Dr. Feldman Univ of Michigan

Three Weeks Left in the 2014 Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS

24!

That's how many days remain in the 2014 Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS!  While this year's challenge ends July 31st, there is still plenty of time to send in a quilt and have a chance at winning some fabulous prizes from our wonderful Sponsors.

Presenting Sponsors ($2,500+)

[Click on each logo to visit their website]

Quilters Dream Batting
589 Central Drive
Virginia Beach, VA  23454
(888) 268-8664

J.N. Harpers is a fourth generation business in Canada that distributes fabrics ranging from fine apparel, exquisite Italian shirtings, a full range of interfacings, as well as a full compliment of products for the quilting industry - batiks, cotton prints, excellent basics and batting.

J.N. Harper Co.
8335 Devonshire Road
Town of Mount Royal, Quebec H4P 2L1
Canada

Grand Sponsors ($1,000+)

[Click on each logo to visit their webpage]

 

Dragon Threads
490 Tucker Drive
Worthington, OH 43085
(614) 841-9388

Forever in Stitches
120 N. Main Street
Bluffton, OH 45817
(866) 434-7552

hang it dang it
Innovative Solutions
692 Roger Canyon Road
Laramie, WY 82072
(307) 760-5279

Judy Martin Books
Crosley-Griffith Publishing Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 512
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-4854

Minick & Simpson
1528 Miller Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 665-8334

Mistyfuse
Attached, Inc.
Brooklyn, NY
(631) 750-8500

Quilters' Gift Shop
2506 Robinson Street
Colorado Springs, CO  80904
(719) 635-0968

Straight Stitch Society
35 Meadow Street, Studio 316
Brooklyn, NY  11206
(347) 422-0970

The Warm Company
5529 186th Place SW
Lynnwood, WA 98037
(800) 234-9276

The Wooden Bear
1685 McBride Ridge Court
Winterest, IA  50273
(866) 927-8458

Golden Ruler Sponsors($500)

[Click on each logo to visit their webpage]

Angela Walters
Quilting is my Therapy
AngelaWaltersquilting@gmail.com

Swirly Girls
info@swirlygirlsdesign.com

 

All generous quilters who donate a quilt will be entered into a general drawing to win great prizes, including Quilters Dream Batting, books, patterns, fabric, notions and more valued at $1,000.

All quilts must be postmarked by July 31, 2014. Quilts received after this date will automatically be entered into next years challenge.

THANK YOU!  For the gift of your time, talents and quilts that are helping us bring HOPE to our DREAMS of a CURE for ALS!

Meet Linda Teufel of Dragon Threads - $1,000 Grand Sponsor of Hopes & Dreams

Say hello to Linda Teufel.

Linda Tuefel owner of Dragon Threads.

Linda has owned and operated Dragon Threads Textile Art Books since 1994.

Linda is also the author of two books, KOOS couture & collage and Quilting Party! Group Quilting for Celbration, Commemoration, and Charity.

Linda loves helping others, whether introducing them to a new idea or twist on a traditional art form, or inspiring someone to make quilts that are donated to others.  She believes in Hopes & Dreams and became a Grand Sponsor the very first year of the challenge in 2009.

When we asked Linda why she continues to support Hopes & Dreams by donating $1,000 in books as prizes each year, she said, "My best friend's mother has ALS and went through it and my Aunt had it, too.  I didn't watch my Aunt go through the daily struggles with this disease, but I saw her from time to time and it's pretty disturbing up close.  My best friends mother was in her body, but couldn't come out having lost all muscle movement.  They got her a machine to help her communicate and then took her to Germany to try testing.  It was very sad. Donating the books is a little thing to do.  It's not finding a cure, but it is something."

Yes, Linda - it is a big something!  If you will, take a moment and click here and tell Linda "Thanks!" for continuing to support the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS as a Grand Sponsor.

Quilts, Baseball, Apple Pie and Hopes & Dreams

Here's to Quilts, Baseball, Apple Pie and Hopes & Dreams

Fireworks, home cooking, family gatherings and our flag waving, national anthem singing American Pride. Those are many of the images we remember in preparing for and celebrating our nation's Independence this 4th of July weekend.

It's "Baseball, Apple Pie and the American Way."  

75-years ago, July 4, 1939, it was baseball and the courage of Hall of Fame first baseman Lou Gehrig that changed the unknown face of one of the most devastating diseases we know, ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

With our Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS, Quilters Dream Batting is working to bring Hope to the Dreams of a Cure for ALS.  And this weekend, Major League Baseball [MLB.com] is also helping to raise funds and bring awareness to ALS.  The below video was produced by Major League Baseball [MLB.com] and features all 30 current MLB first basemen (and a cameo by Yankee Derek Jeter) reciting Gehrig's now-iconic oration.  It was played at Yankee Stadium before New York hosted the Tampa Bay Rays' afternoon game Wednesday, July 3.

[Read Lou Gehrig's Full Speech here]

Too many of our fellow Americans are facing the same death sentence that Lou Gehrig faced - far too many.  Your quilts donated to the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS are making a difference in the lives of our "PALS" - people living with ALS.  They are also making a real difference in supporting research that is close to finding a treatment and cure for ALS.

This year's Challenge is coming to an end - let's make July our month of hope with the dream of independence from the struggles of ALS.  Please encourage your family, patrons, and quilting friends to donate a quilt to Hopes & Dreams by July 31st . (Quilts received later will be part of next year's Challenge.)

If you need additional information, please call Quilters Dream Batting toll-free at (888) 268-8664.

Quilts can be sent to:

Hopes & Dreams

c/o Quilters Dream Batting

589 Central Drive

Virginia Beach, VA  23454

Like our Hopes & Dreams Facebook page to view all of the beautiful quilts and wonderful prizes that have been donated so far!  The generosity of quilters is truly remarkable.

 

If you enjoy our Facebook Page please suggest it to a friend.

Thank you for helping us give hope to our dreams of a cure!

Splish Splash Quilt Bash Fun in Michigan

As we head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, we wanted to give you an update on what is happening with our inaugural Splish Splash Quilt Bash Challenge between The Joyful Quilter in New York and Quilt-n-Bee in Michigan.

Sharon Kaiser and her daughter have really been busy promoting Hopes & Dreams.  The last count (and she says it's growing daily) was 51 quilts made and donated by her quilt shop patrons and friends.

Sharon took this picture of a couple of the quilts at the marina on Grand Traverse Bay to celebrate a little of the 'splish' in the 'splash' of helping to bring awareness to ALS in her community, as well as provide warmth, hope and love to PALS - people living with ALS - who will receive the quilts.

For Sharon the joy of the challenge is in honoring her neice Cheryl who died of ALS when she was 50. "Sharon was always willing to share her gifts with everyone else and she was an avid quilter," says Sharon. "The Splish Splish Quilt Bash and Hopes & Dreams are the perfect way to give life to her gifts and help someone else who is living with this devestating disease."

Sharon Kaiser of Quilt-n-Bee in Michigan participating
in the Splish Splash Quilt Bash to honor her neice Cheryl who died of ALS at the age of 50.

The fun 'banter' between the two shop owners continues. 

The Joyful Quilter Splish Splash Quilt Bash donation and prize pool.

Earlier this week, Susan at The Joyful Quilter posted this photo of her Splish Splash display on her Facebook Page.  Susan posted, "Our Splish-Splash pool is half full!  Donate a quilt or other project and be entered into our drawing for a prize valued at $500!  Now through July 31st!"

So Sharon at Quilt-n-Bee, in a good natured way, replies, "I've got to get a cool boat like that!  Only ours will have to be MUCH larger...lol."

To which Susan counters with, "Sorry Sharon, I forgot to mention the quilts in the in-ground pool in back..."

Provoking a big grin and belly laugh from Sharon who ended with, "Now that made me laugh out loud!!! Thank you, I certainly needed that."

Actually - if there are any THANK YOU's to pass out, it's from all of us here at Quilters Dream Batting and the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.  Susan and Sharon - your participation not only honors but brings to life the joy and love of your family members and is bringing HOPE to our DREAMS of a CURE for ALS!

Mistyfuse - Sticking Together with Hopes & Dreams to Find a Cure for ALS

Many of you know Mistyfuse.  

Their line of lightweight fusible materials are great for applique and basting a quilt. Last year Mistyfuse joined our Hopes & Dreams team and have decided to stick with us again as a $1,000 Grand Sponsor for our 6th Annual Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS that begins August 1st.

Becky packing Mistyfuse.

When we asked Mistyfuse why they chose to be a Hopes & Dreams sponsor they wrote, "A handmade quilt can convey so much: love, warmth, creative expression, community, generosity, care...the list could go on...

Larisa packing Goddess Sheets.

...Sharing the work from one person's hands to warm and comfort another is so inspiring and this makes our job providing materials to make this possible easy...

Goddess Sheets are a perfect compliment to applying Mistyfuse to all your applique and craft projects.

...We are pleased to be a part of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge to raise money and awareness to find a cure for ALS and hope that many, many quilts are shared to bring comfort to those struggling from this disease."

If you have a moment, please click here and tell Mistyfuse THANK YOU for continuing as a member of the Hopes & Dreams sponsorship team.  

And if you happen to have some prefused Mistyfuse fabric scraps hanging around, click here for a free pattern they offer for a free Mini Fabric Collage Journel designed for Mistyfuse by Sue Bleiweiss.

Meet Todd and Liesl Gibson of Straight Stitch Society

Meet Todd and Liesl Gibson.

Todd and Liesl Gibson 

The Gibson's own Straight Stitch Society patterns.

As you can read in the photo above, Straight Stitch Society brings the "fun back to sewing with supercute projects that feature a little attitude and a lot of flair."

The Gibson's also have 'a lot of flair' themselves in supporting worthy causes and they believe the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS is one of them.  Todd and Liesl have been Grand Sponsors of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS from the beginning.  When we talked to Todd and asked him why they chose to be Grand Sponsors of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS, and why they continue to be Grand Sponsors, Todd's replied, "Because you asked nicely."  

That nonchalant, happy attitude is also present in the companies Manifesto.

If you have a moment, click here and tell Todd and Liesl "Thank You" for supporting Hopes & Dreams.  

To Todd and Liesl - Quilters Dream Batting and the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS send a big 

for matching the kindness of our ask with the kindness of your support!

Your grateful Hopes & Dreams Coordinator

Canadian Quilt Shop Joins Hopes & Dreams as a Sponsor

Meet Kelsey and Joanie.

Kelsey Morrow (right) and Joanie Morrow (left) owners of The Stitchery Quilt Shop
in Alberta, Canada as well as owners of Patternworkz Design Studio.

We had the good fortune of meeting these two fabulous ladies at Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, PA in May. This mother and daughter team stopped by the Quilters Dream Batting booth to feel all the different types of batting Quilters Dream offers.  Before we knew it, we were in awe of their work!

"Double Vision" fabric line designed by Joanie and Kelsey Morrow for Andover Fabrics.

They were sharing with us a fabric bundle of their batiks (which many of you know I love!) and before we knew it - Joanie and Kelsey were off to see if Andover Fabrics would become a Grand Sponsor of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.  Well, a little bit later, Joanie and Kelsey returned and decided THEY were going to be a Grand Sponsor themselves!  

Joanie sent an email this morning that in part reads:

"Finally...your package of goodies is on it's way!!! Our hats off to you and Hopes & Dreams.  Extraordinary volunteers and organization that exemplify the spirit of helping others.  We get the easy part of making a donation."

They are sending 2 yards each of every fabric you see in the above photo of their Double Vision line - 22 batiks and 18 prints - PLUS patterns!

Joanie and Kelsey share your passion for helping others and have also given of their time, talents and treasures to support Hopes & Dreams.  If you have a moment, send a note of "THANKS" to Joanie and Kelsey by clicking here and check out their design company - Patternworkz - by clicking here.

Andover Fabrics shared a copy of Joanie's pattern "Between the Lines Quilt" in promoting the fabric line which you can access through the Double Vision Fabrics link below the picture of the quilt.

Double Vision Fabrics

If you are in or near Alberta stop by The Stitchery - RR#2 Site 1 Box 6 Olds, Alberta.  If you here in the U.S. and like their fabric and patterns, ask your local quilt shop to place an order through their Andover Fabrics rep.

Joanie and Kelsey - you truly are giving Hope to our Dreams of a Cure for ALS!

Your grateful Hopes & Dreams coordinator