Winter...again!

Sew Weather
Another January morning, another several inches of snow. While selling the Community Day Coupon Books at Herberger's the last couple of days, I certainly heard plenty of people comment on how weary they were becoming of this winter. At times I'm with them...especially as I watch my horses ice skating in their corrals. It's never been this icy - ick. But snow weather is sew weather! What a great opportunity to work on some projects!

January Blanket Bee
Yes, I missed the January Blanket Bee and a huge 'Thanks!' to Marsha for stepping in at the last minute to head it up. As I mentioned above, winter has been different this year. Twin Bridges started experiencing ice jams in late December or early January. It was causing some problems and they held a town meeting to share information. They wanted me there to talk about the dynamics of river ice and ice jams. I hated to miss the Bee but the river's are my job. It was an interesting meeting with a great turnout. And I'm sure Marsha did just great!

Prickly Pear Blanket Bee
We had our first Blanket Bee at Prickly Pear Quilts last Saturday, and it was truly one of the nicest I've had. Donna's classroom, with its stone walls and beams, felt very much like someone's living room. And, actually, it used to be someone's living room. It's not a huge area, but it is perfect for several people, and is laid out so that everyone can converse easily. It was once the Helena Assayer's Office. She has a wonderful shop started, and if you haven't been yet, please try to stop by and visit. The classroom is downstairs. It is on the Helena Walking Mall, so parking can be found in the lot beside The Base Camp, or continue through that lot to find a space right behind the shop. There is a back entrance from the parking side of the shop.

Community Day
This spring, Community Day is Saturday, February 26. Yahoo! It doesn't conflict with any Blanket Bees! Sales of the coupon books so far have been good! They always slow down as the sale approaches as most everyone who usually buys one has already. For those who might be interested, they changed it last time by greatly reducing the exceptions. They've changed it again this time, and now the coupons are also good on their Yellow Dot (clearance) items. As always, I expect it will be a great sale and we'll do well. If anyone would like to buy a coupon book, or sell a few, just send me an email - GreatFalls.MT@projectlinus.org.

The best part about selling the coupon books is meeting some of the people who have been touched by the blankets. One little 6-year-old came up and told me she still has her Pooh blanket (she got it when she was 3 or 4) - what a little sweetheart. A nurse from the NICU told me how wonderful you all are to do this. She thinks the blankets we give them are at times the nicest thing that family has ever received. There was also a nurse from Mercy Flight. You have all touch so many lives in such a wonderful way!

Friendship Triangles and Disappearing 9-Patch
I am loving the results of the blocks from the Friendship Triangles. I haven't seen any of the trees put into quilts yet, but I think four of those in one top would be a great beginning for a teen sized quilt. Sharon G made a beautiful quilt using two rows of triangles, one inverted from the other, with whole fabric strips in between. It was just great! The options for how to use these pieces is limited only by our imagination!! I haven't seen any finished Disappearing 9-patches yet. I hope to at our next Bee on February 12!

Project Linus Institute
They've extended the Early Bird Registration Discount for our PL Institute until January 31. That's tomorrow! It will be held in Peoria, IL in July 20-23 . There is always so much to learn! If you are interested in attending, and anyone is welcome to attend, please go to http://projectlinus.org/institute.html for more details. I've been to two so far, and am planning on being there in July!

Blankets
Well, I am surprised to be saying this, but I am finally feeling like we might be getting short on blankets. After the Haiti and Disney events last year, I wasn't sure I'd ever feel blanket-short again...but they go quickly. Each of the hospitals in Great Falls and Helena go through 30-40 a month. I've also given to the Havre hospital, and various other organizations - none of which go through quite as many as the hospitals. The Salvation Army has given out several this winter. I would like to get a lot of bigger, teen sized blankets for kids in the Montana Youth Homes and Eagle's Mount. There is always a need somewhere. As always, your help and time is so very appreciated!

Moose Lodge
The Moose Lodge will be hosting a Winter Market on... the second Saturday of the month at least in February and possibly through the spring. The are using the BINGO room for this and taking up about 3/4's of the room. We will move to either the Friendship room (where the closet is) or upstairs. We'll evaluate that on the 12th.

Well, I think that's about all the news for now. Enjoy the winter weather...somehow...and be safe. I hope to see you all at the Blanket Bee in February!

gina