December 2016 Meeting Review

'Twas a night before Christmas, when all through the guild
A few quilters were missing; a new night was billed.
Many were sad the Center had changed our usual day,
But hopes were still high and we met anyway.

The quilters were nestled all snug at their tables,
Having grabbed some deviled eggs, if they were able.
And Jeri in her 'apron, and I with my recap,
Had just settled down for a long meeting's yap.

When up on the stage there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Out with my iPhone, and off with the flash,
Tore open my eyeballs, and readied to dash.

The lights on the stage like a new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to the quilts below,
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But quilts with Santas and mangers and stars and reindeer.

With a feisty spry prez, so quick and merry,
We knew in a moment it must be our Jeri.
More rapid than sergers her quilters they came,
And she cheered, and praised, and called them by name;

"Now, SUSAN! now, CAROL! now, VICKIE and ANGIE!
On, SAMANTHA! on JAN, on DONNA and VANGIE!
To the top of the steps! step away from the wall!
Now share with us! share with us! share with us all!"

As fat quilters that before an Elly challenge fly,
When they meet with a UOF, stitching a shoofly,
So up to the Goeske the quilters they flew,
With their bags full of quilts and Prez Jeri too.

And then, in a twinkling, we saw without guilt
The ohing and awing for each little quilt.
As we draw in our breath, and were turning around,
Into our vision Prez Jeri came with a bound.

She spoke a few words and then straight to the show,
And filled all our hearts by going with the flow,
And laying our hands on those pieces of art,
We knew that our meeting was a joy to the heart.

We sprang from our seats, to our cars like a missile,
And away we all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard her exclaim, as I drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

-- adapted by Cassandra G. from A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

What a fantastic night we had! After having to reschedule due to the Goeske Center being closed for two weeks, we still had a great turn out and according to Jeri, the best potluck ever! We are so sorry that there are those who couldn't be there and we held you all in our hearts.

Besides the potluck, we also had a special Show and Share where members were invited to also bring Christmas quilts and projects from Christmases Past - be sure to check out the photos or video! And because it's Christmas, the Guild held a Christmas gift lottery and had purchased several awesome gifts, including a cordless handless iron, quilt pattern and kits, and other goodies. Each member received 5 tickets and could put as many tickets as they liked in for each item, with the drawing at the end of the meeting.

After a fabulous repast, we started right in with door prizes!

Door Prizes
Project tote & pattern - Sharon G.
Teapot cushion & buttons - Valerie T.
Quilt labels & pattern - Ginnie C.
Batik strips & Roxanne's glue - Jamie J.
Enchanted pines layer cake & buttons - Cassandra G.

Charlotte shows off her baby blanket

Onto some news...

• Mary M. graciously donated 2 bolts of baby fabric for the neonatal quilt - thank you! 
• Shelly N.'s daughter got accepted to Azusa Pacific Physical Therapist Doctorate program - congratulations!
• Judy M. is moving to North Carolina and this was her last meeting. Sorry to see you go, but bon voyage!
• Charlotte visited with us and spent the meeting busily crocheting a baby letters blanket - beautiful!

Elly announced that the 'Another Star' block due at the December meeting was our last 2016 Star BOM and invited us all to bring our completed 2016 BOM quilts to the February meeting. Elly said she's working on two BOM theme choices for 2017 - half square triangles or negative/positive. Elly took a quick vote by show of hands and she may introduce both! The 2017 BOM will start in February.

Upcoming Charity Events:
Saturday January 21st 2017 Road to California Charity Event. Click here for more information.

Saturday February 4th National Quilt of Valor Sew Day at Rancho Caballero's Club House from 9am-10pm! We'll have a salad potluck for lunch and then order pizza for dinner.

Saturday March 25th Threads of Love Sew Day at Rancho Caballero's Club House.

Barbara M. announced we have the dates for the next guild retreat to Vinya de Lestonnac (aka the Nunnery) in Temecula for May 19th-21st. We have not received costs yet from the Nunnery, but expect more information soon.

The meeting was also the time for Board and chairperson nominations. The vote via paper ballot for the Board positions will occur at the January meeting with the installation of the new Board at the February meeting.

To accommodate those who may not have been able to attend, Board and chairperson nominations have been extended to Friday, January 6th. Please call Jeri to nominate yourself. To that, Samantha N. would like to announce that she would like to step down from doing Show and Share, so if anyone is interested and can help out, your nomination would be appreciated! If you have never volunteered to help  or you haven't in a long time, now is your chance and thank you!

In addition to voting on the Board, we will also be holding a Yard Sale at the January meeting. You are invited to bring your new or in-good-condition used items to sell. 10% of your total sales will be due to the Guild. There will be no Pay and Take table at the next meeting.

Susan M.'s 9 patch group brought in their fabulous thirties 9 patches and Susan announced the next 9 patch theme - we're going Back to Batiks, this with a light and dark fabric of the same color, like light teal and dark teal, etc. Can't wait to see those, which are due at the February meeting!

Next up was the Mystery Box, which was won, OMGOSH, by YOURS TRULY! WOOHOO! Keep buying tickets, ladies! You can win! :D


And finally, the Christmas Gift Lottery - winners had to be present to win:

• Fancy cordless, handleless iron - Nancy R. (who was besides herself! I'm sorry I didn't get a video of it)
• 90" x 90" Star quilt pattern and kit - Jamie J.
• Pure Color Runner kit - Florence
• Tote bag kit - Benita
• Spools table runner kit - Barbara O.
• Blue Kaffee Fasset kit - Dolores B.
• Batiks kit - Laura G.
• Red Kaffe Fasset kit -Dina B.
• Fat quarters & $50 gift certificate to Easy Quilting Corner - Fern

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!

- Cassandra G.