Hellooooo, Summer! I just returned from a teaching trip to Northern Virginia to the Quilter's Unlimited "Fabulous at Forty" quilt show and workshops. What a great event! Years ago, we lived in the Fairfax, VA area. I was active in the Fairfax chapter of Q.U. and was able to see many friends from the guild.

The next teaching engagements:

• San Diego / Vista, CA area! I will be speaking for the El Camino Quilters in Vista, and presenting a Starburst workshop. Please join me on June 13 at 9:30 am to learn more about "Design Inspiration from Everyday Life". http://www.elcaminoquilters.com/
• Columbus, OH: 44th Annual NQA Show in Columbus, OH: http://www.nqaquilts.org/. Thursday, Friday, Saturday - June 27 and 28: 9 A.M.— 5 P.M.; June 29: 9 A.M.— 4 P.M.

Libby Lehman Update

I have been following the family's regular journal entries for Libby Lehman on Caring Bridge, an organization that provide a newsletter website for families and friends to stay abreast of their friends who are suffering an extended medical issue. You can sign in to Caring Bridge (it's free) and follow Libby's progress by clicking this link:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/libbylehman.

The entry screen features Libby's photo, and the tabs above her pretty face show several options to learn more. The JOURNAL tab takes you to the daily journal updates from Libby's family.

Her family has issued the following plea on Caring Bridge to Libby's fans and dear friends:

"Contributions - Angels Needed
Written Jun 8, 2013 4:28pm by Cathy Arnold (Libby's sister)

As Libby's recovery plan is beginning to take shape, it has become clear that this will be a long and unpredictable process. Medicare will only pay for a portion of the cost of the rehab. She does not have an auxiliary policy. The burden of paying for the long term rehab and care will fall to Lester and the family.

Thank you to all who have donated to CaringBridge in tribute to Libby. Although those contributions do not go towards any medical expenses, they have helped to make possible this website communication.

If you would like to make a much needed contribution towards Libby's rehab and other extensive medical expenses, it would help ensure that Libby is provided with the best medical care possible.

A bank account has been set up at JPMorgan Chase Bank. The name of the account is the "Libby Lehman Medical Fund". Checks, Money Orders, or Cashier's Checks should be made out to "Libby Lehman Medical Fund" and mailed to her sister, Cathy Arnold at 2220 Stanmore, Houston, TX 77019. Please include your name and address if it is not on the check. If you wish to use an online secure transfer method from any bank called Chase Quick Pay, please email Cathy's husband, Bill Arnold at bill.arnold@rice.edu, and he will provide you with proper instructions.

Bill Arnold and Bill Askey, Libby's brother-in-laws, are the Trustees of the Fund and the only signors on the bank account. To the extent possible by the amount of funds in the account, they will be responsible for issuing checks to pay for any medical bills that are presented by Lester. The Family is very appreciative of all cards, letters, quilt pieces, and contributions received on behalf of our beloved Sister, Libby. She is a real treasure to all of us, and we all want her to be able to recover to the best of her abilities.

Thank you so much." Cathy Arnold, on behalf of Libby & Lester Lehman

Washing a Small Quilt

Long ago, as a new quilter, I learned the value of pre-washing fabrics. In the 1960's and 1970's, dyes were unstable, and fabrics frequently shrank and colors bled when washed for the first time. We routinely walked through the front door from the fabric store and deposited new purchases directly into the washing machine.

Then, as my life got busy and the family grew older, I got lazy. I trusted the majority of the printed yardage I purchased in the late 1980's and 1990's, and only washed the dark saturated colors. I made many quilts as quickly as possible in the late 1990's and 2000's for publication - many with NEW, unwashed yardage.

Several of my most popular quilts have been on the road for about 15 years...... specifically Summer Salsa and Spiral Lone Stars.

HAPPY ENDING! I devised my laundry strategy before washing the quilts. I attached a wide (10" strip, folded in half) sleeve to the 3 sides without a permanent sleeve by zig-zagging them to the binding edges. Next, I folded the quilts loosely, with the front of the quilt to the inside to avoid excess abrasion on the surface embellishments and couched yarns.

Finally, I filled the washer with lukewarm water and washed each small quilt singly with ordinary laundry detergent on a gentle cycle. After the water was spun out, I erected a quilt stand beneath a large umbrella out on our patio and threaded the two temporary side sleeves over the upright legs of the quilt stands, slipped the top pole through the quilts' display sleeve, and a rod through the bottom sleeve to dry the quilt completely flat.

It was a breezy, dry day, and the quilts each dried in about an hour without the colors running or bleeding. After the quilts were completely dry, I removed the temporary sleeves from the sides and bottom edges. Happily, both quilts are bright and refreshed; they look great! I am tremendously relieved and happy with the outcome! YAHOO!

HAPPY SUMMER!

Have a great month of June! I hope to see you either in Vista, California, or  the NQA Quilt Show in Columbus!

Happy Stitching!