outgoing president’s message
WOW! Did you feel the excitement in the air at our June 8th meeting? From the moment I walked through the door, the room was buzzing with activity. Boxes of beautiful fabric were being unloaded for the Company Store, Membership was setting up, birthday bags and snacks were arriving, Handmade Hugs items were being unloaded, workshop materials were being arranged, and our speaker, Jaimie Davis, was displaying her beautiful quilt samples. The Block of the Month was being hung, the Opportunity Quilt was being raised, while our Secretary and Treasurer prepared for another busy morning.
There was no doubt that the room was filled with energy and enthusiasm. How could anyone not feel it?
President’s Challenge – Hopi Elders
What an incredible way to end my final month as President!
Our members have some of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. When I challenged the Guild to make between 25 and 40 quilts for the Hopi Elders, I never imagined the response we would receive.
As more and more quilts filled the room, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude. I actually had to sit down as I watched the generosity of our members unfold before my eyes. Many members donated multiple quilts—some contributing as many as five or six. Chills filled the room.
After Valerie Harris shared the inspiring story of last year’s Hopi raffle quilt, we presented her with an astonishing 90 quilts. The outpouring of generosity far exceeded my expectations and truly demonstrated the caring spirit of our Guild.
Valerie has already begun working with the Hopi office to develop a distribution plan, and photos will be forthcoming.
Thank you to every member who participated in this meaningful project.
Budget 2026–2027
I am pleased to report that the 2026–2027 budget was approved unanimously.
We are entering the new fiscal year with a strong financial foundation. While we plan to utilize a portion of our reserves during this Quilt Show year to purchase much-needed items that will enhance our show, we will still maintain sufficient reserves to continue providing outstanding speakers, monthly workshops, special events, and ongoing Guild operations.
Once June’s bank statements have been finalized, we will have a clearer picture of our year-end income and expenses and can determine our opening balances for 2026–2027.
A special thank-you to Judith Dobke for her excellent stewardship of the Guild’s finances.
Membership Update
Our Membership Committee reports that Guild membership grew by an impressive 15% this year—truly amazing!
Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to our newer members and help make them feel welcome.
Newcomers Group
If you have not yet participated in the Newcomers Group, I highly encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful way to learn more about how the Guild operates while building friendships with fellow quilters.
The group will resume in September under the leadership of Sheryl Goddard and Angela Smith. Fun, friendship, and laughter are guaranteed!
Community Service – Handmade Hugs
Sheryl is still tallying the final numbers, but I can already report that our Handmade Hugs program has completed more than 700 items this year.
Next year, Mary Ellen Coe will chair the working group with assistance from Kristine White.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time, talent, and generosity to this remarkable program.
Ways and Means – Opportunity Quilt
The Ways and Means Committee had an outstanding year. During 2025–2026, the committee generated approximately $2,576 in income while spending approximately $900, including the purchase of our new Guild banner.
This resulted in approximately $1,676 in net income for the Guild—an outstanding accomplishment!
License plate holders and 2025 Quilt Show pins will continue to be available for purchase.
Now it’s time to focus on selling raffle tickets for our 250th Anniversary Opportunity Quilt. Please consider signing up to help sell tickets as Carol Grimes and Dede arrange opportunities to display the quilt throughout the Quad-City area.
Workshops and Programs
This month I met my “twin,” Jaimie Davis, our featured speaker. With the exception of one letter—an “i”—we share the same name. What a small world!
Jaimie presented the fascinating history of the Baltimore Album Quilt, sharing beautiful examples of her work and telling her inspiring journey from scientist to quilter.
Upcoming Programs
- July – Birthday Party (No Company Store, Birthday Bags, Block of the Month, speaker, or workshop—just a party!)
- August – Cristy Fincher
- September – Gina Perkes
- October – Color Werks
- November – Susan Bechard
- December – Guild Holiday Party
Company Store
Thank you to everyone who has donated items to the Company Store and to the dedicated team that transports, sorts, displays, and sells all those wonderful treasures.
The Company Store enjoyed a record-breaking month and year. Your support makes this valuable Guild resource possible.
Presidential Awards
With such a dedicated team of quilters behind me, serving as your President has been an absolute joy. I have enjoyed every minute of the role and have been blessed to work alongside so many extraordinary members.
There are far too many people to thank individually, but please take a moment to read the Secretary’s notes to see some of the members who received Presidential Awards, pins, and small gifts in recognition of their service.
Thank you all for your friendship, support, and dedication to the Thumb Butte Quilters Guild. It has truly been an honor to serve as your President.
Warmly,
Jamie Davis, President 2025-2026
incoming co-presidents’ message
July is the new year for our quilt guild, and Karen and Kathy are looking forward to being your Co-Presidents! We anticipate a great year for TBQG and look forward to the challenge of keeping things fun, productive, and running smoothly. Working with our new board and getting to know more members throughout the next year will be a big plus for us. The new slate of officers will be installed at our July birthday party during a brief meeting. The 2026-27 officers and committee members are ready to hit the ground running!
We would like to thank Jamie, and her board and committee members for the wonderful job they did last year. They have left our guild in great shape with a growing membership and a thriving guild.
Please continue to support and participate in our traditional guild sponsored activities and fund-raising activities in the next year! Get involved in a multitude of ways such as participation in Marketplace, Ways and Means, Opportunity Quilt marketing, Adult Center displays, Birthday Drawings, Company Store, Friendship Groups, Block of the Month, Newcomers, Community Service, Educational opportunities and Workshops, Quilt Camps. This is a great way to have fun, meet new people, and give back to our guild.
We have a lot to look forward to during the next year, and we look forward to working with all of you!
Kathy and Karen, Co-Presidents 2026-2027
HOSTESSES
If you cannot attend the meeting when it is your turn to hostess by bringing a treat, please arrange to trade with someone. Plan to arrive early to set up and stay late for clean up.
July party hostesses are Gretchen Delaney, Joan Fredirko, Debbie James, Deb Johnson, Pam Jones, Shiley Kelliher. Judi Kimbrell, Deena Knight, Barbara Krit, and Nancy Lande.
birthdays
celebrants – When it’s your birthday month, bring a wrapped gift suitable for a quilter, something you would like to receive, with a value of at least $10
Happy July birthdays to Patti Gerlitz, Denise Manley, Sue Parks, Judith Ritner, Gretchen Delaney, and Karen Varela.
community service
Handmade Hugs
In June the following donations have been made:
Yavapai Birthing Center (37 burp cloths, 25 receiving blankets)
Prescott Village Nursing and Rehab Center (10 quilts)
Hopi Elders (8 quilts)
Professional Educators Organization (1 quilt)
Blankets for Kids (25 quilts)
Year to date a total of 777 items have been donated.
The next meeting of Handmade Hugs will be on August 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM at the Stoneridge Community Center. There will not be a Handmade Hugs meeting in July.
Sheryl Goddard, Community Service Co-Chair