I've only done this once before--years ago--in honor of my grandmother's birthday at her assisted living place. When I visited her every weekend, and bring the latest fabric or project, she'd always say "Oh the ladies here would love to see this..." So--I took all the wall hangings in the house down, striped the quilts from the couches and beds and hauled them to her place to give them a quilt show. :D

Now I'm doing in again--at a different place (Gram died in 2005)--actually the place that brings a bus load to see the horses. When the residents were here for horses--and I told them I'd see them soon--they asked if they could buy the quilts. That was never my intention and I didn't even know if it'd be allowed, but the activities director said it's fine--if I'll take checks. (Fine with me.)

They called today to ask about set-up. I asked for 2-3 tables. Since selling is okay--I thought I'd keep what's for sale on one table to avoid confusion (mainly mine).

So--all I have planned so far is to take every quilted item in the house--including the tops for the last three quilts...and just talk to them and hold stuff up for them to see. My husband (6'3"--that will come in handy :wink: ) and my daughter are going to help.

Any suggestions before I venture off? I will not have time to make anything more--we've got a kayak trip planned for tomorrow morning and the rest of the time will be packing to go. (I dread the unpacking and getting all these wall hangings back up!)

Should be fun...

Just have fun, enjoy yourself, and let them oooooo, ahhhhh, all they want. I'm sure they'll love your work as much as we do!!

Hugs,
Sharon

My only suggestion is to label the ones either for sale or not for sale.

Good luck and have fun! Let us know how it turned out.

Sounds like it will be a great time, enjoy it! Wish I could be there to see it, too. :D

No suggestions, but wanted to Wish you luck , but more important enjoy :lol: And have fun kayaking
Sharon

I wish you luck, also!! :D I know you
will have a great time & the ladies will
be so pleased that you have taken the
time to share with them & visit!! :D
I admire you for doing this, have fun.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Just go and be yourself and have a great time!!!

Okay--have fun--that part will be easy. :D I need to figure out the year I started quilting because they'll ask how long I've been doing it. I'll take the very first quilt I made--that's always a good story. :lol: I guess just talk a little about each piece... I think what to say will happen naturally, since it's a topic I'm familiar with. Most likely I'll just have to show them items and they'll come up with questions. It's a pretty lively group. :wink:

My only 'suggestion' - apart from 'have fun' but you know that already! - is if possible take some photos or even better, ask someone else to so YOU'RE in them :D and share with us all afterwards! :D :D :D Please!

What a nice thing for you to do. I know they are going to love it.

Got that covered k3n--Rachel will do a photo shoot. I was thinking though--there won't be much to take photos of--just me holding up different stuff--boring. Plus--you have seen them all at one time of another. I will tell her to try to get the residents.

Another thing I thought of--while doing chores--is to take extra blocks so pass around so they could feel and see them? There are many extras of the floral and others....

I wonder how they'll like those wild pillowcases I made last summer. :lol:

That will so NOT be boring, Karla! :shock: :D

Hi Karla. Before I read further down the post I was thinking to also share about what inspired you to make each piece. Also any mishaps you may have had along the way...In any event you all will have a memorable time! You sharing, and them ooohing & Awwwwing. Enjoy yourself!

If you'd like to make more work for yourself, then make a card for each one saying the name of the quilt, the pattern/block name, techniques used, date made.

If you have the time and interest, consider starting a quilting circle there, giving beginner lessons as needed.

Oh gosh Lisanne--no way I have time for that... nice idea though. :D

I tried starting a writer's group at one assisted living place--but none of them would do their homework! I told them if they were in my class I'd put them all on detention. :wink: My grandmother warned me that would happen. :lol:

I'm back from kayaking--took 140 photos! I'll post them in chit-chat later...

I know you will have a wonderful time doing your one woman show! :lol:

Just a note though is to count before and after! If you could, number each piece to make sure you have them all. Little accidents happen and I would hate for you to not return with all your pieces.

Having some sample blocks for them to see the front and the back is a really great idea, from a teachers point of view! :lol:

Anchor the labels securely - maybe use different colors for the two categories?

Not to worry. I threw that out as a thought, not to put you on the spot to actually do it. However, they might be more likely to do the quilting homework, because they can do it together, in a quilting circle. Writing is much harder, because you have to think things up.

Saw those photos - just beautiful! I was in the Finger Lakes area last February and hope to make it back in the summer someday.

Karla, you will have a great time and you won't be lost for words.
You'll be treating this "adventure" just like you do when they come to visit the horses.
Have a wonderful time and I know those seniors will too!

Hmm--there are so many--so I thought to help with that and help separate for sale from not for sale--after I show the not for sale pieces, I'll fold them up and put them back into the clothes baskets. The for sale stuff will be on a table with a green sheet underneath.

It takes a lot of packing for the bigger items. Goodness--I'm using clear kitchen garbage bags and five clothes baskets...

Hubby might stay home if it doesn't rain... so much to do here with the lawn. If it rains--he's coming. :wink:

Waiting for PICS
I am sure you had an awesome time :D :D

It's not till 2:00--it's only 10:50 here. :wink:

Everything is packed--over 50 items not for sale and about the same for sale--mostly small stuff....

The residents will love it, and some will have stories of their own about sitting with their grandmas, mothers, or friends and quilting by the lantern light.
When I went to where my Mom lived, I brought along a few friends & we made up a few "cheater" panels and sat out and let a few of them do some stitching. We only did a show & tell not a sale so was different than what you'll be up to. It's wonderful that you're giving these special people a "treat" today, hope it all works out well for you.

I always think the "back story" is fun - tidbits they may not know about a block, how it came about, or a quilt...how you made it, who it was for, why....

Oh--I have three old quilts I think my great-grandmother made--they'll LOVE those. One's a yo-yo pattern. And I have the quilt I loved as a child--and the first quilt I ever made--funny story to go with that. And the quilt I made for my grandmother. And I think I have a blooper story for every piece! :lol:

I hope they share stories!!

It went great! I'll post details with photos later--I need to head to the barn. I guess the post should go to Pictures... look for them there tonight. :D

What a wonderful idea :!: The residents must love it :lol:

You have a kind, good heart to take the time for these people in the nursing home. They're so hungry for anything that takes away the dull long hours when they're there.

I have a three-pound poodle who is a certified Therapy Dog and when we go to visit, we have such a hard time leaving. I sometimes feel selfish about it because I know that I get more out of it than anyone.

God Bless You for what you're doing.

go an enjoy it i can remeber when i went to flee markets with my aunt who done toll painting we had lots of fun an met alot of people an on top of quilting i can toll paint to jack of all trades they say