"And The Greatest Of These Is Love"

"And The Greatest Of These Is Love" by Michele Bilyeu

Michele Bilyeu and I haven't met in person yet, but I just adore her. Tonight when I was getting ready to make dinner, I saw a message on Facebook about the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative Auction. The auction was ending, and Michele had a quilt up for bids. But it wasn't just any quilt. It was #15,000!

"Shhhh...." by Kristin Shields, AAQI Quilt #10,000

If you've read my blog for a while, you may recall the time when I won the 10,000th quilt received by the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, "Shhhh...." by Kristin Shields of Bend, Oregon. Kristin was the featured quilter this year at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, and she's another person I just adore. We were both part of a retreat in Sisters last year, and I marveled at her work.

So, yes, I won Michele's quilt, and as you can imagine, I am simply thrilled to acquire another milestone quilt from the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, as well as a second quilt made by Michele. It's extra special that the quilt was made by Michele, who lives just down the road in Salem, Oregon. Previously, I'd bought another one of her quilts, "Changing the World" AAQI #9648.

Michele Bilyeu has been making and donating quilts for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative for a few years, and she has a very deep, personal connection to the charity. The grassroots charity auctions and sells donated quilts from artists around the world, and Michele has raised over $3,200! At this time, the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative has raised close to one million dollars, and as AAQI closes in on its goal of raising a million dollars, you can still help. Go to their web site, look through the quilts and buy one. Better yet, buy more than one! Click here.