Labels

I have had two comments from people who don't see their quilt amongst the 436 we posted in the Picasa album--there was some confusion last week at "quilt central" (aka my mom's house) whether or not there was a bag of quilts being labeled by a volunteer and therefore would not be photographed by myself (remember that I live 6 hours from quilt central). These two comments from loving quilt-makers confirm in my mind that indeed, there was a bag of quilts that were not photographed. I apologize for this--managing 500 quilts is a huge job and we have learned a few lessons from this project in organization :). If you are worried about whether we received your quilt, please send me an email or leave a comment with your name and a brief description of your quilt. We will confirm with you the status of your quilt. I have faith that they have all arrived but there is a possibility that one or two were misplaced :(

Speaking of labels.....did you know that each quilt will be labeled before it is given to a homeless child? Sounds like a lot of work doesn't it? Not when you have help!

 

A big thank-you to a special group of family and friends who, over the past several weeks, have been hand-sewing labels on more than 300 quilts - Aunt Bea, Jan, Connie, Hermie, Jean, Sue, June, Helen, Ruth, Nancy, and Aunt Ruth. We couldn't have done it without them!

Hope Squared Quilt Gallery

Do you have a few extra minutes today? Click HERE to view the quilts we received for the HOPE SQUARED project. While you are there please add a comment or two and encourage the women who sent us these amazing creations! If you sent a finished quilt to us and you see it (which everyone should) please add your first name and where you are from under the picture!
If you sent us a top--we are still finishing those and they are not included in this web album. Once again, blessings to those who shared their time and talents with the children of the Grand Rapids Public Schools!!

My Cat

Frequently, as I browse other quilters blogs, I run across photos of their cats. It seems cats have a fondness for quilts-especially when the quilter is trying to take a picture. Well, I have my own cat. His name is Josiah and he is jealous of my affection towards quilts. This weekend, I was trying to photograph 500 quilts as quickly as possible and he was right there in the middle. Finally, I decided to postpone my picture-taking until the "cat" was napping!

 

A Few of My Favorites

 
 
 
 

It's In the Details

I just got back from spending 6 glorious days with 500 of the most beautiful quilts I have ever seen! I photographed each one of them and can't wait to share them with you. They are UNBELIEVEABLE. Really.
Just look at some of these details...

 
 
 
 

Such care was taken on so many of the quilts. Details like this say to a child "You are special" and "You deserve my time and attention". I love it when strangers affirm a child's worth-that brings HOPE.

I have so much more to share so please come back everyday this week for more neat DETAILS!!

Thanksgiving

I would remiss if I didn't stop for a few minutes this Thanksgiving and thank God for all of the wonderful quilters who made the HOPE SQUARED project a success. Our quilt count will hit 500 this weekend as the few "late entries" arrive!
I am so thankful that my mom and I are up to our eyeballs (literally) in quilts.
I am thankful that we are able to GIVE to others.
I am thankful for each person reading this blog.
I am thankful for each person who made a quilt and sent it to us over the last 2 months.
I am thankful that good has triumphed over evil.

Look What I Got Done Today!

 
Did you know that you can machine sew your bindings down and still have the same crisp look of a hand sewn binding?
I finished FOUR quilt bindings in about 2 hours today and it's all thanks to Red Pepper Quilt's lovely binding tutorial that was posted today. This tutorial shares how to eliminate the final time-sucking step of hand sewing the binding down. I needed this tutorial like a car needs gasoline--I have about 13 more quilts to finish in about, oh, 3 days. Anything that can save me dozens of hours in a lifesaver! Check it out!