Author: jeanne (Page 12 of 120)

I'm just your basic complicated simple red dirt girl who feels most beautiful when wearing skirts that caper and earrings that dangle. Entering into my Second Life (my tenured phase, I call it), I tell, write, stitch, and perform stories about this time of life when the mythological (and downsized) empty nest is now filled with aging pets, aging parents, a retired husband, and the knowledge that you're living on the finite side of infinity.

Just What You’ve Been Waiting For

April 4, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

a bag filled with mail - some boxes some large envelopes

In the past several weeks, I’ve received blocks from these good people:

BLOCKS

Margaret Allen (US)
Edna Jamandre (US)
Susan Blexrud (US) (We’re gonna’ meet live and in person sometime this year.)
Iris Harris (US – and from my hometown Fayetteville, GA!)
Patricia Costantini (US) dedicated to the 70,273 innocent souls
Pepe Bowman (US)
Anonymous
Irmgard Römer (Germany)
Sandra Engstrand (US)
Bill Croft (US)
Stephanie DeAbreu (US)
Lis Binns (US)
Theresa Vaarga (US)
Shannon Timberlakd (US) dedicated to Emma Leah Timberlake
Chrissy Cozzi (US) dedicated to her daddy: Wm. L. Ellis, Jr., Nazi POW
Kathy Westmoreland (US) dedicated to her daddy: Wm. L. Ellis, Jr., a Nazi POW
Nancy O’Donnell Glosup (US) dedicated to Maeve Watson T1D
Sieg Leland (US)
Roland Bostick (US)
Sherry Searcy (US)
Cissa Kamakura (US)
Susan Melton (US)
Joan E. Beier (US)
Stephanie Bowen (US) dedicated to Nancy Chambers and Jeanne Hewell-Chambers (Thank you.)
Katharine Wall (US)
Nancy Erisman (US) dedicated to Laila and many, many, many others
Sharleen Jespersen

These students in the KMS Gifted and Talented Program in Kennett, MO also sent blocks:

Ethan Davis
Sophie Boone
Saraity Morris
Destiny Lloyd
Delaying Dalton
Jordan Crawford
Craig Noblin
Macy Bazzell
Camden Moore
Cody Holden
Taylor Isenhour
Alec Holden
Lani Heeb
Camille Thomas
Conner Thomas
David VanDyke
and their teacher, Cindy Thomas

QUILTS

#549, a Long Skinny made by Grace Ann Cannon (US) dedicated to Aubrey Hendley
#552, a Middling made by Maria Conway (Argentina)
#550, a Mini made by Jan Snell (CAN) dedicated to Spruce, Melissa, & former students
#553 Bev Haring, a Long Skinny

Our last block count update found us with 33,491 commemorations in hand. When we add these in, we have commemorated 36,647 people.

Now I’ve been sifting, sorting, wading, and winding my way through the blocks and quilts from Durham and Channel Islands to make sure I don’t duplicate or leave out anything. You see, those two have been making blocks and quilts since the double digit quilt numbers, and back then . . . well, I’ll explain it all later. Just come back around soon because my plan is to add the blocks from Durham, Channel Islands, and Rochester over the next week.

Wanna’ See Some 70273 Project Quilts?

March 31, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

Do you love road trips? We now have an Events Calendar, thanks to the generosity of The Events Calendar folks, so now it’s easier than ever to find where 70273 quilts will be near you, pack a bag, and head on out.

If you’ll look at the the top row on the menu bar at the top of this page, you’ll see “Home” then just to the right “Events”. Click on Events, and you’ll be whisked to The 70273 Project Events Calendar. I am waiting for information on some exhibits. I’ve requested it and will add it to the cavendar when I receive it. Promise me faithfully that when you can, you’ll go see the quilts and support the show organizers.

On the Events page, you can search for specific events by date, keyword, or location. Or you can click on an event in the date box of the monthly calendar and be whisked to specific information – including a map, admission fees, hours, and more – about that exhibit. If you’ll note the Categories, you’ll be able to tell whether it’s a single quilt in a quilt show, a Special Exhibit in a quilt show, or a Featured Exhibit. You’ll also be able to tell which events I will be attending by looking in the Category section, so you can come by and say Hey and let me call you Sugar to your face.

Please help people know about scheduled exhibits by sending messages and links out in social media, being sure to use #the70273project on Twitter or Instagram, linking to the Facebook page or the Facebook group so they can obtain more information about the entire project as well as a specific exhibit, And please tag me, too (@whollyjeanne on Twiter and Instagram and @Jeanne Hewell-Chambers on Facebook) so that I can retweet and repost your posts and save them for the scrapbook I keep for The 70273 Project. The more we post about an exhibit, the more exposure and attendance the exhibit will enjoy!

Would you like to host an exhibit? Do you know an organization that might like to exhibit some of the quilts? Help us grow! Because The 70273 Project is growing in all directions and because there is so much going on, please contact me and let’s talk about it before you make plans and commit quilts. To reach me, click the envelope icon in the upper righthand corner of this page and like magic, a ready-to-use email form will present itself. Or send me a private message on Facebook or Instagram – whichever is most convenient for you. I’ll need this information:
~ dates of the exhibit
~ location of the exhibit (city/state/country/facility)
~ organizer of the exhibit
~ contact information (url, email, phone)
~ # of quilts you’d like to exhibit or submit to the exhibit

On we grow, y’all.

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All Good Things Must Come to an End

March 14, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

The 70273 Project quilts that have been on display in Rochester Cathedral since 23 Jan 18 came down today, and how very appropriate that as they made their exit they were serenaded by the King’s School Choir rehearsing for their spring concert.

Thank you, Rochester Cathedral for hosting the exhibit.
Thank you, Wendy Daws, Edina, Veronica, Bev, and hundreds of others (whose names I will add here when I wake up at 3 a.m. thinking of them and their smiling faces)) who worked tirelessly to make these books and quilts.
Thank you, Lucy Horner, for being The Woman Who Led the Way and for sharing this afternoon with us through your amazing videos. You can see more of Lucy’s moving videos on The 70273 Project You Tube Channel. Be sure to subscribe to our chance because I’ll be uploading them over the next few days.

To see more of the quilts as they hung in Rochester Cathedral, click here and here and here.

Now I know you’re wondering, Dear Readers, how many people we have commemorated, and I promise to tell you soon. I’m sorting things out because I had already counted some of the beautiful commemorations made in the Channel Islands and Durham, so I’m meticulously going through every block and quilt and email to make sure I don’t over or under count. Soon, Dear Readers, soon. If you want to subscribe to the blog to make sure you don’t miss anything, click right this way to stay updated about everything to do with The 70273 Project – things like bock counts updates and where some of these quilts are needed next.

The 70273 Project Quilt 304

March 12, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

a long quilt - white background covered with pairs of red X's

Meet The 70273 Project Quilt #304. This beauty is a Long Skinny made of blocks created by kids in the Religious Education program at the First Unitarian Church in Toronto, Canada.

The quilt is dedicated to the memory of Mark Jorgensen, 43 years old, who died in the summer of 2017 after living with Rett Syndrome, a genetic brain disorder with increasing mental and physical decline. Writes The 70273 Project Ambassador Linda Heron, “Mark enjoyed coming to church and was an enthusiastic singer and an occasionally loud participant in the church service. He was always acknowledged by service leaders with a friendly nod and a smile. We will all miss him.”

three people sitting at a table using needle and thread to stitch red strips of fabric onto white fabric

The quilt measures 19″ x 40″ or 48cm x 102cm. Completed in November 2017, Quilt 304 commemorates 18 people. It will hang in the Library at the First Unitarian Church in Toronto, Canada throughout the month of March, and anyone in the area is invited to stop in, view the quilt, and make some blocks using materials available there.

Thank you, Linda Heron, for coordinating these beautiful commemorations, for sharing news of The 70273 Project, and for sending these photos.

closeup photo of a white quilt covered with pairs of red X's

The 70273 Project Quilt #304

Pieced, Quilted, Finished by Linda Heron

Block Makers:
Nikita de Jonge
Chloe Macintosh Rideau
Samantha Ponic
Nathan Morrisey
Alex Stones
Sally Pfohl
Jack Pfohl

Adult helpers:
Wendy Dines
Judy Magny
Linda Heron

Happy Birthday to Just Wanna Quilt

March 6, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

four small quilts covered with pairs of red X's

Happy one-month birthday to Elizabeth Townsend Gard and the Just Wanna Quilt Podcast! I met Elizabeth at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX last November (apparently we didn’t snap a picture of us, though), and we just clicked. She and her Quilting Army have been VERY supportive of The 70273 Project, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Click over and give a listen to some of her fantastic interviews. The 70273 Project episode is #14, and Elizabeth released it on 14 Feb 18 – the 2nd birthday of the project, and my birthday, too (though I’m not telling how which one!)

Thank you, Elizabeth, for all you do to help The 70273 Project and bring quilters together in a digital quilting bee.

Meme: Be Your Own Kind Of . . .

March 1, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

Download Now

I’ve added an entire page of The 70273 Project memes, so go help yourself.
Just download and use in your social media outlets as you will.

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Quilt 55

February 16, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

Photo Description: Quilt 55, a quilt with a white background covered with pairs of red X’s. Photo by Margaret Andrews.

Meet Quilt 55 of The 70273 Project. This beauty – measuring 60″ x 68″ or 152cm x 173cm – is made entirely (blocks, piecing, quilting, finishing) by The 70273 Project Ambassador, Margaret Andrews who hails from Missouri in the United States. Completed in January 2017, 121 lives are commemorated in this quilt.

closeup photo of a quilt - white background covered with pairs of red X's

Photo description: closeup of Quilt 55, white background covered with pairs of red X’s. Photo by Margaret Andrews.

Writes Margaret of this quilt . . . The 70273 Project grabbed my heart and pulled me in when I first became aware of it in late summer 2016. I have one precious grandchild, and he has been diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, a rare disorder present from birth. I firmly believe that he, along with very other person I’ve met who has been labeled “handicapped” or “disabled” (lis Shawn and Janice and Jonathan and Josh and Dale) have added to the beauty of my life.

In working on this quilt representing 121 lives extinguished, I have had the opportunity to share the story of The 70273 Project with many people. I will continue to gather blocks (and Provenance Forms), piece, quilt, and finish quilts, and recruit others to join us until all 70,273 lives are commemorated.

closeup photo of a white quilt covered with pairs of red X's

Photo description: closeup photo of Quilt 55, white background covered with pairs of red X’s. Photo by Margaret Andrews.

Being a woman of her word, Margaret has made many quilts, recruited many stitchers to help commemorate, and is always sending me information about places to exhibit quilts. Thank you, Margaret, for your heartfelt contributions to The 70273 Project and all we stand for. Wishing your grandson the best. I know he’s a treasure in your life and the lives of all he touches.

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The Dean of Rochester Cathedral on The 70273 Project

February 15, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

Take a few minutes to see what Dean Phil has to say about The 70273 Project.

As time permits, I’m adding videos to The 70273 Project You Tube Channel. Nine or 12 more subscribers and I’ll be able to get us our own customized URL for our channel, so if you would be so kind as to go subscribe and to encourage friends and family to subscribe, I’d be ever so grateful.

While you’re there, stroll around the channel to have a look at the videos there, and be sure to visit again often because I’m constantly adding videos.

Thank you, Dean Phil, for having The 70273 Project in your beautiful cathedral, and thank you, Lucy Horner, for all you did to get the quilts there and for making sure I saw this lovely video. There’s so much more to come, so subscribe to the blog and subscribe to the occasional newsletter so you’ll be in the know.

Happy Second Birthday To The 70273 Project!

February 14, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

bags and boxes full of mail to be opened

photo description: boxes and bags filled with mail to be opened

Happy birthday to us . . .

Two years ago today, I launched The 70273 Project, ten days after the big, fat, crazy idea came to call and before I had time to think myself out of it. It has changed my life in the most astonishingly wonderful ways:
I have friends – good friends – all over the world.
I am seeing part of the world I never dreamed I’d walk on and breathe in.
I never have to look for something to do.
I could go on, but y’all want to know how many people we have commemorated, so on we go. Here’s what I’ve checked in since last time:

photo description: a bag filled with large envelopes of mail

Happy birthday to us . . .

BLOCKS
Pat Loveland (US)
Erin Bross (US)
Becca Brackett (US)
Paula Golden (US)
Judy Munford (England)
Anonymous
Suzanne Elswick (US)
Diane Dresdner (US) – She’s made 700 blocks to date and is creating a Middling next!
Maria Conway (Argentina)
Sara Foster (US)
Linda Crews Carter (US)
Sarah Arrington (England)
Amanda Jane Ogden (Durham, U.K.)
Sonja Koons (US)
Lea Ann Ferring (US)
Alamo Heritage Quilt Guild (US)
Members of the Sewing Servants Ministry in Escondido, CA (US)*

photo description: a box filled with envelopes

Happy birthday 70273 Project,

QUILTS
Quilt 306, Pieced and Quilted by Diane Lewis
Quilt 307, Pieced and Quilted by Diane Lewis
Quilt 529 (a top) made by Australian Stitchers**
Quilt 530 (a Long, Skinny) made by Lois Sullivan (US)

*Members of the Sewing Servants Ministry:
Ann Drake
Mary Barker
Elias Espinoza
Lupe Cox
Rosa Maria Mendoza
Beatrice Eaton
Linda DeSaverio
Marlene English
Mahbanoo Iradipanah
Beritna Cazarez
R. K. (beautiful handwriting, but I just can’t make out the name)

** Australian Quilters
Musse Harper
Kerry Rochford
Anonymous
Alicia White
Alison McFadden
Lynn King
Rose Cooney
Rebecca Nguyen
Phoebe Adams
Marcia Cameron
Bonnie Niu
Janet Hay
Joanna Stanek
Victoria Cameron
Charis Harper
Cubekal Jasper
Christine Rose B Esmenda

QUILT TOPS
Quilt 409, Pieced by Sandy Panagos
Quilt 410, Pieced by Sandy Pangs
Quilt 392, Pieced by Edna Jamandre
Quilt 393, Pieced by Edna Jamandre

This means I have 4 quilt tops ready to be quilted! If you’re interested, leave a comment, email me, or find me on Facebook or Instagram and let me know.

an envelope, a postcard, a drawstring bag, and a ceramic heart

photo description: an envelope, a postcard, a drawstring bag, and a handmade ceramic heart

photo description: a magazine and quilt labels from the International Festival of Quilts

Happy birthday, to us.

OTHER GOODIES
~ Pam Arena is at it again – doing something creative and fun. This time she’s started making hearts of clay and leaving them for strangers to find, and she sent me one to leave as a surprise for some attentive passerby.
~ Labels for all the quilts that were in the Special Exhibit at the International Quilt Festival. Last year (or was it the year before?) the Truckee Meadows Quilt Guild in Nevada asked if they could attach one of their quilt show labels on the back of the quilt that hung as part of their show. I thought it was such a good idea, I vowed to make a label for every quilt show every quilt has or will be in. Thank you, Good People at Quilts, Inc.. You’ve saved me a lot of time!

As of today, we have commemorated 33,491 people, y’all.

And this doesn’t include those commemorated at Durham Cathedral, Rochester Cathedral, or the Jersey Museum. Way back when, I counted some of the blocks and quilts from Durham and Jersey, then I realized it’s easier to count once the quilt are finished and on exhibit, so I have to go back through my records to figure out which ones were counted so I don’t count them twice. I’ll do that next week, so look forward to a new update soon.

Any day now, I’m going to have all the photos from Durham Cathedral, Rochester Cathedral, and Jersey Museum titled and organized so I can share them in blog posts. And I’ll be sharing info about some digital adventures you won’t want to miss, so subscribe to the blog and to The 70273 Project newsletter,.

Thank you for pouring your kind, compassionate, respectful hearts into this project and into the world. I can feel the difference it makes, can you? Happy birthday to us.

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Quilts at Durham Cathedral

January 27, 2018 / jeanne / 0 Comments

a quilt made of pairs of red x's sewn onto a white background hands in Durham Cathedral

Today, January 27, is Holocaust Remembrance Day
– a day chosen because it marks the anniversary
of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

quilts made of pairs of red X's sewn onto a white background

quilts made of pairs of red X's sewn onto white background fabric are displayed in Durham Cathedral in the U.K.

quilts made of pairs of red X's sewn onto a white background are draped over pews in Durham Cathedral in the U.K.

quilts made of pairs of red X's sewn onto a white background are on display at Durham Cathedral in the U.K.

quilts made of pairs of red X's sewn onto white background fabric are on display at Durham Cathedral in the U.K.

At Durham Cathedral,
it is being observed with a display of quilts
of The 70273 Project.
You saw some of them yesterday.

Thank you, Margaret Jackson, for the photos.

students stitch pairs of red X's onto white cloth to commemorate one disabled person murdered under Aktion T4

A Holocaust Remembrance Day service was held,
and throughout the day,
students and adults stopped
to commemorate others
by making blocks.

a woman wearing a shirt identifying her as "police" stands to the left of a man wearing a badge

This Durham police officer and Constable
vow to organize an effort to encourage
Young Cadets to make blocks and quilts.

“Our hope for being a compassionate, caring world
lies with the children.”
~ Tari Vickery

Thank you, Tari Vickery, for these words and these photos.

And thank you Coxhoe Quilters for continuing
to commemorate the 70,273 people we honor
and for all the work you do with children.

Margaret Jackson created The 70273 Project Teacher’s Information Booklet.
Feel free to download and use, along with any other
information on the Resources for Educators page.

Find more about the efforts of Coxhoe Quilters:
here
here
here