Oct 27-30 Quilt Retreat in Leesburg Talacam@aol.com
• Nov. 17-19 SSQA Annual Meeting Lake Yale (Leesburg) www.ssqa.org