It's Cold in Chicago

Tonight finds Greg and I in Chicago.  I have two meetings scheduled here and yes, it is spitting snow and cold.  We had a chance to spend time with some great people this evening.  It is always a good experience for me to meet the people who are interested in learning more about MS and Gilenya.  The food was a yummy bonus.

Here's a few quilts we have been working on.

This quilt with greens, pinks and yellow is really fun.  It brings a touch of spring in the middle of a cold winter.

The yellow backing and Shannon's quilting finish this one.

Ambitious Judith pieced this charmer.  The prints in the "windowpanes" will make a fun quilt for any child to look at.

Karen add the purple backing and quilted this one beautifully.

Kathy sewed and quilted this charming mix of animal prints.

Someone donated a bunch of John Deere fabric.  We took it, added some four patches and came up with a quilt that a little boy will enjoy.

Sandy pieced a backing for this quilt that turned out delightful.  She used scraps and made them totally work.  Look closely at her quilting.  It is a new pattern she tried that ended up being just what the quilt needed.

This is a soft aqua  with pink and white.  It is a well-traveled quilt.  I took it with me to Washington, D.C. and sewed the binding on while I was visiting with my new grandson!

Shannon added fun dots and the quilting.

Deb pieced this bright Brown Bear fabric.  She took odds and ends and created a great quilt for kids to have fun with.

Shannon used one of her favorite fabrics for the backing.  Her quilting always adds the finishing touch.

A big thank you to all of the piecers and quilters that keep us going.  You are invaluable to me.  Because of you we are continuing to make a difference in the lives of those kids who have to spend time in the hospital and in the lives of their families.  For those who have asked how to help, we thank you as well.  Since we are self-funded we could not exist without the generosity of everyone involved.  See you next time with another round of great quilts.



Home Again

I am back home after spending ten days in Washington, D.C. with Joel and Cara and little Simon.  I enjoyed every minute with them.  It is now time for them to get on with being a family of three and time for me to get back to the quilts.  A big thank you to everyone who helped out in my absence.  You know who you are!

We are now into 2012.  We have finished a year and one half of  PIECES.  In 2010 we donated 75 quilts to the Lawrence Memorial Pediatric Unit.  Each child admitted received a quilt and no two quilts were alike.  2011 came and we reached our goal once again of each child receiving a unique quilt.  174 quilts were donated.  That makes a grand total of 249 quilts.  Quite impressive I would say!!!  We have already started on 2012 with our goal remaining the same--each child receiving a quilt to comfort them and to take home with them.  I feel confident with the ladies that are involved in this group we will have no trouble attaining that goal.  The best thing we could have happen is to have extra quilts that no one needs because that means fewer kids are sick.  Lets all hope for that!

We have quilts to catch up on!!

This bright quilt was made and quilted by Kathy.

The kids love the bright colors.

This Little Engine That Could quilt was made by Judith.



Karen added the fun backing and quilting.

Teresa pieced this quilt top with soft colors.  The pattern is actually one that Deb came up with for us and we have used it multiple times.

Shannon finished the quilt with the perfect backing and the perfect quilting.

Judith pieced this antique looking top.  Notice the blocks of people on each side.  Judith actually pieced those by hand.  Ambitious, isn't she!! 

Karen added the backing and quilting.

This great quilt uses a lot of scraps.  You know how I love using those scraps!!

Okay, okay.  You knew I couldn't end this without a picture of Simon, right?  Simon will probably be popping into the blog from time to time.  I just can't help myself!

Here this gorgeous baby is.  He's even laying on a bib that Grandma made for him to use!  Thanks for letting me share the quilts and Simon!

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas this year is a little unusual for us this year.  As with many families, our kids alternate holidays with their extended families.  This was the year both the boys and their wives would be with us for Christmas.  With Joel and Cara expecting their first baby in mid-January, traveling for Christmas was cancelled for them.  While we were disappointed at the thought of the six of us not being together, we knew we would be traveling sometime in January following the birth of their son.  Shortly after midnight on Monday December 19th, we received a call from Joel saying they had arrived at the hospital and the birth was not going to be far off.  We were extremely surprised of course.  Our January baby was suddenly going to be an early Christmas baby!  Simon Ross Welch was born not much more than an hour after they arrived at the hospital. 

This is Simon and his daddy Joel. 

Needless to say, Greg and I are extremely excited and anxious to see Simon in person.  What a wonderful Christmas present for all of us.

Simon weighed 6 pounds and 2 ounces and was 19 and one half inches long.  He and his momma are both very happy and healthy.

Thank you for letting me share our Christmas surprise with you.  We will get back to quilts soon.  Here's hoping your Christmas was peaceful and spent with those you love.



Michigan, Omaha, and Quilts (of course)

I thought maybe you would enjoy seeing beautiful Michigan in the winter!  The past two weeks have brought two trips to the suburbs of Detroit to share my story with fellow MS patients.  Both times we had rain and snow.  It was actually colder in Kansas at the time.  With all the things on the list to do before Christmas, it has been a very busy time.  I find I am choosing to cut back on all the decorating I do for Christmas.  I must admit I tend to overdo it.  Yes, there were a few years that I put up two trees.  I love the greenery, the tree, the lights, the wrapping paper...you get the idea.  At the moment, however, I am loving the time more.

This is a picture of my daughter-in-law Cara, myself and my mom, Minnie.  We traveled to Omaha, Nebraska for Cara's baby shower on Thanksgiving weekend.  Baby Boy Welch is due in mid-January and we can't wait!  I keep hearing that grandchildren are wonderful and I want to find out for myself!

Now we can look at the latest quilts!

This quilt is a good one because it can work for a boy or girl.  You may not be able to tell unless you scroll in on the picture but the alternating squares are actually white with flags on it.  Very patriotic!

The backing is a great stripe that adds to the "Americana" look.

This quilt started out as leftover blocks from a quilt that my sister and I made.  I gave her the leftovers and this is what she came up with.  It's a great example of making do with what you have.  Not all quilts have to be symmetrical.

The backing was a coordinating stripe that I just happened to have!

Continuing the theme of using what you have, Sandy found 3 orphan blocks in my stash.  The dog, the star and the nine patch were some blocks donated to us.  Sandy took them, added some fun touches and we ended up with an awesome quilt.  I love the black dot blocks with the red X's.  For some reason they remind me of Pixie Sticks.

Not only did Sandy come up with a fun quilt top, she pieced the backing with leftovers and quilted this for us.  It ended up being one of my favorites.

Judith pieced this "Little Engine That Could" quilt.  The layout is very striking with the center star.

Karen took the top, added some railroad themed backing and quilted it.

Karen spends most of her time quilting tops for us, but every once in awhile she will surprise us with a quilt that she has pieced and quilted.  This is a fun surprise from her.  I love the color combinations.

The backing showcases all kinds of animals.

This is a very bright quilt!!  The lime green print was bright but then we added purple sashing and an orange border.  I haven't checked but it is so bright it may glow in the dark!

Shannon used one of my favorite fabrics for the backing and added her special quilting.

This quilt started as a panel.  I gave it to Deb, she cut it apart and added sashing.  The crazy ladies with their cats will appeal to a teenager I think.

Sandy added a soft blue backing and quilted hearts on the quilt.

It won't be long until December is over and we are ready to begin a new year.  We still have a couple of weeks left.  We'll have more great quilts to see and we'll take a look at our numbers for 2011.  I think everyone will be surprised at what a few women--some obsessed, some crazy, and some just plain fun can do when they decide to.  I want to add that they are also very generous and kind hearted.  I think you can tell that.  We all have very busy lives but they find the extra time to give just a little more to help make this possible.



My Favorite Holiday

Everyone has a favorite holiday.  Mine is Thanksgiving.  Because I like turkey?  No.  Because it's the only time we have cranberries?  No.  Because I was born on Thanksgiving Day.  My dad always made a big deal out of it and I was the center of attention.   All of my dad's very large family was there.  I suppose they came for Thanksgiving, but secretly I thought they must have come for my birthday.  I still love Thanksgiving to this day and really wish they would not have Christmas lights and Christmas music until my birthday is over!

I wanted to share this gorgeous picture.  It is taken from the window of my hotel when I was recently in Tulsa.  I had time to take it quickly before catching the taxi to the quilt store!!

Is this too cute??  Shelly donated some sock monkey fabric.  Normally, I have to admit I am not a sock monkey fan but this quilt has won me over.

Shannon's red pin dot backing really shows off her quilting skills.

You may think you've seen this quilt before.  No, no.  It is similar, but not the same.  Judith took a panel and added side blocks.

Karen added a blue and yellow backing with a splash of pink.  Notice the quilting.  I love the swirls.

This little charmer was donated by someone in the local guild.

The farm scene with coordinating colors make a great quilt for our little ones.

Along with sock monkeys, churn dash blocks have not been at the top of my list.  They are now!!  Someone mailed us this top.  I had no idea churn dash blocks could be so fun.

One thing I really like about this quilt is the back.  Sandy took the top, added a neutral backing but threw in an "orphan block" to spice it up.  It totally gives it a different look.  What a fun way to use up those blocks!

I love these colors!  Janean pieced this for us.

Shannon added the vibrant turquoise backing.  This is a great girl or boy quilt!

Continuing the lime green theme....

Thanks to Teresa for piecing the top.  Shannon added basketball and her signature quilting.

Deb took stacks of blue fabric from our donated fabric and came up with this disappearing 9 patch.

Sandy used a bright cowboy fabric and quilted the circle swirls.  I am sure that is not the technical name for it!!

This gorgeous quilt is exciting.  First of all look at all the different fabrics the piecer used.  I do not know the name of the person who donated this, but she is a member of the local guild.  Look at the small inner border.  It makes the quilt pop!

The back of the quilt would please any dog lover.

Here's a closer look at the dogs and the quilting.

Today is a day to remember all we are thankful for.  I am thankful for all those who have chosen to help me in this mission I am on.  I hope each of you have had a good day. Be grateful for all the good things in your life but also be grateful for all the not so good things too.  It makes us who we are.  It gives us a chance to take a path we would not have chosen but may be the best path of all.