When Plans Get Changed For You

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, perhaps you know that I've been participating in the Hands 2 Help Charity Quilt Challenge that Sarah has organized.

There are people in need throughout the world.  The quilts that she receives in behalf of this challenge will be donated to one of two charities:

• Children in New Orleans that have been affected by Hurricane Katrina, and
• Patients that have been affected by cancer and chemotherapy.

Both are very worthy charities.  These are great causes to donate time, talents, and quilts to.

When saw back in March that Sarah was holding sign-ups for this challenge, I quickly and eagerly signed up.  

I knew, almost immediately, that I was going to make an I-Spy quilt for a child for one of these amazing charities.

I started thinking right away about what setting or design I was going to create for this quilt, but I couldn't decide on anything.  Nothing seemed right.  Nothing felt good.  I put it on the back burner as I continued to ponder how I was going to make this quilt.

A few weeks later I was shopping when inspiration finally struck, and I got right to work buying materials and starting my blocks.  The funny thing is, the quilt that I finally knew I was going to make was not the I-Spy quilt that I had planned on.  

In fact, its nothing like I had originally planned.

I didn't think much of it and continued working on my quilt--so excited that I'd finally decided on something and it was underway.  The deadline of May 27th was getting closer and I wanted to be done in plenty of time!

As I was getting my blocks finished up and started sewing them together last week, I learned some devastating news about a very dear friend of mine.  News that just breaks my heart for her and her family.  I brought her dinner because that's what we do around here, but felt like I just needed to do more for her, but not knowing what I can do.

As I continued to work on this quilt, a thought kept creeping into my head.  I would brush it aside each time, but it continued to invade my thoughts and wouldn't go away!  And suddenly, I knew what I needed to do.

I realized then, without a doubt, that I have not been making this quilt for the charity that I had planned on.

I've been making this quilt for my friend and neighbor who needs the warmth and comfort of a quilt through this trial in her life.

I realized that was the reason that I just couldn't figure out a way to make that I-Spy quilt that I'd been so excited about.  If I had been making that I-Spy quilt, I wouldn't have had a quilt ready to give to my friend right now when she needs it most.

There are lots of people in need, feeling discouragement, loss or pain throughout the world, but the most important good I can do right now is right here in my own neighborhood.

And this quilt is perfect for her.

I felt sick though, because I knew that if I did what I knew I was supposed to do with this quilt, I wouldn't have a quilt to send for Sarah's Quilt Challenge, like I committed to doing.

I finally emailed Sarah and explained my predicament.  She was so gracious and sweet and told me that she completely understood the situation and invited me to link up to her final Charity Quilt Challenge post anyway, because she understood that this quilt is going to a good cause.

I just appreciate her so much for being so understanding why I won't be sending a quilt her way for the Hands 2 Help Charity Quilt Challenge this year.  

She made me feel like a quilt for good is a quilt for good, no matter where in the world it is given.

It's funny how sometimes our plans get changed for us. 

This experience has taught me again that our talents and our life are really not in our own hands...and if we listen, we'll be guided to do the things that are most important.

Quilt Facts:

Marigold Trellis (more on this quilt here.)

Measures 60" X 60"

Each block is 4.5" (finished) with the addition of a 1.5" (finished) border on two sides of each block.

Made with Charm Squares from Joann's and other fabrics from my stash.

The sashing and binding is Kona Coal.

Backing fabric from my LQS (Paparazzi by Red Rooster Studio)

Quilting is free-motion on my Janome.

Thanks again to Sarah for all her work on the Hands 2 Help Charity Quilt Challenge.   She is an amazing person and I admire all the good she does!

Thanks for letting me link up with you this week!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Winner!

The week of Giveaway Day is over, and I hope that everyone had a really fun week browsing blogs and entering all the generous giveaways that linked up!   

I for one had a great week visiting everyone and finding some new amazing blogs.

 I especially loved reading all the comments that everyone left over here.  I was amazed that there were over 700 comments...wow!!

I want everyone to know that I appreciate all who stopped by, and let you know that each comment was read and appreciated, although I wasn't able to respond to them...it would have taken me all week!

And thank you to all my followers, old and new!  I really, really appreciate each of you and continue to look forward to getting to know more and more of you as you comment and participate in other giveaways and fun stuff here in the future!

Okay, on to our winner!  

My second daughter, Megan, asked if she could pick the number that chose the winner, and I told her that she could.  She chose comment number 124, which is

                                             mrsc1345 of Nerdy Birdies!

Congratulations, you're the lucky winner of this amazing bundle of Joel Dewberry's Heirloom!

I've sent you an email to let you know you're the winner, and as soon as you get me your info, I'll be sending this right out!

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by and commented.  If you didn't win, don't despair, because I'm planning another amazing giveaway when I reach 200 followers, and we're pretty close!

Hope everyone's having a great Memorial weekend!

Circles of Geese

I finished my little mini quilt for the Modern She Made Swap!

This little baby will be sent out on Tuesday first thing, along with some little extras that I'm gathering up right now for my partner.  

I used this paper-piecing pattern for the inner flying geese, and appliqued the outer geese.

Here's a view of the back of the quilt, which I like as much as I like the front!

I used Kona coal for the grey, and a variety of prints from my stash and my LQS for the geese, the back, and the binding.  It measures 24" X 24."

I hope she likes it!

Giveaway Day with Sew, Mama, Sew!

The Giveaway is closed.  Thanks to all who entered!  I'll be announcing the winner on Saturday 5/26.

It's Giveaway Day! 

 

For those of you who are here for the first time, welcome!

I'm diane, and I appreciate each of you stopping by.  I hope you'll take a moment to look around!

I have been so looking forward to this fun linky party.  I love looking through all the blogs that link up and finding new inspiration and friendships.  And of course, entering all the giveaways!

I wanted to offer something really special for this big giveaway.  Being a fabric addict myself, of course it was going to be fabric.  I finally decided to choose something that maybe some of you haven't have a chance to get your hands on, or maybe want some more of!

If some of you don't recognize these beauties, they are part of the Heirloom collection by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics.  This is the Citrine colorway.  I LOVE these fabrics!  They are so beautiful.  Even more so in person.  There are nine fat quarters here.

I never did get my hands on this fabric when it was released last year.

I luckily found a lovely online shop that has this beautiful fabric in stock!  Lilly Bella Fabrics has lots of Joel Dewberry goodness among many others!  I was so happy with the service that Christy provided, and I got my shipment in TWO days.  Wow!  Go see her here.

Anyway, to enter for a chance to win these babies, just leave me a comment and tell me which past fabric line you didn't grab up but wish you would have.  That's all you have to do--you don't have to be a follower to enter.  Although, if you like my blog, I would love it if you decided to follow me!

This giveaway will close on the evening of May 25th, and I'll announce the random winner on Saturday morning.  Good luck!

I'll give you one last peek at these beauties:

Thank you again for stopping by...I hope to see you again soon!

And Thank You so much to Sew, Mama, Sew for hosting this amazing event!

To join in on Giveaway Day and see all the other giveaways, go here.  This link will take you to the main page; you can choose between FIVE different giveaway categories:  Handmade Baby + Kid Items, Handmade Accessories, Sewing + Craft Supplies {I'm in here}, Handmade for the Home, and Handmade Bags.

Have fun!

Marigold Trellis

I am terrible about naming quilts!  Sometimes I think that I would be better naming quilts just from their pattern.  This one I'd feel more comfortable naming 'Yellow Grid Pattern,' or 'Yellow Squares,' but that doesn't sound very pretty or interesting!

A lot of the flowers in the yellow fabrics remind me of sunny yellow marigolds, and the grey setting like a garden trellis, so I thought that 'Marigold Trellis' would be an interesting name (or not so interesting--after all, it's me naming it!)

Anyway, I do LOVE this quilt, no matter the name!

This quilt was made for a very special purpose...one that I didn't even know about until yesterday!

When I get it totally finished, I'll post pictures and tell the story.

The fabrics for this quilt are a combination of fabrics from my stash and some from Joann's.  I found a couple of charm packs of the florals on clearance over there and I just fell in love with them.

I've been wanting to make a yellow and grey quilt forever, so I knew exactly what I was going to do with them when I found them. 

I actually had to square up the charm squares though...can you believe it??  

Aren't those floral squares pretty?  I do love these fabrics together.

It's fun to talk about my husband's opinions of my quilts, because they're so different from mine...ALWAYS.  He said that he could appreciate the 'squareness' of this quilt, but thought the fabrics were 'putrid.'

Hopefully he's the only one who thinks that!!  My three older daughters like it, so at least I'm not the only one that does!

The quilt measures 60 X 60 inches.

The perfect size to wrap up in!

I'm off to find a back and get to work quilting this beautiful quilt.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

And don't forget, it's Giveaway Day with SewMamaSew on Monday, and I'm really excited about my giveaway!  So be sure to stop by on Monday!

I'm linking here today:

Giveaway Day!

I'm participating in Giveaway Day at SewMamaSew this Monday, May 21st!

I'm so excited!  If you haven't heard about it, go here and read all about it!

I've been really thinking about what I want to give away over here, and I think I've found the perfect thing!

And it just might look a little bit like this:

Photo from http://joeldewberry.blogspot.com/

Be sure to stop by on Monday, because I can't wait to show you!

Mother's Day Giveaway Winner

I hope that everyone had a great weekend and a great Mother's Day.

My Mother's Day weekend was really special...I got a special surprise at about 2:00 AM Friday morning.

My daughter Rachel, who is away at college! 

She's decided to stay there throughout the summer and work, and assured me that she couldn't get work off to come home.  

Turns out she and my husband have been conspiring for the last month to surprise me!  Well, it worked, because I had no idea whatsoever!  It was fabulous!  

It meant a lot to me to have our family together for Mother's Day.  I am so thankful to my husband Doug who worked hard to get her home.

Anyway, on the winners of the Shade Blender Rolie Polies. 

I asked Rachel this morning to choose a number between 1 and 32, and then another one.

So my Rachel-Randomizer chose:

Number 1 and Number 17, which are:

Robin, who said, "My favorite item would be the Reunion fat quarter bundle! Thanks for the chance!"   She won the dark Rolie Polie!

and Lori, who said, "I love the California Girl line by Moda. It's such sweet fabric for a little one! I'm making a baby quilt for a friend in that line right now and I love it!"

She wins the light Rolie Polie!

Congratulations ladies!  I will be sending you an email shortly!

I just want to say thank you to all those who participated in my first sponsored giveaway.  I appreciate all of you that read my little blog. 

I love reading the comments that you leave and I appreciate each one.  I haven't had a chance to reply to the comments on my last two posts, and I hope everyone understands that life sometimes gets in the way of blogging!

And I also want to say thank you again to Sarah at Fabric Seeds!  Thank you again for sponsoring my giveaway!

Mother's Day Giveaway!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  Our weekend over here was pretty quiet, but cold!

As I've mentioned before, my husband has been in school for the last couple of years.  He had a big test this weekend and had to stay late on Friday night to study for it.  He sent me this picture while he was there:

This is the Rexburg, Idaho LDS temple which is close to the BYU-Idaho campus.  It is so beautiful.  I love the purple sky and the way the lights reflect on the temple against that backdrop.  

Not a bad picture from a camera on a phone!

He made up for leaving me home by myself {well, I'm never by myself} on Friday by taking me out on Saturday.  

We went to The Avengers!

Great movie!  I have to say that I really loved it!

Anyway...on to the Giveaway...

This giveaway is so generously sponsored by Sarah at Fabric Seeds.

I love Sarah and I love her shop!

I found Sarah's online store a few weeks ago when I was looking for a bundle of Domestic Bliss.

I had a pretty set budget of what I could spend, so I thought I'd look around a little bit online to see where I could find the best price.

I found THE very best price on the internet at Sarah's shop, Fabric Seeds.  

And it wasn't just a few dollars less than everywhere else, it was A LOT less than everyone else!  I was very impressed with not only that, but with her quick shipping and very sweet service.

I got an email back from her within an hour and SHE HAD ALREADY SHIPPED MY PACKAGE!  I ordered on Friday and my package arrived on Monday.  I hate waiting for my packages and I was so happy that I didn't have to wait long!

In her shop you can find precuts, yardage, patterns, books, notions, and even single fat quarters, which are hard to find online.

She's got some great search options...my favorite being the fact that you can search for fabrics by the time of year that you're looking for...Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...even Halloween and Christmas.

I'm loving this bundle that I found in her summer selections, called Delighted! by The Quilted Fish.

And Sarah has a great new promotion going on right now called Virtual Punch Card.  For every $175 you spend, you receive an extra $10 towards your next purchase!  

We've been chatting this past week and she's been telling me how she's going to Quilt Market this next week {lucky!}, and she's planning on bringing back lots of goodies to stock her shop up with.  I can't wait to see!

Anyway, today Sarah has offered these two cuties for our giveaway today:

Two Shade Blender Rolie Polies from Riley Blake...a light and a dark.

Two lucky winners will each win one of these!

This giveaway is open to my followers, old or new.  So if you're not already a follower, become one and you'll be eligible for my giveaway!

To enter, hop over to Sarah's shop and take a look around, then come back over here and leave me one comment and tell me what your favorite item in Sarah's shop is.

{Be sure your email address is accessible in your comment if you're a no-reply blogger!}

This giveaway will stay open through the weekend, and I'll draw the lucky winners on Monday morning!

Good luck!!

Cherry Sundae

I love a quilt that can be whipped up in a week.

I needed a quick project that I could make for a church auction tonight.  It was a fundraiser for girls' camp this summer, and since I have two girls going this year, I thought I should do a quilt. 

I made my Cherry Sundae quilt based on this tutorial.  I sized it down a bit, so I'd be able to get it done in a week's time!  

I used two charm packs of Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille.  

I love these fabrics.  So beautiful!  I love that Bonnie and Camille have kept their colorway pretty consistent throughout their last three fabric lines.

It makes it easy to coordinate backing and binding, even though yardage for Vintage Modern isn't out yet!

The backing and binding are both from Bonnie and Camille's Ruby, which I love as well.

The quilting is of course, my loopy quilting pattern.  I'm getting a little bored with it, and I'm sure everyone else is.  But when I'm trying to get it done fast, it's a pattern that I don't have to think much about and works up really quick, especially when I make big loops.

The white is Kona Snow.

This little lap-sized quilt measures up at about 50" X 60."

I started this last Friday and finished it up tonight.  

I may have been able to finish up quicker if I hadn't been watching this while I was sewing:

It's too addicting!

I just finished Season 1, and now I have to wait for Netflix to send my first disc of Season 2.

I can't wait to see what happens with these guys,

these guys,

and these guys!!

Don't you just want to slap those two??

Anyway...I think my quilt did pretty good at the auction tonight...it sold for a price that was happily above my cost of the materials, so that made me feel good!

I hope everyone has a good weekend!  It's supposed to be cold and miserable here, which will give me some sewing time hopefully!

*******************************

And be sure to stop by on Monday, because I'm going to be having a

 giveaway!!