Quilted Expressions of love for Carol

Hello to all,

Let me begin by thanking all of you who have expressed your concern for the QE staff along with Carol during this horrific time. It is not my intention to bombard you with e-mails regarding this situation but I had mentioned that I would pass along any opportunities of support that we could offer the family of the victims involved in the Appomattox shootings.

As we struggled with what we could possibly do to support Carol and her family, we could only come up with one thing - quilt. With your help, I have decided to create patchwork quillos for as many of the family members touched by this tragedy as we can. For those who do not know what a quillo is, it is a lap size quilt that folds up into an attached pocket to make a pillow. We will design it such that the pillow will be one fabric while the patchwork will be tucked away inside. If you feel so led, I am asking you to send a 5" square (which will finish to 4 1/2") to us in an envelope addressed to me to the address below. It is up to you if you would like to piece, appliqué, embellish or simply send us a 5" square (also called a charm square) - all are welcome. We would, however, like for you to think about these families while you are creating or holding your square and lift them in prayer if you could. It is my thought that while the quillo could blend into their homes without need for explanation, it could be opened during difficult times when it might help to know that they are surrounded by thoughts and prayers for their healing. If you would like to send a square, feel free to also send words of encouragement, prayers or thoughts that I will write up and include in a booklet tucked into a pocket in the quillo.

I have no idea what to expect from this request. I will be contacting one of my fabric reps in hopes that a fabric company will help with the cost of the fabric for the backing and pillow. We will still need to provide batting for each quillo. If you would like to also include $1 with your square to help offset these costs that would be appreciated. I assure you, any money received will not go to profit QE, only cost will be covered and any excess will go directly to Carol's family to be donated on behalf of John, Karen and Emily. This is NOT a requirement to participate and I will absorb all costs if necessary to get these done.

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers for Carol and her family as well as the other families involved. Carol has been very appreciative of the very little that we have been able to do for her and has told me several times that she just can't believe so many people are willing to do anything. I suppose that after such a horrific human act has taken so much away from her, it is difficult for her to grasp the goodness still left in humanity. Please help us show Carol we are and will continue to think of her and her family long after the whirlwind that currently surrounds her is gone.

Quilted Expressions will be closing at 2:30 on Tuesday, January 26th in order that all staff may attend the Celebration of Life for John, Karen and Emily Quarles.

Tamera Ehlinger and the entire Quilted Expressions staff
www.QuiltedExpressions.com
3622 Old Forest Road
Lynchburg, VA 24501
434 385 6765