Zoom - Anne MacDonald -

For November, after the Zoom business meeting, we hope to move members into some zoom mini-groups to provide an opportunity to chat further with fellow members and will be providing further details with the zoom links and at the meeting.

If you would like some help to be able to join future meetings, please feel free to contact Anne MacDonald via email (annemacd8250@gmail.com) or via the cell phone number listed in the directory.  In order to participate in a Zoom meeting with video, all you need is a computer (desktop or laptop), a tablet or smartphone.  If you would like to just hear the meeting, with no video, it is possible to just call in.  We look forward to staying connected despite the limits on gathering.  Please join us for our next meeting and don’t be shy about asking for a little help if it keeps you connected!

Membership-Carol Sterk -

Hi Everyone,

As of this writing, 169 people have signed up for NSQG membership for 2020-2021.  Thank you for your ongoing commitment to and support of the guild as we forge ahead in the midst of the ongoing pandemic!

Membership Directory News

Later this week, you will be receiving an email including the first draft of the NSQG Membership Directory for 2020-2021.  Since there won’t be an opportunity for you to check your information in person, we are asking you to please notify us at membership@northernstarquilters.com of any changes or corrections that need to be made.  The deadline for changes to be submitted is Sunday, November 8th. Our goal is to have the online version of the directory available to you on or before the November guild meeting and the hard copy ready for pick up in early December.

Postage Stamp Photo Gallery Update 

The membership committee has received very positive feedback in response to our postage stamp photo project. So far, 68 members have sent in their photos.  Joanne Visovsky will continue to collect pictures from those members who would like to participate throughout the coming months and will periodically add them to the online directory. 

There are a variety of options:

  • Send in your favorite recent picture of yourself
  • Send us a picture taken at a special event (birthday, graduation, wedding, etc.)
  • Get together with your quilting friends. You can take turns snapping pictures of each other.
  • Use a professional photo
  • Try a selfie!

*Note:  photos will be cropped to include face only

How to Send Your Photo

*Please note:  WE ARE NOT PUTTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION on social media or the NSQG website.

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving!
Carol Sterk, membership@northernstarquilters.com

Charitable Activities - Dee Plouffe -

Comfort Quilts

Comfort Quilts has another ‘Mini CQ’  on November 4th at the NSVAC.

Contact charitable@northernstarquilters.com for any information.

2021 Raffle Quilt

I’d like to thank Pat Julian, newsletter editor, for the Village Squares Quilters, for offering to help their sister Guild, NSQG, in selling our 2021 Quilt raffle tickets.  In the Village Squares Quilters newsletter, she will post a picture of Grand Prize, Painted Prism, and First Prize, a Bernina sewing machine donated by Pins and Needles of Mount Kisco.

Thanks to the members of Village Squares Quilters for helping us support the charity SHORE/ I CARE.

For some background information about SHORE / I CARE, read an interview with Pierre Poux, one of the founders, HERE.

Don’t forget you can purchase raffle tickets online HERE.

Dee Plouffe, charitable@northernstarquilters.com

Join the ArtsWestchester Matching Fund Challenge!

We are pleased to announce a new opportunity for the Guild to receive funding for our on-going programs.   For the past two years ArtsWestchester, as part of their Arts Alive Grant Program, has generously given the Guild grants to help support our speaker program ($1,500 in 2019 and $2,500 in 2020).  To us, it is recognition of the fact that quilting is an art.  Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ArtsWestchester will not be receiving any funding to award grants this year.

However, they recently received additional funds from Westchester County for another program, the Art$Westchester Challenge, that we previously were not eligible for.  This is good news; it has allowed them to expand the program so it will now include our Guild.  We are excited that we have the chance to receive additional funds for next year, as money is tight.

The Board has been working on several ideas of how we can provide our members with additional programs or events to make up for our inability to hold our regular meetings.  We are tossing around ideas such as a spring event (similar to, if not bigger than, the successful one we held in October) or adding a speaker in June (the chance of holding our Salad Supper does not look good).  These all cost money and additional funds would help us to do this.

Here is how the challenge works:  For every new or increased donation to the guild, ArtsWestchester will match the donation amount dollar-for-dollar.  So if you donate $25 to the Guild, we will receive another $25 from ArtsWestchester.  If you have donated to the Guild in the past, please note the match will only apply to any increased amount of your donation.

The challenge runs until December 31, 2020; however funds are limited – so the sooner we submit our request for matching funds, the better chance we will have that they do not run out of money.

Payment instructions for checks or pay by credit card
You will also be asked to fill out a verification form that we will need to send to ArtsWestchester to receive the matching Challenge money.

Here is the actual donate link specification if needed:
NSQG.formstack.com/forms/nsqg_creditcard_payment_artswestchester
And you can also donate via the Donate button on our website home page:  www.northernstarquilters.com.

Please help!  Feel free to pass this information along so friends and family can help us as well!

Susan Fasnacht,  Ex-Officio

Challenge Quilts - April Russell -

Hello Fellow Quilters!

I hope this News Letter finds you all well.  The chill is in the air indicating yet more changes.  I for one, am happy to move into the last quarter of  2020.  With most of my outdoor chores complete I am planning a very quilty fall and winter.

I am working out the details on a platform to hold the voting on the 2020 Challenge.  Something that will best serve us all.  One that will enable us to appreciate and respect the hard work that went into the making of each quilt so that we can vote confidently.  It is still top secret so the details will follow.

Don’t forget about the 2021 Challenge: Put a Heart on It.  Several people reached out with questions and said they are working on one.  Recently I spoke to a few members who already have it done! yikes!   The details of when and how I will collect them has yet to be decided.   I could certainly collect them as usual by setting a “drop off” point or points.  People use the buddy system already if they can’t make the February meeting.  Or, they can mail it.  I got a couple that way the past couple of years.  I have some ideas on the voting for 2021 as well.

Some fun is planned for the January and February meetings.   There is a little bit of something for everyone.  I hope we can all enjoy these demos and learn something while still being able to support our local quilt shops in these every changing times.

Your Activities Liaison, April

And Some Treats -

– An article about Donna Chambers career:   https://www.riogrande.com/article?name=DonnaChambersInterview

– Mary Cannizzaro was Yankee Quilters’ guest on Facebook Live talking about her book:  https://www.facebook.com/events/3384747964938971/

– Roni Gerhardt – I made this jacket to wear when I would go vote. We voted by mail, so I decided instead to send it to my local Congresswoman Jahana Hayes.  She is recovering from Covid.  Sadly, she didn’t get it, but I have hope she will soon.  I added the words Good Trouble for John Lewis, We are better than this for Elijah Cummings, and RBG for Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Programs - Linda Stern -

Keep up with our lecture and workshop lineup for the season.

Zoom links will be sent out a couple days beforehand,  links for those lectures that can be recorded will be sent out a couple days after.

Linda Stern, programs@northernstarquiltersguild.com

Upcoming Workshop

WORKSHOP NOW FULL

MERILL COMEAU
NOVEMBER 18
“Stitched Collage”
6hrs – online
Students will be challenged to experiment and try new fabrics and stitch techniques while creating a collage expressing symbolic self-representation drawing from memory, experience, and/or hopes for the future. This workshop will include quick writing exercises to prompt self-reflection, a brief period of investigation, interactive visual brainstorming, individual studio time to create, and a group ‘show and tell’ gathering to conclude the day. Merill will provide a demonstration of collage techniques, expressive stitch, and creative use of repurposed fabrics. Concepts of two-dimensional design will be reviewed and incorporated throughout the day.  This workshop is designed with an understanding that access to materials outside the home may be limited. Suggested project size is approximately 12×12 inches.  A tools/materials list and a short preparatory ‘homework’ assignment will be provided with registration confirmation.

 The cost of a workshop is $50.00, non-members are welcome (based on availability) for a fee of $70.

Please be sure your membership is up-to-date (you can renew here) before registering as a member for a workshop.

To signup and pay via credit card: click here.
or
To signup and pay by check:  email programs@northernstarquilters.com with your workshop choice and mail your check (payable to Northern Star Quilters’ Guild):  Linda Stern, 26 Lake Drive, Somers, NY 10589

Class confirmation and supply list will be emailed when payment is received.

Questions can be sent to programs@northernstarquilters.com.

Materials List for Students

  1. Preparation for introductions: you will introduce yourself to the group by presenting one patterned fabric and one solid color fabric that you feel symbolize you and tell us why you chose these fabrics.
  2. Fabrics for project:
  • bring lot of snippets of fabric that may vary from small (2” scrap) to largest being quarter of a yard
  • select a range of colors and patterns, try to include variety
  • include a bit of every color in the rainbow and a bit of black and white
  • some fabric should be salvaged from discarded clothing or linens (if possible) and try and include fabrics that hold meaning and/or memory for you
  • one piece of fabric should be 12×12 square, this will be the base for your project
  • if possible, include some sheer fabrics: organza, lace, cheese cloth
  1. Tools:
  • scissors
  • pins (straight or safety – your preference)
  • needles
  • thread – you may use sewing thread and/or embroidery thread
  • thimble and hoop (optional)
  • adhesive such as tacky glue or fabric glue (optional)
  1. Please have paper and writing utensil for short exercise

Member Notices:

(Members may request one brief personal posting per season, listed for the month, about selling quilt related items or information they believe may be of special quilting interest to the guild.)

Nancy Mirman wants to let members know about the Fiber Arts NorthEast Exhibit Nov 2-27 at the Field Gallery, Peekskill, NY.

Whether you’re a new or renewing member, check out our Buddy Program if you would like a ‘buddy’ to show you the ropes around the guild.

If you know any member of the guild who is in need of a little ‘sunshine’ for illness, sympathy, or any other reason, please contact secretary@northernstarquilters.com so the guild can send a card.

Requests on how to make a donation to the guild to honor a member or support an activity are occasionally received. Such requests may now be accomplished via our website, where we have set up a Donate box on our home page, click on Make a Donation.

Guild policies are available for member review at the library table or by request to the secretary@northernstarquilters.com.

– Send Guild newsletter updates and photos as well as info on local quilt activities and shows to news@northernstarquilters.com and photos for Instagram and Facebook are always welcome at social@northernstarquilters.com.

– Follow and Share NSQG activities on Facebook  and Instagram   –   @northernstarquilters

Area Quilt Shows

Area Quilt Shops