Project Linus and Camp Corral

Way back in March, we had the pleasure of hosting a special guest from the local chapter of Project Linus, Melissa Scheiwe. 

One of our members, Kim, had received the following EMail:

My Darling Blanketeers,

I have been contacted by Dolly with Golden Corral to elicit our partnership with their Camp Corral located in Niceville.

Camp Corral is "a free summer camp for military children with priority given to wounded, disabled or fallen military families. For 2013 there are 18 camps in 14 states - two in Florida. For the 4-H Camp Timpoochee in Niceville, camp dates Aug 4-9 offering 100 children 'a week of a lifetime' ".

Basically, she would like 100 blankets to give to each of the children ages 8-15.  I of course told her we could meet her needs!  I'd like to have these blankets IN ADDITION to our regular recipients.  If everyone on the email list made 2 blankets in the next 5 months it would be done! 

I do not have the ratio of boys to girls yet, I'll keep you posted on that as the dates get closer.  (I am going to make a girl blanket for every boy blanket I make to try and keep it even.)

When you drop off your blankets, please specify which ones you made specifically for Camp Corral.

Of course feel free to contact me with any questions/ideas/suggestions.  Many thanks sweet ladies and big hugs and blessings to you all! 

Melissa Scheiwe

Project Linus Chapter Coordinator

Santa Rosa/Escambia Co's, FL

The short version is, Kim thought it would be a terrific project for us to undertake throughout 2013.  Not only is Niceville our backyard so-to-speak, but many of our members have military connections.

More personal though, at birth, Kim's son, received what she believes is a Project Linus blanket.  Four years later, he still loves it!

Here is Melissa giving her presentation.

I believe this picture is of a quilt she'd already received for Camp Corral.  If it's one of ours, my apologies.  Please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.  

And here is one of the first quilt tops made after Melissa's talk.  Melanie's Cat in the Hat quilt, that literally, she must have started as soon as she left the meeting.  She shared this in the facebook group two days later.  Don't you just love that pieced border?     

Finished.  All quilted and super crinkly after being washed..

This top is from Kim.  It is made from a charm pack of Lucy's Crab Shack by Sweetwater for Moda.  Such a fun, cheery, quilt.
  

Wendi just finished up this quilt.  It's made from Bonnie & Camille's Ruby collection which is also a Moda line.  You can read Wendi's post here.

Jean's patriotic friendship star quilt top was designed with a boy in mind who'll attend Camp Corral this August.  Her plan is to take it over to fellow ECMQG member Kristy's house and quilt it with the longarm.  Kristy wouldn't let us photograph the two quilts she'd finished.  Sad face.    

Teamwork for this little beauty.  Melanie's blocks + Wendi's design idea = another quilt for Project Linus.  Wendi's hoping to have this one quilted and bound by this Saturday's meeting.  

And lastly, the practice blocks from the improv piecing demonstration at our May meeting will be turned into another quilt(s).  If you were able to play with any of that donated fabric, please remember to bring your blocks to the meeting and SEW-day Saturday.

The ideal guidelines for Camp Corral Blankets are as follows:

• Neutral gender blankets OR an even number of girl & boy blankets.
• 36" x 36" minimum size.  These are for children ages 8 - 15 to snuggle with.
• Military theme is nice, but not necessary.
• Label your quilt.  Please.
• Deadline for completion and delivery to Project Linus Coordinator is July 31, 2013.

When Kim first approached us about Project Linus and Camp Corral, I asked her why this was near and dear to her.  She sums it up perfectly, stating "I think like most quilters, I just want to share my love of quilts!  I don't think there is anything better than to give a child a wonderful handmade keepsake."

Let's keep the love flowing.  

Cindy

ECMQG Secretary

March Meeting

I can hardly believe it's March.  But it is.  And we have a meeting and SEW-day right around the corner.  As in 4 days.  So how about a short (ha!) post with the details.

We expect a larger than normal turnout this month, which is extremely exciting! 

Thanks in part to last weekend's show where our quilts were so well received, as well as the Valentine's Day modern quilt presentations given by Marcy and Cindy to the Santa Rosa Quilters' Guild, and by Marcy to the Silver Threads Quilt Guild.  What a way to spend Valentine's Marcy!  Even though you weren't with your honey, you were talking about something you LOVE.

Name tags.

  
Please wear one.  If you don't, you'll be missing out.  It makes you eligible for door prizes and we all know, door prizes are good.  How about a fat quarter bundle of Kona solids courtesy of that GIGANTIC box we received from Robert Kaufman for our anniversary?  Just ask Wendi.  Nothing like attending your first meeting and winning!  Awesome.  
   

Madrona Road Challenge reveal.

Ok, reveal may not be the correct word, as many of us have already shared photos of our projects on Facebook and Flickr.  However, we'll do the BIG show & tell as a group.   I am looking forward to seeing everyone's projects!!

We might will have a short presentation on Project Linus as their "call to blankets" for Camp Corral caught the attention of member Kim Godwin.  Camp Corral actually has two locations in Florida, one of which is the 4-H Camp Timpoochee, in Niceville.  Our backyard.  

At present, Kim hasn't made blankets for Project Linus, although she has a couple that are "almost" ready to go.  She regularly receives their EMails and says "I don't think there is anything better than to give a child a wonderful handmade keepsake. Plus, my son received a small fleece blanket from the hospital when he was born.  I don't know for sure if it is a Project Linus blanket, but I think it might be.  He just turned four and he still loves it!"  

I think, like Kim, several of us might have a quilt top or two in the "almost" stage that would be perfect for donating.

We'll be finalizing the details of our April road trip to Pensacola.  A&E here we come!  This trip will be the perfect time to pick up a fat quarter or two for the May Blind FQ swap.  

Borrowing a page from the LAMQG, Kelly gave us the details last month.  Choose up to three FQs and individually wrap them in brown paper - no peeking.  For every FQ you contribute, you withdraw one, taking turns, until each wrapped bundle is gone.  Unwrapping is the exciting part, because as we all know, good things come in small packages.  Just remember to keep your fabric selection modern.  No solids allowed. 

Of course we'll recap our quilt show experiences.

Don't forget about show & tell.  Finished projects, WIPs, fabric - we enjoy seeing and hearing all about them.

  

  
We have a couple of demonstration and skill building lessons for you.  Wendi's on tap for wonky blocks and hexagons.  Both of which she prepared as a brief demo for last weekend's quilt show.  Marcy's going to show us the ins and outs of making a little lined zippered pouch.  

If you'd like to learn, or practice, please bring a couple of fat quarters, 1/4 yard of fusible fleece or interfacing, a 7" zipper, and your sewing machine's zipper foot.  Double, or, triple these amounts if you're staying for the SEW-day.  I have a feeling these are addicting.  I know wonky blocks are.  I think the same can be said about hexagons and zippered pouches too. 

And speaking of skill building.   What about those Craftsy BOM blocks?  If anyone is participating, bring in your block(s).  They just might earn another ticket for a door prize.

Food, as in snacks to share, is always a good thing and greatly appreciated.  We are informal and do not have a food sign-up list or committee like some of the larger guilds.

SEW-day supplies should include your project(s) and anything you might need, including an iron, a pressing surface, and possibly, an extension cord.    There are several LQS in Crestview - A Quilter's Place and Margie's, just in case.

See you Saturday!