RAINBOW2

THANKS for visiting our Rainbow of Hope Auction page! Let me share with you, how this all began -

In early 2004, I started managing Quilted Expressions. I was prepared for the paperwork, the ordering, the salesmen, the employees, the hours and hours and hours. What I was not prepared for was the realization that I am really running a bar for women. Instead of drinks, we serve fabric - some straight up, some with a twist, a book or a pattern. Between bolts of fabric, we hear tales of woe and tales of celebration. We get to know our customers and occasionally have to call a cab to take them home after one bolt too many. I have always stressed customer service to the staff but it goes so far beyond that for some.

For instance, one day, a frequent customer walked in our shop. I greeted her as usual asking how she was doing. She said she was having a pretty rough morning. She reminisced that it was about a year ago that she took her first class here and while doing so, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued by saying she had just come from the doctor with her daughter and she was diagnosed with breast cancer as well. She took a deep breath, managed to grin and said she didn't know where else to go so she came to see us.

These are the stories we hear way too often and this is why we choose to do something. In 2006, we decided to quilt for a reason. My customers selected Hospice of the Hills as their reason to quilt because Hospice has helped them through some of their worst times.

I know it was preordained that I would be working closely with Terri Layne, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. Her passion and drive for this project has made us quite a team! She has mentioned to me that Hospice is all about the "warm and fuzzies" and so is QE as you can tell by the numerous projects donated. My requirements were simple for each project:

Choose your awareness color or colors and try to include that in your project.

Make your project with love.

Some of these projects we have seen from start to finish and every stage in between. "Sweets for my Sweetie" in 2006 has been on the wall at the shop and the pieces on every counter as it has been moved around and rearranged to be just right. As I pieced the top of my first auction quilt I prayed for a neighbor's mother's battle against lung cancer and as I quilted it, I mourned her loss.

In 2007 we have seen pieces of Tom's Tossed Salad trail through the shop as Carol has worked on it and my 2008 quilt magically came together on a trip away with my boys to the beach for a long weekend in honor of yet another neighbor's loss of a mother. Please keep in mind there is a story behind every project and probably a tear or two within each one.

There is great therapy in "doing something". Projects were completed by sisters remembering Grandma, friends celebrating so many years cancer free, and individuals battling by themselves. I believe I could use both hands to count the number of people who heard about our project and could not relay a story of someone they know touched by cancer. We joined together, laughed, teared up and did what we do best - quilted.

Outgrowing our original vision, a larger facility became necessary. Mountain View United Methodist church was my first choice. This proved to be a wise decision as the Mountain View staff and congregation stepped up and gave this project everything it has to offer! As I dutifully report our results the next day to the congregation each year, I first ask for all those who helped in any way to stand. There is nothing quite like watching 2/3 of a church congregation stand at once because you asked them to help and they answered. There is no doubt that this event could not take place without the help of my church family and all I ever had to do was ask. If you are missing that support in your life, please consider joining us at Mountain View, they are incredible.

Our first efforts raised over $8,000. A month later, inspired by our project, a corporate donation was made in the name of Rainbow of Hope which raised our total to $18,000!! Not believing we could top that, our 2007 efforts brought in $25,000. Now, our third event raised even more for Hospice - $36,000. Thanks to all who were involved in any way - I am truly overwhelmed.

Tamera Ehlinger

Quilted Expressions

3622 Old Forest Road

Lynchburg, VA 24501

434 385 6765

www.quiltedexpressions.com

Please click the buttons at the top for more information. For your convenience, here is a list of some awareness colors to get you started.