The Guild meets September through June, on the 3rd Monday of the month (unless that day is a statutory holiday) at Neilson Park Creative Centre. Our first Fall meeting will be on Monday, September 21st. The order of those providing snacks has changed – have a look below.
September 21st
Gail Gallow and Yvette Fornier will present a slide show on their trip to Nunavut
October 19th
Rhonda Bennitt
About eight years ago, I discovered just how much I loved lace, doilies, and treasure hunting for them in thrift shops. I had already made a few small quilts, and my curiosity got the better of me — I decided to teach myself free-motion quilting.
A Little About Me
I’ve never really considered myself a traditional quilter. I’ve taken courses and worked from quilt patterns, but more often than not, I see something in my mind and then figure out how to bring it to life. I love taking something old, giving it a new life, and hopefully turning it into something beautiful and unexpected.
I love to experiment and I’m always learning. I enjoy working with different fabrics, techniques and media, and I’m always curious to see where an idea might lead. For me, that’s one of the wonderful things about quilting — there really are no boundaries.
The name Odds and Ends actually comes from my working days. I always had a folder where I kept all those little odds and ends of notes and information that I thought I might need someday. So, when I started doing craft shows and needed a name for my business cards, Odds and Ends seemed like the perfect choice.
I did several craft shows selling my creations, and it was through those shows that quilt guilds began approaching me about doing trunk shows and teaching some of the techniques I had learned along the way.
And that has led me to where I am today — still learning, still experimenting, and still finding new ways to combine the old with the new.
I hope that when you see my work, you’ll be inspired to look at quilting a little differently. Don’t be afraid to try something new, use something unexpected, or take an idea in a completely different direction.
There are no real boundaries to where quilting can take you.
So enjoy it, have fun, and see where your imagination takes you!
November 16th
Tanya Brown, has written a children’s book about the gift of a quilt. This book can be given with, or without, an actual quilt.
She has, in this book, hit on a core reason why people quilt. It’s love. Love for the craft, and a love to pass on to others in the form of a cozy blanket.
Tanya will bring (and sign) copies of the book on November 16th – plenty of time for you to mail the book to someone special for Christmas. Naturally, she will also bring a trunk show, along with her stories.
Of course, in the book, it is Mrs. Claus who quilts (good for her!) The name of the book is “The Christmas Quilt Jamboree”. Check it out at: https://www.bluemountainquiltcompany.com/
December 14th – Holiday Party
January 18th – Zoom from Adelaide Australia, Pam Holland
February 22nd – Zoom Kim Jameison-Hirst
April 19th – pending
May 17th – Lorraine Ray
June 21st – AGM
A typical meeting includes items of guild business, a guest speaker, a “show and tell” of work by members and refreshments. Some meetings may include a special activity – demos of new tools and techniques, or even a rousing game of fabric bingo.
Typical In Person Meetings
Doors open for live presentations at 6:30 pm for room set-up – after which you can peruse the info tables with details on workshops, tours and retreats being offered or visit the library until the meeting starts. Hours of meetings are 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm sharp. The Centre is wheelchair accessible. Ample free parking is available, and there is handicapped parking near the entrance.
Upon Arrival
Sign in at the membership table at the entrance to Studio A. Guests will receive a Guest’s name tag. Members wearing their name badges may win a door prize – a “fat quarter” of quilting fabric.
Visitor Policy
Visitors are welcome at every EQG meeting, except the annual general meeting in June. Fee for visitors is free for the first meeting if in person, $10 for subsequent meetings. All ZOOM meetings are $10 per person. Visitors may attend a maximum of three meetings per membership year.
Activity Tables
Before the meeting and during the break we encourage you to visit:
- Workshop Table – Registration and materials lists.
- Block of the Month – Participating members exchange blocks.
- Comfort Quilts – Comfort quilts are donated to various agencies, hospitals and individuals. Members take quilt tops home for quilting or binding, and return them the following month. For information about the Comfort Quilt program, please visit the EQG Gives Back page.
- Library– Members may borrow one pattern and video and up to three books. Items are due back at the next monthly meeting.
Refreshments for Monthly Meetings
At each EQG monthly member meeting, your Refreshments Team provides tea and coffee at the break. Members are encouraged to bring their own mug, but cups will be available if required.
We recognize that many members look forward to a sweet or savory nibble to enjoy with their beverage. These are provided by the membership in the following cycle
Refreshments Schedule:
September 21st – T – Z
October 19th – O – S
November 16th – K – N
December: Pot Luck Party!
April 19th – F – J
May 17th – A – E
June 21st Cake will be provided following the Annual General Meeting
What members should bring?
Your own mug plus anything of your own choosing. Finger food is best. Some suggestions are cookies, cake (cut and ready to serve), savoury items, cheese, vegetables, fruit or chocolates!
How the goodies be should plated?
Everything should be ready to serve. We do have some plates on hand for those in a pinch. The Refreshment Team is are not responsible for cutting the cakes prior to refreshments.
Should I put my name on bottom of dish?
Of course! The guild is not responsible for lost or forgotten items.
Do I need to bring serving utensils?
As most of the goodies are finger food, utensils are not necessary. The guild does have some serving utensils for use in an emergency. .
Do I need to bring plates, napkins etc?
No, the guild provides napkins.
What happens to leftovers?
You can either take them home along with your plates and containers. At the end of the break they are left on the end of the counter. Sometimes, people don’t want the leftovers and then they are placed in the fridge to share with Studio C.
Where do I bring my goodies?
Leave it on the counter in the room where we meet. Please do not leave it in the kitchen as this is used by other groups at NPCC and it might not be clear if it was intended for EQG or not. The kitchen is a common area.
When do I bring my goodies?
After you check in at the Membership Table, you can put you goodies on the counter in the meeting room.
What else?
It is helpful to label the ingredients in our goodies as some members may have have allergies or other medical conditions.
If you still have questions, please email the guild at: info@etobicokequiltersguild.com
Typical ZOOM Meetings
Some of our meetings will take place via ZOOM on the same schedule, and members will receive a link to the meeting via email. The meeting agenda will remain the same, and guest speakers or special activities will continue…the only difference is you attend from the comfort of your home. Guests are still permitted to attend for a $10 fee. Simply send an email to our Membership Convenor who will forward the ZOOM link to you.
The EQG ZOOM portal will open by 6:30 pm so members can meet for general conversation. The ZOOM meeting will be called to order at 7:00 pm and follow the usual agenda with a guest speaker running until about 8:45 pm. Don’t forget to mute yourself as a consideration to others on the call.