January 9, 2025
The January meeting of the Corvallis Modern Quilt Guild (CMQG) was held virtually via Zoom. President Colleen Powers convened the meeting at 7:00 pm with thirty-six members in attendance. Additionally, guests Karen, Emilia, and Victoria were warmly welcomed to the evening meeting along with new member, Helen, and returning member, Lorna.
Program:
The January program centered around the theme of “Scraps.” Guest speaker, Brita Nelson, delivered a lecture titled “Every Last Crumb, An Adventure in Scrap Quilting.”

The presentation provided valuable insights into managing a quilter’s multitude of accumulated scraps. Scraps can result from leftover fabric purchased for a specific project. Ms. Nelson organizes the larger scraps into fat quarters and layer cakes, which she returns to her stash. She considers any fabric smaller than a fat eighth an actual scrap. She cuts this fabric into 2.5-, 3-, 4- and 5-inch squares. Anything smaller than a 2.5 in square or small strip is utilized to create crumb fabric. During the lecture, Ms. Nelson emphasized the importance of trusting the random process in scrap quilting. Occasionally similar colors will appear near each other, which is a natural occurrence. Ms. Nelson also shared basic color and contrast principles to enhance the visual appeal of scrap quilts.
For further information regarding Brita Nelson, please visit questioningquilter.com.
Member Spotlight:
Two guild members, Amber Lee Garrison and Lauren Graham (Bowden), from Salem were recognized during the Member Spotlight. Both members share a passion for scrap quilts. This love was quite obvious as Amber and Lauren shared beautiful scrap quilts that each have created during their quilting endeavors.
Amber Lee Garrison made her first quilt at age fourteen. She pursued an art degree at OSU and was a founding member of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild. She has been a CMQG member since 2017. As a CMQG member she started our Queen of UFO’s. In addition to her love of scrap quilts and collecting fabric, Amber engages in various crafts such as spinning, knitting, weaving, scrapbooking and painting.
Lauren Graham (Bowden) developed an interest in quilting at the age of six when she made her first block. At age fifteen, she was hit by the quilting bug and her love for scrap quilts and the color orange has only grown. She has been a CMQG member since 2020. Lauren works full time as an IT analyst. On the weekends, she dedicates herself to merchandising and show booths for The Cotton Patch in Salem which is the family-owned business.
Book Club:
The ZOOM book club event will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The club will be reviewing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Looking ahead, the February title will be Did I Ever Tell You? By Genevieve Kingston.
February Meeting:
The February 13, 2025 monthly meeting will be back at the Corvallis Museum with Diana Finkenaur speaking about Quilt Math.
Workshop Opportunity:
The January 18, 2025 Zoom workshop - Crumbs to Quilts - by Brita Nelson has been cancelled.
Welcome 2025 Retreat:
Members received a Save-the-Date reminder for the Welcome 2025 Retreat being held on March 29th and 30th. The primary focus will on donation quilts, although members can work on any personal project. More information will be provided as the date approaches.
CMQG 2025 Block of the Month Challenge:
Members were invited to participate in the monthly challenge: Year of Scrappy Triangles. The objective is to construct 6-inch foundation paper pieced half-square triangles. Members are encouraged to make one or all 52 triangles, as per their preference. Members interested in the challenge can download Leila Gardunia’s 52 free scrappy triangle foundation patterns through her website leilagardunia.com.
Invitation to Contemporary Fiber Arts Guild:
Our member Beth Rietveld, from Quilted Bliss, will talk about how her visits to Japan have influence her fiber art work. Beth will also discuss the art of furoshiki, package wrapping. The meeting is at 7 pm at the Corvallis Community Center on January 14th, 2025. The event is open to all interested.
Membership Renewal:
Dues are now $45. Members are encouraged to renew their membership online. However, membership is payable via a check. Please note that if you haven’t renewed yet, you are currently in the grace period allowed by the Modern Quilt Guild. As an additional reminder, you will be contacted directly if you have not renewed yet by the end of January.
Ultimate Finisher:
The Ultimate Finisher winner drawing for the 2024 year will be held at the February 13, 2025 meeting at the Corvallis Museum.
Upcoming Guild and other Quilting Events:
In-Person Sew Day: Sunday, Jan. 12th 10 am - 4 pm at CPI
New Hand Sewing Group, Uncommon Embroidery: 4th Fridays, Jan. 24th 10 am - 12 noon in Albany at Karen Cunagin’s home
Virtual Sew Day: Saturday, Jan. 25th 10 am - 4 pm
Quilt Festival in Salem:
More information regarding the February 27th - March 1st, 2025 quilt festival can be found at www.oregonquiltfestival.com. The event is being held at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Columbia Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 by Colleen Powers.
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