What a big day it was yesterday - Snugglequilters met to celebrate the completion of our first 'batch' of quilts. I knew we had finished around 70, that they were as diverse and individual as the people who had made them, and that they made tall piles on the table in my family room - but, until I started to hang them, I had no idea how truly fabulous they were.
Wayne (my poor, long-suffering husband) headed out to the College with me in the morning. I was sure that 3 hours would be plenty of time to get everything ready before the other Snugglequilters arrived - but it was a race to the end! I was SO thankful to have him there to help - as I hung quilts he moved tables and chairs and strung up metres and metres (or should I say yards and yards seeing we're quilters) of clothesline as I ran out of hanging room.
When Snugglequilters began to arrive I realised it was going to be an 'interesting' afternoon. As they walked through the door, almost without exception, their eyes widened and as they opened their mouths to speak they only managed a gasp or a 'my goodness'. It was just lovely. I think the 'most used' word for the afternoon was 'overwhelming'. I wouldn't say they were struck 'speechless', but they certainly slowed-down for a while :-)
As we continued to set out the afternoon tea, Snugglequilters arrived with even MORE quilts they had managed to get finished 'in time'. They wandered around, touched, admired, photographed and shared the stories of the quilts as they got to know each other.
It wasn't long before even the backs of the chairs were covered with quilts. As we ran out of room inside the outside clotheslines filled up.
As the afternoon wore on we were able to work our way around to have a 'closer' look at our collective handiwork.
(I have NO idea what we're looking at ... but it MUST have been fascinating!)
These two Snugglequilters arrived with the quilts their students had made in class(I'll tell you more about their story next week).
The conversation eventually turned to the future - plans as to how Snugglequilters can continue, fundraising ideas etc etc (more about that in a future blog posting too).
It was just wonderful to be able to share the afternoon with the Snugglequilters who were able to make it. To all those who were with us 'in spirit' I can only say - 'wish you'd been here'. You were in our thoughts and hearts ...
... I want to thank you, as I thanked the Snugglequilters in the photo below, SO much for your creativity, generosity, caring and love. Without YOUR collective effort, none of this would have been possible. I started out hoping I could gather 17 quilts for the children at the College ... look at how many 'snuggles' can be had now! What a blessing you all are.
A xo
PS A big thanks to Wayne for taking the photos (my camera didn't make it out of my handbag).
+ I would LOVE to have any photos other Snugglequilters took - the more to share!
