Sue Graham for the Road 2016 Special Exhibit Woolies Four Pound Challenge. The Woolie Nuts Friendship Group, located in Virginia, was formed by a group of six crafter-artist-quilters who wanted to get together and work on wool projects. Today, the group has grown to over 15 members, including former Road faculty Pat Sloan and Kimberly Einmo [caption id="attachment_3937" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Kimberly Einmo. Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] and Road’s special staff assistant, Stevii Graves. [caption id="attachment_3933" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Stevii Graves. Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] It was Pat Sloane who received an 85 pound box of fabric scraps from two of her fabric lines that she designed for Moda Fabrics. Sue Graham picked up the box from Pat’s home and spent 2 hours separating the strips by color. Then, with the help of 5 other gals, Sue and her friends dropped and mixed the different width strips into 20 piles, each weighing four pounds. The Group decided on the rules for the challenge. Each participant had to use one of the random 4 pound bags of Pat’s scraps to create an original quilt that was no longer than 85” on one side. It was OK to add fabrics to their design, so long as it was another Moda fabric. They had until September 1, 2016 to complete their quilts. [caption id="attachment_3931" align="aligncenter" width="530"] Kelley Totaro. Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] Sue took the 21 quilts and organized them into a Special Exhibit that was first displayed at Road to California 2016. [caption id="attachment_3934" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Sherry Cowley. Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] Many of the quilt creators came to the show to see their work in the exhibit. [caption id="attachment_3936" align="aligncenter" width="508"] Sisters Joanne Rowicki and Ann Weber, “The Gingham Girls” Photo by Brian Rpberts Photography[/caption] Most of the Woolie Nuts had reservations to return home to Virginia the Saturday of Road. However a blizzard of historic proportions hit the east coast and all flights were cancelled. What do quilters do when they are stranded 3,000 miles from home without transportation? They work on quilt projects they brought in their suitcases, of course. And take advantage of the California sunshine!! Flights to Virginia resumed the following Tuesday, so the Woolie Nuts were on their way. What a maiden trip for the Woolies Four Pound Challenge!! Where does the special exhibit go next? First stop will be Home Machine Quilting & Sewing, May 5-7, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. After, the exhibit can be viewed at SewOriginal Quilt & Expo in Reno, Nevada,  June 23-25, 2016.]]>