As we all hunker down and stay home over these next weeks, be sure to reach out to the people you regularly spend time with. 

Many ACQ members spend time meeting in small groups called quilt bees. Did you know you can meet with everyone virtually with an online video chat? 

The most tech-savvy person in your bee can sign up for a free account at zoom.us and create a meeting. With a free account, up to 100 people can chat together for 40 minutes. You may find it comforting to spend 40 minutes together once a week catching up with everyone virtually until you can meet together in person again. 

If you’re hosting a meeting, follow the steps here to set up the meeting and send invitations to the rest of your bee: support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362613-How-Do-I-Host-A-Video-Meeting-

For everyone else here is some helpful information about joining a Zoom meeting:

• You can join the meeting from a computer, phone or tablet. 
• Please eliminate background noises. 
• If you've never used Zoom before, you will need to download an app. Visit support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115002262083 for a test meeting if you wish to try it out.
• Here's a video if you find that helpful: youtube.com/watch?v=vFhAEoCF7jg

ACQ Members: 

• If you want to check in with someone from ACQ and you don’t have a way to contact them, sign in to the website and check the Members Directory: acqcolorado.org/member-directory
• Be sure to check in at our Facebook group and post pictures of your quarantine quilting experiences: facebook.com/groups/ACQ.Community/

 

Challenge Quilt Rules 2020

Inspired from a Photo

• For this challenge, we will be distributing a stock photograph for inspiration with your $5.00 entry fee. Use any element or elements from the photograph including the image, colors, shapes, or something in the photo that inspires you when you are designing your entry.  You will need to write two sentences about the element that inspired you and submit it with your final project.

• We encourage you to register and pay the $5.00 entry fee online. You can also pay with cash or check at an upcoming guild meeting. Registrations are due by the end of the day on May 14, 2020.

• The quilt will be maximum size of 20” x 20” finished in any technique but it needs to be a quilt. This is defined as 3 layers (top, batting, and backing). It can be bound any way you wish; it must have a 4” hanging sleeve; and a clear label identifying the maker.

• Finished quilts should be turned in by 6:00 pm on July 9, 2020.  Everyone present at the meeting will be eligible to vote on their favorites.  There will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place ribbons. The quilts will be returned after July 2020 meeting or by contacting Carole Fronk.

Register for the Inspiration Challenge

Due to the COVID-19 social quarantine, we will need to announce a new date for the New Member Tea. Stay tuned!

Be our guest at the New Member Tea!

The New Member Tea will be in the large meeting room at Koebel Library from 2 pm to 4 pm on TBD.

We welcome all members who have newly joined since May 2019 to come and learn a little more about the Arapahoe County Quilters volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved.

Wow! I thought the meeting in February was fantastic.  We covered lots of information, had a great turn out and Lea McComas was a wonderful and motivating speaker.  She did a great job of inspiring me to make more art quilts and try more thread painting. The Facebook posts from her class were exciting.  I hope we see some of the finished projects at Show and Tell. We have some great speakers and classes coming up. Word to the wise, remember to sign up early and get your discounts.  

Once again, I saw many visitors.   Some actually became new members. I am so glad so many of you are bringing new people to see our guild and hopefully join our guild.  You guys are awesome. Keep getting the word out. I can’t wait for the night when we have to call Don to bring us more chairs.  

At the Board meeting we confirmed Lynn Roginski as VP of Programs 2020-2021.  She has lots of ideas for local speakers/workshops and I actually like local talent.  Let's see who is in the area and that if I want to take another class from that artist I don’t have to go across country.  

We are still looking for a Co-Chair for the 2021 Festival of Quilts to work with Nathlia Holtz.  If you are interested, please contact her.

We have a great Board this year.  Some new faces and lots of ideas to pass to all of you in the March meeting.  See you at the meeting.

Terry

Thank you to the ACQ members who donated Tree Blocks for Australia and the many 9 patches for ACQ Charity Quilts. I would love more 9 patches to put together into kits and quilt tops. I think I’ve heard the phrase, “Never Enough Nine Patches."

I am so proud to report that our wonderful quilts are appreciated at Sacred Heart House downtown Denver. I learned about this opportunity from a Denver Post article in December, 2019. Sacred Heart House has been in operation since 1980 and served over 1,000 women in 2018. So far we have made two deliveries and they are ready for more. Sacred Heart House is a homeless shelter for women with children to help them achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.

At our next meeting please stop by the table to pick up a kit or drop off blocks or a quilt.

Sheila Clark
Charitable Quilts Committee
sheila-clark@comcast.net

A big thank you to everyone who picked up their raffle tickets!  

Please bring your stubs back with a check or cash. Raffle tickets will be again be available at the March 12, 2020 meeting.  Please feel free to sell these to your family, friends, co-workers, etc. and if 12 isn't enough, please ask for more. 

Volunteers Needed

UPDATE: The Denver Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival has been postponed to June 25-27. More info to come later.

Our first public opportunity to sell tickets will be at the Denver Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival Thursday, March 26th through Saturday, March 28th at the Denver Merchandise Mart. If you plan on attending the show and can spare a few hours, please sign up for a time slot to help us sell some raffle tickets. You can sign up at: Sewing Festival Signup.

We need a 2021 Raffle Quilt!

Can your bee or group of friends create a queen size quilt for the ACQ raffle?  All the board needs now is a proposal for the quilt to be made.  It would need to be completed by September 2020 for photography and appraisal.  Show us your talents!

Holiday Quilts 

Last year we made extra raffle money because Natalia Holtz and Merrie Jones created a fabulous quilt to sell tickets for.  This year, Jen Dietz and I are going to have everyone in the guild help us make enough blocks for 2 queen size quilts to raffle during the Holiday Food and Gift Festival in Colorado Springs and Denver.  We plan on having block instructions and fabric suggestions at the April meeting.  Stay tuned!

Reminder:  The Librarians will be asking for your input on what new books to purchase at the March meeting.  We are able to buy several books and the focus is on new 2020 quilting books. Stop by the library corner and give us your suggestions. See the books we own on the Library page (sign in required).

It is a New Decade – Part 2!  It is hard to believe that we are coming close to completing the first quarter of a new decade – the 2020’s.  This month we are again featuring a book from each of the past 4 decades – the 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s and 2010’s.

100 Applique Quilt Patterns by Jan Halgrimson and was published in 1988.

Enjoy 117 pages of full-size traditional patterns.

Magic of Crazy Quilting by Marsha Michler was published in 1998.

“Respected needle artist, J. Marsha Michler, offers readers more information on making quilts, new small projects, new embellishments, stitches, and techniques, an expanded gallery section, and more, in this revised second edition of her best-selling title The Magic of Crazy Quilting. Truly a complete resource for embellished quilting, this guide provides techniques for patchwork, applique, and embroidery. Suitable for those who have already mastered the art of crazy quilting, and those wishing to learn, 100 embroidery stitches, in 1,000 variations and combinations, are diagrammed and explained in clear photographs and detailed illustrations. This is an outstanding collection of information on embroidery and threads, sources of supply, and the historical background of crazy quilting. A captivating gallery of mesmerizing crazy quilts will delight the reader’s eye and inspire the quilter’s hand.”

Triangle Tricks by Sally Schneider was published in 2003.

“Can you create triangles in your quilts without cutting or sewing a single one? YES! Create ten triangle-filled quilts using quick cutting and easy sewing methods. Make two "triangle tricks" units at a time, without ever cutting or sewing a triangle. Find tips for playing with colors, settings, and rotations for one-of-a-kind results.”

Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen was published in 2012.

“From two pioneers of today's modern quilting movement, Quilting Modern teaches quilters how to use improvisational techniques to make graphic, contemporary quilts and quilted projects. Explore seven core techniques and multiple projects using each technique--all presented with detailed instructions. Also included is step-by-step direction from Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen on tools, materials, and quilting basics, as well as expert advice on color and design.
New and seasoned quilting artists will love making stunning bed, wall hanging, pillowcase, and table accessory quilts with this must-have resource. Quilting Modern is a field guide for quilters who strive to break free from tradition and yearn to explore improvisational work.
Quilters can make the 21 projects in the book, but will also come away with the new knowledge and skills to apply to their own unique designs. In Quilting Modern, quilters will find the support, structure, and encouragement they need to explore their own creativity and artistic vision.”

A big Thank You to Lea McComas

We hope you enjoyed Lea McComas’ presentation and her quilts at the February meeting.  Her quilts were amazing. Lea donated a copy of her book Thread Painted Portraits: Turn Your Photos into Fiber Art to the ACQ library.

“Award-winning artist Lea McComas shares her secrets for stitching beautiful and realistic portrait quilts. Learn her fun-to-master techniques today!
• Begin with your favorite photo and take off on an artistic journey.
• Choose a method for creating a portrait background—from simple to more complex.
• Gain a deeper understanding of portrait composition.
• Hone your thread-painting skills.
In Thread-Painted Portraits, you’ll find: • Step-by-step instructions for choosing a photo, building a background, stitching faces and finishing your piece.
• Expert advice on selecting the perfect fabrics and thread.
• A gallery of inspiring artwork.
• Instructions for artistic binding techniques that go beyond ordinary.
• Encouragement to unleash your inner artist.
Inspired by images from daily life, fiber artist Lea McComas uses stitch artistry in pieces that have been exhibited across the country and in Europe. From her studio in Colorado, Lea challenges herself to create artwork with the breath and soul of life, using just fabric and thread.”

Library Reminders:

• Each month we feature a small selection of our library books for our members to peruse and check-out before the program meeting.  This selection changes each month.

• A complete list of the books in the ACQ Library is available on the Library page by title, author and subject (sign in required). Find the Library section on the Members page. If you are interested in a particular title, please contact Mary or Ann.

• Books can be checked out for up to 2 months.  

• Please be sure to return books in the marked basket at the library table at the back of the room.

• If you are a new ACQ member you may not realize that at monthly meetings several members donate quilting magazines.  These are free to members, so please be sure to check out the selection. These are located on a table close to the library table.

Save time by finding your membership card before a meeting. 

Option 1: Printing Your Card

   

Sign in with your email and password by clicking on the blue silhouette (computer) or arrow (mobile) found at the top right of the website. 

Next click on the blue silhouette again and select “view profile”.

Scroll down the page and the first thing you’ll see under Membership Profile is your personalized membership card.

If you wish to print the card click on “Printable PDF” and print away. 

Option 2: Show Your Card on Your Phone

A. Sign in to the website. You can sign in to your profile from a browser as described above and click on “Image optimized for smartphones”, and then show your card on your phone. You can screenshot the image and store it as photo if you wish. Sorry to say there currently isn’t a way to save it in your digital wallet.

B. Get the Wild Apricot Member App. Or you may find it easier to download the WildApricot App for Members. Sign in once and then it’s easy to display your card from the app whenever you need it. 

  

How is it already February?  When you are a kid, time would sometimes drag on.  However, as I have aged, I feel that I am on a rollercoaster, and it is speeding up each year.  

Seems that every day I’m in the sewing room I find another project to add to my UFO list. Anyone else feel like they multiply when you are not looking.  But such wonderful memories they bring back when I find an old UFO. I did finish quilting a quilt for Angie Noftzinger and hopefully will get a late Christmas gift done by the Feb meeting.  It is on the machine ready to quilt. Yes, I am late, but finished is a virtue and I am aiming for a lot of virtue this year.  

Boy the first meeting of the year was well attended.  I noticed several of you guys brought guests. I hope you bring more friends this year and left the meeting with lots of new ideas.

The first Board meeting was very productive.  You have great slate of Officers and Committee chairs this year.  At the Board meeting we talked about demo night, incorporated comments you gave.  We may have come up with an idea to cut down on the noise.  

I appreciated all that commented via email and attending the Special Festival meeting.  We are combining all of your comments and I hope to present to the guild our discoveries at the Feb Meeting.  

Don’t forget to sign up early for Classes this year.  Happy sewing to you all and I’ll see you at the meeting!

Terry L. Chase

A friendly reminder that 2020 Membership Dues are due by the meeting in February in order to continue as a member of ACQ.  There are several ways that you can renew your membership – the easiest is to go to https://acqcolorado.org.  You will need to reset your password using the person icon in the top right of the screen.  Once you reset your password, you will see a button to renew. This will allow for payment via credit card or debit card.

Other ways to renew include bringing a check or $35 cash to the February meeting.  We will have membership forms at a table before you enter.

Another important note: We will NOT be printing membership cards this year.  Your membership card may be accessed through going to https://acqcolorado.org.  Once you are logged in, click on View Profile in the top right corner where you see the person icon.  Once in your profile, you will see your membership card.  You can either print the card, or copy it to your smartphone.

You may also download the WildApricot app on your smartphone.  Login using your email and password for ACQ, and you can access your card that way as well.

New Member Tea

The new member tea is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of April 25^th.  This tea is for all new members to the guild from May 2019 through present.  We will indulge you with delicious tea selections (coffee for non-tea drinkers) and finger foods, while you learn a little more about the Guild, committees and ways that you can get involved.

Jen Dietz - 2020 Membership Chair