Intro to Improv Quilting - Lisa Ruble

We currently have openings in a class coming up in April with Lisa Ruble from the Kalamazoo area called "Intro to Improv Quilting".

Class is Saturday, April 15th in Ann Arbor (1100 N. Main St). 

Pre-registration and advance payment of $85 for non-guild-members is required (payable by PayPal - link is provided with sign-up form). Class runs four hours and will start at 10:00am. Please plan on bringing your own lunch or snacks.

Description:

“Interested in improv piecing techniques but not sure where to start? Lisa will walk you through the steps to create three different improvisationally pieced blocks: wonky stars, wonky flying geese, and wonky log cabin blocks. Wonky piecing can seem intimidating, but Lisa makes the blocks along with you, and you'll leave the workshop with confidence in your improv abilities! She will also share quilts made using these techniques for added inspiration.” 4-hour workshop

Let us know if you have any questions. Non-member sign up here: https://forms.gle/nZxkz3TTRz3Ja9QX7 (Members should use the form sent out via email or on our Facebook group page).

You can look at Lisa' offerings at Quilty Zest https://www.quiltyzest.com/.

A2MQG Meeting Minutes - February 2023

Mother Nature once again put a snafu in our meeting plans. Due to extreme ice storms and many power outages, the meeting was held on Zoom with a very small number of attendees (10).  Given that, much of our program has been shifted to the March meeting as noted below.

• Programs - As mentioned at our last meeting, we will be hosting Lisa Ruble for "Intro to Improv Piecing" class on Saturday, April 15th (check your emails for sign-up link).  We do not have an exact time (probably around 10am) but do recommend signing up early as we will be opening this class to non-members.  Cost: $70 member ($85 non-members).

• Round Robins - moved to March

• Swaps - 
• Swap with Detroit Area Modern Quilt Guild (DAMQG) - we will be doing a swap similar to past ones with Chicago, where members will be assigned someone from the other guild.  Sign-up link has gone out by email and on FB page.  You must sign up by March 15th.  Exchange names will be sent on the 18th and you have until the April 26th meeting to complete.  This is a mini-quilt no bigger than 24".  It may be smaller (but not too small!).
• Heart (or similar) 8.5" block Lottery (winner takes all!) - move to March meeting
• Bring a FQ, take a FQ (you may bring as many FQ's to exchange as you like) - will take place each month.  Bring yours to the March meeting.

• Skill School : Deb Spring will actually do her demo in March but we did have a show and share of sorts with some of her bags and a discussion on zippers and what will be covered.

• Charity and Outreach (a huge thank you to Carol Ullmann who has agreed to be Charity chair)

• Next in-person sew-in is Sunday, Feb 26 at NEW and reminder about weekly virtual ones

• MQG Report - 
• Kathy reported on a meeting with MQG leaders across the country which was very informative. There seem to be quite a few guilds that are actually much smaller than ours and those guilds seem very happy with the small size.  There was much discussion on good vs. bad teachers for lectures and classes.  While leaders were reluctant to name bad teachers, a list of those considered good was shared (and this list will be passed along to our Programs efforts).  The consensus was that a good teacher (esp. if teaching via Zoom or similar online platforms) will be knowledgeable of the technology and have the appropriate equipment to teach the class.  This is especially important if the teacher is getting a high fee for the class given that they are not having to travel.  It was also stressed that the importance of accessibility and that offering recording of the class is very important for this.
• Several members are at QuiltCon this week so looking forward to a report next month.

• Retreat - report will be at the March meeting

Next meeting:  March 29 at N.E.W.

A2MQG Meeting Minutes - January 2023

Welcome to January! Because of weather issues we made lemonade out of lemons last night, meeting via Zoom instead of in-person with 15 members attending.

This meeting was our annual meeting so reports were given by board officers.  Information to note:

• Our budget for this year is somewhat higher than our expected income from just dues so it was noted that we will need to be careful on expenses including trying to make up a bit with classes.   Membership has decreased this year - we went from 60 to 47 members to date. New members help with the budget as well, so if you know of anyone who has been thinking of joining, this would be a great year for it!

• Please go to our SWAPS link above for information on this year's swaps and challenges. 
• For February we will be having a heart-filled block lottery.  Make as many blocks as you like and you will get a ticket for each for a chance to win all the blocks.  Plan on either making a heart block or using heart-related fabric to make any 8.5" block.
• We will also be featuring 'bring a FQ/take a FQ' exchange at each in-person meeting throughout the year.  This themed share will change each month with the first one in February being anything goes.  Please bring as many quilt-quality FQ's and you can exchange one of yours for one someone else has brought.
• We will have a mini-quilt swap with the Detroit guild (DAMQG) so look for more information on that at the next meeting.  In addition, start working on finishing those languishing works-in-progress (WIPs/UFOs).  We will have prizes midyear for the most finished, the oldest finished, plus a drawing from all participants.

• Guild Retreat is this weekend at Creative Passions in Chesaning.

• Sew-ins: Virtual sew-ins are every Thursday on Zoom.  We will have an in-person one February 26th at NEW at approximately 10:00 until whenever.

• Programs:  We have an exciting class lined up for Saturday, April 15th.  Lisa Ruble (Quilty Zest) will be teaching "Intro to Improv Piecing".  Whether you are a beginner or just want a fun class to round out your skills, we hope you will join us.  Tentative pricing is $70 members, $85 non-members.  We will open this up for sign-ups within the next few weeks - guild members will have first choice and then after a short period of time we will also open it to non-members.

“Interested in improv piecing techniques but not sure where to start? I can help! I'll walk you through the steps to create three different improvisationally pieced blocks: wonky stars, wonky flying geese, and wonky log cabin blocks. Wonky piecing can seem intimidating, but I'll make the blocks along with you, and you'll leave the workshop with confidence in your improv abilities! I'll also share quilts I've made using these techniques for added inspiration.”    4-hour workshop

• Round Robins and Skill Share were postponed until the February meeting.

• We also discussed QuiltCon and had a very lively sharing of what classes people have been to recently or are taking in the near future.  
• Cheryl M shared that The Great Lakes Heritage Guild has some classes that are open to non-members so check their website for details.  
• Greater Ann Arbor Guild Guild also has some very modern classes this year although most are filling up, you can get on the wait list if you are a member and some classes open up to non-members throughout the year.  
• Karen mentioned she is about to take some classes on bag making (Bag Boot Camp) offered by the Modern Sewists group.
• Brenda is taking part in the Adventure Quilting Workshops offered by QuiltFolk

Guild needs:  Still need a Secretary to serve on the Board and a Charity Chair.  Both of these can be set up as committees so the work is shared.  Please contact the Board immediately to help.

Show and Share:

 Brenda's Pocket Quilts - made for @a2freelittleartgallery

 Karen's tote - project tote pattern by @woollypetals

Wendy's quilts made for grandson's for Christmas

Plus a couple that were shared via the Zoom screen.

Next meeting will hopefully be in person at N.E.W. on February 22nd.  See you there!