Dear Friends:
It’s great to be back in Virginia! Everything is starting
to grow, and I can see that my much-neglected flower beds need a good
weeding. That will have to wait until next week, because right
now I’m getting ready to drive up to Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
with my daughter Patty for the Quilters’
Heritage Celebration. The quilt convention will be held at
the Lancaster Host Resort April 2-5. I’ll be available to
meet collectors and sign my work as follows:
Friday, April 3
12:00 noon-2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
We’ll have a good selection of my quilting-theme
prints, as well as my other prints and gift items, available for
you to purchase, and I’ll be happy to sign them for you.
You are also welcome to bring two previously purchased prints for me
to sign. I’m really excited about participating in this
wonderful quilters’ convention. Event organizer Rita Barber
puts on a fantastic show!
This past weekend I was in Marietta, Georgia, for a show with my Atlanta
area friends at The Framery. Gallery owners Barry and Pam Watson
asked me to create a print edition featuring The
Margaret Mitchell House, and my collectors and Gone With the
Wind fans alike really turned out in spite of forecasted severe
weather. Thankfully, the worst of the storms missed us.
It was a fun show, and it really is true what they say about Southern
hospitality.
The wonderful team at The Framery—standing, L. to R.:
Mel Abramovitz, Patty Moss, Pam and Barry Watson (owners), me, Suzanne
Abramovitz, and Terri Collins; kneeling, Beth Garrett.
Friday, Patty and I had lunch with the Mossaphile Chapter of the
P. Buckley Moss Society at
the famous Swan Coach House in Atlanta. The Mossaphile girls are
such fun!
Mossaphile Chapter member Ladye Buckner (left) is a superb quilter
and has made two quilts, incorporating my hand-painted fabric centerpieces,
which have raised around $2,000 each for the P.
Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education. During
Friday’s luncheon, she presented me with a third quilt, made just
for me with my favorite colors. I am tempted to be selfish and
keep it for myself, but I guess I’ll do the right thing and donate
it to the Foundation. Announcing it in the newsletter ensures
that I’ll have to do it, right?
When I returned to Mathews earlier this week, I found
another quilted wall hanging waiting for me. This one was made
by Janet Amlin and Phyllis Alder of London, Ohio. Last fall I
donated one of my fabric centerpieces with a breast cancer theme to
be made into a quilt by Janet and Phyllis for Madison County Hospital’s
Breast Cancer Initiative’s fundraising auction. The fundraiser
was held in conjunction with my show with Canada Goose Gallery in Waynesville,
Ohio, and I had a chance to meet Janet and Phyllis. They graciously
offered to make another quilt and donate it to the Foundation.
It turned out beautifully!
Isn’t it lovely? This quilt was made by Janet Amlin,
left, and Phyllis Alder, right, of London, Ohio, to be used in a future
fundraiser for the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education.
Before I left St. Petersburg, Florida, last week I attended
the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s 2009 Women of Distinction
Luncheon. What an inspirational and uplifting experience!
I came away with an even greater appreciation for the role that Girl
Scouts have played in my life—the values, morals, and work
ethic I learned from them. Girl Scouts teach so many valuable
lessons, and those of us who have been blessed with their influence
are better friends, sisters, wives, and mothers.
In good company! These lovely young ladies are Senior Girl
Scouts.
The keynote speaker was Lee Woodruff, co-author of the
New York Times number-one bestseller In an Instant
and freelance writer and contributing editor of ABC’s Good
Morning America. In 2006 Lee’s husband, ABC’s
newly appointed co-anchor Bob Woodruff, was seriously injured when his
vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq.
Lee shared with us her experience of being a wife and a mother and having
a career while dealing with a crisis. She spoke of how women today
are multi-taskers, under pressure to do everything well. We juggle
everything; but, one mistake, crisis, or unexpected event can make it
seem like all the balls are going to fall. She gave us her insight
on how to parent through a crisis, how to forgive ourselves for not
being perfect, and how to put family and self above all else while keeping
the important balls in the air.
I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to hear Lee Woodruff
speak.
My next gallery show will be with Kenneth Paul Gallery
at its new location in Des Moines, Iowa, April 18. I’ve
created a new print featuring the Iowa State Fair that will be released
during the show, and I love its vibrancy.
Remembering the Iowa State Fair will be released April 18 during
my show with Kenneth Paul Gallery in Des Moines, IA. For more
information, please contact the gallery at 515-278-4378.
I’m also looking forward to seeing all my friends
at my next Barn
Show and Museum Open House that will be held in Waynesboro, Virginia,
April 24-26. I’ll be releasing a special new print titled
Valley Mill that weekend. It features Osceola Mill in
Steele’s Tavern, Virginia, which is near Lexington. The
water-powered mill was built in 1849 by Cyrus McCormick, who is famous
for inventing the reaper. McCormick also built McCormick’s
Mill, which I have featured in several prints. The Osceola
Mill was originally part of McCormick’s farm and was the largest
of seven mills. Only two of the seven mills remain. Osceola
was active as a mill from 1849 until 1969, when Hurricane Camille put
an end to its use as a working mill. Today, the mill is a bed
and breakfast and fine dining restaurant.
Valley Mill will be released during my April Barn Show and Museum
Open House, April 24-26.
Love,
Pat