Linda Layfield reminded the members about the spring retreat, March 22-25, at Sunset Inn in Gadsden.  Nine spaces are still available.  Cost is $225 for three nights, $165 for two.

Emily Kennedy announced the UFO winners for this year were Dianna Kennedy, Linda Layfield, and Mary Ann Raley.  Each was awarded a $50 cash prize.  Lists were turned in for the 2012 UFO challenge, which will end in December, with the November meeting the deadline for showing finished projects.

The block of the month pattern was handed out.

It was announced that one of our members [name withheld] is suffering from breast cancer, and blocks were handed out to make a friendship quilt for her.

There will be a guest speaker at the April meeting.  Marjorie Post, a fabric and fiber artist from Portland, OR, will present a trunk show of her landscape quilts.  Ms. Post will also be teaching a class in raw edge appliqué at the April Sew Day, April 7, at the Clay Senior Center.

It is possible that the meetings will move to the Clay Civic Center, but we will have to change the meetings to the second Tuesday night of the month.

Jill Dailey presented a program on making auto litter bags from orphan blocks.

Secret Sisters for the past year were revealed, and new names were drawn for the upcoming year.

Fat quarter winners were Dianna Kennedy, Mary Alice Hart and Kathy Tubbs.  There were sixteen members present, with one visitor and one new member, Sarah Childers.

Jill Daily presented our program, Biscuit Quilts, by demonstrating how to put together this pattern from the 1950s.

The spring retreat will be at the Sunset Inn and Retreat in Gadsden March 22-25th.  You can stay Thursday through Sunday or Friday through Sunday.  Meals are included and 9 spots remain.  Elaine Rasco will be teaching the Four Patch Posey pattern and she handed out instructions for  precutting material.  Contact Dianna Kennedy for more information about the retreat, or to reserve your spot!

The first Saturday work day at the Clay Senior Center will still be on the first Saturday in March but we will need to leave an hour earlier, 2 instead of 3.

Dues of $20 are due now for 2012, will be late in April.  Also, the UFO and Secret Sister forms are due at the next meeting.  The Secret Sister reveal will be at the March meeting.

The Heart Ball Quilt, designed and sewed by Linda Layfield and Dianna Kennedy, was presented for the American Heart Association’s 25th Anniversary of the Heart Ball.

Linda handed out the block of the month for February, and Mary Helen and Kathy Tubbs won the fat quarters.

We are looking at a new meeting place, Deerfoot Baptist being one.  If you know of a place, please let someone know.

March Snacks:

Salty-Karen                     Sweet-Mary Alice

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.