Sunday---Precious Promises

"You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ.  Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us-----in one stroke he became poor and we became rich."      
  2 Corinthians 8:9

• Do all the good you can,
• By all the means you can,
•  In all the ways you can, 
• In all the places you can,
• At all the times you can,
• To all the people you can,
• As long as ever you can. 

Words were written by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.  Generosity made simple.

It's Time to Move On

This morning I just finished my last quilt top for AAQI.  As you know, this is the last year for AAQI and it will be a fantastic year.  AAQI is on target to earn $1,000,000.00 for Alzheimer's research.  I have been a part of this fund raiser since its beginning and I had told myself that I would quilt until the last deadline August 1, 2013.  But, I realize that I must move on.  I have been holding on to making these little mini quilts with mixed emotions---thrilled that AAQI will be reaching such an outstanding goal, but sad that the little quilts will no longer be needed.  I learned so much by participating in the cause.   I have wonderful memories stitched in each quilt.
My first quilt was:

651 - Bewildered Tears ($65)

Jan Stone
Josephville, MO   USA

Width: 11.5"   Length: 8.675"

Materials/Techniques: 100% cotton; machine pieced and quilted with embellishments.

Artist's Statement: This quilt represents the confusion and tears of Alzheimer's.

Dedication: To a wonderful mother, Helen Hoevel, who lost her battle on December 15, 1995.

This quilt is displayed with a hanging ring.

This quilt earned $65 for Alzheimer's research.

It's hard to believe that now the numbers are over 13,000 and growing.  I will be posting pictures of the final quilt tops as I complete the quilting and binding.  My total donation for this year will be ten.  Four have been sent in and I'm in various stages of completion on the other six.  

I will be using many of the techniques and ideas I used in the AAQI quilts to make quilts for the Festival of Sharing Quilt Auction and Backpacks for Missouri Foster Children.  

So, with a tear in my eye and a smile that I completed the quilt top this morning.  Thanks you Ami for giving all of us the opportunity to help. Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty...I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4 11-13

Friday Flowers

Do you have a flower that reminds you of your childhood?  African Violets for me.  My mom had a green thumb when it came to inside plants.  We had an east facing window in our kitchen and that little window shelf was lined with many colors and types of African Violets.  I have just one, also in the east---they love morning sun.  Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

$1,000,000.00 What an Accomplishment!

What an accomplishment for AAQI---on track to raise $1,000,000.00 this year.  And what a ending.  Yes, this will be the final year for AAQI.  Thank you Ami, Board of Directors, Volunteers for all you work.  I know these years have been hectic, but so worth the time when you look at your accomplishment.  I was thrilled to be a very very small part of the project and will continue to make quilts until the deadline.

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative will most likely reach the $1,000,000 mark in money raised for Alzheimer’s research some time in 2013!

The work of your hands and the compassion in your hearts has brought us to this milestone. I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you for your support and dedication.

Ami and her mother, Beebe, in 2006 shortly after the AAQI began.

What began as one person’s response to sorrow and frustration has grown into a national charity embraced by a large portion of the quilting community. More than 13,000 quilts have been donated, turning sweat equity into over $883,000 for research so far. For many donors these quilts were healing works of art which helped them grieve as they stitched for the greater good. Hundreds of thousands of people have seen the AAQI’s two traveling quilt exhibits about Alzheimer’s. Through this artistry came the realization for many that they were not alone on this journey of heartbreak; others understood, perhaps for the first time, what a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s really means. Together quilters have funded 11 research studies at six universities and a medical school. Three more studies will be funded this month and hopefully more throughout 2013. Because of the AAQI, scientists know a little bit more about Alzheimer’s than they did before. Hopefully this understanding will bring us all closer to a cure.

When I created the AAQI back in 2006, I never expected it to become so successful! I also never imaged how much work it would take to keep it going. As the AAQI blossomed, board members and core volunteers have had to increase our hours and pace to keep up. While I find enormous satisfaction in nurturing the AAQI, I much prefer sewing to administrating. I miss just being a full-time quilter.

For this reason, 2013 will be the last year of fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative. I hope you will help the AAQI reach our goal of One Million Dollars for research and then at the end of 2013 celebrate with everyone who made this tremendous achievement possible. Please review the important dates below:

February 15, 2013: All bookings for the traveling exhibit “Alzheimer’s Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope” must be finalized.

March 1, 2013:  First online auction of quilts from “Alzheimer’s Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope” traveling exhibit. Twenty-sixName Quilts will be auctioned during the first 10 days of March, April, May, June, July, August, and September. Payment will be required at the conclusion of each auction with shipping in October 2013 after the exhibit retires. The 54 Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilts from the traveling exhibit will be auctioned during the first 10 days of October and December.

July 2013: Last month to participate in the Quilt-A-Month Club.

August 1, 2013: Last day to register Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilts. Quilts delivered to scanners after August 20 will be refused.

October 29 – November 3, 2013: International Quilt Festival. We hope to be invited back one last time to sell quilts in Houston , TX .

November 1-10, 2013: Celebrity Invitational Quilt Online Auction

December 30, 2013: Last day Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilts can be purchased online.

December 31, 2013: Quilts For Sale and Donation pages will be removed from the AAQI website and all solicitations will cease.

2014-2015: The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative will monitor research grants awarded in 2013. The AQQI web page will be left intact for at least six months. Any funds not needed to sustain the AAQI’s final expenses will be donated to research. Remaining assets will be disposed of according to IRS regulations after which time the corporation will be dissolved.

There is still much work to this year as we sprint to the finish line. I hope everyone who reads this will join in, either as a seasoned veteran or a first time quilt donor or quilt buyer. We will continue to make a difference until the very last quilt is sold. Let’s make 2013 the best year ever!

Thank you for your support,

Ami Simms
Founder & Executive Director
Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative

Sunbonnet Sue Retro

Remember these little gals?  They have never really lost their popularity.  I found this little vintage pattern and  some retro 1930's reproduction fabric to complete this little AAQI quilt.  The little quilt is hand embroider, machine pieced and machine quilted.  The quilt is 8" square.  Have a wonderful Monday and Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.  James 1:17

Sunday---Precious Promises

Give to others and God will give to you.  Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands---all that you can hold.  The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you. Luke 6:38

Sweet Hearts

This miniature quilt will be included in  my first mailing to AAQI.  And just in time for February 14th.

 Sweet Hearts was created in five steps.  This is a layer quilt and will not be my last of its type to make.  In the first step I made the patchwork of two shades of white, then added the applique.  For the applique I just used a the raw edge approach, but a small zig-zag stitch would also help to hold applique pieces if desired. After the applique is in place, make a quilt sandwich and machine quilt--using a walking foot.   Now the fun begins, choose a variety of corresponding embroidery threads and hand quilt--primitive stitches--where pops of color is needed.  Finally, add embellishments if desired.

It was fun to watch this quilt develop and change as each layer was completed.  The little quilt measures 8 x 10 3/4 inches with fast finish hanging triangles on the back.  Just in time for Valentine's Day.  Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

Peaceful Bloom

Peaceful Bloom was a quick little AAQI quilt, but delightful to make.  Fancy cut from drapery fabric, and raw edge appliqued to a white background--that was it.  I then machine stitched an overall meandering pattern with metallic thread.  The mini measures 7 1/2 x 7 3/4 inches.  Happy Quilting!