We would like to provide a formal introduction to... drumroll please....
Your 2016 RIMQG Board of Directors!!!
Jill Belisle - 2016 RIMQG President
1) Tell us
about your quilting history (years, style, machine, business)
My machine is a Bernina Activa 145, which I bought in 2002.
At that time, I was trying to learn garment sewing, and took lessons. I
produced a few really nice skirts thanks to my sewing teacher, but I never got
really good at this type of sewing. About four years later, my sister-in-law
announced that she was pregnant with my very first nephew. I thought it would
be a great time to start quilting, so I bought a pattern (which really was
silly because it was literally nine 12-inch fabric squares) and agonized over
the fabric choices at Jo-Ann's. After finishing that quilt for Colin, who was
born in early 2007, I decided I wanted to make more. Thanks to my work buddy
(and our vice president!) Leslie Lowenstein, I learned how to bind and
free-motion quilt, among many other quilting skills (she's especially good at
quilt math!). I made lots more baby quilts, and finally "graduated"
to some larger ones (never bigger than lap size, but maybe someday ...). I
really enjoy smaller projects like table runners, wall hangings, and the recent
postcard challenge! I have only four quilts that I made, the rest I've given
away.
2) Why do you like being part of the RIMQG
This is my first time in a guild, and I'm really enjoying the
camaraderie. Until I joined RIMQG, I only knew two other active quilters - now
I know dozens! It's so much fun to meet people from all over the area, and I've
learned so much from the demos and show-and-tell. I also love learning about
modern quilting - it's so different from how I got started, but it's amazing!
3) Why is it important to you that you are part of the Board?
I was secretary last year, and I found the experience to be
a lot of fun and really instructive. It's helping me develop leadership skills
that I can use at work as well as on the board of a local nonprofit I volunteer
for. It was also great to get to know the other board members better. I'm
thrilled to take on the role as president this year, and I look forward working
with the board and all of the members to raise our group's profile in the
modern quilt community, welcome new members and make RIMQG THE guild to join!
4) What are you most excited about for 2016 (for our group)?
I'm most excited about all of the great ideas our members brought forth
in our December brainstorming session. There are so many fun activities that we
could try, and I look forward to helping to bring them to life!
Leslie Lowenstein - 2016 RIMQG Vice President
1) Tell us
about your quilting history (years, style, machine, business)
I've been sewing since I was little, but didn't start quilting until I was in
college. I made a wall hanging out of wool--it was horrible but I think my mom
still has it hanging in her house. I was probably the only student in my whole
school with a giant quilting hoop in her dorm room! As a history major, I was
really drawn to the history in quilts. I made traditional quilts and historical
reproduction quilts and I was happy. But then I started seeing all these
bright, bold colors, with lots of white and contrast and asymmetry and negative
space and...it didn't take long to realize that, while I still love the history
in quilts, modern quilting is for me. (I'm just wondering what to do with all
that reproduction fabric in my stash!)
2) Why do you like being part of the RIMQG
The friendships, the ideas, and the inspiration! I come home from every meeting
with a huge grin on my face. My husband thinks it's hysterical. I think it's so
awesome to have REAL quilting friends who love it as much as I do!
3) Why is it important to you that you are part of the Board?
I love being so involved and being able to help to shape who we are as a group.
I feel like the friendships I've made are so much stronger and I've been able
to get to know so many more members through planning meetings, activities and
events. I want to do everything I can to help other quilters grow and have as
much fun as I’m having.
4) What are you most excited about for 2016 (for our group)?
The brainstorm we had at the December meeting made it very clear that we want
to become more focused in 2016. I love that! I'm excited to really dig into a
few core ideas. And I just can't wait to get started with the monthly Lucky
Spool club that Sue initiated. What a great idea!
Jenn Galloway-Boyce - 2016 RIMQG Communications
1) Tell us
about your quilting history (years, style, machine, business)
My grandmother taught me basic sewing when I was young but I
was too much of a tomboy to care at that time.. I just couldn't seem to
sit at a sewing machine with such a huge world to explore outdoors! I began to
quilt 10 years ago with a friend. She taught me some basics and than I found a
lot of books on sewing at the Library. I also watched quilting tutorials on
YouTube and taught myself. My first machine was a Brother and I now own a
beautiful Babylock that I purchased from our VP Leslie.
2) Why do you like being part of the RIMQG
I was pretty lonely sewing quilts in my basement and thought
how much fun it would be to meet other quilters. I could not believe how I felt
when I left my first RIMQG meeting at Ryco almost 2 years ago! It was amazing
to find a room full of people that loved quilting as much as I did! I left that
meeting so excited and inspired by all of the members and their beautiful
quilts! Our guild is full of wonderfully talented and knowledgeable quilters
and I have learned so much as a member of RIMQG!
3) Why is it important to you that you are part of the Board?
I truly believe in the mission of the MQG, which is "to
support and encourage the growth and development of modern quilting through
art, education, and community." Being a part of the RIMQG Board in 2015 has helped me to
grow as a person and build lasting friendships with other members of the board
and guild. I am excited to continue on the board this year in my new
Communications position.
4) What are you most excited about for 2016 (for our group)?
I am excited to learn new techniques together as a group and
expand our knowledge of modern quilting by participating in activities and
challenges. I am particularly excited about the Mighty Lucky Quilting Group
that will begin in January.
Jen Smith - 2016 RIMQG Treasurer
1) Tell us about your quilting history
(years, style, machine, business)
I have been quilting since February
of 2012. My husband had made our son a pirate ship bed and I needed to
get a pirate sail for the mast on the bed. I searched forever and then I
decided to make my own. Trouble was, I didn't have a sewing
machine. So, I went out and purchased the cheapest machine I could find
and learned how to use it. I managed to make the sail and then I needed a
quilt. Again, I searched and searched but the amazing quilts I found were
so expensive. So I decided to use my cheap machine to make one. It
turns out the quilt cost just as much as the ones I didn't want to buy, I know
you are all shaking your head up and down right now! But the best part of
this long story is that I LOVED making that quilt! I was hooked just
after the first google search for fabric. Looking at that quilt now, it's
totally rudimentary but I still love it! I haven't stopped making since
that day. I now sew on a Bernina 560 and my husband cut a hole in an Ikea
desk for my machine to make a set in table, so free motion quilting is
easier! I really love modern fabrics and the modern look. I am hoping to
get better at improv and negative space!
2) Why do you like being part of the RIMQG
I just love spending time with a
room full of people who understand my love of making quilts. The MQG is
so informative and I have learned so much since becoming a member!
3) Why is it important to you that you are
part of the Board?
I really want to try and give back
to this great community, so what better way than being on the board and getting
to know all the great guild members better! I am hoping to try and
overcome my fear of public speaking and learn better leadership skills at the
same time.
4) What are you most excited about for 2016 (for our group)?
I am so excited after our brainstorming session last
meeting. I am particularly interested in improv and negative space.
I really struggle with quilting in the negative space so I practically never
make a quilt with it! I really hope to work on that this year!
Sangeeta Mellen - 2016 RIMQG Secretary
1) Tell us about your quilting history (years, style, machine, business)
My mother-in-law introduced me to traditional quilting 11
years ago on a very basic Janome which I still have and love. Shortly
thereafter I transitioned from a graphic design career with many deadlines to
starting an online quilt shop so I would be able to work from home whilst still
being able to take care of my young kids.
Having an online quilt shop inspired me to design patterns
to make kits with the fabric I was selling.
I immediately fell in love with the creative process of
watching my designs turn into something tangible.
This is when I bought my Bernina Artista 640, which is
the machine I currently use. The Universe however has a way of changing the course of our
lives...
I no longer sell fabric online and just last year after
about 8 years of not quilting I decided to look for a quilt guild that was more
my style. I'm so glad I found it!
2) Why do you like being part of the RIMQG
I love the energy, positivity, the charitable contributions
that bring happiness and joy to someone's life, the sharing of knowledge, the
learning, the different styles, ideas and inspiration that everyone
one brings to the group. But I especially love and value the
friendships I've made being in this group.
3) Why is it important to you that you are part of the Board?
I feel honored to be part of the board as secretary and to
be able to contribute my skills and ideas to help facilitate the growing needs
of our guild as well as to help maintain a balance of keeping things light and
fun for our members.
4) What are you most excited about for 2016 (for our group)?
I think with every year that passes we learn more and can be
even more amazing with the things we create and contribute. I'm excited to see
where this leads us.
Denise Lamb - 2016 RIMQG Member Rep
1) Tell us about your quilting history (years, style, machine, business)
I've been sewing for 50 years - gee maybe I
should make myself a 'Golden Jubilee Quilt"? My very first project
was a competition with my fellow 2nd grade friend to make a Barbie Dress
(a la Ginger Rogers style). It was a complete and utter disaster; I just
couldn't figure out how to make the seams not show - right sides together? duh!
Thus began my lifelong desire to conquer every aspect of
sewing. I'm kind of a 'gold star' person, so I became a pretty darn good
dressmaker. In High School I learned tailoring, then majored in Textile
Science at URI. I'd always dabbled in quilting, but only since joining RIMQG
have I dove into quilting. (Quilts don't need fitting!) I love Bernina's
and have slowly moved up the ranks to my current machine, the 710. Oh
yeah! and my newest 'little' love: a gently used APQS Millennium longarm.
2) Why do you like being part of the RIMQG
I'm not much of a "joiner" - I usually
prefer working on my own things, at my own pace. But that first meeting
of the RIMQG, for me, was like being blind and seeing for the first time!
Such color combinations, such style, such a screaming new approach! I was
hooked. But the best part was meeting such a great and stimulating group
of quilters. I've said it before, but I'm vibrating with excitement after
every meeting.
3) Why is it important to you that you are part of the Board?
I ran for a post on the board because I felt it was
time for me to "give back" to this group that has given me so much
joy and encouragement.
4) What are you most excited about for 2016 (for our group)?
I'm hoping to help the Board "tighten up"
the already fabulous program. I'd like to see us focus our study of
Modern Quilting- be it through color,design, technique. I think that the
"Lucky Spool Club" that Sue Ahnrud spearheaded is going to be a major
step towards achieving this goal.
Welcome new board members!
We look forward to a wonderful 2016 under your leadership!
