Ventura and Santa Barbara residents are forever changed since December 4. This fire destroyed not only 750 homes, it displaced many of those whose homes were saved-toxic chemicals and smoke damage to every furnishing have made their homes inhabitable. It will be months or years before any semblance of normality returns to so many lives.
Scott Griffin, our Vice President, was quick to propose we do what all quilters do-create comfort and warmth for those we love. Now we are making them for those who have been devastated by this fire. Greg Palmer designed the graphics for a quilt block based on the Perkiomen Valley block, one that lends itself to either color coordination or a scrappy look and we were off!
At the same time, Kelly Stevens, Ventura MQG founding member and owner of superbuzzy in Ventura, began her own project “Quilts from the Ashes” and we decided to make this a coordinated effort.
The response has been tremendous (and a little overwhelming). We have received fabric, blocks, tops, finished quilts from generous guilds and individuals from all over the country. Kelly is keeping a list. Go check it out http://www.superbuzzy.com/quilts-from-the-ashes-thomas-fire-donors.htm She is adding names every day.
Now that the holidays are over and guilds get back to regular guild meetings and sew-ins, we are seeing even more donations come in. Every member of Ventura MQG is busy working on some aspect of this project. Cutting Parties and Sew-Ins are scheduled through January and we will be making quilts into February and March without doubt. There are so many families in need.
If you or your guild would like to participate in this effort to give a little bit of comfort and love to the victims of this horrible fire, make a block, or a bed sized top (or send us one you already have made), or finished quilts. The Thomas Fire Block pattern is on our home page (click on the little house icon), Ventura Modern Quilt Guild’s Facebook page and Scott’s blog https://keptinstitches.org
All donations go to:
Ventura Modern Quilt Guild
superbuzzy
1794 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001.
Kelly’s beautiful shop is our mailing address and is receiving all donations for this project.