Silver Thimble Award

Silver Thimble Award by Barbara Murdock

Just a reminder that we need your nominations for the Silver Thimble Award, an award that will be given out at Quilt Fest. This award is given to an individual who has rendered outstanding service and commitment in promoting the art of quilting and their contributions to the Utah Quilt Guild. 

In your nomination letter, please include a brief history of the person's life and what they have done for the Utah Quilt Guild.  List as many specific details as possible. These nominations need to be received by July 1, 2008. Please send your letters to: Barbara Murdock, 457 East 600 South, Heber City, Utah 84032 or you can e-mail them to me at: leeandbarbara@msn.com. 

Our Silver Thimble Award winner is a good and kind person who has been a great mentor and friend to many. She has given of herself in many ways, whether it is in a one on one relationship or in a group.  Her warm smile has made more than one newcomer feel welcome and a part of things as they have attended quilt meetings.

   One person had this to say:

   She will never turn down anything that is asked of her.  She is always willing to help and often seeks ways of helping without being asked.  She is a good teacher and is always willing to share her knowledge, patterns and skills with others. She makes newcomers to quilting feel comfortable with their skill level and makes them feel like they have a friend.  She is a peacemaker.  If there is ever conflict within a group she is always trying to calm the waters and make everyone feel important and loved.

   Another said, She is friendly and courteous to those she works with and does not force her opinion on others but looks to give encouragement to new quilters and is happy to share ideas that she has learned.

   Our winner has given a great deal of service to quilting.  She can often be found helping behind the scenes, whether it is in hanging a quilt show, conducting orphan block night, or serving in one of the eight local guilds that she has been involved with.  She has served as president of several of these and has been president of the Utah Quilt Guild.  She has given many quilt demonstrations and trunk shows -- all of which have shared her love of quilting and her extensive quilting knowledge.

   Quilting has extended to family service also.  All of her grandchildren have received a quilt for their weddings.  The boys in her family that achieve Eagle Scout rank also receive a special Eagle quilt.  Her sewing skills have even extended to making costumes for grandchildren involved in plays.  Her generosity with quilts came home to her when her children had a 50th wedding anniversary quilt made for them in 2004.

   She has an especial fondness for Sunbonnet Sue patterns.

   Do you think you know who this is?  Our next clue should give it away completely.

   Some years ago, at an Annual Meeting auction, the bidding became intense for a particular table centerpiece.  Our winner kept on bidding because she wanted to add the centerpiece, which included an outhouse,  to her collection.  That was the first time that many knew that she collected replicas  of johns -- all to celebrate her last name.

   Our winner of the Silver Thimble for 2007 is Betty Mae John of Layton, Utah.  We want to especially thank Betty for all that she has done for quilting in this state.  She has touched the hearts of many.