Thursday, January 26, 2023

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!