President Blocks--a new project!

In 2013-2014, I was President of the Clark County Quilters guild. There are about 525 members and about 60 people are included in the board. During my term, we adopted a different electronic method of sending newsletters to the membership and accepted credit card payments. We had a busy year!

At the end of the year, I was presented with blocks to put in my own quilt from 42 of the members.  The previous past president determines what the blocks will be and lets the membership know. That past president then collects the blocks and at the last meeting of the year, awards them to the out going president.

It's funny, I knew I was going to get some blocks. The previous president had asked me what I wanted and I replied heart blocks in finished sizes 3", 6" or 9" AND a hand block size 9". The heart blocks would be on a light background using red fabrics. They could be pieced or appliquéd; but, no embellishments that would make quilting difficult. The hand blocks could be pieced, appliquéd, or drawn using a light background. In my head, I knew how I would arrange the blocks.

Imagine my surprise when I received blocks that related to my years of working for the local Red Cross chapter and teaching Red Cross programs. (I still teach some Red Cross programs!) I had worked for the Red Cross for 14 1/2 years in a variety of positions. In my last position, I supervised instructors. Because classes were held any day or time, I was on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If an instructor couldn't teach a class, it was my responsibility to cover it, even if that meant I taught the class. My last week, I taught three nights of classes. By nights, I mean, I taught from midnight to 8AM.

Grave yard shifts and my body time clock don't get along. I have a hard time sleeping when it is light! After one of those grave yard shifts, and on my first day back to day shift, I was fired. I had received no warnings. My supervisor told me that because I was teaching so many classes, I had neglected my supervisory duties which caused problems in the department. Of course, I was shocked. I had received an outstanding performance review a few months earlier. I cleaned out my desk, under a watchful eye and was escorted out of the building!

I had thought that I had dealt with the feelings; but, seeing those blocks brought back emotions that surprised me and not in a good way!

Next October, I'm part of our guild's featured artist show. I am one of 22 past presidents who will be exhibiting their quilts. So I needed to take these blocks to a finished quilt! I was fortunate in that I received 42 blocks. The first photo is pretty close to how I'm putting the blocks together. Isn't there a wonderful variety?

I decided to put a dark blue sashing around each of them so that I could make a more accurate block at size 12 1/2."

This fabric was in my stash---ok, I'll admit it, it was in the deep stash like more than ten years! The good news is that I used it and the great news is that I had enough!!! (With eight inches to spare!!!)

Then I had some red and white fabric--that fabric has been in my stash for about three years. I decided I could make a checkerboard block that would be a great unifier. I'm finding working on this project is cathartic.

The sashing added interest to the blocks. The bigger question is will I have enough fabric to make 97 12 1/2 inch units??? Hmmmm. . . .stayed tuned!!!