This week has brought the unavoidable breaking news about Ukraine and Russia. I am in touch with a member of the Ukraine Quilt Guild and as you can imagine, the situation is scary and heartbreaking. One of our staff has family in Poland and the refugees are streaming into the country with their children, their pets, whatever they could carry on their backs. We can only imagine. I wanted you to know that eQuilter is already making donations to several relief organizations already on the ground. The situation is so bad that Doctors Without Borders had to leave the country. We know our friends in Russia do not support what is happening, (they’ve been out protesting in the streets) so we join our Ukrainian and Russian friends in praying for a peaceful resolution.
I’ve been anticipating that many quilt guilds & museums would move to post-pandemic Hybrid events – a combination of in-person gatherings and online lectures. So many want to get back to in-person events, but others are still being careful, or they live too far away to attend. (or there is a blizzard!) So the Hybrid events are the best of both worlds, so *everyone* can attend in the way that works best for them. This is the new reality and I personally think it is great because it allows me to attend more events and gatherings with all of you!
Today our state guild CQC had one of these Hybrid events. The speaker was online. A group gathered at a church to watch her on a big screen, and then discuss guild business in person. The rest of us watched online. Smart guilds and museums have applied for grants to purchase the necessary equipment and maybe to hire a young person to run the technical part of the event. It is a great way to support a younger artist, to enter our wonderful world of quilting, and get another gold star added to their resume.
I am so proud to see the “For the Love of Gaia” exhibit featured in the new issue of Quilting Arts Magazine. My congratulations to all the artists, and my thanks to QA for bringing our message about Mother Earth to a broader audience. The article looks fabulous and I hope you will take a look – when your subscription arrives this week – or purchase a copy here. You can also see the exhibit in person at the New England Quilt Museum through April 9.
We are also thrilled to announce that eQuilter is the sponsor of the “Celebration of COLOR” contest and exhibit, which will premier at the Salt Lake Quilt Festival this summer. I am planning to give out the cash awards to the winners on August 4th at the Long Beach Quilt Festival. The Call for Entry closes April 14. I urge our colorful eQuilter customers to enter this contest….I’d love to see your quilt hanging in the show this Summer!
Our humble thanks to those of you who have dropped off comfort quilts, or who are working on quilts to donate to the families who have lost their homes in our tragic #Marshall Fire. You can find more info here if you wish to participate. We are still collecting donated quilts for the foreseeable future, and we are still receiving requests from those who lost their homes in the flames.
…sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
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Quilt/Travel Calendar:
Now through Apr 9, 2022 – New England Quilt Museum (NEQM) “For the Love of Gaia” exhibit
Sat, April 9 – “International Quilt Trends” lecture – NEQM Closing Reception
August 4 – Long Beach Quilt Festival
October 2022 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – Churchill Manitoba Canada
