Quilts From Away

Back in mid April MLQ received an email from a Canadian quilter living in Colorado. Attached to the email was a picture of this quilt. It popped up on the internet and Joanie fell in love with it. She wanted the pattern so she could make it for her sister living in Ontario. I made this quilt from a Lavender Hutt Designs pattern in 2010. It is no longer available. Using EQ7 I was able to give her the size of the blocks and the basics of how to assemble it. We emailed back and forth as more instructions were needed.

I love the geese in the corners. Joanie’s sister has received it and is thrilled to own this quilt. She has it hanging in the pro shop of her golf course and fields questions about it all day long. Love a red & white quilt!

As the emails continued we learned a lot about each other. When she isn’t working she is volunteering her time for others.

Joanie says: I also make little quilts/with teddy bears for the Ronald McDonald House and the children who are so badly medically challenged.  I belong to the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Rocky Mountain Base of which I am the Base Secretary and Newsletter Editor.  My hubby was a Chief Electrician with the U.S. Navy on board submarines for 20 plus years.  That is how I got in with the vets and do this volunteer work in his memory.  Through the Base they have a National chapter called Kaps for Kids and they visit Ronald McDonald Houses all over the US and that is how I got started making quilts for the kids.  It keeps me busy and happy.  When I have time I also make baby quilts for an organization that assists unwed mothers who are pregnant and addicted to drugs.  There is a lot of sadness in this world so as you well know, we do our best to help a wee bit. 

Click on the pictures for a larger view of the quilts/bears. Corresponding with Joanie brings back memories of the days when “Pen Pals” were so cool. Email is awesome and so is snail mail!  Might be time for another postcard exchange!!

Happy Quilting…Valerie Raye