🧵 The Quilters Retreat Weekly Thread for 11/23/2024 🧵

Hello, Quilters!

As the holiday season approaches, we're stitching together some heartwarming stories, exciting news, and special treats just for you. Let's dive into this week's fabric of updates!

1. Clark County Quilters Craft Comfort for Shelter Animals

We adore our 3 labrador retrievers, all rescues, and we know we know how much our quilting community cherishes their furry companions. Recently, the Clark County Newcomers Quilting Group gathered at Just For Fun Quilting in Washougal, Washington, to craft cozy dog beds and cat blankets for the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society. Using fleece and scraps provided by Project Linus, 14 dedicated quilters created comfortable bedding to soothe shelter animals awaiting adoption. Read the whole story here. You can also contact your local Project Linus group if you'd like to learn how you can use your quilting skills to help children and pets in need.

2. Local Couple Shows Gratitude to Firefighters with Handcrafted Quilts

In a touching display of appreciation, Anne and John Ray from Hixson have been quilting together through Trinity Lutheran Church, creating beautiful quilts as a way to give back. Over the past three years, they've formed a special bond with the firefighters at Station 14, who have assisted them during emergencies. This summer, the couple dedicated over 30 hours to create more than a dozen handmade quilts, each stitched with love and gratitude. Delivered alongside a pumpkin breakfast, the quilts brought smiles to the firefighters, who noted such acts of kindness are rare. The Rays shared that quilting together not only strengthens their marriage but also their appreciation for the unsung heroes in their community.  Watch the YouTube story here. 

Have you tried quilting with your spouse?  Well...maybe you should give it a try.  We wish you good luck!

3. Donna Tardiff Receives National Recognition for Quilt Design

Donna Tardiff of Springfield, Vermont, recently earned fourth place in a national quilt competition for her vibrant pollinator-themed wall hanging. Her intricate design features bats hanging upside down, hummingbirds hovering over flowers, ants retreating to their anthill, wasps flying to their paper nest, moths attracted to a flickering flame, butterflies flitting through flowers, and ladybugs scurrying to central red petals. Quilted lines indicate the flight paths of these pollinators. The competition, organized by the Modern Quilt Guild, attracted about 100 entries nationwide, with members voting online for their favorites.  This quilt is just beautiful so give it a look here. 

 

Fun Fact: Quilting for Health

Did you know that quilting isn't just a delightful hobby but also beneficial for your health? Engaging in quilting can lower blood pressure and reduce physical tension. The repetitive motions and creative focus involved in quilting promote relaxation, which in turn helps to decrease stress levels and hypertension.

So, next time you're at your sewing machine, remember—each stitch is a step toward better health!

 

🎶 Tune into Our YouTube Channel! 🎶

Ready to add some pizzazz to your quilting sessions? We've got two delightful videos to keep you company:

• Stitchin' Up The Stash: This upbeat track is your perfect sewing sidekick, designed to keep your stitches in sync and your spirits high. Whether you're tackling a new project or finishing up a long-time WIP, let this lively tune be the soundtrack to your creativity.

 

• Cozy Autumn Quilting Ambiance: This is something new and so exciting! I’ve always enjoyed YouTube ambiance videos—you know, those living rooms with scenic views out the windows—but let’s face it, Quilters aren’t dull, and neither should our ambiance be! My take adds a creative twist: an ever-changing display of beautiful autumn quilts paired with soothing piano melodies and nature sounds. Perfect for quilting in your cozy space, it’s designed to inspire and relax, whether during solo stitching or a quilting get-together. Let this serene video bring the warmth of fall and the joy of quilts to your sewing sessions.  If you like these, let me know and I'll make more.

Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more quilting tunes and ambiance!

 

Wrap-Up

A Heartfelt Thank You

As a small family business, your support means the world to us. Every comment, review, and share helps us grow and continue bringing you the quilting goodness you love. Keep the feedback coming, and don't forget to share our newsletter with fellow quilt enthusiasts. Together, we're stitching a vibrant community, one thread at a time.

Follow our Facebook page to get notified about our latest blog posts, enjoy fun videos, and take part in our quilting quizzes! 

Happy quilting, and may your bobbins always be full!

Warmest stitches,
Christine 
The Quilter’s Retreat Store
http://TheQuiltersRetreat.Store