​Hello, Quilters!
Can you believe we are now into March? I've seen daffodils blooming and I am welcoming spring. For me, spring means renewal, refreshment of ideas, and a restart.
I hope you had an opportunity to visit the Mancuso quilt show. I was out of town assisting with a quilting retreat and am sorry I couldn't be there. My thanks to all of the volunteers who white gloved or who sold raffle quilt tickets. It is really appreciated.
We have two more months of Zoom chapter meetings, March and April. In May, we will be in person again and won't that be wonderful?
Spring Fling will be in May and that will be great fun. Please plan to attend.
Stay safe and quilt on, my friends!
Linda Kelley

​Greetings fellow quilters!  
I was reflecting earlier on this past year and all of the wonderful programs and chapter meetings we have had.  The preparation and presentation for these programs and meetings are handled by numerous people and I am truly grateful for their efforts.  
Zoom continues to enable us to bring fascinating speakers to our Guild at a reasonable cost.
This is the time when I request that more of you become involved with the running of the Guild.  I know we have members of the Guild who are very talented and it would be amazing to have them share that talent by teaching a workshop or providing some insight into a program.  It is not necessary that you do it all yourself – we have members who would gladly share the responsibility.  In January, TQG’s nominating committee will begin searching for those lucky people who will assist TQG in continuing to bring fabulous speakers and workshops to our Guild.  Won’t you say “yes” when the call goes out for volunteers?  Some of our members are putting in many hours.  Many hands make light work – won’t you help lighten the load?
There will be many things happening in the New Year.  Mancuso will have its quilt show in February, we will have Spring Fling in May, and TQG will have its quilt show in November due to a remodeling situation at Cape Henry.  There will be many ways to jump in and help during 2022.  
I look forward to continuing to work for our Guild and helping to make 2022 the very best of years.
I wish the very best for all of you.

​Hello, fellow quilters!  Are you starting to feel that excitement – about meeting in person?  I certainly am.  Fingers crossed that nothing happens in the next couple of weeks to change that.  
I urge you to check your emails for notifications regarding any changes which may occur.  Please remember that if changes do occur, it is likely due to circumstances beyond the Guild’s control.  I ask that you please be patient as we navigate this unfamiliar situation.  
As a rule of thumb, when Virginia Beach Schools are closed due to inclement weather, so is TQG.
There will be restrictions for the in-person chapter meetings:
Masks will be required for all persons attending the chapter meetings.
Please do not put the greeters “on the spot” by coming to the meeting without wearing a mask.  If you choose not to wear a mask, do not come to the meeting.  Same goes if you are not feeling well or suspect you have a fever.  In those instances, please stay home.  Please respect other members.  The people you are protecting are your friends, neighbors, and bee members, as well as yourself.
 
There will be no “free” table at the September meeting.  
We know you must have items you have culled from your stashes while you have had so much time to do so.  We would prefer not to have to deal with that at the first meeting.  If you have items you would like to donate now, please consider donating them to the silent auction for the quilt show. The chapter coordinators will advise each chapter when to begin the free table.  They also will arrange for someone to remove items from the free table at the end of each meeting and dispose of them.  Please do not use the free table to get rid of “junk.”
Fabric donations for the free table and for the silent auction should be of good quality cotton.  There should be no upholstery fabric or any fabric that has odors or pet hairs.  A good rule of thumb is to give what you would like to receive.  Notions and books should be gently used and clean.
 
No food or drinks at in-person meetings.
 
Hybrid meetings.
We are working to facilitate hybrid meetings, but hybrid meetings will not occur for every chapter meeting.  So far only one of the churches has WiFi we can use.  We are doing our very best to respond to every need, but that cannot be done at the snap of a finger.  Monetary concerns also figure into it.  The Guild cannot afford to buy every gadget on the market.  We can only do the best we can.  Drop ins will continue.  
We would like to see a huge show and tell at the September chapter meetings.  Show us what you have been doing during the pandemic!
Thank you for your cooperation.  You are a great bunch of creative men and women.  Let’s work together to move through this difficult time remembering to respect each other.

In September, all three chapters will be meeting in person.
It is a very exciting time and something we have been working very hard to make happen.
 
We got thrown a bit of a curve ball a couple of weeks ago in that the church for our day chapter location advised that the church is no longer available.  However, the good news is we have one definite location and another possible location.
 
In 2020, we had members who chose not to renew their memberships until the Guild again was meeting in person.  We are looking forward to those members rejoining the Guild.  However, during 2020, we also had new members join our Guild from all over the United States and from over the world.  We don’t plan to abandon those members who renewed or joined and supported us during the tough times.
 
If there are members of whom you are aware that haven’t renewed, maybe you could give them a call and let them know that exciting things are happening and we don’t want them to miss out!
 
We will be having in-person workshops as soon as we are able.  However, Zoom workshops will continue even when in-person workshops start.  During the pandemic, we were able to get speakers that we would never have been able to afford to come to us in person -- for example, Kaffe.
 
What also comes into the mix is that since the pandemic, some speakers who would usually have come to our Guild in person now have decided to only do Zoom.  There is no magic where we can snap our collective fingers and go back to what it was before the pandemic.
 
Our members are figuring into the mix as well.  Some of our members are “aging out.”  That means they are not driving at night or not driving any more at all.  Zoom allows those members to continue to be a part of our Guild.  These members are our friends and we want them to have access.
 
We have heard grumblings from some of the members about not having in-person meetings soon enough, about Zoom meetings in general, et cetera.  I am hopeful that those grumblings soon will turn to positive sounds.
 
The process of moving back into in-person meetings requires planning and will require patience, and cooperation.  I am confident that we will receive that from our membership.
 
There are some open slots for volunteers for the chapters.  Many hands make light work.  Consider contacting the chapter coordinators and offer your services.
 
Happy quilting!!
 
Linda

Greetings to you all!  I hope you have been sewing and crafting.

The news from the Governor’s office has been encouraging!  It seems new information comes out every day and some loosening up is happening.
The results of the in-person meeting survey has been reviewed and was discussed by the board.  There were 95 responses to the survey.  70-80% of those responding submitted that they will attend Chapter meetings once meetings are open again.  

The plan at this time is to hold in-person chapter meetings beginning with the September 2021 meetings.  The wearing of masks will continue to be ruled by mandates from the Governor’s office.  Also, our in-person chapter meetings will have to adhere to the rules set down by the various churches where we hold our meetings.

In order to efficiently and properly hold our in-person chapter meetings, we must have our coordinators and volunteers for the various aspects of the meeting; such as, block of the month, Lucky Buck, et cetera.  

We really do need “all hands on deck.”  Please contact one of the chapter coordinators and volunteer your services.  Ann Walls is the Day Chapter Coordinator, Lisa Frieman is the current Night Chapter Coordinator and Deb Garrett will be our incoming Night Chapter Coordinator.  The Saturday Chapter Coordinator is Sybil Magrill.  Or you can contact any of the board members.  What are you willing to do for your Guild?

As indicated previously, some of our speakers and workshops will continue to be handled by Zoom.  There are many issues involved with a hybrid meeting – meaning having a meeting in person and zooming at the same time.  Also, there may be times when inclement weather is an issue and a zoom meeting could occur.  We are doing our best to explore all options.  Your patience certainly is appreciated.

Membership fees will return to $25 for the upcoming 2021-2022 year.  You may renew by July 1 if you don’t want to wait until the last minute.
​
Continue quilting and remember to show us what you are doing by sending your photos for show and tell!
I hope you have a safe and happy Memorial Day holiday.
Linda

April 2021
 
Greetings!  I hope you have been well and doing a lot of creating.
 
We may be getting closer to our heartfelt wishes of meeting in person.  I know many of you have received one or both of your vaccine shots!  Such great news indeed!  However, we must continue to be patient.  We aren’t there yet.  You may be interested to know that a lot of thought is being given to our Guild’s future; meeting in person, continuing zoom meetings, et cetera.
 
So, for the present we will continue zooming on.  There are quite a few opportunities for you to join your friends during the week, day or evening.  And, of course, the chapter meetings!
 
We are quite excited to be having the upcoming Spring Fling on March 27.  It will be such fun and we really appreciate those of you who have signed up.  And thanks to the teachers who are handling this new version of Spring Fling.  The bonus is that we have been able to offer our members two classes instead of one.  And don’t forget the prizes!!  
 
Just a reminder that we will be electing a slate of officers in May.  You can review the slate in this newsletter.  My appreciation to those of you who have renewed your commitment to the Guild and to those who have taken up a new position.  The board members have been my saving grace this year.  It is so wonderful to have people around you with ideas and support.
 
And to you, our members, thank you for your enthusiasm and willingness to try new things to help our Guild remain viable.  You are appreciated.
 
Linda Kelley

​Zoom Update
 
As our knowledge of Zoom grows we are planning to enhance your Zoom experience at all our various meetings.
 
The most recent update we have been learning about is Breakout Rooms. These are smaller rooms which can be set up within the main meeting meaning smaller groups of people  can get together without having to address the whole meeting. Although the breakout rooms facility has always been available it has recently been updated to enable all people at the meeting to see who is in each room and move around between rooms.
 
We are planning to trial breakout rooms at this month’s chapter meetings. When you first join a meeting you will be placed in a breakout room and a co-host will be in that room to help you navigate the participant list and how to move around. We will have a co-host in each room to help you all out. When the meeting begins the breakout rooms will be closed and you will all automatically rejoin the main room.
 
It would be helpful if you could please ensure that you have the most up to date version of ZOOM on the device you will be using to attend the chapter meetings. To do this you go to your profile picture in the top corner of the screen and then click on your profile picture. A list of options will come up which includes “Check for Updates”. If you click on this it will update your zoom to the most recent version.
 
Hope this all makes sense and look forward to seeing you at the chapter meetings
 
 
 

​October President’s Message
 
Happy Fall!  Temperatures outside are a little cooler now and I actually have brought out my favorite sweatshirt!  It feels quite cozy.
I was delighted to take the curved log cabin workshop presented by Augusta Cole.  The presentation was professional and entertaining.  I was able to see and follow the instructions and Augusta was very patient.  And it certainly was a very comfortable way to take a class.  If you haven’t taken a workshop yet, please do so!  Until we are able to meet in person, this is the next best thing.
I have been sewing on my night chapter mystery quilt and I am going to have the top ready for the November show and tell.  And then I will get back to work on my curved log cabin.
I hope all of you are well and that you have been sharing time with others through the Zoom chapter meetings and the drop-in sessions.  It is so important to us to help you feel comfortable with the process so we can socialize with you.  Remember, all of us were beginners once, but it gets easier every time we use it.  If you need some one-on-one assistance, please ask.
I wanted to remind you to take pity on our executive board treasurer and to please cash any checks you receive from her in a timely manner.  It is so appreciated.
 
Happy quilting!

​This mini zoom class is based on a tutorial by the Jolly Jabber live from the Fat Quarter Shop Blog.  The link is below for your reference if you would like to make this again.
https://blog.fatquartershop.com/diy-fabric-pumpkin-tutorial/
 
 
Supply list:
 
Fat quarter of fabric that makes you think pumpkin
Coordinating Embroidery Floss
Stuffing or polyfill
Scissors
Size 4 Embroidery Needle
Really LONG needle (Dritz 5” Doll Needle is recommended)
Ruler
Rotary cutter
Glue Gun
Sewing Thread
For the Stem, the tutorial uses felt, I did not have any
so I used a cinnamon stick.  Use can use a stick from your
yard as well.  Up to you