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About the Ponnie Brinkman Retreat Scholarship The Ponnie Brinkman Retreat Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded to an individual who, as an novice quilter, excels in confidence, enthusiasm, originality and productivity. The scholarship enables the recipient the opportunity to attend a five-day Ricky Tims Quilt Retreat. The annual scholarship provides one recipient free tuition and $500 toward expenses to attend a Ricky Tims (La Veta) Quilt Retreat. Who is Ponnie Brinkman?
Lula Mae "Ponnie" Brinkman was a dedicated quilter in St. Louis, Missouri who initiated a casual conversation with Ricky Tims in the fabric section of a Ben Frankilin Five and Dime store in 1991. At the time, Ricky had been quilting for less than two months and he knew nothing about quilt shops, quilt guilds or quilt shows. Ponnie invited him to attend her guild – the Thimble and Thread Quilt Guild of Greater St. Louis. Ricky joined the guild and, as a fledgling quilter, received encouragement, instruction, and support from many of the guild's members. That support eventually led Ricky down a career path in quilting. Ponnie Brinkman passed away on July 23, 2007 at the age of 81. This scholarship honors her memory and celebrates her influence on Ricky. Scholarship Applications Individuals may not apply for a scholarship. Scholarship nominations must be submitted to Ricky Tims Inc. by the board of directors of an established quilt guild with a membership of fifty or greater. Nomination deadline is November 1st of each year and the scholarship recipient is announced each year on December 1st on Ricky's main page blog, I'm Just Sayin' at www.rickytims.com. Eligibility By November 1st, a nominee should not have been quilting more than three years. Nominees should have completed a minimum of six quilts and should exhibit confidence, enthusiasm, and originality. It does not matter whether or not the nominee leans toward traditional, contemporary, or art quilting. How to Nominate All nominations must be submitted by a quilt guild's board of directors and signed by the nominating board's representative. Note: Images of a minimum of 6 completed quilts - full and detail images of each (and more is okay) should be posted online on a public access website (the guild’s website, the nominees website, www.thequiltshow.com, Facebook, Flickr, etc) for easy access and evaluation. A direct link to the nominee’s quilt gallery is requested on the nomination form. Download the Nomination Form - click here to download. Fill out the nomination form and send it along with a letter of recommendation (500 words or less) to: Ricky Tims - Ponnie Brinkman Scholarship Don't forget to include the letter of recommendation from the board of directors, signed by an authorized board member, stating the qualities of the individual that led the guild to make the nomination. |
I'm Just Sayin
Student List
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Area Photos
The first rays of sun illuminate the Goemmer's Butte.
The evening sun illuminates one of the Great Dikes on the Spanish Peaks
The East Peak (elevation 12,683) and the West Peak (elevation 13,626’)
A full moon sets at dawn west of La Veta.
The red dawn gave theses mountains their name – Sangre de Christo (blood of Christ).
The Goemmers (pronounced Gimmers) Butte , a volcanic plug, is a distinctive feature in the Cuchara Valley near La Veta.
La Veta
The newly renovated historic La Veta Inn
| One of only two incorporated towns in sparsely populated Huerfano County (orphan), La Veta, (population 924) is a small town located in south central Colorado that was founded by Col. John Francisco, a friend and contemporary of the more famous Kit Carson. Searching for a place to build an outpost, he stopped here and exclaimed, “This is paradise enough for me!” Ft. Francisco is located in town and an enlightening tour of the old fort exposes a wealth of history in the area. |
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The town is located on the Cuchara (Spanish for spoon) River. The expansive valley is bordered on the west by the Sangre de Christo (blood of Christ) mountain range that is part of the Rocky Mountains . This range extends from the middle of Colorado well south into New Mexico . It was named by Spanish explorers because of the way the sunlight at dawn turns the snowy peaks red each morning.
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Although the Sangre de Christo mountains are lovely, it is the Spanish Peaks that will draw your attention. These two magnificent peaks are often simply called the East Peak and West Peak . Serving as landmarks for ancients and pioneers, the locals know them as the Wahatoya, meaning Breasts of the Earth – the meaning is evident at a glance. Native Americans considered them sacred and life giving. These two mountains, while very close in proximity to the Sangre de Christo range, are separate geological formations and not associated with the main mountain range at all. They are younger, volcanic formations called Stocks. These were two volcanoes, that never became volcanoes. They pushed up under the earth but never erupted. In time, as the earth eroded, the mountains were left looming above the valley. |
Of particular interests are the Great Dikes of the Spanish Peaks . These dikes, or walls, are the world’s best examples of natural dike walls. They stretch like spider legs reaching out from the West Spanish Peak . The same volcanic upheaval that created the mountains, created long cracks in the earth that filled with molten rock. In time, the earth eroded around these as well, leaving these walls that tower over 100 feet and crawl across the landscape for miles. These are reminiscent of the Great Wall of China – only they are not man made. La Veta flourished due to successful ranching and nearby mining operations. The historic Denver Rio Grand Railroad, once boasted the highest narrow gauge railroad in the world as it topped La Veta pass. Don’t come with expectations of anything that is posh and swanky. Rather, expect to travel back to the bygone days when soda bar and the neighborhood bakery are the local meeting places. La Veta boasts only two paved streets – and we like it that way. The locals are down to earth and very friendly. More recently, La Veta has attracted artists, musicians, authors, and others who are tired of the hustle and bustle of big city life. The wealth of arts within this small town is astounding. Local art galleries and shops offer an array of items to those wanting to enhance their collections. One visit here and you’ll understand why so many have chosen to make the area under the Wahatoya their home.
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To learn more about the area or to plan extra-curricular activities, check out these La Veta Websites:
La Veta Cuchara Chamber of Commerce – www.lavetacucharachamber.com
Of particular interests are the Great Dikes of the Spanish Peaks . These dikes, or walls, are the world’s best examples of natural dike walls. They stretch like spider legs reaching out from the West Spanish Peak . The same volcanic upheaval that created the mountains, created long cracks in the earth that filled with molten rock. In time, the earth eroded around these as well, leaving these walls that tower over 100 feet and crawl across the landscape for miles. These are reminiscent of the Great Wall of China – only they are not man made. La Veta flourished due to successful ranching and nearby mining operations. The historic Denver Rio Grand Railroad, once boasted the highest narrow gauge railroad in the world as it topped La Veta pass. Don’t come with expectations of anything that is posh and swanky. Rather, expect to travel back to the bygone days when soda bar and the neighborhood bakery are the local meeting places. La Veta boasts only two paved streets – and we like it that way. The locals are down to earth and very friendly. More recently, La Veta has attracted artists, musicians, authors, and others who are tired of the hustle and bustle of big city life. The wealth of arts within this small town is astounding. Local art galleries and shops offer an array of items to those wanting to enhance their collections. One visit here and you’ll understand why so many have chosen to make the area under the Wahatoya their home.
To learn more about the area or to plan extra-curricular activities, check out these La Veta Websites:
La Veta Cuchara Chamber of Commerce – www.lavetacucharachamber.com
To learn more about the area or to plan extra-curricular activities, check out these La Veta Websites:
La Veta Cuchara Chamber of Commerce – www.lavetacucharachamber.com
Supply Lists
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Please note that we have a few supplies and hand-dyed fabrics. In addition, we generally have Ricky Tims Stable Stuff (stabilizer), Steam a Seam2 (fusible web), glue sticks, miter tools, an assortment of Superior Threads (Masterpiece, Bottom Line, Fantastico, and Razzle Dazzle.)
A large plain flannel (or batting) for a design wall. We will provide foam core (4’ x 6’), as a sturdy wall for flannel wall/pinning. Since each student will be pursuing different ideas, the most difficult aspect of this supply list is directing you as to what kind and how many fabrics to bring. Hopefully you have an idea of what you might like to pursue. Bring fabrics that will be appropriate for that idea. Then bring additional fabrics in case a new source of inspiration finds you altering your plans. If you don't have an idea, just bring a variety of fabrics that you like and Ricky will guide you through a project that is suitable for those fabrics. In the case of the Improvisational Retreat, there is no idea at all at the start - so just bring plenty of fabric. As far as yardage is concerned, you will have to decide that as well. It is important to bring more than you think you will need. If you are attending a Rhapsody retreat, large yardage (2 yard pieces for borders etc) will be helpful. For Independent Study and Improv retreats, 1/2 yard to 1 yard pieces are helpful as well as fat quarters. It is impossible to tell you exactly how much or what to bring, but it you don't bring it, you won't have it. Include in your stash all types of fabrics - solids, prints, bold prints, batiks, stripes, plaids, black and whites, etc. If you are flying, you may choose to mail fabric in advance so you will not have to cart it with you. Our hand-dyed fabrics and Ricky's Red Rooster commercial fabrics will be available for purchase.
Send supplies to: VIA UPS: Your Name
VIA USPS: Your Name
719-742-3755
Plexi-glass sewing table extensions are strongly advisable, but please take care in packing this item. A journaling notebook. We provide large rotary cutting mats and a 6" x 24" cutting ruler. Any additional rulers you prefer should be brought with you. Extra Rotary cutter blades - don't get frustrated with nicked blades! A fusable web of your choice (we generally have Steam a Seam II for purchase) Freezer paper - it is my choice for full-size drawn designs. Various threads - neutral gray for most piecing, decorative threads for quilting or embroidery Camera Paper, cloth, or plastic bag for trimmings . We provide each table with a waste bin. Various rulers for cutting - squares too. Basting spray - if desired Cotton batting - if you hope to get to the quilting stage of your project. Sketch pad, pencil, pen, colored markers, pencils, fabric markers. Sharpeners. Erasers. Graph paper (optional) Masking tape or "painter's tape", and transparent tape. Pins Ott-light - or other table light if you think you will need additional personal lighting. A couple of irons will be provided with large ironing surfaces for perfect pressing. They have been sufficient for our small group during past retreats. Bring any other helpful item you may need or prefer. You will be creating a "studio" for the week. Have things around you that are useful and comfortable.
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