July already, we are now in the throes of mid Summer and celebrating our National Holiday with picnics, barbeques, at the beach or lake, with family and friends, enjoying parades and fireworks.

That is what quilting is also, we shop for the right fabric, cut it up and it explodes into a beautiful work of art just like the fireworks that will be fired off tonight across the country.

We are independent to do what we want in creating quilts, table runners, vests or other types of clothing. We get to travel our land with freedom and see the wonders of this land and what a beautiful quilts it makes.

We chat with our friends we have made here in the room and in the guild and share ideas. Some of us have the independence of doing what we want. That is the freedom of being an artist, to do it with the independence of knowing that we are talented and love to show our finished products.

Independence is fun. We can do what we want when we want, but we must abide by laws. And that is my hopeful segue to the By Laws. We are in the midst of voting for the Revised By Laws and your vote does count. We want everyone to vote, just as we do each year for our elected officials running our governments. The only way Independence works is by having the right to cast a vote. So please go the web site www.rplotn.com and vote NOW. There are only TWO days left - voting will stop at midnight (EDT) on July 6th.

The counts will be announced at the Special Meeting on July 7th at 9PM(EDT). It will be a short meeting, but an important one.

In closing, I want to wish everyone a Safe Holiday Weekend. Please let us know what your plans are for summer vacations. Are you traveling to quilt shows, taking classes, learning to be independent from the every day requirements of life? Doing what you want to do. Are you planning to visit with family and friends this summer, catch up with old acquaintances and relive the past?

Also, my prayers are with those who have lost their lives in the wars that we have fought and for their families. May God Bless you all and all our love ones and those who have served before us.

quiltDonalyn/President