The spring bulbs are bringing color to the outside world while inside our sewing studios we are busy working on 50th anniversary challenge quilts and other colorful projects. Be sure to join us Monday, May 8 for Month 3 of our 50th anniversary year!

Mike Ellingsen is an award-winning quilter who is also active in music and drama in his church and community. He is in demand as both a vocal and piano soloist, and he was active in community theater in Blue Earth, Minnesota, for 43 years, so we know he will put on a good show when he visits our guild on Monday, May 8! After 45 years of living in Blue Earth, Mike and his wife, Sue, moved to Decorah, Iowa, in recent years. Mike has his own series of published patterns, which are available in his Etsy shop. He was selected as Minnesota Quilter of the Year—the first male to hold that distinction—for both 2020 and 2021, and he was finally able to show his quilts live and in person in June 2022. We look forward to welcoming him and seeing his work on Monday evening.

On Tuesday, May 9, Mike will teach a half-day workshop called Full Moon Rising. The registration fee is just $35, and you will learn to work with sewn-in circles. Check out the supply list and the registration form.

We have some exciting news to share: For the first time, the Lincoln Quilters Guild is participating in Give to Lincoln Day!
 
Give to Lincoln Day is a giving day event that encourages you to contribute to Lincoln and Lancaster County nonprofit organizations between May 1 and May 24. Give to Lincoln Day is coordinated by Lincoln Community Foundation, in partnership with local nonprofit organizations.
 
Every donation makes a bigger impact on Give to Lincoln Day because nonprofits also get a proportional share of a $500,000 match fund made possible by LCF and generous sponsors.
 
The purpose of Give to Lincoln Day is to promote philanthropy in Lincoln and Lancaster County. There are three primary goals:

1. Introduce new donors to local nonprofit organizations.
2. Help Lincoln nonprofit organizations tell their stories and educate Lincoln about the positive impact they have on our lives.
3. Shine a community spotlight on this day of charitable giving to raise a substantial amount of new money to assist the local nonprofit network.

 Because Give to Lincoln Day is intended to be a bonus fundraising opportunity for local nonprofits in our community, our 50th anniversary year is the perfect time to participate. We will have more information on Monday night. Please check out our page and consider donating between now and May 24.

Challenge Quilts
Remember to bring your 50th anniversary challenge quilts on Monday night. Quilts will be displayed, voting will take place, and prizes will be awarded at our 50th anniversary celebration June 12 at the International Quilt Museum. If you need a few extra days to finish your quilt, you can turn it in Friday morning, June 2, during the Cuddle Quilt meeting at the College View Seventh Day Adventist Church. Contact Vicky Skuodas for more information.
 
Nifty Fifty Raffle
Tickets for the Nifty Fifty Fat Quarter Raffle (NFFQR) will once again be on sale Monday night. Buy your tickets ($4 each or 3 for $10) and put them in the box you want to win. Winners will be drawn at the September guild meeting (need not be present to win).
 
Stellar and Gold
Of course, we also will have tickets available for our beautiful 50th anniversary raffle quilt, Stellar and Gold. Tickets are $2 each. Buy a booklet of 10 tickets and get a free handmade star! The winner will be drawn at the November guild meeting (need not be present to win).
 
LQG Polo Shirts
Show everybody you meet that you are a member of the coolest quilt guild in Nebraska by wearing your LQG polo shirt! Pick up your shirt for $27 at the 50th anniversary table.
 
Special Surprise
When you stop at the 50th anniversary table on Monday night to buy your raffle tickets and your polo shirt and drop off your challenge quilt, you will receive a small memento in honor of this special year.

State Guild Recognizes LQG
The April issue of the Nebraska State Quilt Guild Newsletter features an article about our 50th anniversary. Thanks to Lisa Burham and everyone on the 50th anniversary committee for all of their hard work to bring recognition to this special year!

Thanks again to everyone who contributed fabric, time, money, or all of the above to the guild’s booth at the Isles sale. The net profit from the sale (after expenses and sales tax) was $1,175.63!