February 2010 Newsletter

Letter from the President

Hello everyone,I hope you are all enjoying the winter months and that you are finding time to get some projects completed. I can remember when I thought January and February were slow, boring months. Not anymore! I guess that was before my quilting days. This month has been filled to capacity. My goal is to finish my UFO's before starting new projects. I have said that before, but this month I even finished a project I started six years ago! The project is Elaine's first block of the month quilt offered when Loose Threads first opened. I had my doubts I would ever finish it and without some help from some of my Ritzy Thimble friends at Sewing on the River I might not have ever finished it! Our friendship and caring for each other is one of the great things about being a member of the Ritzy Thimble Quilt Guild. I am humbled when I think of all my quilting friends and what they mean to me.I hope you are all looking forward to the many activities we have going on in our guild. We have the block drawing coming up in April, the Hospitality House quilts are due in June, we will get another clue for the mystery quilt this month, and many other opportunities are available if you choose to participate. I have heard some say that they choose not to join a guild because of all that is expected of the members. These activities are all your choice to do or not to do. Of course, if you are like me, you do not want to miss anything going on! And we hope you will choose to participate, especially in the charity projects like the Hospitality House quilt project. As you can see from the pictures we receive occasionally, these quilts bring joy to the patients in one of the most challenging times of their lives. The quilts are not only physically comforting for the warmth they give during chemo treatments, but emotionally comforting as well. Beverly is doing a great job with our programs. She has some very good speakers and fun activities planned for this year. I am already thinking about the apron I will make for the apron exchange! We have representatives from Gina's coming to present our February program. There will be a shopping schedule included in this newsletter and we will have the program before the business part of the meeting this month. Also, Arlene asked if we could invite a member of Smoky Mountain Quilters to show us the raffle basket they have put together for the upcoming quilt show. The basket is valued at $2500 and even contains a new Bernina sewing machine. Tickets will be available for $1 each or 6 for $5. As you can see in the newsletter, JoAnn has a special door prize drawing this month also. JoAnn is a master at collecting the door prizes and I am sure we will be amazed at what she has collected for the year. So, be sure to bring cash or your check book if you wish to shop with Gina's and if you feel lucky and wish to participate in the drawings. Maybe you will be the winner of the valuable door prize or even the basket from Smoky Mountain Quilters! See you on the 15th!

Wanda Somers
President


Program


Guest speaker is Gina Owen from Gina's Bernina in Knoxville, Gina has been the local Bernina dealer for 27 years. She will be bringing fabric, tools, etc. and will be speaking for about 30 minutes--showing new stuff, new tools, etc. Gina will have items for sale and will set up at 5:30 -come early and shop.

Workshops

Jodi Savage will be teaching Easy Applique on April 10th, 10:00-3:00, fee $35.00 per person. The class will be at the civic center in the craft room. This class will be limited to 20 people, if more than that are interested a second class will be in April. Please contact me at Bafcalvert@AOL.Com if you want to be sign up for the class. There will also be a sign up sheet at the Feb. meeting. Your check should be made out to RTQ and given to Pat at the Feb. meeting.

Cotton Theory workshop has been posted and will be rescheduled later.

February Door Prize

This month's meeting is going to be a busy one so I have decided to run the door prize a little differently. The one prize this month has a total value of over $50. Tickets will be $1 for an opportunity to win a special quilter's valentine. Come and see how lucky you are. The valentine prize has a valuable coupon, fat quarters, magazine, book, special marking pencils, small tool, batting and of course, some candy ! No free ticket for wearing a badge, sorry.

Virginia Shop Hop

Per Moe & Faye there are 14 reservations for the shop hop, April 29-May 1. They need 30. Contact them at moefayetravel@aol.com if you are interested in going.

Dates to Remember

February 15 - Dinner at Panera 4:30 (prior to meeting)
February 15 - Meeting 6 pm - Gina's Bernina presenting program
February 15 - Mystery Quilt Next clue or clues
March 15 - Meeting
April 10 - Jodi Savage - applique workshop
April 19 - Meeting Block Exchange Arkansas Traveler (crayon colors with creme background)
June 21 - Hospitality House Quilt Challenge - Games People Play