Days of Giving

I recently read a book called "29 Gifts".  It is a true story of a woman who was diagnosed with MS one month after her wedding.  She understandably had  difficulty adjusting to her new life and the struggles she has with MS.  A spiritual mentor recommended she give 29 gifts in 29 days.  It could be something simple such a giving a kleenex to a stranger, giving a homeless person some change, or calling a friend who was having a bad day.  She has since doing that started a worldwide effort to do the same thing.  It is a great concept and an interesting book.  After giving it some thought, I realized we have been doing the same thing, only in a different fashion.  Our "gifts" go to the hospital and although some people after 29 days start the project all over again, we have without fail continued our project for 525 days now.

My sister and I have started a new project for ourselves.  We always try to throw in some personal sewing between sewing the quilts for the hospital and sewing shop models for a quilt store.  I had been looking at some block of the month programs when I had the thought, "Why not do our own?"  I have the book "Civil War Love Letter Quilt."  It is a collection of traditional quilt blocks with each one having am authentic letter from a soldier to his family during the Civil War.  Our original intent was to sew two blocks a month.  Well, after getting started, that idea went out the window!  The blocks are quick and so much fun to make that we are now just sandwiching them in whenever we have time.  The first decision was to choose fabrics.  Susan chose to do hers in batiks.  I chose Fig Tree fabrics.  I thought it might be fun to share these with you as we go along.

This first block we did is called "Enthusiasm"

Here is Susan's version in the batiks.

Here is mine in the Fig Tree fabrics.

Aren't those fun?  I'll post future blocks.  It is going to be a lot of fun to see the blocks and what we come up with.  Each block takes little fabric and it may be a chance for us to use our scraps!  And as an added bonus, you get to see the corners of our dining room tables!!

Here's a quick look at some of our new quilts.

Deb pieced this blue and white Disappearing 9-patch.  Simple, basic, and great for a boy.

Sandy used a colorful cowboy print for the backing when she quilted it.

Janean pieced this beauty from leftovers from another quilt she had made. I think it is so pretty--the simplicity adds to it.

Sandy added the backing that matched and quilted beautiful yellow flowers and vines.  Hopefully, you can enlarge the pictures to see this quilting.

Judith took some cute cat fabric, fussy cut it to single out those cool cats and came up with this fun quilt.

Here's a closer look at those cats.

Karen used Olivia for the backing when she quilted this for us.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at the quilts, the blocks and finding out about our amazing 525 days of giving.

Fall Is Here

Fall has arrived in Kansas!!!  It was in the 20's this morning.  Snuggling with a quilt is not just a nice thought but a necessity now.  That being said, let's look at some of our latest.

This quilt was made with a few star blocks and some leftovers from other quilts.  A good use of odds and ends made a nice quilt for a girl.

This is a gorgeous fabric for the backing and beautiful quilting.

This quilt is originally a panel that just didn't quite work.  I gave it to Deb, she cut it up and came up with a quilt that works!

The backing carries out the school theme.  I like the quilting on this one too.  It is simple but very striking.

This is a new idea that Deb put together.  She has a baby looney tunes character in the middle of each block.

Around the center character she has pieced the block much like a crazy quilt block would be done.

A dog-themed backing is one any child will like.

Judith put together winter-themed blocks and sashed them.  Perfect for when the snow and wind are blowing!

The blue with gold stars for the backing really makes it sparkle.

This quilt came to us through the local quilt guild.  I don't know who made it, but it is made with soft flannels and chenille thrown in.  It is a quilt you just want to crawl under because it is so soft.

The backing is a darling pink flannel.  A big thank you to whoever made it and donated it to us.  We love this one!

Greg and I spent a couple days in New Jersey last week.  We had a wonderful time and were able to see some good friends.  As nice as that is, it is always comforting to get back home.  My goofy cat and quilt room are always calling my name.  I hope your day contains a piece of joy--whatever that may be for you.

Pushing Buttons

There are lots of ways to design a blog.  There are colors to chose, layouts to decide, things to add.  Those of you who know me, know that I like to try new things.  This morning (when I should be doing other things), I decide to take time to blog.  Rather than simply adding a new post, I started pushing buttons.  Well, hopefully, I have gotten the blog back to how it looked before but I did add one new thing.  If you look to the right, notice the addition on top of my picture.  There is a space you can subscribe to the blog by email.  Now you don't have to look every day to see when there is a new post.  You can just have me show up in you inbox!

We have some new quilters that are now helping us.  Jenean is a delightful lady who pieced us some tops and left them at one of our local quilt shops for me.  A big thank you, Jenean!  I also was contacted by Deb who contributed some quilts that her quilt guild made. That is very exciting for us.  We are very grateful for all the contributions with the flu season right around the corner.  When the season hits us, we are sewing and quilting as fast as we can.  This will help us tremendously.

This is a quilt from the guild. Pinks and greens with Winnie the Pooh is a great combination for a little girl.

I love the pastel plaid on the backing.

Susan made this one.  It has great leftover squares from other projects.  She added fun sashing to give it a totally different look.

This bright backing is actually puzzle pieces that link together.

This fun quilt is also from the guild.  It can work for a boy or girl which is always a bonus for us.  I haven't used this layout for a quilt before and will certainly try it.

You can't see in the pictures but the quilter quilted words into the quilt.  I added our label and this one was a quick finish!

I am very excited with the way this quilt turned out.  It was actually one I put together some time ago for myself.  I had intended to add borders and finish it.   Recently I made the decision it was one I didn't really need to keep and instead could use it for a teenager perhaps.  Shannon took it and quilted it.

Shannon added the burgundy backing with gold thread and I think the quilting is gorgeous.  I almost had second thoughts about keeping it!

This last quilt is also from the guild.  What a fun quilt with great blocks.

Obviously the guild has some very talented members.

Balloon animals!!  I love it!

Thanks to all the quilters who contributed to these great quilts.  And thank you for looking!  As always, I love getting your comments.  Feel free to leave me one!

Tomorrow brings Greg and I traveling to New Jersey for a couple of days.  I am itching to get into the quilt room so I can play with fabric before I go. 

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Michigan, Pulled Pork and Quilts

This past week has held lots of activity for me. To begin with,  I traveled to Michigan to speak at a couple of meetings.  I had never been to Michigan before so I was excited about going.  I love going to places I have never been.  The people that I meet have been totally awesome.  My message of what possibilities there are for those of us with MS along with the idea of making a difference in the lives of others never fails to make those listening at least stop and think about where they've been and where they are headed.  That can be nothing but positive.  I was very excited to get to share the trip with my sister.  On day two of a three day trip we made it to a quilt store.  Here's what we thought we just had to bring home in our already stuffed luggage.

As you can see, the shop was called Material Mart.  We thought it was a great shop.  The problem was we only had about 40 minutes in the shop and I got a business phone call while I was there.  The phone call saved me from further damage to my fabric budget!  (Greg would say "What budget?")

Here's a quilt Kathy sewed and quilted for us.  What a great way to use those scraps of florals that you aren't quite sure what to do with.

I love the backing on this one.

Kathy also sewed and quilted this one.  It is a great print for a little boy and the plaid is a great contrasting fabric.

The backing is the same print as the focus fabric on the front.

I think this is a really fun quilt that Kathy did.  I love the slices of fruit with the daisies.

The choice of a matching stripe for the back of the quilt is perfect.

And now....introducing my new quilt model...my son Joel.  You've seen Greg's legs and hands frequently and now you get to see Joel's.  Joel and Cara flew in from Washington, D.C. Friday evening, not long after I returned from Michigan Friday afternoon.  It was Homecoming weekend at Kansas University where Joel, Joshua and his wife Jessica received their undergraduate degrees.  Football was on tap for the weekend.  It was also the last chance they would have to visit before Cara needs to stop traveling due to the newest Welch's arrival.  My son Joshua and wife Jessica live about 30 minutes from us and volunteered to do all of the cooking for us so I didn't have to worry about that.  THe food was delicious.  Josh smokes a mean pulled pork.  Not that anyone would look closely, but Greg's legs and Joel's legs look eerily similar.

Back to the quilt.  This pink cutie was a combined effort from my sister and me.  We took star blocks, added some leftover four patches to make the checkerboard and knew we had a winner.  We were one star block short.  I took some pinwheels made from half-square triangles left from the star points.  I made the missing block and it is my favorite!  Goes to show, never through away those corners you trim!

San Antonio

As you all know, I have been traveling to talk about my experience with MS and the new medication I am taking.  Last week found me in San Antonio, Texas, a place Greg and I have always wanted to visit.  We never have much free time when I travel--it is business after all, but we usually try to at least see one thing wherever we are.  San Antonio brought the Riverwalk and the Alamo.

Isn't this just so peaceful looking?  It is a beautiful area to spend time.  We rode the riverboat so we got to see lots of the area with little walking!

Here's proof I was actually there.  This picture does not tell you how hot it was. 101 degrees.  Oppressive to say the least.  However, we had a wonderful time and I got to meet some awesome people.  Not that anyone would want MS, but it has brought me to a place in my life I never expected to be.  I guess it goes to prove there is always something good if you look for it.

I actually was hoping to be able to post a fun picture.  Remember the lobster car?  Greg and I were walking down to street to the Alamo.  Along came a car with a giant Red Bull can on the back.  I could just see it in my mind.  I could have a series of weird cars I find on my trips.  However, the car was driving in traffic, not parked, my camera was in my purse, not in my hand, and I was sweating profusely.  No picture, no series.

How about some quilts?

Judith put this together with some fun girls shopping fabric.



We've got shoes, sunglasses, shopping bags and more.

Karen quilted this one with a great circle fabric in shades of pink.

You may be able to tell this is a Shelly special.  Flannel in bright colors for a girl or boy.

And of course, nothing better than a yellow flannel dot for the back.

Pink and Chocolate are still a popular choice for girls.  This rail fence takes on a graphic look with the placement of the pink strips.

Nan used a perfect backing and quilted this with an loop design.  I am sure there is a technical name for it, but I have no clue what it is!

Deb put together this fun quilt.  I gave her some random fabric and this is what she came up with.  I love the way it turned out.

Shannon quilted her magic into this quilt and used a sweet pink and orange backing.

I had an assortment of half-square triangles that I gave to Teresa and asked her to come up with something.  This is the result.  Just goes to show we have a talented group who are always willing to help.



Sandy gave the quilt the finishing touch with lollipop quilting and a girly backing.

I've got more quilts to show you in the next few days.  I am actually home this week--no traveling--so I will have a chance to post the latest quilts.  Check back!