Project Columbine

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Imagineedles, Inc. (Belleville, IL) is participating in a nationwide effort by the embroidery industry to support Littleton, CO, particularly the students of Columbine High School, in the wake of the recent tragedy in that community. The project developed through casual conversation and internet contact between embroiderers and is being spearheaded by the Floriani United Network (FUN) in Tehachapi, CA, with assistance from the Denver offices of the Embroidery Trade Association (ETA) and Brother International.

A special "Project Columbine" logo has been created for this effort by an ad hoc team of volunteers. The design features three Mountains capped by "dove shaped" snow patches with sunlight streaming above. A Colorado "Blue Columbine" flower projects from the center.

Angie Volluz of imagineedles, inc provided concept, layout and pencil sketches for the "Project Columbine" logo. Detailed outline and colorization came from graphic artist Taft Gill. Embroidery artists Sherri Floriani of Floriani International and Terrea Eckel made further refinements and assisted in mapping the design for stitching. Kelly Thomas, also of Floriani International digitized the design.

Numerous industry suppliers have donated apparel and caps to this effort. Embroiderers from all over the US and Canada have pledged support by offering to embroider donated items at no charge. The embroidered items will be collected by Brother International in Denver, CO where they will be sorted by the ETA and several Denver area volunteer embroiderers. They will then be delivered to the Columbine High students for distribution and possible use in a fund raiser to replenish the ruined library materials. The distribution and any fund raising effort will be coordinated through designated channels in the Jefferson County School District in Littleton.

Imagineedles, Inc. has won 5 industry awards since 1995 for their embroidery digitizing and production, as well as several awards for graphic design. Imagineedles produces embroidered sportswear for local schools, clubs and civic organizations and provides quality digitizing services to embroiderers world-wide.

Embroiderers who want to participate may download the 10,250 stitch 9-color design free of charge from Floriani International. Color sequence is listed there as well as the industry press release containing the address for the collection center and other pertinent information.