Sunday News!

Survey...

Imagine you are wandering around your favorite quilt shop when out of the corner of your eye you spot the most PERFECT bolt of luscious fabric you just HAVE to add to your stash. Quick! How much do you purchase???

Share your fabric hoarding... ah, stash procurement thought process in the comments below.

NQM Quilts for Quilting...

Diane received this informational letter on how to donate a quilt for the annual National Quilt Museum Fundraiser. If you have some spare time and fabric, please consider donating to this worthy cause.

The National Quilt Museum 2016 Quilts for Quilting Campaign

Dear Diane,  A Full House at the 2015 Live Auction It's time for the National Quilt Museum's 2016 Quilts for Quilting Campaign to begin.  The Quilts for Quilting Campaign is one of The National Quilt Museum's largest and most important fundraisers.  Last year over 500 quilt enthusiasts participated.  We hope that you will participate this year and help the Museum achieve its fundraising goals.  How it works?  The program is simple and everyone can participate.  To get involved simply donate a full size quilt or miniature quilt to the Museum for fundraising purposes.  The quilt can be a new creation or an antique and it can be any size.  Most donated quilts will be a part of one of our three annual auctions.  In a few cases they are held to be used in later events.  The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.  Over the last 6 years, the Quilts for Quilting Campaign has led to critical funding for the Museum.  The dollars raised in this program have helped us expand several programs and expand our promotional efforts.  These proceeds along with other donations have ultimately led to thousands more people experiencing the work of today's quilting community through educational programs, in-facility exhibits, travelling exhibits, and other programs.  In addition to helping the Museum, each campaign donator will receive a free gift. How to donate your quilt to the "Quilts for Quilting" campaign: Send quilts to:             National Quilt Museum             215 Jefferson Street             Paducah, KY 42001 Please write "Attn: Quilts for Quilting" on the box. Please include your name, address, and contact information so that we may send you a receipt and a gift. There is no limit to the number of quilts you may donate to the campaign.  We welcome multiple donations.  If possible, please donate by April 1, 2016. Thank you so much for your donation.  The Museum relies heavily on the generosity of the quilting community for funding and we need everyone passionate about quilting involved.  2016 is the Museum's 25th Anniversary and we would love to ring in this wonderful milestone with the most successful auction ever! If you have any questions about this program please contact Lori Robbins or Amanda Ball at 270-442-8856.  Sincerely,   Frank Bennett    The National Quilt Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Click here to get more details about how we are funded.  A full annual audit is available upon request.

FYI...

Did you know the National Quilting Association dissolved this summer, after 46 years, due to lack of interest and dwindling attendance at shows. Why do you think is happened? What changes in the quilting world predicated this sad demise? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Here's a copy of the letter the NQA Board sent out:

September 4, 2015

Dear Friends and Members of NQA,

At a special meeting of the NQA Board of Directors held August 18, 2015, the Board celebrated NQA’s 46 years of achievements and successes. However, when looking toward the future, the Board has determined that NQA has had its season and by unanimous vote the Board of Directors voted to dissolve the National Quilting Association, Inc.

All this may sound like a sudden turn of events, but we assure you it’s not sudden, as the warning signs have been there for nearly 10 years. The steady decline in show attendance, consistent decrease in membership, lack of contingency planning and dwindling operational funds made this a clear but difficult decision. The current Board has worked tirelessly to find alternatives to keep NQA solvent and sustainable into the future, however our efforts did not result in a partnership with another quilting organization or adoption of our programs as we had hoped. 

NQA can measure its successes through the fostering of other quilt organizations and quilt shows, establishing criteria for excellence in quilt making, establishing a Masterpiece Quilt designation, professionalizing the role of the quilt judge and quilt teacher, offering grants to communities to fund quilt related projects and originating the National Day of Quilting. NQA is considered a leader in the quilting world and there is much to be proud of.

You may be filled with a variety of emotions – sorrow, concern, anger, bewilderment, and grief. All those are legitimate and we hope you will accept these facts and understand all efforts were made to keep NQA viable. It’s a time for decisiveness, clarity, and conviction. The NQA Board of Directors wishes to thank all of our faithful members and supporters who have done remarkable work together over the years. We all should feel a sense of pride and completion. 

Moving forward the Board is working to arrange transfer of our memberships to another national quilting association. Alternatives for management of our programs are still being researched. Watch for more news on this later.

You can help make this transition easier for NQA by being optimistic about the future and grateful for the wonderful experiences and friendships created because of NQA. We wish you all the very best as you continue those friendships and in al of your quilting endeavors.

Sincerely,

Marcel Miller, President	Mary Ann Guidos, Communication Chair
Margaret Powers, Vice-President	Heather Tighe, Chapter Chair
Margie Engel, Grant Chair	Mary Lou Paoletti, Treasurer
Priscilla Godfrey, Secretary	Sandra Dorrbecker, Education Chair

Look What Fellow Guild Members Have Been Up To...

Helen planned to get this up on the frame this week. It's a sample she made this summer of a retreat project several girls will be doing.

And here's what Sherre has been up to...

Meanwhile... 

Bonny shared the following Show and Tells from a Rebecca's Reel seminar today...