Happy Easter everyone! Thank you for sending in these lovely paragraphs and photos. I hope everyone enjoys reading them. I’d like to do another such post soon if you want to submit more material.
Melissa
Our Own Personal Heros
Diane Tillotson’s Daughter
Maria Hunter’s Daughter
Face Mask Update
For those of you continuing to make more face masks, THANK YOU! I wanted to let you know that Quilters Cove had about 800 yards of elastic delivered. She is open daily at 11 to about 1:30 for you to come in and get some or drop off your finished masks. It is probably a good idea to call the store before you head over just in case she has to run out. It’s just Holly working there right now. Our local businesses need all the support we can give them during these times. Please be sure to wear your face mask!
I still have a bit of elastic left at my home, so if you need some and can’t get out, I can bring it to you. Just let me know.
Thanks again,
Sue
A Note from Our President, Diane Tillotson
Dear Guild Ladies:
I sit here at home and am saddened that it is the second Thursday of the month and I cannot be with you at our general meeting time. However take heart, this too will pass! It’s just taking a little longer than we thought. The state has just yesterday closed schools until the end of the school year. This closure is hard in our family because we have a grandson who is a senior. The “stay at home” is still in effect, so our guild meetings and activities will be cancelled until further notice. I want to send a big shout out to all you guild ladies who have made masks and tote bags. What a great response. I couldn’t be more proud of you for responding to this problem in the way that you have. A special thank you to Sue and your team. Here in Linn county (and Marion) we have had many cases of the Covid-19. I am personally touched as my daughter is an ICU nurse at Salem Hospital and she has been taking care of Covid-19 patients since March. She is safe from the disease so far and you bet this Mama is praying for her daily! I will attach a picture of her all gowned up head to toe for her work shift. Because of her job on the front lines, I have not been able to see her or my family since March. However, my happy moments are in my quilting room making masks, finishing my quilt of Valor, three wall hangings, and an autumn quilt. Put a little 50’s music on and there is a great combination!!
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Stay home, stay safe, and keep quilting!
Love ya all,
Diane
A Note from Maria Hunter
Hello all!
I just wanted to add that if anyone is willing to make scrub caps along with me, Salem Health, who is taking care of most of our transfers, is still looking for more caps. I have done 90 myself so far.
Maria
What Diane’s Been Working On
A Note from Carol Nelson
Here is a picture of my granddaughter Sophie all dressed to fight Covid-19. I’ve made masks for all my family (and others), we are staying safe and sheltering in in Idaho. We’re taking long walks on the school’s track just a block from our home, cleaning closets, reading detective novels, cuddling with our kitties, and learning the importance of slowing down and appreciating each other and close family members. We greet our neighbors six feet apart and make sure everyone is okay. For some of us this is the first time we have met because we are now walking the neighborhood. Maybe there is a reason for this craziness that has happened.
I so miss all my quilting friends but you are in my heart and thoughts as I sit at my sewing machine and make masks and think of our times together. Blessings to each of you.
Carol Nelson
Carol’s little Sophie
A Note from Rose Shaw
So here’s one of our activities. Our property was logged in the 50’s. We wanted to return our hillside to what it was b4 logging so my husband planted 400 cedar, redwood, doug fir, hemlock, & spruce trees. It’s now time to clear out the dead brush “fire fuel” remembering forest fires last year. Sooo we’ve burned 3 huge piles of collected brush so far. A big job but it’s gone! My springtime bloomers r such a joy. I’ve been opening the window to hear the birds chorus. Different tunes but lovely harmony!
Stay well my friends,
Rose
Rose’s Hillside Restoration
Rose’s Spring Flowers
Winter Candytuft
Barberry BushEarly RhodyPrimroses are scattered all over the yard
A Note from Gail Chipman
Hi Melissa,
Just wanted to say thank you for keeping up the blog, encouraging us all to participate, and being such a positive and bright light for us during this time of uncertainty and stress. It’s definitely a unique time in our lives…but as many have said, a time to be reflective and grateful. I appreciate being a part of this amazing group of people called the Oregon Coastal Quilter’s Guild. I started out as a guest 6 yrs. ago at the annual retreat. I joined the guild just to be able to return to the retreat the following year. Little did I know that I would love the people, activities, the great causes and the goal to encourage and promote the fiber arts. I have had a ball being involved and getting to know many of the members. I am grateful for the many who step up and give time and energy to make this guild successful and our quilt show possible each year. We do some pretty wonderful and amazing things to make this world a better place for ourselves and others.
Thank you all!!!
Gail
A Note from Betty Jones
Hi Melissa – My first thoughts were not the basics like our families and neighbors that I am really grateful for and who are our first line of support but these who may be overlooked otherwise :
I am grateful for the cheerful and helpful employees who answer the phone at JC Market when I phone early in the morning to find out if they have TP that day – so I can coordinate my shopping list with those hard to find
necessities. They always tell me and make my shopping easier – I am often buying those items for a couple of others who aren’t mobile enough to do so and so it is a win-win. I appreciate the local smaller stores who
are so nice to do what they can for us.
I am appreciative also for people still pumping gas so we don’t have to do it! I was glad to find that out this week – I’ve done it, and I could do it but when it is raining and miserable to have that done for me cheerfully is a big plus.
I am grateful too for all the friends in our quilting family of sisters who are rocks for us in these troubling times.
Thank you to every one of them. Love you all.
Betty
A Note from JoAnne Sedlacek
Hi All: Melissa, thank you so much for keeping us connected thru the blog. I live in Monroe Oregon on a piece of land with the closest neighbor about 1/3 of a mile away. We love it out here, it is peaceful and serene and I am thankful for living where I do.
I have been making masks on a daily basis for a group out of Corvallis called the Corvallis Sewing Brigade. My daughter led me to them thru facebook and I am very thankful to be able to help out. There are now over 1,000 members, not all sew, but when I drop masks off to our designated site, the tubs are usually pretty full. It is amazing to see so much community support for all front line workers.
I have also been working on UFO’s and hopefully have some to put in the show in August (keeping fingers crossed that we are on the other side by then and able to have gatherings). If not, they will be there for next year.
Keep healthy, keep your distance, wear your mask if you go to the grocery store and stay safe.
JoAnne Sedlacek
A Little Snicker from Jean Amundson
I received this from a friend
Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I’ve just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and all of us agreed that things are getting bad. I didn’t mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The hoover was very unsympathetic… told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over!The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ……..yes, you guessed it …..pull myself together.
Take care everyone,
Jean
What Jean’s Been Working On
Here’s what I’ve been working on. I used the fat quarter package that came as a prize with the blue ribbon I won at the Albany quilt show. “Oregon Coast Sunshine” is ready for the binding and the label.
A Note from Joy Johnson
I am thankful this week for many things. Especially- a husband that I enjoy being with (our 44th Anniversary is April 10), two wonderful dogs that love me, all the wonderful friends I have made here in Newport and who I miss and that I enjoy sewing so I have something fun to do.
I have been sewing, reading, working on puzzles and going for car rides to look at the beautiful ocean and forests. Hope everyone is doing well and can’t wait to see you all again
Joy Johnson
What Joy’s Been Working On
A Note from Neena Kirsch
Hi Melissa, I’m a Portland member. I thought I’d share what Portland area quilters have been working on. A couple of weeks ago a supervising nurse at an inner city non profit, Central City Concern (who provides a variety of services from several branches to homeless and other non-supported communities) sought help from a quilting friend.” Would be possible to make simple poncho-like fabric gowns that her staff could wear on their shift? ” They were no longer able to get the disposable gowns that they normally wore. The cotton ones would not be as good, but could be washed and reused and would at least give them some covering when working with folks who seek help. They drafted up a simple pattern that utilized 2 yards of fabric and Tracey asked quilter friends for help. Off we went to our stashes. The first 50 went on to become over 150. Now nurses at each branch have 4 or 5 gowns to switch between during their shifts…they don’t even have to wear the same one all day. Here is a picture of 37 gowns friends and I had ready for pick up yesterday! Word has it the nurses are having so much fun picking and choosing from the wide variety that have been donated.
Neena
Show and Share
In the garden with Izzie today. It’s pretty enough to let you forget for a little.
Velma Freudenthal
This is my bag from Gail’s Camden Bag class. Velma
From Fran Whited
My Rhody
From Denise DeMarie
I’ve been doing a lot of baking.
From Linda Reeve
I’ve been trying to work on and finish projects I had started. I also quilted 3 Community Quilts and 30 Burp Cloths.
From Karen Donobedian
I’ve been quilting tops that have been in the closet waiting for quilting, making masks and cutting cards on my Scan n Cut. Thanks for encouraging us to share.
Karen D
First picture Tarnished Windmills then Twinkle Star both Quiktworx pattern
Masks for the hospital. Made more for county and latest request but didn’t take a picture.
Then Birthday cards: truck for nephew, beer for Brother in Law who likes Bigfoot
Then my Medallion finally made into a top and quilted.
Karen’s Tarnished Windmills (Quiltworx)
Karen’s Twinkle Star(Quiltworx)
Karen’s Birthday Cards, A truck for her nephew and Bigfoot Beer for her brother-in-law who is a Bigfoot lover
Masks for the hospital. I’ve made more for the county and for the latest request for transit workers
My Medallion finally made into a top and quilted
From Toni Brody
Here’s my “Cowboy Boots.”
From Linda MacKown
Here is a photo of my hibiscus that is almost finished. It still needs a sleeve & label & maybe a few touch ups.
Stay well!
Linda MacKown
From Tina McCann
I will share what is currently under my needle. My thought was to dive into my tub of scraps and put together a log cabin quilt. I was waylaid by a wonderful piece of silk I’ve been hoarding and decided it was time to take the rotary cutter to it. The result is “Cabin Fever” which as you can see from the detailed photo, is in progress. I would love to see what everyone has under their needle at the moment. Just a quick detail photo with your phone. It could still be under the sewing machine foot, on your lap, or the design wall. Tina
From Jane Szabo
Dolores Thomas helped us make these towels before the Quarantine. Jane
I finished my newest miniature also, about 15 inch.
Jane
A Silent Auction Quilt
From Melissa
I’m working on this butterfly. I painted him with acrylic and now I’m thread painting him.
Elastic Alternatives
From Nan
I made an interesting discovery when looking for alternatives for elastic. I had one mismatched support type knee-high sock that had some spandex in it. Unless I was going to hop around on one foot, I had no use for it, so I experimented. I cut it in ¾” rounds across the sock and when I pull them, they spring into nice little rolled bands like hair bands and can be set in to a casing for over-the-ears mask parts. They are nice and stretchy, but very comfortable on the ears. If they are a little too big, that can be remedied by tying a knot in them. And since they are flesh colored, it looks like “no visible means of support”.As Plato once said “necessity is the mother of invention”.
Nan
From Melissa
While searching Amazon for elastic I thought about the elastic ties that are used to wrap presents. I ordered some and they seem to work fine for the masks. I even washed and dried a mask with it. I ordered more before someone else thinks of this substitute and I’m happy to donate if you’d like to try them.
