Libby Lehman is home!!

This is the first year since sometime in the 90's that I haven't been at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, Washington. So, of course, Sew Expo has been on my mind -- and many of you ARE AT THE SHOW -- having a wonderful time, I am sure.

 I thought it would be the perfect time to update you on Libby Lehman's progress. One of Expo's most popular teachers -- and always an inspiration to everybody who had the pleasure of working with her -- EVER!!

To review -- last spring -- Libby had a burst aneurysm and then, she suffered from a stroke. She was in the hospital, then a rehabilitation center -- for nine months. But the very good news is that LIBBY WAS ABLE TO GO HOME IN JANUARY...

This was Libby at the 2012 Sew Expo -- teaching and ALWAYS laughing...

Here's a recent update from Libby's Caring Bridge page.  Her sisters write on it almost every day, and they are doing a WONDERFUL job of writing updates for us -- Libby's friends and fans...

Monday, Feb. 24 - Soul of a Quilter Written Feb 24, 2014 8:12pm by Cathy Arnold

Today in the mail Libby received a check for a very significant amount from Jim West of Sew Many Places for Libby's Medical Fund! The funds were raised on the Sew Many Places' "Libby Lehman Soul of a Quilter" Cruise and a seminar by Jinny Beyer right after the cruise. Wow! How wonderful! The check was accompanied by a letter from Jim. It was so nice that I want to share parts of it with you:

Dear Libby, Hello my sweet friend!
As I write this letter to you, I am overjoyed with the results of our fundraising cruise that we held in your honor a few weeks ago. In addition to the donation from Sew Many Places, funds were raised with the onboard silent auction, the sale of Carol Moellers' Aurifil thread packs, and the 2-day workshop that Jinny Beyer hosted right after the cruise. Jinny Beyer was so lovely in that she donated her time, paid for her flight to Florida and made special quilt blocks to auction off, all in an effort to help toward your medical expenses. Between what Jinny raised with her class and the money Carol Moellers made with the thread boxes, 27% of the total collected was generated from their efforts.

Everyone who participated on our Soul of a Quilter cruise was very generous, especially the teachers, Sheila Frampton Cooper, Pam Holland, Dana Lynch and Carol Moellers. Libby, you were a teacher on our first Sew Many Places' cruise and I will always remember how lovely you were to me and everyone who participated. You are one of the classiest people I have ever met, and by far, one of the most inspirational quilters in the industry.
Hugs and lots of love, Jim West

When I told Libby, she was thrilled and said she was "overwhelmed!" If ever a group has Soul, it is Quilters! Kudos and love to Jim, Jinny, Sheila, Pam, Dana, Carol, and everyone else who went on this cruise and contributed to this fundraising effort. You are all amazing!

 Thank you, Cathy Arnold

Libby, teaching at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup...

Libby is working every day to regain her ability to walk and talk -- and she has wonderful support from her husband, Lester, and a corps of caregivers and her wonderful sisters.  WE ARE ROOTING FOR YOU, LIBBY...

To keep track of Libby’s progress, visit her page on the Caring Bridge website at
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/libbylehman