February 2017 Meeting Review

As long as I get the last meeting review done before the next meeting, I'm good, right? Right!

We kicked off our February meeting by welcoming our five visitors (we love our visitors) and then jumped right into Show and Share.

This month we also shared our completed (or mostly completed) 2016 Stars Block of the Month quilts. Wow! So cool! Be sure to check out all quilts and sundry items from both the Show and Share and the 2016 BOM quilts in the pictures and picture video.

With the 2016 Stars BOM out of the way, Elly H. introduced us to our 2017 BOM - Negative Space! Each month will actually be two blocks, highlighting the reversal of the negative space. Elly recommended that we use a high contrast, solid background or tone-on-tone and then 5 other colors. She also recommended that to have enough for the entire year (as well as to cover any cutting mistakes) you will want to plan for 2 yards of background and 1/2-1 yard for each color. Can't wait Elly! Instructions for the first block(s) are now available.

Next up was Community Service. We've received the call to help make survival bags for the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center (RARCC). The bag holds sweats and flip flops (as the clothing the women are wearing is taken as evidence), shampoo, soap, and a teddy bear. RARCC needs help making the bags as Sandy noted they're giving out 30 to 40 bags a month (which just breaks your heart). The Center does not the bag contents - they just need us to make the bags. You'll find the pattern link on our Guild Links page (along with the Happy Bags pattern, isolette pattern, etc).

Samantha N. reported she delivered 27 dogs bed and 101 dalmatians cat beds to the Riverside Community Animal Shelter on Van Buren. Way to go Samantha!

Our next community service Sew Day is coming up on March 25th for Threads of Love at Rancho Cabelleros. Sharon K. has been busily making up kits so we'll be ready to build up the Threads of Love stash of gowns, blankets and bonnets. Be sure to mark your calendars!

Dawn M. shared with us that we should feel free to shop our stashes to make happy bags or if you see something while out shopping, feel free to grab and keep those bags coming! Contact her if you have any questions and remember, the pattern is available on our Guild Links page.

In very sad news, Andie B.'s husband Bob has passed away. Please keep Andie and her family in your thoughts and prayers and give her a big hug next time you see her and send her a card if you're a card sending type person. We love you, Andie! /hug

The spring retreat to Vina De Lestonnac, aka The Nunnery, in Temecula May 19-21 is now full, although Barbara will take names for a waiting list as she may be able to squeeze in a few more. The theme this year is Birds of Feather and I for one can't wait!

We have a few missing food container items - please check as Shirley L. is missing a 9x13 glass cake pan. If you have some masking tape available, it might be a good idea to label your dishes and serving ware so those wayward items won't get lost!

Up next Elly talked about her (then) upcoming class on Ricky Tims' Harmonic Convergence quilt. (Postscript: We had a blast and the class was well attended! Check out the pictures here!)

The next 9 Patch due at the April meeting will be 'Reduce your Stash' blocks - Susan M. sent us email to be sure to it for more information.

Door prizes:
Nemo quilt panel kit - Becky S.
Sturdy project tote - Judy B.
Fats, screwdriver & buttons - Jeri R.
Teapot pin cushion - Debi G.
Fats bundle - (sorry I didn't catch who won this - if you please, please add a comment below)

Mystery box:
Tammy A.

- Cassandra G.