Subversive Stitchers Challenge for the Quilts and Dreams Challenge

A 1600 Quilt
(photo from Heirloom Creations blog site).

Seems like a symptom of  'subversive' people is that we march to our own drum, are often loners, not joiners, and like to do things in our own time, following our own way. So I don't organize things or urge you to join in projects.

BUT I have just received an interesting book from American Quilter's Society (AQS) that has finally brought me around to Jelly Rolls.

The book is Jelly Roll Quilt Magic by Kimberly Einmo. It is her second book about quilting with jelly rolls. This time I paid attention. Einmo has included some really lovely projects in traditional styles by cutting jelly rolls into various shapes. Wild geese, stars, etc. Quite beautiful with helpful hints sprinkled generously throughout.

When I mentioned the book on my Subversive Stitchers facebook page, Mary Alice suggested I check out the 1600 quilts and the video produced by Heirloom Creations.

And that's when I fit together Kathy Thompson's ongoing quilt challenge to benefit ALS research and patients with Jelly Roll quilts. One jelly roll would make a 48x64 size 1600 quilt. They go together fast, could be tied rather than quilted if you'd rather, and would make an excellent EXCELLENT quilt for someone with ALS to snuggle under and feel loved.


Quilters Dream Challenge
for ALS



For a tutorial on how to make the 1600 quilts, here's the blog and video site. And for more information about Kathy's ongoing challenge and where to send your quilts, here's her link.

If you'd like, I'd be honored, if you would submit your quilts with your name as part of the Subversive Stitchers: Women Armed with Needles challenge. And if you would send a photo to me, I'd be thrilled to post it here.

Another quilt that makes a great charity quilt is the Disappear Nine Patch which is made even easier using Charm Squares. Here's a tutorial from the Missouri Star Quilt Company. My article for Suite 101 has a little different lay out and more information about making a Disappearing Nine Patch. It takes at least 2 packages of charms plus borders, backing, etc.

Both are fun, fast projects and would certainly brighten up someone's dismal ALS world. I'd be glad to hear if anyone's interested in this little challenge and of course, please send photos!

A big thank you to everyone.

Actually, it doesn't matter what design you use for your quilt -- I just hope you'll contribute to this challenge. You have my unending gratitude.

Missing in Action

Confetti Cats inspired by Teri Stegmiller's cats quilt

I owe you all an apology for being so slow to post this year and especially this past month.

As many of you know Mom died on Dec. 3. Although she was 98 and had been 'herself' through every inch of her life, it was so hard to let her go, especially since I hadn't been able to be with her these past six years.

We always thought we'd be together at least one more time in this world. None of us can dictate the way our lives with go. We do what we must. We do what we can. And the rest we must just let it go.

Thank you everyone who have been faithfully visiting the blog and have been participating in the lively discussions on the Subversive Stitchers facebook page. This community of shining, creative, loving and supportive women and men have kept me afloat through some trying times and times of loss. I can't thank you enough.

I'm looking forward to a new year when I will actually finish something. I've included a photo of my confetti cats that I started this year. A photo of some disappearing nine patch quilts, yet to be quilted. I know we all have a hefty collection of UFOs.

Disappearing 9-Patch top made for the ALS challenge

But setting aside the UFOs. What else is in store for 2011 for you? A new technique? A class you've been itching to take? A trip to Houston? A quilt exhibited in Houston or other shows? Please let us know.

I received my copy of QuiltLife magazine yesterday and my little essay about hoarding was included.

It reminded me that I still need to clean the 'crap' room and after seeing my photo in the magazine, I realize that I must update my photos! And that means a bit of attention to image.

I must admit that I like the me with threads (okay, patches) of silver in my hair. It reminds me of Mom. She went gray gracefully with lovely salt and pepper hair before devolving into a head of silvery white waves. Yet, I'm not sure I'm quite ready for people to see the snow on the roof and discount me. Although I must admit that any one would be a fool to look at women such as Pamela Allen and decide her hair color meant she wasn't vital and young at heart. So maybe I need to work on heart rather than hair color. Pamela is my role model!

Hopefully we can all come together in the New Year with more vitality, more energy, more strength to accomplish what we set our minds to do. Whether it be confetti cats or strengthing our voice as we shout for world peace, end to hunger, a cure for disease, or more love and care for the children of our world. Together we can accomplish so much! We have! We will!

So, lets shout it out. Tell us what you'll do in 2011! We'll help you. Together we can do it!

My goals are simple: Finish what I started. In 1981 I began a writing career and along the way I have started several unfinished manuscripts. Some deserve to be unfinished, others still show potential and deserve a chance to see the light of day. So 2011 will be the year of the pen for me.

I also hope to finish some quilts to help support Kathy Thompson's Hopes and Dreams project to raise funds for ALS research and patient support. If nothing else, I hope to make quilts for ALS victims to snuggle under and find whatever comfort they can.

I also want to work toward regular blog entries, new guest bloggers, reviews of books and products, and more of my own fabric creations, efforts and even some flubs. And for anyone interested, I hope to continue writing regularly for The Quilter magazine's machine quilting section. There are so many talented machine quilters whose work needs to be seen and admired and whose stories need to be told. I hope to continue doing that. Just finished writing about Ronda S. Beyer. If you haven't seen her work, you definitely should.

I'm looking forward to the new year. I hope you are, too. Watch us grow together as our dreams come true in 2011! So again I ask -- What will 2011 hold for you?

Worthy and Respected Contests and Charity Projects

Alliance for American Quilts unveils it's 2010 Contest


The nonprofit Alliance for American Quilts has just announced the theme of its 2010 quilt contest, "New From Old." This will be the fourth annual contest for the organization, whose mission is to document, preserve, and share the stories of quilts and their makers.

Here are the major details:

Quilt size: 16" square

Deadline: May 31, 2010

Grand Prize: Handi Quilter HQ Sixteen Quilting Machine for Sit-Down Use

As in previous contests, the Alliance encourages a free interpretation of the contest theme. "New From Old" could refer to a new quilt made from a traditional pattern or a quilt made from vintage fabric or fragments of an old quilt. The theme also might be interpreted personally or metaphorically, depicting anything or anybody who has been re-invented and/or re-imagined. Be playful!

The top prize, valued at $5,000, is a major prize, especially for producing such a small quilt. The other prizes are also noteworthy, and include a huge gift basket filled with goodies from sponsors including TQS, Moda, and Simplicity Creative Group. Second prize is Electric Quilt software, and third is a basket with items from sponsors including River Silks and C and T Publishing. Learn more about the prizes and contest here. From there, you can click on the contest page and download an entry form. Contest quilts become the property of the Alliance, which will auction them off on eBay next fall.

There are many benefits to entering, even if you don't win a prize. Not only are all contest quilts displayed on the AAQ website, but they will be touring to several major quilt shows, including the NQA (National Quilting Association) Annual Quilt Show in June and the AQS (American Quilter's Society) Show & Contest in Knoxville, TN in July. After the contest, all entries will be exhibited permanently on the Quilt Index, a much-lauded database of 50,000 quilts run by the Alliance in cooperation with Michigan State University.

In addition to knowing that your quilt will be preserved for the future, you'll be helping to preserve and grow a dynamic, educational, and inspirational organization for everyone who loves quilts.

Other fundraisers to consider:

Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS

Please give the gift of a quilt to warm the life, the heart and the lap of an ALS patient, and help raise awareness and research money for ALS – Lou Gehrig’s disease. To be a part of the Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge - Simply fill out your entry form and donate your quilts today.


Your donated quilts will be given to an ALS patient or used to raise awareness and research money for ALS by being photographed, displayed, auctioned, or raffled.

In addition to contributing your quilt to a wonderful cause - ALL donated quilts are eligible to win exciting and wonderful prizes. Our list of generous sponsors, categories and great prizes is growing!

Hopes and Dreams is a non-juried quilt challenge. All donated quilts will be entered into general prize drawings plus there are incredible prizes recognizing the most generous quilter, quilt shop, professional quilter and guild. Special prize categories for theme quilts and 'most popular' quilts.

For the comfort of the patient, we request that quilted or tied quilts be a minimum of 35" x 44". Lap and Bed size quilts of all sizes are welcomed. We look forward to you joining us in this unique quilting event - the Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.

Photo: Quilt donated by California quilt artist Jane Herlihy.

Tote Tuesday: Fiber Arts for a Cause
hosted by Virginia Spiegel

ToteTuesday, a Fiberart For A Cause fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, will open Tuesday, February 2 and continue through March.


ToteTuesday will feature themed totes filled with unique, beautiful, and inspiring items from the worlds of fiber arts, knitting, art quilting, mixed media and surface design.

You can expect totes offering original artwork, autographed books, hand-dyed fabrics, gorgeous yarns, handmade journals, fun and useful materials/tools for mixed-media and surface design, and much, much more.

A list of the twenty-four themed totes now in progress is at Virginia's website

ToteTuesday will take place Tuesdays in February and March here.
100% of the proceeds will be donated directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. Fiberart For A Cause has already donated over $190,000 to the ACS:

http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/NewFiles/ACSFundraiser.html

First Charity of 2010: Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS

You probably know of my interest in finding a cure for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. My husband and many members of his family are victims of this neuromuscular disease. We are not alone in this struggle that always, ALWAYS, ends in death. There is no treatment. There is no cure.

THERE IS NO TREATMENT.

THERE IS NO CURE.

Kathy Thompson, CEO of Quilters Dream Batting Company, is fighting for a cure for her son who was striken shortly after the birth of his own son. Kathy has connections, a network, and money. Her project is making a difference. But even with all the tools she has in her arsenal, she cannot succeed alone. So I hope you will all consider getting involved with this project.

I think many of you have voiced how much you like the batting, well, now's a chance to use it (or any batting of your choice) to make a quilt to raise funds for ALS research or provide comfort for an ALS patient.

Barbara Bierangel from Kailua Kona, Hawaii donated this intricate quilt in memory of her father, Henry Luhning of Minnesota, who passed away from ALS. She writes that "it was a learning experience for the family to see this man who was always so able bodied lose his ability. His love of fishing was kept alive because a couple of younger men would take him out fishing even though they had to carry him into the boat." Barbara sends her warmest hugs along with this wonderful quilt.

Here's how Kathy describes the project:

Please give the gift of a quilt to warm the life, the heart and the lap of an ALS patient, and help raise awareness and research money for ALS – Lou Gehrig’s disease. To be a part of the Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge - Simply fill out your entry form and donate your quilts today.

Your donated quilts will be given to an ALS patient or used to raise awareness and research money for ALS by being photographed, displayed, auctioned, or raffled.

In addition to contributing your quilt to a wonderful cause - ALL donated quilts are eligible to win exciting and wonderful prizes. Our list of generous sponsors, categories and great prizes is growing!

Hopes and Dreams is a non-juried quilt challenge. All donated quilts will be entered into general prize drawings plus there are incredible prizes recognizing the most generous quilter, quilt shop, professional quilter and guild. Special prize categories for theme quilts and 'most popular' quilts.

For the comfort of the patient, we request that quilted or tied quilts be a minimum of 35" x 44". Lap and Bed size quilts of all sizes are welcomed. We look forward to you joining us in this unique quilting event - the Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.

Kathy also writes a letter describing her personal affiliation with ALS:

Two years ago, at the age of 32, my wonderful son, Josh, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). In two years, the disease has taken Josh from a strong, happy, athletic young husband and new father to being completely paralyzed – unable to eat, speak, or move. He is on life support. To say his diagnosis and this experience have been devastating is a true understatement. It was shocking to learn that a disease that was discovered well over 100 years ago has absolutely no treatment or help available. Scientists still do not know the cause and do not understand the cascade of damage.


At first we thought ALS was rare, but it is the most common neurological disorder. Every 90 minutes an America is diagnosed with ALS, and every 90 minutes an American dies of ALS. Complete paralysis (referred to as a “Glass Coffin”) and death are so rapid that the there is very little interest in research for ALS – as it is not deemed profitable. Most ALS patients become paralyzed and die within 6 months to 5 years of being diagnosed. For an unknown reason, more and more young people are getting ALS. The US military has also been particularly hard hit and ALS is now considered part of the Gulf War Syndrome. Today there is an estimate 35,000 to 50,000+ Americans living and dying from ALS.

Still reeling from the shock and desperation of my son’s diagnosis and the terrible losses and heartbreak that he has experienced, our family decided that the best way we can honor Josh and other devastated families is to help raise awareness, help raise money for research, and reach out to help underserved ALS patients.

Sponsoring a quilt donation program and quilt contest is something I feel very strongly about. When I contacted the Virginia director of the ALS Association, she was thrilled (coincidentally she is an avid quilter!) We are hopeful that the “Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge” will soon be an important annual event in an effort to help raise awareness, warm the hearts and laps of suffering and forgotten ALS patients, and raise research money along the way.


Sincerely,


Kathy Thompson (Josh’s Mom)

(The pink and diamond quilt shown above was made by Nancy Hinds. The first quilt shown here was donated from Terry Albers of Hedgehog Quilts, Greenbay, WI. Hedgehog Quilts also sent patterns of this quilt for a lucky prize winner.)

For more about Josh and their fight for a cure, there is a New York Times article that fills in alot of the information. Also, Kathy has also successfully raised $$$ for ALS research through the annual Walk to Defeat ALS. She's a natural at this fundraising business, but she can't do it alone.