Bags are Packed and I'm Ready to Go

This will be my last post for about 10 days.  Hubby and I are heading to Baltimore for a working vacation.  I have three AAQI quilt tops to take along and complete.  Will give you updates on my progress when I return.  In the mean time, check out the AAQI August Auction for some great quilts.
Also, plans are in the works for the November Auction.  This is AAQI's celebrity auction.  Wonderful quilts donated by talented stars in the quilting world.

Row 1: Alex Anderson, Hollis Chatelain, Caryl Bryer Fallert, John Flynn.
Row 2: Diane Gaudynski, Becky Goldsmith, Pat Holly, Libby Lehman.
Row 3: Marsha McCloskey, Sue Nickels, Mary Sorensen, and Ricky Tims.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Burton, MI)-- July 26, 2012-- Twelve world renowned quilters have each donated a 16" x 16" wall quilt for an online auction benefiting the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI). The auction will be held during November 1-10.

Participating in the Celebrity Invitational Quilt Auction are Alex Anderson, Hollis Chatelain, Caryl Bryer Fallert, John Flynn, Diane Gaudynski, Becky Goldsmith, Pat Holly, Libby Lehman, Marsha McCloskey, Sue Nickels. Mary Sorensen, and Ricky Tims.

This is the fourth year an elite group of quilters has donated quilts to the AAQI for an online auction in November, National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Last year's auction raised more than $14,000 for the national charity that sells donated quilts to fund Alzheimer's research. The auction is open to the public.

Download high resolution images for publication below. Please include the name of the artist, the name of the quilt and the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AlzQuilts.org) as attribution.

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (www.alzquilts.org) is a national, grassroots organization whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research through art. It auctions and sells donated quilts through the Priority: Alzheimer's Quilt project and sponsors a touring exhibit of quilts about Alzheimer's called "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope." The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative has raised more than $735,000 since January 2006. Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan is the founder and executive director of the AAQI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation operated entirely by volunteers. She is a quilter. Her mother had Alzheimer's.

For more information on the AAQI or to make a donation, contact Ami Simms at 810-637-5586 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern), ami@alzquilts.org or www.alzquilts.org.

Contact:
Ami Simms
Founder and Executive Director
Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative
1200 Creekwood Trail
Burton, MI 48509
(810) 637-5586
www.AlzQuilts.org

Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/ceinquaubeaa.html#ixzz221myImDH

This is a busy time of year for Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, check out the web site and join in the fun.
As always Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.  The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.  Psalm 34: 15, 17

#22 Has a New Look

Here she is.  #22 with her new look.  I used the Pledge of Alliance fabric and cut out free hand "bubble letters". Then just hand quilted them on the little banner.  Placed a few small beads in the centers of the little stars on the banner, for a very small touch of bling.  Vote has a new breath of life and the message can be read.  Funny how just one small change can make all the difference.  Happy Quilting!

Experience Goes to Auction

Do you remember this one?  Experience made of silks, satin, beads, old lace and cotton.  With a great message card from Vintage Grace Collages.  This will be one of the quilts featured in the AAQI monthly auction for August.  Think about buying a quilt.  If Experience doesn't appeal to you check out all the other wonderful quilts offered for auction, starting August 1-10 or offered every day of the week on the Quilts For Sale page.  This is why I quilt, always to honor my Mom.  Happy Quilting!

Great Message---Goofy Quilt

Have you ever made a quilt and thought this is going to be wonderful and then when completed you just look at it and say "What was I thinking"?  Well quilt #22 is just that type of quilt.  I started with some red, white  and blue 9-Patch.  Did some slicing and dicing and just stared putting things together.   I thought what about a "Vote" theme, this is an election year after all.  Wow, what about beads.  That's when things starting going bad.  Can't really read the word vote and it just looks "goofy".

I like the colors in this little 8 1/2" square quilt, but that is about all. I went to my box of bits and pieces and found this:

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this little "pledge of allegiance" fabric, but I'm thinking that it can be worked into my "goofy" quilt #22.  So you will be seeing this little quilt again---I'm thinking the beads are going  and a new look will be happening, not sure what????.  Stayed Tuned!! and Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God:  those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

Red Hats & Flowers

Well, almost flowers.  The drought has really taken it's toll on my garden.  I water every morning and the flowers are just surviving--not in full bloom, but my ferns are doing well.  So, today's little AAQI quilt #21 is on the fern on our deck.  Love Those Red Hats was inspired by a small piece of novelty red hat print.  I added strips of corresponding colors and a bit of edging with little heart shaped beads.  The quilt measures 6 x 9 1/2 inches and has been machine quilted.  Have a wonderful weekend, stay cool and Happy Quilting!

Hopscotch Party

AAQI quilt #20, I'm calling Hopscotch Party.  Those of you reading this who grew up in the 1950's may know what I mean.  Back in the day little girls would be invited to a Birthday Party and dress up in the prettiest little party dresses, many were a plaid like represented in this block.  The birthday gifts would be wrapped in all the finest paper and ribbon and of course, hopscotch was one of the most popular games of the day.  This little quilt reminds me of those days and a party dress I had as a child.  The log cabin block is vintage made of velvet, silk and satin, just like many of those party dresses.  The gifts are from a cotton novelty print.  The quilt is 8" square and has been machine quilted.  Just a little reminder of the days gone by.  Have a great Wednesday and Happy Quilting!

Vacation is Over---Well Almost

I've been on blog vacation.  Can't say I've traveled to any exciting places, I've just been on break.  During the weeks I've been away from Familypatchworks, I've been doing some late Spring cleaning, starting a walking program, changing my eating habits, and not quilting.  Sometimes a break from quilting is needed to regroup and to become inspired.  Well,  blog vacation is over, regrouping is complete and I'm ready to start quilting again.
One thing that helped to break this vacation cycle was an email from AAQI and Ami Simms.  It seems that at the November International Quilt Show in Houston, AAQI has doubled their booth space and now they are in need of 2,000 quilts to fill the space.  The deadline for quilts has not been established, but I like to target September as my personal deadline.  At the beginning of the year, I set a personal goal of 30 quilts.  So far I have completed 19.  I have some quilt tops made and ready for quilting.  So during the next few weeks you'll see some completed AAQI quilts.

There's plenty of time.  Why not give a little AAQI quilt a try---no larger than 9 x 12 inches.  Go to the www.alzquilts.org for all the instructions.  It's fun and it goes to help a great cause.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.  Colossians 2:3

Sunday---Precious Promises

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:  and he delights in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:  for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  Psalms 37:23-24

Sunday---Precious Promises

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who will give it to him; because God gives generously and graciously to all.  James 1:5