Special Delivery

Yesterday, over 1,300 finished quilts were delivered to Calgary through the efforts of coordinators of 'Quilts for Calgary' in Calgary and Edmonton.  Here's Calgary's Mayor Nenshi's response to these gifts:

Now I understand there's been serious flooding in Colorado.  Anyone know how quilters can help there?  If someone down in the US is coordinating an effort, let me know and I will publicize it up here in the Great White North.  :-)  And...I'll check my stash and see what I can whip up!

I'm Off!

To Edmonton, that is, in a couple of hours.  Mission: deliver 3 flimsies, 2 finished quilted throws, several orphan and new blocks, several metres of new cotton fabric and (if they'll have 'em) 8 crocheted throws to the good folks at Sparrow Studioz who are collecting, assembling and delivering Quilts for Calgary (and other needy areas in Southern Alberta) in the aftermath of the flooding there a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks to my friends M and A for contributing fabric and flimsies and a throw, and to my friend and 'boss' Lori of The Crafty Lady, who bundled up the crocheted blankets in the hopes they'll be taken in too.

One of A's flimsies -- wild, warm colour sure to bring a smile!

A's other flimsy and her finished throw -- cool and calming!

My flimsy was made of rectangles, found in this tutorial from Freda's Hive.  I can't rightly remember how I found her, but I used the pattern for a leaders-and-enders project -- and ended up with a stack of colourful rectangles that I had yet to put together.  The flooding called for ACTION so I got busy and assembled them.  I call this top "My Scrap Bag Exploded"; it measures 48" x 60".

My Scrap Bag Exploded!

In addition to the flimsies and throws I mentioned I'd be taking some orphan blocks and some new ones.  I dug through my charm packs and came up with a Benartex collection entitled "Victory Garden", which I deemed appropriate, given the reason quilts were being made and collected.   I knew I wanted to make "Disappearing 4-Patches" with them, but decided it would be more fun if they were a bit off-centre.  Here's the result -- twelve 8 1/2" blocks that I believe are also referred to as "4-patch to 9-patch".

Left: 4-patches.  Right: Off-centre 9-patches.
WARNING! Making these can be habit-forming!

After I drop off the goodies, I'll be making my way to the opening reception for "Hanging by a Thread", the new exhibit at the Alberta Craft Council in the Feature Gallery, featuring SAQA Western Canada colleagues Ilse Anysas-Salkauskas and Barbara J. West.  This exhibit runs through September 28, so if you're in the Edmonton area and in need of an Artist's Date, do go by the Council and spend some time. ( If photos are permitted, I may just have another post about this...we'll see.)

Linking this late to Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday...See you there, too!

Of Floods, Flimsies and Fibre Art

Still so much stuff on my camera...so much to share...but no time!  Today I'm assembling scrappy blocks into a flimsy (quilt top) to take up to Edmonton next weekend.

My original plan was to go up for the Opening at the Alberta Craft Council of this exhibit in the Feature Gallery, Saturday, July 6:

JULY 6 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

HANGING BY A THREAD

Artist Reception: Saturday, July 6 from 2-4 pm with a special performance by Emily Ella Rigaux 

Organized by Ilse Anysas-Salkauskas and Barbara J. West this exhibition uses textiles to explore the relationships among multiple generations of women.  Along with Ilse's fibre art and Barbara's mixed media installations, their children and grandchildren were invited to participate in the exhibition and present their own perspectives.

Barbara and Ilse are SAQA members and colleagues of mine in SAQA Western Canada, and I have long admired their work.

With the flooding in Southern Alberta taking up most of our thoughts and prayers these days, I thought that while I was up in Edmonton, I might as well stop in to Sparrow Studioz with any donations of fabric, backing, binding and quilt tops I can muster. 

So.

If you are in the Lacombe/Bentley/Gull Lake/Red Deer/Stettler/Clive/Mirror/Bashaw/Alix corridor, and want to make a donation, bring your materials to me at The Crafty Lady in Lacombe, where I'll be working on Thursday, July 4. 

For more information, visit the Quilts for Calgary Facebook Page.

Quilts for Calgary - Come Hell or High Water

Thank you to SAQA Western Canada for posting this information on its blog!  Now there's a way for quilters to help out that is concrete and do-able.

There are shops in Calgary accepting quilts:

• My Sewing Room (where I got my start as a quilter with their wonderful classes); and
• Rumpled Quilt Skins (in Okotoks, where I bought my trusted Husqvarna Lily 555, located not far from High River, the worst hit in the floods...)

There is also a connection with our quilting friends in Houston, Texas (Calgary has long been nick-named "Houston North" because of the oil business)...and a way for our US friends to help if they so choose...

(from "Quilts for Calgary" on Facebook)

• USA Address for Donations to Quilting for Calgary (Facebook)

  By Bev Rogan in Quilting for Calgary (Files) · Edit Doc

  We are most grateful to Westfreight Systems in Houston for their kindness and generosity. Westfreight will be bringing US donations to us once a week hence eliminating the customs concerns and expense for our US friends in getting their donaitons to us. Please send your donations to:

  
  

  
  

  Westfreight Systems 

  16855 Crosby Freeway

  Houston, Texas, 77049 

  Ph. 281-456-7332 

  
  

  Attention: Kathy or Randy

  
  

  
  

As for the Stampede...my sweet sister, Marketing Director for the Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dance Hall in Calgary, is currently run off her feet...Come Hell or high water, that town's gonna party!

And what would a Western Canadian flood be without an appropriate song?!

Written and performed by Blake Reid

Yes, I'm back from Montreal...and working in the studio.  More posts soon.  Summer School is underway and I've been playing with paint and my new embellisher.  Stay tuned!