February 2018 Meeting Recap

Brrrrrr…. It’s still cold out there! Just when I thought spring was on its way, we get a blast of snow again. But really, I’m still holding out that Punxsutawney Phil is really just a beloved rodent and doesn’t know anything about meteorology.




But in the meantime, I hope this February Meeting Recap warms you up!







Shopping Event at Eweknit

TMQG Happenings

Thank you to everyone who came out to support one of our local fabric stores, Eweknit! We had a wonderful shopping event and coffee social before the meeting. We’re hoping to continue to provide social activities and reasons to shop throughout the year. Want to help organize our next social event?!? Great, please let us know that you're interested!




A few other announcements in support of guild members or interesting things happening:

• Congratulations to Gunnel Hag! Her quilt Green is the New Black has been accepted into the National Juried Show at Quilt Canada in Vancouver, B.C.

• The Etobicoke Quilt Guild Fever Show is happening March 23- 24. More info.

• The TMQG will be sponsoring a Spring Retreat in May at Karen Brown’s family’s cottage. More information to come and thank you to Karen’s family for sharing their cottage.

• Congratulations to Bobbie- sue Gentili for winning the $40 gift card to Fabric Spark and Country Clothesline! We’ll have another great raffle door prize next month! Bring your cash for $2/ticket or 3 for $5!

• Berene Campbell has a little Heart Tattoo Pattern out! Looking lovely, Berene! More info.

• Shirley Dawson’s lovely Make It Big, Make It Small quilt top (see Show & Share) is available as a kit at Country Clothesline! More info.

• Gunnel Hag is running a Winter/ Spring fabric printing workshops at the Colour Vie Studio. More info.

• Want to do some destashing? Use #tmqggaragesale on Instagram and Facebook to sell your preloved fabric, notions, books, etc, to guild members.






TMQG Business: 2018 Budget

We had 38 members and 1 guest at our February meeting and the big business this month was presenting the 2017 income statement and approving the 2018 budget. The budget passed with flying colors! A brief overview of our pocketbook.

• 2017 Income Statement

• Income for 2017 was $5,158.18 versus budgeted $1,800

• Costs for 2017 was $2,516.67 versus budged $1,800

• Total retained income of $2,641.51 will be carried over for 2018 programming budget

• 2018 Budget Overview

• Projected income $7,100

• Projected costs $2,440, including $1,500 for workshops






TMQG Challenges: Kick-Off

This month we have 2 great challenges kicking off! Share your progress and end results on Instagram and Facebook with the following hastags: #tmqgufo2018 and #tmqgblocklotto!




The 2018 UFO Challenge has launched into orbit! You have until the January 2019 meeting to complete your registered UFOs for the chance to win some great prizes! Last chance to register your UFOs is at the March meeting. Each UFO is $2 (cash only). Click here for more information on challenge guidelines.

UFO / juːɛfˈəʊ /: An UnFinished Object involves any amount of progress on a conglomerate of fabric, thread, and batting. Its natural environment is a box you have forgotten about on the top shelf of your closet. They can also be found in tupperware under the stairs.


Our first 2018 Block Lotto is a 2.5”, 5” or 10” Fussy Cut Economy Block. Karen Brown, has put together a stellar video tutorial and templates. Bring your completed blocks to the March meeting to enter into the lottery! May the odds be ever in your favor.

BLOCK LOTTO / blɒk ˈlɒt oʊ/: A block lotto is when a group of quilters make a predetermined block. Each block earns you 1 entry into the lottery. Whoever draws the winning ticket, wins all the blocks. Insta-quilt!

Christine's Fussy Cut Economy Block Lotto -- Draw in March





Programming: “Energy, Color, and Those Darn UFOs” by Karen Brown of Just Get It Done Quilts

Our very own Karen Brown presented on color theory and the four energy types that determine which hues, tones, shades, and tints appeal to you. I found it to be a very interesting dive into what can impact our individual style and the type of quilts we create.




Are you having a hard time finishing some of your UFOs? Maybe it’s because they’re not the right projects for your energy. Karen provided some advice on tackling your UFOs:

• Focus on those that are (a) Just about finished, (b) Some blocks done, and (c) Partially cut or sewn

• Determine what’s keeping you from finishing: (a) Out of love with the project, (b) Made a mistake, or (c) Financial barriers

• Make a plan to finish it OR say goodbye


Want to learn more about color? Peter recommended the Craftsy class Color Play. More info.




February Show & Share

This month we introduced a new Show & Share process. When showing a quilt, please pick up one of the new Show & Share forms at the door and fill it out at your seat. At show time, line up and when it's your turn, hand Laura Henneberry your form. The information you provide will help write the monthly recap blog posts. Thank you in advance and if you have any suggestions on how to make this better, please let her know!




Shirley Dawson had two quilts this month! First up was Make It Big, Make It Small, a quilt she designed along with Sylvia Gamble of Country Clothesline for this year’s Quilts at the Creek theme. Shirley loves how by enlarging the Eight Pointed Star, this traditional block feels modern.The quilt kit is available at Country Clothesline. @shirlgirl55

Make It Big, Make It Small by Shirley Dawson





Shirley’s second quilt was a pattern test for Berene Campbell’s Badass Quilt. The colorway was chosen with her daughter in mind (who has already claimed it on Instagram) and man, do I love all that Essex blue. The quilt kit is available at Fabric Spark. @shirlgirl55





Shirley Dawson's version of the Badass Quilt

Berene Campbell of Happy Sew Lucky has designed another tattoo block, Wisdom. It’s block 9 of 11 in an ongoing series. It should be out shortly in her Etsy shop. More information regarding its inspiration can be found on her Instagram post. @happysewlucky





Wisdom Tattoo Block by Berene Campbell

Marisa Rogucki was inspired to make her first quilt for a new baby. She used a Cricut Maker to cut out the squares and embroidered a sweet little label for the baby. Well done, Marisa!

Marisa Rogucki's lovely first quilt!





Sandy Moore also had two quilts to show this month. First up was the completed quilt from last year’s beloved block lotto, The Pussy March Block Lotto. Sandy was inspired to gift this quilt to a friend who was unable to march. Thanks for showing this one off, Sandy, you did a great job!

Sandy Moore's completed Pussy March block lotto quilt

Sandy’s second quilt was a brightly colored Log Cabin. We all loved the bright colors and the setting of the block. Simply stunning!

Sandy Moore's Log Cabin Quilt





Ludgera Worms showed off her Heart Tattoo Block finish which is designed by Berene Campbell and available in her Etsy shop. We all loved the Cotton + Steel oxfords! This was the 6” paper pieced block, which is also available as a 4” and 9” block. Ludgera plans on making this bigger and into a pillow.

Ludgera's version of the Heart Tattoo Block





Spotlight Series: Fussy Cutting

Stephanie Rose hosted this month’s Spotlight Series with a quick demonstration on fussy cutting. One of her great tips was to make a “window” with tape on your ruler, so you know exactly what will be kept when you fussy cut your fabric! Use this technique on the Economy Block Lotto!

Steff used blue tape to outline her fussy cutting window. Great tip!





Next Time at the TMQG

Mark your calendars for our next meeting on March 25th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at Trinity- St.Pauls (427 Bloor St W). Here’s a little tidbit of what you can look forward to!

• Deeper Dive into the MQG Mothership!

• QuiltCon 2018 Recap by Lynda Hutchison

• Instagram & Hashtag Spotlight by Laura Henneberry

• Another fabulously, delicious door prize ($2/ticket or 3 for $5 - Cash only!)

• Economy Block Lotto draw -- So bring your blocks!

Also, could we please get a couple of volunteers to bring some snacks? Thank you to Catherine Clarke, Becky Burnett, and Shannon Nichols who brought some yummies to our February meeting!