Thank Goodness we are resilient quilters and ‘press’ on regardless of any challenges. Our wonderful Battle River Quilters’ Guild has kept creativity alive. We have joined the way of Zoom meetings and though we do not meet in person, this is a terrific alternative. It is very heart warming to see the smiling faces of our colleagues on a screen. Our membership thrives at 37, just a few short of where we were a year ago.
While the Guild met in person, we had had two engaging speakers. In October, Nicole Langlois, the area representative of Quilts of Valour, gave us an informative presentation. She also displayed quilts created for veterans and front-line workers. In November, Nancy Clubb from Bags of Love spoke. She shared how the program gives comfort to children in care by giving them special bags containing books, toys, and a quilt that they can take with them wherever they go. Our Comfort Quilt committee presented Nancy with 20 quilts made by Guild members.
Our Battle River Quilters’ Guild members stay busy creating charity/comfort quilts for a variety of organizations. The following is an indication of what has been evolving as reported by the Comfort Quilt committee, Carol Marohn and Margery Rowlands. We donated 111 quilts in mid December to celebrate Christmas: Rosehaven Care Centre, Louise Jensen Care Centre, Stollery Children’s Hospital, and the Learning Together Program.
Support for Camrose Women’s Shelter
Besides these organizations, our main dedication is to the Camrose Women’s Shelter. At this point we have enough quilts to fulfill our June commitment of 25 quilts and are well on our way to having our commitment of 25 quilts in December completed. Thank you to each Guild member for helping to piece, bind and even donate tops from your own stashes. It truly is a group effort that makes this possible.
Let us give a big shout-out to our innovative program committee, Faith Gabert and Nicole Beaucage! They have had and continue to have interesting and exciting activities that keep us inspired and involved. In September two mystery Christmas projects were provided. We are now having ‘sew days’ twice per month via Zoom complete with Show and Tell time. Currently we have a Pizza Box Exchange underway with very keen participants. Also, we have been given an opportunity to attend a workshop via Zoom with Melissa Marginet, to learn walking foot quilting technique which should be lots of fun.
Our business meetings that take place the third Wednesday of the month will now be done via Zoom until we are able to meet in person.
Happy quilting and be well everyone!