April Letter from the Chair

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Greetings members!

With our AGM happening this month, this is going to be one of my last opportunities to write to you on behalf of the committee.  It’s been an honor to serve as the chair, and I’ve learned and grown so much though my experience here at the Southern Branch.

On April 8th, 2017 we’ll be meeting at the Sacred Heart Church on Western Road at 10:00 am.

Patchwork Plus will be our shop.

The agenda of the meeting includes:

  • Social Time
  • Welcome and Announcements
  • Annual General Meeting (AGM)
  • Block of the Month
  • Needle Book Swap
  • Show and Tell
  • And our Raffle

Tea and coffee is provided, other refreshments depend on your generosity.

A few notes for you about the AGM.  This is the yearly meeting where the formal business of the organization is performed.  During the meeting, we’ll have the Chair’s Report, Minutes of the last AGM, Treasurer’s Report, Executive Representative’s report, Motions, election of new committee, and any new business.  Please see the attached file for the Agenda.   I’d recommend printing your own for taking any notes as we’ll only have a limited amount of copies.

The committee has decided that visitors are welcome to sit in the meeting, however only paid up members are allowed to vote on any business presented.

A note about any motions that you’d like to put forward—motions presented at the Southern Branch’s AGM should only be actionable for the Southern Branch.  If you’re interested in putting forth a motion for Executive level business, that should be done at the National AGM that is happening October 7th at the Kingsley here in Cork.  Remember that any motions presented at the local or national level need to be specific and actionable to be accepted.

I’d also like to invite all members of the branch to join the committee!  It’s essential for the branch to run smoothly to have 5-6 members on the committee.  With three members stepping down, the branch will need three more to take their place.  The current committee has focused on making the transition as easy as possible by having plans in place for all of the meetings up to June.

Did you get a chance to see the Community Exhibition at the Sirius Arts Centre?  Wasn’t it a fantastic exhibition?  If you submitted a quilt, you can pick it up at our meeting on Saturday.  If you aren’t able to attend our meeting on Saturday, you can arrange a time to get your quilt from Assumpta.  You can email her at skipper.assumpta@gmail.com or phone her at (087) 224 1540.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

–Erin

January Letter from the Chair

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Greetings members!

I hope you’re recovering as well as I am from the holidays.  Now that my family has returned to the United States, I’ve got access to my sewing machine—a month was too long to be away from it!

Starting with a few announcements:

On a sad note, Southern Branch Member Kitty Whelan has passed away over the weekend.  My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends in this difficult time.

A call for blocks:

Joanna is heading the effort to create a quilt made of nine patches for the Community Exhibition.  Members are requested to create a 6.5 inch nine patch block with a blue centre square.  A video tutorial for a simple nine patch block is posted on the blog.

December’s block of the month instructions had an error.  For the Double Friendship Star’s cutting instructions, under background fabric, it should read “Five 4 ½ inch squares”

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On January 14th, we’re meeting at the Sacred Heart Church on Western Road at 10:00 am for a day of patchwork fun!

The agenda of the meeting includes:

  • Block of the Month
  • Quilt label demonstration
  • AGM 2017 Update
  • February Swap Announcement
  • A talk by Tomomi McElwee about her quilting journey.  She’s bringing some of her amazing work for us to see!
  • “Community” Exhibition Information
  • March Workshop Announcement
  • Show and Tell
  • Raffle
  • Apple Tree Crafts will be the shop

Tea and Coffee will be provided at our meeting, however cakes and other goodies are dependent on members.

And in the afternoon, Tomomi will be showing us how to make her gorgeous Patchwork Drawstring Bags!  There’s only one space left if you’re interested in joining in!  Be sure to let me know, so I can send you the supply list and you can get your fabric precut.  If any member who has already signed up hasn’t received their supply list, please let me know!  NOTE:  If you’re staying over for the class, lunch is not provided, you’ll need to plan ahead.

See you on Saturday!  Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions!

 

November Letter from the Chair

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Hello Members!

It’s time for our November meeting, happening at

 10:00 am
November 19, 2017 at the Sacred Heart Church on Western Road. 

The committee has been working hard since the last meeting and we have a LOT to share with you!

First, we’ve hosting two shops at our meeting, Lismore Quilts and Sew Crafty Fabrics!  It’s a great opportunity for you to get supplies to finish the projects you’re working on to gift over the holidays.

We’ll also be hosting the members of the Midwestern Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society!  It’s a great opportunity to meet and network with the members from Limerick.  We’ve asked them to bring some projects to show and tell to inspire us!

Our November Block of the Month will be debuted.

Our December challenge will be announced.  We’re looking forward to seeing what you make!

During our social time before the meeting, we’ll also have a slow stitching demonstration.  Be sure to check it out!

The sign-up sheet for Tomomi McElwee’s class, the Drawstring Patchwork Bag, will be available.  This workshop will be happening after our January meeting, from approximately 1 pm to 5 pm.  The cost of the workshop is €30.  Remember that sign-ups are first come first served!

There are a few books left from the Library book sale.  These will be available for €2.

We will have our usual raffle.

Be sure to bring your projects to show off during Show and Tell!  We’d love to be able to inspire the Midwestern Branch as well with our makes!

Tea and coffee will be supplied, we look forward to seeing what cakes and other refreshments you can provide.

After the meeting, we’ll host the Midwest Branch for an Open Sew Afternoon!  For Southern Branch members interested in staying, we’ll have lunch available for a small fee.  **Note, depending on demand for the open sew afternoon, be prepared with a hand sewing project just in case there isn’t enough room for your sewing machine!    I’ll be bringing a quilt to sew the binding on just in case I won’t be able to work on my sons’ quilts!

See you all on Saturday, please feel free to email me if you have any questions!  corkips@gmail.com

 

Letter from the Chair

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Are we really sure Christmas only comes once a year? Or is it just a vicious rumour started by retailers !?

Anyway, it’s Christmas once again! HoHoHo!

We hope to see lots of you on SATURDAY 12 th DECEMBER 10am Church of Sacred Heart, Western Road, Cork.

As always, we have a busy fun filled programme!
Our shop will be Patchwork Plus and Moya will be giving us a demo of a fabric wreath, no needle or thread required!

The judging of the Christmas Challenge will take place.  ANYTHING made from at least 2 of the circles issued last month.  All is on the website!  Moya will be our judge.

We will be having our usual, Santa Surprise or Bran Tub, as some of us blow ins like to call them.  Please spend a maximum of €10. You will be given a raffle ticket on receipt of your gift and gifts will be selected later.

The Show and Tell for this meeting should be full of inspiration from all of your handmade Christmas gifts!

We will be having the fun, difficult & thoughtful QUIZ again the year, written by Ann!

Erin will demonstrate the latest Block of the Month.
We will have our usual RAFFLE.

We are very sad to hear of the passing of Bernadette Falvey.

There are still members who have not paid up their fees from September‐ €40.  If you have, please remember to collect your card at the desk.

Cakes and goodies are still required to drink with the free cup of tea or coffee, bring your signature piece to celebrate Christmas!  Thank you for your generosity.

We hope to hear of the grand total made at the sale of goods work on 3rd December, well done all!

This all sounds so much, but whatever else you don’t bring…………come yourself!!! WE NEED YOU!

Best wishes, Jane 0879853046