Big Bear Lake — Quilting enthusiasts, wait no longer. The Big Bear Lake Quilters Guild announces its 2016 annual quilt show themed “Visions of Big Bear” Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6, at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake, a Holiday Inn Resort.
The Big Bear Lake Quilters Guild was started as an informal club in October 2012 for women and men with the common interest of quilting. Already working on a variety of community giveback projects, the club soon became an official nonprofit organization.
The Big Bear Discovery Center commissioned the organization to create a custom quilt and offered payment in the form of allowing the association to host its first quilt show at the establishment in August 2013. Proving to be a popular event, the show expanded and moved to the former Northwoods Resort location in 2014 where it would be hosted annually.
Now in its fourth year, the Big Bear Lake Quilters Guild Quilt Show boasts an art-gallery appeal with themed sections such as holiday, children’s and large-creation quilts. Vendors include Heidi’s Longarm Quilting Center (Calimesa), Patchwork’s Quilt Shop, Bear Country Quilts & Gifts and others featuring clothing, shoes, notions and more. There is also a Market Place section for unique and handcrafted items created by members of the guild.
In addition to spectatorship and shopping, Anne Copeland, a judge at the show and professional appraiser, offers formal quilt appraisals for a nominal fee on Saturday during the event. Find out the worth of your family heirloom in the event of a fire, flood or other natural disaster.
New to this year’s event is the showcase Patches of Love. This section features quilts that have been created for donation to the local Skilled Nursing Facility, Kiwanis, Big Bear Sheriff’s Department, Big Bear Fire, military families and the Arrowhead Regional Burn Center. “The donors of these quilts are rarely recognized,” Joyce DeMond, Big Bear Lake Quilters Guild president, said. “We want to give them the recognition they deserve.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to Patches of Love to offset the cost of guild members’ efforts may do so through monetary donations or by giving quilting materials.
Hours for the Big Bear Lake Quilters Guild Quilt Show are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 per person.
The Lodge at Big Bear Lake, a Holiday Inn Resort, is at 40650 Village Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. For more information, email to bblquiltinguild@aol.com or visit the website www.bigbearlakequiltersguild.com.