May's Meeting Notes

Saturday offered up another great meeting!

Kelly started off the meeting, after her fabulous welcome, with the Intro question. This time it had to do with favorite fabric designers. Again, we are a diverse group and we don't adhere to the rules very well. ;-) Answers were fun and varied:

• Tula Pink, of course
• batiks was a very popular answer, even though batiks are not a fabric designer
• Carolyn Friedlander (your editor loves her text and word designs!)
• solids
• Bonnie & Camille
• Lotta Jansdotter
• tone-on-tones
• According to Peggy, there are no ugly fabrics

QuiltCon West
QuiltCon West will be held February 15-21, 2016 in Pasadena, California at the convention center. It is the ComiCon for quiltmakers. You can volunteer at one of two levels, super, which gives you lots of free stuff or regular. The deadline for regular volunteers is September 1 and you have to sign up by 6/15 to be a super volunteer.

Entering quilts will be from July 1-November 30.

If you check the Quiltcon west website you will see classes and lectures starting to appear. The full course catalog is coming with registration for classes opening on June 25. Non-member registration opens July 1. If you are a member of BAMQG, then you are a member of MQG and can sign up as a member during the member timeframe. Non-member registration opens July 1.

Thanks to Angela for compiling the dates and keeping us informed.

Retreat
The Retreat is imminent. Your registration should be fully paid by now. The improv activity has been sent out. Contact Rhonda if you did not receive it.

Charity
Due to changes at the Los Altos Library, we will only be having Sew Days once a quarter. New block is the bow tie block. August 1 is the next charity sew day at the Los Altos Library, 11-7. We will be doing the MQG challenge: Improv with Intent.

May's Charity Sew Day had a good turn out.

Recently 4 quilts were taken to the JW House at Kaiser.

Exhibition
In December 2015 there will be another exhibition of our modern quilts at the Los Altos Library. Stay tuned for details.

Quilty Happenings

• Anderson Museum at Stanford is now open. Take a docent tour of their modern art collection for inspiration.
• SJ Museum of Quilts and Textiles has an exhibit by Margaret Fabrizio - June 14, 2-4pm, she will be speaking on embroidery. There are Bedouin textiles in the smaller gallery.
• San Mateo County Fair June 6-14. See Lynette if you want your quilt dropped off or picked up.
• Sonoma Valley Museum of Art: Unconventional exhibit closed yesterday
• Sherri Lynn wood will speak July 18 at our meeting. She wrote The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters
• Stacy Sharman will be speaking the BAMQG September meeting
• The Reno quilt show is in the first week of June. It is reported that they have good workshops and good speakers
• BAMQG Improve Workshop: May 30, 10-4 with Tina Michalik at Always Quilting. $40 per person including lunch. See Angela about space.

Discussion Topic: How to Up Our Own Modern Game
Aside from classes, inspiration and blogs, how can we make our quilts more modern or think about modern design aesthetic. That was the topic we discussed on Saturday. Some ideas that came up were:

• rearrange blocks
• turn blocks in different directions
• let go of preconceived notions of what is going to happen
• take a workshop (see above!!!)
• just sew
• meditate - get into yourself
• purge your stash - we do evolve and our tastes change
• rearrange your stash
• use the backside of a fabric. It can turn into a low volume print, it can be a softer version or subtler
• do challenges
• look at stuff - galleries, flowers. Ask yourself "what would I do with that idea?"
• see your fabrics

Just for fun. We will be taking a look at other member's stashes. Post before and after picture of your stash on the Ning site as you implement some of these ideas.

Modern Elements/Alternate Grid Challenge
Results were shown. Check out Flickr.

Opportunity Quilt

• We will be selling tickets at the San Mateo County Fair. There are 4.5 hour shifts on Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, 11:30-3:30 and 3:30-8pm. See Amanda.

Meeting TOMORROW!!! See you there!

A quick reminder about our meeting TOMORROW!

Saturday, May 16, starting at 1:00 pm -- we'll be meeting at the Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room. 

Things to bring:

*Show 'n Tell

*Your name tag

*Finished Hawaiian quilts!!

*Charity blocks and quilts

*Small Group projects (Tula blocks, Hand Quilting)

*Checkbook -- pay the balance of your retreat fee, or if you haven't paid your dues yet, now's your chance! 

*Calendar: there are lots of BAM happenings and your talents are needed

*Information about local/national quilty happenings

*Non-messy snacks

*Enthusiasm and a positive attitude! 

There are a few spots left for the Improv Workshop.Tina Michalik (her site is Little Blue Cottage), one of the founders of and previous President of the South Bay Modern Quilt Guild will be teaching us how to make our own versions of her gorgeous quilt design. When:  Saturday, May 30th, 10am-4pm
Where:  Always Quilting, 4230 Olympic Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403, 650-458-8580
How Much:  $40 per person for members, including lunch
See Angela ASAP

Please note: this list is not necessarily all-inclusive. It's quite likely there's something important that's been left off, so if you think of something that should be added, please speak up! 

There will be lots of time to visit, too, especially after the meeting. So plan to stick around and have some fun! Meet new friends, chat with old friends, and eat some yummy snacks!

If you have any questions, please reply here, or see an officer at the meeting. 

Members can visit BA Modern at: http://bamodernquiltguild.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Meeting Saturday May 16

Hello!

A quick reminder about our meeting on Saturday!

Saturday, May 16, starting at 1:00 pm -- we'll be meeting at the Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room. 

Things to bring:

*Show 'n Tell

*Your name tag

*Finished Hawaiian quilts!!

*Charity blocks and quilts

*Small Group projects (Tula blocks, Hand Quilting)

*Checkbook -- pay the balance of your retreat fee, or if you haven't paid your dues yet, now's your chance! 

*Calendar: there are lots of BAM happenings and your talents are needed

*Information about local/national quilty happenings

*Non-messy snacks

*Enthusiasm and a positive attitude! 

There are a few spots left for the Improv Workshop.Tina Michalik (her site is Little Blue Cottage), one of the founders of and previous President of the South Bay Modern Quilt Guild, will be teaching us how to make our own versions of her gorgeous quilt design.
When:  Saturday, May 30th, 10am-4pm
Where:  Always Quilting, 4230 Olympic Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403, 650-458-8580
How Much:  $40 per person for members, including lunch
See Angela ASAP

Please note: this list is not necessarily all-inclusive. It's quite likely there's something important that's been left off, so if you think of something that should be added, please speak up! 

There will be lots of time to visit, too, especially after the meeting. So plan to stick around and have some fun! Meet new friends, chat with old friends, and eat some yummy snacks!

If you have any questions, please reply here, or see me at the meeting. 

Members can visit BA Modern at: http://bamodernquiltguild.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

MQG: Michael Miller Fabric Challenge

Check your email account and/or the MQG website for information about the QuiltCon 2016 Michael Miller fabric challenge. Register now, and if you sign up while there's still challenge fabric available, you could receive a bundle of the challenge fabric! Go! Now! Hope to see you at next week's meeting!!

Meeting tomorrow!!!

Hello! A quick reminder about our meeting on tomorrow: Saturday, April 18, starting at 1:00 pm -- we'll be meeting at the Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room.  Things to bring: *Show 'n Tell *Your name tag *Finished Hawaiian quilts!! *Modern Elements Challenge quilts/blocks/tops *Charity blocks and quilts *Small Group projects (Tula blocks, Hand Quilting) *Checkbook -- pay the balance of your retreat fee, or if you haven't paid your dues yet, now's your chance! *Information about local/national quilty happenings *Non-messy snacks *Enthusiasm and a positive attitude!  Please note: this list is not necessarily all-inclusive. It's quite likely there's something important that's been left off, so if you think of something that should be added, please speak up!  There will be lots of time to visit, too, especially after the meeting. So plan to stick around and have some fun!. Meet new friends, chat with old friends, and eat some yummy snacks! We've got some special goings on, as well as an exciting announcement -- you won't want to miss this meeting! If you have any questions, please reply here, or see me at the meeting.

Visit BA Modern at: http://bamodernquiltguild.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Meeting and Party Saturday

Yes, quilt fans, it is the 5 year anniversary of BAM! Come and party.

Details:

Date: Saturday, April 18, starting at 1:00 pm 

Place: Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room. 

Special events:

• Book swap: Take a look at your quilt books and select one (or two) that you've loved, but are no longer using. It can be either a DIY book or an "art" quilt book. Bring your book to the April meeting and swap it for something fresh. Come early and put your book on the book swap table first thing. Check out what's there. Adopt your new book during the break or after the main meeting.
• Party: stay tuned for more information!

Things to bring:

*Show 'n Tell

*Your name tag

*Finished Hawaiian quilts!!

*Book swap books

*Charity blocks and quilts

*Small Group projects (Tula blocks, Hand Quilting)

*Schnibbles -- Amanda will be collecting these for cat beds

*Checkbook -- if you haven't paid your dues ($40) yet, now's your chance!

*Information about local/national quilty happenings

*Non-messy snacks

*Enthusiasm and a positive attitude! 

*nametag

Please note: this list is not necessarily all-inclusive. It's quite likely there's something important that's been left off, so if you think of something that should be added, please speak up! 

There will be lots of time to visit, too, especially after the meeting. So plan to stick around and have some fun!. Meet new friends, chat with old friends, and eat some yummy snacks!

Future events:
Mark your calendar!

4/18/15 BAM 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY!! And Book Swap

5/16/15 Make it Modern challenge due

7/18/15 Sherri Lynn Wood, Modern and Improvisational Quilting

9/19/15 Speaker: Stacy Sharman, Modern Improv and Traditional Slideshow

If you have any questions, please reply here, or see one of the officers at the meeting. 

March Meeting Notes

The March meeting was very fun. WOW! We had a lot going on and welcomed several visitors and new members. Hope you were there and were able to enjoy it as well.

1. Getting to Know You Question: To what music do you listen while quiltmaking? OR what TV show do you watch while quilting?

The answer were fun and surprising. Not everyone listens to something while sewing. Yes, we have a few silent quiltmakers.  Many listen to the radio and enjoy stations and shows such as KFOG, Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me!, NPR, Coffee House on Sirius radio, Marketplace on NPR, the Giants' games and, surprisingly, we have two members who enjoy sports radio!

The TV watchers love NetFlix and watch various shows there. Others love romance comedies, Sex in the City, the E Network, House of Cards and other 'grownup' TV shows. Drop Dead Diva was mentioned as was Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The music crowd likes a wide variety including Jazz, Country Western, classical, ColdPlay, Adel and the dance channels.

There were some outliers who don't watch TV or listen to music in additio to the radio listeners. These outliers listen to podcasts, audiobooks and one member is trying to learn Swedish while she quilts!

This is a fun way to get to know each other better so we hope all of you will feel comfortable answering the question when attending the meeting!

2. Opportunity Quilt: the ticket sales at the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association show went well. Amanda reported that we made $240 on the sales. Many tickets were given away, as mandated by the guild's tax status. This turned out to be a great marketing opportunity as many people were willing to stop for a minute and talk. The drawing will be at the November meeting and Amanda is looking for venues to show the quilt and increase sales.

3. Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association show went well. BAMQG has 3 bays of quilts, which held about 15 quilts. The Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association show committee reported a slight decrease in attendance (under 10%), but BAMQG members who attended reporting liking the quilts and the vendors.

4. Make it Modern Challenge (Alternative Grid): <Members should check the forum for more info>. the challenge is due at the May meeting. There is some information on the MQG blog about alternative gridwork.

5. Sew Day: due to Easter and Passover there will be no Sew Day in April. Get together with a friend, if you are free, and sew some Charity quilts. The next Sew Day is May 2, 12-8 in a new location in Sunnyvale. Look for Peggy's post about it with more details and information.

6. Charity: there are a number of small and large quilts to quilt. Kits are available for the postage stamp blocks or you can make your own. The Charity Girls needs the LeMoyne Star blocks back, so if you have one bring it to the next meeting in whatever form it is in. The LeMoyne Star block pattern was the special charity block pattern from a few months ago.

7. Cat Beds: Check the email sent out before each meeting to find out if Amanda is taking schnibbles. If you are making cat beds, be sure to double stitch each seam as they get hard use and. The cat beds that come apart after being donated to the shelters are thrown out, which we don't want. Cut your schibbles to 3"-5" or less and ~11" long by less than 1.75" wide for strips.

8. Several members talked about their QuiltCon attendance. The best part for almost all of the attendees was connecting with people they know from social media. There was an amazing swag bag given out. One member took a class from Bill Kerr who reminder her (and us by proxy) not to let the quilting distract from the design. He also gave the definition of "modern quilts are quilts that relect the times in which we are living" to modern quiltmaking. One member mentioned a good blog post on judged quilts. Christaquilts blog reviewed the judges' comments on her QuiltCon quilt entry.

Advice was also given:

• don't take classes the whole time. Leave time to meet people
• take one class because it is a fun way to channel all the inspiration. It is also a good way to meet people
• arrange in advance to meet with people

9. Quilty Happenings

• SF Quilters Guild Show was last weekend. None of could go because we were all at the meeting. The show was not held on Sunday
• Saturday was also National Quilting Day
• TQS had free shows all weekend
• Stitch Modern Show is from March 27-April 25 at the Piedmont Center for the arts. Times vary, so check more info on their blog.
• Abby Glassenberg podcast, While She Naps
• Peninsula Quilters fabric sale on May 2 at the Lion's Club building in Washington Park in Burlingame, 12-3.
• There was also a fabric and craft rummage sale in Los Altos over the weekend
• The C&T Warehouse sale was over the weekend.
• The Ventura Modern Quilters are having a guild meetup, to which you are all invited, on April 18.

10. Destash Party: there was a ton of stuff people wanted to give away and most of it went to new good homes. You had to see it to believe it.

11. Show and Tell was fabulous as usual! What great work our group does! Photos are posted on Flickr and the forum.**

12. Next meeting: April 18, 1pm at Redwood City Library in the Community Room









**If you want to view the forum, you need to be a member. Send your $40 dues via PayPal to: bamodernquilt@gmail.com