Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative - Stanley Cup Quilt-Off

From now to November 1 to 10, twelve celebrity quilters will strap on their skates and go head-to-head in an online quilt auction benefiting the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI). To the winners go the spoils: bragging rights for the team and the individual who raise the most money for the AAQI.

Skating for the "Feed Dogs" are Alex Anderson, Hollis Chatelain, Becky Goldsmith, John Flynn, Renae Haddadin, and Sue Nickels.
Disconnected - Alex Anderson

On the roster for the "Rotary Blades" are Caryl Bryer Fallert, Pat Holly, Libby Lehman, Judy Mathieson, Mary Sorensen, and Ricky Tims.

Forget Me Not - Ricky Tims

For the past three years, an elite group of quilters have been raising money for the AAQI each November to commemorate National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. The group has grown from four (2009 World Quilt Federation Smackdown) to eight (2011 World Series Quilt Challenge), and now to twelve (2011 Stanley Cup Quilt-Off).

The sports parodies are suggested each year by John Flynn, as a way to encourage "trash talking" between the competitors. This year's salute to hockey includes photographs of each quilter with hockey helmet and missing teeth PhotoShopped onto bodies of famous hockey players. (Apologies to the NHL.)

The twelve quilts will be on display from November 2-6 at International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas.

Everyone can root for his or her favorite quilt(s) online with a $1.00 donation to the AAQI. "Roots" (donations) have nothing to do with the outcome of the auction, but are a way to influence the money earned by each quilter, and, of course, support the AAQI's mission of raising awareness and funding research.

Additionally, Stanley Cup Quilt-Off commemorative earrings as well as apparel and accessories are available until October 15.

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (www.alzquilts.org) is a national, grassroots organization whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research. It auctions and sells donated quilts through the Priority: Alzheimer's Quilt project and sponsors a touring exhibit of quilts about Alzheimer's called "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope." The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative has raised more than $576,000 since January 2006. Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan is the founder and executive director of the AAQI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation operated entirely by volunteers. She is a quilter. Her mother had Alzheimer's.

For more information on the AAQI or to make a donation, contact Ami Simms at 810-637-5586 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern), ami@alzquilts.org or www.alzquilts.org.

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