Coachella Valley Quilt Guild

Happy Holidays Everyone,

Despite having to stay close to home or even just at home, the year seems to have gone by quickly.  In fact I think I have many more projects than I can possibly finish and things are constantly being added to my to do list!  But I am sure many of you know that feeling.

The guild has moved into having virtual speakers and virtual classes.  I hope you have had a chance to enjoy some of these along with the Show and Share and the Helpful Tips.  Our October speaker, Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli, gave a great class on Catrina.  It is amazing how different everyone’s came out even though we were using the same pattern.  It is going to be fun to see them when they are finished.  For more information on future programs and classes, check the Programs page on the website.  We have virtual classes (or maybe live classes or a combination there of) in January, February and March.

If you are having problems using Zoom or have questions about Zoom, please feel free to contact me.  The guild is here to help you get on Zoom and feel successful with it.

Our Mystery Quilt is coming along nicely thanks to some great directions from Jer Williams.  It is the kind of project you can jump into anytime you are ready or download the directions for a future project.  Check out the variety of fabrics being used to make this quilt either on Facebook, Instagram or the website.

With the holidays around the corner, the guild is working on some fun challenges and activities to do on Saturday, December 12 so watch your email for information on that.  There will be prizes in the form of gift certificates for some of these activities.  

Janna Calkins was determined to do the Silent Auction this year and she and Pat Siegel have found a website that can be used to bid on donated items. So think about what you might have that would make a nice Silent Auction item and follow the directions later in the newsletter to submit it to Janna.  Then watch for the dates of the auction and see what is for sale. 

One last reminder — your Beatle Challenge Quilt is due to Robert Tucker before the February meeting.  Remember we will be voting on our favorite Beatle quilt and there will be gift certificates as prizes.

Enjoy your holidays and hope to see you at a future Zoom meeting.

Kathleen Herring, President

Trudy Cleveland will share her photographic knowledge in a presentation on how to take professional looking photographs with your Smartphone. She will open up “secret” features in your iPhone that can enhance any image you take with your smartphone. Have your phone by your side as this lecture is interactive!

Join us November 14 at 10am — Watch for the email blast with the link.  Have a friend who is interested?  They can go on the website and buy a guest ticket!

Save the date and watch for more details in the email blasts.  There will be competitions! We will have PRIZES to win! (And you don’t have to make anything.  It should come from your collection of finished or unfinished quilts or your stash.) And even if you don’t enter anything, come and check out the entries and have your say in who wins.  Come and vote for the winner in the various categories!

The participants of the Zoom Catrina class with October speaker, Jan Tenorio-Coscarelli, had a wonderful experience.  They said it was relaxed and leisurely and they enjoyed learning, creating, chatting, and sharing with their fellow quilters.  Maybe you and a long-distance quilting friend can agree to take a spring class together and have a friend weekend?

Upcoming Classes - Register TODAY on the 2021 Programs Page

Sunday, January 10, 2021 - Color POP with Lynn Koolish

Sunday, February 14, 2021 - Basket Case with Jean Impey

Sunday, March 14, 2021 - Glam Clam with Latifah Saafir

All classes are $40.00 (or less) for Guild Members.  

Heather Keenan and Annie Houston, VP Programs

The auction will take place online using the Better World Auction site from December 1-14.  Winners will be announced at the January meeting.

Please send a picture and description of your item to jannascalkins@gmail.com.  We will be pricing items low to begin with as the auction site suggests.  If you are uncomfortable with that, please send your minimum bid along with your picture and description.

The buyer will be responsible for paying for the shipping.  Since shipping costs between the United States and Canada is so expensive, it has been suggested that the seller keep the item until it can be picked up in the Coachella Valley.  If you are not coming from Canada this year, you might consider not participating in the auction as either a buyer or seller or waiting until you do come to pick up your item or disperse it (if you are the seller).  Pat Siegel and I can also store items if necessary.

We are trying this auction site and expect it to be a lot of fun.  If you have any questions, please contact Janna at the above email or call 805 233-4362.  

Thanks everyone – sew sew sew!!!

Janna Calkins, Silent Auction Coordinator

It's that time of year again.  2021 membership renewal time.  Good news...as you know the guild board has reduced the dues for 2021 to $25.  That is a $20 reduction from 2020, but with lots of membership benefits  Those benefits include priority enrollment and reduced fees for classes and workshops, free admission to all virtual meetings and you can attend the meeting from anywhere via Zoom!  This year we have added several options for making renewal easier online.  Visit our membership page and renew online. You can use a credit card, debit card,  or check to pay your membership fees.  There are payment options for new members and for renewals.  You can download the form and mail it in, just note that you paid via the website and I will match the payment up with your form.  Or you can just mail the form and a check to  P.O. Box 3121, Rancho Mirage, CA 92234.  If you have any questions, or encounter an issue let me know at  membership@cvquiltguild.org.  

To make it fun I am adding a special incentive.  Everyone who renews by December 12, 2020 will be entered into a drawing for a special prize bag. This bag will include fabric, patterns, goodies, a gift certificate and a couple of mystery items.  So get those membership renewals and new memberships in early!!!  The winner will be selected by my advisory committee...Jackson, Noni and Blue for the Four Legged Fabric Bunch!

Treese Pflum, Membership

I am excited to say that we can now take credit cards on our website.  You can pay a guest fee, sign up for a workshop/program, and pay your 2021 dues on our website.

When you click on the “ADD TO CART” button it will take you to a shopping cart.  Provide the requested information and press the “continue” button until you reach the PayPal site.  You can then sign in to PayPal and pay.  If you don’t have PayPal, you can select pay with credit/debit card at the bottom.  You don’t have to join PayPal.

If you prefer not to use the website, you can still make your payment by check for membership and programs.  Contact the appropriate member on the contact list and let them know you are sending a check.  Just be sure to provide sufficient information so that we know how to apply the payment.  Be sure to allow plenty of time for delivery and mail it to us at:

CVQG

PO Box 3121

Rancho Mirage, CA  92270

Pat Siegel, Treasurer

Our first outdoor Sew What Table was a great success!  We raised $1000 through sales, sold Opportunity Quilt Tickets, and renewed one membership for 2021.  Philanthropy collected quilts and surgical caps, and gave out more kits for caps. In addition, non-perishable foods and $50 cash were donated to the Joslyn Center’s food program, Penny’s Pantry, and they were thrilled to receive those donations.  PLUS, we gave away free stuff!

The volunteers staffing the event were fabulous and worked hard to make participants feel welcome, assisting in selecting fabrics, and replenishing merchandise as bins thinned out.  A big thank-you to members Jerilynn Williams, Treese Pflum, Marcia Ulrich, Karon Patterson, Kim Johnson and Pat Siegel, and non-member Judi Brown.  And a special thanks to Rebecca Ruffing, Joslyn’s Program Director for all of her support and assistance.

The event was so well-received that we’re doing it again!  Lots of new fabric already, and more coming in!  Save the date:  Saturday, December 5, and keep an eye on your email for details and a sign-up link.  Be sure to tell your friends --  You do not have to be a Guild member to participate. 

I’m looking for a volunteer to help with publicizing this event. I have some ideas, but  I can’t do it all.  Please contact me if you think you can help.  

One more thing:  Karon Patterson donated a Brother Dream Frame, which essentially turns your home sewing machine into a longarm.  It’s in perfect working order. 

Current retail price for a new one is $1800 at Moore’s in Temecula.  I’ll be happy to let it go to a good home for a small fraction of that price. Contact me for details.

Leslie Herbst, Sew What Table

(818) 355-2671 or leslieherbst@yahoo.com

Well, cool weather has finally come to the desert.  It was a scorcher this year along with the pandemic, we had lots of time indoors, lots of charity quilts. 

At the Saturday morning Sew What Table at the Joslin Center we collected 38 finished surgical caps and 16 charity quilts.  There is a big need for charity quilts that I can send to the fire victims in northern California.  As we have always supported our local charities, we are making an effort to support the fire victims also.  So, please indicate where you would like your quilts go, locally or to No. California.

I received a note from Bristol Hospice, a local charity stating how grateful the patients and nurses are for your beautiful quilts.  I guess we are doing it right.  I love happy patients.

I want to thank all of you that have been so supportive of the Surgical cap Project and charity quilts.  

Marcia Ulrich, Philanthropy  

It seems like one day we are setting records for triple digit days and the next we are thinking about turkey, not to mention decorating our homes for the Winter Holiday Season.

2021 is around the corner. We hope better things will come to pass.

Many of us are in the middle of the Mystery Quilt which has been great fun.  I have been keeping our guild Facebook page updated with the latest clues and images of them. If there are any late starters out there, all the clues are on our website.

Also, on our website is information regarding the Beatles Challenge. Hopefully, we get a good turnout of participants on this. You have until the February meeting to make a Beatles song inspired mini quilt no larger than 24 x 24 inches. 

Recently the Desert Guilds Quilt Show committee met to discuss the 2022 quilt show. I remain the Challenge Rep for our guild.  It is going to be a witty and unique one (of course they are all unique)! That is all I can say at this time. Details are forthcoming in early 2021. It will be a project to look forward to where we can express our skill and creativity.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.

Robert Tucker, Social Media