The August 9, 2010 meeting was called to order by Mary Ann Raley, President, at 7 pm.

The minutes of the July 12, 2010 meeting were approved.

Beth Arnett, Treasurer, reported a balance of $3050.70, in the treasury.

Linda Layfield reported on the Baby Quilt Challenge, that more members need to sign up. The Deadline may be moved. Nine members have signed. The backing fabric has been changed to white, or a co-ordinating fabric. There is a “super nifty prize” according to Mary Ann Raley, for the winning baby quilt. There will be a panel of judges for the challenge.

Dianna Kennedy reported on the Fall Retreat. The dates are Oct. 15 – 17, held at Camp Cottaquilla. The retreat is a UFO retreat, 10 members have signed up; the fee is $125. If 15 members sign up, the fee is reduced to $100 for two nights plus meals.

Ginny Stephens reported on the Heart Ball Quilt project. She has called the American Heart Association representative twice, and been referred to other members. Ginny has designed and offered six quilt designs. She is waiting to hear from them.

Beth Arnett reported on School Days, that it is a UFO work day. The guild voted to schedule the day for Sept. 25, and it will be held at the Exceptional Foundation, Homewood. Members signed up, and will pay $10 for a catered lunch. If they attend, their $10 will be refunded.  Meg McKinney suggested everyone bring a tech tip, or a method for quilt making, to share during the day.

Linda Layfield reported on the Block of the Month for August: a watermelon block with a checkerboard border.

Mary Ann Raley reported on the Friendship Blocks. Block kits were available after the meeting. Cost is $2 / kit. They will be due in either November or December. The pattern is a trellis quilt.

Mary Ann Raley also reported on the Scrap Exchange blocks, a Patriotic theme, which are due at the September meeting. Meg McKinney showed a completed block, with Triangles-on-a-Roll fabrics, for members who may have questions about the sewing methods for half-square triangles.

Dianna Kennedy, Vice President for Programs, presented a program about the statistics of the quilt industry in America. Her source of information was the a nationwide survey conducted in 2010, in the publication, Professional Quilter.

Here are some of the statistics she presented:

The total U. S. industry value of quilting is $3.58 billion annually.

Total quilters in America: 21 million, with an average of 1.3 quilters per household.

Quilters spend $219 annually per household; this is up 20 % from 2006, their last survey.

Dedicated Quilters (DQ’s), those who spend more than $600 annually on quilting, average $2442 per year.

DQ’s buy 93.6 yards of fabric per year.

69% DQ’s purchase small, floral prints;

67% DQ’s purchase batiks;

52% DQ’s purchase tone-on-tone prints;

56% DQ’s purchase Jewel tones, earth tones, pastels.

DQ’s spend $144.10 annually on thread.

DQ’s own $517.80 worth of thread.

DQ’s own 182 spools of thread.

DQ’s estimated value of their fabric stash is $3677.

DQ’s estimated value of quilt making supplies in their home is $8500.

DQ’s own 2.7 sewing machines; and 25% own four machines or more.

In 2009 DQ’s bought 4.4 quilting books, at an average price of $21 per book.

DQ’s  read 4.4 quilt magazines a month.

DQ’s average 5 hours per month reading quilt magazines.

The primary reason to read quilt magazines are for tips and techniques; new products, and inspiration.

91% of DQ’s own a computer, but only 73% use the internet.

DQ’s average 2 hours per week visiting quilt websites.

56% DQ’s visit 2 or more websites daily.

28% of DQ’s go to Facebook.com for quilt websites.

Mary Ann Raley announced August birthdays: Carol Guthrie, Linda Layfield.

23 members attended with 1 new member.

Fat Quarters were won by Linda Layfield, Mary Helen McKinlay. The September Fat Quarter drawing theme is Apples.

Secret Sisters packages were exchanged.

Show and Tell followed.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Meg McKinney, Secretary.

Mary Ann Raley, President, called the July 12 , 2010, meeting to order.

The minutes from the June, 2010 meeting were approved.

The treasury report is a balance $3125.70.

Mary Ann reviewed her recent e-mail about manners, being quiet, and listening to the speaker(s), during meetings. Interruptions when a speaker has the floor are being discouraged.

Linda Layfield reported on the fall retreat, as Dianna Kennedy, retreat chair, was absent. The dates are Oct. 15 -17, cost is $125, theme is UFO, held at Camp Cottaquilla. Please pay by the September meeting so the reservation can be held.

Linda, as vice president, reported the guild needs programs for the September, October, and November meetings. Members are to offer suggestions, and volunteer if possible.

Mary Ann reported for Beth Arnett, school days chair, that a Sew-in may be the theme this year, and we can work on UFO’s. What dates do we want: August 28, Sept. 11 or 25. No votes were taken, but members expressed varying schedules.

Mary Ann says she got a call from the Heart Ball committee about the annual quilt the guild makes for them. Mary Ann gave the number to Ginny Stephens.

Mary Ann also got a request from the Alabama Organ Donation Center, saying they have blocks, and are looking for someone to assemble and quilt  a quilt for their donation purposes.

She also received an e-mail about flour sack fabrics being for sale, for interested members.

Linda Layfield discussed the Block of the Month, with an American flag, paper pieced with 13 red/white stripes.

Mary Ann says the next Friendship Blocks will be available at the August meeting, and will be half-log cabin blocks, at $2 per packet. Members will need to add one fabric of their own, to make the quilt representative of the guild.

Scrap Exchange blocks are due at the August meeting. The theme is patriotic.

Cheryl Clabough presented a program about Mug Buckets, or an accessories holder for coffee mugs.

Show and Tell followed.

Attendance: 19 members; 1 visitor.

Four July birthdays: May Helen McGinley, Phyllis Morse, Patty Frye, Kathy Tubbs.

Meeting adjourned.

Meg McKinney,

Secretary

The June meeting of the Heart of Dixie Quilter’s Guild was called to order by Mary Ann Raley, President.

Dianna Kennedy said her hame has two n’s, and then the minutes were approved.

Beth Arnett, Treasurer, reported a balance of $3148.65.

Linda Layfield passed around directions for the Block of the Month, a sailboat block.

The Fall Retreat, reported Dianna Kennedy, will be October 15-17, will have a UFO theme, and cost $125. The retreat will be held at Camp Cottaquilla, near Jacksonville. Interested members are to please pay by, or on, the September meeting.

Beth Arnett presented the Friendship Quilt, and Mary Ann Raley won the drawing. Mary Ann will be in charge of the next Friendship Quilt project.

For the program, Linda Layfield showed how to make quilt labels using your computer printer.

The guild will have a Baby Quilt Challenge for the NCIU unit at St. Vincent’s East Hospital. The quilt must be 26 inches square, use four pre-washed fabrics. See Linda Layfield to sing-up and get the challenge fabrics.

The decisions of the scrap exchange meeting were given – a patriotic theme, and further discussion and sign up was held after the guild meeting.

Secret Sister gifts were exchanged.

July’s fat quarters are fabrics that say “fireworks.”

There were 3 June birthdays: Reba Allred, Ginny Stephens, LuAnn Lesley.

Show and Tell was presented.

The meeting was adjourned.

The May 10, 2010 meeting for the Heart of Dixie Quilter’s Guild was called to order by Mary Ann Raley, president, at 7:00 p.m.

The minutes from the April 2010 meeting were approved.

First item of business was a message from Michelle Goodman, visitor, and her two children, Lily Goodman and Layla Goodman. Mrs. Goodman described her two daughters’ first days after being born on September 29, 2006,  in the NICU unit, where the guild donates baby quilts.

Mrs. Goodman gave a heartfelt thank you to the guild for the baby quilt they received at the hospital, which the children are still using.

Beth Arnett, treasurer, reported a balance of $3098.42.

Linda Layfield distributed the Block of the Month pattern, a Tulip Block.

Diana Kennedy gave an update on our fall retreat. It is scheduled for Oct. 15-17, and to be held at Camp Cottaquilla, a Girl Scout camp. The cost is $125, which will include food and lodging. Members will need to bring their own bed and bath linens. Diana said that if more members sign up, the fee will be reduced.

Linda Layfield showed three strips of fabrics, and asked if anyone these fabrics at home, she would love to use them in a quilt she is finishing for someone.

The first program was presented by Mary Alice Hart and Phyllis Morse, on making Stemmed Glass Coasters. Mary Alice presented the how-to, and Phyllis sewed a sample. Mary Alice gave out printed instruction sheets.

Meg McKinney gave the second program about Scrap Exchanges, with a video, a show of scrap exchange quilts and tops made by herself, Linda Layfield, Cheryl Claybough, and Diana Kennedy. The guild will hold a scrap exchange meeting on June 6, a Sunday, at 2:30 p.m., at Beth Arnett’s home.

Fat quarters were traded.

Secret Sister packages were given out.

Show and Tell had 10 items.

The meeting was attended by 18 members, and 3 guests.

May birthday’s are Debbie Ryckeley and Emily Kennedy.

The meeting was adjourned.

And don’t forget your fat quarters for May-red, white and blue, or patriotic.

The meeting was called to order by Mary Ann Raley, President.

The program, Coffee Filter Paper-Piecing Fan Blocks, was presented by Meg McKinney.

The minutes for the February 8, 2010, meeting, and the Officer’s Meeting, February 28, 2010, were approved.

Mary Ann discussed the activities that had the most interest according the membership survey — School Days, Sewing Days, Mystery Quilt, Baby Quilts  — with the ideas for implementing them, as also discussed at the Officer’s Meeting.

Beth Arnett, Treasurer, reported an approximate balance of $3,200.00.

Linda Layfield, First Vice-President, reported on the Spring Retreat, and said only 5 members have signed up, and was hoping for 2 more. Linda presented the Block of the Month, March Winds.

Beth reported on the Friendship Quilt blocks, and said there were some left to sign up for.

Mary Ann reported that the Officer’s agreed that members are to put their own label on their baby quilts that are donated to NICU, and that the guild will attach a card with the guild’s name, address and website.

Mary Ann announced several regional quilt shows coming up: Pigeon Forge, TN; and the Quilt Syposium in Cullman, AL.

The guild has an e-mail address: hodquilters@hotmail.com, which Mary Ann checks.

Someone is seeking a copy of “Best Baby Animals” quilt book.

The Scrap Exchange is going to be revived, per interest from the survey. Meg McKinney explained the basic steps in an exchange, members should start to think about the quilts they want to make form exchanges, and that in a few months, probably May, there will be further discussion, quilts to see, and a sign-up for planning the exchange.

Diana Kennedy, Second Vice-President, reported that Secret Sisters are to be revealed at this meeting, and new names drawn for this year at the end of the meeting.

Attendance: 23 members; 1 new member; 1 visitor.

Birthday wishes for March: Beth Arnett, 3/20; Kathy Starrett, March 7^th; Leasa Williams, March 11^th; Louise Summers, March 25^th.

Linda Layfield read an excerpt from “Around the Quilt Frame,” a humorous collection of quilt stories and experiences.

Show and Tell was presented.

Members were dismissed by Mary Ann.

Minures reported by Meg McKinney, Secretary.

Minutes of February 8, 2010 meeting of the Heart of Dixie Quilter’s Guild, as taken by Patty Frye, submitted by Meg McKinney.

The February 8, 2010, meeting was called to order by Mary Ann Raley, President. A  presentation of the Heart Ball quilt was made to the Heart Association. The quilt was pieced by Carol Sirokman and Jeanette Reddick, and quilted by Diana Kennedy. The Heart Association gave a thank you to the guild, and a payment.

Guild Business:

Meg McKinney will be the new secretary.

The January 2010 meeeting minutes were approved.

Beth Arnett, treasurer, reported a balance of $2,625.26 in the bank.

The annual retreat will be held March 19-21, at Ivy Creek Bed and Breakfast. Cost is $175. See Linda Layfield or Diana Kennedy for further information.

The block of the month, a heart for February, was presented with instructions.

The friendship quilt blocks’  kits are available for $3.00 from Lila Barton, and due at the May meeting. There are A and B blocks. See Beth Arnett for blocks.

Beth Arnett will be chairman of School Days.

UFO Winners for the past year are, Diana Kennedy for 1-25 UFO’s completed, winning a $50 gift certificate; and Ginny Stevens for 25 or more UFO’s. Prize amount not recorded.

Old Business: Secret Sisters will be revealed at the March meeting, and drawing for new sisters will be done at that time.

Next year’s Heart Quilt committee persons are: Patty Frye, chairman; Ginny Stevens and Elaine Rasco, members.

A program learning to make pillow cases was given by Linda Layfield.

Members present: 19; 1 visitor, Stephanie Childers.

Show and Tell items shown by Elaine Rasco, Lisa Williams, Emily Kennedy.

Respectfully submitted,

Meg McKinney, Secretary

Heart of Dixie Quilter’s Guild

2/8/1020.

The meeting was called to order and new officers were installed.  They are as follows:

President-Mary Ann Raley

1st Vice President-Dianna Kennedy

2nd Vice President-Linda Layfield

Treasurer-Beth Arnett

Secretary- TBA

Emily Kennedy presented a very interesting program on crayon quilts, and everyone made a sample block.

Linda Layfield passed around cards for the members to update their names/addresses for the membership lists.  She also announced that annual dues of $25.00 are due by the February meeting and handed out membership cards.

Emily Kennedy will be coordinating the refreshments sign-up and a sign-up sheet was provided.  Refreshments for the February meeting will be provided by the Heart Guild.

Treasurer’s report – $2,831.26

Linda Layfield announced that the spring retreat will be March 19-21 at Ivy Creek.  Cost is $175.00, and deposit is due no later than the February meeting.  A sign-up sheet was provided for the retreat.

Beth Arnett will be taking the NICU baby quilts until Lila Barton returns from California.

Linda Layfield announced a block of the month challenge; the January block is a snowflake.

Linda also invited the guild to participate in the One Million Pillowcases challenge, sponsored by American Patchwork & Quilting.  Pillowcases can be either regular or travel/kids size.  Information about the challenge can be found at their website, www.allpeoplequilt.com.

A quilt show was proposed for this year, possibly the 3^rd weekend in May.  Linda Layfield will follow up with possible sites.

Mary Ann Raley announced that the UFO Challenge year ends tonight; prizes will be awarded at the February meeting, and the next year will begin.  Blank UFO lists were handed out.

Dianna Kennedy asked for volunteers to teach classes during the next year, or for ideas of classes to be taught.

Elaine Rasco announced that she has a Bernina 180E embroidery machine for sale.

Secret Sisters will be revealed at the March Meeting, and new sisters will be drawn then.

Fat quarters were determined for the remainder of the year.  Winners of the Fat Quarter drawing were Elaine Rasco and Meg McKinney.

The February meeting will be held in the Blythe Equipment, and the Heart Ball quilt will be presented.