|
Monday's Internet Edition, March 15, 2010.
Charity work, teen chefs spice up RM quilting retreat
|
Photo by Sheri Barile
Members of Rancho Murieta Fiber Arts Group (from left) Elaine Copps, Cindy Shamrock and Elaine Martin go to work sewing quilts at the fourth annual quilting retreat held the week of Feb. 15 at the home of Judith Embree.
|
By Sheri Barile
River Valley Times Reporter
-
Members of the Rancho Murieta Fiber Arts Group held their fourth annual quilting retreat during the week of Feb. 15 to work on a wide array of sewing, knitting and crocheting projects.
The retreat began four years ago with eight women. They meet the same week each year at the home of Judith Embree. They each bring their own sewing machines and supplies and set up stations to work throughout the day from Monday through Friday.
This year’s event, however, was woven with a couple of new threads because the group organized this gathering of quilters to spend some time making baby blankets for Project Linus, a charity aimed at providing warmth and comfort to babies in need.
Approximately 20 blankets of all sizes - from preemie to toddler - were completed by the group for donation to the Sacramento chapter of Project Linus.
In addition to this new component of the retreat, two RM teens joined in the food preparation for the dinners provided each evening at the home of member Barbara Keil. Siblings Dalton and Shannon Westerberg are neighbors of the Keil family. Chet Keil has a passion for cooking, and the teens began cooking lessons with him six years ago when they were just eight and 10 years old.
At the conclusion of each quilting day, the women gathered at the Keil home to enjoy wine, appetizers and a gourmet meal that included dessert. This year, the Westerberg siblings spent six hours each in the kitchen preparing crab dip, celery soup and fruit salad.
The head chef said their contributions were a smashing success. “That soup was so good that the ladies were licking the bowls,” Chet Keil said. “And they absolutely raved about the crab dip.”
Despite somewhat cramped quarters and many hours working together, Keil said it’s something they look forward to all year. “We gather because we truly enjoy each other’s company,” she said. “And we all learn so much from each other. It’s a great experience.”
Keil explained that the annual retreat was organized to replace destination sewing retreats held statewide that the group used to attend. However, she said that it was becoming quite expensive and taking the women away from their families. “The idea to do this locally just caught on,” Keil said. “We could have just as much fun and sleep in our own beds at night.”
Being treated to gourmet meals each evening goes a long way toward making the local event as much fun as the destination retreats. But Keil said it’s the camaraderie and inspiration the women glean from the experience that makes it worthwhile.
“It’s so nice for us to gather and have a glass of wine and a wonderful meal at the end of the day,” she said. “We exchange ideas and just chat away. You’d think we’d run out of conversation, but we don’t.”
Keil also said that the idea of organizing at-home retreats is growing within the community. Another group of five women held a previous quilting retreat, and the two groups visited to observe each other and share information over lunch.
This year’s retreat produced the completion of several projects that were already underway, as well as the new projects. Keil estimated that four full-sized quilts, a jacket and matching backpack, a few sets of placemats and table runners, purses and a couple of wall hangings were all completed at Embree’s home. In addition, 13 small scissors cases were made as a memento of the week for each of the ladies participating at both locations.
According to Carolyn Bauer, RM coordinator for Project Linus, the group's greatest sense of achievement is the completion of the 20 baby blankets. “There is such great need, especially for preemie blankets, because they are washed every time they’re used,” Bauer said. “This community’s generosity in donations for material and supplies has been overwhelming. I can’t put into words what it gives back to us to give to people who are in greater need. It’s wonderful to be able to do this.”
|
Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
Web page design,
Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
|
|
| |