Monthly News: Co-Presidents Message, September 2026

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

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

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 10^th 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

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:

How to install a designer zipper

-OR-

• Envelope style back

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!

Karen & Kathy
Co-Presidents — The Special K Team

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.