The seasons’ first clumps of early Spring flowers burst up out of the ground this week. There is nothing like the first crocuses and hyacinth blossoms to lift one’s spirits!
Today is Sophie’s Gotcha Day. 19 years ago she was placed into my arms in China. She was 8 months old, but the size and development of a 4 month old. Once we got ahold of her, her development took off. Those of you in the adoption community are very familiar with the Gotcha Day. Many adopted kids do not know their actual birthdays so the Gotcha Day is the next best thing. It is a date you can mark on the calendar with confidence. Sophie is lucky – she was found at 2 days old so we also know her birthdate.
Many of you have followed Sophie’s story from the beginning, but if you are new to eQuilter and are curious, you can find our adoption story here, and our 2019 Heritage Tour story here. We are so grateful we were able to visit China and her orphanage before the pandemic hit! Anyway Sophie Quinn will turn 20 in June, and she is finishing her sophomore year at CU Boulder as a Music Education major. She is driven by the knowledge that music is a healing force for stressed-out teens and those with mental health struggles.
The fire in Boulder last weekend did not spread into the city, but for awhile there was a big evacuation and it was scary for everyone on that end of town. I did finally make it to see the Mens Quilt exhibit at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden. As always, it was a delight to see what the guys have created, and of course this time the quilts were extra special, having been made during the lockdown.
This is the last weekend to see my painted bear sculpture at Chautauqua Park, and bid on any of the bears in the online fundraiser auction. I attended a lunch for the 15 artists on Friday, and it was great to hear them talk about their inspirations. I hope my Mama Bear goes to live somewhere where she will be loved for many years to come.
This coming week I am taking my first trip of the year! My curated exhibit “For the Love of Gaia” is winding down, and I am giving a power point lecture on International Quilt Trends at the closing reception – 1 pm Saturday April 9, at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. If you are in the area please come to my free lecture!
The donated comfort quilts are pouring in at Mission of Love, and also being dropped off here at eQuilter. If you would like to donate a comfort quilt for Ukrainian refugees, or donate money to help ship food and medical supplies to refugees in Europe, please read the details here. Thank you so much.
Praying for Peace,
Luana and Paul
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Quilt/Travel/Sponsor Calendar:
June 15-18 – Quilt Canada, Vancouver BC
July 22-26 – Sacred Threads Weekend, Dulles/Wash DC
August 4 – Long Beach Quilt Festival
Aug 17-20 – Festival of Quilts – Birmingham UK
October 2022 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – Churchill Manitoba Canada
