Recent Sewing

Thanks for all of the comments on the last post.  I feel a little bad about airing my dirty laundry on the blog--if you read here often you know that I try to keep things positive but this time I was having a pity party and I wanted some company blogged out of character.  I am back in character now and we are moving on....

So, here is what I have been up to lately.

In December I received the most amazing box of fabric from a very generous lady.  I used some of the scraps in the box to start this top.  I ran out of the grey Kona so until I can restock on that--it will stay this size.  I hope to add a few more rows to the width.

Although I prefer to use free patterns from the Internet--I do occasionally buy a quilt book.  In November I bought Cherry House's 'City Quilts' and I love every quilt in that book.

I tried out the City Sweets pattern on this 'Wrapped in Hope' quilt for a little girl named Naimbi.

She loves blue so I went with that and added the flower print to make it a little more girly.

Hope she likes it!

And this is what happens to quilts in my house.....

they become a playing surface for Josiah. 

I made this quilt in record time right before Christmas.  I had a special delivery to make on Christmas day to a woman named Connie.  I heard about Connie on the radio station I listen to. Connie has lived a very hard life--she has been abandoned by her family and is now living with a young family in the Grand Rapids area.  She has many health problems and she doesn't have health insurance (has been an illegal immigrant since she was 13).  The woman she lives with asked people in the community to help her give some Christmas presents to Connie.  As soon as I heard that Connie was blind I knew I wanted to make a quilt that was both beautiful to look at and beautiful to feel.  

I found fabrics that had different textures; voile, minky, and soft corduroy.

Together they made a wonderfully soft and warm quilt for Connie.

 And then on Christmas day my sister and I drove out to hand deliver it to Connie.  I tried to pull together a few Spanish words and tell Connie about the quilt-I failed miserably.  But she loved it spite of my terrible Spanish and immediately told us she would take it to her twice weekly trip to dialysis.
I hope that this quilt has and will bring HOPE and a measure of comfort to Connie's life.

And finally, I pieced this pink top together yesterday--I just love all of these prints.

Rejection

I received a little ironic rejection yesterday. I had requested to join a quilting bee Flickr group called 'do. Good Stitches--A Charity Quilting Bee'.  Based on what the description of the group said "Welcome! Let’s use our love for color, fabric and stitching to make quilts for children in need. This modern charity quilting bee requires members to be active on Flickr."  I thought that if there was an opening I would be an excellent match.  Evidently I was wrong.  This is the message I opened last night: 
"Your request to join do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} has been declined.

The group administrator gave the following reason:

I'm very sorry, but I don't feel that your quilting style , will fit in with the style of our bee. Wishing you the best! "

12 hours later I am cool with it but when I first read this I was sort of in a state of disbelief-feeling like I was back in High School again and I was being rejected for not being 'in' enough.  I don't want to sound too bitter and overdramatic here but I thought that the purpose of the group was to create quilts for kids in need--evidently there is a little more than that going on here.
So my friends, chin up--let's continue bringing HOPE and comfort to the people God leads to us--and rest assured--Margaret's Hope Chest will never decline a volunteer based on their 'quilting style'.  We love all of our volunteer's work!

A Gentle Reminder

Sometimes I wonder if what we are doing at MHC is really worth it.  

Sometimes I doubt that I am doing it the 'right' or 'best' way.  

Sometimes I am tired and think about quitting.

Sometimes I ask God to send me a sign to verify that this is HIS plan.

Well, I asked on Monday.

I got this e-mail today.

A gentle reminder to keep working hard.

Dear Margarets Hope Chest:  Your organization provided a quilt for my husband Rick, back in February 2009.  My husband had been diagnoised with Early On Set Alzheimers at the age of 53.  I can still see the smile on his face when he opened his package, a precious memory.  Shortly after I sent a thank you to you along with a picture of Rick and his quilt, the smile.....  Today, I've been going through things and low and behold, Rick's Quilt.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I'm sorry to inform you that I lost my husband, soul mate and best friend this past July 22, 2010.  Rick was only 56 years young. The joy in his eyes and smile upon his face after receiving your quilt will never be forgotten.  I'm sure as he looks down upon us all now, he remembers.  I'll never forget, the quilt will remain with me now as a precious memory of my husband and the wonderful thoughtful people in this world who give without question. Thank you again for your kindness and the happiness you brought to Rick and myself.  I hope 2011 will be a better year and I try and re-build my broken life.

WINNERS!!

Oh man.  

This giveaway was more than I expected.  96 comments--and almost each one of them followed the rules :) and 

gave us the name of a very deserving man who could use some HOPE and comfort.

It is hard for people like me to only pick one 'winner'.

I really wish we could pull an Oprah-type move and give a quilt to EVERYBODY. But 

that is not a choice.....

So that is why I called my mom (the keeper of the quilts) today and asked her how many man

quilts we have in our reserves.

Her answer was 4.

So we will be giving all 4 of those away--knowing that God will replace them soon.

Here are the 4 winners:

1. Shana said...

I would love to win this quilt for my Daddy. He has Alzheimers and Dementia and while he is in the beginning stages it is progressing fairly quickly and he is only 63. It breaks my heart that he will eventually not know us and I think having something tangible to hold onto may help comfort him when he truly becomes lost. Man, I really didn't want to write what I just wrote. Sometimes writing things makes them more real I guess. Anyway, This is a lovely giveaway and what a wonderful way to do it.

2. Amy said...

I know a man who recently lost his daughter in a fatal car accident in which he was the driver. He has had a difficult time grieving and could really use something to lift his spirits. I'm sure this blanket would help.

 3. Bree said...

This is an amazingly thoughtful giveaway!
My grandfather is my nominee. He's recently been moved to a fulltime veteran's nursing home and seperated from my grandmother, who still lives in their home. He has alzheimer's, and it has gone from managable to just terrible in the last year. He rarely remembers his age or anyone around him, but the things he loves right now are quilts and stuffed animals. He's reverted to a stage where he is basically like a child again, and plays with his stuffed animals all the time at the home. An extra cuddly quilt for him would mean both something special to cuddle with, and a tent to play with his stuffed animals under. Thank you for the chance to win - I know, reading these comments - that any of these entries will be a loving home for your quilt!

4.  ♥Lola said...

I'd want my grandpa to have thiss beautiful quilt. He is 97 years old, and recently had to move over 2 hours from his home. He hasn't been adjusting well. But I think something as beautiful and cozy as this, would help him a lot!

Thanks to all who entered and brought these wonderful, struggling, sad, and loved men to our attention.  If you nominated a man who didn't win--could I encourage you (if you already haven't) to send them a little note or work of encouragement this Christmas season?  I know it isn't a quilt--but it might be what gets them through another day!

Breaking Your Hearts

***Sew Mama Sew Giveaway is one post below this!***

I am happy to report that I am getting what I wanted for Christmas--all of the children with a January birthday on the 'Wrapped in Hope' list have a volunteer quilter! One month down--eleven to go :)

If you are new to our site--please take a look around--and if you are a quilter with a big heart and a few extra hours this year please consider making a birthday quilt for a child who has one or both parents in prison.
I have heard some heartbreaking stories over the past year but I think this one tops the list--this child and his sister are on the birthday list for 2011 but I did change their names to protect their privacy:


    " Micah and Kristin are my sons step children. If at all possible for Kristin and Micah to recieve these quilts it would mean a great deal to both of them. Both kids have had a tough year. Micah's biological father shot both Micah and Micah's mother several times and then turned the gun on himself a year ago today. My son was keeping Kristin at the time so she was unharmed but like her brother traumatized by the ordeal. Both Kristin and Micah love and adore my son (step father) and miss him greatly as he was incarcerated shortly after the shooting.  Thank you!"


Touches of kindness like a quilt might be a significant thing in a child's life--we as the givers never know.  But we can trust that no child ended up on this list by mistake. I believe that God led each and every one of the 122 kids to us. Here is one more story behind a child that is on the list in 2011--her name has been changed too.


"Cara would like a quilt but not necessarily from her dad in prison whom she ahs had no contact with since he went away when she was 4 1/2 (she is now 13 1/2)  It would be great if the quilt was from the quilter and her friends at 'Camp Hope'.  Cara is currently in therapy for an eating disorder and part of what she needs to face is her father's abandonment--she could really use a quilt."


There are 9 kids still available in February--and many others over the following months.  
Visit our 'Wrapped in Hope' site and see if there is a child you can bring HOPE to next year!
E-mail me when you find one!

Sew Mama Sew December Giveaway!!!

This quilt is perfect for a guy and measures 44X58 inches.

Once again, Margaret's Hope Chest is joining Sew, Mama, Sew in her December Giveaway Day. In true MHC fashion we are putting our own little twist on it. Interested??? Read on....
Our mission at Margaret's Hope Chest is to give quilts to individuals and families who are experiencing seemingly hopeless situations. Do you know a man RIGHT NOW who could use a gift of HOPE? Cancer? Job loss? Sickness? Death? Loneliness? If you would like to "win" this quilt  please read these guidelines:
- Leave a comment with a brief explanation of the man you would like us to give the quilt to and why.
- Be prepared to provide me with a mailing address for this person--if you "win" this quilt it will be sent directly to the person you nominated.
-Drawing will close at 8pm on Friday, December 17.
-My kids will randomly pick one commenter using a highly scientific method (HINT: it involves little slips of paper and a hat).
- The winner will be posted here later that night and contacted through e-mail..
- Please leave an e-mail contact in your comment.
We can ship anywhere!

All I Want For Christmas

Look at this sweet little face!  This is Charlie and he received a quilt back in May from our 'Wrapped in Hope program.  His daddy is in prison which means he can't enjoy the hugs, wrestles and tickles that only daddy's can give.  His birthday quilt reminds him daily of his father's love until they can be together again.

How good would it feel for you if you could help a child feel his father or mother's love? 

We have 79 kids still waiting for a volunteer quilter for our 2011 'Wrapped in Hope' list!!

7 of of those kids have a birthday in January--January is not that far away.....

All I want for Christmas is all of the January kids to be paired with a quilter--because if you don't sign up, I will have to spend my entire vacation making all 7 quilts :) which wouldn't make my family very happy!  No seriously, I don't mind making the 7 quilts but it would be more fun if you were involved.
***update***I just added 2 more kids to the January list--Zachary and Kaylee--that makes 9 kids in Jan. who still need a quilter.  I have been praying that God would send quilters and instead he is sending more children for the list--he must know something I don't :)

Jump over to the 2011 list and have a look.  If January is too soon for you--pick a child later in the year! E-mail me if you can help make my Christmas wish come true!