August 2026 Guild Meeting

Meeting Date: August 1, 2026

The August meeting was called to order by Dawn Bianco with a welcome to all. Dawn shared information from the SC State Fair regarding entries wanted for the upcoming fair October 15 –
25, 2026. . Follow this link for more information about entering: Click Here

General Announcements:

• Faye Jones shared 3 samples of her art work, and details of a sale she will have at the October 3rd meeting. (Although this is a sew day, the art will be offered at the business meeting which will begin at 1 p.m.). Numbers will be given to those in attendance who are interested in obtaining one of Faye’s works. Shoppers will be called in numerical order to choose one piece. Faye is asking that those who choose a piece send a check to one of our local food banks to help with feeding our community. There is no minimum or maximum, and Faye doesn’t need to know how much is sent, but she asks that you honor her request if you take a piece home to enjoy.
• Dagmar Theodore gave an update on our Christmas Luncheon / Auction. Donations are now being accepted. Handmade items, sewing accessories, or works of art are welcome. There will be a large box at the next meeting to take anything you wish to donate for the auction. Tickets will once again be for sale on Zeffy. This is our only fundraiser of the year, and proceeds are used to fund our programs. Members are encouraged to participate.
• Cheryl Budnaitis shared the good news about UpCountry Quilters 2nd place winning submission to the Pigeon Forge Mountain Quilt Fest. The group entry consisted of 17 little quilts. The quilts are now on display at the Pickens Museum. More information about the Snapshots in Time exhibit can be found by clicking here.
• The City of Greer Center for the Arts currently has a gallery display from Upstate Artist Collective. The center is located at 804 Trade Street in Greer, and hours noted on the web site are Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm and Tuesdays 12 to 8 p.m. I called them for other hours and was told they are also open on Wednesday and Thursday from 12 to 4 pm and Saturday 10 am to 12 noon. You may call them at 864-848-2150 for additional information. Phyllis Costa, Jonnie McKenzie, and others you will know from guild participation have items to enjoy in the show.
• Donna Boylan, our library, shared with us 2 new books that have been added to the shelf. Walking 2.0 about walking foot quilting, and Christina Cameli’s Wedge Quilt Workshop (that was used in our recent Zoom class with her).

Committee Reports:

• Nominating:
  • Reminder that our Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers in September for your consideration. Voting will take place at the October business meeting. This will be a month earlier than stated in current by-laws which will also require a recorded vote.
• Programs:
  • Diana Pickens, Vice President / Programs, reported that 18 houses have been turned in for our most recent challenge. With a show of hands many members committed to bring additional blocks to the September meeting, so the deadline was extended. Please plan to bring house or tree blocks to add to our next charity quilts.
  • Our September program will be presented by Jennifer McClanahan of Sweet Tea Patterns. She will demonstrate taking a single pattern from a traditional to a modern quilt. She will have patterns for sale and accepts cash, card, or check.
  • October’s meeting is a planned Sew Day/. Our business meeting will begin at 1:00 pm and will include the previous mentioned vote, so please join us. The theme of sew day will be Made Fabric, or sewing together your scraps to make “new” fabric pieces.
  • November’s meeting will be presented by Christine Todesko, artist, architect, and quilter.
  • Our show and share included a viewing of tone of the Quilts of Valor Cheryl Budnaitis put together from the star blocks turned in during our Spring challenge. There are enough to complete 2 Quilts of Valor. Thank you to Cheryl.
  • Faye Jones presented our program on critique of your quilts, what you learn from it and how it helps you be a better quilter. Following are a few notes I jotted down: Faye recommended fixing your errors as you find them. Using a mirror to view your quilt gives you a new perspective. Make an audition block or two to check your color and value. Value contrast is important to read the pattern from a distance.

The meeting adjourned at 3:40.

NOTE: September meeting is the 12th since the first Saturday falls on Labor Day weekend. Mark your calendar!