2011-Quilt Finishes

 I decided to go through my pictures and count up all of the quilts that I have finished this past year.

I came up with 32.  That doesn't count the donated quilt tops that I have finished off--which I would guess is another 15 or more (?).  I remember making each of these quilts and it is my prayer that they are all doing their job of comforting and bringing HOPE to the child/adult it belongs to now. Yes, with three exceptions (the large pinwheel quilt I kept, the Dr. Seuss and handprint ones were donated to a school auction) all of these quilts have been given to someone on behalf of Margaret's Hope Chest.  Each has a story behind and ahead of it and for that I am thankful.  After almost 6 years (I can't believe that!) of serving hurting and sometimes hopeless people I KNOW that each quilt is going to the person that God has chosen.

I know my personal quilting will be slower in 2012 because of family commitments but I trust that the collective work of Margaret's Hope Chest will fulfill the desires of God's heart.

Blessings on your new year!

Merry Christmas To All The Friends of Margaret's Hope Chest

Emergency Christmas Request

 *****QUILT FOUND FOR AIDAN-THANKS!!*****

It's the time of year when we have a chance to give something meaningful to others: our time, our love, a gift.  We have a mother who contacted us today and she would like her two children to have a special gift from their imprisoned father for Christmas--money is tight for her and a friend told her about Margaret's Hope Chest--and the gifts that we give children like hers. We have a quilt for her daughter ready to go but we are looking for a quilt for her son AIDAN who is 8 YEARS OLD and loves ARMY MEN and anything BOY.  Do you have a quilt that is already made that might be given to this precious child?  Army themed would be great but I think anything boy happy would be fine.  Please e-mail me if you have a quilt that you would be willing to ship out asap.  Thanks!!!

My Very Own Quilt Shop

My kids were very into Lego last week.  After school was done each afternoon they would flood into the boy's room and building, chatting, giggling, and a little bit of bickering would begin.

On Wednesday my older son Isaac found me in the kitchen and asked me what he could build for me.

 I pondered his question for a moment and then I answered with a grin

"I have always wanted my very own quilt shop."

His eyes lit up and he ran off and spent every available moment of the next 2 days creating a huge surprise that I wasn't allowed to look at.

On Friday I was eagerly called to the Lego workshop for the unveiling of

My Very Own Quilt Shop

Here it is!

'Plans to Give you HOPE and a Future'

" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremian 29:11


Wow, it has been some time since I have shared what is going on in the world of Margaret's Hope Chest. God has a plan for our future service to people who need HOPE--it is always humbling (and exciting) to sit back and watch our coming year of service fall into place. 

Our 'Wrapped in Hope' list is looking great! I just added 4 more children--it changes every day.  Thanks to those quilters who have signed up to make a special quilt for one of these children.  Again, we invite anyone reading this blog to sign up--there is no membership here, we don't require certain skills or fabrics, we are looking for people who want to serve others (in this case, children with a parent in prison) through the work of their hands-that's it.

We are fundraising this month. Yipee! (that is me trying to make you believe that I love asking people for money-which of course, I don't)  Thankfully, we are a small operation and most of our 'donations' come in the form of quilters who use their own fabric and materials to make the quilts.  But we do need to keep a small budget for shipping quilts, rolls of batting, travel costs to prison giveaways, and creating promotional materials. 

Enter 25 days of Giving--something I have created this year for fundraising.  We have been asking friends, family and supporters of MHC to choose a day in December to donate any amount of money to support the work we will do in 2012.  There are 7 days left with no sponsor and so as a last step, I came to this blog last to see if there are a few people who would be interested in taking a day to support us financially.  Of course, I know that if you are reading here you believe that what we are doing is important--and if you already volunteer quilt for us--you really believe that a handmade quilt can bring HOPE  to someone who is hurting so please don't feel obligated.  I live my life (at the fundraising part of it) under the adage; "The worst they can say is no" and it is working pretty good for me so far!
 I do want to share one exciting donation that we received last weekend.  My mom's church held a 'Tour of Tables' event (which I won't describe here but you can Google it) on Saturday and there was a collection for Margaret's Hope Chest. My mom spoke briefly about what we have been doing recently and she must have made an impact because these women donated over $1000!!!!  Wow! A huge thank you to them.

And two more things--looking ahead to next year--we have agreed to collect 25 quilts for the Home of Victory in Honduras.  This is a private orphanage that cares for BOYS who are ages 4-14.  So we are looking for BOY QUILTS to send to them--there is no firm time frame right now but I would like to shoot for April.
Also, we will be collecting BABY QUILTS for a program in Haiti.  Mothers who are attending prenatal classes at the Heartline Maternity Center will get to pick out a quilt for their unborn child.  These quilts are an incentive for these moms to attend each class--and get educated about proper nutrition (for themselves and their unborn child) and newborn care. Also, no set timeline but I would like to send a group as soon as we have about 20-25.
So....if you have time to make one or more quilts we have people to share them with!

Well, I should go and teach my kids a few things since the stomach flu put us a few days behind!