Stasher DeEtte was able to finish her Patriot Quilt in time for this year’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Inspired by Grandma, Aunt Maurine, friends and playing under quilts being quilted as a child, DeEtte continues the creative work of quilting and sewing. Her quilts are given to children for their baptism at the age of 8, her own children, and her own personal use. She has plans for future quilts including ‘Turning 20’, Stack & Whack, Nine Square, and Flying Geese and is open to any and all ideas when she finishes all of those.
DeEtte loves textiles. “Making somehting with my hands is very satisfying but more satisfying is making something come alive into a beautiful piece of art and love.”
What wisdom does DeEtte want to share? “Do what you love; give it a try. Have fun. Start small.
The following quotes were shared at the last Stashing Sister’s Quilt Retreat in 2025. Be inspired and share a smile!
Bulletin Board of Quotes for Quilters
“Quilters . . . Cut with hope. Stitch with grace. Quilt with dreams. Bind with laughter. Share with love.”
The Work of Creation – “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before . . . creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. . . remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf
In My Sewing Room thou shalt not . . .
ask when it will be finished
cut anything with my fabric scissors
request that I hem your pantes
speak to me when I have a seam ripper in hand
tell me I have too much fabric
push buttons on my sewing machine
bring me your clothes to iron
pull on any loose threads
wonder aloud why I’m still in my pajamas
come looking for food – this is not the kitchen
“Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor E. Frankl
“Things that matter the most, last the longest” Sister Ballard
“I was the smartest woman in the room. Then again, it was my craft room, and I was the only one in there.” http://www.AnniesCraftStore.com
LIFE IS LIKE A PUZZLE . . . but without the box: It’s ok to ask for help. Sometimes you have to try new things. If something doesn’t fit, don’t force it. Every piece is special and has it’s place. Sometimes you need to take a step back to see things more clear. Be patient. It takes time for all the pieces to come together. THE END RESULT IS A BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART.
“The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.” Russell M. Nelson
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterieor motives: Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies: Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people will try to cheat you: Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight: Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous of you: Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten by tomorrow: Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough: Give you best anyway. Mother Teresa
“Kindness is the Essence of Celestial Life”
“Like a guiding star in a clear dark sky, Jesus Christ lights the way. He brings peace in the storms of life . . . He is the anchor of our souls . . . ‘Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not’. ” Elder Anderson
“There is something very satisfying about watching yardage of fabric turning into a beautiful creation – it truly makes me very happy!” Cindy C.
This cute quilt is titled “BEST FRIENDS”. It is a quilt for quilting friends to sign. Isn’t it adorable and clever? Stashing Sister Cindy C. says, “I hope everyone who comes into my home and sees my quilts on display will be touched and uplifted.” Sharing is a key trait for Cindy C. She has taught many, many people to quilt by sharing her time and talents with them.
What else makes Cindy C. happy? She confesses, “Just walking into a quilt shop and seeing all the beautiful colors together. “
Stashing Sister Cindy is a project oriented woman. Learn more in this interview:
Question – So, what projects are you working on Cindy?”
Cindy – “Hmmm, let me count them: English Paper Piecing, Octagon Postage Stamp, Orange Peel Quilt . . . two variations, Large Octagon Quilt, Doggy Quilt, Christmas Quilt, Halloween – Dia de Los Muertos. There are many more I have on a list. . . .”
Question – “Where do you get your ideas?”
Cindy – ” Quilt show demo of an “Easy Piecing Grid” and I had to do it . . . Some fabric from a shop hop in GA finally helped me put together the doggy quilt with dog bones & dog house and I’ll embroider each one of our family dogs on it. I’ll sew lights on the Halloween quilt for a wall hanging.”
Question – “Why do you like to quilt and create?”
Cindy – “I love all the colors, prints and fabric, plus the unlimied patterns and combinations one can do to make a unique, one of a kind quilt,. To me, quilting is music, endless creativity.”
Just like all change that happens, it begins with the one. Then it reaches out to others.
“Quilters affect eternity. They can never tell where their influence stops.” Unknown
Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, a disciple of Jesus, was known for her good works. She became ill and died. Her faithful friends sought Peter the Apostle in a neighboring town. When he arrived, the weeping friends showed him the many coats and garments Tabitha had made. Peter cleared the room of all the people, kneeled down next to the body, and prayed, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter extended his hand and lifted her up. He presented her to the people. (Acts 9) This miracle, this act of Jesus’ power and love, was made known throughout the city, and many believed in the Lord.
If a coat or garment made by a righteous woman can bless and affect the lives of those around her for good. . . and to believe in the Lord, I suppose a quilt made by other righteous women could too. By choice we show love and sometimes that love is manifest and remembered by the work of our hands, even for generations.
The master of love and change didn’t make quilts that we know of, but he gave love by teaching, healing, forgiving. With every work of our hands, with every quilt we make, we too can show love.
Liz shared her passion for color and quilts at our last meeting. Inspired by Anna Maria Horner (see her website here) we learned about choosing prints and colors. Anna Maria compares buying clothes to buying fabric and if you know what you like then you should trust yourself . . . sort of. If you’re not totally confident in your own sense of color or want to try something new then follow some of Anna Maria’s recipes as presented by Liz:
First figure out if your fabrics are in the Cool Color Family (blues, greens, purples and teals) or Warm Color Family (reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, rusts, and warm browns).
Recipe 1 – Monochromatic. Work with one color family. Try small prints next to large prints.
Warm and Cool Color Families
Recipe 2 – Monochromatic with an Accent. Use mostly one color family with little additions of an accent family to “pop” the visual interest.
Liz’s Color Wheel Helps Identify Complementary Colors
Monochromatic Colors with Accent
Liz’s Warm Colored Circle Quilt with Blue Accent
Recipe 3 – Multicolored. Use a multicolored fabric you really like. Add a solid or different print.
A recent study found that seniors who stimulated their brains with learning might just offset Alzhiemers. The top two activities with the most benefits were QUILTING and PHOTOGRAPHY. The news article “Brain Games That Could Pay Off In Retirement” by Elizabeth O’Brian tells the story. Click hereto read the entire article. Perhaps the author Elizabeth O’Brian is a quilter too.
From The Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2007
An oldie but local. Be careful about who you let wheel and deal your quilts. Lucinda Franklin from Gee’s Bend, Alabama accused Mat Arnett, an art dealer from Atlanta of taking her heirloom quilts and holding them hostage for two years. Who would you trust? Read the full article here.
NBC Nightly News, 24 Feb 2014:
Jenny Doan from the Missouri Quilt Company has grown so much that she made her way from YouTube to the nightly news.
Food assignments for the retreat included everyone bringing an ingredient to go into our “Stashers Stew” and “Sister Salad” for dinner. The night came alive with a skit by Kim and Amy. They wrote and sang these lyrics to the tune of “Never Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift:
Kim and Amy Perform A Skit About Stashers for the Retreat
“I’m really gonna love our quilt retreat,
Spending the time talking and sewing all night.
Although no theme was mentioned or established for the 2014 Quilt Retreat, one emerged as the Stashing Sisters began working on their projects – FAMILY.
Most of the projects were for their families, either their own children or grandchildren. The Sisters of the Quilt Guild all share the love of fabric and they also share love through fabric.
The Beginnings of a “Star Wars” Quilt by Amy
“Let’s Play Car’s” Floor Quilt by Bobette
“Cuddle Quilt” by Ann Marie
‘Flying Triangles’ Quilt Top by Kim
“Turn the Hearts of the Children to Their Fathers” Wall Quilt by Amy
Kim Tries To Organize a Random Pattern of Blocks for a Quilt Top
Stashing Sisters 