Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., January 9, 2012, by Dianna Kennedy, in the absence of president Stephanie Childers.

New officers were installed for 2012:  Stephanie Childers (President), Jill Dailey (1^st VP), Linda Layfield (2^nd VP), Mary Ann Raley (Secretary), Mary Helen McKinley (Treasurer).

Treasurer’s report:  $1,697.94.  After a short discussion, it was determined that Mary Ann Raley should order new checks for the guild.

The Spring 2012 retreat was discussed.  It will be March 22/23-25, 2012, at Sunset Inn and Retreat in Southside.  Cost is $225 for three nights, $165 for two.  Checks are to be made payable to the Sunset Inn.

Fat Quarters for 2012 were decided upon.  February – pink; March – green; April – spring flowers; May – black & white; June – white on white; July – Christmas; August – food; September – water; October – animals; November – red/white/blue; December – polka dots; January 2013 – your choice.

Linda Layfield announced a change to the UFO Challenge for the next year.  Rather than running from March to February, it will run from March 2012 through November 2012 (last date to Show & Tell), with the prizes awarded at the December 2012 meeting/party.  New lists for 2012 are to be turned in to Emily Kennedy at the February meeting.

Mary Alice Hart announced that more blocks for the friendship quilt are needed.

A motion to approve the revised bylaws was made by Linda Layfield (seconded by Karen Bean). The vote carried.

It was decided that because of various problems with the church, the Guild meetings will be moving to another location as soon as one can be located.

Mary Ann Raley announced that a ‘Guild store’ will be established at www.cafepress.com for guild t-shirts.

Linda Layfield announced that we will be making arrangements for guild pins to be purchased for $5.00, after a $75.00 set up fee, from The Pin Peddlers.

The refreshment list for 2012 was passed out for sign up.

Linda Layfield reminded the group that 2012 dues are due no later than the March meeting, and the dues have been reduced to $20 per year.  Linda also encouraged the members to make quilts for donation to the St. Vincent’s East NICU, and reminded us to please label the quilts with at least the name of the guild.

Linda also gave out the first block for the 2012 BOM.  It will be a Christmas quilt.

The Alabama Quilt Symposium 2012 was announced, scheduled for June in Hoover.

The February work day is scheduled for February 4, and the cutting station project class will be held at that time.

Jill Daily taught a class on various types quilt bindings, including several very good tips.

There twelve members present.  Mary Alice Hart won the Fat Quarter Drawing.  Following Show & Tell, meeting was adjourned.

The November meeting began at 7:00 with a presentation by Mary Ann Raley on cotton fabric.  Linda Layfield presided  over the meeting in Stephanie’s place.  The minutes from the last meeting were approved as posted on the website.  Linda discussed the previous retreat in October and the one coming up in March will also be at the Sunset Inn Retreat.  The prices for the March retreat will be as follows:  3 nights-$225, 2 nights-$165.  This price includes all meals.

By laws of the guild were revised at the November 3rd work day at the Clay Senior Center and copies of it were distributed at the meeting.  They will be voted on at the December meeting.

Mary Helen gave the Treasurer report and the guild presently has $1,879.50 in its account.

Mary Alice discussed the Friendship quilt and the pattern was passed around to anyone who needed it.  A copy of the pattern will be on the website soon.

Two new quilt shops were discussed, Material Girls in Gardendale and The Sewing Room in Inverness Corners.

Christmas Party

The Christmas Party will be December 3rd at the Clay Senior Center.  It will be held on the day of our regularly scheduled work day.  Sewing will begin at 9:00 as always and the party will start at 11:00.  Please contact Dianna Kennedy to sign up to bring something.  So far the following people have signed up…..

Finger foods

-Dianna, Jill, Brenda, Mary Ann, Deb

Sweets

-Emily, Linda, Jeanette, Mary Alice

Drinks

-Brenda (unsweet tea), Phyllis(diet soda)

Christmas block   – Don’t forget to bring a 12 1/2 unfinished block for the Christmas blocks to have a chance to win them all.  The colors are traditional red, green and white. 

Gifts-We are exchanging gifts again this year.  It must be quilt shop quality fat quarters (6) or fat quarters (3) and a half yard of material. 

Also, bring your favorite quilt for show and tell and your secret sister gifts!!

Officers were approved for the 2012 year and show and tell wrapped up the meeting.

President- Stephanie Childers

1st VP-Jill Dailey

2nd VP- Linda Layfield

Secretary-Mary Ann Raley

Treasurer-Mary Helen McKinley

Public Relations-Pamela Smith

The Christmas party will be on December 3rd at the Clay Senior Activity Center.  Bring either a yard and 1/2 of quilt shop quality fabric or 6 fat quarters for the gift exchange.  Dinner will be pot luck and there will be a sign up sheet at the November meeting.   Bring a 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ unfinished block with traditional Christmas colors for the Christmas quilt give away.  Also, bring any UFOs that you want to work on or need help with.

Please finish any baby quilts that you are working on for the NICU and turn them in at the November meeting.  Remember that they need to be 36″ x 36″ , contain 100% cotton batting and fabric, and have a label.

Mary Alice distributed the instructions for the next Friendship quilt.  Please finish your blocks and turn them in as soon as possible.  See Mary Alice for instructions.

Linda distributed the block of the month(stars) and finishing instructions.

Fall retreat is this weekend, Friday October 21st through Sunday, October 23rd at the Sunset Retreat and Inn in Gadsden.  Thanks to Dianna Kennedy for all the work you have put into planning it for us!

The meeting opened at 7:00 with an update on a new meeting location. Steph reported that she has contacted numerous locations. Unfortunately, many of these locations are not available at the time needed, require a significant fee or simply do not have capacity to accommodate the guild meetings. She stated she will continue to find a new meeting location.

Steph also reported that she has found a location for monthly workdays at the Clay senior Center from 9:00am to 3:00pm the first Saturday of every month. The guild voted in favor to having monthly workdays at the senior center beginning September 3 at 9:00am.

There were 16 participants at Monday’s meeting.  They enjoyed a fun and informative presentation about the new HODQG website and Facebook group.

The guild voted in favor of allowing Heart of Dixie Quilter Guild members to advertise their quilting services on the HODQG website. Currently, there are 5 identified services available; Stephanie Childers, Diana Kenney, Meg McKinney, Ginni Stevens and classes offered by the HODQG.  The Guild votes against listing classes offered by non-affiliated entities on the HODQG Website. The HODQG has posted links to the non-affiliated websites.

It was suggested that a guild member serve as a new member greeter, a public relations coordinator. Responsibilities would include contacting any one interested in the guild; escort the new member to the meeting location and simply being available to answer questions from the new member.

It was suggested that we formalize the process for our charity work. Examples include having a steady contact with our charity organization, taking photos of the donation and providing info to the recipients about the origin of the donation.  The guild voted in favor of seeking a new charity for donations. Steph will touch base with the heart Foundation and inform them of our decision. Steph asked that the guild members brainstorm charitable organizations that we could serve. This will be determined at the next guild meeting.

It was suggested that the guild participate in community events. Many ideas were mentioned such as demo booths, Leeds creek bank festival, Pepper Place farmers market, and The Trussville festival.  It was asked whether the guild wanted to participate in the Oak Mountain High School quilt show by donating a quilt. This topic was tabled until next month.

The guild shared the block of the month, show and tell and the meeting concluded at 8:30pm.

The Guild voted in favor for a facebook group. This will be set up by Pamela Smith. Stephanie Childers has agreed to review content before it is posted. Facebook posts are encouraged and can include feedback and experiences from guild events and questions or advice regarding the guild or quilting. Also a blog will be added to the website. It is open to anyone who has a story to share, entries are encouraged. Please email Brenda Pigott @ brenda.pigott@gmail.com.

August meeting will be on using facebook and website.

Linda Layfield agreed to draft up a few business cards for members to share at church/work/community. She also distributed the July BOM.

MaryAnne Raley made an informative presentation about binding as you go. Dianna Kennedy held a giveaway for a June Taylor Pintastic machine which Ginny won.

The friendship blocks need to be turned in ASAP. They are $2 each.

Deposit of $25 is due now for the Fall Retreat in October.

Reminders

August Fat Quarter –Beach
Secret Sister gifts
Sweet Snack-Carol
Savory Snack-Stephanie Childers

Twelve members attended the June 13, 2011 meeting. Phyllis presented the instructions for making Cathedral Window quilt and Linda Layfield shared her experiences from the June 7th-9th Quilt Symposium at Hoover High. No word on whether the meeting location has changed. When the location is changed, the members will be notified at least a week in advance of the next quilt meeting.
The fall retreat is at Sunset Inn and Retreat in Gadsden. The dates are October 21 through the 23. The cost is $165.00. Check in is at 12:00 noon and check out is 4:00pm. The retreat will require a 10 person minimum. The following payment options is available:
o 1st payment of $25.00 due July 11.
o 2nd payment of $25.00 due Aug 8.
o 3rd payment of $50.00 due September 12.
o Last payment of $65.00 due October 10.

BOM instructions were distributed and there was no treasurer’s report.

Reminders
July Fat quarter: Christmas
Secret Sister gift: Don’t forget your secret sister!

Show and Tell closed the meeting…..photos next month.