March Newsletter

Mount Vernon Chapter Officers 2011 – 2012
Co-Presidents— Ruth Morgan and Rosemary Coller
Vice President/Programs— Carol Kunkel
Secretary— James Melton
Treasurer—Mary Mazzuchi
Nominating Chair— Elizabeth Dudley
Newsletter—Mary Downey


Co-Presidents' Message

Hello, Quilters,

March is upon us and soon the year will be 1/4 over. Yikes! January and February are memories. We had a great program in February with lots of Circle of Nine quilts to admire. Can't wait for March's program and all the promised goodies. Thanks, Carol, for the programs.

Our nominating chair has been busy filling all the openings for next year.

Those who are entering quilts in the show are busy sewing sleeves, bindings, labels, etc., I'm sure.

Don't forget to donate some items for Mt. Vernon's part of the Quilt Show Boutique. It's always good to make money from other than Mt. Vernon members.

Please sign up to work at the boutique--sitting jobs are at a premium at the show, so get your preferences in early.

Many of us will be going to Prince Frederick on a shopping field trip with lunch at a great seafood place. If you can join us on Saturday, March 10, let Ro know. We'll be meeting at the senior center parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and car pooling from there.

See you at the business meeting on the 13th.

Happy Quilting!

Ruth and Ro

Vice President's Message

Twenty years experience as a quilt magazine editor, Quilt and love for the profession was enthusiastically shared with MVQU and many guests from sister guilds on Feb 28 when Jean Ann Wright presented ‘Quilts in My Suitcase: the Life of a Traveling Quilt Editor.” Despite PowerPoint difficulties Jean Ann talked of the ‘spacer’ technique that she and her sister, Janet Houts developed, without dropping a beat. Jean Ann showed many of her quilts and delighted the crowd of over 60 with her discussion of the technique as displayed in her quilts.


The workshop was well attended and everyone went home with a quilt top or very nearly completed quilt top. Jean Ann worked the room as she spent time with each and every participant, discussing their pre-prepared blocks, their fabric and potential ‘spacer’ options that would maximize their blocks and fabric. Each completed top was met with applause and awe as another moving quilt top was revealed. The movement arrived at through the Circle of Nine technique was amazing.


























March brings Laurette Koserowski. Please be sure to let me know, if you haven’t already, what your favorite quilting technique and fabric choices are. Laurette reviews the hundreds of books sent to magazines, hoping to be highlighted in her magazine, "The Quilter Magazine.” Laurette will share the tips she has learned about what makes a great quilt book, and how to know that book when you are browsing all those wonderful books at the bookstore. And her lecture will not stop there. She has a fascinating program planned. AND, there will be doorprizes, and doorprizes and doorprizes. Expect lots of fun and excitement, and I guarantee you will go home with more than just new knowledge about quilt books! See you on March 27.



Nominating Committee
Nominating Committee: Nominations are open and a number of you are answering the call – the Nominating Committee and your fellow members thank you! That said, there is still time to volunteer... The Slate of Candidates for 2012-13 President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Nominating Chair will be announced at the March business meeting, and the slate remains open until elections at the April 24th business meeting. Double slates...having two candidates for the offices...doesn’t happen often these days, but it would certainly be exhilarating! Committee chairs are also being filled. If there is a committee or a task you would like to participate in, speak up...even if the chair is taken, most committees need more members to get the work done. One of the best ways to get the most from your membership is to dive in, even if it is working on a one-time event rather than a year-long job. Committee members Libby Dudley (Chair), Sierra Smith and Barbara Dove would be pleased to help match you up with a board position or a committee

Libby Dudley, Chair.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH


Be sure to check out the Martha Washington Library display window during March for the Mount Vernon QU quilting display. Several members have loaned items for display, so get on over to check out some quilty tidbits that you may not have seen. You could also literally check out the library’s quilt books and novels while you are there. The library is located at 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Hours are M/W/F 10-6; T/Th 1-9; Sat. 10-5; closed Sun

Contact: Chair Libby Dudley


Retreat Reminder

Hi Everyone! If you are interested in attending our upcoming retreat at the Bird in Hand Family Inn and Restaurant in Bird in Hand, PA (near all those wonderful quilt shops, Amish museums, shops, buggie rides, 20 lb. boxes of giant pretzels, sausage shops, dry goods stores, five lb. bags of chocolate covered cranberries, etc.) on April 30-May 3, the last day for submission of your room fees is Mar. 20 The room fee, once paid is non-refundable. There will be a cut-off of 15 people, so it is best to get your application in early. If you find that you have paid, but need to change your mind for whatever reason, it will be your responsibility to get someone else to take your place if you want your money refunded. If you seek a roommate to share a room and expenses with, we can do a little "matchmaking" - but final choice is, of course, up to you. We hope to see you there - it's going to be a great time. Bring wine and bathing suits! Please feel free to call if you need any additional information - Andrea Gribble 703-764-9331

How wonderful to see old friends

Gigi and Libby were at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt show in Hampton, Va and they were delighted to see Susan McDonnell, a recent MV member, who now resides in the Tidewater area. Beverly Spivey is the lovely lady in the middle of the photograph and she is a high school classmate of Gigi's; Beverly lives in Richmond.







MVQU UPCOMING EVENTS AND REMAINING PROGRAMS IN 2012
March 6, 2012--Bee, Room 216
March 13, 2012 - Business meeting
March 20, 2012-- Bee, Room 216
March 27, 2011 –Laurette Koserowski, Quilt Book Review
April 10, 2011 –Karen K. Stone
April 11, 2011 – Karen K Stone Workshop: New York Beauty
April 24, 2012- Business Meeting
April 30--May 3-- Retreat
May 8, 2012- Business Meeting
May 22, 2012-- Mike Ellingsen: Machine Quilting on a traditional machine

May 23, 2012-- Mike Ellingsen Workshop
May 29, 2011 – Community Service Workshop
June--Biq QU Quilt Show Boutique
June, 2011 – Year End Luncheon

APRIL LECTURE
In April, our guest lecturer will be Karen K Stone.

FABRIC EXCHANGE-- a Bow Tie Block due May 2012

Pat Alfredson and Mary Mazzuchi present Mt. Vernon's 2011-2012 Block Exchange --6" Bow Tie Blocks. Participating members will swap blocks on May 8, 2012. you may swap 1, 2, 3, 4 or more sets, but EACH set you make should be a different "tie" batik fabric in a light or medium hue. The background fabric should be Kona black, which the Variety Store has available. A set consists of 18 blocks. The more sets you swap, the larger your quilt... 4 sets will give you enough blocks to make a lap size quilt.

For each set of blocks that you swap, you need these fabrics:
1/2 yard Batik fabric in light to medium hue for the "Ties"
1/3 yard Kona black fabric for "Background"

Instructions:
For each 18 block set wash, press and remove selvages from fabric.
From the batik fabric cut 3 strips, 3 ½ “ X 42”. Sub cut into 3 ½” squares. You need 36.
From the batik fabric cut 2 strips, 2” X 42”. Sub cut into 2” squares. You need 36.
From the Kona black fabric, cut 3 strips, 3 ½” X 42”. Sub cut into 3 ½” squares. You need 36.

Mark a diagonal line on the back of each 2” batik square. Place a 2” batik square, right sides together in one corner of each 3 ½” black square.

Sew on the diagonal line.
Flip triangle up towards corner and press. Trim seam allowance.
Arrange 4 squares to make a Four Patch Bow Tie block as shown.

The blocks should measure 6 ½’ X 6 ½” unfinished. A sign up list is available at the meetings and bees. If you wish to participate, please sign up or contact Pat or Mary to have your name added to the list. Once again, blocks are due on or before May 8, 2012.

June Luncheon Block

We’ll be doing a house block this year for the June luncheon. The block will be used to make a quilt for the MVQU auction in the fall. Blocks should be made with a blue sky and high contrast fabrics for the house, roof and door. Feel free to embellish your block with button door knobs, window boxes or whatever! Make one – or many! Blocks can be turned in at meetings to Carol Allen or Nancy Barkume. Call Nancy Barkume with questions: 703-360-3203

House Block (7 ¾”)
Cutting summary

Blue Sky Fabric:
One 4 ½” square (Row 1)
Two 1 ½” X 2” pieces (Row 2)
Two 1 ½” X 2 ½” pieces (Row 3)

Roof fabric:
One 4 ½” square (Row 1)

House fabric:
One 2” X 5 ¾” piece (Row 2)
Two 2½” X 2¼”pieces (Row3

Door fabric: One 2 ½” X 2 ¼” piece (Row 3)

High contrast fabrics work best…

Sew with SCANT ¼ “ seams.

Row 1
Cut one (4 ½”) square in blue sky fabric.
Cut one (4 ½ “) square in roof fabric.
Place squares right sides together and mark on the diagonal. Sew ¼ inch on either side of the diagonal line. Cut along diagonal line to make two roof and sky sections. Sew together along center roof seam with ¼” seam.
Iron.

Row 2
Cut two ( 1 ½ “ by 2”)pieces from sky fabric.
Cut one ( 2” X 5 4”) piece of house fabric.
Sew row two together with ¼” seam (sky, house, sky). Iron.

Row 3
Cut two (1 ½” X 2 ½”) pieces of sky fabric.
Cut two ( 2 ½” X 2 ¼” ) pieces of house fabric.
Cut one (2 ½” X 2 ¼”) pieces of door fabric (should be a bright contrast).
Sew Row 3 in the following order with ¼ “ seam:
Sky, house, door, house, sky. Iron.

Finish by sewing rows 1, 2 and 3 together to form your house block.

Local and Regional Events

Virginia Quilt Museum’s 2012 Quilt Auction
Little Quilts, Big Talents. The museum is looking for donations of small quilts. It is an opportunity to showcase your skill as a quilter but also to help the Museum pursue its mission of celebrating and nurturing Virginia’s quilting heritage. This year, the Museum’s annual silent auction will be structured a little differently than in past years. It will include: · Several auctions of quilts throughout the year, Direct sales of quilts. The duration of each auction will be limited to a few weeks and there will be several auctions throughout the year. So we will be able to accept your donated quilt at any time throughout the year! However, in order to get this project up and running, we do need to have a first group of quilts at the Museum by March 20, 2012. There is a Donor Registration Form which must accompany your quilt. You will find the size requirements and other specifications on the form. Contact Mary Downey, the newsletter editor and she will gladly provide you the form necessary.
The Virginia Quilt Museum is showing “Shenandoah Valley Counterpanes” and “Art Under A Microscope” until May 12. In addition, rare Civil War quilts made in the Valley, twentieth century quilts and sewing machines from the Museum’s collection will be featured in additional galleries.
Counterpanes are a type of bedcover, often white-work or white fabric with elaborate white quilting or stitching on it. Guest curators, Beverley and Jeff Evans will show white-work bedcovers produced in the Shenandoah Valley during the 1800s. These textiles are from private and institutional collections. Most have not been publicly displayed.
The historic counterpanes will be the subject of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Art’s biennial Textile Seminar to be held in Harrisonburg, Va. March 14-17. This is the first time the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, museum has held their Textile Seminar outside their own museum. Speakers and students at the seminar will study the exhibit at the Virginia Quilt Museum.
In contrast, “Art Under A Microscope” is inspired by the beauty of scientific photographs taken through microscopes. This unique collection of twenty art quilts, created by the group Fiber Artists @ Loose Ends, will be exhibited for the first time outside a medical facility. Colorful and dramatic, these quilts show us the beauty of nature within the human body.
“Shenandoah Valley Counterpanes” and “Art Under A Microscope” can be seen at the Virginia Quilt Museum from February 1 through May 12. The Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm at 301 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA. Parking in the municipal lot behind the museum is free. Phone 540-433-3818 for more information and for groups.

Permanent Exhibit at Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, Va. to honor the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4 pm at 301 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Va. Parking in the municipal lot behind the museum is free. Phone 540-433-3818 for more information and for group tours.

Until the end of March an ART QUILT EXHIBIT AT THE PINNACLE OFFICE BUILDING IN TYSONS – "The CG Art Quilters, a group of nine quiltartists from Maryland, invite you to an exhibit of their art quilts at the Pinnacle, 1751 Pinnacle Drive, McLean, Va. 22101. About40 quilts are on display in the lobby and on the fourth floor of thebuilding. Parking is free. Members of the CGArt Quilters are: Marina Baudoin, Anne Datko, Elizabeth B. Davison,Barbara Eisenstein, Jan B. Gavin, Elke Jordan, Donna Radner, Susan Walenand Dianne Miller Wolman.

March 1-4, 2012 - The Quilt Fest of New Jersey VIII Somerset, New Jersey. For more information visit www.quiltfest.com/activities

March 10 --VIRGINIA CONSORTIUM OF QUILTERS MEETING in Annandale– Joan McGowan (S),the VCQ rep for Northern Virginia, announces; "Your state widequilting group, the Virginia Consortium of Quilters, is coming to Northern Virginia. Come and meet some of the quilters from other parts of the state. The information and list of classes can be found at www.vcq.org. It's a great group and a great way to meet quilters in other parts of the state." Contact Joan at joquilter@aol.com or at 703-323-6048for the exact location and any other questions

March 10-11 CabinBranch Quilters hold their Annual Quilt show at the Prince William County Fairgrounds. Saturday 10am -5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm with more than 200 quilts on display and many vendors, a silent auction, two beautiful raffle quilts and door prizes. Admission to show is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. For more info www.cabinbranchquilters.org/CBQ/QuiltShow

March 10-April 29 Washington DC Temple Visitor's Center, 9900 Stoneybrook Dr., Kensington, Md 20895 has a "Family Ties Textile Exhibit from 10Am to 9PM --exhibit includes quilts, embroidery, weaving, needlepoint and counted cross stitch.


March 14-17 The Lancaster Quilt Show, The Continental Inn, 2285 Lincoln Highway (right next to Dutch Wonderland Wednesday 3/14-Friday 3/16 9am-6pm
Saturday 3/17 9am-4pm


March 14-17 AQS Quilt Show and Contest--Lancaster County ConventionCenter in downtown Lancaster, 3 E. Vine St. Lancaster, Pa. 17602


April 12 "A Grand Evening Out" sponsored by the Reston Quilters Unlimited. Lots of Quilts, fat quarters, bags, supplies, beautiful baskets and more. Armstrong Elementary School , 11900 Lake Newport Rd. Reston, Va. -preview at 6:30pm, silent and live auctions begin at 7:30pm.


May 12-June 10 The 49th Annual Needlework Show at Woodlawn To reserve a spot to volunteer, please call Annette Miller 703-360-6035 and give your morning or afternoon preference. If you would like to work with a group of friends, please turn in their names and telephone numbers together. Open 10am-4pm Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays) at Woodlawn-Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House, Woodlawn, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Va. 22309, Phone No. 703 780-4000. Admission $10 adults; $5 students through grade 12; ages 5 and under are free. Lunch and desserts are served from 11:30 am -2pm For more info see www.woodlawn1805.org



April 21, 2012 Mason Dixon Quilt Show, Hagerstown, MD. Held at the Hagerstown Community College. Hours Saturday 10-5pm, Sunday Noon-5pm. Cost is $5.00 per person. There will be about 200 quilted items on display along with raffle quilts, door prizes, demos, silent auctions, raffle baskets and of course, vendors. For more info visit www.fqgmd.org

June 7-9, 2012 - Amish Country Quilt Show Dalton, OH. For more information, visit www.amishcountryquiltshow.com

June 9-10, 2012 "Quilts by the Bay" Annual Quilt Show by Annapolis Quilt Guild, held at the Annapolis High School, 2700 Riva Road, Edgewater, MD. 21037. For more info see www.annapolisquiltguild.org/calendar

June 20-23, 2012, Biennial Blue Ridge Quilt Festival at Blacksburg High School,3109 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia. The largest quilt show in Southwest Virginia offers an extensive quilt and wearable exhibit, twospecial exhibits: "The River Runs Through It" and "Vinescapes", a largevendor mall, workshops and Friday night lecture. Featured Quilt Artist:Annette Kennedy from Colorado exhibits her work: "Kissed with Paint– Special Exhibit of Pictorial Quilts."Other instructors includePaula Golden, Debby Kratovil, Barbara Cline, Susan Brittingham, and Karen DuMont. Door prizes, Raffle quilt, Viewers Choice, and handmaderibbons round up a great show experience.

August 2-4, 2012, Williamsburg, Va. Block Party with Quiltmaker, Hands on Classes includes Bonnie Hunter, Nancy Mahoney and more, Keynote Speaker is Jennifer Chiaverini. Registration open now. For more info see www.quiltmaker.com/events/Quilt/Block-Party/index



October 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2012, Central Virginia "Tour de Quilt", 10 shops, 5 days for the 13th Annual Tour. See www.tourdequilt.com for more information


2011 -12 Committee Chairs
Auction: Andrea Gribble
Auction Storage: Ro Coller
Community Outreach: Libby Dudley
Community Service: Lynn Miller
December Luncheon: Tammy Mannarino and Anne Poulin
June Luncheon: Nancy Barkume and Carol Allen
Greeter & Door Prizes: Ann Marlin
Challenge/Mystery: Pat Alfredson and Mary Mazzuchi
New Member Kits: Dotty Eisenhouer
Quilt Collector: Lynne Fishburn and Angie Miller
Hospitality: Barbara Dove
Fall Bus Trip: Andrea Gribble
Quilt Retreat: Andrea Gribble
2013 Quilt Raffle Design: Ro Coller and Pat Alfredson
QU Event: Pat Alfredson
Audit: Mary Downey
Senior Center Rep: Mary Stauss
Sunshine : Barbara Zygiel




Birthdays

MARCH
03/01 Blanche Carpenter
03/06 Carol Allen
03/08 Donna Conlon
03/16 Cathy Hanratty
03/39 Carolyn Padan

APRIL
4/02 Jeanne Goldfein
4/02 Lois Altz
4/14 Jim Melton
4/17 Vicky Surash
4/26 Beth Smith


Minutes of General Business Meeting on February 14, 2012

The meeting was called to order by Co-President Ruth Morgan at 12:32 p.m. Ruth welcomed members.

With no corrections, the January Minutes stand as presented.

VP and Program Chair Carol Kunkel reminded members of the Feb. 28 Jean Ann Wright lecture and her “Circle of Nine” workshop on Feb. 29, which still has a few spaces. On March 27 Laurette Koserowski, editor of The Quilter Magazine, will do a presentation with lots of giveaways, so let Carol know your favorite technique. Karen Stone will lecture on April 10 and do her New York Beauty workshop April 11. It is full, but Carol can take several more. MV is working with Centreville on Ms. Stone’s area visit. Note that the April business and program meeting dates are switched. Carol is also taking registrations for the Mike Ellingsen workshop on May 22 on quilting using a home sewing machine. Carol announced she signed a contract some time ago for a January 2013 program to be presented by Becky Goldsmith and has been working with another chapter to arrange Goldsmith’s area visit.

Treasurer Mary Mazzuchi was away, but left a report noting that MVQU presently has 90 members.

Nominating Committee: Members: Libby Dudley (Chair), Barbara Dove, and Sierra Smith. Nominations are open for 2012-13 candidates for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Nominating Chair. Thanks to willing members, the slate is getting filled in. Committee Chairs for 2012-13 are also being recruited. Open chairs: Greeter/Door Prizes; Community Outreach; Community Service; December 2012 Luncheon; June 2013 Luncheon; Quilt Collector; Quilt Retreat. Even newer members could take on some of these roles; it’s a great way to be part of the action and meet people.

Community Outreach Committee: Chair Libby Dudley thanked Barbara Dove for lending a quilt for February display at Sherwood Regional Library and Mary Downey for the one displayed in the Hollin Hall office in December and January. She has 1 quilt for March and needs another. For the second year, in March, MVQU will fill the display window at Martha Washington Library on Fort Hunt Road. Libby said small, quilting-related items to lend for that window could be brought to the 2/28 meeting. National Quilting Day is March 17.

Hospitality: Chair Barbara Dove and members thanked today’s hostesses Pat Alfredson, Mary Mazzuchi, and Gigi Corbin for providing refreshments. A few hosting opportunities are still available for this year.

Community Service: Chair Lynn Miller displayed some of the Disappearing 4-Patch tops constructed at the January 31 workshop; the completed quilts will go to local charities. Next workshop scheduled for May 29 and may feature one of designer Suzanne McNeill’s “10-Minute” Blocks. Directions can be found on You-Tube under “10-Minute Block” and Suzanne McNeill; more details to come. For MVQU and QU records, please let Lynn know the number of items you have given to charities since July 2011, unless you have already reported them, and to which organizations. Co-President Ruth noted that last year MVQU members donated over 113 quilts and 69 backpacks. She noted that members should be proud of the achievement. If you make something from the Timeless Treasures nickel pack given out in September, consider taking a picture and sending it along to the company.

Ad-Hoc Fiscal Committee: Co-President Ro Coller thanked committee members Gail Franchi (Chair), Lynne Fishburn, Marianne Urban, Beth Smith, Joyce Keating, and Kathy Edwards for their work and thoughtful recommendations, noting that none require changes to the bylaws. The recommendations will help the Executive Board (EB) focus on being responsive to the members’ concerns. The most important suggestion was to link spending on programs to the previous year’s fundraising income. The EB determined that 80% of that amount should go to programs. As MV chapter dues do not cover all chapter expenses, of the fundraising remainder, portions would fund rent to Hollin Hall Senior Center and other items, some of which might be discretionary. The Fiscal Comm. recommended a reserve fund and the EB felt $2500 would be an appropriate amount. Regarding activity discounts and subsidies for chapter members, the EB felt those decisions should be made by members each year, depending on the health of chapter finances. The EB agreed with the Fiscal Comm. recommendation that budget planning for expenses to be incurred in the early months of the following chapter year be made by the board and members in April or May, including any proposals, discussions and approvals, so that funds could be available for any deposits required. Workshops: during lean fiscal times, the EB thought the chapter could consider rolling any extra lodging and per diem expenses into the workshop fee, as those costs were extra to having only a lecture. To help target member interests more precisely, Ro noted that the board is developing a new MVQU registration form. To help get the work of the chapter done, the form will also request information about what talents and skills members might be willing to share. In addition, as part of the overall review of the chapter’s goals and processes, the EB plans to distribute a survey in April so that members’ responses will be available to the 2012-13 board. Every member’s participation in this survey is important.

Quilt Retreat: Chair Andrea Gribble noted that the dates are April 30, May 1 and 2. She needs to make a deposit to the hotel in Bird-in-Hand, PA by February 19. There are spaces available and the trip is a great opportunity to buy fabric, bulk dry goods, to finish projects and visit with fellow members.

MV Auction 2012: Chair Andrea Gribble noted that it’s not too early to start thinking of what you can make or assemble to contribute to MV’s biggest annual fundraiser in November. She said that several members have already started assembling theme baskets and all members can provide items for them or develop their own idea. Some of the current themes are coffee, chocolate, spa, picnic, fabric care, oriental. Members can also develop attractive quilting-related kits, packs (as in fabric of various sizes or themes), jars, zippered plastic bags, or individual items. Be creative – what would you like to buy? Andrea also called for members to sign up to work on the committee and noted that she can take items for the auction at any time. To that end, Barbara Zygiel showed a redwork top she is donating and Angie Miller offered to quilt it.
McLean QU Auction: Ruth told members that chapter’s auction would be Tuesday, March 27 and that a card was available with details.

2013 QU Raffle Quilt: Ruth noted that as part of MV’s 2012-13 responsibility for making and promoting the quilt, she and Angie Miller will attend the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show in Hampton starting 2/23 to assist Vienna with this year’s quilt promotion, both to learn how it’s done and to trade work. Anyone attending the show can volunteer to help Vienna out while they are there.

2012 QU Show Quilt Collector: Registration is in progress; do so online by close of Monday, Feb. 27. Co-Chair Lynne Fishburn said online registering must be done before bringing in quilts for photographing. Those without computers should see Lynne or Co-Chair Angie Miller. They will be photographing quilts today and at the 2/21 Bee and at the 2/28 Program Meeting (the last day to get items into the show). All items must complete and have labels; quilts must have hanging sleeves. Ro offered to make a drape for the “Walk on the Wild Side” small quilts if the chapter decides to provide all the quilts on a drape. No decision was made during this meeting.

2012 QU Show Story Boards: Jill Crispino requested that members email her with any MV events over the past year that should be included.

Fabric Origami Workshop: Jill Crispino conducted a popular 2/7 bee workshop and today suggested that participants make a decorative item to contribute to MV’s Boutique at the June QU Show.

2012 QU Boutique Committee: Pat Alfredson, Chair of MV’s 2012 QU job, announced the list of tasks the members can assist with before, during and just after the QU Show. These include having one MV person on each shift =24; one publicity person to promote Boutique on QU Digest, QU website, etc.; 2 people to help QU Chapter Collector Joyce Keating set up the Boutique display at the show (she also has a list of needed display materials); on Thursday (set-up day) the committee needs 4 people and 1 “handy person” to help with the physical set-up of the area. Also, several people are needed to transport all the QU chapters’ items from temporary storage location to the Expo Center and to carry them through the front doors to the Boutique area; 4 people to open or close the show – gather money boxes and pass them to the QU Show Treasurer; 5 people around an hour before the end of the show to sort remaining items by chapter for collection. Please volunteer for one or more of these tasks – the earlier the better!
Participation: Pat Alfredson noted that quite often MV’s QU jobs have been going unfilled until the last possible moment. Members need either to step up or to consider whether or not the chapter should continue in QU, if they are not willing to participate and share responsibility for QU activities. There was some discussion of a general nature, with no conclusion. The general consensus was that some questions concerning this issue would be included in the April survey. It was noted that of its 90 members, MV has 44 regular members, the smallest percentage in QU, and it also has the largest percentage of lifetime members.

Strategic Analysis Committee: Ruth and Ro called for members to volunteer to serve on a committee to analyze the April survey results and report the findings.

Nickel and Block Exchanges: Co-Chair Pat Alfredson said February’s nickel exchange would be oriental fabrics and 17 were participating. Bring the squares to the 2/28 program meeting. January participation in Red/White exchange was 40. The Batik Bow-Tie Block Exchange is take place May 8; sign up anytime. Check the blog for details. Be sure to use Kona “Black” as the background; there are other Kona fabrics with ‘black’ in their name which are not the same color. Later in the meeting, Ruth requested that if members doing the Bow-Tie Exchange would sew the extra tip triangles into half-square triangle blocks as they are making the bigger blocks and then would contribute them, the bitty blocks could be collected for the November auction.

June Luncheon: Co-Chair Nancy Barkume said the Tuesday, June 12th event would be a potluck Tea Party with finger foods. The pattern for the House quilt block members can make to hand in then is on the blog and has also been sent out as an e-blast. Be sure that the fabric surrounding the house is some shade of blue. The blocks can be embellished if desired.

40th Anniversary of QU: Ruth noted that QU’s 40th is in 2013. There are rumors of a guild-wide challenge, perhaps with a red and white component. While there is no confirmation yet, because several chapters have made announcements to this effect, she and Ro wanted members to be kept in the loop. The EB is considering purchasing an appropriate fabric to pass out to MV members should they wish to participate. A motion was made by Ann Marlin and seconded by Lynn Miller to spend up to $100 to purchase a fabric, if appropriate. Ruth conducted the vote. Motion passed by majority voice vote for aye; no call for nay votes was made.

Quilt Story Sheet: Angie Miller shared with members the Quilt Story Sheet she developed to include with quilts she gave away. The template for it is on the blog.

Chapter Field Trips: Ro Coller said that another trip to Prince Frederick for fabric at around $4/yd or less would be sometime in March and would include the popular crabcake lunch. Let her know if you are interested. She also announced that Millstone Quilts in Mechanicsville, VA, near Richmond, is inviting guilds to come and spend a day. Discounts would be 20% and the visit would include refreshments, etc. Something could be set up if MV members are interested; let Ro know.

Mount Vernon 2012 QU Boutique Participation: Ro called for someone to handle the MV portion of the boutique – soliciting, collecting, inventorying, and pricing items donated by members for the June QU Boutique. Any funds raised come back to MV. Joyce Keating and Carol Conahan volunteered.

Sunshine: Chair Barbara Zygiel said she is running short of greeting cards and would appreciate any that members would be willing to contribute that she can send out.

Door Prizes: Chair Ann Marlin announced winners Carol Kunkel, Lynn Miller, Andrea Gribble and Kathy Zahaczewsky.

Holiday Quilt Challenge: There were 6 participants in the challenge started in October and revealed today. Members depicted a favorite holiday – a real one or vacation or their interpretation.

Show and Tell: Lynne Fishburn took pictures in the absence of Newsletter Editor Mary Downey.
Following Show and Tell, the meeting was adjourned at 2:41 pm by Co-President Ruth

Respectfully
submitted,
Jim Melton, Secretary



Please submit items to Mary Downey, MVQU Newsletter Editor, at mvqu.news@gmail.com or mdowney290@aol.com The deadline for April's newsletter is March 28, 2012.

Shramrock quilt is from http://freequiltpatterns.blogspot.com/2012/02/free-st-patricks-day-or-irish-quilt.html