Past President Sherri Peltier remarked that their guild “gives so much.” Anywhere from 60 – 100 quilts are donated each month to military bases in San Diego for their military mother baby showers. Each prospective mother and her yet-to-be born baby receive a quilts at these events. Another popular philanthropy is Quilts of Valor. In 2017, the guild donated 1,500 quilts to this organization. The quilts are presented to the soldiers as they get off the airplane and each soldier gets to pick which quilt he or she wants.
New member Jeanette Floyd joined the guild last year and is a new quilter. She became interested in the guild through their philanthropy work, particularly the Angel Baby project. Guild members sew diaper, hat and blanket sets. One set goes to the mother as a keepsake and the other set is buried with the baby.
A new philanthropy the guild has just formed a partnership with is the National Institute of Health in Bethseda, Maryland. The Institute treats children with rare diseases. The guild became familiar with the Institute’s work because Sherri’s granddaughter is treated there. Guild members are working on making teddy bears for the patients.
FantaSea of Quilts is the theme for the Beach City Quilters Guild Quilt Show and Auction which is being held June 2-3 at the Soka University Gymnasium in Aliso Viejo. Their Opportunity Quilt that will be given away at the show, Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows. The guild reports that this “stunning” quilt has had so many wonderful comments as it has traveled to other guilds and was a huge hit at Road to California. 
One of the guilds that hosted the quilt was the Friendship Square Quilt Guild in March. It was Beach City’s fifth time attending their show. They appreciated the opportunity FSQG gave them to share Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows.” Quilt Guilds have a goal to support each other and share the tradition of quilting especially to a new generation of fabric artists,” said member Elaine.
Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows was made with Kaffe Fassett Fabrics. Sixteen hand applique quilters made the blocks and Sherri Peltier put it together. The quilting was done by Cecelia Quilts in Orange County, California.
To learn more about the guild and their quilt show, visit their website.
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Posts Tagged ‘Opportunity Quilt’
Meet The Beach Cities Quilters Guild
Monday, May 14th, 2018Meet The Big Bear Lake Quilters Guild
Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 
Best known for its recreational opportunities like fishing, water sports, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, tours and winter sports, it also a haven for quilting. Big Bear Lake has two quilt guilds and two quilt shops in this small community!! It is also a popular destination for quilt retreats.
The Big Bear Lake Quilters Guild has around 50 members. They meet monthly the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Patchworks Quilt Shop. ”Patches of Love” is the name they give to their philanthropy work. Their members make quilts that are given to children who are picked up in police cars or fire trucks after a traumatic event. They also support military families with quilts. When a family has a new baby and their father is deployed, they present the new baby with a quilt.
Their annual quilt show is being held this year August 4th and 5th at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake. They have invited vendors as well as showcasing quilts from the area. At Road 2017, the guild had their show’s opportunity quilt on display. What makes this quilt original is that there is a hidden bear in the design of the quilt. The guild enjoys asking contributors for this fund raiser to see if they can find the bear. It gives people the chance to see the quilt up close and is “lots of fun.” Can you find the bear? 
Road to California loves supporting local quit guilds and their endeavors. Opportunities are given on a first come basis to showcase opportunity quilts.
Participating guilds must provide 20 hours of white glove service to Road for each day your quilt is displayed. For more information, please visit our website.]]>
Meet The Simi Valley Quilt Guild
Thursday, May 25th, 2017 The Simi Valley Quilt Guild was started over 30 years ago. With approximately 150 members, they meet the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Simi Valley Senior Center.
The guild’s main philanthropy group is called, “Quilts in Force.” It is always ‘in-force’ sewing for others. Originally, the group made quilts for the Simi Valley Police Department to use in incidents where children were involved. The goal now is to provide warmth and comfort to anyone in need whether it be from illness, fire, lack of resources, loss of a loved one, or other cause.
On their website, they post a poem dedicated to their members who have passed away but who are not forgotten:
Our family is like a patchwork quilt, With kindness gently sewn. Each piece is an original With beauty all its own. With threads of warmth and happiness, It’s lightly stitched together, To last in love throughout the years, Our Family is forever.
(author unknown)
Walking in the atrium on Friday of Road 2017, no one could miss Simi Valley Quilt Guild’s Opportunity Quilt on display. Member Beth Bastian said they “wanted something bright” and that was certainly what they created.
All members in the guild had a chance to work on the quilt, receiving packets to work on various blocks. When completed, it was sent to a non-member gentleman to quilt. The drawing for the quilt was held at their regular meeting on February 8th. Proceeds benefited Pets for Vets and the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley, a homeless support center.
Road to California appreciates their partnership in supporting local quilt guilds like the Simi Valley Quilt Guild.]]>
Meet the African-American Quilters of Los Angeles
Wednesday, March 29th, 2017 The African-American Quilters of Los Angeles (AAQLA) began in 1986 with just a handful of members after an exhibition of African-American quilts was held in the California Afro-American Museum in Exposition Park of Los Angeles. Today, the guild has grown to over 125 multi-ethnic members of all ages. The mission of the AAQLA is to bring awareness of the historical value of African-American quilts, as well as to celebrate and continue the tradition of quilting.
The guild meets the third Sunday of each month from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. They began meeting at a new location starting this month (March, 2017) at the Veterans Memorial Center in Culver City.
Caring Hearts is the name of their philanthropy committee. The committee organizes the creation and donation of hundreds of quilts and other quilted items annually to hospitals, foster homes, and senior citizen homes. Most recently, they donated over 30 quilts to Junior Blind of America.
At Road 2017, AAQLA displayed their opportunity quilt which will be given away at their semi-annual quilt show, It Takes A Village, to be held November 4, 2017 at the Carson Community Center in Carson. 
The quilt was designed by guild member Pam Johnson and was quilted by Claudette Bettis, another guild member. All of the stars on the quilt were made by various members of the guild. Proceeds from the quilt will go to support Caring Hearts.
[caption id="attachment_4822" align="aligncenter" width="486"]
Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption]
Olga, the guild’s opportunity quilt coordinator, has been with the guild since 1999. She loves the “fellowship and creativity of the very talented members and teachers. It’s a fun place to be on Sunday.”
Set your calendar for November 4th to enjoy a truly cultural celebration.
To learn more about the African-American Quilters of Los Angeles, please visit their website.]]>
Meet The San Fernando Valley Quilt Association
Friday, May 6th, 2016 
The San Fernando Valley Quilt Association is actually made up of two quilt organizations: a day group, the Valley Quiltmakers Guild and an evening group. Their 180 members come from all over the San Fernando Valley, meeting monthly at LIFEhouse Church in Northridge,California.
Philanthropy is a big part of this association. Their Quilters 4 Others (aka Q4O) meets monthly to tie quilts for various charities including Ahead with Horses, Save the TaTas (recovering cancer victims), Lutheran World Relief, Northridge Hospital Pediatric Trauma Unit, Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, Rotaplast (to go with the doctors who repair cleft palates in South America), and for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, this group also makes placemats for Meals on Wheels and the Valley Interfaith Council, beanie babies and scarves for Operation Gratitude and heart pillows for those who have had heart surgery at the Veterans Association Hospital in West Los Angeles. These pillows act as a way to counter the pressure of the incision for the heart surgery.
This year’s Opportunity Quilt is Autumn Garden and was on display at Road 2016.
The San Fernando Valley Quilt Association hosts a biannual quilt show, Quilting in the Valley. Their members enter quilts for judging and for a quilt auction. Their next show will be held May 6 and 7, 2017 at the Airtel Plaza and Hotel in Van Nuys.
To learn more about the San Fernando Valley Quilt Association, visit their web site.]]>
