When the occasion of the Idyllwild Public Library’s centennial celebration was fast approaching, the people of the Mountain Quilters of Idyllwild (MQI) decided on symbolic celebratory mementos of the event.
Their efforts created not one, but two beautiful examples of their specific craftwork to honor both the children and adult readers of the community. Both Theodore Geisel (aka “Dr. Seuss”) and Charles Dickens became the focus of the official gifts of the MQI to the Friends of the Library, representing the organization’s first actual donation of support since its formation in the early 1990s.
The two large-format quilts were the collaborative work of a group of five dedicated MQI members — Carol Mendoza (the self-styled “instigator” of the project), Marla Moore, Molly Cozen, Dawn Miller (who furnished the material for the Dr. Seuss quilt) and Patty Blackman (who did most of the embroidery).
A special notice of thanks should also be given to Kim Rado of Sleepy Hollow Designs in Rancho Santa Fe, who reworked the design of the Dickens Girl sculpture from the library facade (from that of Dore Capitani and Jan Jasper-Fayer) and provided all materials for that particular quilt. In all, more than 200 hours were spent on the two pieces so both would be ready for the opening library centennial events.
The MQI take special pride in their presentation of colorful and decorative material. It is with a further pride that these two pieces will be the focus of their October quilt event at the Buckhorn Camp (October 12-13), November’s Harvest Festival at Town Hall, and at the library’s Community Room (through July 2020), plus all events related to the library’s centennial — including the inaugural event in Idypark from 1 to 4 p.m. on July 27. Come see for yourselves what the community can do when its efforts unite to present a lasting memorial —honoring friends, patrons and staff together.
