Meeting was called to order by Co-President Karen Eads at 9:30 A.M. Approval of July’s General Meeting minutes: Moved by Pat Noel and seconded by Sharon Harris. Motion was unanimously approved.
President’s Challenge: This year’s President’s Challenge is a 20 x 20 pillow cover with either a zipper or an overlapping closure. The theme is a raven. Details of requirements are on the TBQ guild website. The pillow covers will be turned in prior to the quilt show.
Four visitors were introduced.
Newcomers’ group: Sheryl Goddard announced that this year’s group will be starting up.
Community Services: Community Services was started 10 years ago by Maryann Conner. The first year 91 quilts were donated. Over the last 10 years 4093+ items have been made and donated (data for two years is not available). The recent donation of 90 quilts to the Hopi Indian tribe recipients has been documented in a binder. Last month’s donation: 16 quilts to the rehab center and 45 burp cloths and baby blankets to the birthing center. The guild has received a very large donation of fabric from a non-member which will be used by Handmade Hugs.
Michelle Kaltz from the Chino Valley Quilting guild announced that their quilt show is October 9 and 10 at the Chino Valley High School.
Ways & Means: Opportunity quilt update: So far over $1200 has been raised. The quilt is on display at Coco’s quilting shop this month. Photos of the quilt are available for members to show at smaller gatherings. There are a few slots to fill for members to sell tickets at the Yavapai Rodeo.
Quilt Show Update: This year the guild will be using two gyms. The larger gym will house outside vendors and Guild fund-raising activities. Bookmarks are now available advertising the show. Pins have been ordered.
Speakers and Workshops: Today’s speaker is Christy Fincher, She will have a class on August 11 on Precise Piecing. In September will be Gina Perkes, in October will be Color Werkes, and in November will be Susan Gechard.
Next month, volunteers are needed to help loading and unloading Company Store merchandise from the storage unit to the Guild meeting and back.
Meeting concluded with Birthday drawing and Show and Tell.
Meeting was adjourned by C-President Karen Eads at 12:10. Next meeting is September 14, 2026.
Meeting minutes submitted by Nancy Lande, Recording Secretary.
Monthly News: Co-Presidents Message, September 2026
Co-Presidents Karen Eads & Kathy Spry
TBQG is a busy bunch of fun and productive people! The August meeting was bustling with good energy and news of upcoming activities. Our guests and speaker, Cristy Fincher, commented on how welcome they felt and what a good vibe they sensed within the Guild. That is truly a great reflection of our members!
Past Presidents Club: Cocco Alaniz presented Jamie Davis, our outgoing president, with a beautifully quilted jacket, handmade by Mary Ellen Coe. She also received a gift basket, and gift cards from our guild members. We are very thankful for her leadership last year!
TBQG membership inducted Kathy Spry as Co-President, and Erin Sullivan as Vice President for the 2026-2027 term. All the Executive and Standing Committee Chairs were introduced during the meeting as well. There are many people that work collectively to make things run smoothly, and we are happy to be collaborating with them all!
We all enjoyed Deb Johnson and Carrie Casto’s quilt show informational production on our tv screens before the meeting and at breaktime. Well done, ladies!
August was the 10th anniversary of Handmade Hugs. MaryAnn Conner was the originator of this Community Services group, and she provided us with a historical summary of her initial idea to provide quilts to foster children. Our community services have since grown significantly, and the service is a big part of our club. Sometimes, all it takes is an idea and someone that is passionate about starting it. Thank you, MaryAnn!
The Opportunity Quilt has been shown in multiple venues, and we are steadily making progress! This month it is being showcased at Coco’s Prescott Quilt Works. Carol Grimes is doing a wonderful job with this marketing endeavor and can always use your help to sell those tickets!
There are several great speakers and workshops lined up in the coming months. Erin Sullivan and her team are asking for ideas from guild members for speakers that interest them. Be sure to give them any suggestions you might have!
Cathy Day had a “Market Place Make It” event after the meeting at the Elks Lodge at our August meeting. There will be another one next month after the regular meeting. If you can stay, bring your sewing machines, or pick up a packet to go!
Company Store will have a $5 per bag sale at the meeting next month, so shoppers come early to get the best deals!
Remember there is a Quilt Show 2027 Challenge involving a 100-inch (exactly per Carrie!) perimeter/circumference, a raven, a button, yarn or trim at least six inches long, with a
forest or yard item. The full instructions are on this website in the August Monthly news section. It should be fascinating to see what everyone comes up with. This is
a separate challenge from the President’s Challenge.
President’s Challenge: This year, we would like all participants in the President’s Challenge to make a 20” x 20” pillow cover of their choice, any theme, color, or style. Please check out the instructions and videos on the TBQ website.
Have a great month and we will see you all in September!
Kathy and Karen, C0-Presidents
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 September birthdays to Karen Halverson, Nancy Lande, Trish Charity, Debbie Bronson, Barbara Merkel, Debbie Cavarretta, Chris Sommerfelt, Terry Grenier, Kristine White, Zoe Charon, Jessica Bodnicki, Carol Grimes, Sheryl Goddard, Liz Hart.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership Matters!
Our guild is growing, stitching, and having fun! We now have 156 members, and 96 members joined us for the August meeting, along with 4 guests and 1 new member.
A warm quilty welcome to our newest member, Susan DeSchaine! We’re so happy to have you join us.
Membership Directories: If you haven’t picked yours up yet, please do! They’re getting heavy for us to carry around. Help us lighten our load and grab your copy at the next meeting.
Thanks for being part of our wonderful guild. See you next month!
Alicia, Dawnell and Shelli
newcomers
Next Meeting: September 29, 2026 Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church (630 Park Avenue, Prescott) Project: ID Pouch – Supply list for the project can be picked up at the September meeting. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
Sheryl Goddard & Angela Smith (Newcomers co-chairs)
community service
handmade hugs
Handmade Hugs is celebrating the 10th anniversary! Started by Maryann Conner in 2016, after inspiration from a sermon about Foster Kids, she wanted to do something impactful for the community. Thank you Maryann!
Sixteen of us met on the first Saturday of August to work non-stop on making backings from a bounty of fabric donated by Judy McCarson. All told, we estimate she donated about 40-50 bolts worth of fabric! So far, 93 3-yard kits have been made, about 30 backings and there is still fabric to go! To thank Judy for her generous contribution, we made a lap quilt and had many Handmade Hugs and Guild members sign it with wonderful sayings about quilts and giving. Faith Chaney, Georgia Lindsey and Mary Ellen Coe presented it to Judy in mid-August after Dede Erceg quilted it for us. Thanks everyone who contributes to Handmade Hugs – our hug for our neighbors in the community.
In August, we donated 30 burp cloths and 15 receiving blankets to the Birthing Center, and 8 quilts each to the Prescott Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Prescott Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Our next meeting is Saturday, September 5 at the Stoneridge Community Center at 9am.
ways & means
opportunity quilt
Yavapai County Fair Instructions If you signed up to sell opportunity quilt tickets at the Yavapai County Fair and find that you cannot do this as you had planned, please call Carol Grimes ASAP. You will need a wristband to get free admission to the Yavapai County Fair. You can pick yours up from Suzy Davidson at the rodeo grounds on the dates below. Be sure to go to the Freeman building (NOT the rodeo office) behind the grandstand. Monday 8/31/26 at check-in of items for judging (12-8 pm) Tuesday 9/1/26 (9 am-4 pm). Wednesday 9/2/26, Thursday 9/3/26, Friday 9/4/26, also at the Freeman building from 9am-2pm. If you absolutely cannot make it to the rodeo grounds on one of these days, special arrangements can be made during the following week. Call Carol Grimes to find out how to arrange this. Free parking for volunteers at the fair will be at the volunteer lot off Gale Gardner.
retreat lite
ATTENTION ALL SEWISTS! ATTENTION ALL CREATORS!
It is time once again to sign up and pay your registration for RETREAT LITE – FALL 2026. Jamie Davis will be taking sign ups at the September General Membership meeting on Monday, September 14th. Here are the details (although they rarely even change):
WHAT: A two-day retreat offered to all TBQ members. The retreat is an opportunity to create together with other TBQ members.
WHEN: Thursday and Friday, October 22nd and 23rd from 8:40-4:30 daily.
WHERE: Trinity Presbyterian Church located in Prescott.
HOW: Registration for the two-days remains $15.00 per person. There are spaces for twenty-four sewists. You provide your own sewing/creating materials and we’ll provide the space.
As in the past, this remains a no-frills retreat. You must provide your own lunch, your own drinks, and we ask that you bring a munchie item to share. We will provide cutting and ironing stations as well as surge protectors and extension cords.
Registrations will be taken until all spaces are taken. We will also make a “waitlist” as sometimes our members have things come up and need to cancel. If you have any questions, please reach out to either Dana Swain or Jamie Davis.
President’s Pillow Challenge
100 Pillows…..100 Winners!! Lots of Fun!
For this year’s President’s Challenge, we would love for everyone in the guild to make one 20″ × 20″ pillow cover to donate for our 2027 Quilt Show! Participation is encouraged, but certainly not required.
We think this will be a fun way to thank our quilt show visitors for attending, while also raising money for the guild to help fund our speakers, programs, and other special events.
The Challenge
Make one finished 20″ × 20″ pillow cover.
Just the pillow cover, not the insert. We will have them available for winners to purchase if they want.
That’s really the only rule!
Your pillow should include:
Pillow Top (Front)
Block or other design for the front
Layer of batting
A lining
Pillow Back
Zipper encloser back
Follow this tutorial for a simple zipper enclosure:
Follow this tutorial for a simple zipper enclosure:
FYI – This video is not for a 20×20 pillow so you will need to adjust your measurements.
What Can I Make?
Anything goes!
This is a great opportunity to have some fun and use what you already have. You could:
Use an orphan quilt block
Make a favorite quilt block
Make a holiday or seasonal pillow
Use embroidery or appliqué
Turn a class project into a pillow
Ready to Turn It In?
Bring your finished pillow cover to any guild meeting and look for the Pillow Donation Box!
You can turn them in anytime—no need to wait until the quilt show gets closer.
We can’t wait to see what everyone creates. If every member makes just one, imagine the wonderful assortment of pillows we’ll have to raffle at the show!
Thank you for helping make our ‘2027 Raven About Quilts’ Show extra special!
9:30 Annual July Party Meeting called to order by Deb Johnson Treasurer’s Report: New budget set beginning 7/1/27: Please turn in receipts for any pending receipts now. Membership: Please pick up new directories at the membership table today. June meeting minutes approval: Motion for approval by Cathy Day, seconded by Zoe Charon. Motion approved. Ways and Means: Please pick-up tickets for the Opportunity Quilt. So far ticket sales total $793.00. showings at the Yavapai County Fair August 10-13. Staffing slots still need to be filled. A photo of the quilt is available for members to bring to small group or club meetings they may attend. Workshops: August 11- Precise piecing . Fee is $35. Limited to 20 participants. Bring fabric and sewing machine. In September, Gina Perks will present a “Quilt As You Go” class. In October Colourwerks will present an applique stitch class. Cathy Day: Marketplace Make-it-day is tomorrow at Trinity Presbyterian Church to make items for the Quilt Show Marketplace. Bring sewing machines and thread. Projects are set up to work on. Everyone is invited. TBQG Executive committee: Deb Johnson called for the vote to elect the new 2026 TBQ Executive Committee. The slate of officers presented in May were unanimously elected. Our new officers are:
Karen Eades and Kathy Spry – Co-Presidents Erin Sullivan – Vice-President Judith Dobke – Treasurer Nancy Lande – Secretary
Kay Wentworth inducted the new officers present. Erin and Kathy will be inducted in August. Quilt show: Carrie Casto presented Member’s Challenge: Make a quilt with a circumference of 100 inches. Theme is a Raven. Quilt must have 6 inches of ribbon, one button, and one item from your garden (ie: a leaf). Due May 10, 2026. See TBQG website for details. The business meeting was adjourned, followed 2026 TBQ Birthday lunch and celebration. A fun game of Bingo was played by the membership followed by a buffet luncheon.
Respectfully submitted by Nancy Landy, Recording Secretary
What a great start to our new guild year. The July party to celebrate the guilds 41 st birthday and our nation’s 250 th anniversary was so much fun. What a great job the committee did putting together and running the event. The food, decorations, bingo and company made for a nice event. Our thanks to all who volunteered to put this together. During the party, everyone was given instructions for the 2027 Quilt Show Challenge. We are looking forward to seeing how everyone will incorporate the raven and other required items in your quilt.
A big thank you to Kay Wentworth for officiating the swearing in of our new board members Kathy and Erin, who were unable to attend, will be sworn in during the August meeting. We will make sure to introduce all of the new committee leads at the meeting too.
If you haven’t already, be sure to get with Carol Grimes to pickup your opportunity quilt tickets. The opportunity quilt is such an important part of our fundraising efforts and who wouldn’t want to win such a beautiful piece.
We are looking forward to this new year and getting to meet all of our members.
Karen Eads & Kathy Spry, Co-Presidents
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.
August hostesses are Carol Grimes, Chris Sommerfelt, Kathleen Spry, Barbara Stein, Nancy Stewart, Laura Stone, Erin Sullivan, Sally Thomas, Sue Weisshaupt. Kay Wentworth, and Kristine White.
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 August birthdays to Kathleen Semerau, Shirlee Smith, Janyce Waldbaum, Lola Dyroy, Nancy Stewart, Carolyn Wright, Dana Swain, Linda Morriston, Molly Burleigh, Lorin Franco, Vickie Sawyer, Joy Swartz, Georgia Lindsey, Kristy Nichols, Jeanie Braheme, Genny Kerutis, and Patty McClearn.
ways & means
Opportunity Quilt
Update for July
We have passed our first thousand in sales – woohoo! However, this revenue includes a substantial portion from the Mountain Top quilt show, so we need to keep up our efforts on non-quilt show months. If you haven’t taken tickets to sell already, please consider selling even 2 packs, Of course, more will be appreciated.
For the Yavapai County Fair, I still need 1 person for:
