HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY CALICO QUILTERS!! I hope you all have a day full of sweethearts, friends, and chocolate!! My DH will be home so I am looking forward to spending the weekend with him. Plus sharing some goodies with the kids and my girlfriends…..

Well one thing is for sure, people can never accuse the Calico Quilters of not being busy. We have a whole lot of stuff happening. With the new round robins, exchanges, challenges and workshops starting up and ready to go strong. Plus all the other things coming up, special workshop/class with Barri who owns Sierra Cottons and Wools in June Lake, our picnic, our UFO Club and also the BROWN BAG is back (details to follow) we are a busy guild. But please do not feel overwhelmed, join only those things you really want to do, do not feel pressured to do it all…..this is suppose to be fun…BUT of course if you want to do it all….you go girl!!

We have had our first blocks turned in for the next OP Quilt, and they are beautiful...it is going to be a wonderful quilt. I like the quilts that allow the members to use their creativity, you are in fact the designers and you always rise to the occasion.

Marge Walker is busy working the Law's Quilts, Margaret Phelps and Sharon Thompson are buzzing through the Methodist Church thank you quilt and Laurie Morrow is busy collecting membership dues…thank you so much ladies! Thank you Desi for our new calendar, thank you to Marilee for handling the UGLY fabric challenge, and a huge thank you to Jan she had already had her first Quilt Show meeting and the buzz is starting.

I have already talked to a couple of people that are working at getting some new quilts done for the show. It is an exciting time.

A huge thank you to Nela, Jan from Wild rose Lane Quilting for all the quilting they had done for the Ova's and baby quilts….you both are the best. And also please remember that there is no money exchange at the Highlands Family Center, we want to keep to that rule.

Sometimes we forget the little things that have to get done by someone behind the scenes, a thank you to Desi for handling all the arrangements of our meetings and handing all the is and outs of our round robins, to Judy Speed for her hard work in making reports for us each month and keeping track of our accounts, as well as sending out our Sunshine cards, thank you to Courtney ever ready with her camera, and all her work going into keeping our scrapbooks straight and in order. Thank you Kay and Stacie for taking on the Op Quilt, and to Vivian for keeping our minutes so beautifully. This Guild is a wonderful guild because of all the wonderful women who are members, who go above and beyond to work and give of themselves. I count it a blessing to work with all of you.

Remember you can never have too much fabric or too many bears…..

President, Calico Quilters,

We had our first committee meeting. Thanks to all that attended. The Entry Forms will be available at the next meeting and soon on the website for downloading.

The next meeting is March 18th at Nela's house.

Hope everyone is working hard to finish those wonderful quilts to enter into our show!

~Jan, Quilt Show Chair

.We have one special guest at our January meeting, Sharon Graves thank you for joining us. Do not forget your block of the month, which was the fabric that Meagan and I handed out for any heart blocks. Next month the block will be handed out by Marge Walker. These are always fun to make and see if you win them. Remember to bring your show and tell. And please remember that your Op Quilt Blocks, and all the Round Robins and 9-Patch variations first exchanges are due this February meeting See you Tuesday, ~Margi

Just a reminder to bring your first exchanges, if you are unable to make the meeting, you are welcome to drop them off with me at QITS.

ALSO, please remember that we are still collecting blocks for QOVS, you are welcome to make 9-patch variation blocks in red, white and blue for QOV's whether or not you are participating in the exchange. Keep those blocks coming. ~Margi

For those of you, who have traveled up to June Lake to visit Sierra Cotton and Wools, know about the wonderful patterns, wools, kits, votive candle mats and books that Barri has to offer. I am a big fan of hers and have been for a while. It was a pleasure to meet her and get to know her better, she is a sweet and cheerful woman, who can create and create with no end in sight. She has signed up with us to do a workshop.class on March 8, 2008. This is a Saturday, we will meet from 10-3pm and we will be brown bagging it with the guild purchasing dessert and drinks.

I spoke to Barri this weekend and she has designed a votive candle holder mat for us in Bishop. It is an iris and is brand new. I can't wait to see it.

The price of the class will be to purchase the kit. You have a choice of three designs, the Iris, an Angel, or a pine cone.

The kit includes your wool, the pattern, and the floss. You will need to bring scissors, Ott Lite if you would like, your favorite embroidery needles, thimble if that is your preference and a willingness to learn new stitches, perhaps a new technique and be ready to have fun. I will be receiving the final amount of each kit in the next week or so and pass it on to you.

Before then, I need to send her a count, so if you are interested, please call me 873-6147 and I will reserve you a space. She needs the count before the workshop, and the kits need to be paid ahead of time. She will have other kits available for you to purchase after the class. (outside of the classroom)

Barri is busy working on a new book and getting ready for Market, so we are so lucky to have her in March. Remember to call me if you are interested. ~Margi

Just a reminder that the Round Robins will be starting at the end of this month. Don't forget to put one of the name lists in with your project and it would probably be a good idea to provide your phone number also just in case there are any questions. For those of you that haven't yet received your list, I'll have them at the next meetings. There are some name updates to the lists. On the Crazy Quilt Block, please add Diane Terrano and take off Penny Knapp. The Surprise! Round Robin, please add Georgia Wade. The Themed Round Robin, please add Diane Terrano and her theme is Southwest. Looking forward to another wonderful round of Round Robins! Have fun everyone! ~Desi

For anyone who wants to participate: Bring a brown bag with no outside markings to the picnic in July. In the bag put your name and at least 2 yards of fabric. You will then be given someone else's brown bag to make something out it. A tablerunner, a quilt or a pillow, the limit is your imagination. They will be due at the Christmas Party, ~Margi

It must be belonging to a Club that makes the difference, because I really want to get some of my old stuff done. Although I am being picky on which to work on because there are some that UGH! !!

But remember that your item must first be shown at either the Day Lilies or the Nite Owls meetings to be counted. At our Christmas Party, we will have prizes also for:

• Queen of Most UFO's Completed
• The Smallest UFO Completed
• The Largest UFO Completed

When your item is complete, I will have you measure it for the record. So remember you can bring in your UFO's all year and join in. Call me if you have any questions. ~Margi

The quilt is up at QITS, and the sales are going so well. GOOD WORK!! Keep selling ladies, and remember if you need more tickets, I will have them at the meetings, or you can stop by the shop.

~Margi, Opportunity Quilt Chair

• Congrats to Doris Blume for winning the Night Owl Door Prize! She won three fat quarters and a small folding utility bag. Don't forget to bring the next door prize to the next meeting.

Feb 21,Thu 6:30

Embellishments with Desi

Come and enjoy the art of Crazy Quilting! The workshop will feature embroidery basics and how to enhance the embroidery with beading.

What you need to bring:

• 8x8 inch crazy quilt block on a muslin foundation or a fat quarter of a solid color (any color will do).
• Different colors of embroidery floss,
• a spool of neutral thread,
• needles (emboidery and beading),
• scissors,
• beads,
• flat lace trims and buttons.
• An embroidery hoop is optional with the crazy quilt block, but I would use one with the fat quarter.

I'll be bringing along my supply of beads and embroidery floss to share. I also have some wonderful books on the art of crazy quilting and embellishments.

Here's a wonderful site on the web that will give you some great ideas : www.inaminuteago.com Any questions, please give me a call or e-mail me. See you there!

Workshop with Marty Voght - 6:30pm at Highlands.

Let's Face It! You do not always want a visible binding on a quilt, particularly a wall quilt designed with a framing border. Marty will show you how to put all that binding on the back, and it's really easy!

You will need a quilt or wall hanging that is ready for binding. It should be at least 18 inches on every side to use this technique. If you don't have anything ready for binding, cut, layer, and machine quilt an 18 inch square. This would be a good use for one of those pre-printed panels you bought back in 1991. DO NOT TRIM THE BACKING AND BATTING FLUSH WITH THE TOP. We'll do this in the workshop.

The fabric for your facing should be lightweight cotton that matches in color the last border of your quilt, or the predominate color in your final border.

Before coming to the workshop, cut strips of your facing fabric 1 5/8 in. wide across the width of the fabric. Cut enough length to just about go around your quilt.

Using this facing method, you will actually need a little less binding than the measurement around your quilt. Bring 1/4 yard of your backing fabric for the corner pieces.

You will need:

• Rotary cutting equipment, with a board big enough to trim the edge of your quilt. You might want to share this with someone else, so we don't have too many huge boards around.
• Sewing machine and a lamp to illuminate your work. An extra extension might be a good idea.
• Basic sewing supplies, including scissors to cut paper, equipment for hand sewing, and a good seam ripper. Picking out seams is part of this process. NO KIDDING.
• Thread to match your facing fabric (This is important.)

If you have any questions, call Marty 873-3055, or e-mail mlvoght@schat.com