Happy New Year! Some of us really appreciate the pioneer women doing without electricity, good lights, rotary cutters etc.. And they still made beautiful quilts. I can just get the bare essentials done and go to bed then the sun goes down to keep warm. This is another new adventure! Snow - no electricity and that means no water, heat, et. We're blessed with a phone that works and friend with showers.

Betty and the BB's banquet was the best meal I've had in days. Kudos to her.

It's time for us to pay or memberships again. How did the year go so quickly. That means hurry up, the quilt show is only 5 months away.

The meeting on the 29th is to plan for the new year so come with your new/old ideas so 2006 is the best ever.

Attention: All job holders. Please write out your job descriptions. Budget needs, what you do, etc. If you have any questions call me at 872-6608.

Thank you for the wonderful Christmas Gift of cats in the form of a beautiful stained glass motif. The kitties remind me of my grandcats and I love the colors and the memento of the last two years. It was good to see everyone today and Betty certainly out did herself. What a treat.

Thanks ~ Margaret Phelps, President

• The first Quilt Show Committe Meeting will be January 26th, 7 pm at Nela's house. All are welcome to attend.
• $15.00 membership dues must be paid by March 1st.
• Road to California, January 19 - 22, Ontario Convention Center.
• The Bakersfield guild 2006 quilt show, Soft Covers for Hard Times, is Friday, January 27th, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, January 28th, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Kern County Fairgrounds.

  I got back the baby stockings from NIH. Found out that there were 18 babies born at NIH between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, and there were 2 New Year babies! I turned in 29 stocking and now have 9 left over. The stockings this year were beautiful! I did have a suggestion from one of the nurses, that we should have a couple of New Year stockings on hand for those New Year's babies. Let me know what you think of that idea. Thanks again for all your support and your beautiful work!

~ Desi

1st Wednesday of the month, 10:00am
Brown Bag Lunch
Desert and Coffee provided

Feb 1, Mary Gess 872-9843
Mar 1, Sharon Thompson 387-2808

We still have several months available for sign-ups. Apr 5, May 3 and Jun 7. If you would like to hostess one of these months call Betty, 873-3525 and you will go on the calendar. See you next month at Mary's.

Jan 19

Cabbage Rose, Part II - Betty McCloud

Feb 16

Tissue Paper Flowers - Margi Duffy

Help make decorations for the quilt show. Margi will show us how to make pretty tissue paper flowers. We need to make a whole a bunch of them so please come, it should be a lot of fun.

Bugs and Butterflies - Nela Dunaway

This is also for the quilt show. Nela will show you how to use Wonderunder and Timtex to create whimsical bugs. You will need to bring bright pretty fabric. We'll have more info at the next meeting.

First off I would like to say a great big THANK YOU to Debi Earls for all her years of leading the Nite Owl Ladies. She did a wonderful job! I have some pretty great shoes to fill!

At the December 29th meeting we were brainstorming with ideas of what we would like to accomplish in the next year. There were some Round Robin ideas. Debi came up with a Crazy Quilt square, where each person would embellish it with embroidery, beads, appliqués,lace, et. You can check out the Internet for ideas. Mercy would like the "strippers". Something that hasn't been done in a while. Sue Wallace came up with dolls as something totally different. If you have a brainstorm, just e-mail Margaret Phelps with your ideas before the January 31st meeting.

Again, Thank you Debi!

~ Desi

What a great day Sunday the ninth was for us quilters. Quilting in the Sierra's had thier much anticipated grand opening. A nice long line formed outside just before 11am. Then it was standing room only as everyone entered the door. The shop is lovely and inviting. The classroom is lit brightly! Lots of fun clubs, classes and activities too. You need to read their newsletter to learn all about them.

This was on Alex Anderson's website:

As loyal viewers and quilting friends, I feel it is important that you have an honest understanding of the situation regarding Simply Quilts. There has been a lot of discussion, speculation and rumors. I would like to take this opportunity to answer questions as well as I know them, at this point in time. Is Simply Quilts going off the air? HGTV has decided not to order any new shows. The current programs are expected to be shown on both HGTV and DIY through 2006.

Why? HGTV has changed its programming style from, How To to Inspirational. HGTV is owned by Scripps Howard and they have several networks which have distinct character and nature. As the different networks are evolving, they are becoming more defined.
Was this my idea? No

Is this the end of Simply Quilts? At this point it seems to be, but things can always change. However, if it is the end, this leaves a huge hole in the growth and development of quilting. It would be my hope that a network would see the value, fervor and marketing response our community provides.

One of the many joys of hosting Simply Quilts was the privilege to present the diverse work of quilters and quilting ideas to people all over the world. Also, I continue to be thrilled by the many people I meet who started quilting because of the show.

This has been a very interesting process and I have been overwhelmed by the support of the quilters. I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and encouragement. My mission statement is to Educate, Inspire and Grow the Quilting Community. Your passion concerning this situation has only strengthened my purpose