'Tis the season for a little holiday magic!

Sign up for the Secret Elf gift exchange and get matched with a fellow member to shower with a fun, thoughtful gift. Stitch something special or find the perfect treat.  Bring the mystery gift to our holiday event in December, when all the Secret Elves are finally revealed! It’s one of our favorite traditions, so don’t miss out — sign up today and spread some holiday cheer!

Signup forms are available at the Farmhouse, along with an envelope for completed forms. We will also have forms at the August 17, 2026 general meeting, or download a pdf or docx version.  Please note: you must be logged into the website to download the form, since this is a members-only activity.

Once you fill in your details, return the form to the envelope at the Farmhouse, via snail mail, or scan it and send it by text or email to Carla Rinellaor or Chris Christodoulou.  Contact information for Carla and Chris is on the form and in the membership directory.

Deadline to return the form is September 21, 2026! We will collect any final forms at the September 21, 2026 general meeting. Information about your Secret Elf match will be sent September 30, 2026 to your email.

For all members, an updated printable membership directory is now available in the Members section of the website.  Just look for the item Membership Directory from the MEMBERS main menu item, and click on the Printable Directory button near the top of the page, which will take you to the printable directory page.  Look for instructions on how to download the directory on the right side of the page.  Or download it directly from this link.

Just a reminder -- you can always view and search the most up-to-date directory from the directory page or from the Members app.

Please note:  you must be logged in to the website to view or download the membership directory.

GQCCC’s past president Nancy “Dale” Wolfe passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, surrounded by her family. Dale was our 1st Vice President from 2013 to 2015, and served as President of our Guild from 2015 through 2017. She was very involved with Guild activities and chaired the 2016 and 2017 quilt shows. She also taught Guild workshops on ribbon embroidery, making dog beds for charity, and other topics.

Outside of Guild activities, Dale explored her artistic side by creating watercolor paintings that she displayed in local galleries. She was active in several other quilt guilds as well as ours and made beautiful quilts for her family and friends. She also created silk ribbon embroidery pieces that she displayed in her home. Dedicated to her son’s education, she volunteered at his elementary school by teaching craft skills.

Those who knew Dale well enjoyed her quirky sense of humor. Despite claiming she was shy, she adapted well to leadership positions both during her career and her outside activities. She will be missed by many friends and fellow quilters. More details memorializing her life are available in her online obituary.

Her husband Randy Wilkey asked those wishing to remember Dale to donate to Hospice East Bay or other organizations she supported: National Museum of Women in the Arts, National Organization for Women, Smithsonian Institution, American Civil Liberties Union, and American Red Cross. Her family has chosen a private celebration to honor her wishes.

Donna Brooks, Bonnie Hunter, and Dale Wolfe at a 2019 class with Bonnie.

Dear members and friends:

While we appreciate everyone's generosity, we are unable to accept any more non-monetary donations of fabric, sewing supplies, and other items until later this summer, after the Country Store and other events.  Our storage room is bursting at the seams, and we have no more room.  

Please DO NOT leave donations at the Farmhouse either, that is only adding to the problem.   

We will notify everyone when we are once again able to receive donations, and appreciate your cooperation.

Get ready to showcase your creativity! The entry period is now open for the Handcrafts and Fiber & Needle Art Competition at the California State Fair! Artists from around California are invited to share their incredible craftsmanship this year at the California State Fair, which will take place from July 2 to August 2, 2026. From stunning quilts and detailed embroidery to beautifully handcrafted creations, your work deserves the spotlight. Your artwork will be proudly displayed and seen by thousands of fairgoers during the fair’s exciting run!  Online entries will be accepted until 4:30 PM on May 8, 2026. 

Entry Fees: Fiber & Needle – $12 Handcrafts – $12 Quilts – $14 Special Contest – $12

For more information visit https://castatefair.com/ 

Fiber & Needle and Crafts Competition: https://castatefair.com/crafts-competition/ 

To enter, go directly to: https://calexpos.fairwire.com/ 

This is your chance to compete for awards, gain recognition, and be part of one of California’s most celebrated events. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your talent shine on display!

There are also Student Showcase, Fine Arts, Photography, Film, and Plain Air Art competitions for those who are interested.

If you have any questions, please email creativearts@calexpo.com or text/call  (916) 642-2210.

Sign up on or after February 17, 2026, and you your membership will be valid until July 1, 2027.  That is FOUR extra months! 

Visit the Join page to apply online to become a member.

GQCCC has donated $500 to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano. This donation is twice the amount that has been allocated for our holiday charitable donation in past years.

We recognize the increased need for these services in the current time. The Guild has had a successful fundraising year from the Quilt Show and the Country Store, and we are grateful to be able to share it with the community.

Always Quilting
4230 Olympic Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403

After over twenty-three fun and exciting years, Kit and Julie are planning for retirement! While it’s bittersweet to think about our retirement, we are excited for the next chapter, and we are looking for passionate individuals or a group to carry on the legacy of our beloved quilt shop.

"Where Creativity and Community Come Together" has been our motto from the start, and Always Quilting has been a pillar of the quilting community for our entire twenty-three years. From FREE Friday sewing, to a huge selection of fabrics, patterns, and notions, to great classes, and to long arm quilting and machine rental, we have strived to offer the quilting community everything they need! We hope to find new owners who will continue to inspire the creativity, friendship, and vibrant spirit that our shop personifies.

If you or someone you know is interested in taking this cherished quilt shop to the next chapter, please reach out for more details: alwaysquilting@gmail.com or call Julie at 415-519-6838

Mark your calendars and be sure to bring a big tote bag!  The 2026 sale will be held again in the big room at the Farmhouse.

Country Store and Fabric Sale

June 6, 2026 ~ 10 am to 3 pm
June 7, 2026 ~ 11 am to 1:00 pm

Contra Costa County Farm Bureau
5554 Clayton Rd
Concord, CA

Visit the 2026 Opportunity Quilt web page to learn all about this year’s quilt. 

Postcards for members to distribute to the community with information about the quilt will soon be ready for pick up at The Farmhouse -- we will send an announcement when they are available. Tickets will also be sold at the quilt show on April 18 and 19, 2026.  The drawing will be at the annual quilt show on April 19, 2026 at 3:30 pm.

The guild counts upon ALL its members to do their part by selling a minimum of $20 of tickets to family, friends, and co-workers, or by buying the tickets for themselves.

2026 Opportunity Quilt ticket packets for members are now at the Farmhouse! Each packet contains:

•  24 tickets, which sell for $1 each, 6 for $5, or 12 for $10, all 24 for $20,

•  An addressed return envelope (for your check and tickets)

Please pick up your envelope and return your tickets and money as soon as you are able! Tickets and money can be put into the manila envelope in the Member box at the Farmhouse, returned at an in-person guild meeting, mailed to Reba, or turned in at the quilt show on April 18 or 19, 2026.  Additional tickets can be requested from the Opportunity Quilt page on the website.

Our Opportunity Quilt is one of our big fundraisers of the year. The money raised is used to bring wonderful speakers to the guild, as well as making it possible to have our lovely guild room at the Farmhouse. We are quite unique among guilds that we have this amazing space to gather for small groups and classes and workshops, to create quilts, exchange ideas, house our library and tools, and enjoy each other’s company. It also supports our community work as we make items for many local charities.

Thank you for your efforts to promote our quilt show and the guild and its programs. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Reba Siero
2026 Opportunity Quilt Ticket Chair