New England Quilt Museum Update

There are a lot of events at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA.  Now that its getting a little warmer, you might want to plan a day trip and enjoy the ride and the museum.

• The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-4.  From May 1 through October 31 they are also open Sundays 12-4.
• This is the museum's 25th Anniversary and they have a gift for you!  On the 25th of each month, they are offering FREE ADMISSION (as long as it falls on a day the museum is normally open.)
• On Thursdays, visitors can meet with staff members and talented volunteers from 10-3 to learn new techniques and hints about quilting.  They will also answer questions about the quilts and techniques of featured exhibits and to work on a variety of projects.
• In conjunction with the Community Quilting projects, you are invited to a series of Open Houses and "Sit and Sew" sessions to make comfort quilts for the grieving families of fallen soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Individuals are welcome to visit the museum, sign a  completed block and stay to assemble more blocks and quilt tops.  Everything is provided.  Registration is not required and you can come for all or part of the day.  You can bring your lunch and there are several places to find lunch in the neighborhood.  Coffee and tea are served.  Dates are as follows:
• March 29
• May 31 (the traditional Memorial Day)
• June 29
• August 9-11 at the IMAGES show during the Lowell Quilt Festival
• October 2
• November 9 (This is actually Friday, but it will be a tribute to Veteran's Day)
• The first and third Thursdays will also feature Brown Bag Lunch Lectures.  Bring your lunch or get one at a neighborhood restaurant.  Coffee and tea are served.  Reservations are not required.  Check out the Brown Bag tag on the museum website for more information.
• The Book Group meets monthly from 12:30-1:30.  Check the website for a complete list of dates and titles.
• August 9-11 is the Lowell Quilt Festival, a citywide celebration of quilts, featuring IMAGES, New England's premier judged and juried quilt show.  Galleries and museums around town partner to celebrate the textile arts.  There's a free shuttle to help people get from venue to venue.  This year, Marianne Fons, co-founder of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine and television program, will be a special guest.

The museum is looking for volunteers to meet and greet visitors from all over the world.  Volunteers do everything from working on blocks and quilt tops to sharing the museum's incredible resources with the visitors.  They are especially needed for the Library, which remains closed if there isn't a
volunteer to take care of it.  Volunteers are asked to work one Saturday or Sunday per month, but they are also welcome Tuesdays through Friday from 10-4.  If you are interested, send an email to Questions@NEQuiltMuseum.org. 

So, enjoy the lovely weather and the lovely region and take a day trip to the New England Quilt Museum!

April Meeting Reminder

Just a quick reminder that our next meeting will be April 11, 2012 at Slater Mill at 6:30 pm.

Because we had to cancel our March meeting, members are being asked to bring the March Block of the Month (Paths and Stiles in green and white/cream from www.quilterscache.com).  The Fat Quarter for March was themed "Key West, Florida" and the FQ for April is "Santa Fe, New Mexico."  Members are asked to bring both to the meeting.  All other information remains the same.

New invitations to join the authors' list of our blog have been sent to members emails.

If you have questions, please contact Brenda or Daphne.

April is Filled With Quilting Events!

Wow!  April is certainly going to be a busy month for quilters!

First of all, the Machine Quilters Exhibition will be in Providence with classes and the Public Showcase starting April 11-14, 2012.  Registration is now open.  Hurry before the classes fill up!

That same weekend the Sewing and Quilting Expo will be in Worchester, MA.  Check out their website for a listing of available classes.

Its almost time for the incredible AQS Quilt Show in Paducah!  The dates are April 24-28, 2012.  Once again, the show is in the middle of the school year, in the beginning of the 4th quarter and there is NO way I'll ever get there.  (I really wish I could get to some of these classes!)

However, this year, there is an alternative!

AQS is setting up live webcasts of the various workshops and special events at the Show.  Registration is currently open.  You can sign up for a single event or all 4 days.  Sessions cost between $10 for some of the single events to $120 for all four days.  If you can't attend the live event, you will have access for up to 90 days after the Show.

Finally, on April 21 and 22, the Narragansett Bay Quilters are having their biannual show at North Kingstown High School.  They will be open on Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 12-5.

Well, it looks like April will be a busy month for quilters in Southern New England!

Hope to see you all there!

March Meeting Cancelled

Out of respect for the recent loss of our member, Laura St. Germain, our March 2012 guild meeting has been cancelled.

We will resume meetings on April 11, 2012 at the usual time and place.

In Memoriam

It is our sad duty to report the untimely death of one of our members.

Laura St. Germain passed away unexpectedly in her home on February 20, 2012.

Laura was a recent member of our Guild and was an avid worker both during the meetings and in the planning stages.  She always had a smile for everyone she spoke with.  It was a joy to see her running around talking to other members, sharing tidbits and proudly showing off her quilts.

The sympathies and prayers of all the members of the Industrial Revolution Quilt Guild go to her family and friends.

Final services were held on February 25, 2012.