Hello Calico Members!!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Membership dues of $15 will be due on June 31, 2021. This can be paid on the website using PAYPAL. PAYPAL also includes the ability to use VISA or MasterCard. You will also need to pay your AQG dues. In the past, I have heard the comment, “What does AQG do for me?” This past year they have offered NUMEROUS classes at reduced prices that anyone can attend. This alone is a perc that we all can take advantage of. EXAMPLE: Fred paid $150 for a Featherweight Maintenance Class and AQG has a Maintenance Class coming up for only $60. 

Want to sew with other members? The board is working on a Stay and Sew Retreat in the area. During a Stay and Sew Retreat you take your sewing equipment to the location and machine would be locked in a conference room over-night. Then you can go home for the night or stay at the hotel. We are thinking of scheduling it in September. The cost would be minimal. Please contact Pat W. if you are interested.

Without volunteers, Calico Cut-Ups Chapter would not be possible. The volunteers make our Chapter what it is. Please consider leading one of the following opportunities.

Membership Chair: There is an opening on the board for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, contact Sandy or Fred. The major responsibilities include:

· Maintaining an up-to-date member list.

· Send out a welcome packet to new members.

· Tracking member dues.

Christmas Party: Are you a party animal? We are planning ahead – thinking of the Christmas Party. We need someone, or “someones”, to volunteer to lead a group of volunteers to make this a reality. Yes, we already have volunteers willing to help. We just need to find a coordinator. Yes, you will have money to spend. We would like to end the year with a bang! Let anyone on the board know if you are interested. 

The Tea Party was a great success. Helen F. and Lizette M. could not have made it any better. Using the decorations made by Lizzette M. and Doreen G. from last year’s “COVID cancelled party we had a beautiful venue to enjoy chatting with each other. It was obvious that the volunteers outdid themselves with the food. If you weren’t there – you missed a great time. Want to see the glamorous tea party outfits? Check out the pictures on the EVENTS page on our website.

Our program last month taught us how to make fancy borders on Log Cabin quilts, but the borders could be used on any quilt. As a follow on from last month, members provided pictures of their log cabin quilts. The variety was amazing. There were log cabin quilts ranging from glamorous to ridiculous. As always, you can view the program under PROGRAMS on the website.

NEWS! The budget was approved and has been sent to our members, however the budget is flexible due to COVID. We have had to dip into our reserve to meet our expenses. The budget will be sent separately to the Calico Members.

Some of our members are putting together a retreat at Standing Stones (https://www.standingstonesaz.org) outside of Wickenburg September 13 – 15, 2021. This is NOT a Calico retreat, so it is open to anyone. For more information contact Pat W.

(1)  Membership dues of $15 will be due on June 31, 2021. This can be paid on the website using PAYPAL. PAYPAL also includes the ability to use VISA or MasterCard. You will also need to pay your AQG dues. In the past, I have heard the comment, “What does AQG do for me?” This past year they have offered NUMEROUS classes at reduced prices that anyone can attend. This alone is a perc that we all can take advantage of. EXAMPLE: Fred paid $150 for a Featherweight Maintenance Class and AQG has a Maintenance Class coming up for only $60. 

(2)  If you know of a member that needs some “cheering up” please let us know using the online Sunshine form. We all know from experience that a card or a call is a welcomed gift when these things happen.

(3)  And, of course, send in your pictures of your recent projects for Show and Tell. Just attach your pictures and any information in a “Reply” mail to this newsletter.

The website is kept up-to-date with the latest information on our Chapter. We invite you to explore the pictures and the stories. This month there is a free pattern for a table runner. If you have something you want posted, just let someone on the board know or use the contact page on the website. 

Have a "sew" wonderful day!

Hello Calico!

Did you know that the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” means “Adversity is followed by good fortune”? It was an old proverb that was taken more literally in days gone by and in fact it appeared in a British book of Weather Lore published in 1893. It is obvious they did not live in Phoenix. Did you get any showers last month?

Everyone is asking about our meeting space. We talked to El Mirage and it will not be possible to meet in May in their Rec Center. We will contact them each month and keep you up to date.

Your board has been busy this month. Shortly our members will receive the 2021 budget for Calico. Please review the document and contact the board members if you have questions. It is important we have your input. The vote on the budget will occur during our May 10th meeting. Please attend this meeting so we can gather your input.

A long-time Calico member is moving back to the North – Ruby K. We thank her for all her input and work over the many years of her membership. The classes she has taught, and her input into Calico is appreciated by all. Good luck, Ruby, in the next chapter of your life.

Calico had a great program this month on some “alternative” Log Cabins. Check out the presentation in  Classes  and   Patterns. The website includes the presentation, some videos, and patterns. We would like to feature “Log Cabin” quilts in our next program. Please send photos of your Log Cabin Quilts to azfosters@yahoo.com. (Last month’s program on Binding is also available on the website)

Wow! Show and Tell was awesome. The variety of projects and quilts showed off the talents of our members. The photos are on the website: Show and Tell. It might inspire you to make one of the beautiful items. You can also download the previous Show and Tell presentations.

Helen F. is organizing the Annual Tea Party.  The Tea will be at noon on May 10, 2021.  (We will have a short Zoom Business Meeting at 10:00 that day.)  Helen has graciously offered her back yard.  Because this is a residential area, parking will be limited.  If you can, please carpool.   She asks that you bring your favorite teacup (…no coffee mugs allowed).  Then, for extra fun, dress up in your favorite “afternoon tea” outfit.  There will be a prize for the best dressed.  If you have any questions, call, or text Helen.

Marlene has worked with Voices for CASA Children, and we will be donating our quilts to this organization, as well as Luke Air Force Base.  Voices for CASA Children seeks to give a voice to children through a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer.  CASA volunteers look out for a child's best interests and present these interests in Court.

Marlene has inventoried all the charity quilts in various stages of completion.  Contact her if you can sew together "sandwiches", quilt, or bind any of the items.  Kits are available that include the top, lbatting and the backing.  As always, large pieces of fabric are needed for backings.  More information can be found on the website under Charities.  

Can you believe that we were able to deliver 70 diaper bag blanket to Luke Air Force Base?  Theresa F. still has kits available and the blanket pattern is also on the website under Chairties.  

News! As of now, there will be a “Rusty Barn” this year from September 2-4, 2021. It will be held at WestWorld in Scottsdale. The Chapters will not be selling tickets this year – they can be purchased online on the AQG Website just before the event.

BOOKOUT RETREAT: Some of our members are putting together a retreat at Standing Stones (https://www.standingstonesaz.org) outside of Wickenburg September 13 – 15, 2021. This is NOT a Calico retreat, so it is open to anyone. For information, please contact Pat W.

REMINDERS: 

(1)  Membership dues of $15 will be due on June 31, 2021. This can be paid on the website using PAYPAL. PAYPAL also includes the ability to use VISA or MasterCard. You will also need to pay your AQG dues. In the past, I have heard the comment, “What does AQG do for me?” This past year they have offered NUMEROUS classes at reduced prices that anyone can attend. This alone is a perc that we all can take advantage of. EXAMPLE: Fred paid $150 for a Featherweight Maintenance Class and AQG has a Maintenance Class coming up for only $60. 

(2)  If you know of a member that needs some “cheering up” please let us know using the online Sunshine form. We all know from experience that a card or a call is a welcomed gift when these things happen.

(3)  Send pictures of your log cabin quilts for the May program. Theresa and Donna are incorporating these in their next program, so the more the better. Send them to azfosters@yahoo.com. 

(4)  Take a look at the website: calicocut-ups.org. There’s a lot to see and learn.

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(5)  And, of course, send in your pictures of your recent projects for Show and Tell. Just attach your pictures and any information in a “Reply” mail to this newsletter.

Do you have anything you would like to let our Calico members know? Send in a short email and we will work with you.

It would be great to see you at the next meeting on May 10th. The ZOOM link will go out Friday and Monday before the meeting.

Regards,

Sandy Hughes and Wini”Fred” Walker