Quarterly Hope Quilters Retreat: October 17/18

The quarterly retreat is again this weekend. Friday and Saturday, October 17th and 18th.   We meet at the church in Room 100 across from the gym.  I will be there around 7am Friday and we have the room as long as we want to use it Friday.  Doors open same time on Saturday but we have to be out of there by 3 so they can get ready for KQ. 

 

Feel free to bring snacks to share.  I'll have a coffee pot and cooler available.  We'll order pizza on Friday night and then Jimmy John's on Saturday for lunch.  We like to collect $10/day to handle expenses.  However, if you're feeling $$ may be a roadblock to joining us, don't sweat it.  We'll cover your meals.  Remember, this is a time of fellowship rather than a work day.  So feel free to work on your own projects.  If you prefer to work on mission quilts that's okay too.  We'll use HQ cutting mats, rotary cutters, ironing boards and irons.  Just bring your machine and projects.  Contact me at jody.eubank@gmail.com with any questions.

October Work Day

 

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​We were small but mighty this weekend!  Several of you were out of town or not feeling well.  You were missed!  However, the crew on Saturday dug their heals in and much was accomplished.

We received news that the Riverside Quilt Auction brought in $53,000.  It feels good to know that we are a part of such a good mission.  I think I counted nearly 10 quilts that were donated by Hope Quilters.  If you were in church this weekend you may have seen the Hope 360 report on the ASP trip.  We also sent 10 quilts with the team traveling to Kentucky.

Our current focus is making twin size quilts for Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI). Our local branch gives beds and quilts to needy children, age toddler to 12 years, each Christmas.  Here are some of the quilts that are in progress.  Won't these kids be excited!  I know of 17 that we have in progress.  We need to deliver them by Thanksgiving.  For those of you making tops why don't you let me know when you're done rather than waiting for the next meeting.  Then we can get someone quilting them so there isn't a push at the end.  It was fun to see the variety of quilts.   I will try to get pictures of them all but if you think about it, take a pic of your quilt with your phone and send it to me! 

We didn't have a long meeting but the group did have one business item to discuss.  Tiffany Melcher has agreed to be the new Treasurer after approval from the group.  Thanks so much to Linda Bergeson for serving faithfully in this role for so long.   

 

 

September 13 Work Day

If you want to experience high energy and high creativity I challenge you to show up for a monthly Hope Quilters meeting.  Wow, this group puts 110% into everything you do!  The room was busy with rotary cutters and sewing machines, talking, laughing and the creative juices were flowing.  "What can I do next?" seems to be the most frequent question I hear.  It is such a blessing to do something you love for such an uplifting purpose!

We heard from a couple recipients of our quilts.  We were able to send 8 quilts on the Mission Navajo trip this month and 10 quilts will go with the Appalachia mission group next month.  You were part of a successful Quilt Auction for the Okoboji and Riverside Bible Camps.  Many thanks for all of your time and energy.

Our next mission will be Lutheran Services of Iowa.  Our local chapter provides beds for children at Christmas time.  The beds are donated by Slumberland and they will be distributed to children in need along with pillows and bed clothes.  Hope quilters has the opportunity to provide quilts for these beds.  The beds are twin size and the children are ages toddler to 12 years.   Saturday's task was searching our fabric donations for child-friendly fabric.  Many quilts were planned and are in progress.  We need to have these quilts done by Thanksgiving as the beds are distributed after that.

The group also talked about getting more people involved in leadership roles.  If you would like to get more involved be sure to let me know.  One role I think I can use help with is taking pictures!  I get so involved talking that I forget the pictures.   But this is a good one!

Wow, that makes me dizzy, Deanna!  Some kid will love this!



Thanks Norma

I am writing to you as the new leader of Hope Quilters.  My name is Jody Eubank.  I have been a part of Hope Quilters for 3 ½ years and have loved every minutes of it.    I was thrilled to be approached to take over such an important part of ministry at Hope. 

This blog it to let you all know of Norma Hamilton’s “retirement”. She has served faithfully and tirelessly and we all appreciate her countless contributions.  She will continue on as a member and we are all thankful for that.  I am especially thankful for the ground work she has laid for the group and I am also grateful to call her my friend.

Saturday Work Day August 9

                                             

Saturday was a good day to stay out of the heat and sew.  We were small but mighty in our accomplishments.  The room never looks too big for us as we find ways to expand our projects to multiple tables.  8 people, 24 tables.  No problem.  3 tables a piece. 

 

There were two different groups basting quilts.   We discussed the design for the quilt we are making along with the One Body ministry.  (look for the reveal in January!)  We sorted through some finished quilts, earmarking them for the Appalachian mission trip in October.   

 

We received news from Ghana that our initial quilts arrived safely with the team. 

Here is an excerpt from the mission team " Hope Village, while still under development, was a welcome and comfortable place for us to spend our first few nights in Ghana. The quilts assembled by the hands of the Hope Quilters added warmth and a sense of calmness to our stay. "  We are thankful the quilts arrived safely and so glad to know they are comforting the people who sleep under them.  We finished putting labels on the remaining quilts that will go in September.  We prayed over them, sending our wishes for comfort to those who use them. 

 

 

The remainder of the day was spent stripping.   We are cleaning out a collection of fabric strips leftover from past projects.  We are challenging ourselves to use all of the odds and ends, brights and naturals, children's prints, florals and geometrics.  Everything goes in!  This is a bit of a stretch for many of us.  Some things just don't seam like they go together.  But we are coming up with some wonderful ideas.  I think the finished products will be beautiful.  Stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

   

 

August Quilt Retreat

  

We have room 101 (big room across from the gym) reserved all day August 1^st, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 2^nd.  This is a time to work on your own projects while in fellowship with other Hope Quilters and friends.  Feel free to work on missions work if you prefer but let Jody E. know if that is your preference so we can have hand work or quilt kits ready for you.

Bring a friend or two.  We will be ordering dinner on Friday night and Saturday lunch.  We charge $10 a day just to cover the food expense. Any extra funds go back into our account for quilting supplied.   Feel free to bring a snack to share and your own drinks.  I will have a coffee as well as a cooler to keep drinks cold.  We will be doing Zmarik’s and Jimmy John’s this year as both offer Gluten free options.

July 12th Meeting

A reminder of the monthly meeting on Saturday July 12.  We will continue to work on completing the Ghana quilts.  We also will elect a new leader.   Please let us know if you are interested in the position.

Five of the  completed Hope Village  quilts that are ready to send to Ghana are on display at Hope.  They are hanging across from the Prayer Chapel on the Jordan Creek side of the atrium.  Hope you have a chance to see them before they are taken down and sent to Ghana at the end of the month.