First Look at 2012 Donation Quilt

Jo-Ann Evans headed up the committee to create our donation quilt. She adapted the design idea from a Stained Glass Flower Garden quilt by Brenda Henning of Bear Paw Productions, and Brenda gave permission to use this as a starting point. Many of our members make beautiful designs on their embroidery machines, and Jo-Ann requested embroidered blocks of any size depicting "life on our planet," the stated theme of our 2012 show. Other members took home kits of batiks and made pinwheel, star, and flying geese blocks. When all the embroidered and pieced blocks were turned in, Jo-Ann assembled them to create this 84" x 84" quilt.  It will be longarm machine quilted by our member Susie Jackson.
The guild voted to name the quilt "Life On Our Planet," duplicating the show theme.

Getting ready for 2012

It was a good year for quilting; looking back on 2011, we donated a total of 269 children's quilts, 41 stockings, 87 fleece blankets (for Honduras mission trip). Outgoing officers Shirley Wiltshire, Frances Good, Linda Lowe, and Sharon Barnes led us through interesting programs, workshops, and activities.

We surprised Shirley with a quilt (after letting her open a large box and finding it full of fabric scraps). She loves to collect scraps so much that she was actually pleased with her "first gift."

New officers for the two-year term of 2012-2013 have been elected. They are:

Betty Allen, president; Donna Crager, vice president; 

Linda Lowe, secretary; Margie Hancock, treasurer

December Quilts and Stocking Gifts

At our December 21 meeting (and delicious lunch buffet), we were pleased to have guests to receive our gifts. We placed 113 quilts with seven agencies. We also gave 41 stockings and a table covered with children's and mothers' gifts to Domestic Abuse Family Shelter. Quilts were also delivered to Wesley Medical Center.

Marilyn Howell and Becky Sims are always happy to have stockings and gifts to use for the shelters in Hattiesburg and Laurel.

Tangela Boutwell (Forrest General Hospital)

Below: Natisha Polk (South Mississippi Children's Center), Kim Newell (Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention), Sarah Hoda (Judge Mike McPhail's Family Court), Courtney Gates (Forrest County Department of Human Services), Becky Sims and Marilyn Howell (DAFS)

Quilts made by Betty and Joe Bingham and a receiving blanket made by Paula Jones were delivered to the Center for Pregnancy Choices in Laurel at their open house and ribbon cutting in December.

More Than a Thousand Pillows!

We have been making and stuffing pillows to be given to children who are taken to the hospital. This is a traumatic time for any child, and PBQ members are happy to offer some comfort with these pillows. Recently we were notified by Joan Stevens, Coordinator of Volunteer and Guest Services at Forrest General, that since June of 2009 FGH had received 1,150 pillows. These are given to children in the ER and on the pediatric unit. In addition to the pillows placed at FGH, we have also supplied Wesley Medical Center with pillows but do not have an accurate count.

 

More Soldiers' Families Receive Quilts

 Mrs. Jennifer Smith, Brandon, mother of SSgt Jason Rogers (USMC),

who died in Afghanistan in 2011

 Mr. Eddie and Mrs. Kathy Self, Pearl, with daughter Kim Shull; 

lost their son and brother SSG David Self in Afghanistan in 2011

Mrs. Deborah Heidelberg, Quitman, mother of PFC Damian Heidelberg,

who died in Iraq in 2003; pictured with James Robinson, SOS Support Coordinator

Fallen Soldiers' Families Receive Quilts

James Robinson, SOS Support Coordinator, Army Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Program,  has presented three of the quilts we donated this summer to mothers of fallen soldiers.

Mrs. Jane Green, Gautier, honoring her son MAJ Michael L. Green, who was killed in 2008 in Afghanistan.

Mrs. Dianne Newman, Waynesboro, honoring her son SGT Melvin L. Henley, who died in Iraq in 2007.

Mrs. Nadine Henley, Jackson, honoring her son SPC Melvin L. Henley, who died in Iraq in 2007.


A certificate was presented with each quilt, reading:
We are proud to present quilts to the families of
Fallen Soldiers who have given their life in service to
our country. These quilts are made with love and
compassion and are our way of saying thank you for
your dedication and sacrifice to keep our country free.