The meeting was called to order by the President Cathy Barlow, at 1:10 p.m.
SECRETARY'S REPORT -We dispensed with the reading of the minutes since they were previously distributed to the members via email. A printed copy of the minutes will be available for review at each business meeting. The February minutes were approved by the members.
TREASURER'S REPORT - Dee Dean explained the checking account balance on February 14, 2012 was $ 4,590.81. Receipts for the last month totaled $203.00 and expenses for the same period were $1,892.94 (less retreat funds of $1,803.56).The ending balance on March 13, 2012 is $2,900.87.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE (headed by both Heather Farnell and Jo Loder) - Heather will provide a "New Members Kit" and both Heather and Jo will provide assistance to all new members. Monthly an updated roster will be included with the distribution of the minutes. Members should take a moment to check their personal information on the roster to ensure it is accurate.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE - Sharon Musch provided the following information:
Marie Anderson - Fusible appliqué on March 27th. Please pay Sally Sonnichsen any money due so that the total number attending will also enable us to have proper seating.
Dale's Retreat bag - May 22nd fee is $5. Per person, however, the pattern and fabric must be purchased separately. If 10 or more are interested, a discount will be given for the pattern. By a show of hands 5 are interested currently.
Joan Keltner - will offer a sweatshirt class on September 18th and the 25th.
Sharon Hannahs - will offer a hanging sleeve class on October 23th.
Pat Knoechel - will offer a demonstration- quilt in a day- on April 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The Bridgeport Recreation Center. It is free to Guild members. Canned Good donations for Lake/Sumter and Marion food banks will be collected.
Classes are available and are offered by national teachers. Members are encouraged to check the Guild website (Calendar) for the latest information regarding upcoming programs and classes. If interested in attending any classes, please see Sharon at a meeting or write to sharonmusch@comcast.
OLD BUSINESS
Marketplace 2012 (this past January) was extremely successful. Some of the proceeds will be used to purchase a hanging system for the quilts at our Showcase event that is held every other year.
Retreat: Our thanks to Monique Foley for all her hard work that made this year's retreat a great success. Joan Keltner and Nancy Wilcox will organize the 2013 retreat.
4H: Carol Fox provided the following information: The Sumter County fair started last Friday and the 4H youth had their Fashion Review. Two of our girls, Brianna and Allie, competed in the purchased goods category. Brianna modeled an Anime costume and Allie modeled regular clothing and won 1st place in her age category which is the senior category (youth 14-18). The competitors all wrote a script that was read while they did their modeling. Allie will again compete at the district level which includes 4 counties - winners from that competition go to the state level.
In the exhibit hall, Brianna exhibited her pillowcase for which she received a Best of Lot award and also some poetry in the Creative Writing category. Eight year old Kaitlyn also exhibited some poetry which won Best of Lot in her Junior (8 - 10 yr) level. Allie exhibited a drawing and Carlie exhibited several photos - one of which won a 1st prize and I think one won Best of Lot in her division which is Intermediate (11 - 13yrs) level. Carol took photos of the exhibits and some of the modeling but has not printed them yet.
The next meetings will be Wednesday, March 21st at 6 p.m. at the Slaughter Ins. Agency in Wildwood; April 26th which is a Thursday from 1p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, May 30th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - these last 2 will be during the day because of school schedule and will be held in the Pinellas Library conference room. They will all be starting new projects and we will need help cutting and sizing patterns and sewing projects that will require more precise attention since they need to fit, as compared to our other projects i.e. pillowcase and purses which were more forgiving. Let Carol know if anyone is available to help on these dates.
Sister Chapter: Thanks to Becky Chianese who coordinated this event and all our volunteer bakers who made the treats, as well as Jo Loder who led The Finish Line workshop. Those from Sterling Stitchers that attended had a great time.
Historian Positions: There are two positions available- one on the Guild level and one for Allamanda Quilters. See Cathy Barlow if anyone has an interest.
Charity for Donation Quilt: Vote went to The Haven both from Allamanda Quilters and over all vote at the Guild Vote.
Guild Polo Shirts: Please note that Sharon Musch is coordinating an opportunity for ladies who wish to order Guild shirts (new orders or for second shirts) for a few weeks time. See Sharon at the next few sit-n-sew meetings to place your orders. It was agreed by majority that no particular color shirt will represent The Allamanda Quilters' Chapter.
NEW BUSINESS
New Flyers: Pplease see the welcome table for two new flyers. One with names and addresses of local quilt shops as well as a glossary that provides definitions of terms we use frequently at our meetings.
Reminder: Cathy requested that all members complete the recreation center waivers for 2012.
Vice-President Assistant opportunity: Sharon Musch's term is up at year end and realizing that most are fearful of volunteering for this type position, she is extending an opportunity to anyone interested in attaining an understanding of the responsibility and to see what truly is involved as well as providing aid in sharing the work and attending meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, at 3 p.m. at Laurel Manor. Any person or persons who wish to volunteer will not be committing themselves to the office of Vice-President now; perhaps one will be better informed as to what is required and not be reluctant about going for this spot at year end. See Sharon if you have an interest.
Google e-mail system: There was a brief discussion regarding the use of the Google e-mail system. We were all reminded that this system was set up to communicate information on quilting. It was agreed to keep the system going as is. All users must be mindful while using this tool to be respectful and its use is only on information pertaining to quilting.
Showcase 2013
Food Vendor - Chick-Fil-A.
Judges - Karen Roberts and Molly Waddell are both certified judges and will use the elimination system (not a point system). Commentary will be provided for each quilt.
Entering Quilts - Entry forms & instructions for making a hanging sleeve are on the website (Showcase) Please note entries along with a photo of the quilt (may still be in progress) are due by October 1st to Cathy Barlow.
Allamanda Showcase Banner - Marlene Jensch was not present to give an updated report.
Showcase Boutique - Several quick workshops will cover several different projects so think - pretty/striking fabric or themed fabric that will help the items to sell! Members can participate in 1 or 2 or all workshops that interest them. The goal is to make at least one item for the chapter to sell at the boutique.
Each instructor will send out pre-class preparations that need to be done prior to the workshop so instruction time at our meetings will be limited to one hour. Handouts will be provided at the workshop and be available to members who can't make the meeting so they can make the item at home. The following instructors and dates are:
Heather Farnell - March 20th
Cathy Barlow - April 24th
Monique Foley - May 1st
Joan Keltner- TBD
Charity Quilt Committee - Sharon Musch reported that, at MarketPlace 2012, $837 was already collected from drawing by chance tickets. That is a good start, but we have until next January to grow that up to the $9,000-$10,000 this quilt merits for The Haven of Leesburg. Each member will be provided an opportunity to purchase chance tickets for themselves and for others. Members are encouraged to let their family, friends and neighbors know about this fantastic opportunity. Suggested minimum donations are $1 for 1 ticket and $5 for 6 tickets. The quilt will be on display at a future Tuesday meeting for all to see and Sharon will have tickets for anyone who wants them. The quilt will be appraised by Teddy Pruett which the committee hopes will raise interest among the general public. On April 17th, Allamanda will have responsibility to staff a table at Lake Sumter Landing (4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.). We need to set up and accept donations and sell chances for the drawing (January 26, 2013). Cathy will be at the Square, but additionally she is looking for volunteers for one-hour increments or for the whole time. A sign-up sheet will be on the welcome table for the next few weeks.
Show-n-Tell - Many beautiful items were displayed by ten members. Please visit the website to see the pictures of each of these beautiful works of art!
Reminders/Announcements -
Sew Mini Things Quilt Shop in Mt. Dora will give you a discount if you show your Villages Guild membership card.
A-BOMB - The winner - Donna Palladino.
50/50 - The winner - Betsy Abromaitis.
Meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Regina Bozza
