quiltmonkey Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I need to celebrate and share some wonderful news with my quilty friends here on the APQS chat. Long story short, each year, I organize some type of quilting project to raise money during my employer's local United Way campaign. This year, I decided to try something completely new that I've never done before -- sell raffle tickets for the quilt rather than do the silent auction process (raffles make more $$$) So... this summer, me and my coworkers (and several of my quilt guild members) made blocks of Alaskan animals or wildlife scenes and I put it together and quilted it. Not to brag, but the photos don't do it justice - it really is spectacular in person. Oh, and many of the blocks on this quilt were made by non quilters, and this was their first try at raw edge applique. So, I discovered I was able to use our local United Way's gaming permit and I purchased the perforated packaged sheets of card stock to print the raffle tickets, I designed the tickets, and printed out a bunch to sell. I organized it so we could get the quilt traveling around to several of my work's main locations (Fairbanks, Anchorage, Valdez) and we sold these tickets for $5.00 each or a book of six for $20.00. Most everyone bought the books of $20.00. From the span of seven short weeks, from start to finish of raffle ticket sales, we sold $4,555.00 in raffle tickets. 100% of that money went to our local United Way. And, last Thursday, the UW reps came over to my office and they pulled the winning ticket. The winner of the quilt is thrilled to have received it. I am so very proud of my coworkers and my guild members for making this project such a success. Everyone stepped up to the plate, they pitched in their time and efforts to make it happen. It just goes to prove that together, caring people can make amazing things happen that surpass our wildest dreams. All I can say is WOW! My dream came true. Life is good, and I am honored to work with these people who are so generous, so kind and so good in the soul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IQuiltToo Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana, what a beautiful quilt! Even better yet is that you raised an incredible amount of money. Kudos to you! Super job - incredible quilt! Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Oh, Shana! It is beautiful. You must be so proud of the quilt and your participation in it. What an accomplishment for you and your fellow guild members. I'll bet the United Way was blown away! I love the quilt. I'm going to go back and look at it again. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraJ Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 That's awesome Shana. How wonderful to be a part of something in which so many (newbies included) made this quilt and could generate a goodly amount for United Way. The quilt is unique and gorgeous. Be proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 YOU AND ALL SHOULD BE VERY PROUD. It is beautiful and brings back wonderful memories of our visit to Alaska! What a wonderful gift for United Way, the learning and and fellowship of making the quilt, making and selling the tickets, the joy of winning the quilt(VERY LUCKY PERSON) and the money support to United Way. Way to go Shana!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerstin Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Whow! That's great. A beautiful quilt and so much money for United Way. Congratulation to you and your coworkers! The world cannot be so bad as long as people like you are doing such projects! That gives me hope again I think activities like yours are even as important maybe more important than for example the endless chattering of the UN/FAO-meeting in Rome ... Thank you, Shana! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana, God Bless You. Terrific Job. RitaR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Wow, Shana, That quilt is beautiful! I thought maybe the block with the star behind the mountains was my favorite, but in looking at the blocks up close, they all are! Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 More than awesome...that is a wondful/gorgeous quilt. You can pat yourself on your back for me you did a fab job. Is there patterns for the blocks or did you also design it. Reason for asking is there is a block I really really like and would like to add to stash. The ohio star with mountain scene on top...ooooh so lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Oh, WOW, Shana! That is fantastic! I love the quilt and all your efforts to raise so much money. Oh, honey, you did good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiequilts Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Totally AWESOME Shana, you all did a wonderful job on the quilt and to raise so much money to help others, WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeoldeforest Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Beautiful! Great Job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lym95 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana, that is such a pretty quilt, and such a touching testimony. I am sure that quilt is bound to become a heritage quilt to be passed on for many years. GREAT job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana I remember this quilt! What a great fund raiser. I can't believe that you got people to spend $5 on a ticket. My guild's raffle tickets were only a $1 or 6 for $5 and I couldn't believe how many of them only went for $1! We did make $3700 on it but that is a lot of tickets! I'm going to suggest we go higher next year and see what happens! Great job and congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Supurb job Shana Butla Sista! You really knocked the sox off of United Way's donation amount didn't u!!!!!!!! You are a sweetie for organizing this whole thing. I also want to know if you yourself made one of the blocks, and if so, which one? I am with Bonnie re: the Ohio Star w/ the mountain. That block I think is my fave out of all of them. Tell you guild they did an awsome job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana, you did such an awesome job! The blocks are beautiful and the money you raised is wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana...if those pictures don't do the quilt justice, it must be absolutely stunning in person! It is lovely, as are you for organizing such a wonderful project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana girl, you are so awesome! Such a big heart, and you are sooooo talented! Congrats on making so much to give to United Way!!! I'm so proud of you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 That is one gorgeous quilt. I wish we had had the opportunity to purchase tickets. You did a great thing by organizing such a raffle project and it all came together. AND, raising such an incredible amount of funds for a fantastic cause! Give yourself a pat on the back. You done good my friend! We are all proud of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyT Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 How heartwarming...way to go, Shana. This earth needs more angels like you and your helpers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBQLTN2 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 fantastic job, Congratulations on both the quilt and the money raised for such a worth cause! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boni Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 You should exhibit that quilt at MQS or Innovations. Do you know who won it? personally, so that you could ask to borrow it? Most of the designs look like water color--not fabric. Thanks for giving us the background too. You are an expert at organizing and managing! Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon M Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 beautiful quilt, beautiful quilting and a very sweet quilter! Congratulations Shana! You should be very proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Originally posted by Bonnie Is there patterns for the blocks or did you also design it. Reason for asking is there is a block I really really like and would like to add to stash. The ohio star with mountain scene on top...ooooh so lovely. Hi Bonnie, Actually...this year's quilt I did not make a block. We had enough to put one together so I just selected the border and sashing fabric and pieced the top together and quilted it.... Yeah, I just did a simple meander stipple but I did not want to over-quilt it because of the applique pieces so I just nailed it down. I agree the Ohio Star with mountains is very pretty. A guild member made that one... she basically pieced the block and then added some mountains to the foreground. You could do the same, I'm sure! Originally posted by hmerrill I can't believe that you got people to spend $5 on a ticket. My guild's raffle tickets were only a $1 or 6 for $5 and I couldn't believe how many of them only went for $1! ..... I'm going to suggest we go higher next year and see what happens! Heidi, I did not want to mess with $1 bills, or hassle with giving change back to people, so I chose to do the $5.00 for a single ticket, or buy a book of six tickets for $20.00. And knowing my very generous co-workers, most everyone bought a book of six tickets for $20.00. I figured most people would not bat an eye at throwing down a $20.00. In fact, several people bought over $100.00 in books of tickets. One lady purchased $200.00 in tickets. But they knew it all went to a good cause. I did not sell many of the $5.00 single tickets. Most everyone bought the books. Originally posted by SheriB You are a sweetie for organizing this whole thing. I also want to know if you yourself made one of the blocks, and if so, which one? Hi Sheri, I didn't make a block for this year's quilt, but I did set up a few lunch our sessions to teach some newbies (coworkers). Oh I forget to mention that many of these blocks were original creations; the person who designed the block made up their own pattern from a photo or another image. I showed them how to do this during a few sessions I had during lunch time. Yes, it was a lot of work to organize this thing. I'd never organized a raffle before, so it was a whole new learning experience for me! I was very careful to track all of the tickets in an Excel spreadsheet, so everything was accounted for (sold and unsold tickets) and I balanced my money as the ticket sales came in. It's a lot of work to do a raffle but the benefits of making lots of $$ are worth it. I will probably do another raffle quilt in the future -- but --- I think I should do one every 2 or 3 years so people don't get burned out on it. One day, I brought the quilt to our local weekly Chamber of Commerce luncheon and during that lunch session, I sold over $500.00 in tickets! The guy who won the quilt bought a book at that luncheon. Thanks everyone, for your kind words and encouragement. It really was a great experience. My employer is very supportive of this annual quilting project, and my fellow coworkers are VERY VERY VERY generous when it comes to donating their hard earned $$$ to our local United Way agencies. I do live in a small town (less than 100,000 people) and this community is known to be very generous to give money or to volunteer; especially to local charity and our local United Way agencies. I live and work with some wonderful people. Lucky me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda G. Craig Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shana, you must be so proud of yourself and your co-quilters. What a wonderful project! I can't decide which block I like best. What a wonderful cause, the UW must be really impressed. It takes a lot of work behind the scenes to pull something like this off, and you've really done a super job! Congratulations! You did awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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