Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - March 2026
President's Message
As we move into another month for our Guild, it’s clear that many of you have been hard at work preparing for our upcoming quilt show. I know how much time, creativity, and care goes into these final stages, and I truly appreciate all the effort everyone is putting in.
There’s a special buzz happening as we take on the Quiltie challenge against the Almonte Quilters Guild. I’ve already heard about and seen glimpses of some of the quilties in progress from both guilds, and I have faith that we’re going to show them exactly what we’re made of (it's not just fabric and threads!) No matter which Guild ends up with the most submissions, the real winner is the Almonte General Hospital, thanks to your enthusiasm and willingness to participate - and that’s the kind of competition I’m happy to lose every time!
This month’s meeting will also be our last Zoom meeting of the season. Because of everything underway, it will be a “working” meeting. We won’t have a guest speaker, but instead we’ll focus on giving everyone the time and space to put those finishing touches on quilties. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate, share tips, and enjoy some creative time together.
There’s a special buzz happening as we take on the Quiltie challenge against the Almonte Quilters Guild. I’ve already heard about and seen glimpses of some of the quilties in progress from both guilds, and I have faith that we’re going to show them exactly what we’re made of (it's not just fabric and threads!) No matter which Guild ends up with the most submissions, the real winner is the Almonte General Hospital, thanks to your enthusiasm and willingness to participate - and that’s the kind of competition I’m happy to lose every time!
This month’s meeting will also be our last Zoom meeting of the season. Because of everything underway, it will be a “working” meeting. We won’t have a guest speaker, but instead we’ll focus on giving everyone the time and space to put those finishing touches on quilties. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate, share tips, and enjoy some creative time together.
Thank you again for your dedication and the energy you bring to our Guild. I’m looking forward to seeing all your incredible work come together.
Amanda, President
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March Guild Meeting
When? We hope you'll join us on Wednesday March 25 via Zoom. The meeting begins at 7 pm with "doors opening" at 6:45 PM. Watch your email a day or two before the meeting for the Zoom link to connect to this meeting. How? A basic familiarity with Zoom is required by meeting attendees and can be acquired in advance of the meeting using the Learning resources on the Zoom website Visitors We welcome visitors to our Zoom meetings. Visitors must pre-register AND pay the $5 visitor fee via e-transfer by 6 pm on Tuesday March 24. More info Program
This meeting will be a Quiltie Sew Night! We will each be making a "quiltie" (or maybe more than one!) Should be fun, seeing all our members sewing together. Have everything ready to go, including all your cutting done. We'll see how many quilties can be completed in 2 hours. This is a key activity in our March Quiltie Month challenge to the Almonte Quilt Guild to see which guild can make the most Quilties by the end of March. While we’ll certainly enjoy the spirit of the challenge, the real winners are the babies born at the Almonte Hospital and their families who will receive these handmade quilts, a gift of warmth, comfort, and community care. For information about making Quilties see the Charity page. And for design inspiration check out this gallery of photos of Preemie quilts displayed at our 2023 Quilt Show. 
Show & Tell
We'd love to see what you've been working on at our virtual Show & Tell. This is also an excellent time to show photos of quilts that you gave away between meetings and didn't have a chance to show us in person. To share your work at the meeting please send a photo of each item AND indicate if you would like to:
Please send the photos to the guild email account arnpriorquilters@gmail.com by 12 noon on Tuesday March 24. After the meeting the photos will be added to the web site Show & Tell page (just like after an in person-meeting), unless you specifically request in the email message that the photo not be posted. Programs
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Quilt Along
The next (and last) Quilt Along Zoom session where participants in the Magnificent Mystery Quilt Along can share tips and ideas with each other and get any questions answered is scheduled for Tuesday March 31 at 7pm.
The final set of instructions were posted on Thursday March 5.
Quilt Along instructions and info
The next (and last) Quilt Along Zoom session where participants in the Magnificent Mystery Quilt Along can share tips and ideas with each other and get any questions answered is scheduled for Tuesday March 31 at 7pm.
The final set of instructions were posted on Thursday March 5.
Quilt Along instructions and info
Quilt as You Go Workshop with Marie-Claire, aka La Quilting Coach
Wednesday, March 11 began with freezing rain, forcing the planned Quilt As You Go workshop with Marie Claire to shift from an in-person gathering at the Arnprior Public Library to a Zoom session. Although some participants were disappointed by the change, everyone adapted, having completed the required prep work in advance so they were ready to begin. Marie Claire reassured the group that the virtual format would still be a valuable experience, and the workshop started promptly at 10:00 with introductions.
From there, Marie Claire demonstrated each technique clearly on camera, guiding participants as they worked along at their own machines. She checked in with everyone individually, offering patient, encouraging feedback while maintaining a strong focus on proper technique. Over the course of the day, including a 30-minute lunch break, the group worked through all seven techniques, creating samples and notes for each. The workshop concluded at 4:30 with a final check-in, and participants agreed it had been an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience.
Martha Palmer, Programs Coordinator
Wednesday, March 11 began with freezing rain, forcing the planned Quilt As You Go workshop with Marie Claire to shift from an in-person gathering at the Arnprior Public Library to a Zoom session. Although some participants were disappointed by the change, everyone adapted, having completed the required prep work in advance so they were ready to begin. Marie Claire reassured the group that the virtual format would still be a valuable experience, and the workshop started promptly at 10:00 with introductions.
From there, Marie Claire demonstrated each technique clearly on camera, guiding participants as they worked along at their own machines. She checked in with everyone individually, offering patient, encouraging feedback while maintaining a strong focus on proper technique. Over the course of the day, including a 30-minute lunch break, the group worked through all seven techniques, creating samples and notes for each. The workshop concluded at 4:30 with a final check-in, and participants agreed it had been an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience.
Martha Palmer, Programs Coordinator
2025-2026 Activity Schedule
Here's what's coming up!
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Date |
Activity |
Details |
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March 25 Wednesday 7 PM |
Guild meeting via Zoom |
Quilties (formerly Preemies ) sew night |
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March 27 to 28 Friday & Saturday |
In-Town Retreat Sold Out! |
Two days of sewing, relaxing, visiting and laughing at the Kinburn Community Centre. |
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March 31 Tuesday 7 to 8 PM |
Quilt Along Chat via Zoom |
Participants in the Magnificent Mystery Quilt Along can share tips, ideas and their progress with each other and get any questions answered |
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April 22 Wednesday 7 PM |
Guild meeting |
Location: 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Guest: Sherida Giddings trunk show with a wide variety of Quiltworx projects from small to large |
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May 5 Tuesday 10 AM to 4:30 PM |
Workshop
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Quilt As You Go techniques workshop with Marie-Claire, aka La Quilting Coach Location: Arnprior Public Library, 21 Madawaska St., Arnprior ON |
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May 13 Wednesday 7 to 9 PM |
Sewcial Night via Zoom |
Join us via Zoom for a fun evening of sewing in the comfort of our own homes. Zoom link will be sent by email. |
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May 27 Wednesday 7 PM |
Guild meeting |
Annual General Meeting Location: 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Program TBD |
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May 29 Friday |
Quilt Show Set-up |
Volunteers needed to help with quilt show set up Location: Nick Smith Centre, 77 James St., Arnprior ON |
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May 30 to 31 Saturday to Sunday |
Our Quilt Show |
Location: Nick Smith Centre, 77 James St., Arnprior ON |
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June 3 Wednesday 7 to 9 PM |
Sewcial Night via Zoom |
Join us via Zoom for a fun evening of sewing in the comfort of our own homes. Zoom link will be sent by email. |
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June 17 Wednesday 7 PM |
Guild meeting |
End of year potluck Location: 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Unofficial President s Challenge projects due |
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November 16 to 20 2026 Monday to Friday |
Retreat |
Come for 3 or 4 nights, and quilt from morning until night! |
For up to date information on all of our events, including past events, refer to the online Schedule which is regularly updated as new information becomes available.
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Quilt Show
Our quilt show has been in preparation since last fall. We have a great volunteer planning committee thanks to our 10 members who are: Joyce Murray, Marilyn Erskine, Nancy Haley, Amanda Vajda, Lesa West, Allison Kubiseski, Sandy Beach, Martha Palmer, Nicole Chambers, and Vickie MacNabb.
The main reason for our show is to proudly showcase all our wonderful talent from beginners to well-seasoned quilters, bring awareness to our guild in the community, earn money for our program activities, and raise money for charity projects directly through raffle ticket sales.
Coming soon there will be lots of instructions on how to register completed quilted projects online to be displayed. The idea is to bring awareness to our guild and show all levels of members talent, not just to display the prettiest ones. Our quilts are hung with a card which describes the quilt name, designed by, and what you may have learned along the way. So please prepare a list your quilts you want to display, it will make registering them a lot easier with this info on hand. If you have given some away, and if possible you might consider borrowing it back for this occasion. It doesn’t matter how many years ago you made the item, if it wasn’t in a previous show. It would be neat to see a few first-time quilts displayed!
We will have 10 vendors under one roof. This could be a great opportunity to pick-up something that you just learned you needed!
Volunteers will be needed to help us have a successful quilt show. There will be sign-up sheets at face-to-face April & May meetings. Volunteering is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow members better and have a little fun. Some of the areas that we will need your help are during the show in our tearoom serving food, at our admittance table collecting admission fees, floor walker monitoring that quilts aren’t directly touched, helping at our display, selling tickets at our charity table, selling basket tickets, etc., and setting up the show on Friday May 29th.
Watch for more information to follow. I hope you are as excited as we are to finish up some quilts and other projects for the show.
-- Vickie MacNabb on behalf of the Show Planning Committee
Coming soon there will be lots of instructions on how to register completed quilted projects online to be displayed. The idea is to bring awareness to our guild and show all levels of members talent, not just to display the prettiest ones. Our quilts are hung with a card which describes the quilt name, designed by, and what you may have learned along the way. So please prepare a list your quilts you want to display, it will make registering them a lot easier with this info on hand. If you have given some away, and if possible you might consider borrowing it back for this occasion. It doesn’t matter how many years ago you made the item, if it wasn’t in a previous show. It would be neat to see a few first-time quilts displayed!
We will have 10 vendors under one roof. This could be a great opportunity to pick-up something that you just learned you needed!
Volunteers will be needed to help us have a successful quilt show. There will be sign-up sheets at face-to-face April & May meetings. Volunteering is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow members better and have a little fun. Some of the areas that we will need your help are during the show in our tearoom serving food, at our admittance table collecting admission fees, floor walker monitoring that quilts aren’t directly touched, helping at our display, selling tickets at our charity table, selling basket tickets, etc., and setting up the show on Friday May 29th.
Watch for more information to follow. I hope you are as excited as we are to finish up some quilts and other projects for the show.
-- Vickie MacNabb on behalf of the Show Planning Committee
Raffle Baskets
by Allison Kubeseski
I know many of us are working hard to finish up our quilts to contribute to our upcoming Quilt Show in May. I am looking forward to seeing it all!
Our Guild also runs a raffle table of baskets for guests to take their chances, buy tickets and hopefully win. Sandy Beach and I (Allison Kubiseski) are in the process of gathering goodies to put into these baskets and for this we ask for your assistance. We plan to offer 10-15 baskets, each basket with its own theme in mind and filled with quilting and sewing supplies and other goodies to entice our guests to lay their tickets down.
by Allison Kubeseski
I know many of us are working hard to finish up our quilts to contribute to our upcoming Quilt Show in May. I am looking forward to seeing it all!
Our Guild also runs a raffle table of baskets for guests to take their chances, buy tickets and hopefully win. Sandy Beach and I (Allison Kubiseski) are in the process of gathering goodies to put into these baskets and for this we ask for your assistance. We plan to offer 10-15 baskets, each basket with its own theme in mind and filled with quilting and sewing supplies and other goodies to entice our guests to lay their tickets down.
Raffle baskets at our 2023 quilt show
Here are some themes we have previously created in the past: Christmas, Halloween, New Baby, Movie Night, Games Night, Gardening, Tea Time, Sewing Basket, Quilting supplies, Winter, Fall, Spring, and “sew” on.
What can you offer to help fill these baskets? Through your generosity you could donate:
- Fat Quarters,
- Sewing/quilting gadgets...
- Create small sewn items like pin cushions, needle books, mug rugs, pouches…
- Gently used books, rulers, templates, Patterns
- Goodies and Treats (Sweets, Tea, Mugs, biscuits, etc.)
These donations can be delivered to our April in person Meeting where we will gladly collect them.
Sandy and I are looking forward to spending some time curating and creating these baskets just before our Quilt Show, and we thank you for your generous contributions.
Allison Kubiseski and Sandy Beach
Contact Allison at Kubiseski@bell.net
What can you offer to help fill these baskets? Through your generosity you could donate:
- Fat Quarters,
- Sewing/quilting gadgets...
- Create small sewn items like pin cushions, needle books, mug rugs, pouches…
- Gently used books, rulers, templates, Patterns
- Goodies and Treats (Sweets, Tea, Mugs, biscuits, etc.)
These donations can be delivered to our April in person Meeting where we will gladly collect them.
Sandy and I are looking forward to spending some time curating and creating these baskets just before our Quilt Show, and we thank you for your generous contributions.
Allison Kubiseski and Sandy Beach
Contact Allison at Kubiseski@bell.net
Hangers
The Quilt Show committee is in need of hangers and have asked for our help.
While you are shopping, please ask if the hangers could be included with your purchase, and do enlist your family members to help out as well.
You can bring the hangers along to the April and May meetings.
Thank you!
The Quilt Show committee is in need of hangers and have asked for our help.
While you are shopping, please ask if the hangers could be included with your purchase, and do enlist your family members to help out as well.
You can bring the hangers along to the April and May meetings.
Thank you!
Raffle Quilt
We're all being asked to sell tickets for our beautiful bird themed raffle quilt which will be awarded to a very lucky winner at our quilt show in May. Funds from this raffle will be put toward future Charity initiatives. This is a very important aspect of our Charity program and is used to purchase batting, backing fabric and much more.
We’d like to distribute raffle tickets to all members by March. If you haven’t picked up your tickets yet, please contact Marilyn at (613) 406-8650 so we can arrange a pickup. All tickets sold should be returned to the guild by either the April or May meeting. Thank you so much for your participation and support!
This photo of the quilt was sent out to everyone in December so you can have it on your phone or other device to show to potential ticket purchasers. You can also open this newsletter to show it, or you can save it to your local device using your web browser's Save function.
There's also a close up photo of the quilting on the Quilt Show page that you can save to your device.
Quilting Tip
by Amanda
Ever wonder what to do with all those leftover batting scraps from your projects? Instead of letting them gather dust, you can turn them into something useful! This helpful tutorial from Penny Spool Quilts introduces the idea of “Frankenbatting” - joining smaller pieces together to create a usable batting for future projects (like quilties!) It’s a great way to save money, reduce waste, and make the most of what you already have.
Check out the full tutorial here: https://www.pennyspoolquilts.com/blogs/blog/frankenbatting-how-to-join-batting-pieces
Ever wonder what to do with all those leftover batting scraps from your projects? Instead of letting them gather dust, you can turn them into something useful! This helpful tutorial from Penny Spool Quilts introduces the idea of “Frankenbatting” - joining smaller pieces together to create a usable batting for future projects (like quilties!) It’s a great way to save money, reduce waste, and make the most of what you already have.
Check out the full tutorial here: https://www.pennyspoolquilts.com/blogs/blog/frankenbatting-how-to-join-batting-pieces
February Guild Meeting
We enjoyed a very informative and interesting “Stashed! Developing a Stash that Works with Your Quilting Style" presentation by Cassandra Beaver of The (not so) Dramatic Life – Quilting, Sewing, and Textile Arts from a Theatre Designer's Perspective.
We enjoyed seeing your quilts at Show and Tell. See the Show and Tell page for all of the photos.
Pictured below is Renee's stunning Snowflake quilt. The Snowflake pattern by Nicole Daksiewicz is available from Modern Handcraft.
We enjoyed seeing your quilts at Show and Tell. See the Show and Tell page for all of the photos.
Pictured below is Renee's stunning Snowflake quilt. The Snowflake pattern by Nicole Daksiewicz is available from Modern Handcraft.
Renee's sSnowflake quilt
Sewing Activities
Our guild has a lot going on! Here are the sewing opportunities for you:
Our guild has a lot going on! Here are the sewing opportunities for you:
- Magnificent Mystery Quilt Along
- Presidents' Challenges - Formal and Informal
- Retreats
- Fat Quarter Club
- Charity Projects
- Workshops
- Personal projects for our Quilt Show
Thank you to the financial support of the businesses who advertise in our newsletters.
You can click/tap on any of the advertisements in this newsletter to access the vendor's website. Please support our advertisers!
You can click/tap on any of the advertisements in this newsletter to access the vendor's website. Please support our advertisers!
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Gwen's Tip
Editor's Note: After a discussion at the recent March Sewcial Zoom evening I'm reprinting this tip from Gwen back in the October 2024 newsletter.
I have a tip that I think you might welcome.
I volunteered to bring home a lap quilt and a table runner from my daughter's place to wash for her. It was an "Oh NO!!" moment when I opened the washing machine. I had thrown in 2 Shout Out sheets with the quilt but the red/burgundy backing had run all through the beige background to make it a deep pink. I had prewashed all fabric before making the quilt. I washed it again with 4 Shout out sheets and another product. Not a whole lot better. I soaked it in the bathtub and it still looked awful. I prayed. How was I going to tell Jamie the quilt I made for him less than 2 years ago was ruined?
Then I went to Google.
Here is what I read:
" I used my bathtub and let a quilt flimsy, donated to our church quilt group, full of red bleeding, soak for about 2 hours using Dawn and hot water. Then I refilled the tub with Dawn and hot water and repeated for another 2 hours. The cure was amazing. I would have repeated the process again if I had needed it."
After several rinses in the washer, Jamie's quilt is back to the original colour.
I thought I should share this in case it happens to you.
-- Gwen Pennings
Editor's Note: After a discussion at the recent March Sewcial Zoom evening I'm reprinting this tip from Gwen back in the October 2024 newsletter.
I have a tip that I think you might welcome.
I volunteered to bring home a lap quilt and a table runner from my daughter's place to wash for her. It was an "Oh NO!!" moment when I opened the washing machine. I had thrown in 2 Shout Out sheets with the quilt but the red/burgundy backing had run all through the beige background to make it a deep pink. I had prewashed all fabric before making the quilt. I washed it again with 4 Shout out sheets and another product. Not a whole lot better. I soaked it in the bathtub and it still looked awful. I prayed. How was I going to tell Jamie the quilt I made for him less than 2 years ago was ruined?
Then I went to Google.
Here is what I read:
" I used my bathtub and let a quilt flimsy, donated to our church quilt group, full of red bleeding, soak for about 2 hours using Dawn and hot water. Then I refilled the tub with Dawn and hot water and repeated for another 2 hours. The cure was amazing. I would have repeated the process again if I had needed it."
After several rinses in the washer, Jamie's quilt is back to the original colour.
I thought I should share this in case it happens to you.
-- Gwen Pennings
Quilts for Tumbler Ridge
As we might expect, quilters from across Canada have donated quilts to the Tumbler Ridge community to provide comfort to those affected by the recent horrific mass shooting.
CBC Article and Video
CBC Article and Video
Upcoming Quilt Shows
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Location |
Dates |
Presented By |
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Ottawa ON |
May 3 |
Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market |
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Orillia ON |
May 8-9 |
Orillia Quilters Guild |
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Peterborough ON |
May 8-9 |
Kawartha Quiltmakers Guild |
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Arnprior ON |
May 30-31 |
Our guild! ADQG |
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Brighton ON |
June 6-7 |
Trent Valley Quilters Guild |
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Ottawa ON |
June 12-13 |
Common Thread Quilt Guild |
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Renfrew ON |
June 13-14 |
Quilters Guild of Renfrew & Area |
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Winnipeg MB |
June 18-20 |
Canadian Quilters Association Quilt Canada |
CQA Activities
Quilt Canada 2025
Photos of the award winning projects can be found here. Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
Quilt Canada 2026
Photos of the award winning projects can be found here. Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
Quilt Canada 2026
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2026 here.
Dates: June 18-20 2026
Location: Winnipeg Manitoba
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2026 here.
Dates: June 18-20 2026
Location: Winnipeg Manitoba
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
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ADQG Leadership Team
President: Amanda Vajda Contact Charity: Marilyn Erskine Contact Treasurer: Sandy Beach Contact Secretary: Pamela Friedrich Programs: Martha Palmer Contact Membership: Johanne Vajda Contact Library: Jacquie Lavictoire Communications: Janet Brownlee Contact Key Volunteers
Photographer: Emma Russell Preemie Quilt Coordinator: Carolyn Prince Raffle Ticket Sales: Brenda Payer Retreats: Sue Hodgins |
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Communications
Our primary means of communication with you, our members, and amongst our leadership team is by email.
If you have a question or concern, you can direct it to a specific member of our leadership team using the respective Contact link above. If you're unsure of who to contact, please send it to the general guild email address, arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
If you have a question or concern, you can direct it to a specific member of our leadership team using the respective Contact link above. If you're unsure of who to contact, please send it to the general guild email address, arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
Social Media
Have you followed us on Facebook yet? It’s a great way to stay up to date with our upcoming events and guild news.
To follow us on Facebook click/tap here.
To follow us on Facebook click/tap here.
Want even more? Join our Members-Only Facebook Group! It's a special space where you can share your creations, ask for advice, and connect with fellow members for support, inspiration, and friendship.
To join the Members-Only Group click/tap here.
To join the Members-Only Group click/tap here.
THANK YOU to Amanda, Martha, Vickie, Allison, Gwen and Renee for their guild updates, photos, and other news this month.
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
Our meeting next month is on April 22 and "in person"!