This group meets to quilt, sew, knit, crochet, embroider, darn socks, trade books, or just sit and visit with one another, and any , and , all are welcome at any time, as this is just an open and friendly get together each month.

To Margi, her officers, her committee chairmen and all her bears, for a very successful and fun two years!

To Sharon and Margaret, for the beautiful quilt they made and presented to The First Methodist Church in the guild’s name.

To all of you who made blocks for the 2009 Opportunity Quilt, to Betty for adding imaginative borders, and to Jan for finishing it off so beautifully with her creative machine quilting.

To Betty, for teaching the July Guild Workshop.

To Laurie, for our wonderful membership books.

To Margi for holding the BIGGEST and BEST yard sale ever, and for being so very faithful to the QOV Program.

Contrary to belief, my closest friends know I am uncomfortable with public attention and all that stuff.  Because I am never quite sure what to say.  In the instance of the surprises I received at the Picnic ~ both for my birthday and my last meeting as president, it would not have made any difference where it happened, I would have been and I am at a lost for words.  Thank seems to not say it enough or be big enough to convey my grateful heart.  The Bear blocks are precious and I can not wait to put them together, thank all of you who made me one ~ the pattern choice was perfect.  The personalized M&Ms and the bear were more than I deserve (but I did hide them from my kids…)  From my special birthday balloon to all my personal gifts I can only say that you my friends have blessed me beyond what I can possibly convey. 

Thank you Meagan for my b-day cake and my movie after the picnic.

A special thank you goes out to someone who left a birthday bag by my chair with no name on it.  Now I do not know if you intended to remain anonymous, but I found no name on this gold bag.  But inside was a precious loved brown bear with a white little gown on, she has found a special place in my bedroom, on a special shelf with a few other treasures. 

If you are to remain un-named, thank you so much.

I loved being your president ~ it was a lot of work, but the reward is oh so much more.

Again, if not to be repetitive…..thank you so much!!!

Marge Walker showed us a denim quilt. The squares were different colors of mauves, greens and indigos. The backing will also be denim. She next showed us the Turtle Pillows that sister-in-law Judy and her made. These were way too cute! These turtle patterns came from the Paul Newman's Turtle Camp. Yard sales are a definately a way of finding quilting treasures, and Marge found a Trip Around the World pillow cover for 25cents! The handpieced pillow cover was made by Margaret Crouse, great grandmother of Bob Steele in Big Pine. What a find!
 
Margaret Phelps showed us her blue woven wallhanging. It had just the right touch of green to offset the blues. She put it together just like you would with paper. What a nice effect.
 
Nela Dunaway showed us her purple and teal green One Block Wonder quilt. Hard to imagine that it came from just one fabric. Another beautiful creation Nela.

OK, so it was not too bad ----my first meeting as Nite Owl Leader.  I did want to apologize again for our late start; we had a guild situation come up that had to be handled before we began our meeting.

*From reports, it sounded as though those who made it to the Long Beach Festival all had a great time.  Mark your calendars for next year.

*Please remember if you have any news about one of our members, who is ill, or going to have surgery, or needs a special pick me up,

please email Judy Speed our Sunshine Chair.

*Thank you Viv, for the wonderful snack, those ice creams hit the spot.

*The winner of the door prize was – ME…thank you Mercy, what a great way to start my new job.

*Show and Tell

~Margaret and Roberta shared their winning Challenge pieces from the picnic – CONGRATS!!

~Courtney shared her Buds and Blossoms from Betty’s workshop and her challenge piece.

~Marge shared a denim quilt and her adorable turtle pillows that were made for Paul Newman’s Turtle Camp (yes Desi is going to schedule a workshop)  And also a beautiful hand pieced block that she purchased from a yard sale for 25 cents, and no matter what the bid would not let go of it.

~Nela shared a One Block Wonder, that was beautiful to look at.

~Janet shared a small block that was actually a snow globe…very cute.

So much talent, so many ideas.

If by chance anyone has a round robin or has found a robin robin that does not belong to them, could you please call me.  Thank you.

• Congrats to Mercy for winning this month's door prize at the Night Owl's meeting! Mercy won a cute cactus candle in a clay pot and some bubble bath. Don't forget that you have to bring next month's door prize.
• Congrats to Penny Kehus on her retirement! Relax and enjoy the quilting time.
• Truckee Meadows Quilters, Reno, will be having their Quilt Show on July 19 - 20.

I would like to thank the guild for the fabulous book, "Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches". It was a such a wonderful surprise. This book will keep me busy for a very long time. I didn't realize that there were that many stitches! And thank you for signing my book, it makes it even more special.
 
To Margi - Thank you for the gift certificate, I'll definately put it to good use. And for the bobbin winder. It works wonderful! No more having to unthread the machine to rewind a bobbin. Now I can just keep on sewing those blocks without stopping!

Because I will not be at the Day Lilies Meeting in August, I will be busy setting up the Home Ec building with all your beautiful entries.

I need anyone who can work selling Op Tickets the weekend of the faire to please give me a call.

I have schedule hours for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  In increments of 2 hours.  So call me 873-6147 or email me bearma@usamedia.tv and I will fill you right in.  Because the faire opens on Thursday night we usually do not book times because everyone is wanting to go through it for the first time that evening.

Thank you and see you at the faire.