We have resources available to help ACQ members publicize the 2023 Festival of Quilts to your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Next Door.  See the Publicity Packet for suggested blurb and graphics sized for the different platforms and fliers to hang!  Lets get the word out!

Click here for FOQ Publicity Packet page.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if we didn't have a change of seasons? Imagine just having the hot summer sun year round, or waking up to a blanket of snow each day. Think about how nice it is to welcome in Spring, when nature bursts into bloom with new growth and a change in surroundings. If we see change as a naturally occurring event - much like the seasons - than we can embrace change as a gift and an invitation to improve and enhance our lives.

Change is inevitable. We've all heard it and are probably tired of hearing it. But sometimes change is good! ACQ has partnered with First Plymouth Congregational Church for many, many years. We've held guild meetings, presentations, auctions, special events, and quilt shows. It seems odd to think of a time when we wouldn't be meeting at this church sharing stories and smiles. But, the time has come to find a new home and make new memories!

With the major increase of costs at First Plymouth, Barb Pond, Louise Helton, Jan Wolfgram, Carolyn Morris, Amanda Bauer, and Linda Mazunik have been busy working to find us a new home. Many hours were spent reviewing requirements and visiting locations.

We are happy to announce that our NEW VENUE will be:

Our Father Lutheran Church 6335 S. Holly St. Centennial, CO 80121

This church provides many of our necessary requirements as well as availability for pop-ups and other events. The team is busy working on the plan to move to the new location beginning in July. We will continue to meet at First Plymouth until then, as well as for our Quilt Show in June. And the Good News, we will be returning to all IN-PERSON meetings with live-streaming available at the new venue!

And speaking of the Quilt Show.....Have you entered your quilt? We need your entry! Our Quilt Show is for everyone; even those who think their quilts aren't "show quality". Have you shown a quilt in Show-and-Tell? Why not enter it? There are categories available which aren't judged. All quilts are wanted as we want to showcase the talents of ALL our members. We hope to see YOUR quilt in our show!!

submitted by Diane Sheriff

JULY              MARGARET WILLINGHAM

Guild Meeting IN PERSON at Our Father Lutheran Church with a workshop on July 15th from 10-4 at Wooden Spools.

AUGUST SHERI NOEL

Guild Meeting IN PERSON at Our Father Lutheran Church.

SEPTEMBER DANA JONES

Guild Meeting IN PERSON at Our Father Lutheran Church. Two 1/2-day VIRTUAL workshops on September 16th.

OCTOBER "A LOOK AT OUR CHARITIES"

Guild Meeting will focus on the different charities that we work with in a HYBRID meeting. A 1/2-day VIRTUAL workshop on "Making Mittens" with Sheri Noel on October 21st. 

NOVEMBER CARL HENTSCH

Guild Meeting will be HYBRID with Carl talking about how Amish Quilting has influenced the modern quilt movement.

It's been a few years since we've had our Quilt Show, and the 2023 Festival of Quilts is only two months away. I'm sure that many of our past attendees are unaware that we're now able to showcase our talents since Covid is behind us. It's time to start "spreading the word" and preparing ourselves for another great festival!

Have you registered your quilts? The early registration date is coming up shortly, and we want to make sure that there are PLENTY of lovely works to share with the attendees. Right now we have room for 100 more quilts, so register TODAY at www.acqcolorado.org!

Don't have a quilt for the show? You can still help support YOUR guild by volunteering, participating in the boutique, and inviting all of your friends to visit the show on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th. Entry is just $10.00 a person, and if you have a quilt in the show, your entry fee is waived!

Keep your eyes peeled for additional information in the next month on how you can share the Festival of Quilts with your friends, family, and community through your social media and word of mouth!

submitted by Jen Dietz , Past President

Read the full newsletter online. Sign in to the website to access the March newsletter here.  Look for the new Quilt Spot feature!

March is National Quilt Month. Every third Saturday of March is known as National Quilting Day...a day in which to celebrate the rich tradition of quilt-making. This day is for local quilters to show what they've made and to share their love of the craft. In 1989, the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society organized a “Quilters’ Day Out” on the third Saturday of March to celebrate the rich tradition of quilt-making in Kentucky. In 1991, National Quilting Association officers were so enthused with the concept and success of “Quilters’ Day Out” that they voted to take it to a national level.

The first National Quilting Day was observed in 1992 and since then it has grown into a global celebration for all quiltmakers and quilt lovers. Helen Storbeck, one of the founders of National Quilting Day, wrote in The Quilting Quarterly, “Groups of quilters were encouraged to hold special events, publishers and shop owners were invited to sponsor promotions especially for quilters and it quickly became a grassroots endeavor with quilters in every part of the country participating.

In the first year of National Quilting Day, quilters in other countries asked to participate. They were welcomed with open arms. As our feelings of a community network has evolved to include a world community, it is only appropriate that quilters and quilt lovers everywhere united to give recognition to the special art form.”

Here are some ways to spend National Quilting Day:

• HANG YOUR QUILTS OUTDOORS ON NATIONAL QUILTING DAY
• MAKE IT A SERVICE DAY  Work on a quilt for your favorite cause.
• SHARE YOUR QUILTING SKILLS  Offer to teach a simple quilt project to a school, 4-H, scout, or other youth group, or spend the day passing along your love of quilting to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or neighbors.
• SAVE QUILT STORIES  Organize a quilt history day or a quilt documentation project.

Many on-line quilt stores will offer free patterns, or bargains, during National Quilt Month and/or National Quilting Day. Watch our ACQ Community page for free offers during this month. 

submitted by Diane Sheriff 

I was inspired by Carolyn Morris and the Panel Quilt that she made for Children's Hospital. As many panels have been donated to ACQ, I have made several kits with fabrics for borders added, for you to put a small quilt together. You can use your own stash (or crumbs) to make the quilt worthy of someone needing quilt hugs! These are a quick project for those who would like to help out. Also, our contact from At Home Hospice has asked for Fidget Quilts. This might be a fun way to use scraps and other objects around the house. If you have items to donate or an interest in participating, please contact me at sheila-clark@comcast.net. I have included some helpful information below regarding Fidget Quilts.

WHAT IS A "FIDGET QUILT"?

Fidget quilts are used for Alzheimer, dementia patients who need something to do with their hands, especially those that are staying in an unfamiliar hospital or care home. The idea is give the fingers and hands something to do, and it can help those with dementia feel calm while keeping them occupied. The usual size is 18 x 20 inches. They can feature zippers, ties, ribbon, strings, buttons, snaps, closures, buckles, lace, velcro, elastic, beads, rick-rack and different textures - like minky, stretchy, pom-poms, pockets, braids.....you name it. Anything that can keep the fingers busy and can be washed will work....think of a child's busy book! Items must be able to withstand hot water as they'll be washed frequently. Since these interactive textiles are meant to stimulate memory, it is important that fidget quilts trigger the senses by using different textures and embellishments as much as possible. 

submitted by Sheila Clark

Coming Soon! A NEW Sewing Bee is starting soon specifically for working on Charity projects. We are going to call it the Charity / CPNLS "Blanket Bee" and would like all members who are interested in making CPNLS blankets or working on Charity quilts to join us! This will be an In-Person Bee. If interested, please contact the CPNLS Committee via cpnls_committee@acqcolorado.org. Your feedback is welcome so that we can pick a day, time, and place to meet that is convenient for those interested. You do not need to join the "Blanket Bee" in order to contribute your talents. We just thought this would be a nice way to get together and know each other, as well as provide another way for picking up and returning blankets and quilts.

submitted by Doreen Mortimer

PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED.

Do you like to take pictures or have a friend that likes to? We have an opportunity for you!

The Festival of Quilts is looking for someone to take pictures of our quilt entries prior to judging. This would take place at the First Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd., Englewood, CO on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, starting at 8 am. We expect to have 100 - 120 quilts that need photos. We will have people available to hang and move quilts, and the process takes about 4 hours to complete. Please contact Nancy Conklin or Jan Wolfgram (quiltshow@acqcolorado.org) for more information. 

MEMBERS - Please note that, effective January 2024, complete Newsletters in an easy-to-read and illustrated format are now located in the MEMBERS ONLY section under "Newsletters".