Annette Thomason reports that her Tree of Life quilt was one of the quilts stolen on October 28, 2016 in Houston, Texas. It was in a trailer that had traveled from Indiana to the Houston International Quilt Festival. It was going to be delivered to her by longarm quilter, Jaime Wallen.

The queen-size quilt was made by Doris Reynolds and quilted by Jaime Wallen. It has a black background and multicolor leaves. It was started five years ago using fabric purchased at the 2010 Houston Quilt Festival.

Annette writes, “This quilt was specifically made for me by my mother. It represented different periods of my life. The fabric used for the tree trunks, each one was different. Some looked angry, lots of turmoil, desperate, when my son was diagnosed with cancer and it was a difficult and stressful time in my life, when my father died, sad and lonely, but also grateful he no longer had to suffer. When my daughter had heart issues, frightening and afraid, when my first grandchild was born, excited and happy, financial issues, when my husband got laid off, all the things that life has to offer - trials and tribulations.”

She continues, “This quilt is so very special and important to me and I am desperate to get it back, along with other people’s personal possessions and all of Jaime’s teaching tools that help so many quilters with their crafts.” If you have any information that can help with the recovery of this quilt or any of the other stolen items, please contact Annette at a3dtot@hotmail.com.