This Little Piggy

 Isn't this fabric line cute?  I found it on sale at Fabric.com and it made a very easy de-stressor project yesterday. The line is by Kate Honarvar for Timeless Treasures Fabrics. I haven't quite finished it yet-binding is attached but not sew down yet.  I will leave that for Thursday when I get to take a plane ride all by myself :)

The Pile is Growing Again!

With the final 'Wrapped in Hope' prison giveaway less than two weeks away, our pile of donated quilts is growing daily!!  I had a chance to visit the quilts this weekend--and take a few pictures of course!

In the last two days, we have received several more packages--once again, we are amazed and excited to have the support from quilters around the country! 

**UPDATE** I just finished my daily phone call with my mom :) and I wanted to tell you that over the past 2 days we have received 66 quilts!!!! 18 by mail and 48 from various members of the West Michigan Quilters Guild.  WOW!  Thank-you so much everyone!!  

A surprise donation from a friend from church here in Toronto.

My mom and I are happiest when surrounded by a pile of kid-themed quilts!

  

Forgiveness

Margaret's Hope Chest exists today because forgiveness was chosen.  We have forgiven the two women who were responsible for my grandma's death.  We exist today so we can bring HOPE and forgiveness to families and children who need to forgive.  Some have, some haven't.  Some want to, some don't. Some don't know how.  It is our prayer that the quilts we send to children who have a parent in prison will help them to forgive and that through Margaret's death we will show others how to forgive-- and how beautiful it can be.  
PLEASE watch this video (and grab a tissue) and then consider looking over the 'Wrapped in Hope' birthday list for a child that you can help lead down the road of forgiveness.

I've Been Busy This Week

 I have been busy playing with girly fabrics this week.  What fun! This pink quilt is for a little princess named Hydie who will turn 3 in December. She is part of the 'Wrapped in Hope' birthday program. 

This top needed to be finished this week.  It had been sitting around and originally I thought it would be sent to volunteer longarm quilter but I decided to do a bit of hand stitching to make all of that white a little more interesting.  There was a day long ago when I only hand quilted--but time is of the essence these days--so I try to sneak it in here and there.

 I made another top of pink squares--this time I added some girly I Spy squares that I have collected from a few swaps.  By the way, if you are interested in fabric swap--I Spy or charm pack etc.  Katie is going to start a new swap and is looking for joiners--as for me--I'm in.

This is what you get when you have 3 or 4 jelly rolls of different designs in one giant bin.  

I just started sewing the strips together--4 hours later-boom! 

Now I will take a break from sewing (gasp!) and travel to my alma mater--Calvin College for a choir reunion of epic proportion!  Yeah, did I ever mention I have other hobbies--singing is one of them :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

DESPERATELY NEED HOCKEY/BLUE THEMED QUILT FOR BOY WITH 11/18 BIRTHDAY

**UPDATE** A quilting angel from Iowa just called me and she has a hockey quilt for John!!! Thank you!! I had a few others offers for other quilts that weren't hockey themed--thanks to those ladies too!  I love the team spirit behind what we do!
Hi Friends!  I am in desperate need of a quilt with a hockey or blue theme for a young man on our 'Wrapped in Hope' list. This boy is named John and his mom and dad are in prison :( He will be turning 12 this week. His original quilter is not able to make it.  We need a quilt ready to go.  MHC will be more than willing to reimburse for postage---if you have a quilt that you could donate--please, please, e-mail me and I will forward you his mailing address.

Because We Aren't the Only Ones Helping Others

I wanted to share a few things with you this morning

Because we aren't the only one helping others

Margaret's Hope Chest is one of two charities highlighted this week on Bernina's 'We All Sew' site.

Bernina has gathered a rather extensive list of charities and organizations who rely on volunteer sewers to serve others.  

Also,

Starting today, a few lovely quilting gals are beginning a one month quilt drive.  Margaret's Hope Chest is one of the suggested charities for quilt donations but there are others too.

If you donate a quilt to MHC you can enter to win prizes over there....did you hear that??

IF YOU DONATE A QUILT TO MARGARET'S HOPE CHEST over the next 30 days you can win prizes as a part of the 100 Quilts For Christmas.

How cool is that??? Head on over there are check it out!!

Let's help them reach their goal

Why We Do What We Do

From my church liturgy today:
"God, sometimes it is hard to love.
Where there is hatred, give us love.
God, sometimes it is hard to forgive.
Where there is injury, give us pardon.
God, sometimes it is hard to believe.
Where there is doubt, give us faith.
God, sometimes we are overwhelmed by grief.
Where there is despair, let there be HOPE.
God, sometimes the world seems so dark.
Where there is darkness, let there be light.
God, sometimes we forget who we are.
Where there is death, let there be life."

We come to you Lord.
Teach us to love.
We turn to you Lord
for HOPE in a broken world.

Seeing Double and Other Odd and Ends

I'm glad you were wondering what I have been doing this week because I really wanted to show someone these matching farm-themed tops.  I have decided to make two of every top again--if I have enough fabric of course.  I guess I figure if I am going to go through all the work of finding the fabric and cutting it out--I might as well make two!  I used Cluck Cluck Sew's Road Trip Quilt pattern--a very easy pattern to cut and sew and guess what ladies, it has no matching seams--perfect for when you are having one of those days where perfectly aligned seams are the least of your worries!

 Yes, that is my back yard.  And yes, I left the toys there on purpose because  I am too lazy to move them  I thought they would add to the playfulness of the quilts.  And yes, I did crop out the broken plastic patio table and chairs that I am also too lazy to throw out my kids use for all kinds of imaginary play. You're welcome.

And after what seems like FOREVER I have finally allowed myself to play with pink fabric again.  

In May of this year I put myself of a special boy-only quilt diet. There are a few examples of my boy-themed work Here, Here, Here, Here.  Six months later I still feel a bit icky about making girl quilts--and my eyes are now drawn to the sport prints on equilter.com.  I wonder if I have poisoned my quilting life forever.......

On a completely different note, many people have generously offered to send quilts for our prison giveaway coming up on Dec. 4.  This is a friendly reminder that if you were planning on sending us something-you should probably be doing it within the next week or so. 

One more item I should mention--I am adding 25 more kids to the 'Wrapped in Hope' list tonight! 

Please take a look at the available children and e-mail me if you are interested in quilting for one!

Polka Dot Obsession Part Two

224 HST(half-square triangle) blocks made of assorted polka dot fabrics

 I made this quilt top while trying to participate in Goddess in Progress's HST sew along.  

I was supposed to only do 8 HST's a day--I averaged around 75 a day.  I have problems controlling my rate of sewing!  While others in the group are still sewing HST's together in group of 8's--I have finished the top and am moving on to other projects.  I am feeling guilty--sort-of :)

60 left over polka dots squares paired with various solids

This quilt top was designed by a group of 3rd graders at my kids school last week.  I did a similar project  last year.  This year, to make the project easier for me, the squares are 5 inches instead of 2 inches.

I will show the quilt top to the kids tomorrow--they will be excited to see it!

My Blogger's Quilt Festival Entry

 This is my entry for the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I just finished off this quilt yesterday and it will be on it's way to a new home this weekend.  A bit of history behind this quilt.  Last year, I taught a quilting class at my daughter's school during the month of February.  These blocks were designed by students ages 8-12.  They chose the fabric and did the initial sewing--our foundations were used fabric softener sheets.  I just love how BRIGHT this quilt is!  
Now, this quilt will be going to Hayleigh from Colorado.  Her daddy is in prison and she is receiving this quilt as a birthday present from him via Margaret's Hope Chest.  MHC runs a program called 'Wrapped in Hope' that serves children of incarcerated parents.  This year over 300 quilts will bring HOPE and comfort to children just like Hayleigh.  We just released our 2011 list of available children and we are looking for quilters of all skill levels to join us in this project.  Hop over to our other blog and check it out!

 I did an overall meander stitch for the quilting.

The pieced backing is equally as bright!