December 2021 Work Day Recap

Wow, it's been a great year.  Reflecting on the experiences we've shared this past year, there is much to be thankful for.  We respectfully adjusted as necessary to stay safe from the COVID risk. While it seemed slow and frustrating at times, we still managed to be here for each other, for those that we serve, and those who our quilts keep warm.  Hoping each and every month everyone felt uplifted after being together!  

At the end of this year, here's a reminder of the good work you've done.  This year we've donated 274 items to the missions of the church.  This includes our new endeavor of making lap blankets and walker bags for the Care Ministry team to share with shut-ins.  Quilts we donated raised around $4500 at Riverside and Okoboji Bible Camp quilt auctions.  This money goes for their camp programs.  We found a great way to use heavy fabrics (unsuitable for quilts) making pet beds, stuffing them with our scraps rather than having them end up in the trash.  The ARL and A-Heinz57 have been very grateful.  It's always a good feeling to find new outlets for our work ❤ and to see nothing go to waste.

We have found a place for our sewing machine donations from Georgia.  We will donate them to the Des Moines Refugee Support group who is helping 'foster' the Afghan refugees who are relocating to our area.  Besides a new machine, we will include a sewing basket of notions to go with them.  We'll assemble this at our January meeting.  We're looking for things for garment sewing, not quilting.  We'll collect anything you have to share and then do some shopping to finish out the donation.

There were praises for answered prayers ❤ and there were many prayer concerns mentioned.  God is so good.  He has filled the heart of each Hope Quilter with compassion and love towards those who are hurting and struggling during this season, and they uphold each other and encourage one another during the more difficult times in our lives.  It's a blessing to see God's love in action.

Finally, a quick reminder that the retreat is next month!  Thursday thru Saturday, Jan 20-22 is our next retreat at Waukee.  

In closing, an invitation is extended to all of you to come experience Journey to the Light at the WDM campus.  See dates and times in the link provided.  This is a wonderful light display that tells the Christmas Story in a beautiful way!  Prayers everyone stays healthy and can enjoy time with family during the rest of this Christmas season and into the New Year.  

PHOTOS of all the items made that will hopefully be a blessing to many!

November 2021 Work Day Recap

 As always, it was a wonderful couple of days spent with quilting friends.  Thanks to Phyllis for sharing a devotion on Inspiration!  

We got so much accomplished.  Most of the blocks we made at the Social gathering a couple weeks ago were turned into quilt tops.  Several new patterns have been made up for our pre-cut sizes and there are many new kits in the boxes.  It will be exciting to see these put together!  We received another great donation from our friend, Lin, at Sleep in Heavenly Peace.  Besides some kits with beautiful florals, there was yardage of adorable baby flannel.  This was all distributed in order to make simple baby blankets we can give to several of Hope's mission partners.  It's so fun to see what we can do with what we've been given.

One thing we are going to try and monitor is our collection of pre-cuts.  We're just getting too many.  So the new challenge is: before you bring your smaller scraps back to HQ, why don't you turn them into a block?  We're collecting 9.5 or 12.5 blocks and I'll put them together in kits for scrappy quilts.  You can use the 3-6-9 measurements that we've been cutting or you can use the improv method to make your block!  We will continue to have one or two bins of precuts as many like to sew with these.  But we are definitely downsizing! 

Another great option for using your scaps is making half-square triangle (HST) blocks.  Here is a great example of how easy it is to put just about anything into the same quilt and look cool!  (Thanks Sandy!)  Here is a basic tutorial about making HST

 http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/2012/07/hst-tutorial-and-maths-formula/

We will also do some technique teaching in December to see how we can make HST many ways.  You can see how this creates so many options for interesting quilts.  This link was titled 180 layouts for HST. https://www.pinterest.com/arizonagirl/hst-layouts/

 

We turned in quits for Sleep in Heavenly Peace as well as LSI.  Seven wheelchair blankets were given to the Care Ministry as well.  Eight dog beds were delivered to the ARL.  We've heard the news lately about the many Afghanistan refugees that will be coming to Iowa.  Many of our quilts will go to them.  And there was a recent dog-hoarder story where over 500 dogs were rescued.  Even our scraps can serve to bring comfort to our four-legged friends❤.

It's coming up before we know it.  Put our next retreat dates on your calendar now so it doesn't get lost in the business of the upcoming holiday season.  January's retreat is on the calendar for the 20th, 21st, and 22nd.  

As always, don't forget to check out the PHOTOS page for all the quilts and wheelchair blankets and bags.  Forgot to get a photo of the dog beds 😕

Enjoy the Thanksgiving season!  

October 2021 Work Day Recap

The room was full.  Everyone was busy.  Ladies were busy making Joppa blankets from a recent donation. Others were "shopping" through the donation of boxes from a long-lost fellow Hope Quilters sister who has been with us in spirit even if she hasn't been present for a while!    Great to see her! 

And of course, Show and Tell was a highlight as it is every month.  The finished projects are wonderful to see.  But the enthusiasm I see in praising others, getting ideas for a new project, and the general confirmation for the work that we do when we get pictures and feedback from not only each other but with the stories, emails, and pictures shared of those who receive these items.  We had an amazing count of 35 donated items!  This included quilts, wheelchair blankets, walker bags, and JOPPA blankets.

And the workdays also bring out that spirit of camaraderie.  Thanks to Jean for helping us understand how she makes the walker bags.  I saw several in progress and people are giving these away to their own friends as well. What a blessing!  Then I saw how the piecer and the quilter worked through the learning process of how particular details in one step make a difference in the next step.  What a blessing it is for us to learn together from each other!

We had a very short devotional (because we sorta let that slide...oops!) but it was more important to spend time in prayer for our many sisters that are dealing with tough challenges at the moment.  God is good, and He will bring much comfort.

As always, go take a gander at the many, MANY wonderful quilts, blankets, bags, and lap quilts turned in this month!  PHOTOS

September 2021 Work Day Recap

On the weekend of the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, Pastor Mike Householder reminded us that God calls us to be the Light of the World.  If you get a  chance and haven't heard this sermon yet, you'll find it at https://wwwlutheranchurchof hope.org/messages/.

At Hope Quilters meeting, we spoke of our memories of 9/11 but we also reflected on the challenges in the world today, both locally and nationally as well as within our HQ family.  It was comforting to have each other to share with and to pray with.  Mike pointed us to Psalm 27.  I encourage you to read and reflect on it.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—

    whom shall I fear?  Psalm 27:1

FYIs

• Quilt Auctions:  We got news from each of the Bible Camp auctions.  Our quilts at Okoboji made  $2,525.  The quilts at Riverside raised $1,970.  These auctions raise money for programs and scholarships to the Bible Camps.  

• Show and Tell was awesome as always.  Check out the blog to see the photos in a couple days.  We had 18 mission quilts, 4 lap blankets for the Care Ministry, and 4 dog beds.

• Remember our retreat on September 23, 24, and 25!  Look for an email with all the details in the next week or so.  One member will be making walker bags all three days so you can watch her and get some tips.  She doesn't have a specific pattern and she thought it would be easier to learn by doing than try to write something up so be sure and take advantage of this opportunity!

Lastly, we'll leave you with a thought-provoking devotion that was shared with us at the meeting.  

QUILT LESSON PRAYER

Lord, we gather today to learn to quilt. We ask your blessing on our efforts
and ask also that we learn more than just how to make quilts.

That in learning to safely cut our quilt pieces, we learn that our tongues can also
be sharp instruments that can quickly cut someone and cause them pain.

That in learning to carefully measure and plan, we also learn to measure our actions
against your high standard so that others can see you in us.

That in the accurate stitching together of the pieces, we learn that we are stitched
together by your love, respect, and honor to the part you give each in your patchwork quilt.

That the pattern which we see at the end of our work will remind us that
the completed pattern that you have for our lives cannot be seen until we join with you.

Bless our work, our words, and our companionship.
Whatever we learn, we give you the thanks and the glory.

Amen  

As always, don't forget to check out the PHOTOS page to see the quilts turned in!

August 2021 Work Day Recap

Hot temps made it a perfect weekend for staying inside to quilt.  WAIT.........is there really a weekend that isn't perfect for quilting 💕 😁.  There was a great crowd!  Numbers getting back to where we were before the pandemic.  I should say that the people count is back up.  The quilt count never really dropped off.  You gals are awesome!!

We had 22 finished quilts to turn in.  That included several wheelchair blankets.  The Care Ministry reached out to thank us for these blankets as they are able to reach out to shut-ins again and it's a nice gift to share.

Our Devotion was a bit trimmed, but still ever so meaningful in the times we are living in today.  "Be Kind".  The old saying is true, "Be Kind.  You don't know what people are going through, be kind always."  Our world is becoming more frustrated and depressed, and even the depths of despair for many are becoming too overwhelming.  I'll say it one more time, Be Kind.  Your love for Jesus poured out in kindness towards others may just be what gets someone through a rough time.

Lastly, enjoy and smile over the Round Robin quilt.  Isn't it adorable?  Many thanks to those who participated in this project.  Check out the other quilt photos HERE!

 

July 2021 Work Day Recap

Well, normally a rainy day is a great day to stay inside and quilt.  Prediction of a hail storm on Friday had all of us scrambling for home early.  Turns out no one had any problems but we decided better safe than sorry.  

A great turnout on Saturday because we know that everyone was SO EXCITED to work on the 3-6-9-12 blocks 😁.  Ok, maybe not excited but it's definitely more fun to work on them together.  Don't worry though, we didn't get through all of the precuts so you'll get another chance to participate! 

We shared a Devotional and as always, Show and Tell was one of the highlights of the day.  Check out the PHOTOS page to see the many beautiful quilts and upcoming ideas.

We had 15 quilts to turn in.  They will be going to LSI, YESS, PHC, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Agape Pregnancy Center and Hope's Care Ministry.  Check our blog missions page or the church's website for information on any of these agencies to see what good work they do.

Just an early reminder of our next retreat dates so you can make sure they are on your calendar!  Plan on September 23, 24 and 25.  Retreat time is a great way to get to know one another better and to work on personal quilt projects or Hope Quilters projects, whatever you choose!  Hope to see you there!

June 2021 Work Day Recap

It was a great weekend to be quilting.  The group's founder, Linda Hungerford, visited us on Saturday.  It was fun to share how the ministry has grown.  While the number of quilters and the closet space has grown, our Mission and Vision remain the same:

Hope Quilters mission is to serve God in the world by making quilts that give warmth, comfort and support for those in need.

Our vision is to grow and learn in fellowship and fun while designing and creating quilts for others, at home and in the world.

Many of us feel that it has been a blessing to find something we are passionate about and love to do and then God finds this way to use it in His plan.   As we open our hearts, may we continue to see His blessings as we fulfill this mission.

Speaking about God's plan...his plan this month had us donating 17 quilts to the two bible camp quilt auctions.  These will be held on August 7th at both Riverside and Okoboji Bible Camps. You can check out the details of the camp as well as the quilt auctions on their websites.

https://www.okoboji.org/

https://www.riversidelbc.org/

In addition, we had 21 quilts ready to go to our mission partners.  You'll want to check out the blog to see pictures of the auction quilts as well as the mission quilts.  Show and Tell is always so much fun and inspiring.  Two of the items are wheelchair blankets.  This was a great use of some smaller tops and batting pieces.  We're working on where these can be used as church ministry personnel are just now starting to get back into reaching out personally with some shut-ins.  What a wareonderful delight these can be to those who have been shut off for much of this pandemic.  Let's pray they bring a ray of sunshine to those who receive them.

Finally, as you know we've been blessed with some very generous donations over the past 12 to 18 months.  Our usual outlets for non-quilting fabrics have also had adjustments due to the pandemic.  So we are looking at alternative ways to put these fabrics to good use.   We also have donations of lots of quilting fabrics as well. It just seems like we are short on time together and space to work.  I have been looking at some options for addressing both of these needs.  Here are a few things in the works.  

We'll be exploring ideas to donate or use up the excess we have.  Currently, there are six apple boxes of fabric stored at a member's home and our shelves at Hope are also overflowing.   It seems that our biggest challenge is just time and people resources.  There is just not enough time to do all the work one weekend a month.  And frankly, some of it isn't really fun to do by yourself.  Sewing together helps make a tedious task more fun and helps get the creative juices flowing.  So here are some efforts we will be initiating as well as opportunities we are looking into:

1. Upcoming Work Days:  Going to try to focus the next upcoming HQ workdays for special projects.  We have an abundance of focused bins, like precuts, but we don't have people focusing on this type of work.  If we can just focus on doing some work to consolidate these bins we'll have room for organizing the odds and ends.   Two that make sense are using the precuts and putting together some batiks quilts.  Look for more details in the coming months.  
2. Small-Group Idea: Tote bags:  
   We can make simple tote bags from a yard of fabric and some binding scraps.  Tote bags are used for carrying items from pantries.  The Mission teams are asking for these to take to the homeless shelters.  Grab some friends and I'll get you directions!
3. Dress a Girl Around the World :  We've been in contact with the director of this group.  They are able to take yardage of fabric to make dresses.  We will be sorting through our stash to find fabrics that will make pretty dresses.  HQ won't be sewing dresses, just donating fabric.  However, if this is something that sounds like fun you can check out the link provided.  We do have a local DM group doing this.  Maybe you can join them.
4. We are checking with our Mission partners to see if they have a need for any of the fabric.  We've looked into sewing programs in the past but this could be used for crafting and other activities too.  It's just time to start looking for creative ways to use the fabric we can't quilt with.

Another suggestion is we get together with friends to do some sewing!  We've learned that sewing with friends can sometimes make less desirable projects much more fun.  A couple ideas for that is to open your home and invite friends over, or check with your local Hope Campus to see if they have rooms/tables/time availability.  We can always discuss this more at our next meeting. 

As always, check out the PHOTOS page and the extra QUILT AUCTIONS page to see all the lovely quilts turned in.  Summer is going by quickly so enjoy it while you can and we'll see you at the next meeting!

May 2021 Work Day Recap

It was SO wonderful seeing so many Hope Quilters members choosing to spend the weekend with their sewing sisters.  Our new normal is starting to take shape and it feels really good to feel cautious yet safe enough to gather with each other.  One positive...with hopefully more to come...was the amount of comfort being around masked friends rather than concern that the person who used the iron before you might have "it" (Covid).  Thank you for respecting each other and trusting each other to come together and figure out how to make this group continue to work despite the past year's experiences.  We have continued to see glimpses of how God provides.  And we give Him Glory and Thanks for never giving up on any one of us. 

We continue to praise Him through our work.  We have 13 quilts go to our Mission partners.  In addition, we have a fun donation for the Freedom For Youth Coffee Shop.  A Coffee themed bolt of fabric was donated by our friend, Shelly at The Iowa Quilt Block.  It took a while for us to figure out what to do with this.  It didn't seem git would fit for a Mission quilt but it was so cute.  Rather, it's been turned into some mug rugs, table toppers and a couple lap quilts that will be given to the shop to put to use.   I encourage you to stop by the shop.  They do have really good coffee.  Take a look at their website too.  It's a wonderful program!

Look at the cute coffee cup with steam stitching!

Another fun outlet we've found for our undesirables (that's a nice word for fabric trash 😀 ) is to make dog beds and deliver them to Heinz 57 Rescue.  Those heavy fabrics that can't be used for quilts are made into small pillowcases and then stuffed with our fabric and batting scraps.  Such a good feeling to know that nothing goes to waste.  And we can help out rescue cats and dogs.  So far I think we've donated about 15 beds.

Two other events that are getting back to normal this summer are the quilt auctions at Okoboji and Riverside Bible Camps, so at the June meeting, we'll be getting the quilts organized and ready for the auctions.  Hope to see many of you there!

As always, don't forget to go check out our PHOTOS page!

Just a  final note:  This free blog site we use will stop the functionality of posting emails to subscribers when a new blog is posted.   So make a reminder for yourself to check out the blog each month!

April 2021 Work Day Recap

Rainy days make great quilting days!  What a wonderful day to stay inside with friends.  Some sisters back from the south and others vaccinated and comfortable getting out, then again, some just showed up for the pizza 😉.  We don't care what the reason, we are just happy to be together.  

We only met on Friday this month due to a conflict but we put in a full day, staying until 9:30 at night.  Enjoyed our Pizza and afterward, Phyllis shared a beautiful devotion.  We had ten finished quilts for Show and Tell.  Take a look at the blog for PHOTOS. We now have nine quilts for the Waukee Police department so will get them delivered and get some additional feedback to make sure we're on track for what works best for them. 

Hopefully, our numbers keep rising as people get their vaccinations and feel more comfortable getting out.  Masks are still required at Hope so rest assured we are working to stay safe.  With this in mind, don't forget about the upcoming retreat!  The dates are April 22, 23, and 24.  The room is extra large so we'll be fine for social distancing but a count will just help us prepare for set up, so let us know if you plan to attend.

Hopefully, you are able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather when it appears, sporadic as it's been!  The new growth of the grass and the flowers as well as buds on the trees always seem to signal the Hope of new beginnings.  Let's pray that this is the beginning of the season of protection and comfort that allows us the safety to gather once again as we used to!

Happy Sewing!

March 2021 Work Day Recap

What a beautiful weekend.  While the weather was certainly beautiful and we are starting to see God's creation come alive again outside,  I was referring to beauty on the inside.  Inside room 134 at Waukee as well as inside our hearts as we gathered once again to serve Him.

The beauty started with our devotion.  I hope this puts into perspective the role that God has for you as part of Hope Quilters.  Here is an excerpt:

"We’ve been created to create. When we go about the work of creating, we become God’s craftspeople. The craftsperson cannot develop without the artist, but the artist isn’t as productive without the craftsperson. God is the Artist, and we should be honored to be the divine Artist’s craftsperson. It is more than being a helper or even an assistant. As craftspersons, we are a vital part of the creative process and creative product. Involving our talent is what God invites us to do and be, as we go about the work of creating. "

Thanks to Norma for presenting our devotion and prayer and to Rachel for passing this along.  You can read the full devotion here.

It was wonderful to be with such beautiful craftspeople.  

• We are starting to see faces that have been scarce thru COVID times.  I have heard from others ready to come back next month as they've received their 2nd shot. 
• Show and Tell was awesome as usual.  Nineteen quilts turned in to be distributed to mission partners.  Check out the blog for photos.  
• Excitement over new projects
• Dog beds: What you ask????  We are using that upholstery donation to make casings we can stuff with our fabric scraps.  They will be closed up and then donated to a pet rescue so pets are not sleeping on the cold floors.  (Yes, God sometimes just helps you see the obvious😏)
• We've reached out to Waukee Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol to provide blankets they can carry in their squad cars. Blankets sized 40 x 50 to 50 x 60 will be easy to carry and can come in handy when they encounter children in a threat situation. 
• We have two very adorable orphan panels that will be the start of a new Group Project.
  Our last Round Robin turned out fabulous as have several of the quilts made using orphan blocks. 
  
  
  
  This is time to use your creativity and math to pull wonderful colors together, adding your part.  We'll keep sharing photo's as this progresses.  I'm sure you'll want to take a turn with "the box"!

The April meeting will be on Friday only.  There is a conflict on Saturday so we will be meeting from 8am and will be sewing all day and evening.  We will provide a Pizza dinner that night around 6 pm and have our devotion and Show and Tell around 7 pm.  This will hopefully give some of you time to join us after work.  

April retreat:  It's already time for our next retreat!  April 22, 23, and 24 are the dates.  More details to come later but be sure to put it on your calendar.   

Bless you all for the work that you do.  Continue to stay safe and healthy.  And be open to the Holy Spirit as to what he may be laying under your sewing machine needle or rotary cutter next.

February 2021 Work Day Recap

Baby, it's cold outside!🐧  

The cold meant it was an awesome weekend to stay inside and sew!  Some of you did that at home and a few braved the cold weather to do that in community at Hope Waukee.  Ten of us showed up in person between the two days.  Granted, a few just came for the meeting.  I think it was the promise of a great Show and Tell that had some of you out 😀.  And what a show it was.  We turned in 37 finished quilts and blankets for our mission partners.  This included 9 more heavy blankets that are going to JOPPA.  Praise the Lord!  Others will go to LSI, Door of Faith, Bidwell, PHC, SHP, and John Stoddard Cancer.  Be sure to check out the photos HERE.  So many simple but beautiful quilts using what we have.  Many will be blessed. 

A great devotion was shared with us.  It's easy to be discouraged when things seem to be ongoing and repetitive.  Whether it's the cold, Covid, or even our little 3.5 inch precuts 😕 we can easily let it get us down.  But trust in the Lord.   Ask for his strength.  We especially loved this based on 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Jesus often uses our blind spots to reveal Himself to us. “don’t pray for easier times, pray for greater strength to get through the tough times.

April meeting change:  Please mark your calendars! In April we will only be meeting on Friday.  There is a conflict with the room on Saturday.  We will change the time to start at 8 am on Friday and we can sew into the evening.  I decided not to move to an alternate weekend because we also have the retreat in April (22, 23, 24)

The future looks promising as things with Covid seem to be moving in the right direction.  Hopefully, we'll be back to our new normal sooner rather than later.  In the meantime, stay safe and healthy.  If you're in need of projects or fabric the closet is available during office hours (it's like your own personal quilt shop!).  Happy sewing!

January 2021 Work Day Recap

 

It's a NEW YEAR!  And what a wonderful weekend it was!  Hope Quilters seemed almost like normal ☺.  Still a small crowd but there were ten of us throughout the day on Saturday!  We had a beautiful devotion and time of sharing cares and concerns.  We even did Show and Tell.  PHOTOS here.  Remember when we used to come to HQ to pin our quilts just because we could spend time visiting and maybe get some help 😏?  See, almost normal!

Sue and Cathy pinning a quilt together!

We had fun looking through donation fabrics, books, coming up with quilt ideas, working on Round Robin quilt, binding, etc.  Normal stuff.

Several members like to get into the fabric donations to get materials for backs.  It's so awesome to have yardage for backs!  Looks like we'll continue to keep the quilters busy with our latest donations.   

The Big News is that we've decided to go ahead with plans for a Retreat!  We will keep our normal time and plan for Thursday thru Saturday, January 21 thru 23.  This is strictly up to each individual member.  Always in our thoughts are the comfort level of each individual member to participate or not, and we completely understand and accept each member's personal decision in regards to attending a retreat.  The numbers will probably be low, but please let Jody know if you are planning on attending.  We also need to be aware that this could be canceled at any time due to Covid numbers.

Some Projects you might be interested in by helping out: 

1.  We have lots of embroidered blocks from Georgia.  Lots of flannel yardage as well.  We'll be making baby blankets.  What a great way to think about our friend Georgia while we do!

2.  The latest donation contained several class samples.   We've seen some really great quilts done using these smaller incomplete projects used as a center panel.  Putting several borders of companion fabrics can make a colorful twin sized quilt in no time.  Rather than making kits out of these, let's just work on them while the fabric bins are right there. 

What a great start to 2021 for Hope Quilters.   Happy sewing and happy serving.