Hands2Help: a Because You Matter bonanza!

I asked friends to collect our mail for us when we left to spend two months in the Yukon because I was going to be gone right in the middle of the time that quilts might be arriving from the Hands2Help charity quilt drive. I told my friends that I was expecting two or maybe three parcels. Imagine my surprise when I opened my door and walked in to this great stack of boxes!

boxes
I have no idea why this picture is showing upside-down. Sorry!

This is so exciting! To date, 14 quilts, 3 tops and enough extra 9-patch squares to make a baby quilt have arrived from towns all across Canada and the United States:

  • Mt. Juliet, Tennessee;
  • Saint Paul, Minnesota;
  • Katy, Texas;
  • Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire;
  • Southampton, Ontario;
  • Simi Valley, California;
  • Rochester, Washington;
  • Strathroy, Ontario;
  • Dansville, Michigan;
  • The Villages, Florida; and
  • Kingsville, Ontario.
quilts
I have no idea why this picture is showing upside-down. Sorry!

I’m unpacking them right now and have to say that I’m feeling completely overwhelmed with the care and attention that went into the making of every one of these quilts. It’s obvious that their makers were thinking of the children who will find comfort and joy when they wrap up with a picture book, make a  fort, snuggle up. I can feel love oozing out of every single one of these beautiful quilts.

I’m completely blown away at your generosity, dearest readers.  Oh my goodness! Because You Matter has taken on a whole new meaning. It isn’t just the children and teens that matter and deserve a quilt, it’s YOU generous people who make the quilts that matter, too – that give these beautiful gifts to deserving folks in need of them. Because we all matter!

One more parcel is still waiting at the post office, so if you sent something and don’t see your town listed, that’s probably it. I’ll pick it up next time I go to town.

Stay tuned for part two…the photos!

2015 Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge

Happy 5th anniversary to the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge! It’s being organized by Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. High Five, Sarah! It’s a lot of work to organize a challenge like this!

Quilters are invited to make a quilt and donate it to one of the charities listed on the Hands2Help website. (But don’t worry if you can’t afford to mail the quilt, you do have the option of donating to a local charity. There are no barriers put in your way if you want to participate.) The object of the challenge is to get quilts wrapped around the shoulders of those who need them.

Extra exciting is that this year, Because You Matter Quilts for Kids is the Canadian recipient! That’s me!! Canadian quilters who don’t want to mail their quilts across the border can mail them to me as an option (if they don’t know where to donate locally or want to contribute to Because you Matter specifically.) How cool is that? !!! Thank you so much, Sarah! I’ll also be posting the quilts I’m making as I go along. I have a special project in mind for Because you Matter this year and I’ll be telling you all about it soon.

Sarah has arranged lots of sponsors and lots of prizes, a linky party, free patterns if you need ideas and all kinds of fun for participants, so head on over to Hands2Help and sign up.  Registration opens today!

A sweet little bookmark

A tiny little embroidery project to finish the day 🙂

001From the Little Stitches book of embroidery designs by Aneela Hoey

002So sweet!

….and now you also know what I am reading! What are you reading this week and what do you use for a book mark?

Ring Toss: a quilt for Beckham

Last month a young family that I know lost their home to fire.

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Beckham and his big sister lost everything they own.

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So I got busy making quilts.

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This one is for Beckham, who is an energetic toddler. I used Thomas the Tank Engine fabric because what two-year-old boy doesn’t love Thomas? And woah! Thomas the Tank Engine backing, too! What’s not to love?

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The pattern is called Ring Toss, from the book Quilt it with Love: the Project Linus Story. I hand quilted it using the Big Stitch method with yellow-gold Perle cotton. The center of each ring is hand-tied with embroidery floss.

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I’m making a quilt for Beckham’s big sister, too. I’ll post it as soon as it’s finished, so stay tuned!

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In the Frame and a Finish

I finally finished the top (flimsy) of the garden quilt!

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It’s the bow-tie pattern with hand-appliqued hexie rosettes.

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It is now sandwiched, basted and in the frame – ready to be quilted.

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And here is another Because You Matter quilt. This little double Irish chain will go to a child through the RCMP Victim’s Services Unit here in Salmon Arm (via the Shuswap Quilt Guild.)  Fabric & batting donated by the Shuswap Quilt Guild. Labour donated by yours truly.

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Officially Samson-approved!

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linking in with:

My Quilt Infatuation

 

Windmill Baby Quilt for Zachary

I made this little crib quilt for my first ever great-nephew, baby Zachary.

015My brother is a grandfather!

017I’m a little jealous.

018I followed the Pinwheel Baby Quilt pattern from the Moda Bakeshop site.

009I’ve never made prairie points before. I think they add a really sweet touch to the quilt, and they were really easy to make. I’ll do them again. I think the baby might like to play with them they way babies do with tags.

011I used my brand new sewing machine to do straight line quilting around the pinwheels, and wavy lines around the border in yellow. Very simple, nothing fancy.

019The fabric is a 4″ charm pack of 1930s reproduction prints. They were a gift from Dar at Dar’s Patchwork Garden. I’ve been saving them for something special. I think the 1930s prints are perfect for a baby quilt.

020The backing is a from my scrap stash. I think it is a Japanese print, but I’m not sure.

012At 31.5 x 38 inches big, it’s the perfect size for Samson.

013Infused with puppy love and great-auntie love.