Member News & Notes...
- The October issue of ''Patchwork" is now posted under the Newsletter menu tab.
- President's Challenge:
Click here for description and rules of the Safe At Home ''Value of Friendship" challenge. - CQA News from Director, Irene Lafleche: With the cancellation of Quilt Canada in Edmonton this year, we were unable to hold workshops, have speakers, a market mall, nor display guild challenges. Also, we could not put on a National Juried Show and other concurrent shows. With the introduction of a new website we have been able to assemble a virtual gallery of the concurrent shows and challenges and they will be displayed starting on October 1, 2020. The first challenge to be displayed will be the TrendTex Challenge. You will be able to see the three top winners and Judges' Choices, plus vote for your favourite. The Viewer's Choice award winner will be announced in our November e-newsletter. Check out the virtual gallery starting October 1 running for two weeks at www.canadianquilter.com. It is customary for us to auction the TrendTex entries with proceeds going to the Canadian Quilters Association. This year, more than ever, without having a Conference, we are relying on these funds for the operation of this organization. You will have an opportunity to help us as well as own one or several of the 76 entries through this online auction. Bidding will start October 19 at 7:00am EDT and all bids will close October 25 at 5:00pm EDT. Feel free to preview the fabulous entries now. To check out CQA's online auction, click on this link to take you directly to our online auction site. If you wish to make a reserve bid, please contact me at directoratlarge@canadianquilter.com.
Please note some Important Changes we are observing during Covid-19:
The second Guild meeting of the 2020-2021 year will be held on the morning of October 1st. You must pre-register in order to attend.
Guild members will receive an email with instructions and a link to a registration website a few days prior to the meeting. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation of a 'ticket' to attend. If, after registering, you become unable to attend, please use the same process to cancel your registration. Registration will close at noon the day before the meeting.
The Guild Membership Form must be completed and returned, together with a cheque for membership dues ($30), either by mail or dropped into the membership box at a Guild meeting. Membership fees must be paid by the extended deadline of November 30th. Please note that existing members are required to complete this form as well as Newcomers to the Guild.
If you are new to the Guild and wish to attend a meeting, please contact the Newcomers' Committee Head. We look forward to welcoming new members.
Further revised practises will be posted here or in upcoming Newsletters.
Our Guild...
Our History
VSSQ began in 1986 as a group called Silver Star Quilting Squares after a quilting enthusiast put an ad in the local paper asking if anyone was interested in quilting. From an initial handful, we have grown to nearly 200 members. In 1999 the name of the group changed to Vernon Silver Star Quilters.
Our Focus
The Guild's main focus is to promote quilting through literature, workshops, seminars, demonstrations and quilt shows. We also provide community services by donations of quilts, donations to other charities, and by arranging requested displays. We are a diverse group, coming from all parts of the world, with a common interest in quilting and fabric!
Meetings
(Please note that we are observing some changes to the following during Covid-19. Please contact us to enquire.) Vernon Silver Star Quilters meet from September through June on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:00 at Grace Bible Church, 5661 Silver Star Road. Current annual membership is $30.00. Meetings are a great time to catch up with friends, make new ones and learn new things. The first meeting of the month is our business meeting, with a break for coffee, goodies and visiting, followed by members' Show and Tell. The second meeting is more informal and is generally a few announcements, coffee and then a trunk show, workshop, or demonstration, followed by Show and Tell. If you would like to come to any meeting, feel free to join us and mention that you are a Newcomer. Someone will be assigned to you to make you feel welcome and introduce you to some of our Guild activities and benefits.
Guild Attractions
VSSQ offers its members various workshops, guest speakers, teachers, trunk shows, demos and two retreats each year. We have a lending library with a extensive selection of books, patterns, rulers and magazines. There are social days, road trips, pot lucks and a variety of subgroups. (See more under Organization.)
Some years ago the Guild instituted a very successful initiative called Newcomers. New members are assigned a Member of Long Standing (MLS'r) who helps the newcomer feel comfortable in our large group and who answers any questions about the functioning of the Guild. The Newcomers group is very active and has several functions throughout the Guild year.
Every third year the full Guild hosts a large quilt show. Legacy of Quilts X was held September 27th and 28th, 2019 at the Vernon Recreation Centre. Thank you to all our visitors, members, merchants, and guest singer Jana Seale, for helping to make this Quilt Show so spectacular! We look forward to putting together the next show in September of 2022. See you there!