Weekly update: convention, stash report, OMG

 

The 123rd convention of the Illinois State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood was wonderful. 

 "Live Like Lulu--Be a P.E.O. Builder" was the theme for Fran's presidential term.  Fran is a historian with a specialty in women's organizations and Lulu Corkhill Williams was an influential early P.E.O. 

Fran, Lulu, and me 

 Lulu chartered Illinois chapters and the state chapter. The eponymous Lulu Corkhill Williams Friendship Fund provides emergency financial assistance to Illinois women and men.  My involvement at the state level began with a term on the Lulu Fund. 

 I introduced Fran to P.E.O. when she and her family moved to downstate Carbondale in 1991. So glad I did!) 

My table in the Projects Room. The mug rugs I made for chapters that contributed $500 and were matched with scholarship recipients were well-received.  

I used a sarong and two pieces of African wax resist batiks for the table covering. 

 Some of the other projects displays. 

P.E.O. has awarded over $462,000,000 to more than 129,000 women:   grants for continuing education; low-cost loans for continuing education; scholarships awarded to high school seniors; support for doctoral-level research; funding for international students in the U.S. (my committee). P.E.O. supports Cottey College, a 4-year liberal arts college in Nevada, MO.  

Illinois has the aforementioned Lulu Fund and the Home Fund to assist women over age 65 with housing-related expenses. 

The wall of chapters carried out the building theme.  I "built" our house out of fabric, of course. (Lower right.)

Linda and I hosted a pre-banquet party for the Lake County Round table.  

Long-time friends and new ones. Sue with her chapter's Trip Around the World mug rug.  Anne was the Illinois state librarian (I didn't know that she's a P.E.O.).  Sue was Lulu chair my first year on the committee (and I made the tote bag for her).  Sarah was my roommate.  

Sue is a double sister -- Alpha Gamma Delta and P.E.O.  We were connected by an Alpha Gam ten years ago. (Bonnie to Sue:  "Look for Nann." Bonnie to Nann: "You need to meet Sue!")  We were on the Home Fund committee together.  

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I got back home at 5 p.m. Sunday.  I unpacked and got some stuff put away, but treated myself to some sewing while I watched The Boroughs on Netflix. (Four episodes finished, four to come.)   

THE STASH REPORT:   May fabric IN, 18-3/8 yards, $86.25.   May fabric OUT:  42-5/8 yards.  YTD fabric IN 24-7/8 yards, $123.57, average $4.97/yard.  YTD fabric OUT:  301-7/8 yards.  Net DECREASE: 277 yards.   Yay, me!

OMG for June:  10 placemats and 2 quilt finishes.  

Meanwhile, I've got a long to-do list for this week. 

Linking up with Design Wall Monday  Oh Scrap! Sew and Tell  Monday Musings OMG June