Parade of Children's Quilts; Christmas in July

We encourage all our members to make at least one children's quilt during the year, and these are paraded around the room for a viewers' choice vote at the July meeting. Thirty new quilts were brought in.
Many of these quiltmakers also participate in the monthly meetings to work on quilts all year long, and we could not comfort as many children without this help. We were given ballots to vote for our choice. There were so many charming quilts that it was difficult to choose, but Sally Henderson's teddy bear quilt was the winner. Two prizes were awarded--hand-dyed fabric furnished by Kelley's Pins & Needles (dyed by Mary Nell Magee). The names of each quilter who brought in quilts were put in a hat and Elaine Magee's name was drawn to receive the second prize.

Sally Henderson's teddy bear quilt, also Vivian Plummer holding Paula Jones' cowboy quilt

Kelley McKenzie of Kelley's Pins & Needles was our vendor, and we were treated to shopping time before and after our potluck lunch. We gave lots of door prizes, many patterns furnished by Lucy A. Fazely. We had a hundred members and guests at this meeting, so the food was a real feast.

We gave away 80 completed quilts at this meeting. Pictured above receiving quilts are Cherie Wright from Wesley Medical Center, who will deliver the quilts to Angie Stringer, director of Women's Services. Natisha Polk from South Mississippi Children's Services and Lisa Mann from Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention each received 20 quilts for children their agencies serve.

Forrest General's representative, Tangela Boutwell (not pictured) picked up her 20 quilts later. She also received 11 more isolette covers for the Forrest General new NICU. We had previously given Tangela 10 isolette covers, and this completes our 20 covers we promised, plus an extra! These covers had to be made in so many odd-shaped pieces that we lost count and overshot our goal. We are proud to have this interaction with FGH and be able to share our talents in ways that minister to children.

Bonnie Bolt showed us several of her Christmas decorative projects that she will be teaching at the Christmas in July workshop. She will have three patterns from which to choose. What a good way to get an early start on Christmas gifts!