As I started writing, I realized that this is my last message of 2021. What a year it has been! Wild climate fluctuations ( leading to a heat dome, wildfires, flooding, atmospheric rivers, droughts,etc.) , the opioid crisis and the seemingly endless pandemic have affected us all. By this time in the year, I truly never thought that we would still be functioning in a Zoom universe.

I feel as if we’ve been living in a time warp - having so much time to work on projects and yet accomplishing so very little. The days fly by but, simultaneously, seem to drag on and on.

In spite of all this darkness, there is much hope on the horizon. Our world is opening up again - sporting events, concerts, indoor gatherings, restaurant meals and the simple pleasure of socializing with friends and family are now possible. Like all of you, I’m really looking forward to the guild meeting again in person.There was so much anticipation that with the rollout of the vaccines we would be well on our way back to ‘almost completely normal’ by now. But unfortunately, with the rise of the Delta variant ( and now a new variant of the variant) and vaccine hesitancy, we still need to be vigilant and follow the health recommendations. That being said, the executive has decided to work toward having our first in-person guild meeting in February (our AGM). We will be working with the church to ensure that all the protocols are met - we want all of you to be well and comfortable at the meeting.

These dark, blustery days of November are certainly not the most pleasant but what a great opportunity to retreat to our sewing places and attempt to work through the seemingly never shrinking pile of UFO’s. With a mug of coffee and music streaming in the background, my sewing room is truly my ‘happy place’. With the holidays approaching, I really need to focus on all those Christmas gifts that are waiting to be made - too many items, not enough time! In our family, I am notorious for still sewing on Dec. 24th - hopefully not this year but you never know.

The coming holiday season brings much joy particularly with all the sparkly lights. I’m very happy that every year they seem to start shining earlier and earlier. I like to think that they encourage us to remain ever optimistic during this lingering pandemic. This year with family get-togethers being possible, I feel very happy indeed. Christmas 2021 will be the first time in 11 years that my three sons and their families are all able to join us and I’m so grateful. The isolation we’ve all experienced over the last 20 months has made us truly realize the importance of family and friends - things don’t really matter, people do!

As I mentioned earlier, we are planning to have the AGM as our first in-person meeting. One of the agenda items will be the election of 6 Executive members - Vice-president, Treasurer, Program Coordinator, Librarian, Member-at-large and Communications Coordinator. The job descriptions will be posted on the website. I encourage all of you (and especially our new members) to consider putting your name forward. Apart from contributing to the guild, it is truly a wonderful way to get to know each other. If some of these positions are of interest to you and you would like a bit more information, feel free to reach out to current exec members.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Nov 23. In addition to the usual Reports, Show and Tell and Program, Colleen Bell will be giving us a Quilt Show update. Since I know that not all of you will be on Zoom with us, her report will also be on the website.

Remember to visit the website frequently- news and events are updated on a regular basis. This is your best source for guild information.

Stay warm and dry, happy sewing and see you on the 23rd.

Suzanne

Headliners

January Extravaganza postponed until Spring 2022

In Other News

In person meeting will be (hopefully, fingers crossed) February 23, 2022.

From Judy W.

We have received a request from a lady looking for "a wonderful someone" to make an entire memory quilt. The squares are ready to go.

If you are interested in.this please let me know.

Thanks

Break It Up - Workshop Registrants Reminder:

Got a quilt you think might be too big to handle on your domestic machine. Send photos to marginet@live.ca Subject: <Break it Up! 2021-11-21> if you want some hints, help, suggestions on how to quilt it.