1.  Thanks to all who have registered quilts.   It’s going to be an amazing display! Quilt number labels and drop-off information letters should be received by the week prior to Dropoff, Saturday, April 27.  Contact Karen Carlson, registrar@northernstarquilters.com, with any questions.

2.  We still need volunteers – click HERE.  Please pitch in – there’s a job for everyone!  Specific volunteer job instructions will be sent to you by that area’s coordinator prior to the show. Any questions, contact the job coordinator or showvolunteers@northernstarquilters.com

3.  Bring your Raffle Baskets and any donated items to the April guild meeting.  Donations of empty baskets in good condition are welcome.   Contact Shelley Lounsbury, Rita Romeu or Kathy Tuttle with any questions.

4. Bring quilt and craft books (no magazines) for the quilt show book sale.   Contact Patricia Loquet with any questions.

Challenge Coordinator(s) –  Do you have an idea for the 2025 NSQG quilt challenge?   If your challenge is chosen by the board, you will be responsible for informing the members of the challenge, collecting the quilts in March, organizing the voting in April and displaying the challenge quilts with ribbons at the Quilt Show.  Share the job with a friend if desired.  Send your idea along with proposed rules and parameters for your suggestion to activities@northernstarquilters.com.

Super Saturday Coordinator(s) – Encourage members to teach at Super Saturday, make arrangements with the church in Yorktown, coordinate with the Hospitality about lunch and snacks.  This event takes place during February.  Share the job with a friend if desired. Willing to take on this activity?  Contact activities@northernstarquilters.com.

• Black and White Challenge
  Vote for your favorite Black and White Challenge quilt at the April 17^th Guild Meeting.
• Ugly Fabric Auction
  Last chance to bring in those ‘Ugly Fabrics’ for our May auction.
• September Lancaster AQS trip
  Bring a check and signup!  Check the details on our website Trip event page  or contact coordinator Christine Bunke, chrisme214@aol.com.
  
• Fall and Spring Mariandale Quilt Retreats
  Sign-up for the very popular Mariandale Quilt Retreats will start in May.  The Fall retreat will be Tuesday 11/5/24-Thursday 11/7/24. The Spring retreat will be Friday 3/21/25-Sunday 3/23/25.  Questions: Jody Sullivan jodysull@optonline.net.

NSQG Workshops

• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com

Click pic for video interview

Affirmation Quilts & Quilt Typography

Saturday, 9 March 2024
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET
Zoom link will be emailed to all members a few days before the event, no signup necessary.

Every NSQG member is invited to this free Zoom event during which we will learn about Nicole’s Affirmation Project and then explore different methods by which we can put text onto a quilt!
Review details and supply list HERE.

1.  Quilt registration is now open!  You can always find all the details on the NSQG website on how to register your quilt including which category to register under, when to drop off your quilt and more!  Remember your quilt does not need to be finished to register – just enough to send a picture and then you have until drop off on April 27 to complete. Contact Karen Carlson, registrar@northernstarquilters.com, with any questions.
Review quilt registration guidelines and register now.

2.  Volunteer sign-ups for the 2024 Quilt Show start Friday, March 1, 2024.  Details and signup link can also be found on the NSQG website.  Each member is expected to sign up for one or more shifts. Details about each volunteer job are included in the sign-up details. The show is only a success because of the volunteers!

3.  We will again have a raffle booth at the quilt show this year which so far includes 12 raffle baskets with varying themes and a Bernina 475 sewing machine donated by Lisa Alfonzetti of Pins and Needles.  Our themes include Welcome Baby, Baking, Travel to Quilt, Comfort Quilt Kit and Quilting Essentials, Pre-K Reading, Pillows by Karen Griska, Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder, Dog Lovers, Quilts and Cocktails, and Beads and Jewelry Making. The raffle basket committee would welcome any new offers of raffle baskets!  Each basket should contain new merchandise valued at least $100.  Baskets will be due by the April guild meeting.  All proceeds from the raffle booth will go to programs for our guild.  Donations of pre-owned empty baskets are welcome.   Please contact Shelley Lounsbury, Rita Romeu or Kathy Tuttle.

4.  Help Fill a Basket – Donations Needed!  Bring to guild meetings or Comfort Quilts.

• Narcita Medina is making a GLOBAL FABRICS basket and is looking for donations of ethnic fabric (1/4 yard minimum) to include in her collection.  Please label fabric with country of origin.
• Shelly Lounsbury is requesting NEW books (or like new) for ages 3-4, not board books, for the Pre-K Reading basket.   Please contact Shelly before donating to avoid duplicates.

5. I’m hoping many of you will be ‘spring cleaning’ and have lots of quilt and craft books and patterns to donate to the Quilt Show Book Sale. Questions?  Contact Patricia Loquet.

• Collections will take place at the March and April meetings.
• Donations will be accepted at Comfort Quilts as well
• We are NOT collecting magazines.
• Items must be clean, complete, in good condition, and odor free.
• Bring in boxes or sturdy reusable bags, NOT paper or plastic bags.

• Super Saturday
  Bring in your creations for Show n Tell.
• Black and White Challenge
  Due at the March meeting, please have a friend bring if you can’t make the meeting.  Contact coordinator Constanze Toplansky, constanze.toplansky@gmail.com.
• Ugly Fabric Auction
  May 15 – keep bringing in those ‘Ugly Fabrics’. You can review details on our website May Meeting page or contact our auctioneer, Linda Finegan, linfin612@gmail.com.
• Lancaster AQS trip
  Bring a check and signup!  Check the details on our website Trip event page  or contact coordinator Christine Bunke, chrisme214@aol.com.

NSQG Workshops

• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com

Wholecloth created in Teri Lucas Workshop by CathyJo Rogers

Some quilt show dates to keep in mind:

• Feb 14 – Quilt Registration Opens
• March 1 – Volunteer Signups Start
• April 27 – Quilt Dropoff
• May 4&5 – Quilt Show
• May 5 – Quilt Pickup

Hello Fellow Quilters,

The Quilt Show is quickly approaching and you need to reserve your panel for your SIG or group exhibit.  Guidelines can be reviewed on our website page Special Exhibit Guidelines.

Please contact me with any questions and to secure your space at the show.
Patti Calautti, pattic0312@gmail.com

 It’s time to nominate a charity for 2025’s Quilt Show Raffle. Recipient must be a non-profit organization that serves people in the local, tri-state area. Check our website page Charity Nomination Guidelines for more information or contact me at meemee530@gmail.com.

Dee Plouffe, charitable@northernstarquilters.com

Hi everyone,

As I write this article, the weather is cold and rainy, but what better time to spend the day quilting!

Our guild continues to expand! Our latest membership tally is 214.  With the addition of many new members, Joanne and I encourage you to wear your name badges at meetings. Associating a name with a face can be a great way of getting to know one another.   Name badges for new members will be available for pick up at the Membership table on March 20^th, our next in-person meeting.

Please join us in welcoming Nancy Scotford of the Bronx, Catherine Mahon of Poughkeepsie, Jamie Hasl from Somers, Susan Zuckerman of Croton-on-Hudson and Valerie Zeman from Cortland Manor.

We recently sent a survey to new members to get an idea of how they had heard about the guild. Thanks to Karen Carlson for her technical assistance with this project. Here are the results:

• Several respondents reported that the guild had been recommended to them by an NSQG member.
• A few other new members decided to join after attending our show.
• Another major source of referrals was Pins and Needles; many thanks to Lisa Alfonzetti for her support of NSQG!
• A few people have returned to NSQG now that they have retired or their children have grown up.
• We were surprised to find that no one mentioned hearing about the guild through social media.

Thank you to each and every person who, in one way or another, has been a guild ambassador this year!

We hope to see you at the next zoom meeting or Super Saturday!
Joanne Visovsky and Carol Sterk, membership@northernstarquilters.com

NSQG Workshops

• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com

• Super Saturday
  Feb.17 – most classes full, check details on our website Super Saturday page or contact coordinator Lefa Alksne, lefermilch@gmail.com.
• Black and White Challenge
  Due at the March meeting – all you need to know about this exciting challenge is on our website Challenge page or contact coordinator Constanze Toplansky, constanze.toplansky@gmail.com.
• Ugly Fabric Auction
  May 15 – keep gathering those ‘Ugly Fabrics’. You can review details on our website May Meeting page or contact our auctioneer, Linda Finegan, linfin612@gmail.com.
• Signup for the Lancaster AQS trip
  Sept.13-14 – details are still being determined depending on response and number of attendees, you can check for current info on our website Trip event page  or contact coordinator Christine Bunke, chrisme214@aol.com.

2024 Raffle Quilt ‘Parfait’ to benefit North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Check your mailbox for your packet of  raffle tickets. Ticket stubs and a check can be mailed back to me, Dee Plouffe  280A Heritage Hills, Somers NY, 10589.  If you need more tickets just email me and I will mail them to you….meemee530@gmail.com or click HERE.

Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

NSQG Workshops

• January(Zoom) – Free Motion Quilting, Teri Lucas
• March – A Day with NSQG’s Own, Daisy Dodge
• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com

Want to go on an overnight quilt show trip?  This trip is being planned for Sept. 13–14, 2024.  You will join a group of NSQG members on a bus trip that includes entry to the AQS show, visiting fabric shops along the way, overnight accommodations and some meals.  Details are still being determined depending on response and number of attendees.  For information, please contact:  Christine Bunke, trip coordinator, chrisme214@aol.com

Challenge pieces will be due at our next in-person meeting in March.  Voting will take place at the April meeting.
All you need to know about this exciting challenge is on the NSQG website NSQG website Challenge page.
Questions? Contact Constanze Toplansky at constanze.toplansky@gmail.com.

Cleaning up after the holidays?  Is your New Year’s resolution to clean out your fabric stash?  The solution is to donate your fabrics to our Ugly Fabric Auction – quilting cottons of at least 1/4 yard.  You can bring your fabric to the March and April guild meetings or to Comfort Quilts.  If you are in the Mahopac area, call Jean Degl (845-628-9130, jdegl@yahoo.com) to make an appointment to drop off fabric, if closer to Mt. Kisco, contact Rona Spar (914-941-4931, ronaquilter@gmail.com).

Questions? Contact our auctioneer, Linda Finegan at linfin612@gmail.com

2024 Raffle Quilt ‘Parfait’ to benefit North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Check your mailbox for your packet of  raffle tickets. Ticket stubs and a check can be mailed back to me, Dee Plouffe  280A Heritage Hills, Somers NY, 10589.  If you need more tickets just email me and I will mail them to you….meemee530@gmail.com or click HERE.

Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

‘Tis the season to celebrate quilty friends and lots of treats! At our upcoming December guild meeting, you are invited to join us in a cookie swap!

Please bring one dozen cookies to share at the meeting and a container to take home some extras.

Email your recipe (if you’d like to share it) to hospitality@northernstarquilters.com.  We will include it in an eBook cookie recipe collection to be shared with members in our next newsletter.  Along with the recipe, please include a story, picture or anything else that makes the cookies special to you.

STILL NEEDED: Committee heads for the Admissions and Quilt Handler committees.

Both of these are roles important to the success of our show; they are not longterm or complicated, and minimal prep is needed.  There will be a full team of volunteers for each position to assist you.  Committee responsibilities could be shared by a couple people, so grab a friend and volunteer!

•  ADMISSIONS – responsible for the functioning of the admissions tables.
  This position involves overseeing ticket processing, cash & charge payments, wristbands, pre-paid attendee tracking and cash box return to treasurer and register closeout at end of day.
•  QUILT HANDLER – responsible for the handling, storing, and transporting show quilts.
  This position requires the person to pack and transport the quilts by category Drop-off day (Saturday mid-day, April 27, 2024), then transport to and from Judging day (Tuesday am&pm, April 30, 2024);  and finally to transport to Show Setup day – Friday am, May 3, 2024.

When we think about a friend, an acquaintance, a family member whose day could be brightened with a call or a visit.  We act on that thought.

One of the traditional gestures of our guild is to bring heartwarming messages to our members through cards.  If you know of a member who has been ill or suffered a loss, please send an email to our secretary, Amanda Curley, secretary@northernstarquilters.com, and she’ll post a card from the guild.  Likewise, if the guild receives a donation, please email our secretary.  She’ll send a note of appreciation.

Stock up on books for the winter months, remember January and February are Zoom meetings.

Continue to design and work on your black and white challenge which is due at the March guild meeting.
All you need to know about this exciting challenge is on the NSQG website NSQG website Challenge page.
Questions? Contact Constanze Toplansky at constanze.toplansky@gmail.com

Cleaning up for the holidays?? Donate your unwanted fabric- quilting cottons of at least 1/4 yard –  to our Ugly Fabric Auction. ‘One quilter’s trash is another quilter’s treasure!’   You can bring your fabric to the guild meeting or to Comfort Quilts.  If you are in the Mahopac area, call Jean Degl to make an appointment to drop off fabric, closer to Mt. Kisco, contact Rona Spar.   The auction, this year to be at our May meeting, raises funds for the Guild while we all have a good time bidding on the donated fabrics.

Questions? Contact our auctioneer, Linda Finegan at linfin612@gmail.com

NSQG Workshops

• January(Zoom) – Free Motion Quilting, Teri Lucas
• March – A Day with NSQG’s Own, Daisy Dodge
• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com

Raffle Quilt 2024 – “Parfait “ is a bed size quilt coordinated by Carol Auer and Karen Carlson, pieced and hand quilted with a ‘big stitch’ by members of our Guild.  Please support this year’s member chosen charity – North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Raffle ticket packets were distributed at the November meeting.  Please return your check and paid ticket stubs to me, I will be at the sign -in table.  And you can always request additional tickets HERE.

Raffle Quilt 2025 – Our Raffle Quilt for 2025 is being coordinated by Barbara Allen.   Special thanks to Patricia Loquet  for the use of her Accuquilt fabric cutting machine.

Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

Season’s Greetings to everyone!

Northern Star is rounding out the year with a total of 211 members.  Please join Joanne and I in welcoming our five newest members!  They are Elizabeth Aaron of Maplewood, NJ, Margaret Meola, of Summit, NJ, Sam Panzier of Rye Brook, Carol Powers of Cortland Manor and Bonnie Terrano of Yonkers.  It’s great to see a new surge of interest in quilting in our area!

We wish you a wonderful new year that includes the completion of one of your unfinished projects!

Joanne Visovsky and Carol Sterk, membership@northernstarquilters.com

NSQG Workshops

• November – FULL-WAITLIST ONLY – Fabulous Freehand Curves, Cindy Grisdela
• January – Free Motion Quilting, Teri Lucas
• March – Bauhaus Sampler, Daisy Dodge
• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact programs@northernstarquilters.com

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered to be a committee head for the 2024 Quilt Show!

We still need committee heads for the Admissions and Quilt Handler committees.  Both of these are roles are critical to the success of our show!

•  ADMISSIONS – responsible for the functioning of the admissions tables.
  This position involves overseeing ticket processing, cash & charge payments, wristbands, pre-paid attendee tracking and cash box return to treasurer and register closeout at end of day.
•  QUILT HANDLER – responsible for the handling, storing, and transporting show quilts from Drop-off day thru Judging to Show set-up.
  This position requires the person to sort and pack the quilts by category and transport to their home, Drop-off – Saturday, April 27, 2024;  to transport to  and from Judging – Tuesday am/pm, April 30, 2024;  and finally to deliver the quilts for Show Setup – Friday am, May 3, 2024.

• BLACK AND WHITE CHALLENGE – Challenge yourself to make a quilt using only black and white fabrics.  Black and white prints are okay, but no grey, and no other colors!  The perimeter can be no larger than 80” but can be any shape you choose.  Full rules can be found on the NSQG website challenge page.  Questions? Contact Constanze Toplansky at constanze.toplansky@gmail.com
• ORPHAN BLOCKS – Pick up an orphan block kit from Patricia Loquet at Comfort Quilts or at the next Guild meeting.  In the bag you will find a selection of donated orphan blocks that you can sew into a beautiful quilt using your creativity by adding your own fabric and clever ideas.  This takes a bit of ingenuity and curiosity, but you will end up with a beautiful quilt.
• UGLY FABRIC AUCTION – Please continue to bring your ‘ugly’ fabrics to Guild meetings and Comfort Quilts meetings.  The auction is always a happy meeting that raises funds for the Guild while we all have a good time bidding on the donated fabrics.  Jean Degl is storing the fabrics at her home, so if you are in the Mahopac area, call her to make an appointment to drop them off.  Rona Spar will also collect fabrics at her home in Mt. Kisco, just call to let her know when you are coming.  Questions? Contact Linda Finegan at linfin612@gmail.com

  – 2024 Raffle ticket booklets for the beautiful bed sized quilt, Parfait, will be distributed at the November 15^th  Guild Meeting, can be picked up at Comfort Quilts, or can be mailed.  Please help by picking up packets for members who are unable to attend meetings.  Proceeds will benefit the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps of North Salem NY.  Thank you Carol Auer and Karen Carlson for coordinating this project and all our members who helped sewing and hand quilting this beautiful quilt.

Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

Same Jelly Roll – Different Quilt.  See how many different quilts have been made using these 33 strips!  Interested Comfort Quilters got matching jelly rolls  The quilts will be on display and one (or more depending on how many tickets sold) will be raffled off to help cover Comfort Quilt expenses.  Pick your favorite – winner’s choice of quilts.  Tickets $5 each, so come prepared!

• October – Landscape Quilts, Rachel Derstine
• November – Fabulous Freehand Curves, Cindy Grisdela
• January – Free Motion Quilting, Teri Lucas
• March – Bauhaus Sampler, Daisy Dodge
• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Special activities, for and by members, are taking place throughout the year.  Be sure to check for details and event information on our website.  If you have an idea for a guild activity and would like to chair that activity, please contact me.
Rona Spar, Activities Liaison, activities@northernstarquilters.com

• Orphan Blocks Project
  Donations of orphan blocks will be accepted through the October Guild meeting and can also be dropped off at Comfort Quilts.  Distribution of Orphan block kits will continue through December 2023.
  Questions? Contact Patricia Loquet at jamloquet@optonline.net
  
  

  Jody Sullivan’s OB quilt

• Super Saturday, February 17,2024 at First Presbyterian Church in Yorktown
  Teachers Wanted….Do you have a skill that you would like to share with your fellow quilters on Super Saturday?  Please contact Lefa Alksne at lefermilch@gmail.com
• Black and White Challenge Dropoff, March 20, 2024
  Keep working on your Black and White Challenge.
  Questions? Contact Constanze Toplansky at constanze.toplansky@gmail.com
• Quilting Retreat #2 at Mariandale in Ossining, March 22-24, 2024
  2 nights, 6 meals, lots of quilting space, and the camaraderie of talented quilters.  Cost-$250 for Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, $75/day for day only participants (includes 2 meals)
  Contact Jody Sullivan at jodysull@optonline.net
• Ugly Fabric Auction, May 15, 2024
  If you have quilting fabric that you wish to donate to the Ugly Fabric Auction, please bring it to a guild meeting or to a Comfort Quilts meeting.  You can also bring to Rona’s house in Mt. Kisco,  please call first at 914-941-4931.
  Questions?  Contact Linda Finegan at linfin612@gmail.com

  ---

Time is Running Out – Click to Renew Now!

Hi everyone,

The new guild year is off to a great start. Our membership stands at 181. There were 98 people present at the September meeting including four new members and two guests. Thirty-three people have joined the guild since the quilt show in May including our seven newest members who have been added to our rolls over the past two and a half weeks! Please join us in welcoming Patricia Gair of Hartsdale, Patricia Bradford of Nyack, Susan Farstrup of Sleepy Hollow, Riva Fisher of Tomkins Cove, NY, Damaris Scafidi of Riverside, CT, Liz Titus of Katonah and Valerie Zeller of Mohegan Lake. We would also like to welcome back returning member Carolyn Finn of Ossining.

If you would like your name/photo included in the hard copy of the 2023-2024 Membership Directory and in our email list, the renewal deadline is October 6^th.  If you would like to add/change your photo or update your contact information, please email us at membership@northernstarquilters.com.  The directory will be ready in time for the October meeting. Don’t forget to stop by the membership table to pick up your copy!

Membership Directory Photo Gallery – We strongly encourage you to join the many members (50%) who have already submitted photos for the Membership Directory. It’s a great way for other members to connect your name with your face and for you to recognize them!  Any photo will be gladly welcomed whether it’s a selfie sent from your phone or a favorite picture from a special family event. Each photo is cropped to feature only your face.

Wishing you many hours to quilt this month!
Joanne Visovsky and Carol Sterk, membership@northernstarquilters.com

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW!

Hello, everyone!

Welcome back to Northern Star! Summer is nearly over, and it’s time to gear up for a new guild year. The Quilt Show committee is forming, the board is getting ready to welcome you to our new home at Fox Lane High School and programs for the year are in place. We hope to see you at the first meeting of the year on Sept. 20^th at 6:00 PM (doors open about 5:30 for snacks and socializing).!

Please join Joanne and I in welcoming seven new members to our group: Ashley Fikes of Pleasantville, Visala Ekanadham of  Mohegan Lake, Laurel Izard of Michigan City, IN, Angela Reyes of Hastings-on-Hudson, Stacey Murren of Pawling, Michelle Parker of White Plains , Heather Feldman of Bedford, Beatrice Isaacs of Mt.Kisco, and Kristen Scheyder of Rye.. There will be membership badges waiting for new members who don’t have theirs, yet.

REMEMBER TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO!

As of August 29^th, 50% of the membership has renewed.  The hard copy of the Membership Directory will be going to press earlier than usual this year.  The deadline for being included in the hard copy of the directory is October 6^th.

• Option 1 – Renew your membership online at:  nsqg.formstack.com/forms/nsqg_member_registration_cc
• Option 2 – Joanne will be accepting registration forms accompanied by cash or check at the September meeting of Comfort Quilts, or you can bring your check to the meeting on September 20th. (Registration forms will be available if you forget to bring yours.)
• Option 3 – Mail your registration form and check (payable to Northern Star Quilters Guild) to:   Northern Star Quilters’ Guild, P.O. Box 232, Somers, NY  
  

We strongly encourage you to join the many members (50%) who have already submitted photos for the Membership Directory. It’s a great way for other members to connect your name with your face and for you to recognize them! Any photo will be gladly welcomed whether it’s a selfie sent from your phone or a favorite picture from a special family event. Each photo is cropped to feature only your face.

See you in September!
Joanne Visovsky and Carol Sterk, membership@northernstarquilters.com

Please welcome the return of NSQG’s Library, this time at Fox Lane School! We’ve certainly been busy over the summer.

The following special activities, for and by members, are taking place throughout the year.  Information is also on our website.
Rona Spar, Activities Liaison, activities@northernstarquilters.com

Pre-Meeting Offering

Orphan Blocks

Orphan Block Quilt by Patricia

2023-2024 Challenge

This year’s challenge is to design a small quilt using only black and white.  The challenge is inspired by the Karl Lagerfeld exhibit recently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  All information about rules and parameters for the quilt can be found on the NSQG website challenge page.  Questions, please contact the challenge coordinator, Constanze Toplansky, constanze.toplansky@gmail.com.
–

Quilt Retreat

The first quilt retreat of this year will be held on Monday-Wednesday, 10/30/23-11/1/23, at the Mariandale Center in Ossining, NY.  If you wish to board there, the fee is $250 for 2 nights and 6 meals.  If you wish to participate as a commuter, the day fee is $65/day which covers your workspace and 2 meals a day.  To sign up, contact Jody at jodysull@optonline.net.  Make your check out to Northern Star Quilters’ Guild and bring it to the September meeting or mail it to Jody Sullivan, 74 West Lane, Pound Ridge, NY 10576.
–

Ugly Fabric Auction

Please start bringing your UGLY FABRICS (quilting fabric, quarter yard or more) to the meetings starting in September.  You can give the fabrics to Rona Spar or Linda Finegan who will pass them along to Jean Degl, who has kindly volunteered to store the fabric.  The Ugly Fabric Auction coordinator is Linda Finegan, linfin612@gmail.com.

Super Saturday

Super Saturday will be held in February, date and location not yet confirmed.  Several members have already volunteered to teach classes on that wonderful Saturday.  If you wish to teach a class at Super Saturday, please contact Lefa Alksne at lefermilch@gmail.com.  Lefa needs someone to be her assistant so please consider contacting her to help with this very special activity.
–

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

• Improv1 led by Jane Eyes (currently at full capacity)
• Improv2 led by Rita Romeau
• For Art Lovers led by Tamar Drucker
• Scrappy Quilts led by Jennifer Larrabee
• Long Arm Quilting led by Kathy Vanacoro and Lorraine Freed

September – Walking Foot Quilting, Marge Tucker – waitlist only

October – Landscape Quilts, Rachel Derstine

November – Fabulous Freehand Curves, Cindy Grisdela

If you haven’t already, renew your membership for 2023, then sign up for our upcoming activities.

Renew Now!

RACHEL DERSTINE
Landscape Quilts:  Nature & Architecture
Thursday, 19 October 2023
9:30 am to 4:00 pm EDT
Members $50 / Non-Members $70
In-person workshop at the Millwood Firehouse, 100 Millwood Road in Millwood, NY 10546.

Rachel will teach how to create a landscape quilt that focuses on nature or architecture or some combination of both.  You will be able to work from one of Rachel’s images or from one of your own choosing.

In this multi-level, full day workshop, Rachel will teach how to create a landscape quilt that focuses on nature or architecture or some combination of both.  Rachel will briefly cover her favorite techniques, tips & tricks so that you may stick to a simple landscape or apply them to a more complex design.  The possibilities are limitless:

• Think waterscape–an oak tree shading a meandering river, maybe a bridge. . .
• Think farmscape–fields of corn and soybeans, an endless sky, maybe a barn. . .
• Think cityscape–buildings, streets, windows, doors, maybe a magnolia tree. . .
• Think gardenscape–a winding path, hosta, irises, a weeping willow, maybe a bench. . .
• Think mountainscape, seascape, skyscape, and many more. . .

Rachel’s workshop is for every quilter! You want simple? You want complex? Rachel will cover her basic techniques for construction and design so that you can apply them to the “scape” of your choosing.

HIGHLIGHTS – Fusible applique collage; simplifying elements from a photo or sketch; creating the illusion of depth through overlapping and layering, size, color, value, and linear perspective; quilting and how to add facing.

Visit Rachel’s website to learn more about her artwork: Rachel Derstine Designs

CINDY GRISDELA
Fabulous Free-Hand Curves
Thursday, 16 November 2023
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Members $65 / Non-Members $85
In-person at the Millwood Firehouse, 100 Millwood Road,  Millwood, NY 10546

Cindy is an artist, teacher, and author of two books about creating original quilts without patterns: Artful Improv and Adventures in Improv Quilts. She specializes in improv design and using color fearlessly in your quilts. Her work has won awards in both quilt and art venues, most recently her artwork was juried into Quilt National. Cindy has a BFA in Art History from the College and William and Mary and an MBA in Finance from George Washington University.

Join us in Cindy’s newest improv workshop. Learn to cut large scale curves freehand without templates or patterns. Add dots, skinny lines, wonky triangles and more to give each curve its own personality, then combine them into a fun original design. Cindy will talk about color and design to create the composition as well as the techniques needed. Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order are necessary

Visit Cindy’s website to learn more about her artwork:  Cindy Grisdela Art Quilts

I’ve arranged for our guild’s quilt retreat at Mariandale Retreat Center, Ossining, NY from October 30-November 1 (Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon ).  The cost is $250 per person which includes two overnights, six meals and lots of sewing time!  There is also the possibility of being a “day commuter” for $65 a day which gives breakfast and lunch.  I have already heard from a few of you who expressed an interest in coming.  We will need a minimum of ten people for the two nights and there will be a maximum.  If you are interested and want to attend, please email me (jodysull@optonline.net) and I’ll add you to the list.  As we get closer to the date, I’ll ask for payment (checks made out to the guild) but send nothing now.

Later in the year I’m hoping to offer a “weekend” retreat (Friday to Sunday).  So far available dates are March 1-3 or March 22-24.  If that appeals to you, please let me know which date works best for you.  Their calendar fills up quickly.

Hope you’re all enjoying your summer and getting some sewing done as well!

Thank you, Jody Sullivan, jodysull@optonline.net

Every year around the end of February, guild members get together for a fun and productive Saturday. Our own very talented members members share their talents teaching classes on various techniques and projects. Sign up for a class or “Sit and Sew” on your own project. Lunch is provided by our Hospitality team. This is a a wonderful opportunity to mingle with fellow members in a smaller social setting.

Thank you to Lefa Alksne, lefermilch@gmail.com, who has volunteered to be our Super Saturday coordinator.  Help is needed! Please contact Lefa if you are able to assist or to teach a class.

Thank you,  Rona Spar, activities@northernstarquilters.com

Viewers Choice – Feathered Friends by Sandra Curry

The Viewers Choice quilt was Feathered Friends by Sandra Curry.  The quilt received 46 votes out of 330 cast.  Six other quilts received 15 or more votes.   The winner was announced and the ribbon posted at 2:30 on Sunday.

Thanks to Constanze Toplansky’s photography skills, you can review pictures of the 2023 quilt show HERE.

The Show Catalog was also put online this year, along with the Winners List. Both are available via the website ARCHIVES page.

Thank you to the Quilt Show Committee and the entire Northern Star Quilt Guild.  The 2023 show was a success and everyone had a role in making it a wonderful weekend.

I took on the role of Quilt Show VP for the 2022 show not because I wanted to, but because no one was in that role and there was a possibility that the show would not happen without a leader.  After two years of cancelled shows because of COVID, I could not bear to have another show cancelled, as the saying goes “The Show Must Go On!”, and so I raised my hand.  Little did I know what I was in for!

The past two years has been an amazing experience for me.  With no prior specific show experience, there was a lot of learning to do.  Numerous guild members kept supplying me with information and their expertise, answering endless questions, and stepping in to help where they could.

If you are ever thinking about stepping up to a role within this guild, do not hesitate.  You will be cheered on and supported by the most amazing group of creative spirits, and you will learn and grow from the experience.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you, and specifically to my wonderful team of committee members.

Lisa Alfonzetti

CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of our quilt ‘Blue Lightning’, Michele Morra, who resides in Hopewell Junction. She is a good friend and supporter of Sparrow’s Nest.

CONGRATULATIONS to Sparrow’s Nest, they will be receiving a very generous check at our June Salad Supper.

Thanks again to all our members for supporting the raffle.
Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

We look forward to our end of the year celebration, our Salad Supper.
Please bring an appetizer or entree/salad big enough to feed 6 people, serving utensils, and a card listing all the ingredients.
Be sure to mark any items you want returned with your name and collect them before you leave.

Beverages will be provided, as well as dessert.

Let’s celebrate together all that we have accomplished as a guild this year!

It was great to see many of you at the show! The Membership volunteers were a great team. They shared their enthusiasm for the guild with our visitors and encouraged them to join. Their efforts were successful! We gained 17 new members from a wide geographical area. Please join Joanne and I in welcoming them to the guild! The names of our newest members have been added to the digital directory which was sent to all members a few weeks ago. Please find the list of names below.

Idie Benjamin, Becky Demir  Nancy DiMuro, Ellen Friedman, Gloria Gorell, Barbara Leader, Marjorie Livingston, Maureen McCurdy, Brent McGee, Katherine McGowan, Jean Moccia, Lisette Overweel, Susan Raab, Suzanne Rixon, Sonhild Rodney, Barbara Sarullo, Stephanie Torsiello

Whether you’re a new or existing member, please send us a photo to add to the directory, if you haven’t already done so. A selfie would be fine. Send to:  membership@northernstarquilters.com

Have a great summer! See you in September!

Joanne Visovsky and Carol Sterk, membership@northernstarquilters.com

—— Click on Map to enlarge ——

Reminder – Parking is one of our challenges – The shuttle bus will be running extended hours so even if you have a first or last slot, there is plenty of time to catch the bus at E1 or W1.

‘Blue Lightning’ 2023 Raffle Quilt

LAST CALL for returning your raffle tickets… the drawing is coming soon at our Guild meeting, Wednesday May 17 .

If you would like to purchase more tickets, or if you have misplaced them,  the best way to purchase them is online and I will fill out the stubs for you.
Just click  –  nsqg.formstack.com/forms/nsqg_charity_raffle.  You could be  our lucky winner!

As of this writing, 67% of our members have responded – THANK YOU to our Guild members, their families, and friends for supporting this year’s member selected charity, Sparrows Nest.

Thank you Rosemary De Paola for coordinating this project and  Angela Vettucci for her beautiful job of quilting

Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

Many, many thanks to all guild members, CQ’ers and others, who have made quilts and have thus kept our donation coordinators very busy; and thank you to the coordinators for delivering the quilts to those in need of the little comfort or hug that a quilt can bring.  A total of 501 quilts have been distributed so fart this guild season, including 81 quilts in the recent shipment sent to and now delivered to Kyiv.  Thank you Pat Julian for keeping a record of our donations.  Come join our group, all our welcome, we are very productive!

Here are projected Comfort Quilt dates for the next few months, all Wednesdays (not necessarily 1st/3rd).

• May 10 and 24
• *** June 14 and 28  (This is a change from the original schedule, we are NOT meeting the 7th and 21st
• July 19
• Aug 9 and 30
• Sep 13 and 27

We meet at the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 14 Daniel Road, North Salem, NY, 10am-2pm.
Bring lunch or a snack if you’d like a food break at your seat.
Last minute cancellations do happen, if in doubt or coming for the first time, please check.
All members are welcome.

Contact Karen Carlson or Carol Auer for further information.

Some CQ April Quilts

If you would like to set up some kind of special guild activity for next year, we are always looking for members willing to share their skills, creative and organizational.

Maybe set up a special activity for December and April meetings when we don’t have a speaker (demos, games, swaps, trunk shows, challenges, ??? …), organize a field trip, offer a Zoom class, help with Super Saturday, whatever sparks your quilting interest ….

Please contact me, I would love to hear from you.
Rona Spar, activities@northernstarquilters.com

An upcoming special activity for next year sponsored by Patricia Loquet:

Over the years Comfort Quilts has given away thousands of quilts to those in need of love and comfort.  This year alone CQ has sent out over 500 quilts. We want to do even more and you can help.

I will be collecting orphan blocks during the May, June, September and October meetings.  Then they will be divided into packets of like colors and style and ANY MEMBER can then take a pack and make an improv quilt using those blocks plus any other fabric or blocks you have that you would like to add.

I’ll have a bit more to say as time goes by.  If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me, Patricia.

Hello All and Happy May!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Challenge this year.  The talent in our Guild is truly amazing.  If you thought the “Cards” looked great at our April Meeting, wait until you see them at the Show!  The Challenge display at the Show this year is going to look awesome.
Thank you, April

BEST DESIGN:

1. Carol Auer
2. Marie Sugar
3. Claire Hibbard

MOST CREATIVE:

1. April Russell
2. Claire Hibbard
3. Marie Sugar

BEST VISUAL IMPACT:

1. Claire Hibbard
2. Carol Auer
3. Caryl Castellion

BEST WORKMANSHIP:

1. Carol Auer
2. Caryl Castellion
3. Chris Roche

The Quilt Show is Coming! The Quilt Show is Coming!

Tell your friends and family.  Tell them to pass the news along.

Send this postcard by email

Print this flyer and post it around your town

Library, coffee shop, supermarket, train station, museum, town hall …

If you haven’t volunteered already or can offer some more time, sign up now!

NSQG.formstack.com/forms/show_volunteers

Thank you, showvolunteers@northernstarquilters.com

Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

  On March 6, four quilters (and two of their husbands) delivered 346 pounds of humanitarian aid to be sent to civilians in Ukraine. The cargo consisted primarily of 84 quilts, virtually all of which were made by members of our guild! Our members also donated urgently requested medicine, hand/foot warmers and socks as well as the cost of the shipping.  I will let you know as soon as I hear the shipment has been received.

Spring greetings to all!

Joanne and I hope you are enjoying the warmer, and sometimes sunny, weather!  The NSQG quilt show is just around the corner, and we hope to see you there! There will be a Membership table in the lower hallway near the entrance to the quilt exhibits where you can bring your friends and family to sign up for email notices of future NSQG shows.  We would appreciate your support as we work towards building up our show publicity database!  Of course, we will also be there to share our enthusiasm for the guild with our visitors and hopefully recruit some new members!

Speaking of new members, please welcome Ursula Heinrich of White Plains, Julietta Appleton of North Salem, Lori Schmiedel of North Salem, and Lisa Clemmens of Ossining who joined the guild in March! Our membership currently stands at 189.

Reminder:  If you’d like a new membership badge, please contact us at membership@northernstarquilters.com.

Joanne Visovsky and Carol Sterk, membership@northernstarquilters.com