Cathy's M's Musings: Our President Speaks on our union.......

Can you believe it's been about a year since a few avid modern quiltists (my work lol) decided to initiate a modern guild for Grand Rapids! While not a part of the initial six, several of us did start attending once the word traveled though the various quilting networks. The Stitched Studio was rumored to have opened but very few on the north end of Grand Rapids and Kent County could get valid information. Well, that part is history and we have a thriving community of modern quilters. Our president has sent the following information about our February meeting. Among other things to show off, bring your check books so the money till has some cash! Yeah! Here is Ginny's note:

Here is the information regarding our February 3 meeting.

"Please mark your calendars to attend the Grand Rapids Modern Quilt Guild meeting on February 3. Come at 6:30 to socialize and maybe shop a little. Meeting starts at 7PM. We meet at Stitched Studio located at 1144 East Paris SE Grand Rapids, MI 49646.

We started our chapter of the MQG one year ago February. 6 of us met in Michelle’s then not - quite ready to open store, with bolts and bolts of fabric in boxes on the floor! None of us really knew what to expect. What we have found is a great community forming around the shared interest (?love) of quilting, sewing, creating, with a decidedly modern flair.

We have learned new skills, stretched our comfort levels with a couple of swaps, created a quilt for charity and shared many many beautiful things during our show and share.

I am amazed at the level of creativity, skill and passion for this art that has been displayed at our meetings.

We are ready to begin the next bit of our adventure by formalizing our local chapter with the Modern Quilt Guild. Your volunteer executive board has been busy. We created by-laws, have submitted paperwork to become a non-profit organization, are opening a bank account, creating a Facebook Group page to help with communicating with members and hopefully attract a few new ones. This hasn’t left much time for sewing - whew!!

Part of the process of formalizing our chapter involves pay our dues. We decided at our December meeting that our dues would be $30 per year. Please bring your check to the February meeting made out to the Grand Rapids Modern Quilt Guild. We are required to pay our chapter dues to the national organization by the 28th of February. Nancy, our treasurer, is looking into an account that will allow us to make our payments with a credit card and on line. As of today, out banking method is definitely old school, not a bit modern, but we are working on that:)

Thanks to all of your for your sharing your time and talent with us."