Just yesterday I returned from International Quilt Market in Houston. For those who aren't familiar, this is the semi-annual trade show for our industry where all things new, wonderful, and innovative are introduced for the first time, always exciting and beautiful! On the other end of the spectrum, my friend Carol Doak pulled me aside to pass along news of a grass roots effort I'm certain will appeal to many of you. Countless numbers of our sister quilters in the devastated Gulf Coast region lost their homes and virtually everything therein during the recent hurricanes. Our first reactions, of course, were helping these families with life-saving donations of money to the Red Cross—and quilters did—in staggering numbers. As months go by, however, and homes are re-established, Carol told me about an online effort, quilters reaching out to quilters, to share supplies so that hurricane victims might return to the artform they love and enjoy. I have a sense that programs such as this will mushroom, but this is a first attempt, and I urge you to think about participating. The gist of this program is truly grass roots, one-on-one with not much organizational infrastructure. It sounds warm and personal, and I suggest you visit their website and get a sense of what's happening out there amongst our quilting sisters. Log onto http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuiltersPayingItForward, and if you know of other programs being developed to help our quilting friends on the Gulf Coast, please email us at McCall's Quilting (mcq@primedia.com) and we'll post your information on our web site. We're happy to spread the word about additional ways we can all lend a helping hand.
Beth Hayes |
