From the President

I have to admit that I'm feeling a bit scattered as I write this message. I just got back from Chicago a few days ago, we're going to Washington for the Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend and I leave for Chicago again on April 10. That means that I won't be able to attend the Heartstring special viewing of Art Quilts at the Sedgwick. But I will be seeing the first annual International Quilt Festival to be held in Chicago each spring. I'll make sure to give a report for next month.

A highlight of my trip back home was walking into my favorite fabric store in suburban Chicago and seeing a prominent display of Lonni Rossi designed fabrics! Fat quarters were beautifully folded (I bought a package for the
Chinese auction!) and displayed on top of an antique sewing machine cabinet with bolts of the fabrics arranged around the bottom. The entire staff was eager to talk about the collection and they wanted Lonni to know that they thought the designs and colors were "stunning." They've been a big hit with the customers, too.

Also, thanks again to Christina for sharing her remarkable experience in Africa with us at last month's meeting. It was such a treat to hear about her experiences as both teacher and student and see the beautiful results of her hard work.

On a different note, I have a hope to share with you—I hope that the war is over by the time I'm writing next month's message. I also hope that regardless of how we feel about this action, we keep in our thoughts and prayers everyone in the crossfire, both civilians and military personnel of every nationality. See you at the May meeting,

Janet