SPECIAL PROJECTS PAGE

ROW ROBIN

ROW ROBIN There are two or three groups participating in a row robin quilt.  The ladies in this group have a jump start.  The idea is to create a row with the theme you have chosen and pass it on to the next person to add a row of similar but different blocks.  Fun fun fun.
Cindy R.  "A Walk in the Woods"
Cindy W - "Santa"
Kim - "Beach" Kim had some complementary blocks with beach motifs also.	Kim's Row Robin I see that Kim re configured her original row when she assembled all the blocks.
Omajean - "My favorite blocks"
Betty - "Wizard of OZ"
This is sort of a preview, as it turns out these row robin quilts aren't due to be "revealed" until February.  This is Louise's quilt and she should be standing with it instead of Shirley. (me)  I suggested that if I made her the required 6 more blocks the quilt would be too large and asked if I couldn't put the border on instead.  More about these in February.
Anne - "What I am thankful for"

 

 

 

 

GIFTS TO THE COMMUNITY

Many members of the CBQ donated fabric, blocks and time to the four rotating quilts at the Auburn Public Library. Louise B designed and constructed each quilt top.  Cindy W of Cinnamon Dreams, assembled the tops into completed quilts.  “Spring”, “Summer”, “Fall”, “Winter”, and  also “Library Books”.  The details in these community gifts are stunning, and library visitors are encouraged to visually AND tactilely enjoy these unique fiber art pieces.
	"Spring" "Spring" Take note of the sign. Louise asked that it to be hung low enough for little people to enjoy.  This happy quilt hangs March through May.		"Winter" This is the winter theme quilt that hangs in the library during the months of November through February.  Again, many guild members contributed to this quilt. Check some of the details in the next cell of photos		Be sure to click on these individual blocks and enjoy the attention to detail these talented quilters possess.  To really appreciate the detail, you really need to stop by the library to take a look.
	"Summer" While many guild members made blocks especially for the summer quilt, I recognize some familiar blocks from "projects past". I remember the Sunbonnet Sue, sans bonnet on the surf board, from a challenge block, and the Herbie on Vacation Block is yet another challenge. Louise pieced a message in the center block. One of the fishies is not swimming with the crowd.   This sizzling quilt hangs June-August.		"Fall"      Louise made another kid friendly wall quilt for our local library, using blocks that the guild members made in an autumn theme. All the aspects of fall, from harvest, school and halloween are covered. This quilt hangs September through Thanksgiving.		“Library Books”     This is the fifth quilt that Louise has assembled, and Cindy has quilted for the library. This time instead of asking guild members for blocks, she and Cindy W. donated their birthday blocks from our birthday group. Please enlarge and study these blocks. Linda B. put a photo of Shirley K's grandson in one block, Alice has a photo of an civil war ancestor, 2 fish bowls and anything else you can think of that is on the above average book shelves.  This quilt hangs year round in the children’s section.
	During a quilt display at the local museum featuring the Gee's Bend Quilters, some of our ladies did demonstrations and mini lessons.

SWEAT SHOPS

AND

COMFORT QUILTS for COMMUNITY

Sweat Shop March 2006   Doretha organized this effort to build up our inventory for quilts for Bethany House (hospice).  The extension office was "abuzz"!!  You can enlarge the photos to see each worker bee doing a task that just seems intuitive.  Of course that is pretty easy when Doretha has quilts packaged in different stages of "kit".    I will include her comments that have the "stats" of the day. ***************** Today was the day for the workshop.  We had a GREAT day.  There were 11 of us there and we were busy as little beavers.  I brought to the workshop 17 tops to piece and 6 sandwiched and ready to be quilted.  I brought home 4 tops that had been pieced, 1 quilt completely finished, four quilt "kits" and 12 quilts in various stages were taken home by the generous ladies present today.  I came home tired but it was a good tired - a good feeling of accomplishment. If you missed this workshop, we will have another one in the future months and maybe you will  be able to join us.  It is a lot of fun.  Get 11 quilting women in one spot and it can't be anything but fun. Thank you very much, ladies.  I really appreciate your participation, your hard work, and most of your jokes (actually I enjoyed all of them).  You are really a fun group.  You make it enjoyable to be a member of Cotton Boll Quilt Guild. Doretha
After the devastating  hurricane, Katrina, we like quilters all over the country, had workshops to make quilts of comfort for the victims.  Several of us met on Saturday at the extension building in Opelika to work	A small sampling of the quilts our guild finished for hurricane relief.  We finished so many because of the tireless dedication of Doretha who organized packets of quilts and workshops.  She would be invaluable to many organizations as an organizer extraordinaire but I don't think she would work that hard for money.  Many of the fabrics came from our closets but our co-benefactors The Busy Bee Quilt Shop in Fayetteville GA. gave us the bulk of it.  It is so wonderful to have access to such beautiful fabric to make warmth for the body and soul to share with the less fortunate.  We thank you and hope you are pleased with what we do with your generous donations.	“Hurricane Quilts” Cindy works for the athletic department of Auburn University.  She became aware of some of the athlete's whose families were affected by the devastating 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  David Mines, Associate Athletic Director for AU Athletics Department, attended our October meeting to receive the quilts for the athletes.  He was so touched by our efforts that he arranged for the “hurricane quilters” to attend an Athletic Department Luncheon, be publicly recognized and present the quilts to some of the affected athletes and their families.  In all, 27 quilts were constructed and donated to the Auburn family.
All three of these quilts were finished for Bethany house by these ladies. (Linda W. Tami, and Flavin.) Two of them are the result of workshops or several ladies doing different phases of the quilt at home. The snails trail was pieced by Julie and finished by Flavin.	This shot was serendipitous. Cindy was just presenting us with an opportunity to make a comfort quilt for the family of Stephen "Dusty" Hiller, a soldier from Opelika who is a casualty in Iraq. As she was speaking we found out that Ann had already begun and is working on this quilt for that very soldier. She was once his Sunday School teacher. So it was decided that more blocks would be donated for a border and presented to his mother and others would provide other patriotic colored blocks to be presented to his wife. And that is exactly what happened with the finished products shown a few weeks later. Group donated blocks, Anne pieced, Louise bound. What an awful price our precious freedom has.	Here is a sampling of the days accomplishments for a Hospice/Women's Shelter workshop. It was sort of an open house, come work a few hours as you can type thing in Weze's basement. I think the group photo is a fair sampling of how many came.  But they seem to be waiting for the starting gun to go off.  Weze kept us pumped up with caffeine and there was much laughter even without the "fix".
This quilt started at a work shop back in March, when we first began the hospice project. It has a LOT of quilting on it because Shirley used a cotton batting.	Martha pieced this Ohio Star for the Hospice project, Cindy quilted it, and it is being passed on to Debbie N.or Weze for binding. I look forward to seeing it finished.	One of our "headlight" quilts from our outside meeting in June. Linda Bayes pieced it and I think whoever is wearing those Bergenstocks finished it.

 

"SPECIAL COMFORTS FOR EACH OTHER"

Cindy R. is our comfort quilt person this year.  We always hope she does not have much to do on her job.  Our practice is to supply Cindy with blocks on a semi-regular basis.  Sometimes, we make blocks that are specific for the receiver, as with Carol.  In the first photo, Cindy presents a quilt to OmaJean who recently lost her mother-in-law.  Then she wraps Carol in a shawl of love that expresses our sorrow in the recent loss of her husband.  We have shared many cups of coffee with Carol, and that theme was chosen for her.  Then Cindy shows one of a pair of quilts she made for our soldier girl, Jody S. because she lost her mother.  Jody's brother is in the military also, and since Cindy had enough blocks in the bank, she made him one from our guild also.  Cindy W. uses her long arm machine to quilt many, if not most, of these gifts of love.
This is the "love" quilt, we made blocks for and Louise assembled and  quilted.  Carolyn wasn't at the meeting because she was taking care of "moving" business.  We finally were able to present it to Carolyn at a birthday group meeting.  (below) Carolyn has been a big important part of this group and we miss her already.	Linda recently lost her dear Mother in Law Gladys Bayse. Cindy R. has put together and completed a comfort quilt for Linda from blocks that we supplied her.  You can learn more about how we care for each other on the Special Projects Page (link below) in the Comfort for Each Other section.	Debbie one of our quilters extraordinaire,  has made several "beach" quilts for people.  She and her husband frequent the beach. Another quilter overheard him say, "I wish I had my own beach quilt."  She said something like, "get in line, I have lots going".  Well, as a surprise to them both, several of us furnished blocks and others assembled, quilted and bound  his own beach quilt the week he had bypass surgery.  Some of the blocks will surely make you smile if you enlarge the photos.  BTW, Debbie is a terrific wife and we loved teasing her with this.
"Found My Marbles" Cindy gets a comfort/celebration quilt. Her mylodysplasia shows signs of responding to the treatments!! Cindy named the quilt thus, because she is making a separate quilt that she calls, "Lost My Marbles". Cindy says, "I've made so many charity and comfort quilts that I've lost track (or better said, never kept track). Being a quilter is a gift that I must share, and almost half of the quilts that my long arm business, Cinnamon Dreams, does is for comfort or charity. I feel like I have a "quilt ministry." During all of this time, I had NEVER received a quilt of my own. I had never felt the POWER of receiving a quilt. WOW. It is one powerful sensation! The love, care, concern, and laughter that oozes out of each stitch is overwhelming. And as most of you can attest, I am seldom speechless. Well, I was tonight. Looking out at my quilt sisters tonight, and watching you watch me; caring for me; concerned for me.......I am truly blessed. There is no other way to describe how I felt and feel now while virtually absorbing that power. So, thanks to all who participated in my quilt. AND thanks to all that participate in other quilts of comfort. If you have never received one, just know that your part is wonderfully received, appreciated, and loved. The power of a quilt is magical, and I am grateful that I am part of this group."	CUTE! CUTE! CUTE! Doretha does so much to make it possible for us to make so many comfort quilts that several of the ladies decided to make her this miniature.  Well the over all piece is not miniature but the detail is. You must of course click to enlarge to enjoy!	I (Shirley) had the heartbreak of my life recently. I lost my beloved Charlie to prostate cancer. The note below expresses how important this "arm" of our comfort ministry to each other is. Louise had a particular challenge of quilting reversible blocks where there were some irregularity in sizes. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Because some of you knew Charlie and were so in tune with our situation, you have shared in my sorrow. Sharing implies that you "wore" some of it for me. I am sure that most of you hurt for/with me as you made a block for this quilt. It is an intangible thing this sharing of pain. But know this, it has helped make this bearable. Immeasurably so. You won't know until eternity how much impact your many expressions of love have had on our extended families. And now with this lovely quilt, when I am sad (or cold) I can wrap in it and collect comforting hugs from each one of you. Each block has already been caressed and you pictured. Thank you for caring for us.
	Recently, Deb's grandmother, who lived with her mom, fell and had to go to the nursing home. It was a traumatic time, and Louise pieced some of our blocks for a comfort quilt for Debbie and her mom. Cindy quilted it for her, and the detail is a good example of her work.
We should have known better than to give our hearts to Patti Viveroes, knowing she was a "military" wife. Just kidding! Anyway, when she moved it made us sad. Especially the birthday group who got to know her best. So, we made her some blocks to remember us by. Patti will stay in touch via our egroup and plans to come back for our Christmas party.	We are losing two guild members in one month. :'-( Louise , our comfort quilt builder, built Bonnie's quilt, using the blocks we brought to her. We did hearts and flowers for Bonnie who is moving to Albuquerque, NM.	Sadly we presented two "farewell" quilts this month. Our music teacher, Martina has a built in theme as she moves to the University of CO at Boulder. Someone thought to make it in her new school colors but with plenty of Auburn reminders.
Joyce lost her sweet sister and friend Mary Kathy, about six weeks ago. Many of us knew the special bond they had and some of us knew Kathy. We hope the blocks we made express our sorrow yet our celebration of Kathy. I will take some detail photos as some of the blocks are so special.	One of our own has JOINED THE ARMY!! Now are we a diverse group or what?? One of the photos shows everyone signing the special wall hanging that Doretha pieced and the other is presenting it to her at another meeting. We are confident that Jody will keep in close touch and we know she "kitted up" several projects to quilt during in spare moments. After boot camp of course. We are very proud of you Jody.	February Meeting Here, Louise presents Becky Clayton with a quilt in remembrance of her mom, who died in August. It just looks cuddly.
Karen recently went through a long illness with her dad. When she lost him, Traci asked us to make hearts and cats for Karen.	De went back to school. We helped celebrate her becoming a teacher.	Carolyn and her beloved husband drank tea together regularly. So Tracy chose teacups for each of us to make and she put a teapot center.
Cups and Cats are the theme for a quilt for Louise when her mom died.	This heritage quilt was made for Tracy!! (What a switch.) The blocks were presented after her year as guild President (2000) and in appreciation of all the many tops she has "arranged" for us.	Tracy knows that Weze loves to tend to and observe the birds on her deck. So "birds" is the theme of this comfort quilt in memory of her brother who passed away this summer. Members of a cyber group Louise belongs to, knowing her  weakness for marshmallow "peeps" contributed to this as well!

 

ROUND ROBIN IN HOUSE

Stunning is the word that comes to mind for Debbie's center block and maybe dazzling (is that a word?) for the finished top. She is a step ahead of most of us as I see she has begun quilting already.	This is the center block for Linda T. I have already seen the first round and it sure looks different already.	This is the center block for Carolyn Z. A "Tree of Life".
Joyce has started the center block for Timothy. Dull eh?	Cathy's center block, like Joyce's in the previous cell, both need batteries.	Can you guess Susie's vocation?  Susie's center block was a previous gift in honor of her new teaching career. So she was all prepared for this Round Robin event. Be sure to enlarge the thumbnail photo to see the teacher theme borders.
Pam continues to show her love of cats with her quilts. This is so cute. I would call this one "Burp"! Because of all the fish bones.	Sandra S. chooses a pretty vase to be surrounded by surprise borders. * Sandra's center block sure was complimented by the borders her group chose. The checker board seems to pick up every color in the vase block.	Not a very clear image, but Aggie's center block is "Home Sweet South". She has given us free rein with this, suggesting that we add ANYTHING that reminds us of the south. * She will need to hack her way through the kudzu vines. I wish you could read the southern dictionary quips on the border Cathy put on.
"Dancing By The Light of The Moon" That is just what I call it. It may have an official name. Margaret finds the cutest whimsical things.	This is not the actual block, but it is a butterfly like this from her grandmother's quilt that Martina is using as her center block. She is making a bed cover from the other blocks left from a quilt Grandma did long ago. * Martina's grandmother would be pleased with the complimentary rounds added to her original butterfly block. Martina asked us to keep it small enough for a limited wall space.	"Blue Bird Tubby" Shirley's block starts off with a challenge as it is already on point. * This Pastel Garden will match the bed cover she is making. Can you imagine that Shirley would choose a bird theme? She plans to add another blue bird coming in for a landing.

 

 

Chinese Orphanage

	Three more quilts from Carolyn for babies in the Chinese orphanage. Our cz (Carolyn Z) is a real "sweet Heart" to these children for making these heart motif quilts. She has made several of them this year alone.   (whoops.  not the appropriate photo.  I named a later one the same and it overwrote)  But it is her "style" and see below cell.		Martha made this I Spy quilt in half-square triangles instead of the hexagon this time. She made this for a quilt to go to an orphanage in China. Who will explain what the AU sign in the corner is? Let's work on those chinese characters and pin a note to it.		Pam made this sweet thing for the China orphanage that Sandra's daughter is visiting on a regular basis, on business trips. I must have had a wrong button engaged on the camera, as I remember the colors seemed much brighter and eye catching.
	Carolyn was on a roll with the heart appliques. They are "mahvously" different to be so alike eh?		Carolyn had a try with stack and whack and I think it is adorable and cheerful. A bright spot in any little girls life. Especially for one in a gray orphanage environment.		Just Look!! Sandra's daughter who delivers thes quilts for us was able to get some photos in the orphanage with the babies using our actual quilts. This is so satisfying to know that our little guild touches people world wide.

 

Out Reach and "IN" Touch Projects

We usually have a charity or comfort quilt project in progress. We made quilts for the survivors of some of the fireman from the World Trade Center attack. We also made 2 dozen quilts for the local Hospice Center last year and continue with some beautiful ones this year. Some of these quilts go home with the patients and their families. We have chosen Bethany House (Hospice) to be our current project again in 2003. Doretha coordinates the workshops this year having "packages" at different stages of completion. She has lots of beautiful fabrics to work with thanks to the generosity of a quilt shop in Fayetteville GA.