Quilt Show program helps fight cancer

The newest addition to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show was launched Monday evening. It was a class to construct fabric postcards that will be auctioned off during the quilt show as a fund-raiser.

"This is a free class with materials and instruction. To help people learn how to do fabric postcards to donate to our Wish Upon a Card project," said Ann Richardson, executive director of the Sisters Quilt Show.

Some of the cards will be made during the class and it is hoped that others will be made at home and brought in to be donated to the project.

"We will be selling and silent auctioning these postcards during the week of the quilt show this year to raise money for two local charities. One is Wendy's Wish Foundation and the other is Camp Sunrise," said Richardson.

Wendy's Wish Foundation is connected to St. Charles cancer center. The charity is named in honor of Wendy J. Huntley, who was well known in the area. The goal of the Wendy's Wish is fourfold: To work for early detection, to increase cancer awareness, to support each personal journey and to help others to improve the quality of life.

The other charity is Camp Sunrise which is an extension of Hospice of Redmond and Sisters. The camp is for children between seven and 14 years of age who have experienced the death of a loved one in the past 13 months. The camp is free of charge to residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. The camp is in its ninth year and is a three-day, two-night event.

The creative postcards are unique handmade expressions in fabric that share some of the same DNA with quilts and will complement the ever-popular growing quilt show. It does not take a long time to learn the techniques and most that learn continue to craft these cards.

"I have been making these postcards for two or three years," said Johanne Gibson who was assisting Richardson in teaching the class.

The Wish Upon a Card project is sponsored by the Roundhouse Foundation and The Barclay Gallery. There are two more free classes (including all materials and instruction): May 2, 9 a.m. at Stitchin' Post and May 15, 3 p.m. at Sisters Art Works.

Reserve a spot by calling Richardson at 549-0989 or [email protected]

Show.org.