Volume 33, Issue 8: December 2017

Message from Mary Ann:

SEASONS GREETINGS! I hope you all enjoy the Christmas party this month. Thanks to

Elaine and Linda, as well as, all the ladies on their committees! Next month, a big thanks goes out to Michelle and Lucy for the

Game night, as well as Tracy and Karen for the Bonnie Hunter Prep! Then February brings Bonnie Hunter for two days of happy moments!

I hope you all are blessed and happy! We have plenty more fun to coming in 2018 and 2019! 2018 brings Folded Easter Eggs (which come in handy for Christmas also), Barn quilts and applique. 2019 it is a possible lecture and fun with Pat Sloan! For all you Simply Splendid Sampler fans!

See our possible scheduled dates. We are working to accommodate and have something for everyone. A big thanks to everyone for all your contributions! If you have any ideas for lectures and workshops just let Lucy, Tracy and Karen know what interests you. If you would be willing to teach or lecture, see a member of the board.

Blessed Hanukkah! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad! Happy Kwanzaa! Umoja!

However you say it…say it often! Enjoy your friends and family! Be blessed and full of joy!

As I contemplate this season, I am filled with both joy and sadness. Please remember all those around you and far away with a prayer for peace, love and joy for all! For some it is a lonely season. Brighten someone’s day and may yours be bright and your memories be brighter.

My Mom is struggling with Alzheimer’s (among many other ailments). As the days pass, her bright, happy spirit reminds me that "My attitude determines my altitude!" Even in her dark days, rays of joy can be found. Christmas, snowmen, hymns on her radio, and her ever present hand work keep her days busy. The childhood memories of her Mom and Grandma quilting come up in our talks. It is a comfort to me also. It reminds me that there is joy and peace to be found in the small things...all around...every day! May your season have the reason! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Mary Ann

Guild Contacts

Board Members

President: Mary Ann Clifford

Vice President: Linda Kaup

Secretary: Nancy Swift

Treasurer: Diane Levy

Web & Newsletter: Lynellen Perry

Hospitality: Elaine Murphy, Stella

Wuchina, and Mercy Sais

Workshops: Karen Ehrhard and

Tracy Day

Programs: Lucy Tremblay

Membership: Marlene Amburg

EXPO: Diane Levy

Committee Members

Charity Quilts: Vicki Warner and

Susan Fulton

Open Sew: Pat Burroughs and

Michele Smith

Email articles, recipes, and tips for

the newsletter to:

vastarquilts@gmail.com

VSQ, PO Box 1405,

Fredericksburg, VA 22402

www.vastarquilters.com

Membership:

Please wish these lovely ladies a Happy Birthday in December: Gloria J. – Dec. 4th; Elizabeth S-M – Dec. 7th; Carol V. – Dec. 11th; Theresa J. – Dec. 13th; Joyce M. – Dec. 17th; Janice T. – Dec. 19th; Caroline N. – Dec. 31st.

Marlene and Nancy discovered an "old rule" that was part of the VSG Welcome Letter. As an added incentive to wearing your sewn name tag, you will be charged 25 cents for not wearing one! Marlene is going to make up a Jar for this purpose. We figured any funds can be added to the gifts at the Christmas Party!

Meeting News:

December 20 (Wednesday): Guild Meeting at Lee Hill Community Center. Open sewing starting at noon. Christmas Dinner at 6pm.

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! The Christmas Party will be hosting a White Elephant Exchange! IF you would like to join, please bring one quilt-related item you think would be happier in someone else’s studio and we will have an exchange at the Party! **Optional, only if you want to participate...See you there for a fun-filled evening!

Christmas Dinner

Appetizers: Tina Z Sides/veggies: Linda K. Cranberry salad, green salad Penny R. Veggie tray Mary L. Joyce M. Deviled eggs Main dish /Entrees: Joyce B. Elaine M. Turkey Kitty T. Pork loin Sandy F. Squash casserole Nancy S. Mozzarella soup Salad/fruit: Mercy S. Apple romaine salad Pam L. Fruit

Desserts: Linda K. Christmas cookies Joyce M. Mary Ellen S. Bread/rolls: Stella W. Rolls Marlene M. Rolls Drinks: Sheila J. Tracy D. Ice: Libby H. Cups: Joyce B.

Who would like to receive a greeting card?

Let Michele know if anyone needs a little sunshine in their life! She has been sending out cards on behalf of the guild and would like to hear of birthdays, anniversaries, people who are ill, new grandchildren, etc.

FINAL “Open Sew” Event: December 14

England Run Library: Pat B. will provide an iron, ironing board, and 1 large cutting mat. If you plan to come, contact Michele S. or Pat B. by THE DAY BEFORE the scheduled date. If no one plans to come, she may cancel the date and will send out an email by 10:00 pm the night before the Open Sew date. Come for all or part of the day. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy some stitching time away from the distractions of home life. Hope to see you there. Pat B. 540-775-0546. Michele S. 540-786-6718.

Upcoming Workshop News:

Please let us know any thoughts you have for future workshops that you are interested in and we will explore your ideas.

There are still some spots available in both of our Bonnie Hunter workshops in February. If you have registered for both workshops and haven’t gotten your book yet, we will have them for you at December’s meeting. We will also have some books for sale for those that are only doing the Jamestown Landing workshop and don’t own the book. There is some prep that needs to be done before the class.

SPRING RETREAT! Scrap-a-Doodle fun! March 15-18 We are full, but we do have a waiting list! Please pay Judy H. your monthly deposit. We have to pay the next installment in January for our retreat. The cost is $230. Mercy is working on the extra day. There will be NO FOOD for Wednesday night or Thursday breakfast and lunch since we do not have 16 people interested. They only do food service if we have 16 people. If we use their kitchen, there is a $100 charge. She will email all of you that are signed up with the options. Mercy is ironing out the final details and you will receive an email in January with them.

January 2018 Game Night during regular general meeting

BINGO GAME CARD INSTRUCTIONS Materials for 1 (10 1/2") card *Each fabric must be chosen from one of the categories listed and should be easily identified (i.e., leaf should be mostly leaf and not also contain floral or geometric shapes). *Use a black solid/tone on tone for the center square. Fabric Choices: *Batik *Floral *Geometric *Heart *Leaf *Metallic *Holiday *Novelty *Paisley *Plaid *Solid *Star *Stripe *1930s print Cut: 5 (2 1/2") squares assorted yellow and orange prints 5 (2 1/2") squares assorted red prints 5 (2 1/2") squares assorted blue prints 5 (2 1/2") squares assorted green prints 4 (2 1/2") squares assorted pink and purple prints 1 (21/z") square black solid or tone on tone. Block Assembly 1. Referring to photos of blocks, join 5 yellow/orange print squares to make 1 row. In the same manner, make 1 red, 1 blue, and 1 green row. 2. Join 2 pink/purple squares. Make 2 pink/purple pairs. Join one pink/ purple pair to each side of black square to complete pink/purple row. 3. Join rows, placing pink/purple row in center, to complete 1 Bingo Game Card block. *Each participant may have up to three cards. First Card played is free. Entry fee of One Fat Quarter for each additional card will be required.

Plan to bring 20-25 buttons for each card you are playing.

November Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Mary Ann at 7pm at the Salem Church Library where Penny taught her Pickle Dish pattern.

Judy - Retreat: Those who have signed up will soon get an email with information. There are already 3 people on the waiting list.

Pat - Open Sew: will be unable to handle this after December 2017.

Linda - Holiday Party: will be held at 6 pm at Lee Hill. Everyone please sign up to bring food.

Nancy - Raffle Quilt: there are several patterns laid out on the table. Please vote for your choice so we have an idea of which direction to go in.

Hope House: quilts were made for all the kids.

Kathleen Wilson was here to talk about Mary’s Place, a haven for young women who are pregnant or have young children, and lived in shared homes. It was decided that we would make up sewing kits and we could teach English Paper Piecing. Pat and Theresa to make up a list of items needed for each sewing kit.

Treasurer Diane is out sick, so there was only a partial report.

Snacks were consumed.

Show and Tells were shown.

The meeting ended at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy O. Swift

Calendar

2017

• December 6: Board meeting • December 14 (Thursday): FINAL Open Sew. England Run Public Library (9:30am – 4:30pm) • December 20 (Wednesday): Lee Hill Community Center. Open Sew (all day). Christmas Dinner 6pm. If you will

help decorate and set up, please contact Elaine.

2018

• January 24: Guild meeting at Salem Church Public Library. 4pm – 6pm: preparation for Bonnie workshop; 7pm – 9pm: General meeting and Game Night!

• February 20: Bonnie Hunter “Jamestown Landing” Workshop • February 21: Bonnie Hunter “Scrappy Houses” Workshop • February 21: General meeting and Bonnie Hunter lecture (7pm – 9pm) • March 15-18: Spring Retreat • March 17: National Quilt Day • March 28: Salem Church Public Library. General meeting. Board Member Nominations. Folded Easter Eggs. • April 18: Lee Hill Community Center. General Meeting and Board Election • May 23: Lee Hill Community Center. Board Installation dinner • June 3: Block Exchange • June 27: Salem Church Public Library. General Meeting. • July 25: Salem Church Public Library. General Meeting. • August 15: Lee Hill Community Center (OR August 22 Salem Church Public Library) • September 19: Lee Hill Community Center (OR September 26 Salem Church Public Library) • October 17: Lee Hill Community Center. General Meeting • November 21: Lee Hill Community Center (OR November 28 Salem Church Public Library) • December 19: Lee Hill Community Center (OR December 26 Salem Church Public Library)

TENTATIVE BOARD MEETING DATES:

• January 3 • February 7 • March 7 • April 11 • May 2 • June 6 • July 11 • August 1 • September 5 • October 3 • November 7 • December 7

Free Motion Quilting Lectures, Workshops & Ruler Quilting Events

Jan 2018 – Capital Quilts, Maryland – Westalee Design Ruler Demo & Workshop Feb 2018 – Virginia Quilt Museum – African American Quilters Exhibit March 2018 – Cabin Branch Quilters – Free Motion Quilting Trunk Show & Lecture April 2018 – Charlottesville Area Guild – Westalee Design Ruler Workshop For more information about the above events & workshops visit www.livingwaterquilter.com

--Living Water Quilter Patterns—

Christmas Sale – ALL patterns are 30% off Visit my Craftsy pattern page Sale Ends Dec 20th ** The 5 patterns available are the Lydia Tote bag, Half Lone Star, Spring Delight runner Art Deco Block, and a Holiday QAYG Holiday runner. Visit my website or go directly to Craftsy with this link http://shrsl.com/jq2v

Private lessons------------------------------------------------------------

Create your own class with private lessons. You decide what you want to learn. Topics include: Free Motion Quilting, Feathers & Rulers on a domestic machine. Private lessons are $40/hour, 2 hour minimum. Semi-private (two-people) lessons are $30/hour per person with a minimum of two hours. Sessions are held in my home.

-------------Social Media---------------

Website– www.livingwaterquilter.com Instagram – @livingwaterquilter Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/LivingWaterQuilterLLC/ Facebook Group – Quilting with Rulers & Templates For more information contact Dena Wilkins at dena@livingwaterquilter.com