The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative's 15th Grant Announcement

To date, I have donated 30 quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.
The two below are the only ones which have NOT sold.
Check out the details by clicking on their title links.

 

Zinfandel #1

 

Bargello #1

Profits from the sale of these little quilts, and thousands more made by quilters worldwide, become grants to help further the cause of Alzheimer's research. Below is the press release announcing  the 15th AAQI grant which has been given since 2006. Should you feel so inspired, my quilts and many, MANY more can be purchased at the AAQI website:   www.alzquilts.org and see the Quilts for Sale tab. Thank you, Lynn

Dr. Michelle Ehrlich and Paula Nadelstern at Mount Sinai School of Medicine

(Burton, Michigan) -- May 21, 2013: The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) has awarded a $60,000 grant to Mount Sinai School of Medicine to study a drug which may decrease the production of amyloid in the brain and increase the "birth" of new brain cells. The drug is currently being tested in humans for other conditions. Should the AAQI-funded study show promising results in mice, it is hoped the drug can be tested in Alzheimer's patients.

The research will be carried out by Dr. Michelle E. Ehrlich, professor of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

This is the 15th grant the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative has awarded since it began in 2006 and the 4th grant award this year. These grants are made possible, in large part, by the money raised from the sale of donated quilts. To support the AAQI's mission by purchasing a quilt, visit www.alzquilts.org/quiltsforsale.html

A small wall quilt stitched by AAQI Board member Kathy Kennedy-Dennis of Houston, TX was presented to Dr. Erlich on behalf of the Alzheimeimer's Art Quilt Initiative by quilter Paula Nadelstern of New York, NY. Please see AAQI Update Blog for more details about the quilt presentation.

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative is a national charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research. The AAQI has raised more than $916,000 for Alzheimer’s research since January 2006. Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan is the founder and executive director of the AAQI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Her mother had Alzheimer’s. This is the last year the AAQI will be fundraising.

For more information about the AAQI or to make a donation, contact Ami Simms at 810-637-5586 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern), ami@alzquilts.org or www.alzquilts.org.

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Contact:
Ami Simms
Founder and Executive Director
Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative
1200 Creekwood Trail
Burton, MI 48509
(810) 637-5586

"Laguna", "Santa Barbara" and "Big Sur"

In January of this year, I asked "With what will you fill your bag?" for 2013. Well, I must admit my bag is very full. Full with family, fun, memories, shared moments, new knowledge, opportunity, friends both near and far and, naturally, new fabric!

 

These three bags, all from A Quilter's Dream, are fun and can be made with just six fat quarters.

This one is called "Laguna."

 

Below is the "Santa Barbara" bag which was the first I made as a shop sample for Susan, the owner of the Joyful Quilter.

 This bag became a class. Here are the beginnings of my amazing students' work from that class:

 

What a great time we had that day.

Finally, "Big Sur" is especially fun with these awesome fabrics. All the fabrics can be purchased at The Joyful Quilter in Glenville, NY or online.

So, enjoy filling your bag with whatever life gives you. May you love every moment.

If you quilt and are local, happy SHOP HOPPING this week.

Peace!

A Wonderful Wednesday Collage

A collage of the beautiful quilted art in my mother and step-father's Florida home.

 Ed's Squiggle from a class taught by Kris Gregson Moss.

 An original designed table center piece of beautiful seashell fabrics.

 My daughter's first sewing project--- pillows for the grandmothers. 

This one is the the golf-playing Grandma.

  A small wall hanging inspired by my birthday party's "Tropical Twister".

See the January 29th, 2013 blog piece for details.

 An AAQI inspired piece with 3-D butterflies.

 An "Accidental Seaside Landscape" as per Karen's Eckmeier's technique.

A beautiful machine embroidered piece with free motion quilting by my mother-in-law, 

Lucille Makrin.

My Mother's Day block-of-the month gift detailed in the January 2012 piece titled "Collaborations."

Finally, wine bottle bags for the charity tennis event and silent auction

 to be held this coming weekend.

I love tests!

Once upon a time I was invited to join a Yahoo group about designing quilts and "the business of quilting" related topics. Mostly there to watch, read and learn, I noticed a woman from Minnesota who had a new table runner pattern. Eager to help, I e-mailed Eileen Hoheisel of Pine Valley Quilting and asked if she needed a pattern tester.

These are the two finished products which along with her own samples helped to launch this pattern out of the design mode and into quilt shops. Check out Eileen's awesome blog: http://quilterinthepines.blogspot.com/ to see more samples of this fun pattern.

  The pattern is called "Baker’s Dozen Squared" and can be purchased from Eileen at this e-mail address: pvquilt@gmail.com.

Happy Quilting!

An Amish-UFO-Upcycle-Blog-Hop-Party-Give-Away

Today the "Luck of the Irish" is firmly with Bonnie58 who wrote. "Love the colours. I would love to finish it for you. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity on the draw." 

I hope she means it as the Amish blocks are coming her way. 

Thanks to all my new followers and everyone that stopped by to participate in this fun Blog Hop Party. 

Until next time................Happy Quilting,   

This Quilting Mama

A few definitions to begin:

Amish-An orthodox Anabaptist sect that separated from the Mennonites in the late 17th century and exists today primarily in Ohio and southeast Pennsylvania. (Link to dictionary)
For more information see this list of Amish Facts from National Geographic.

"Amish" for quilters- a font of inspiration can be found in the Amish quilts both in terms of design and color. Known for solids and non-print creations, the Amish often use black as a background to set their beautiful works. The website My Amish Quilt has lots of information about quilting in the Amish Community.

UFO - an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins, unidentified flying object

"UFO" for quilters- Un-Finished Object. Any of a myriad of projects begun with enthusiasm and then left behind in the wake of yet another class, project, inspiration, or fabric line which came into the quilters scope and set them on another journey.

Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value. (Link to dictionary)

"Upcycling" for quilters-  Using something which seems to be useless for a new purpose. This includes, but is not limited too, turning outgrown children's clothing or tee-shirts into quilts, using jean pockets in a quilt, making old crayons into art decorated with random buttons, etc.

A story:
Once upon a time before children (at least before the second one), I took a class at my local quilt shop, The Joyful Quilter, with a girlfriend. We both enjoyed it as the format was titled "A Pennsylvania Mystery." Bob Silverman taught us in true mystery style-- one hint at a time. By the end of class we had enjoyed a day full of tricks, reminders, fun conversation, laughter, lots of sewing, Lemon Pudding Cake, fabulously rich fabrics and the hope for a lovely quilt.

Many years later here is my work from that day:

Yes, it's set in an Amish way on black and is just lovely--- but unfinished.

In the spirit of this Blog Hop Give-Away, I hope that one of you will take these blocks, extra fabrics (seen below), pattern and make them your own. Do whatever you are inspired to do with them, finish the top, keep or give it away, but help me to upcycle this work into something of greater loveliness.

Please comment below if you are interested in winning the whole thing. I will draw the lucky person on St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17th. May the Luck of the Irish be with you.

P.S. Check out the fun runner I've been testing for Eileen at The Quilter in the Pines.

THANK YOU!

It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed. 

~ Napoleon Hill

Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others 

to achieve their greatest success. 

~ Stephen Covey

The path to greatness is along with others.

 ~Baltasar Gracian

People have been known to achieve more as a result of working with others than against them. 

~Dr. Allan Fromme

Two heads are better than one. 

~Polish proverb

Quotes on Cooperation 

Nine months ago as my Pastor and his son walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the congregation was challenged to meet the call of God in their lives AND if we didn't know what that meant, the Pastor (wife and mother of the walkers) could surely tell us or help us find out. 

All I knew was that in nine months I would be turning 40 and I wanted a party because I love parties.  A BIG party! I also wanted to see all my quilts in one place and share them with others.

These seeds became the most wonderful and fulfilling experience I've had in a very long time.

Yes, we faced a potential blizzard on the day of the party to which I had invited over 100 friends and family. Yes, my family arrived or didn't as life took over and emergencies crept into my "plans." All is well and things worked out beautifully creating life-long memories for many.

On Thursday evening, my local quilt guild was invited to see my quilts and share in this exciting online auction opportunity as I began the bidding on 15 pieces to benefit two of my favorite charities. Friday, with Winter Storm Nemo brewing, we moved the party up two hours and had a wonderful showing of family friends, mommy group friends, old friends, new friends, church and quilting friends all with my family for the best party and dessert reception ever. (Next time, I will save myself a cannoli, however!). Then on Sunday, the church community came to admire and experience the quilts.

One week later and with this post, I end the official bidding on the 15 pieces.  Below is the list of winners. (I will contact you each personally about your piece and how to write your checks to the charities.) The response of all my communities has been overwhelming. I am surrounded with love and thrilled that I have raised over $1760 with this auction and with gifts for my causes. 

Truly this experience became a huge group effort as we all have given beyond ourselves. I am grateful to those of you who donated their art or their skills to help me on the quilting side, those who provided space and encouragement for the show, my family who loves me as they face one more quick and easy meal because "Mommy is quilting again," to all who have been motivated to bid on these pieces, and all who have given donations in my honor. 

I truly believe the words of Helen Keller, "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much."

THANK YOU!

"Modern yellow quilt"  ( 65 x 80 inches)
Pieced by LRMakrin, Machine Quilted by Eileen McCabe
Final bid $150   (K.Sheehan)

"Baby Goes Modern Blue" (44 x 51 inches)
Pieced by LRMakrin, Machine Quilted by  Diane Podesva.
Final bid $75 (R. Nichols)

"Window on A Marmalade Sky" (51 x 68 inches)
Pieced and Machine Quilted by LRMakrin
Final bid $100 (D. Ackner)

"Tropical Twister" (52 x 60 inches)

Pieced by LRMakrin, Machine Quilted by  Kathie Lutz 

Final bid $200 (J. Berry)

 

"Twister Table Runner" ( 15 x 33.25 inches)
 Pieced and tied by Lucille Makrin
Final bid $45 (D. Carpenter)















"Sea Shell Table Runner" (14.75 x 40.75 inches)
Pieced and Machine Quilted by LRMakrin
Final bid $125 (A.V Musick)

"Purple Batik Table Runner" (15 x 45inches)
Pieced and Machine Quilted by LRMakrin

Final  bid $75 (A. Atchley)

 

"Patchwork Twirly Dress" (McCall's Pattern 6497)
Little Girl Size 8
by Sara Musick
Final bid $45 (L. DeAngelus)

"Gray Twill Dress" (Simplicity Pattern 2392)
Size 12-18 months
and
"Pink Rose Jacket" (Simplicity Pattern 4384)
Size 12 months
by Sara Musick
Final bid $35 (L. Reynolds)

"Whirligig"  (Miniature 8.25 x 9.75 inches)
by Lee Poremba
Final bid $60 (K. Greenwold)

Red "Half Moon Bay" tote bag (15.5 x 15.5 x 3)
Created by LRMakrin with blocks from Kathleen Heintzman Morris.
Final bid $60 (W. Carpenter)

"Everyone Forgets that Icarus Also Flew"   (18.75 inches by 21 inches)
by Kathryn Greenwold
Final bid $100 (L. Willoughby)

"Mini Winter Twister" (Miniature 15.5 inches square)
Pieced and Machine Quilted by LRMakrin
Final Bid $35 (B. Peterson)

"Squiggle" (9 x 12 inches)
by LRMakrin
Final bid $100 (D. Horstkotte)

"Crazy Blue" (9 x 12 inches)
by LRMakrin
Final Bid $30 (C. Molyneaux)