HAPPY NEW YEAR CALICO QUILTERS! I hope that when you are reading this you are all rested up from the hectic Christmas Season and already for the New Year. Do you make resolutions? I have not decided yet, I know.. it is the second week of the year. But in the past they have fallen by the wayside and I do not want that to happen this year. So I am trying to think of another way of handling the word and the changes I would like to make. If you have made any quilting resolutions, send them to me, and I will put them in my letter for the next newsletter, it may inspire us all.

I am looking forward to the New Year with Calico Quilters, can you believe it, I have 6 months left of my presidency with you, I will have to pass my gavel over at the picnic in July. It has been a blast! We have lots going on already, with the lists for the 9-patch variation and all the round robins coming out this next meeting (January 31) and the UFO Club starting up. I heard that Marge Walker's workshop was a good one, sorry I missed it. Thank you so much Marge. Desi has been busy making out the calendar and all, thank you Desi, you are the best. Plus all the great times we have together, it looks like a good year.

Road to California is just around the corner, Meg and I are heading out for it, this is the first year for Meg and the first time for me in a long time. I use to work that show with a quilt shop from down south, Loving Stitches. It is a great show. I hope to see some of you there. As well, a huge CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR Nela, who has a quilt in the show, I will be looking for it.

On a personal note, some of you know that my dh was in a serious car accident just before the holidays. Thank you so much for your cards and prayers. He is back to work and doing well. He has a "chick dig scars" scar on his face and is still getting tired quickly and still alittle sore. But he is good. I am thanking God for his safety and praying the the other lady involved. I so appreciated your calls and emails.

Jan is in bed with the flu and we send our "GET WELLS" over to her, she is getting ready to gear up for our Quilt Show in May. That is going to be great and I for one am really looking forward to it, she does a great job. So, are you ready, a new year of Calico Quilters, come share in the fun, bring any ideas with you, and let us know how we can make our guild even more fun.

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

President, Calico Quilters,

The first committee meeting will by at Nela's house on February 6th, Wednesday at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you signed up to be on the committee, please try to attend if possible.

We still need someone to do the outdoor signs. We need someone to make the new signs and someone to post the signs. These signs are very important and they are getting a bit old. So if anyone is game to do this please let me know.

Also available is decor. We have some ideas already for you to start with. So if anyone is interested in doing this let me know.

~Jan, Quilt Show Chair

Are you ready ladies! Out first meeting of the year is coming up, Tuesday January 29 at 10:00 am. I am, I enjoy our time together and always look forward to seeing hearing what ever one is doing. Our first block of the month will b handed out, Meagan and I will be doing it. There are still a couple of slots open for anyone who would like to choose the block for a certain month. Looking forward to see all of you. ~Margi

This exchange will be just the same as our Friendship Star exchange. The block that you make for each person will be based on the 9-patch, you own personal choice. You can make a simple 9-patch or any variation of the 9-patch. Each person participating will choose colors or a theme for your guideline. I will have the forms at the Nov meeting and the Dec Christmas party for you to sign up and make your chose of colors or theme. You will receive your list in January and the first exchange will be at the February meeting. Remember UFOs and 9-patch exchange come to me to carry to meetings, Desi will have more than enough to keep track of with all the new exchanges. ~Margi

And so a new year of supporting our troops begin. You are all so amazing, the quilts that we have sent off have been both beautiful and very generous. I know without a shadow of a doubt that our soldiers are blessed to receive such a gift of support. We now have a stamp that I will be stamping for labels for you to attach to the backs of QOVs. I hope to have some at the next meeting for you to see and take if you need them. You can also add another label if you want with a more personal message. Again, thank you and keep up the great work. We have lots of soldiers to cover.

~Margi, QOV Chair

So are you ready to get those UFOs done. Have you already made a list of which ones you will get done during 2008? OK, here are our guidelines:

• The quilt must be "in progress"
• It can not be sandwiched or even stated to be quilted
• A top is acceptable
• Quilter shows UFO to the guild first
• When it is completed, that is quilted and with binding, bring it back to a meeting And fill out a chance for the drawing of the gift certificates
• Drawing every 3 months Gift certificates will include, Spellbinders, Starbucks, Baskin-Robbins and Vons

It is great incentive to get those UFOs done, and a inspiration to all of us who see all of them getting done. You are welcome to drop off the UFO or the completed quilt at QITS for me to take to the meeting if you are unable to attend. Remember UFOs and 9-patch exchange come to me to carry to meetings, Desi will have more than enough to keep track of with all the new exchanges. We will begin in January, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to call. ~Margi

The quilt is still up at DMV, they have not moved yet. When they do move it will share time at QITS and Stitch Peddler. Remember if you need more tickets call me, e-mail me or stop by QITS.

~Margi, Opportunity Quilt Chair

Embellishments - Desi MacElvogue

Another round of Round Robins finished up this last November and they all turned out just wonderful. Great job ladies! The next Round Robins will be starting in February. At the last meetings, I sent around the sign-up sheet. If you haven't signed up for one and would like to do so, please let me know as soon as possible. Here is a reminder of your choices:

"Themed" - This one is like the pizza box. There are only two rules. The background fabric must be provided and the blocks must follow the selected theme. Other than that, anything goes! The added blocks can be done in any style or size. They can be pieced, paper pieced, appliquéd in any style, embellished, cross-stitched, etc.. Whatever your imagination can dream up!

"Crazy Quilt Block" - An 18x18 or 20x20 inch square Crazy Quilt block on a muslin back. If you have a Crazy Quilt block from a previous Round Robin, you can have that one go around again or start a new one. "Strippers" - Must supply first strip to set the theme. You can add extra fabric if you like. Each strip can be no longer than 45inches and can be any width.

"One Border at a Time" - Center block can be any theme or size. You can add extra fabric if you like. Each person will only have to add one pieced border. Each added border can be any width and is added just like you are making a Log Cabin block.

"Surprise!" - The center block can be any theme and size. You can also supply your own fabric. This is a traditional round robin and will not be shown until the last person has added her border.

Looking forward to seeing what you ladies come up with this time. I'll have the lists done by the January meetings. Any questions, please e-mail me or give me a call. Thanks! ~Desi