Meet the Board
President - Norene Skiles
Norene is our new duly elected president. She served as Newsletter Editor for TQG from 2017 until 2023. She has served the board in the past has Head Librarian, Web-mistress (before it was an elected position), and several Night Chapter appointed positions over the past 15 plus years as a TQG member.
She began sewing at age 9, making doll clothes for her Barbie. Over the years she sewed clothing for herself and her two daughters, as well as home items as she moved around following her husband’s Naval career. Norene worked as a public school teacher and then Library Media Specialist with Virginia Beach Public Schools. She is currently retired and reports that she quilts everyday. She has two daughters (both quilters) and 4 grandchildren. Her only granddaughter has shown an interest in sewing , and Norene enjoys spending time teaching her those skills.
She began quilting with the birth her first grandchild about 20 years ago and has not stopped. Over the years she has made many baby quilts for co-workers and family. Since retiring, she has began working on larger quilts. The creative aspect of design is her favorite part of quilting. Some of her quilts involve creating her own fabrics, and most of her quilts are self– drafted, pieced and quilted. Machine quilting and piecing are her primary means of creating quilts.
Norene is our new duly elected president. She served as Newsletter Editor for TQG from 2017 until 2023. She has served the board in the past has Head Librarian, Web-mistress (before it was an elected position), and several Night Chapter appointed positions over the past 15 plus years as a TQG member.
She began sewing at age 9, making doll clothes for her Barbie. Over the years she sewed clothing for herself and her two daughters, as well as home items as she moved around following her husband’s Naval career. Norene worked as a public school teacher and then Library Media Specialist with Virginia Beach Public Schools. She is currently retired and reports that she quilts everyday. She has two daughters (both quilters) and 4 grandchildren. Her only granddaughter has shown an interest in sewing , and Norene enjoys spending time teaching her those skills.
She began quilting with the birth her first grandchild about 20 years ago and has not stopped. Over the years she has made many baby quilts for co-workers and family. Since retiring, she has began working on larger quilts. The creative aspect of design is her favorite part of quilting. Some of her quilts involve creating her own fabrics, and most of her quilts are self– drafted, pieced and quilted. Machine quilting and piecing are her primary means of creating quilts.
First Vice President - Linda Kelley
Linda joined the Board in 2016 by assuming a part of the term of the previous Executive Membership Chair. In 2017, Linda was elected for a two-year term. She has served the Guild previously as Post Office Chair.
Linda is married to Steve Kelley and has a son, Wayne. She has been quilting since before Wayne was born; he is now over 30 years old. She prefers machine over hand work and quilts “by check.”
She has been in the legal field since 1972 and worked with a judge on the Virginia Court of Appeals. She retired in October 2019.
She loves everything to do with the beach and the ocean, including shelling and looking for sea glass.
Linda joined the Board in 2016 by assuming a part of the term of the previous Executive Membership Chair. In 2017, Linda was elected for a two-year term. She has served the Guild previously as Post Office Chair.
Linda is married to Steve Kelley and has a son, Wayne. She has been quilting since before Wayne was born; he is now over 30 years old. She prefers machine over hand work and quilts “by check.”
She has been in the legal field since 1972 and worked with a judge on the Virginia Court of Appeals. She retired in October 2019.
She loves everything to do with the beach and the ocean, including shelling and looking for sea glass.
Second Vice President – Bunnie Cleland
Bunnie Cleland is a long-time crafter and sewist (sewing artist) who fell in love with quilting in 2006, after her mother dragged her to a quilt show and 9-store shop hop. She was hired at a local quilt shop before she even finished her first quilting class...though she did go on to finish 12 quilts that first year!
As a former Navy Electronics Technician and Naval Nuclear Power Plant operator, Bunnie understands the importance of precision and accuracy. She discovered she has the talent for translating complex written directions into easy-to-follow instructions. This aided in the creation of Triangle Frenzy's detailed, step-by-step illustrations for experienced beginners and intermediate level quilters. She is also able to use hermy technical background in teaching sewing techniques to students, guiding them through the creative process that will help them succeed at quilting.
On the rare occasion when she is not quilting, she enjoys photography, digital scrapbooking, LEGO, trading pins, and organizing just about anything. Bunnie lives with her husband in Chesapeake, Virginia. They have two grown children.
Bunnie Cleland is a long-time crafter and sewist (sewing artist) who fell in love with quilting in 2006, after her mother dragged her to a quilt show and 9-store shop hop. She was hired at a local quilt shop before she even finished her first quilting class...though she did go on to finish 12 quilts that first year!
As a former Navy Electronics Technician and Naval Nuclear Power Plant operator, Bunnie understands the importance of precision and accuracy. She discovered she has the talent for translating complex written directions into easy-to-follow instructions. This aided in the creation of Triangle Frenzy's detailed, step-by-step illustrations for experienced beginners and intermediate level quilters. She is also able to use hermy technical background in teaching sewing techniques to students, guiding them through the creative process that will help them succeed at quilting.
On the rare occasion when she is not quilting, she enjoys photography, digital scrapbooking, LEGO, trading pins, and organizing just about anything. Bunnie lives with her husband in Chesapeake, Virginia. They have two grown children.
Executive Secretary - Barbara Wyckoff
Barbara grew up in several states along the East Coast. One of four girls, sewing was always just a part of life. As an adult she worked on Capitol Hill, as a pre-school teacher and as a bookseller. Politics, children, books and fabric - those are a few of her favorite things! She took her first quilting class in about 1970. Back then there were strict rules - only 100% cotton (in the era of polyester) and all sewing was to be done by hand - very slow and steady. To this day she enjoys hand work - English paper piecing and applique. But thank goodness those old rules have gone by the wayside. Machine piecing and long-arm quilting machines are truly wonderful.
Barbara grew up in several states along the East Coast. One of four girls, sewing was always just a part of life. As an adult she worked on Capitol Hill, as a pre-school teacher and as a bookseller. Politics, children, books and fabric - those are a few of her favorite things! She took her first quilting class in about 1970. Back then there were strict rules - only 100% cotton (in the era of polyester) and all sewing was to be done by hand - very slow and steady. To this day she enjoys hand work - English paper piecing and applique. But thank goodness those old rules have gone by the wayside. Machine piecing and long-arm quilting machines are truly wonderful.
Treasurer - Lisa Frieman
Lisa learned how to sew at a young age, but was introduced to quilting in 1993 by two of her shipmates in the Navy. She came to a TQG Night Meeting and was hooked. Her first position she volunteered for was as Night Chapter Librarian (back when there were 8 crates of books and we brought all of them to the meetings!). She started out as a quilter who only did everything by hand, but realized her bucket list would not get done if she did not also incorporate some machine work as well. She still loves to hand quilt, as that is relaxing to her, and is currently working on a whole cloth quilt (only during colder months-too hot in summer!). When Lisa is not working or quilting, she and her husband love to ride their motorcycles out on the back roads of Virginia and North Carolina when the weather allows.
Lisa learned how to sew at a young age, but was introduced to quilting in 1993 by two of her shipmates in the Navy. She came to a TQG Night Meeting and was hooked. Her first position she volunteered for was as Night Chapter Librarian (back when there were 8 crates of books and we brought all of them to the meetings!). She started out as a quilter who only did everything by hand, but realized her bucket list would not get done if she did not also incorporate some machine work as well. She still loves to hand quilt, as that is relaxing to her, and is currently working on a whole cloth quilt (only during colder months-too hot in summer!). When Lisa is not working or quilting, she and her husband love to ride their motorcycles out on the back roads of Virginia and North Carolina when the weather allows.
Membership Officer - Kim Norton
Kim joined TQG in 2022 after she moved into the area. She has stepped into the role of Executive Membership Chair and is excited for the opportunity to become involved in the guild. Kim started sewing when she was 9 years old when her mother sat her down in front of a sewing machine and started teaching her everything starting with clothes and crafts in the 4-H program. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she moved away from her hometown of Midland Texas into the ever-changing arms of Navy life as a Navy spouse where they had two sons and moved a gabillion times all over the country and even overseas for a tour in Italy. Kim worked full time as an administrative assistant in many of the cities they lived in during her husband’s Navy career. She began to use her sewing skills to start piecing quilts making her first quilt in 1991 and she has not stopped since then. Eventually her interest in quilting led her to invest in a longarm machine and in 2009 she started A Busy Bobbin and began quilting for the public. In just a few short years Kim became one of the most in-demand longarm quilters in the Houston area. Her work has been displayed both regionally and nationally. After moving out of country and living in Bahrain for 5 years, Kim is now back in the states and continuing her longarm business in the Hampton Roads area. In addition to her edge-to-edge longarm quilting services, Kim teaches longarm free-motion, template/ruler quilting and quilting design.
Kim joined TQG in 2022 after she moved into the area. She has stepped into the role of Executive Membership Chair and is excited for the opportunity to become involved in the guild. Kim started sewing when she was 9 years old when her mother sat her down in front of a sewing machine and started teaching her everything starting with clothes and crafts in the 4-H program. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she moved away from her hometown of Midland Texas into the ever-changing arms of Navy life as a Navy spouse where they had two sons and moved a gabillion times all over the country and even overseas for a tour in Italy. Kim worked full time as an administrative assistant in many of the cities they lived in during her husband’s Navy career. She began to use her sewing skills to start piecing quilts making her first quilt in 1991 and she has not stopped since then. Eventually her interest in quilting led her to invest in a longarm machine and in 2009 she started A Busy Bobbin and began quilting for the public. In just a few short years Kim became one of the most in-demand longarm quilters in the Houston area. Her work has been displayed both regionally and nationally. After moving out of country and living in Bahrain for 5 years, Kim is now back in the states and continuing her longarm business in the Hampton Roads area. In addition to her edge-to-edge longarm quilting services, Kim teaches longarm free-motion, template/ruler quilting and quilting design.
Newsletter Editor - Catherine Reilly
Catherine has been a member of TQG since 2020. Catherine grew up on the South Shore of Long Island in New York. As her three boys started to get older, she decided to take up quilting as a hobby. She has been quilting for about 20 years now, and decided that joining TQG was probably the only way to make new friends during a global pandemic. She will tell you that she was correct. She worked for Chase Auto Finance for 33 of her 35 years with the bank. She retired as the Vice President of Leasing in 2019 and decided it was time to move closer to her 4 grandchildren. Catherine is very inspired by the talented members of TQG, and looks forward to growing her skills as a quilter.
Catherine has been a member of TQG since 2020. Catherine grew up on the South Shore of Long Island in New York. As her three boys started to get older, she decided to take up quilting as a hobby. She has been quilting for about 20 years now, and decided that joining TQG was probably the only way to make new friends during a global pandemic. She will tell you that she was correct. She worked for Chase Auto Finance for 33 of her 35 years with the bank. She retired as the Vice President of Leasing in 2019 and decided it was time to move closer to her 4 grandchildren. Catherine is very inspired by the talented members of TQG, and looks forward to growing her skills as a quilter.
Day Chapter Coordinator - Mary Witwer
Mary has been a member of TQG since 2018, and continues to be inspired by other members, as well as participating in fantastic educational opportunities sponsored by the guild. Fortunately, she grew up inspired by her mother’s multiple talents in sewing and crafts. Being taught to embroider at age five thwarted any complaints of boredom. As a Navy wife, sewing garments for herself and children naturally evolved into teaching English smocking in Boston (with her southern accent), which led to her fascination with all things quilting. On the professional side, as an LCSW, Mary retired with 30 years from City of Virginia Beach Mental Health Emergency Services as program manager. Needless to say, sewing was, and still is, her primary de-stressor. However, being among so many creative, positive and energetic quilters in TQG is by far a rewarding way to maintain positive mental health as well as increase skills.
Mary has been a member of TQG since 2018, and continues to be inspired by other members, as well as participating in fantastic educational opportunities sponsored by the guild. Fortunately, she grew up inspired by her mother’s multiple talents in sewing and crafts. Being taught to embroider at age five thwarted any complaints of boredom. As a Navy wife, sewing garments for herself and children naturally evolved into teaching English smocking in Boston (with her southern accent), which led to her fascination with all things quilting. On the professional side, as an LCSW, Mary retired with 30 years from City of Virginia Beach Mental Health Emergency Services as program manager. Needless to say, sewing was, and still is, her primary de-stressor. However, being among so many creative, positive and energetic quilters in TQG is by far a rewarding way to maintain positive mental health as well as increase skills.
Night Chapter Coordinator - Kelly Watkins
Kelly joined the guild in 2019, shortly after moving to Virginia Beach from Pennsylvania. She is currently the Education Director for Tidewater Sew Vac, where she gets to share her love of sewing through event planning and assisting a team of Educators put all the pieces together for their classes. They even let her order the fabric for all the locations. But her favorite part of her job is when she gets to be in the classroom herself. She has taught everything over the years from beginner quilting classes to embroidery events, and currently teaches Ruler of the Month Club at three of their locations. She also has a part time “fun job” as a personal trainer. If she’s not in front of her sewing machine, you’ll find her at the gym with a barbell in her hands.
Her Mom taught her to sew when she was young, and she made her first quilt at fourteen, which is still being used by her ten year old son, Robby. She took a break from sewing for a few years before taking up purse and tote bag making in her early twenties. After making two sampler quilts and a simple bargello for her nieces and nephew, she was hooked, and has been a quilter ever since. She loves to put every stitch in her quilts from the first to the last. By the time she has finished the top, she is usually tired of piecing and more than happy to move onto the free motion quilting, which means at least some of the time her projects actually get finished.
Kelly joined the guild in 2019, shortly after moving to Virginia Beach from Pennsylvania. She is currently the Education Director for Tidewater Sew Vac, where she gets to share her love of sewing through event planning and assisting a team of Educators put all the pieces together for their classes. They even let her order the fabric for all the locations. But her favorite part of her job is when she gets to be in the classroom herself. She has taught everything over the years from beginner quilting classes to embroidery events, and currently teaches Ruler of the Month Club at three of their locations. She also has a part time “fun job” as a personal trainer. If she’s not in front of her sewing machine, you’ll find her at the gym with a barbell in her hands.
Her Mom taught her to sew when she was young, and she made her first quilt at fourteen, which is still being used by her ten year old son, Robby. She took a break from sewing for a few years before taking up purse and tote bag making in her early twenties. After making two sampler quilts and a simple bargello for her nieces and nephew, she was hooked, and has been a quilter ever since. She loves to put every stitch in her quilts from the first to the last. By the time she has finished the top, she is usually tired of piecing and more than happy to move onto the free motion quilting, which means at least some of the time her projects actually get finished.
Saturday Chapter Coordinator - Deb Garrett
We moved to the Tidewater area 2 years ago. I am a retired RN, and I’ve had a needle in my hand as long as I can remember. However I didn’t start my quilting adventure until around 2008. Quilting is what I consider therapy, playing and as an art form. It is a source of happiness, joy, as well as tears and frustration. My mantra is “what if.”
We moved to the Tidewater area 2 years ago. I am a retired RN, and I’ve had a needle in my hand as long as I can remember. However I didn’t start my quilting adventure until around 2008. Quilting is what I consider therapy, playing and as an art form. It is a source of happiness, joy, as well as tears and frustration. My mantra is “what if.”
Quilt Show Chair - Debby Coleman
During a trip to the American Museum in Bath, England Debby fell in love with quilts. She had to wait until she retired from her job as a Child Protection lawyer following her marriage 14 years ago, before she had the time to indulge her love. Since then she has developed into a broad and eclectic quilter, enjoying. both hand and machine piecing, modern and traditional. Her quilting has benefitted from the opportunity to live in the US for the last 9 years and prior to that on an American airbase in Germany as her husband continues his military service with the Royal Air Force.
Debby has filled a number of positions on the Board and is now back as Quilt Show Chair for 2024.
During a trip to the American Museum in Bath, England Debby fell in love with quilts. She had to wait until she retired from her job as a Child Protection lawyer following her marriage 14 years ago, before she had the time to indulge her love. Since then she has developed into a broad and eclectic quilter, enjoying. both hand and machine piecing, modern and traditional. Her quilting has benefitted from the opportunity to live in the US for the last 9 years and prior to that on an American airbase in Germany as her husband continues his military service with the Royal Air Force.
Debby has filled a number of positions on the Board and is now back as Quilt Show Chair for 2024.
Raffle Quilt Officer - Rosemary Rooney and her Sea Bee
Community Services Chair - Cindy Reno
Technology Officer - Darlene Price
While fairly new to quilting, Darlene has been around a needle and thread and a sewing machine all of her life. After she retired from life as a Commercial Real Estate Paralegal her goal was to figure out quilting. In 2013, armed with a needle, thread and cardboard templates she embarked on her first quilt. When she got to the binding, she couldn’t figure out how to do that by hand so she bought a machine. Darlene hasn't looked back and is the happiest she has ever been.
While fairly new to quilting, Darlene has been around a needle and thread and a sewing machine all of her life. After she retired from life as a Commercial Real Estate Paralegal her goal was to figure out quilting. In 2013, armed with a needle, thread and cardboard templates she embarked on her first quilt. When she got to the binding, she couldn’t figure out how to do that by hand so she bought a machine. Darlene hasn't looked back and is the happiest she has ever been.