I get to say “Happy New Year” again because now it’s the calendar new year instead of our fiscal year. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I know it’s very cold as I’m writing this, but by the time you read it we should be back with our normal winter Texas temperatures. Have you made new year’s resolutions? Did it include spending time with material and a sewing machine? Or spending time with your quilting friends? My wish is that you will be spending time doing some projects with the guild too.

Hopefully, you are well on your way with your quilt entry for our show. If not, you still have time. We always have such a beautiful selection of quilts. I don’t know how it’s always better, but it’s such a delight to see the talent displayed by our members and friends.

I’m looking forward to the great programs and workshops that our program group has lined up for us. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to provide us with such a wonderful opportunity to know what is going on in the quilting business. I’m sure that is a big reason for our increased membership numbers. Where else can you get such an education in what is happening in the quilt world?

It’s time to think about our other educational goals also. Due to all of the covid variations for the past three years, we have not been able to do as much in the community with teaching or displaying our talented member’s work. Yes, community service sew days and workshops “teach”, but our charter is as an education based organization. Liz Beaty would like for several people to help her with developing our education agenda. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Liz or me. Let’s get back to giving more to our community.

Happy New Year. Happy Stitching.

Vicki Conley

My love for art began as a youngster. I explored papier-mâché, macramé, pastels, painting, stitchery and whatever else I could do with my hands. Art education seemed the route I would pursue until the ninth grade when an exceptional science teacher opened my eyes and heart to another direction. For the next eleven years I followed the dream of science to a Masters of Science degree in Physiology and subsequently worked in medical research. When my husband and I started our family, I quit work and enrolled in a pottery class. What began as a hobby grew steadily into a full time business. I established Pinon Pottery in 1982 with a home studio and in 2000 opened my studio/gallery, Pinon Pottery.

It has been the best career possible, allowing me to be an at-home mom who could be involved with scouts, home schooling, church and sport activities for our two girls, while at the same time developing a business doing what I love – throwing pots. My pottery is primarily functional, reduction stoneware that is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. A mat blue glaze with a hand painted flower design has been a very successful pattern for many years, but my most popular pattern has a soft airbrushed, blue and white background with hummingbirds. Among fifty or so functional items are some unique pieces including a French butter crock, an egg separator, and microwave bacon cookers.

In 2003 I discovered quilting – beginning with foundation pieced wall hangings. After making a few traditional quilts, I started designing my own quilts and art quilts. I enjoy learning new techniques and using them to develop a quilt. My inspiration is taken from the natural world and I enjoy interpreting it both realistically and abstract.

I have recently retired from 40 years as a studio potter. I still own the gallery in Ruidoso Downs where I sell my work. I’ve been a fiber artist for about 20 years and am now also exploring surface pattern design. My work is strongly influenced by hiking and traveling through our national and state parks. My husband and I now travel extensively in our RV with our three dogs always looking for the next inspiration.

Pinon Pottery Studio and Gallery is located 3 miles east of the Wal-Mart stoplight on Hwy. 70, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.

Vicki Conley: From Photo to Imagination

You will learn how to simplify and combine photos into a graphic design both the old-fashioned way with tracing paper and with apps on the IPad. You will learn my turned edge machine piecing technique using Floriani Stitch n Wash stabilizer. Cutting apart the stabilizer to use as templates you will see how easy it is to turn the edges with glue stick. It is left in the finished piece giving nice body to the art quilt. You will also learn my fussy piecing technique using a gradation fabric. You can construct either a landscape or an animal. Bring plenty of photos.

Time: Thursday, February 10-11, 2023, 9:00am – 4:00pm (1-hour lunch)
Location: Best Little Retreat Center in Texas
7989 Beltline Road #168, Dallas, TX 75248
Workshop Fee: $90.00 ($45.00/day)

We will have a Bones Table to pass along your quilting items. (No books please)

A Trash to Treasure Sale will be held on Saturday for an hour for you to sell your quilting items.

A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your space. The balance will be due by Feb. 1, 2023. The $65 deposit and registration form can be accepted by Jeanne Fletcher at the meeting on Jan. 12th or a check can be mailed to her at: 4202 Spring Meadow Lane, Flower Mound, TX 75028.

The resort has a spa on the property so you can schedule your times by calling them at 903-271-9211 or go to their website at myplacetorelax.com as chair massages are also available.

Community Service

By Bonnie Cook

Can I just say WOW? I am honored to be part of such a caring Guild. December was a busy month. We handed out 64 quilts to be bound, 9 to be long-armed and 40 pillowcase kits. We RECEIVED 21 tops, 41 completed, 6 backed and quilted and 36 pillowcases. We were wonderful holiday elves.

In November, we delivered 10 quilts & pillowcases to the Samaritan Inn, 24 cuddles and 18 quilts and pillowcases to Children’s Medical Center of Plano and 22 dog beds to the Richardson Animal Shelter. Isn’t it fabulous we can share our creativity with so many? But, you know what that means – now we need more quilts. You’ve got your chance to participate during our Tuesday Sew Days. We have so much fun – it’s a party! (pictures attached) – See what fun we have!)

In January and February, we will be making the “Little House” quilts again (see picture). This Community Service quilt has been a favorite of members in the past. We will work on it at our Tuesday Sew Days (January 10th and February 14th ). We will also have a limited number of kits (each to make 6 house blocks) at the January Guild Meeting. For those of you interested in foundation paper piecing, there will be kits with the 6 pieces required to make the tree blocks. In order to complete the tops, we ask that all completed blocks be turned in no later than the March Guild Meeting. As a timesaver, all the roofs (flying geese) are already completed in the kits.

We will have a “Birthday Quilt” Challenge again in 2023. Each member who donates a completed quilt (including quilting and binding) in celebration of their birthday will be entered into a drawing for a special door prize. The quilt should come from your stash and can be turned in at the Community Service table at a guild meeting any time during the year. One entry per member; be sure you specify that the quilt is for the “Birthday Quilt Challenge” so you will be given a ticket. If you wish, you may indicate to which of our supported charities that you would like the quilt to be given. The drawing will be held at the December 2023 Guild Meeting (it is not necessary to be at that particular meeting to win.)

Would you like to be a part of our wonderful committee? We’re looking for someone to be in charge of our dog beds. It’s an easy job and you’ll love being part of our group. Who wouldn’t want to distribute dog beds to deserving organizations in Plano? If you’re interested, please let me know.

Finally, I want to thank the members of the Community Service Committee; Valerie Schlake, Laurie Lumston, Evelyn Cheek, Barbara Pepin and Pam Walsh. These dedicated women have made our world a better place. I can’t thank them enough.

**Worker Bees – Third Thursday on Zoom – Sharon McGinnis**

We are buzzing with excitement to start this new group! Held via Zoom on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting is January 19th at 6:30 pm. This small group is a great fit for anyone with time available in the evenings. This group will include ANY type of quilting activity—piecing, hand quilting, machine quilting, embroidery, you name it. The name of our game is friendship and fellowship around our virtual quilting circle. Contact Sharon McGinnis at sharon.mcginnis@verizon.net to be added to the roster and a Zoom link will be sent out a day or two before each meeting. Any questions can also be directed to Sharon at 972-467-5799.

Sew Happy Quilters – Aurora Chancy

We meet at Sam Johnson Senior Center corner of 75 and 16th Steet on first Thursdays 9:00 to 4:00. We are a sit-n-sew, so bring your favorite project and enjoy the fellowship! Contact Aurora Chancy achancy@msn.com

Pieceful Organization – Sarah Krauss & Jeanne Vogel (Now we meet twice a month!)

If you are feeling “abode overload,” we will: relieve clutter, stress, struggle and feelings of being overwhelmed. We are Zooming on the 3rd and the 4th Wednesday’s from 1:30-3:30 pm using the inspiration from a workshop we attended. Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized. Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making. Please contact pickincotton26@verizon.net for an invitation.

Free Motion Quilting Bee (we actually sew during the meeting!) – Monica Hendewerk

Our meetings have been a huge success. It turns out that Zoom blocks out background noise, so we can sew and chat at the same time! Monica or one of the other members provide some designs to practice on a small sandwich which you can choose to use or not. The designs are sent out in advance and include step by step instructions, with both beginner and intermediate designs. A number of us generally “doodle” on paper first, and then sew. Some people do the designs that have been sent out, others do their own thing. We have beginner beginners all the way to advanced members of the group. We also share our samples and ask/answer questions. Meetings are on the second Monday of the month, from 1:00 – 3:00 (or longer sometimes!). Please contact Monica so that she can send you the Zoom link if you are interested. mhendewerk@gmail.com (713) 569-8798

Hand Applique Small group – Linda Neal

We meet the first Monday of each month at 10:00 on Zoom. If you are interested in joining our hand applique Zoom group, please email Linda Neal (lindanealmck@hotmail.com) for the link.

English Paper Piecing Small Group – Linda Neal

We meet on the third Tuesday at 10:00 on Zoom. Whether you are new to English Paper Piecing or a pro, we would love to have you join our group. Our group is informal and fun!! For a link, please email Linda Neal (lindanealmck@hotmail.com) for the link.

Hoop It Up Bee – Donna Petrick

The machine embroidery group meets the third Thursday each month on Zoom. We talk about problems or successes we might have had in using our machines as well as having show and tell. We are open to all levels of users. If you have an interest in machine embroidery, please join us. Email me petrickdl@outlook.com so I can send you the Zoom invitation.

Featherweight Fellowship Groups – Jeanne Vogel

Singer Featherweight sewing machines make happy owners as we sit and sew. We share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem-solving both machine and quilting problems. If you work, join us on a Saturday! When we share a lot of tips and tricks we follow the meeting with an email to those attending. Those who have not previously notified me, please email at pickincotton26@verizon.net to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting.

Chicks with Feathers—3rd Saturdays Zooming 1-3pm — (Formerly at Sunrise of Plano)
Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends—4th Fridays @ 1-3pm on Zoom or in person meeting at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas all day.

Membership

By Mary Alice Caffarel

Renewals have been coming in. As I write this on Dec. 21, we have 281 active memberships for this year.

Anyone can get on our website and see information about joining, activities, programs, and general information. However, ONLY paid members can access the membership directory. This requires your user name and password.

Username:

If we entered you into the membership database, it will most often be your first initial followed by your full last name. Sometimes that doesn’t work. Ex: MJones. We have 3 people with that first initial and last name. So theirs have been modified and they should know what they are.
If you entered yourself by joining online, you created your own username.
If you need to verify your username, please see me at the January meeting. I’ll have a list and my computer to look anyone up that needs help. Or you can email membership@qgplano.org and I’ll respond within a day or two.
You can also use your email address as your username.

Password:

When you originally signed up, you should have received an email with your user name and a Temporary password. Upon signing into the website you should have changed your password.

We have had a good number of new members say they never got that email. Therefore, we are sending out a new email to anyone who has joined since October 2021.

IF you already have a password and can access the member directory, you can disregard this email.
IF you need a password, please use the temporary password, sign in, and then CHANGE to a password of your choice.

If you had a password, but cannot remember it, please send a message to webmaster@qgplano.org. This will trigger several automatic emails ( be sure to check your junk folder).

The first will let you know that someone has requested to change your password. You must reply to this email indicating that you do want to do that.
The second email will give you a temporary password. When you sign into the website with that, you must CHANGE to a password of your choosing. This is done under your MEMBER PROFILE.
The third email will send you confirmation that the password has been changed ( but it will not tell you what it was changed to, so be sure to keep it where you can find it) . It will tell you your user name.

Another year under our belts! Happy New Year to all and Happy Birthday to these with January birthdays.

2 – Sherrie Tootle
3 – Jo Wong
4 – Carollee Williams-Schuegraf
6 – Sharla Brockway
6 – Joe Ellen Ticknor
7 – Lily Gutierrez
9 – Stephanie Beatty
10 – Jane Schwarz
13 – Diane Worley
15 – Lorrie Gray
16 – Patricia Fulwiler
16 – Nicole Montenegro
26 – Peggy Cord
26 – Joe Levy
26 – Marsha Reese
29 – Roxanne Garrett
31 – Michelle Parker

If I’ve missed your birthday, please check your member profile on the website. We have 21 members who do not have a birthday listed. If you didn’t want anyone to know, that’s fine, but I can’t include you here without it.

Quilters Guild of Plano, Inc.

Letter from the President

Programs

January Guild Meeting – Thursday, January 12, 2023

February Guild Meeting – Thursday, February 9, 2023

Workshop

Plano Quilt Guild Retreat

Quilt Plano 2023

Community Service