I hear the last nite owls meeting was fantastic with members sharing all kinds of projects. I wish I had been there - it seems that all my trips to rebuild our home in San Bernardino come during the last week of the month.

I hope everyone is planning to attend Robert Callahan's Trunk Show on Saturday the 16. Seeing his quilts in person and not in McCalls Magazine should be a real treat. This event is open to everyone so tell your friends and invite them to come along. Particularly any male quilters you know.

See you there, Margaret

Quilts for Comforting Our Soldiers
Let Them Know We Think of Them

I want to jump up and give you ladies a huge round of applause. I am blown away by your generosity. I will be sending out five baby quilts to Camp Pendleton and eight soldier quilts are going to Scott Air Force Base. I know our soldiers will be blessed and most grateful. The need is great and will go on for a while, thank you for your continued support.

Also, thank you both Day Lillies and Nite Owls for taking all the fabric that has been donated by fabric manufactures. We had received so much that I wondered if we could actually use it all. And my concern was unfounded because not only did you take all the fabric but we have already seen the results, Susan Matsumoto brought three baby quilts to the nite meeting after just receiving the fabric at the day meeting two days before........As well there are several of you the have given more than once...... SO AGAIN THANK YOU!! I can't wait to see all the results in beautiful quilts.

Also, we have received in total $150 to help in shipping our quilts out from the Elks and VFW......I did send them all a thank you card for their generosity. It is so exciting to be a part of such a worthy project. It is the least we can do for our soldiers.

Margi Duffy

Here are a few things you can see on the website:

• 2005 Calendar for the entire year
• Show & Tell, photos and descriptions. If you would like something added to your picture let me know.
• Jo Bacon has a special page on the Barbara Stuhaan's Travel case class.

Jo and I are also working on getting the 2004 Quilt Show pictures up too. Soon also will be pages about the soldier quilts and the upcoming 2006 Quilt Show.

I would also like to put together a page just for new members. Suggestions would be welcome from both old and new members!

The website is for everyone, so if you have any ideas about fun things to share, send me an.

Thank You, Jan Dunaway

On Saturday May 14 at 10an at the Highland Park Family Center will be a workshop to make baby quilts. We will be using the "Quilt as you go" method to make these quilts. Although if you have another baby quilt already started you can most certainly bring that to work on too. Fabric donations would be greatly appreciated by all. Nela and Jan will bring batting for us to use. We haven't decided yet if this should be a pot luck, but we can discuss it at the April meetings.

Mercy White (quite hilariously) brought up the subject of Americana at the March Nite Owls meeting. She couldn't decide exactly what Americana means to a quilter. She tried the internet and could only determine that it ment basically "cows and ducks".

Well, I decided to take a look on the the net too. As you can see from what I found, Americana is a very broad subject. What is the definition of "Americana"? Webster's New World Dictionary defines Americana as "books, papers, objects, facts, etc. having to do with America, its people, and its history."

In the antique world, Americana defines things made in America and also made in european countires (European Americana) for Americans to buy prior to one hundred years ago.

In the crafting world it seems to be nostalgic styled American objects with a patriotic theme.

Here is my quilters definition of Americana. And yes it is very broad and simple: "Images that capture the look and feel of old fashion American culture and history." So I think cows and ducks fits in just fine.

Anyone have anything to add?

Jan Dunaway

Rusty , we are so sorry that cancer took your husband Al. We know he will be missed. May the love and support of friends and family help your grief heal.

If you purchased a baby quilt kit, they are just about ready to ship. The total was $25 each. Below is a list of people who ordered one, if you haven't paid already please send me your money as soon as possible, I will be writing a check for them. Nela - paid Sally D - paid Vivian - paid Sue - paid Mercy - paid Laurie - paid, Mary Jane - paid, Debi - paid, Barbara - paid, Judy, Sherrie, Sally C., Sharon, Alene, Jacque, Pat

Thank you all, I know these are going to be beautiful.

Margi Duffy

• Peggy Zimmerman is happily back home in Big Pine for awhile!
• Margaret Phelps and Courtney McElvogue represented the guild at the Children's Day of the Arts and had a successful time

Quilt as you sew placemats - Margi Duffy

* 1 piece for the main focus approx. 6 1/2" X 15" -You can use an embroidered piece or a large piece of your favorite print.
*1 fat quarter -Should be a Coordinating solid for strips on either side of main fabric and binding
*Assorted prints 1/4 to 1/2 yd
* Backing 15" X 20"
* Batting 15" X 20" ( I used Pellon)
* Sewing Machine
* Usual sewing supplies
* Rotary Cutter, Ruler & Mat

Come and join us - it will be a fun time! Special Door Prize! Margi and Meagan

Prairie Braid - Mary Centre. Mary brought a pillowcase with the prairie braid using 1-1/4" strips to show to the night group.

*Scrappy fabrics cut into 1-1/2, 2 or 2-1/2 strips
*Freezer paper
* Rotary cutter, ruler, mat and sewing machine

May 4 ~ Peggy Zimmerman
June 1 ~ Carole Sample
July 6 ~ Meeting place pending
August 3 ~ Sharon Thompson
September 7 ~ Rozella Keller
October 5 ~ Meeting place pending
November 2 ~ Meeting place pending
December 2 ~ Christmas Lunch