Joe and Edna
left the Sims’ home with a lot to think about.
Mary wanted to call an emergency meeting of the guild to get things
rolling, but Joe convinced her to make sure the town council would approve the
idea before taking it further. There
was a council meeting scheduled in less than two weeks, and their idea was to
talk privately with the local business community, the chamber of commerce, and
anyone they thought would be helpful, or might cause problems.
“Better to smooth those things out before you get too far into the planning,” opined Joe, ‘Besides, some of these folks might have some great ideas as well.”
So, Amy volunteered to talk to the business owners downtown, and to let Sue know that her mother was looking into the viability of her plan. Joe would work his magic on his friends and connections in town, particularly on his father’s old friend Jack Jensen, who’d been collecting old tractors for years.
Edna asked Amy to help her with her part of the project, namely working on the overall look and feel of the event. Edna was developing her own “vision” of the event, but could see that Amy had a lot to offer. Together they’d be a formidable team.
Mary would work on putting together the committee, contacting possible members and feeling them out about the idea. She would also work with Edna, Joe, and Amy on the presentation they’d need to give to the town council. Henry was 100% on board and offered to feel out the council members before the meeting.
Edna and Joe arrived home exhausted, but exhilarated. Joe couldn’t wait to get started so he jumped in the truck and headed out to old Jensen’s place, offering to pick up lunch on his way back.
Edna was glad not to have to think about cooking. Her mind was spinning, and along with all of her thoughts about the show, she was wondering if her quilt had arrived safely. FedEx had picked it up the day before so it should have been there by now. She wished she had Janie’s phone number or email address.
Since Joe would be gone for a while she decided to tackle sorting and cutting her fabrics for her show quilt. It would be difficult to finish it in time, with everything else going on. She was tempted to set it aside. I probably don’t need the stress, she thought, but she knew she couldn’t resist working with the fabrics in front of her. Oh, heck, she thought, I’ll get it started, and finish it too! I’ll need something to take my mind off things.
Edna hadn’t been working for more than ten minutes before the phone rang. This time she found it quickly and was relieved to hear Janie’s cheerful voice.
“Hi Edna, it’s Janie from Quilter’s Weekly!”
“Hi Janie, I’m so glad you called, I was starting to wonder if you’d received my quilt in one piece.”
Oh, Edna, I have it right here and it is gorgeous! Even more beautiful than the picture your sister sent. The photographer and art director were just here and they both think it has to be our cover quilt!”
Edna had been
tensely standing the whole time, and now she sat down. She’d known it was a possibility but she’d
already convinced herself it wouldn’t happen.
“Are you sure?” she said tentatively.
“Of course I’m sure! I don’t think you know how talented you are. Seriously, Edna, this is the best quilt I’ve seen in a long time. The workmanship is phenomenal and I love that it’s hand quilted, we’ve had too many machine quilted quilts lately. It really is a gallery quality piece.”
Janie certainly sounded enthusiastic, and Edna felt herself relax. It would be wonderful to have her quilt on the cover, she thought, I suppose I should just enjoy it.
“Now Edna, I can confidently say that we are going to do an article on you as well. The consensus is that you have such a unique vision that you’re the kind of quilter we want to feature in our magazine. Are you still having your guild show in April?”
“Actually Janie, you don’t know how wonderful this is.” said Edna, as she went on to explain her guild’s tentative plans.
“Edna, that sounds fabulous! Do you think the Sims family would let us photograph their quilts?” Janie sounded more excited.
“They’re very delicate, but I’m sure if the photographer knows how to handle them so they aren’t damaged they’d consider it. Oh, and Amy Sims wrote a wonderful paper for the guild about their history, I’m sure she’d be happy to share it with you.” It occurred to Edna that Amy’s paper would make an excellent article.
Janie seemed to think the same thing. “I’d love to read her paper, and see what photos they have, could you email them to me?”
“I’ll talk to Mary and Amy this evening and get back to you in a day or two. Also,” Edna hesitated, “is all of this definite enough for me to share with my guild?”
“As far as I’m concerned it is, but we’d better wait and make sure I’ll have a team to send in April. Let me know as soon as you confirm your dates, and then I’ll get back to you.”
As Edna hung up the phone she heard Joe’s truck drive up. She realized she was hungry and was glad she wouldn’t have to wait to eat.
Next: Amy and Edna Put on a Show
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