Thank you to everyone who turned in raffle tickets at the December meeting.  Ann Bevans’ name was drawn as the lucky winner of December’s incentive prize.  Ann selected the large table runner.  To see the four remaining incentive prizes and which one Ann chose, visit the guild’s Facebook page.

Tickets for the raffle quilt, “Bunny in the Blooms,” will be available again at the January meeting.  We will also unveil the “Sold the Winning Ticket” incentive prize at this meeting.  You can see the raffle quilt in person at the next guild meeting or see a picture of it on the guild’s website.  Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, or a packet of 24 for $20.  The winner of the raffle quilt will be drawn at the quilt show on April 14, 2018.

If you prefer not to participate in the raffle, you can still support the guild and have a chance to win the incentive prize.  Just make a donation at the Raffle Quilt table and receive “special” tickets which you can use to enter the monthly drawing.  These “special” tickets are available for the same price as the raffle tickets. 
​
Tickets must be turned in before the beginning of the January business meeting to be entered in the drawing for the January incentive prize give-away.  (Remember to put your name on the back of each ticket you sell to be eligible for the incentive prize drawing.)  See you in January.

Evelyn Young and Sherrie Snyder

The 2018 Mennonite Relief Sale will be held March 16th & 17th at the Interstate Center.  If you would like to donate a wall hanging or quilt for the auction – or an item for the bazaar – please contact Mary Sanko for details.  The committee is requesting a picture of all quilted items donated to the auction. 
 
Please bring your donation to the March meeting.  She will make sure it gets to the Sale and will obtain a tax receipt for you.

​Our newest quilt NEED are Valor Quilts.  On January 4th at the general meeting, Catherine Franklin will be our fill-in speaker from Ruel Neal Unit #79 in Leroy, Illinois.  She will tell us about the present need for quilts and give specifics on the appropriate size, color and quilting.  Ms. Franklin will also have handouts.  Hopefully each quilt will also get a label for Valor Quilt identification before being shipped.
 
Fidgit quilts 20” X 20” up to 24” continue to be requested by 3 local facilities.  Samples and sewing suggestions are on the Community Projects Table.
 
Pillow cases are continually being collected and will be distributed by the Projects Committee.
 
Remember, now that the holidays are over, it is time to consider starting a baby blanket 40” X 40” up to 60”for distribution on National Quilt Day in March to our local hospitals.  Cancer Quilts of a similar size, 40” X 60”, may be turned-in, also each month this spring.
 
Thank you, for the pillow cases and fidgit quilts that were turned in early in December. 

 Carol Lou Eisenhardt and Cathie Lockwood

December’s teacher - Flavin Glover - was such a great teacher and she expanded our view of log cabin quilts!  If you took one of her workshops, please bring what you accomplished for January’s show and tell.  It’s going to be fun to see your work!  We’ve already seen some completed tops on the guild’s Facebook site.  THANK YOU for posting those and keep them coming!!

Many of our workshops are either full or are filling up.  Be sure and stop by the Programs table at the upcoming meeting to check out those you’re interested in. The classes that are filling up are noted below.
​
Our speakers receive a welcome bag when they arrive here. Beer Nuts and The Olive Bin generously donate goodies for them and we encourage you to shop at these stores in Bloomington/Normal.

If you register for the February tote class, you'll need to purchase your pattern by Quilts Illustrated.  You have 3 sizes to choose from: ps058, ps054, or ps056. You’re encouraged to purchase the pattern and supplies now as the pattern gets backordered often.  Laurie has a pre-work sheet and she suggests you do some pre-work at home before the class starts. Stop by the Programs table to get yours.

If you register for the April "Paint Your Own Barn Quilt" class, please remember to include the $15 supply registration fee.  (One check for $45 (members) or $55 (non-members) is needed for registration for this class.)   The $15 supply fee includes the 2'x2' primed paint board, paints, patterns, colored pencils, etc.

Please make sure you have renewed your guild membership dues before registering for classes.   The membership form can be found on the HAAQG web site with Pam Riss's contact information for mailing your form & payment.  Per the guild’s guidelines, there must be a 60-day notice on cancellations in order to receive a refund for workshops.
 
Here's a summary of each month.  Photos of the workshops are on the registration form that's included in this newsletter.
 

January 2018 – Winter retreat!
No lecture. 
The retreat is full.  There is a waitlist.
 
February 2018 – Kathryn Lilley Trunk Show
Specialty: Fabulous eye for color.  Superb workmanship.
 
February 2018 – Laurie Schierer
Workshop: 2-day workshop - Tool Tote
See note above for supplies that need to be purchased and homework to be done prior to class.

March 2018 – Becky Goldsmith
Specialty – Wonky Applique and Color.
She's co-owner of the Piece O’Cake Designs.
Lecture: A Practical Approach to Color 
Workshops: Best- Ever Quilter’s House & Pick Up Sticks
There is limited space for Becky’s classes so sign up now if you’re interested.
 
April 2018 – Suzi Parron
Specialty – Barn Quilts
She’s traveled the country, chronicling barn quilts.
Lecture: Barn Quilts
Workshop: Paint Your Own Barn Quilt
Wait list for Friday's Barn Quilt workshop. Openings in Saturday’s Barn Quilt workshop.

 Debi Winchester & Linda Click & Jenny Pettinger
​

 Now that the hecticness of December holidays is over, it’s time to settle down to some relaxing sewing. Hope you are making some progress on your Dresden Challenge projects, whether you are still dreaming, designing or sewing. And with the Winter Retreat coming right up, what a perfect time to get moving.

For inspiration, see this Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/lynnejack/dresden-ideas/. To double-check the Challenge rules, go to the HAAQG website http://www.haaqg.com/mentorprogram-163718-668850.html. Click the orange rectangle button to open the document.

The Challenge deadline is March 1, 2018. Finished Challenge quilts will be anonymously displayed and voted on at the March 1 meeting.

Questions? Email Challenge chair Lynne Conder, lynnejack99@frontier.com

Chair: Lynne Conder

​