If you would like you can make a stocking for Emily’s Place or the Manchester Animal Shelter. Emily’s place has 18 residents at all times; can we come up with 18 stockings for children and 18 stockings for women? If you don’t want to make a stocking you are welcome to bring some items to help fill them.

This is the suggested list of items for the Emily’s Place stockings.

Children: small games and toys from the $1 store, puzzles, crayons, card games such as go fish, rummy, old maid, activity books, socks, mittens and hats.

Women: socks, slipper socks, gloves, scarves, Bath oils, nail polish, makeup, bubble bath, small $ gift cards, manicure kits, hair brushes, nice lotions things that would make them feel special that they would not buy for themselves on a limited budget.

If you prefer you can fill a stocking for the Animal shelter their wish list includes:

Cat Supplies: Non-clumping cat litter, Wet food, Kitten milk formula (KMR), baby food (Poultry varieties), Cat brushes and combs

Dog Supplies: Large and small biscuits, Leashes, Kongs,

Medical Supplies: Hand Sanitizer, Q-tips

September 16th is  this Friday night and Cathy Bowen has quite the program.  While you are waiting to check in, the program committee will be passing out some items to you. You will receive a Scavenger Bingo Card and all those that are participating in the show ‘n tell theme (First Quilt, Last Quilt or something in that range) will receive an ABC Show N Tell Flash Card. Your Flash Card will tell you when it is your turn for show ‘n tell.

As soon as you are checked in, you can start playing Scavenger Bingo. In each block on your card there will be a description like, “is wearing socks,” and you have to find someone who matches that description and write their name in the block. You can only use someone’s name once. You will have time to play  before the meeting and during the break—there will be some awesome prizes.

Your board has been looking for a larger space for our meetings with no luck this summer… and because of that we are going to try having the meeting in two areas this month. Grace church has agreed to let us use the main part of the church for our meetings as well as the great hall so the membership table and seating will be in the church (come in through the same entrance doors as always) with hospitality, library and marketing in the great hall.

Say hello to all our new members and guests while at the meeting. Keep in mind that we will have new members attending this meeting for the first time – let’s show them our friendly faces by greeting everyone--those we recognize and especially those we do not.

Doors will open at 6:45 to greet all of you. Membership needs that time to set up to properly welcome you all back. Speaking of membership – the membership committee would love to have you join their team – see any of the ladies at the meeting if you are interested.

We have some exciting programs and workshops for you this year.

Upcoming workshops include Hope Diamond with Sue Pelland, Hands on Demo Day, Making Tracks with Debbie Caffrey and lots of others. Take advantage of these workshops – it is one of your guild benefits. More details will be available in the September newsletter and at this meeting.

Have you renewed your membership? Attached to this note is the membership form that is also available on our website. …so have the completed form and your check for $25 all set to hand into membership at this meeting.

We had a wonderful time at Fall Retreat. Everyone was very pleased with our new space at BCH, lighting was excellent and the weather was on our side. The fortysix participants are already looking forward to Fall retreat next year (Sept 6-9, 2012) We are still putting the final numbers together for our winter retreat and hope to be able to take reservations at this meeting. Our winter retreat will be January 26-29 at Franciscan Guest House located in Kennebunk, ME. It is about 1.5 hr ride from Manchester. Space is limited and we hope to be ready to take your deposits at this meeting. Prices will be in range of $160 to $300 depending on stay and occupancy. –

Ask anyone who has recently attended one of our retreats – these are highly recommended.

The six inch fabric square raffle has always been popular and will start with our September meeting.

You have to figure out the color or type of fabric from the movie clue. For each carefully cut 6” square you will receive one raffle ticket from the lovely ladies at the membership table. If you need a hint – just let Heidi Babb know at aqg.newsletter@amoskeagqg.org

September – Old Mr. Celie, Squeak and Shug in 1985.  (from the movie, "Color Purple")

Quilted Gift workshop is September 17 - Dan Richmond will be opening up the lab/classroom at the Salter School of Nursing to anyone who wishes to come and put together a quilt for a good cause. It will be open at 10am and available until 4pm or you are ready to leave whichever comes first.

Hand Piecing Group – first meeting September 23, 2011

The hand piecing group is open to any guild member interested in hand piecing. We are kicking off the group with a project from a book called, “The Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilt” by Laurie Aaron Hird. This book contains letters from 1920’s farm wives and the 111 blocks they inspired. As a group project I envision each of us making our own quilts but swapping the templates for each block.

Some have already started making the templates, cutting out their fabric and sewing but there are others that are waiting for our first meeting in September to figure out how we can share ideas on fabric choice, template sharing etc. There are also others who will not be working on the project but are welcome to come to sit and sew.

We will be meeting the 4th Friday of each month September through May in the evenings at the Salter School of Nursing located at 60 Rogers Street in Manchester—our first get together is scheduled for September 23 at 7pm.

I have started a yahoo group open to guild members only. The group name is AQG_HPG—if you haven’t received an invite and you are interested you can request membership through yahoo groups or send me an email at AQG.HPG@amoskeagqg.org

Directions to the Salter School of Nursing 60 Rogers Street in Manchester. From Elm Street – turn onto Valley Street (a few blocks south of the Verizon Center) and follow it up the hill to Beech Street. Take a right on Beech and then a left onto Hayward, then a block or so to a right onto Rogers Street. The school is on the right in an old mill building.

See you all at the meeting.

Remember for meeting:

• Completed renewal form for membership

• Check book for workshops and retreat deposits

• 6” fabric square based on movie hint

• First and Last quilt for Show ‘n tell

• Please wear a nametag

• Bring a friend

• Let’s go green – please bring your own cup

• Your board will be providing the refreshments this month so if you are a board member – remember to bring in a savory or sweet

• A smile

• A warm hello to new and familiar faces

One of our founding members recently passed away and was remembered with a moment of silence at the June banquet.  Sally Wirth was part of the original 13 who got together in the spring of 1988 to form what we know as Amoskeag Quilters Guild.  She was an active member of the guild until she moved to Tucson, AZ in 2003 to be close to her parents, sisters, nieces and nephews.  Her son Derek still lives with his children in the Manchester area.  Many members knew Sally—she visited NH quite often and did attend several of our recent quilt shows.  She will be missed.

All incoming and outgoing chairs should attend this transition meeting if not to pass on your notes and knowledge than to answer any questions the new/old board may have. 

The board is considering moving all our business meetings to the Salter School of Nursing which would result in a substantial savings for the guild.  In order for the board to make an informed decision we have arranged for the July business meeting to be held at the School.  This meeting will be held on July 15 and will begin at 7:15PM.

Mary Will Sussman, our new president, will be unable to attend this meeting.  Bettie Valentine as Vice-President will preside at the meeting.