Finish it Up Friday-Two Weeks in a Row!

 We haven't started homeschooling yet (waiting for our curriculum in the mail) so that means I am still on summer vacation--which means I am allowing myself each afternoon (and evening) to create yummy things!  I have wanted to make a fabric banner or pendant (not exactly sure what to call it)  for a long time and when we decided to give Pearl her own room I finally had my chance.  This would be a perfect project for scraps but I used some charm squares and yardage for the perfect combination of colors. 
 I love how it brightens her room and draws your eyes up for a change.

 Close up on one of the pieces--the coloring is wonky but you get the idea.  I decided to back each piece with a neutral color piece of fabric.  This added the weight and stability you need when hanging things from the ceiling. 

A second finish for the week was this quilt. I had finished the top in the spring but brought it back to Michigan to be quilted.  This week I finished attaching the binding by hand-a luxury I haven't afforded myself for quite some time.  I love the entire 'Kids at Play' fabric line so I particularily love this quilt.  I don't have a use for it right now but I am sure the perfect person will come around! 

I am linking up to Amanda Jean's Finish it Friday!  Who knows, maybe I will back again next week with more surprises!!

I'm Back--at Long Last!!

 Hello from Margaret's Hope Chest!!  My friends, we are back in business here!  Three months ago I left to take care of a very important adoption from China and although it was harder than I ever imagined it would be I have come up on the other side and I can once again tell you that with certainty that whatever doesn't kill you will indeed make you stronger.  And so, here is our family of seven!!

 Our daughter Pearl is a wonderful addition to our family and she is beautiful and smart and full of life!!!  She was also full of sadness and confusion for the first few months home but I can say that God is faithful to orphans and those who choose to give them a home and family and she is doing better every day.  I don't get out of bed without praying for patience and understanding because I need it!

 The rest of the family has adjusted well to her and she has more playmates than she wants most days!

 Believe it or not, I have been able to complete quite a few quilts this summer.  I did not start any new projects because I just did not have the brain power for that but finishing quilt tops takes very little brain power! 
 Earlier in the spring I had made a hundred or more 'plus' blocks.  There was enough to make 3 tops--2 lap-sized and one larger lap-sized.
I straight line quilted them because as I have mentioned before, my machine in Michigan is old and tired and can only muster enough energy to sew in one direction.

 Here's one finished--this one went to the postpartum program at Pine Rest.

 Here is the second: my mom will have to remind me where this one went.

 And here is the third and this I gave to a friend of mine who needs a little bit of quilty hope each day!  I love how God shows me each person to give these quilts to.  I was actually photographing this quilt at the camp that my kids attend in Michigan and I thought I should give this quilt to Kate.  I kid you not, I walk up to the parking lot and there is Kate and her kids.  I gave it to her right then and there.  I knew it was the right thing to do!


I LOVE this backing fabric--it reminds me of my daughter Anne and that feeling you only have as a child-endless summer days.



 Finally, I finished this quilt top which I made over a year ago.  I love the bright colors and the bold backing.  It also awaits someone who needs some HOPE for the future.

 So happy to be back writing about my quilting life and the work of Margaret's Hope Chest!

I am so happy to once again be able to link up to Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday post!!!