Quilts to Robin's Nest

Several of our baby quilts went with the group on the Robin's Nest Mission trip in January.  Here are a few photo's.  The kids loved their quilts!

January Work Day Recap

Tubs of fabric, batting and binding and 24 finished quilts, OH MY!! 

Our work day this month was certainly a flurry of activity.  14 quilters showed up including some new faces.  We had the fun of combing through 2 more generous donations.  There were 24 quilts ready for distribution so the group decided which should go to LSI, Hawthorne Hill, ASP, Navajo and the guilt auctions this summer.  We have great mission partners who love to receive these creations. 

We had a visit from one of the Joppa coordinators.  We talked with Robert about whether they had a need for blankets to help keep these people warm.  We discussed the opportunity to make some Jean quilts for him to distribute to those who had a need.  We are going to try this for a little bit to see how it goes.  If you have any old denim clothes (jean, shirts, jackets) that you are willing to donate we will experiment with some quick and easy ways to put jean quilts together. Bring your donations to the upcoming retreat, get them to me or leave them in the closet in Room 214.  Let's see if we can spread a little warmth in some new ways.

Our next big event is the January Retreat.  I hope you have it on your calendar for January 23rd and 24th.  We will be in room 101 again.  We can sew all day Friday and til 3:00 on Saturday.  The church opens at 6:30 so feel free to come any time.  I will probably be there to set up before 8am.  We will order pizza Friday night and then something else for lunch on Saturday.  We ask for $10 per day if you are eating with us.  Otherwise, I will have a coffee pot and a cooler if you need to keep anything cold.  People have just brought treats to share.  I'll have paper products and silverware. 

I would like to get an idea of how many people we will have.  If you are considering attending could you reply to this email and let me know.  Also, feel free to bring a friend or family member.  We always welcome new faces.  And to help you plan ahead, we are confirmed for the additional following dates   April 24-25 and July 31-Aug 1 .

 

I thought these pics did a good job of showing the fabric action of the day.  See the blog for more pictures of many of the quilts that we were able to donate. http://hopequilters.blogspot.com/p/photos.html

A table full of donated fabric and another one full of completed quilts.  We've been busy last year.

December 2014 Work Day

Let the miracle that happened long ago and far away

Be a special source of joy and love within your heart today.

Merry Christmas to all!

We had a good crowd on both Friday and Saturday.  The highlight was seeing all the One Body quilts finished up.  The project began by printing pictures that were made by the students on fabric.   Then the pictures were pieced into banners to look like film strips.  Each picture was quilted individually to pull out the design.  We presented the quilts to Cindy Grandquist at the meeting.  She was thrilled and can't wait to show them to the students.  Cyndee Buck has made arrangements for them to be hanging in the church starting in January.   Thanks to all who helped with this project.

We had a large variety of projects going this weekend.  Binding finished on four quilts.  Batting cut and ready to go to the quilters on 6 more quilts.  I think 6 or 8 of the kits were taken have to work on.  I better get to making a few more.

We have a good list of missions that would love to have quilts.  There are several quilts already done so in January we'll start to identify locations for them.  The ASP and Navajo mission trips are coming up in spring.  We've also learned that local organizations, LSI and Hawthorne Hill, have a constant need for quilts so we have several places that can benefit.  We will continue to support the Bible camp auctions as well.    We have an outlet for just about any size and theme but the twin, throw or crib size seem to be the most versatile.  While we make most of the quilts we give away, gently used quilts in good shape will also find homes..

 

Julie's red-white-blue quilt

 Rachael's Black and White and Red

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auditioning border, binding and backing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a reminder that the next retreat date is in January on the 23rd and 24th. We are confirmed for Room 101.  The format will be the same as in the past.  We can sew all day Friday and then until 3:00 on Saturday afternoon.  We'll order in dinner Friday and lunch on Saturday.  $10 a day covers the cost of these meals.   And don't worry if you can't sew both days.  Many drop in for just part of the time as their schedule allows.  Feel free to invite a friend to join us for the weekend.

As I look back on the year it's quite amazing to think what you've accomplished. 

• 18 quilts for Hope Village in Ghana, Africa
• 12-15 quilts in each of the Riverside and Okaboji auctions helping them to raise $43,000 and $53,000, respectively. 
• 23 quilts to LSI
• 2 quilts to Valley High School
• 12 quilts to Mission Navajo in September
• 15 quilts to ASP over two different trips

In the new year I think we should set a couple of goals.  We have lots of blue, green and pink/red fabrics.  Be thinking of a scrappy pattern that might utilize these colors and I'll come up with some kits.  Another goal could be to search out new fabric contributions.   At the rate you gals are finishing quilts we can always use more!  But never fear.  We have continued to make the best of what God has provided.  And you have done it joyfully all year long.  I look forward to seeing what we might accomplish in 2015.

God bless you faithful servants,

Jody Eubank

November Work Day

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

 

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

 

While I truly believe in this mission. I believe that those in attendance Saturday could truly feel the warmth of the Holy Spirit in the room as we lived out this mission.  And the variety of quilt designs that you came up with for the children's quilts was evidence of your living out our vision.

A trunkful of children's quilts were sent with Mike Buck, off to Lutheran Services of Iowa.  Thanks to you we were able to provide 23 quilts to LSI for their Christmas program that supplies beds to children in need.

 

 

 

 

We focused Friday and Saturday on finishing the binding and labels on the LSI quilts and also worked to make progress on the One Body Quilt.   Another beautiful project in the works but I won't be sharing pictures until we've completed it.  This tribute to the Adult One Body ministry will be hanging in the church during the month of January.    Thanks for those of you who came to sew on Friday and who took home parts of this project to finish.

 

 

Our December meeting date will coincide with the Women's Christmas Brunch.  I wanted to encourage you to sign up for the brunch if you desire.  We will still have Room 212 on Friday and Saturday for those of you who would like to quilt.  There would be plenty of time to do both if you wish.  We don't have any pressing business to discuss so we'll have our devotion for those in attendance and otherwise start to tackle other projects as you so desire.  We have several missions that we will supply quilts for in 2015.   The ASP mission always welcomes quilts of any size.  This trip is scheduled for June.  Mission Navajo also enjoyed taking along some quilts.  They have trips planned in March, June and September.  And Mike Buck talked about other LSI programs that would benefit from quilts so I think we should consider them a recipient of our quilts on a regular basis.    Any of these missions would likely accept anything.  If you are wondering what projects to do I think that both adult and children's quilts in throw or twin sizes are a good choice and will serve most any need we have.   We will also continue to supply quilts for the Riverside and Okaboji Bible Camp auctions in the summer.

At the meeting we discussed purchasing some wide back fabric to help us finish those quilts.  This will be easier on the quilters and shouldn't take away from our selection of fabrics for quilt tops.  Several members are going to come back to the meeting with some figures and then we'll discuss a purchase with Missions.  

The next retreat date is set for January 23rd and 24th.  Put this on your calendar. It should be a perfect time to get together and get out of the cold and forget about the bleak and dreary weather.  And if we get snowed it, we'll just have to sew all night.  How bad can that be?

Thanks to Rachael Smith for accepting my request to help me with devotions.  I truly appreciate it.

October Retreat Pics

We had a small crowd and some scheduling snafu’s but lots of fun and fellowship all the same.

If you look closely at the set up you’ll notice it looks suspiciously

like our normal meeting room.  Room 101 was double booked.  
Thankfully we were small enough this time that we could make
it work. No one ever said quilters are not resourceful!

 

 

Several gals worked on the LSI quilts for the kids.  We have about 18 quilts planned and I think all of them have someone to quilt them.  We will be doing labels and possible binding at the next work day!

 

 

Linda was working on her Lounge Lizard quilt again.  Doesn’t it have a lovely orange border on it J

“What’s it called?” several asked.   Well, says Michelle.  “It’s a banana.”      

Ok, so you had to be there but believe me, this one got some laughs!  And ask me about Missy some time.  The whole room ganged up against me about that one. 

Maybe everything seems overly funny when you’re just plain giddy from sewing all day and night.  Yes, we did start at 7:00 and some of us stayed until 10:30.  Some were even there at 7:00 the next morning.  Linda and I made an executive decision though to start at 8:00 next time on Friday.  Not too many fools up besides us at that hour.  I think we could sleep in another hour and still be the first ones there.  This is negotiable.  We’ll talk about it before the January retreat.  By the way, the dates we’ve requested are January 23^rd and 24^th.  Put that on your calendar and plan to come join us!

 



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

 

​

​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.