Author: TBQ

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.

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.

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

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

Our new quilts celebrating our country’s 250 th Anniversary are on display at the Adult Center.
While most of the quilts are red, white and blue, you’ll see several that are “traditional with a
twist.” The members whose quilts are on exhibit are: Kathleen Bond, Maryann Conner, Carolyn
Edwards, Carol Goldsmith, Barbara Merkel, Lorraine Owen, Barbara Stein and Joy Swartz. Their
participation in this celebration is greatly appreciated by the Prescott area community.
Bring your family and friends and stop by and see our mini quilt show at the Prescott Adult
Center on Rosser St.

Maryann Conner. Adult Center Chair

 Thanks to all who bought opportunity quilt tickets, or who took tickets to sell at our June meeting! We took in $165 that day, bringing the total made thus far to $602. More tickets will be available to check out in every meeting up until the quilt show in June 2027.