Our Summer Bee at LPG

It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been able to Bee in person with our friends at Las Palmas Grand (LPG) and it was so nice to return. Our Bee was chill inside while things heated up outside for a typical June 4th under our desert sun. We had 37 attendees, including a dozen AZB4K Board members. Our cooks set up an awesome build-your-own chef salad spread, followed by a sweet build-your-own Sundae bar. Check out the sneaky photo I snapped of them below, when they finally had an opportunity to enjoy their Sundaes. Thanks gentlemen!

I used the word chill to describe this Bee for the weather pun, but also because I feel most relaxed at this Bee. This is home to an experienced group of quilters. I love that we can show up with what we have, ask for what we need, and these ladies just make it happen. It also allowed us an opportunity to organize our blankets in progress. Volunteers stepped in, sorted by size, packed and labeled. Now we’re ready to fill any particular blanket size requests from our agencies.

Our door prize basket winner was Ellen Outten. This was her 2nd big win of the year. She also won the door prize basket when our Board was invited to a Bee at Ellen’s hive (Palmas del Sol). I had a couple other photos I could’ve used, but I chose the one that makes me smile, hoping it will do the same for you. Ellen looks a little sassy and Letty looks full of mischief. Hehe. Our own Peg Adams got big bucks and no whammies with the 50/50 raffle and was all smiles with her winnings. We also celebrated Nancy Gilman for her years of service on the Board, but also for the incredible work she does cutting beautiful kits for LPG. She has a great eye for colors and patterns that work well together. That’s a gift when she doesn’t have much choice in the fabric she uses, but can take a lot of “meh” and make it “marvelous!” Thank you Nancy! We appreciate you!

We also have gratitude for the dedication of Joan Most, who keeps this group going. Our volunteers know how much is involved in making a single quilt, and when you think of that process x 1000s, you get a small understanding of the enormous task of orchestrating each step of that process. I’ve included a great photo of Joan that makes me think of a ballet dancer practicing her points and pliés. Joan is both the backbone and the heart of this group and she choreographs them beautifully, so each volunteer’s creativity can shine.

On this day we sold the first tickets for our next long-term quilt raffle. This one is bright and bold and full of cheerful energy. We’ll draw for the winner next Spring at our Sunland Springs Village Bee. Blankets by the numbers showed 15 blankets donated at the door and 29 completed at the Bee, for a grand total of 44 blankets to wrap our kids in comfort. Thanks to all who joined us on this lovely day!

Busy bees whirring through blankets.

Every set of tables had a beautiful swarm of volunteers.

Lucky Ellen and mischievous Letty.

Gratitude for the Queen of Kit Cutting, Nancy Gilman.

Peg gets big bucks, no whammies!

Thanks to Joan and LPG for hosting us at their hive.

2022/2023 Raffle Quilt

Joan on point in the quilting dance.

Cooks gotta eat too!