Sort of like having a baby!

Having a three day Quilt Sale is very similar to having a baby! The new parents prepared for this momentous event for nine months–each year the quilters start preparing for the next Quilt Sale after the winter holidays — nine months before the sale.

New parents can’t wait to announce their child-to-be with gender reveal parties, Facebook posts and snail mail announcements. We strive to advertise our sale any way we can–Facebook posts, flyers, church announcements. We want the world to know. Lucky new parents have a village of helpers–grandparents, friends, birth coaches, highly trained doctors and nurses. Quilters at First have many people in our corner helping us at each stage; I will elaborate later in this post.

But the similarity I focused on was this—For weeks afterwards you can’t imagine doing this–giving birth or having a Quilt Sale– again anytime soon! New parents are delighted with their brand new family member but usually they are exhausted. The Quilters at First are happy we met our goal but we were tired. Quilters at First needed to do laundry and cook a real meal for their family, all those things we ignored while giving five long days to the Quilt Sale. But like new parents who start thinking a second baby would be nice, we will slowly regain our momentum and start making a list for next year.

I do realize there is a world of difference between having a baby and hosting a quilt sale. That new person changes the dynamics of a family forever. The Quilts Etc Sale has an impact but not sure how much in the very long run. A bad decision when preparing for the sale is usually forgotten quickly, but a poor decision before the birth of a child can be catastrophic. But all of us have had a baby or completed a marathon or painted a house and thought immediately afterwards “Don’t want to do that again!” but begin thinking in a few weeks or months or even years “That was fun/challenging/enjoyable, lets do it again!” As I write this, I am glad the Quilts Etc Sale was last week and not this coming week. But like a new parent, I am very proud of what we did.

We don’t have the exact totals from all the sales yet. We don’t close the books until the first of December. In early December checks will be presented to a representative from the Religious Nurture Center and the TV Ministry at a lunch and I will share photos and amounts.

As I mentioned earlier, the twenty five plus quilters could not do this sale by themselves. We had much good help– Erin Davis, the Director of Communications at First Church, created our flyer and slides for the Church screens. She also made sure the event was well advertised in the newsletters and weekly announcements. Rev. Amy Lippoldt and Rev. Jeff Graber encouraged us, gave us permission to display quilts and mentioned the event on TV with its many viewers. Six men from the Seekers Church Class came early on the first set-up day and carried heavy tubs down from the quilting room and stands etc up from the basement. The coffee shop adds a special touch to our sale. Nonie, Delaine, Kathy, and Sandy transformed the RNC main room into a cozy spot with delicious baked goodies and delicious coffee. Ray and Donna S heard me talking about the sale and volunteered to bake for the coffee shop. Our cashiers were three quilt husbands.

Folks only associated with FUMC thorough the TV Ministry reached out. Lorra E. contributed two beautiful Christmas quilts. Another friend gave a vintage quilt in nearly perfect condition. People have contributed fabric to us when family members could not longer use it.

Our families and friends came just to support us. It meant a lot to look up and see a co-worker or friend or family members at the sale.

A most of all, if we did not have persons purchasing the quilts or potholders or cinnamon roll, all this work would be for nothing. So, a huge, huge thank you to each and every shopper! Each purchase added up and I can’t wait to tell you how much we can give the two ministries we support.