The Power of a Quilt

• I am very particular about who I give a quilt to......they take so much time to make, I put so much love into them, and they cost a lot of money!  So far, I've only given my quilts to family, because I love them and they know what it takes for me to make a quilt. I became friends with a lovely lady about 6 years ago.  She was bedridden, had two types of cancer and was always in extreme pain. When I visited her, I always left so much happier.  She always lifted my spirits. I kept wondering what I could do for her. The thought came to me to give her a quilt. I chose the yellow one because it was cheery and sunshiny. Time passed and I would visit less often. I felt badly, because it was a huge effort for her to get up. One day recently, she went to the emergency room by ambulance. I went to visit her there with my son and daughter in law who were also her friends. A week later, she was home and hadn't eaten in seven days. I went with my son to see her, she was deep asleep from medication, and expected to pass away. I took her hand in mine and told her that every time I visited her, I felt like I was in the presence of angels. I told her I loved her. The next day she returned home to her Heavenly Father. I went to her memorial and went to the front of the chapel to give her husband a hug.  When I looked up, I saw the quilt I made for her, draped over the pulpit. I was filled with emotion! Tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't speak. Her family told me that she  loved the quilt I made of her and always had it with her. When she passed, her husband kept hugging the quilt, almost like that was all he had left of her, in his emotional state. Various family and friends thanked me for making the quilt for her, it made her so happy and that's all she talked about. I didn't realize a quilt could give someone so much comfort and have so much power.

I hope you enjoyed this story, it really touched my heart ❤️

Doll Clothes

 I made some doll clothes for Sabrina's 3rd birthday.  It's a lot of fun making 18" doll clothes. They're not too tiny and all have velcro to close the backs instead of zippers, buttons or snaps.  

I use these patterns when they go on sale at Joann's Fabric store.

I may make her some more clothes when she's four if she really loves them and still plays with her dolls 💗

I've made lots of doll clothes, here are some that I made for Lucy.

I made these clothes for Izzy's doll.

I made these clothes for Charlotte's doll and here too!

Clothes for Kennedy's doll.

An incredible fashion show for Kennedy's doll ❤️

I bet there are still more doll clothes in my future! Thanks for following me and see you again next week.

Boo! quilt pattern

I went on a four day quilt retreat in Scottsdale, an hour from my home.

I had this quilt all cut out, and about 9 of the ghosts done.  Even so, I finished the quilt just in time for our show and tell.  I love it! It was so much fun choosing the fabric from my stash, I even had the orange print :) 

The ladies in the pink shirts were in my group. Each morning we had a delicious complimentary breakfast at the hotel and then we went to the ballroom to sew, sew, sew! I love seeing what everyone is working on.

There were over 40 women at the retreat, they're all such nice ladies.

Thanks for following, and see you next week!

Maileg mice

I discovered Maileg mice about a year ago and fell in love ❤️

They are made in Denmark and can be found online too.

I am gaining a collection, my family have gifted some of them to me for my birthday! I decided to make little Hallowe'en costumes for my mice.

I made this teeny dress, it was a little difficult, and made a glittery cape and witch hat. She's a nice witch!

I made a little ghost dress :)

This little guy is my favorite ❤️

I had some time on my hands and was so happy with these little costumes that I was able to make! 

Thanks for following, I'll see you next week!

Birthday banner

I've made over 30 of these fun birthday cake blocks!  It's designed by Lori Holt and she designed it to celebrate the first anniversary of her first quilt book, Quilty Fun.

You can see the post on her blog here. 

You can find the free block at Fat Quarter Shop here.

I add an extra 4" at the bottom of my block and appliqué 3" letters at the bottom. Then I add a 2 l/2" border around the whole thing. I outline the entire cake, plate and bow and then do staple quilting around it.

Here's a closeup, the background fabric looks like sprinkles :)

Here's Sabrina who will be 3 years old in a couple of weeks. Isn't she the cutest?

The banner idea is that it's put in a prominent place during the child's birthday month, so they can know that they are special!

Take a look at Riley's birthday banner.

Here is Kylie's, she's 11 years old now!

Here is Taylor's.

Here's a tutorial and Reagan's.

Here is Bridger's and Maisie's.

Here is Paisley's.

Here is Rebecca's and Isabel's.

Here is Charlotte's.

Here is Jacob's.

Here is Neo's.

That's about all I can find, but you see that I've made so many of them! Truthfully, I love choosing the fabric for them from my scraps, usually. They're fun to make for my children and grandchildren!  

Thanks for following and see you next week ❤️

Toothfairy Envelope

 I have a tradition with my grandchildren. Before they're ready to lose their first tooth, they draw a picture of the tooth fairy and send it to me.

I then recreate the drawing on fabric and embroider it to make an envelope for their tooth.  You know how it's fun to write the tooth fairy a little note and see if she writes back!

Above is Riley's drawing and below is my interpretation in thread, lol!

Riley was really happy to get a parcel in the mail just for her!

Riley loves chickens too, so I made the envelope from fabric by Little House Cotton, one of my favorite designers ❤️

The navy pocket is for her tooth! The main pocket is for money from the tooth fairy (or whatever she delivers) and a note.

I sent the tooth fairy envelope just in time, because Riley's second front tooth fell out! I sure love that age when both  front teeth are missing!

Here are some links to other tooth fairy envelopes I've made for my grandchildren :)

Taylor

Kylie

Maisie

Reagan

Neo

Paisley

Izzy

Kennedy

Lucy

I don't know why I don't have posts for all the other grandchildren, but it's fun seeing their different levels of drawing ability!

Thanks for following me, see you next week ❤️

Quilt Retreat

 I'm going on a quilt retreat in a few weeks. There's always a lot to do to prepare....I cut out this Reindeer Xing by Lella Boutique, to make at the retreat.  I cut the fabric up and I'll sew it all back together again, lol! I worked on the cutting for a few days. 

At this particular retreat, we can participate in a game and make something handmade. I made this one yard apron by Lori Holt.  I've made many of them, and had so much fun choosing some of Lori's Bake Sale fabric that I had in my stash. 

We bring our handmade item in a brown paper bag that is stapled shut and put it on the table.  Linda, our host, calls out a name.  We all watch and ooh and ahh as that person opens the bag.  The next person opens a bag and she can either keep her item or choose one that's already been opened.  The item can only be taken three times.  After that, it can't be traded anymore.  It's a really fun game!  Every year, at least one person makes a quilt for the exchange!  Really fun :)

I like to prepare in advance, because who knows what might come up at the last minute and I won't have time to finish my preparations for the retreat.  Besides, I'm really excited to go!  It's just an hour away and it's for four days.

I just noticed that I forgot to sew the jumbo rick rack to the hem of the apron!  I'll add it tomorrow.

Thanks for following me and have a great week ❤️