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Merrimack Valley Quilters Guild Encouraging the art of quilting in the Merrimack Valley. MVQ was established in 1980.

JAN 2020

President’s Message Happy New Year! I love a new year for the opportunity to finalize past

issues and projects and start anew. Since this year is also the beginning of a

new decade the emotion is greater for me. Especially as I start my

retirement and finish my time as your president. This is MVQ’s 40th

birthday year. We could not have asked for a better start than our Jubilee

celebration in December. What a great evening we had all due to the

efforts of Phyllis Lauria and her 40th Jubilee Committee. I personally

thought they went above and beyond expectations to provide an excellent

evening for everyone. We will have pictures at the next guild meeting.

January’s program is our journey’s. Heather Shield’s has invited a couple of our members to share their quilt making journeys with us. This is always a wonderful time for the guild to become better acquainted with members as they share their stories and quilts. February is our annual UFO Auction. Stacey Caruso and her team are looking for donations and volunteers. This is always a big undertaking; so many volunteers are needed. More information is in this newsletter and will be shared at the January guild meeting. Please consider donating your time and your extra fabrics notions, tools and incomplete projects.

January is also the first meeting where the board and members have an opportunity to discuss business. A change to the by-laws regarding our nominating and election process as well as our charitable giving will be sent to the members soon in order to have a discussion and vote at the March meeting. I need to commission a nominating committee; I am looking for 2 board members and 3 non-board members to volunteer. If you are interested, please contact me. This is the time of year when executive and standing committee chairs need to consider if they plan to return or be nominated for next year. So far, I as President and Gayle Forthoffer as Accounts Payable Treasurer cannot return next year because we have served the maximum amount of time allowed by our bylaws; three years. Ronni Longwell has decided not to return as Vice President. These three Executive Committee seats bust be filled in order to maintain our guild. Any member can be nominated for an Executive Committee seat which will be voted on by the guild members. If you are interested or have questions, please feel free to contact me or the current chair. Heather Shields, due to career commitments, cannot return as Programs Chair. This position will need to be filled if the members wishes to continue programs at the guild meetings. If you are interested in volunteering, please see Heather or me.

Continued on page 2........

Executive Committee 2019-2020

President: Elizabeth Swan

Vice President: Ronni Longwell

Secretary : Jamie Ruh

Treasurer AP: Gail Forthoffer

Treasurer AR: Layne Rando

See the June 2019 newsletter for the full list

of all the board and standing committee

members.

***JANUARY ***

This month's meeting is Quilter's

Journeys

From your Vice President,

At our January meeting, we will be welcoming Larry and Eileen Giordano from Foster Kids of the Merrimack

Valley. They are this year’s comfort quilts recipient. Did you know that over 400,000 American children are in

foster care? That’s quite a staggering number! Eileen tells me they will be looking for quilts for newborns

through age 17. Teenage boys are typically those that need the most so please think about that when planning.

Larry will tell us more about this wonderful organization and more specific details about how our quilts will be

handled and distributed and the difference we can make in these children’s lives. You can find them online at

fosterkidsmv.org and learn more about them if you would like to get a preview! I am excited about this group.

There may be some other donation opportunities available as well! "Because Every Kid Counts!"

In gratitude for our donation of comfort quilts, Priscilla Westaway, Founder of Believe Anything and

Everything is Possible, will be providing our refreshments this month. Such a thoughtful gesture. Be sure and

say hello as you go through the line.

We are working on our President’s blocks to present to our outgoing President Liz Swan at the June meeting.

These are blocks she has picked and they’re so easy to do. Betty Hastings and I prepared kits and directions and

have them available in the lobby. You may take as many as you like. It is our Hatchet Block – just like our

name tags. We will provide the pre-cut white center fabric that Liz has chosen and you provide any fabric of

your choice for the rest of the block. Liz would like you to write a brief memory or a few words or just your

name in the white center part. We will also provide pre-cut stabilizer if you want to applique, embroider or do

something very creative in the white section. Liz asks that no embellishments be used so it can easily be quilted.

Stop by and get a kit or two.

Thank you for all that you do to support our Guild and its members! As always, feel free to reach out to me if

you have any questions or requests.

Ronni Longwell

To reach any committee,

please address any

correspondence to:

MVQ Guild

PO BOX 566

Haverhill, MA 01831

Newsletter items must be

submitted on the first

FRIDAY after the board

meeting to Mary or Ann

Stobbs:

ams01938@hotmail.com

President’s Message cont. Finally, we are starting to prepare for the 2020 Quilt Show. Diane

Kelley, Quilt Show Chair and Gail Forthoffer, Quilt Show Vice Chair

will have more information at the guild meeting. Please consider now

how you would like to volunteer. All members must provide at least 2

hours of volunteer time to the quilt show in some capacity. It takes

many hands to make a great show. Please let Diane and Gail know

where you can help. Thank you for volunteering! Elizabeth Swan, President

2020-2021 raffle quilt

The 2020-2021 raffle quilt is going to be a medallion quilt in shades of blue green and coral with an ivory background. The quilt will have several borders. We are going to ask the members to create blocks for these borders, they range from simple to complex. Kits containing the background fabric and directions for the first easy border will be available at the January meeting. You will supply the blue-green and coral from your stash, a sample color palette will be on view. There will be another, more complex block next month. Carol Sullivan

Sew & Know

January 2020 : Maggie Rodgers will present her technique to achieve perfect two-colored half square

triangles using bias strips.

SEW & KNOW presenters are needed for MARCH 2020!

If you have a favorite technique, please contact Janice at

janicemaejones@gmail.com.

telephone: 978-738-1924.

Thanks. Janice Jones

Membership News

The membership packets were ready for pick-up at the Oct meeting.

The raffle ticket books are yours to use. You do not have to pay for them.

Bev Valle - Membership Chair

UFO AUCTION

UFO AUCTION IS FEBRUARY 20

*** DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ***

HOW TO DONATE:

Contact us (see below) for pick up

Bring to January 23rd Guild meeting - to be collected by Liz Swan & Pattie Gregg

HOW TO VOLUNTEER - SIGN UP AT THE JANUARY 23 GUILD MEETING:

Sorting on the morning of February 15 in Haverhill at the First Church of Christ

Auction set up on February 20 to begin a few hours before the meeting

Please take this opportunity to recycle your stash and make room for new projects! And, if you know any non-

member quilters that would like to make fabric donations (perhaps they are moving?), please mention

our auction to them. We are available to meet people at the Storage Unit and/or come to your homes for pick

ups.

We would like donations of quilting cotton fabric, unfinished quilt projects, quilting supplies, embroidery,

knitting, vintage sewing items and quilting books newer than 2015 (no magazines, please), and any other items

you think would be of interest to your fellow quilters.

Thank you all in advance for your contribution to another successful auction!

Stacey & Sue

Contact Info:

Susan@Spinelli.us / 978-869-3632

StacCaru@gmail.com / 978-914-390

Thank-you all in advance for your contribution to another successful auction!

Stacey & Sue

Contact Info:

Stacey Caruso: staccaru@gmail.com or 978-914-3907

Sue Spinelli: susan@spinelli.us or 978-869-3632

On The Road Again

Our beautiful raffle quilt is taking three trips. Volunteers are needed to make this happen.

******************************************************************************************

February 6, 7, and 8 we are going to Vintage and Vogue’s February Fabric Blowout Sale at the Holiday Inn,

Nashua, NH

Thursday and Friday Feb 6th & 7th 10:00-5:00

Saturday Feb. 8th 10:00-3:00

24 volunteers needed

Admission is free

******************************************************************************************

March 5, 6, and 7 we are headed to The Christmas Shop’s Fabric Extravaganza at the Holiday Inn, 9

Northeastern Blvd. (Exit 4), Nashua, NH.

Thursday, March 5th, Friday, March 6th 10:00 – 6:00

Saturday, March 7th 10:00 - 3:00

24 volunteers needed

Admission is free.

******************************************************************************************

April 16, 17, and 18 off to MQX Quilt Festival at the Doubletree Hotel Manchester NH

Thursday 16th –, Friday 17th 10:00-5:00,

Saturday 18th 9:00-4:00

36 volunteers needed

Requires white gloving - four hours per day in 2 hour shifts

******************************************************************************************

Please contact Judy Naylor at 978.352.2210 or judy.naylor@gmail.com. Or stop by the table at the entry before,

during, or after our next meeting. These fund raisers can only happen if people step forward to cover times at

our table.

With appreciation, Judy

Program Updates

I hope everyone's holidays were wonderful! We have an exciting few months ahead of us.

In January we will have a few members present their quilting journeys. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear

from your fellow guild members.

There are openings available in all of our remaining classes through June.

Unfortunately Edyta Sitar will not be coming to visit us in April. This frees up your schedule to attend or

volunteer at MQX! We always need people to sell raffle tickets or white glove.

Supply lists will be emailed to class attendees, and they will be available on the blog as well. Hard copy supply

lists will no longer be provided.

I will have to miss the February and March guild meetings due to work travel, and in addition I will be stepping

down as programs chairperson in June. I need help at most of the guild meetings through June as well. If you

are curious about MVQ programs and want a taste of what's involved please contact me about helping at a

meeting. Here are the immediate tasks I need someone to cover:

- Collecting class fees at the February meeting

- Collecting class fees at the March meeting

- Helping our speaker, Michelle Banton, set up and show quilts at the March meeting

MVQ programs would benefit greatly from having a committee! Get a few friends together and help plan the

programs for our guild! Many hands make light work! Programs allows us to bring in new and exciting teachers

to share their experiences and techniques with us. Please help MVQ continue our history of hosting speakers

from across the country!

******************************************************************************************

All workshops are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Member Maggie Judd’s workshop will be $10

for members and still $35 for non-members. Payment is due when you sign up for the class. Supplies and kits

required by the instructor are separate. Supply lists will be available at time of sign-up so please review them

carefully to make sure it works for you. Sign-up fees for the class are non-refundable.

_________________PROGRAMS 2019 - 2020___________________

January 2020: Journeys : Thursday, 1/23/2020: Lecture – Journeys ........ No workshop

******************************************************************************************

February 2020: UFO Auction : Thursday, 2/20/20: UFO Auction

Saturday, 2/22/2020: Workshop – Hand and Machine Applique, Led by member Maggie Judd

This workshop will include two different ways to appliqué. The morning will be spent on Hand Appliqué featuring the

«Back Basting» method of needle turn appliqué. Appliqué stitch and how to make perfect circles will be demonstrated. In

the afternoon, we will get out our sewing machines and tackle Machine Appliqué. Turned under (not raw edge) appliqué

will be demonstrated. Sewing machine with highly adjustable zig zag is recommended.

Kit fee: $15 (includes almost everything needed for two appliqué designs

***********************************************************************************************

March 2020: Michelle Banton (http://littlepupdesigns.com/)

Thursday, 3/19/2020: Lecture – Look Great, Dresden Plate

Saturday, 3/21/2020: Workshop – Dresden Neighborhood

******************************************************************************************

April 2020: Thursday, 4/16/2020: TBD

No Workshop

******************************************************************************************

May 2020: Pam Weeks (http://www.pamweeksquilts.com/index.html)

Thursday, 5/28/2020: Lecture – Designing Women

Saturday, 5/30/2020: Workshop – Led by member Cathy Harnisch

Have you ever heard someone say if you don’t like a fabric, you haven’t cut it small enough? This quilt is from

the book “Color From The Heart” by Gai Perry. I went through most of the quilts in this book with a friend of

mine. I thought the first one would be a great class to show how almost any fabric will work if you cut it small

enough. Using a multitude of fabrics, we will construct a postage stamp wall hanging. This class will help get

you to loosen up with your fabric selections.

******************************************************************************************

June 2020: Kathie Beltz (https://kathiebeltz.com)

Thursday, 6/18/2020: Lecture – Studio 180 Design Lecture and Trunk Show

Saturday, 6/20/2020: Around the Pond

December meeting

Jubilee!!!

Thank you everyone for making the 40th Jubilee Celebration on December 5, 2019 such a smashing

success!! We had a huge turnout! There were 93 of us in that festive space; 4 more were due to come that

evening, but unfortunately, at the last minute, couldn't make it.

The ambiance was wonderful and all who attended appeared to have a lot of fun. One of the highlights of

the evening was the speech by the Founder of our guild, Janet Elwin. She was a hoot and really educated

us on the long history and connection between Merrimack Valley Quilters Guild and the New England

Quilt Museum. Ending the evening with the enchanting melodies of the choir bells from The North

Andover Trinitarian Congregational Church was just perfect!

Thanks to the Jubilee Committee (Stacey Caruso, Sharon Brown, Louise Robitaille, Pattie Gregg, Jamie

Ruh and Sue Spinelli) for their energy, enthusiasm and creativity. And special thanks to the support and

behind the scenes help from Betty Hastings, Ann Hockmeyer, Lyn Caido and Bev Valle.

I hope everyone peeked inside their tumblers and found the 40th Anniversary pin. And I hope you have

kept your tumblers filled with your favorite beverage!

Thanks again!

Phyllis Lauria

Spring Retreat

The Spring Retreat held at the Franciscan Guest House in Kennebunk Maine is coming soon!

The dates of the retreat are Wednesday, March 25, to Sunday, March 29, 2020. We are exploring the

option of staying until Monday, March 30th.

Registration is not open yet, so please do not send anything in until you hear from us.

Thanks,

Phyllis Lauria & Sue Spinelli

MVQ TREASURER REPORT

11/1/2019 – 12/31/2019

Gail Forthoffer, Treasurer

Assets:

Checking Balance Money Market Annuity as of 6/30/2019

12,330.71 5,053.04

17,151.07

Ending Balance $ 34,534.82

Liabilities (Uncleared Transactions): - $377.35

Expenses:

Meeting Expenses 125.00

Insurance 250.00

Special Events 3,931.42

Charitable Donation 498.00 18.50

Quilt Show Expenses 50.00

Total Expenses $ 4,854.42

Income:

Interest 0.85

Membership 50.00

2019 Quilt Show 25.00

Program Income 425.00

2020 Raffle Quilt 145.00

Retreat Income 718.00

Special Events 1628.00

Total Income $2,991.85

Jeanne Elliott QuiltsEtc@aol.com

Beginning Tole

Painting

Beginning quilting

Professional quilting

of your quilts

Where can I find: Quilt-quality fabric? Needles? Pins?

Patterns? Interfacing? Muslin?

108” fabric? Flannel? Discounts?

Art Greeting Cards? Templates?

Cutters? Olfa Mats? Rulers? Books?

http://AtQuiltersQuar-

ters.blogspot.com 59 North Street Georgetown MA 01833

‘Just 2 doors north of Perley School’ : https://atquiltersquarters.blogspot.com/ Now open!

Stop

Quilters Support Local Organizations

HAVERHILL, MA — The Merrimack Valley Quilters Guild (MVQ) recently donated approximately seventy quilts to two local organizations. Each quilt was lovingly handmade by its members and presented at the October MVQ meeting.

The first organization is "Believe Anything and Everything is Possible’ — a non-profit organization that is committed to helping cancer patients and their families while going through cancer treatments. Priscilla West-away is the founder, President, heart, and soul of this organization. Priscilla, a cancer patient at Lahey Health Oncology Center, felt compelled to help others in a similar situation. Believe Anything and Everything is Possible is a continuation of Priscilla's love, compassion, and commitment to individuals and families in need that began with her own

battle. With the help of the oncology staff at several hospitals, she will facilitate the disbursement of these beautiful quilts for pa-tient comfort and care. For more information, visit Priscilla's website at believeanything.org.

The second organization was High Pointe House in Haverhill, MA, the hospice and palliative care residence of Merrimack Valley Hospice. It provides a comfortable, welcoming, home-like alternative for patients in need of specialized end-of-life care. It is our hope that each patient will have a warm, beautiful quilt to snuggle under during their precious days at the House. In addition, a special quilt was made and presented to High Pointe House and is called the Dragonfly Quilt. The dragonfly means hope, change and love. It has been a symbol of happiness, new beginnings and change for many centuries. This quilt accompanies a patient from the House when they leave for the last time. It is a wonderful and lasting memory for the families during a difficult time. The quilt was designed and pieced by member Bev Valle and machine quilted Thy member Cathy Harnisch. For more information, visit info@ homehealthfoundation.org.

MVQ was founded in 1980 for the purpose of encouraging and developing the art of quilting. Members come from all age groups and live in MA and NH. The Guild typically meets on the third Thursday of the month at NECCO Technology Center (100 Elliot Street in Haverhill, MA) with social time at 6:00 p.m. and meeting/program at 7:00 p.m., but there will be some exceptions this coming year.

For more information, visit mvquilters.org.

Thank-you Bev Valle for sending us this article from the newspaper.

Next Meeting: January 23, 2020 ............Quilter's Journeys

Sew and Know Demo starts @ 6:30pm

Meeting starts @ 7pm

Where: Northern Essex Community College

Technology Center

1st floor, last room on left

Refreshments: Priscilla Westaway, Founder of Believe Anything and Everything is

Possible, will be providing our refreshments this month..Thank-you!!