We launched into a new year with a few announcements and new member and guest welcomes. Today is the final day for dues to be renewed in order to stay active on the roster – and to keep all of the wonderful benefits that go along with active membership.
As a thank you to our two outgoing board members, in lieu of blocks, Renee has requested solid scraps – 2″ minimum – and Pam has requested ugly fabric. Should be easy to gather and bring to the February meeting. I can tell you first-hand that this is a tiny, tiny thank you for all that they have done for the guild.
Our “Question of the Day” was Describe your oldest Work In Progress – WIP. The winner of the oldest WIP was Jeannie – 32 years tucked away in that cupboard. You should get many continued hours of entertainment out of the Sisters Quilt Show The Men Behind the Quilt calendar. 
And continuing the WIP theme, Chelsea announced a year-long challenge for all of us to complete as many WIPs as possible. Be sure to upload your projects to Instagram #sbamqgwipitgood. Enter up to 6 projects, finish one or all – and that’s all the way to binding applied – by the end of the year and be entered to win a “Fabulous” prize.
SBAMQG members post up to 6 works in progress (WIPs) by January 31st,, 2017, using the hashtag #sbamqgwipitgood. WIPs are considered anything from a pile of fabric with good intentions to a finished but unquilted top. Post your pictures of your finished work using the hashtag throughout the year (no progress shots using the hashtag, please). For every WIP finished by November 30th, 2017, you’ll be entered to win a fabulous celebrity quilt prize.
On February 5 our member Anna B. has graciously agreed to teach us the Open Wide bag she was creating at the retreat. Class will be at the Foundation in Aptos starting at 10:00. Class fee of $16 includes the pattern, with each participant to bring fun fabric, a heavy-duty zipper/sports or handbag type, and Soft and Stable batting.
Teacup Challenge is rapidly approaching. Tops need to be entered online by 1.09.17. Bring completed entries to February meeting or to quilt show for display.
Introducing – Da-Dah – Bimonthly Block of the Month. Pam Rocco gave us a demo of the first block, Comma Block. The instructions will be posted on our community website. Any questions may be directed to Pam. Have fun making the block and bring them finished to the March meeting – as in “bi” monthly. One entry will go with one block into the drawing, which will be winner take all.
Show & Tell:
Pam – quilted herself 
Lori – Sujata Shah Lattice
Gene – triptych from silk ties 
Renee – teacup challenge 
Laura – teacup challenge
Kathrin – Sugar Plum runner and Apron
Mo – Baby quilt
Karen – teacup challenge
Isabel – quilt designed with Quiltography
Mary – kimonos WIP
A huge thank-you from the SBAMQG goes out to Hart’s Fabrics for their generosity in hosting our guild again this year. We love you to pieces!
(photo credit Karen Foster)