For those of you who missed the story behind the quilt....
An idea began to sprout during the 2008 Carstens Farm Quilt Show. Quilt Show organizers, Jan Hursey and Marilyn Evans, asked area quilters to make quilt blocks which would then be turned into a quilt to raffle at the 2009 Quilt Show. This idea caught on in a huge way. By January, 2009, the quilt blocks had all been collected, and Jan and Marilyn began piecing the quilt blocks together. The center block of the quilt, donated by Carol Von Eschen, adds a very unique touch to the quilt, as it is an aerial view of Carstens 1880 Farmstead. Jan and Marilyn spent countless hours hand-quilting the quilt. It turned out to be a lot of fun for everyone, and it is truly a beautiful, unique quilt.
The quilt was displayed at the Shelby County State Bank in Shelby, Iowa, and raffle tickets were sold at area banks and businesses. All proceeds from the raffle went to the upkeep of Carstens Farm. The winner of the raffle was announced following the parade on Sunday, September 13, 2009.
Special thanks to the following people that donated quilt blocks:
Luann Jensen Mona Juhl Karen Kay Phyllis Klindt Emma Caroline McLaughlin Judy Peters Gayle Prokupek Barb Schultz Maxine Sick Shirley Thies Carol Von Eschen Carol Young
Thank you to the area businesses who helped to promote this project and to sell raffle tickets. Our gratitude to the Shelby County State Bank in Shelby, Iowa, for displaying the quilt.
We'd also like to extend our thanks to all who supported the quilt raffle in any way.
And, finally, we'd like to recognize Jan Hursey and Marilyn Evans for all the hard work put into organizing the Quilt Show and the raffle, for the countless hours put into piecing, hand-quilting and turning the blocks into a true one-of-a-kind work of art and for the great spirit they devote to this project.
Plans are already under way for a 2010 Quilt Show and Quilt Raffle. Whether you've previously displayed quilts or quilt projects at Carstens Farm or whether this would be your first time, please consider bringing your quilts or quilt projects to the 2010 Show.
