Where to Begin?

Two months ago, when I left for my summer vacation I never thought it would be this hard to be away from the blog. I missed showing off quilts and telling the stories of HOPE and comfort that our quilts can bring....I have missed some opportunities to spread the word about Margaret's Hope Chest and our mission....but, I am back now and I have so much to tell I hardly know where to begin.
Well, I will begin with sharing a picture of just a FRACTION of the fabric that we received from a generous donor! We have already started using it in our quilts....AMAZING generosity--thank you!




I was able to finish off some tops that I made this spring. I forgot to bring my free motion foot with me and so I was able to perfect the straight-line quilting technique :)



Maybe some returning readers remember me asking for help finding little custom made labels....well, though the help of one of you, I found a Joan on Etsy who made just what I was looking for. When she read our website and blog, she donated 200 labels to Margaret's Hope Chest!!! Wow, that was a surprise blessing. Thanks Joan!!! If you would like your own custom labels, visit BitsyCreations on Etsy. I used the first 30 labels to customize these pin cushions--how fun!

It's Times Like This I Miss My Computer

Hello again friends! I am at my local library here in Michigan using the free internet service. I miss my home computer right now because I really want to tell you about our fantastic summer work party this past weekend. I want to show you pictures of the fun we had and the quilt tops we created. I am excited to tell you how wonderful it was to meet Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts. But alas, I only have 9 computer minutes left here and that is not nearly enough time to tell my tales. I did want to thank all 22 ladies who spent a beautiful summer weekend quilting with us. Can't wait to be at my home computer in a couple of weeks. Please come back around August 20 and check it out!

We Interupt The Vacation For Some Late-Breaking News

I just wanted to break into my vacation from the blog to share some ultra cool news with you. Last fall we were featured as the project for Craft Hope, we were totally overwhelmed by support and QUILTS for the homeless students of the Grand Rapids Public Schools. When Jade Sims (who runs Craft Hope) mentioned that we would also be included in her book that was coming out in August of 2010 we were excited but more focused on the task at hand. August of 2010 seemed awfully far away. Well, today I marched into my local Barnes and Noble bookstore and snatched up all 3 copies of the book!! Actually, as I approached the 'Craft' shelf and spotted the book I said aloud "YES!" and then I squealed and then I said "I will take all three copies, thank you very much" and then I hugged them and spun around in the aisle and THEN I noticed the man sitting in the chair 5 feet from me. He had witnessed my entire show and he had a little smirk on his face. Didn't bother me one bit--Margaret's Hope Chest is featured in a book that will hopefully make it's home in thousands of crafters around the world--amazing. Check it out--it is a beautiful book FULL of projects that benefit organizations much like Margaret's Hope Chest.

GONE....temporarily

Dear Readers,
I am away from my home computer which houses my pictures and everything else blog related and so you can take a break from coming here to read :) because there will not be any new contact until late August. Until then, my family and I will be swimming and playing, catching up with friends and family, and enjoying our beautiful home state of MICHIGAN!
Blessings,
Carin

I Reached My Goal!!

Quilt # 10



Quilt #11

Quilt #12

It's June 22 and I have reached my June goal of only making boy themed quilts! I believe I said I would try to make 15 and I am really close to that number. Unfortunately, I have to use the rest of June to pack up my family of 6 for a two month summer vacation in Michigan. Yikes!
So, it is time to pack away the boy fabric and get out the suitcases and bathing suits. Summer, here we come!

Quilt #13

Quilt #14

Spring Quilt Giving Update

Here is #9 Boy-themed quilt top for the month of June. I had lots of 2.5X5 inch pieces left from the other quilts so this is a 'Sport's Lover's' quilt--for the boy who can't pick just one favorite :)!


Seeing as it is the first day of summer today (cue Hallelujah Chorus) I thought I should take a few lines here and give a record of who our quilts have been given to over the past few months.

2 quilts were given to a family in the Chicagoland area who lost their home in a fire.
2 quilts were given to a family in Grand Rapids MI who lost their home in a house explosion.
2 quilts were given during the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day contest.
4 little boys in Mississippi got new quilts to call their own. Their family was really struggling to give something extra to their children--we were happy to share with them. We surprised the parents of this family with a quilt of their own as well.
1 quilt went to a wonderful lady in Grand Rapids MI who has cancer.
1 quilt went to a little boy who had heart surgery on June 18 in Ann Arbor Michigan.
1 quilt went to a mother of 2 young children who has had a recurrence of Hodgkins Lymphoma.
1 quilt went a lady in Georgia whose husband is serving a life sentence in prison--her husband wrote us and asked us to send her a special gift of HOPE.
13 quilts were given to children enrolled in our 'Wrapped in Hope' program who celebrated a birthday in the month of June.

We consider it a great privilege to share quilts and HOPE with each of these people. We love what we do here at MHC and thank God everyday for the energy, passion and resourses we need to spread HOPE in this way.

Block Swap 2 Finish

I joined a great group of ladies this year in a block swap. I was the March block and I chose man friendly pattern and fabric--because as you know by now--we NEVER have enough man quilts to give. I chose to use 'Oh Frannson!'s Map of the States block for two reasons; 1) as covered in a previous post, I LOVE Oh Fransson! and not so secretly want to be her and 2)this block is a bit labor intensive and the time commitment would be best if shared among 12 ladies. I think it turned out great and I can't wait to hear about a deserving man somewhere in the United States who could use some extra HOPE and comfort--anyone know of someone??