Monday, April 17, 2023

A look back in time

 With this year's MCC relief sale behind us, I thought it might be interesting to go back in a time to the first quilt I donated. It was back in 2003, and was quilted by Mark's cousin, Ione. 

Amish Shoofly. It was the high seller that year at $3,400.



In 2004, Ione and I collaborated on Stars Over Ohio. It sold for $3,100.


In 2007, Ione did the quilting on California Kaleidoscope. I had such a good time making this one, using just two beautiful fabrics by Paula Nadelstern. It sold for $2,100.


In 2010, we collaborated on California Flower Garden, a quilt that had 3,460 pieces, and sold for $3,700.


Colorbox is the quilt that has brought the most money, $5,900, although it was not the high bid of the year in 2013. I don't usually get emotionally attached to quilts, as I usually know from the start that it will be a donation quilt. But this was a hard one to let go.

Mark and I had an idea to raise even more money. This was pre Instagram, so blogs were quite popular. We decided we would donate $1 for every comment left on my blog, with a chance to win some scraps left over from the Colorbox quilt. Our goal was $500 (we topped out at 503 comments). Our son, Aaron, got creative and left forty (40!) one-word comments, not only adding $40 to the total, but on the chance that Random Number Generator chose one of his comments to win those scraps, he was generously donating those scraps to someone else. In his own (partial) words:

if
I
win
because
I
posted
so
much
you
have
my
permission
to
give
the
prize
to
someone
else


Amish Stars was made with my all-time favorite fabric, Oakshott shot cottons. It sold for $3,500 in 2015.



Moccasin was a fun quilt to make. It sold for $2,250, the second highest that year--the highest quilt went for $2,500.


And that brings us up to date with Embroidery Flower, 2023, $5,500.

It's kind of fun to look back and see the changes in what I was wearing at the sale.

Fun fact: Other than Moccasin (which was hung on the back side), all of these quilts have been hung in the front, something that makes me feel humble yet proud at the same time. 

Making a quilt and then giving it away is something I have to "psych" myself into. From the beginning, I remind myself that this is not "my" quilt. That usually helps keep me from getting too bonded with it. MCC is a wonderful organization and the work they do is vital to so many people, those who don't have the resources for the things we take for granted on a daily basis--food, clean water, a comfortable place to live. Sitting in my sewing room, a place that is comfortable and creative, with music, audible books, good lighting, snacks when I want them...things I take for granted way too often, making something beautiful with colorful fabric...the time and the money seems like a small price to pay when the proceeds go to a much greater cause--helping those truly in need.


10 comments:

05 08
Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said... #

What a wonderful retrospective and honor that your quilts have auctioned off for the highest amount for so many years!

Anonymous said... #

One of there years I want to come visit you and attend this sale because it amazes me how many quilts are sold and the dollar amount that some bring!

Anonymous said... #

-Doris

Mary Kolb said... #

You are so talented and generous- what a great combination!

Georgia said... #

You are using your talent to make a difference. Your quilts are beautiful, and I'm not surprised that you have raised a lot of money for a worthy charity. So generous of you to give your talent and time--

FlourishingPalms said... #

Bless your heart! Truly! I cannot fathom how much work, how many materials, and how much time you have invested in making each of these quilts. You are a rock star to make them in the first place, and then to donate them. I am sure it sometimes hurts your heart. But wow. All the money you've raised for this organization! That's simply fantastic. Again I say, "God bless you!"

Charlotte M. said... #

All such beautiful quilts! I know what you mean about psyching yourself up to part with them. We tend to fall in love with our creations. Wonderful job Cindy.

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said... #

Thank you for showing your quilts made for donation over the years. I can only imagine the difficulty in letting each one go, though for a good cause. How could you have made them so well if some part of yourself was committed and perhaps in love with the project? Congratulations on the accomplishments. Aren't people so generous?

Mary said... #

That’s incredible, Cindy. I love looking back at all the beautiful pieces you have donated.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

Wow! Wow! Wow! That is truly amazing and impressive Cindy. So many beautiful quilts going for such a wonderful cause. They are blessed to have you and your gorgeous quilts.