Heart in Hand

president’s message

Dear Thumb Butte Quilters,
First, a huge thank you to Helen Frost for her magical presentation! Helen, your “Magic Show” was nothing short of enchanting, and we all walked away with new tricks up our sleeves. I particularly enjoyed learning how to prepare fabric before cutting—who knew there was so much to consider? Although I usually only pre-wash my reds, I’m tempted to give Helen’s technique a try on all my fabrics. How about you all? Which of Helen’s hacks
was your favorite?

Now, let’s talk Quilt Show! The Quilt Show Committee is buzzing with excitement, and things are shaping up beautifully for a spectacular year. If you’re looking to dive in and be part of the action, we’d love to have you join us. We meet right after the Guild meeting, but fair warning—you might just leave with a new assignment in hand!

Next month, I’ll be multitasking as both the meeting facilitator and presenter. Yes, I’m double-dipping with a “Trunk Show” presentation focused on preserving and passing on our beloved hand-making traditions. I’m passionate about keeping these crafts alive, and I hope to inspire you all to do the same.
But that’s not all! I’m also thrilled to announce that I’ll be teaching a class on making the Big Pocket Apron—“Nana and Me” style. Whether you’re making it for yourself, or as a gift for your favorite little helper, this apron is sure to be a hit. The class will be on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 from 9:00 to 4:00 at Trinity Presbyterian Church located at 630 Park Ave, Prescott, 86303. Come and join the fun.

As the weather begins to cool (or maybe not quite yet!), it’s always the perfect time to sew. Whether you’re finishing up some WIPs or starting a new keep that creativity flowing!

Finally, don’t forget to check out the TBQG website. It’s packed with valuable information, forms, past and future activities, Show and Tell pictures, and so much more. There’s always something new to discover!

Wishing you a month full of inspiration and stitches!

Warm regards,
Coco Alaniz, President

membership

We had 3 new members join the guild at the August meeting! Give a big welcome to Grethen Delaney, Raene Kinion and Iris Lacey!

The membership committee has been working hard to finalize the directory and fingers crossed that they will be available for pickup at the September meeting. See you then!

Dawnell Muecke, Alicia Czuzak and Shelli Leffert – Co-Chairs

hostesses

September hostesses are: Kristy Nichols, Cheryl Peterman, Sharla Peterson, Sally Plummer, Joan Powers, Edythe Pries, Mary Quindry, Annette Raithel, Ann Ramsey, and Lynda Royce.

If you cannot attend the meeting, when it is your turn to be a hostess by bringing a treat, please arrange to trade with someone. Plan to arrive early for setup and stay for cleanup.

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 Jessica Bodnicki, Sari Butler, Trish Charity, Sheryl Goddard, Terry Grenier, Liz Hart, Nancy Lande, Joan McGivern, Barbara Merkel, Lynda Royce, Pauline Singleton, Chris Sommerfelt, Kristine White, and Mary Turley

community service

Adult Center Quilt Display

TBQ has a new display of quilts at the Prescott Adult Center. The theme is Southwest quilts. Once again, the public is in awe of the workmanship of our members. The quilts range from traditional to whimsical and demonstrate a variety of quilt techniques. If you can, stop by the Adult Center at 1280B E. Rosser St. and bring a friend or two!

Maryann Conner, Chair

“Route 66” by Sue Weisshaupt This wonderful quilt brings to mind the beautiful landscape offered on Route 66. This was a birthday gift for Sue’s husband.

“Petroglyph Quilt” by Martha Ferreira Martha has always been fascinated by petroglyphs. Their ability to tell a story in just a few pictures and the fact they’ve survived all these years. This quilt is in honor of the cultures that created them. The middle four are the moon signs for my husband, each of my daughters, and Martha. Hand embroidered and hand quilted by Martha.

“Live Oak Cactus” by Cheryl Giovenco This is from a pattern called Mod Cactus. The side blocks are from a Thumb Butte Quilt Guild block exchange challenge in 2022.

“Cowboy Scrapbook” by Lorraine Owen This quilt was inspired by the Amy Bradley face designs, but Lorraine added her own cowgirl flare to it. This quilt was 1 of 100 quilts that traveled to Tucson, Sedona and the Sharlot Hall Museum for the Arizona Centennial Celebration.

“Cactus in a Pot” by Anne Marston This darling quilt was made from a workshop with Emily Taylor.

“Scrappy Coyote Lune” by Karen Varela When she moved to Prescott, the first thing she wanted to do was a Southwest-style quilt. The coyote howling at the moon is very iconic and so that’s why she chose this. She loves doing scrappy-type quilts.

“Desert Spiral” by Suzy Davidson Suzy participated in a Block of the Month challenge in 2023 and this is spectacular result!

“A Few of My Favorite Things in Arizona” by Lorrain Owen Lorraine spent many wonderful days on trailrides with her horse-loving friends and decided to design a quilt with a few of the sights she encountered. We are so glad she shared them with this whimsical quilt.

“Indian Women” by Pat Noel Pat acquired a group of Indian Women panels and didn’t want to make them into pillows so she played around with color and the sashing to make them into a quilt.

“Arizona Highways” by Jeanne Corrigan This quilt was made from a J. Michelle Watts pattern inspired by the beauty of the southwest. It’s a bold collection of geometric designs assembled in rows.

Helen Frost – Magic Trunk Show

August 13 – Helen Frost “Techniques for Ripple Free Borders and Bindings”

General Meeting Minutes – August 12, 2024

9:00 General meeting opens with hospitality time.

9:33 President CoCo Alaniz calls the General Meeting to order
A special welcome to our speaker Helen Frost and to the Chino Valley Quilters and their stunning opportunity quilt.

Dana Swain – “Retreat Lite” Report

September 30-October 1; 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; $15.00; 24 slots open.
Sign-ups currently being taken ~ see Dana.

Alicia Czuzak – Membership Report

Visitors welcomed and introduced.
Please be sure to double-check the membership roster for accuracy. New directories will be handed out in September to our members.

Jamie Davis – Handmade Hugs Report

In the past year, 998 items were made and donated by our members.
Next Handmade Hugs session will be held at the Stoneridge Community Center on Saturday, Sept. 7th from 9:00 to 12:00 ~ all are encouraged to participate.

Requesting donations of flannel fabrics in three-yard cuts which will be used to make a quilt top and back and matching burp cloth.

Sidenote: Jamie is collecting empty bags of candy (large size) to make zipper bags for the Quilt Show. Please collect and get them to her at a future meeting.

MaryAnn Conner – Community Quilts/Adult Center Report

Currently seeking Southwest-themed quilts to hang in the Adult Center. We still need six large and 1 medium-sized quilts. Please contact MaryAnn.

Mary Ellen Coe & Georgia Lindsey – Newcomers Report

Newcomers Group is welcome to all who are interested in learning more about our guild and to help our newcomers build friendship with other guild members.

Meetings will focus on projects and visits to local quilt shops.

Meetings are set for the fourth Tuesday of the month. Next meeting is August 27th at Prescott Quilt Works.

Deb Johnson – Programs Report

Today’s presenter will be Helen Frost, and her presentation is entitled “A Quilters’ Magic Show.”

September presenter: CoCo Alaniz’s Trunk show

October presenter: Heidi Pridemore

Kathleen Bond – Workshops Report

Tuesday, August 13th: Helen Frost will teach a “Beautiful Bindings” workshop. Kit $10.00 and workshop fee $35.00. 9:00 to 4:00 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott. A few spots are still open. See Kathleen to sign up.

Tuesday, September 10th: Coco Alaniz will teach her Nana Big-Styler Apron pattern. The pattern costs $8.00 and the workshop fee $35.00. See website for supply list.

Tuesday, October 15th: Heidi Pridemore will teach “Rippling Waves” a curved seams technique workshop. The pattern cost $14.00; optional kits and ruler for sale; Workshop cost $35.00.

Speaker: Helen Frost presented her tricks for better quilts program

Liz Hart – Ways and Means Report

Our Opportunity Quilt will be shown at the Yavapai County Fair on September 5th-8th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM at night. Please sign up for a 2-hour shift.

Opportunity Quilt tickets are available for purchase ~ see Liz.

Quilt Show pins are available for $5.00 each.

Break

President CoCo Alaniz – CoCo announced that the 2025 Quilt Show committee will meet directly after each general meeting until the show. You are all welcome to attend and take on an opportunity to help.

Deb Johnson – Programs

Please take a few minutes to complete an interest survey which will help her to set up programs for the coming year.

Sharon Harris – Friendship Groups

We want to encourage our members to join or start “Friendship Groups” which allow like-minded quilters to gather in small groups to advance their interests.

Sharon will be contacting current Friendship Groups to be sure our website is up to date with descriptions and contacts.

Please reach out to Sharon if you have an idea for a new friendship group.

Shirlee Smith – Block of the Month Report

The July/August pattern is a “Kaffe’s Kats” by Donna Jordan available on the guild’s website, online at Jordan Fabrics, or Shirlee can email the pattern to you.

Thirteen blocks were turned in today and Shirlee will take blocks again next month and hold a raffle then.

Shirlee reviewed that the Block of the Month will change every two months and PDF patterns will always be made available on the website.

Arleen Morris and Sheryl McLain – Birthday Drawing

Our members are encouraged to bring a gift to be raffled off during the general meeting on the month of their birthdays. Today fourteen gifts were raffled off.

Mary Vaughan – Show and Tell

Please line up, sign in, and share your talents and treasures.

11:35 Meeting adjourned by President CoCo Alaniz

Respectfully submitted,

Dana Swain, Guild Secretary

August 12, 2024

Monthly News – August 12, 2024

Dear TBQ Members,

Summer is upon us, and while there are so many activities to get involved in, many of us still prefer sewing and working on our WIP (Works in Progress), as well as starting new projects. The warmer months often inspire us to shop for fabric and notions, and some of us will even be hitting up garage and estate sales for those elusive great buys!

No matter how you spend your summer, don’t forget that August will bring us the wonderful Helen Frost. She will be teaching great techniques, including how to make ripple-free borders and great bindings.

Helen is also offering a class on Tuesday, August 13th, to share all her wonderful techniques. Don’t delay—let’s join her and then get busy on our WIP to exhibit at our Quilt Show.

See you all in August! And don’t forget to contact Kathleen Bond if you are interested in learning and brushing up on new techniques.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out.

Happy Quilting!
Socorro CoCo Alaniz, President

membership

We had 79 members attend the July party and 3 new members!

Give a big welcome to Kristy Nichols, Dawn Davidson and Ginny Belleci!

At the August meeting you will have 1 more opportunity to double check the information that will be printed in the directory and pay your 2024 membership dues before we go to print! You can expect your new directory and membership cards at the September meeting.

Dawnell Muecke, Chair

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, Sharon Luebkin, Lola Dyroy, Nancy Stewart, Dana Swain, Carolyn Seagraves-Wright, Linda Morriston, Melody Marino, Molly Haney-Burleigh, Vicki Sawyer, Joy Swartz, Georgia Lindsey, Patty McClearn, Jeanie Braheme, Maria Williams, Janyce Waldbaum, Linda Bagby, and Chris Campos.

retreat lite

“Retreat Lite” Returns!

Yes, back by popular demand, our “Retreat Lite” program has been set again for this fall, September 30th and October 1st. We will be meeting at a new location this fall ~ Trinity Presbyterian Church (630 Park Avenue, Prescott).

What? You haven’t heard about “Retreat Lite”? This program was fostered out of an interest expressed by our members to sit and sew together more often than just once a year at our spring 4-day retreat. Here’s the nitty-gritty on “Retreat Lite”:

Join with other Thumb Butte guild members and work on your projects in the company of your sisters-in-sew!
Monday, September 30th and Tuesday, October 1st from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
No frills ~ just bring your own machine, projects, and sewing tools and we’ll provide the cutting mats, rulers, and ironing stations.
Bring your own lunch and drinks.
NEW INFORMATION: Because the church has many groups that meet on the premises, your items cannot be fully secured overnight. Please plan to take your machines and/or other valuables home on Monday night.
The guild has extension cords and surge protectors to share. If you bring your own, please label them. As that goes, label anything that you bring that may be used by the community such as rulers or rotary cutters.
Due to limited electrical plugs in this facility, we cannot guarantee that you will have the ability to set up your own mini-irons at your workplace. There will, however, be plenty of plugs at the back of the room for irons.
If you’d like to, you may bring a treat to share with others. There is a refrigerator in our meeting room.

Registration for “Retreat Lite” will be taken from the first 24 members who sign up and pay their registration fee. Look for sign-ups at the August and September guild general meetings. The cost to participate is $15.00 which covers the cost of the room rental and some incidentals needed for the group such as starch and distilled water.

Questions? Please contact Dana Swain.

General Meeting Minutes – July 8, 2024

9:00 General meeting opens with socializing time and the Silent Auction begins.

9:30 President Angela calls the General Meeting to order.

Dawnell Muecke – Membership report: Two new members today; visitors welcomed and introduced.

Jamie Davis – Handmade Hugs report:
· Nearly 800 items have been made and donated this year.
· Compliments to a hard working quilt and bib assembly and quilting crew.
· Next meetings will be held at the Stoneridge Community Center on Saturday August 3rd and September 7th ~ all are welcome and encouraged to participate

Dana Swain – Retreat Lite program:
· Dates will be Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 1st, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
· Meeting place has changed to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott
· Sign ups for 24 spots will begin at the August General Meeting ~ cost $15.00

Liz Hart – Ways and Means report:· Reminders of today’s Silent Auction event to benefit the guild. Bids taken until 10:45.
· Quilt Show tickets are available for purchase ~ see Liz.

Kathleen Bond – Programs and Workshops:
· August 13th: Helen Frost will teach a “Beautiful Bindings” workshop. Kit $10.00 and workshop fee $35.00.
· September 10th: Coco Alaniz will teach her Nana Big-Style Apron pattern. The pattern cost $8.00 and the workshop fee $35.00. See website for supply list.
· October 15th: Heidi Pridemore will teach ”Rippling Waves, a curved seams technique workshop. Pattern cost $14.00; optional kits and ruler for sale; Workshop cost $35.00.

Shirlee Smith – Block of the Month:
· The July/August pattern is a “Kaffe’s Kats” by Donna Jordan available on the guild’s website, online at Jordan Fabrics, or Shirlee can email the pattern to you.

· Applique technique for the block is your choice.

Angela Smith – Show and Tell time provided to members.

Angela Smith – Presentations to the outgoing board members and committee leads.

Kay Wentworth – Presentations and Installation:
· Kay presented a bouquet to Angela in thanks for your tenure as our guild president
· Installation of board officers: Coco Alaniz, president; Deb Johnson, vice president; Claire Bell, treasurer, and Stephanie Fullerton & Dana Swain, co-secretaries/parliamentarians

Coco Alaniz – New Guild President accepted the gavel.
· Coco offered a short speech encouraging every member to participate in the Quilt Show.

Dawnell Muecke – President’s gift presentation:
· Outgoing president Angela Smith was presented with a beautiful red-white-and-blue quilt with a carrying tote which were signed by members in gratitude for her presidency.

10:02 Meeting was adjourned and the Annual TBQG Summer Birthday Party began.

Respectfully submitted,

Dana Swain, Guild Secretary