He found out there was a need for clown costumes, so he brought back a couple of patterns, thinking that the women of his congregation, big on quilting and other sewing projects, would be happy to participate. I don’t want to meet this man,’ ” said Betty Polack, who helps lead the quilting group. Polack, along with about 10 other women in the church, have made between 75 and 100 clown outfits, which Teske distributes around the world. In some places, he said, requests to present a gospel message in a church would be turned down, but clowns with gospel messages always get open doors.

From that one quilt of velvet pieces, which still takes pride of place in her daughter’s room, Ms Philpot has created hundreds of unique designs. It will be the 10th year that Ms Philpot has entered the quilts that have taken her hours to design. Ms Philpot, who is a member of both the ACT and Queanbeyan quilting groups, differs from her fellow stitchers in that she does not use patterns. Choosing the colour is usually the starting point for her and as she makes many quilts for family members and loved ones, Ms Philpot draws in meaningful items into the design. With cupboards full of quilting materials, Ms Philpot is sure to continue entering shows and showing her designs to the world. This year, Ms Philpot will play a role in ensuring the quilts at the show are displayed to their greatest.

Joanie Wilken of Rabbit Run is offering her own designs of quilt patterns with matching hand painted dishware that is microwave and dishwasher safe along with a wonderful variety of hand thrown pottery. Ashley Powell of Phileo Farm is offering her natural handmade soaps, face and body creams, lip balms in a wonderful variety of scents and her own special line of mineral make-up. Brenda Roetcisoender of Brenda’s Wood Creations will be offering her scroll saw creations including clocks, ornaments, shelves, shelf sitter word art and wall hangings as well as crocheted hats of various sizes and colors made with double yarn for extra warmth. Some of Brenda’s scroll saw pattern designs have been published in Scrollsaw Woodworks and Crafts magazine (formerly Scroll Saw Workshop magazine) and her word art scroll saw patterns are sold through The Wooden Teddy Bear in Portland, Oregon.

Members of the guild provided the library with a display of quilted items illustrating a variety of techniques as the Landstuhl Library featured books about quilting. Gordon Ashlee, guild president, was on hand to offer information and techniques to those who visited the program. Ashlee demonstrated fabric cutting using the latest quilting methods and demonstrated his designing process using grid paper. Also on display was Ashlee’s personal quilting notebook loaded with photos of his quilts and quilting patterns. The guild also makes quilts for babies in intensive care at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

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