Storytellers of Canada-Conteurs du Canada
The 2009 Story Save Quilt
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Anne Brander, Saskatoon, SK

In July 2008 the 16th Annual Storyteller's Conference was held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. During my volunteer shifts at the merchandise table I had plenty of time to gaze at the 2008 quilt on display. A young girl attending with her mother and I picked
out our favourite blocks, read the entries in the binder, changed our minds and helped each other appreciate the details. During the final hours of the conference, someone approached me to ask if I would make a square for the 2009 quilt. Flattered by the invitation and inspired by the 2008 quilters I accepted. For many years I have walked
around the edges of quilting and I knew this was a great chance to get involved.

About a month later I received my package with cloth and instructions. The very
first line said, "If you have agreed to do a block, then PLEASE do a block". For two
months I wandered about aimlessly in idea land until it dawned on me that a version of
Stone Soup would be my theme. Eric Madden's version Nail Soup with gorgeous
illustrations by Paul Hess helped me design my block. Periwinkle Quilt Store supplied
me with gorgeous fabric and accoutrements and a close friend and neighbour helped me
enter into the world of needlework.

By good fortune, at a monthly storytelling circle I connected with two others who
are contributing blocks and two who have won quilts in past years. Now my goal is to
put on the finishing touches and mail my block off to meet the November 30 due date.
My appreciation to the Saskatoon Public Library for their marvelous collection,
particularly Community Quilts: How to Organize, Design and Make a Group Quilt by
Karol Kavaya and Vicki Skemp (2001). Apparently the most difficult part is getting the
blocks back!!