Guest Post - Talking to Angels

Today I have a guest post from the person who really started the Quilt Angels project.  I was lucky enough to be available and have the knowledge that y'all are some really great people.  The team effort really succeeded. Not everyone who worked on this contributed a quilt.  Some of you contacted friends knowing they could help. One kind soul donated a prize to use as an incentive.  (actually two kind souls did this, the letter writer contributed one of the prizes.
Here is the letter from our "Chief Angel" including a prayer at the end.

Dear Quilt Angels

Sitting here this morning sipping coffee, contemplating the events of this wonderful Christmas, I realize just how Blessed and fulfilling this Christmas has been. Not the least of these Blessings has been the outpouring of total strangers for a purpose that I happened to learn about by happenstance.

Sunday before Thanksgiving, I was sitting at a table in the dining room of our Church talking with Shelia, a close friend and the cook for Sunday morning breakfast at church. We were talking about what we were doing for the holidays, our family and friends gatherings when a couple of other lady friends joined us and we laughed and chatted for a bit. Two of the ladies got up and went on to choir, leaving myself, Shelia and Ms. Maggie. The conversation lagged as we drank our coffee. Ms. Maggie asked Shelia what was needed at the shelter. Shelia said as always they needed funds. She thought for a moment then said that they could use new afghans as the ones they had were getting awfully worn out as the kids liked to wrap up in them during cold weather. As Shelia finished speaking, the call for Sunday School came, so I collected by stuff and went to class.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I kept thinking about the need for wraps at the shelter. I am only an amateur photographer in my off time, and a paper slinger the rest of the time! I was not sure how to go about this thing. So the weekend after Thanksgiving, my friend Gene and I were having coffee and knowing that he quilts, I asked him about making several lap quilts for the kids in the shelter. He asked how many were there. I told him I had found out they had eight kids. He said he wanted to help, but did not have the time to make eight quilts and make his other obligations too. But he would make two! After a couple minutes of silence, he said he would ask his online quilting friends if any wanted to contribute. I said I would pay him for the quilts and to see what his friends wanted for a few more. He called me a short while later and told me that several of his friends wanted to donate quilts, and instead of paying him for them simply to put up a prize for those who wanted to participate. I agreed. So he posted on his blog the need for a few Angels.

Then the most wonderful thing happened... he called me later in the weekend and said that several quilts had already been promised. I was totally surprised and elated that total strangers were willing to donate their hard work and time for someplace and someone they didn't even know. As I sat back and regained my composure, I reflected on this and came to the realization that in our fast pace life, we tend to loose site of the fact that there are still people around us who have soft and caring hearts and are more that willing to help when the need arises.

The final total for quilts was 16! The Ogden House was very appreciative for the donations. I have been totally blown away by the response, the caring, encouraging comments, thoughts and prayers from each of you and wanted to express my Thanks to you for being the major players in making a bunch of kids really excited this Christmas. And a special thanks to each for lifting this old heart of mine by showing the true Spirit of Christmas has not been lost.

God Bless you, each and everyone for your bountiful gift.

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a
wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals:
Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and
worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may
help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen

And may I add an Amen.  Blessings to you all.

Angel Quilts Delivery

Here is the rest of the story as promised.  On Christmas eve, we went to the shelter to deliver the quilts.  Most of the resident youth had gone home for a Christmas visit.  However, there were a couple of youth there. Sorry, but there are no pictures of them due to privacy issues.   There are some pictures of me with Ms. Jackie, who was working that day.  I have to say that meeting Ms. Jackie was a true delight.   Her face seemed to light up and glow from within.

So here are a few pictures:

Looking at the quilts

 

All the quilts on one of the sofas

Merry Christmas!

We sat in the floor and smiled for the photographer

And we did the drawing for the prizes.  The winners have been notified.  Thanks to all of the people who supported this effort. 
The audio is low in this video, but I hope you can hear what Ms. Jackie says.



Don't you love the joy Ms. Jackie shows in receiving these for the shelter?  As you might have noticed, her smile is contagious.  I watched this and realized that I grinned the entire time. 
While you didn't see the residents, let me tell you.  They were thrilled too. Each one that was there got to pick the quilt for their room.  I loved it when one of them wrapped the quilt around herself.  One read the label and was amazed that the quilt came "all the way from Virginia."  
As Charlie said in that old television show "Thanks Angels!"

Quilt Angels Card

We delivered the "Angel Quilts" on Christmas Eve (yesterday.) Before we left, I had a picture taken of me holding them. (that is a heavy load, I was ready to put them  down.)  I edited the picture to add a special message for you today. 

There were sixteen quilts total.  All of them are not visible in this picture, although I have every one of them in my arms.  
These brought great joy. I will tell you the rest of the story in the coming days. 

No Video, just MP3

The video didn't work out. (earlier post.) So here is a link to the audio file. 
Little Gray Donkey.  I may have slightly overdone the reverb when I was editing, sorry. If you want to keep the file, right click and then click "save as" or "save link as" and you can download the file. 

Merry Christmas; God Bless us every one!

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas (or happy whatever you are celebrating.)
One of our traditions is to give gifts on Christmas Eve as we tend to be pretty busy visiting all the loved ones on Christmas day. This happens right on the heels of a midnight Christmas service where I am quite busy in the choir.  Which means that not only was I awake, but I had to stay alert too. 


So here is a picture of me with two of my Christmas presents.  Actually they both are quilting related.  Yes I will explain. 

That lovely orange iron is the Velocity V50 which you can get at IHAN. The shirt I am wearing in the photo was actually ironed with it. (I almost never iron clothes!  cloth yes, clothes not unless I have to iron them.) This iron could change that...but don't hold your breath.  This iron steams wonderfully. We are talking super steam. On the two highest settings the steam is so fine you don't see it, but you can feel it. mmmm wrinkles can't resist the force of it.  Okay, I don't have to explain that one for quilting, do I?  fabric has to be ironed to cut neatly.


The other is Parallels desktop for my new iMac. It will allow me to run Windows from inside the Mac OS -thus I can run Electric Quilt - Ahhh....I see that lightbulb went off!  I can hardly wait to install it and try it.  


I am truly blessed. I hope you are blessed and happy during this holiday season, which will pass too quickly.  If I post again, it will be to put up a video that could be a blessing or a curse.  Ha ha...why?  Because I plan to sing a Christmas song for you. We will see how that goes...if you see it, I did it and it worked....if not, know I spared your ears some agony.. 

Old machines and Bargain Fabric

Let me begin by showing you a couple of fun pictures.  These are some really old,  but still working, sewing machines that I saw the last time I went to Mexico.  I just now ran across the pictures so I decided to share them with you. 

Both of these machines were still being used in a shoe repair shop.  I was just fascinated to see them.  I asked the shop keeper if I could take photographs.  He smiled at me, waved broadly and went back to his customer.  I think these were the best pictures I got on that trip. 

Today, I was headed to a friend's house for some Christmas visiting when I almost passed by a fabric store.  I swear my car changed lanes all by itself and pulled into the parking lot.  What else could I do but go in and look?
Being a thrifty soul, I headed to the clearance fabrics.  I limited myself to one yard of each, but I got these:

There are seven yards of fabric, one is a Martha Negley by Westminister fabrics, there are a couple that are Free Spirit fabric, some Timeless Treasures....all GOOD quilting quality fabric. 
My total bill was  ----are you sitting down??? - - - good....My total bill, including sales tax, was a whopping $11.82 -after I got home, I discovered that one of them was only ninety-nine cents a yard.  
I should have bought more!
Merry Christmas to you all!

New computer- new project

I finally got a new computer, an iMac, so there is a learning curve.  I think I will like it once I get used to it.

Now how about a little look at a Christmas project.  I know it is probably too late for this year, but I am putting it out here anyway.  I made this for my supervisor at work. (okay small frustration, can't find the pics to upload)

The wallhanging

Some detail shots:






This is how i felt to get it made and delivered.  Yes that is me in the cube farm (work.)


I used two AccuQuilt Go! dies to cut the trees: GO! Equilateral Triangles and GO! Isosceles Triangles Everything else was cut by hand and embellished with a wavy blade on my rotary cutter. Isn't this a fun project?  My supervisor loved it.  

Quilters Are the Greatest!

I have to say that quilting folks are amazing.  The call for angels has been a success.  I am still expecting a few more quilts, but I had to share today's joy.   I will  not post pictures simply because I can't right now. (sigh)  However, you can see two of the quilts on a post at Patchwork Times.  I will tell you that the pictures do not do these quilts justice. The one that I am calling Scrappy Stars (at the bottom of Judy's post) is much more glorious in person.  I liked it in the picture, but in person WOW it pops.   I can't wait to see someone smile when they get this one.

I also got quilts from an anonymous donor, Linda at Stray Stitches,   and there is a quilt from Barb Sherwood in Virginia.  Thanks my angels!

These quilts are just amazing. I am taking great joy in admiring them in the brief time I will have them.  I knew it already, but I have to say it again:  Quilters have heart!

Updates - Angels, Computer

Okay, so let's get the bad news out of the way first.  My computer is still messed up. I will spend Sunday night trying (one more time) to repair it.

Now the good news, the fun stuff!
The Searching for Angels quilts have started to come in.   One of the two that showed up came from Alamosa Quilter.  You can read about it on her post here.   Thanks Lynn.  It is gorgeous and I will try to take and send you a good picture of the finished quilt for your archives.
I also got a quilt from KwiltNoob - she said it was one of her early quilts.  Hmmmm.. Maybe I should just quit!  It is lovely.

I will not post pictures of all the quilts that are sent, mainly because I won't have time and still get everything done before Christmas.

I did promise to make two quilts for this project.  I have finished the first one and here are pictures of the front and back. I am calling the scrappy, wonky side the back.  I do like to do a scrappy back. The actual blocks on the back are some I just tried with no plan to use them.  Then there is a strip of small squares that were left over from a trip around the world piece I did.   If I can avoid it, I don't waste anything. 

I am calling the organized symmetrical side the front.

I confess that it is less than perfect, but it is full of love, prayer and hope for whoever snuggles up under it.  I don't know if you can see in this picture but I did a scrappy binding using two leftover bindings I had lying around  I think that adds to the fun of this quilt.

Have a great day and remember to tell someone that you love them.
Peace be with you,

Computer Problems

This is a short and sad post.   I turned on my computer yesterday morning to get a strange message that "Windows can't start because...."   It wasn't one I was familiar with. So I improvised using my iPad and managed to do a few things.
Last evening (when I was supposed to be working on a charity quilt) I sat most of the evening trying to fix the problem. I used my iPad to do the research.  Luckily I have a small partition on my computer with a Linux operating system. That allowed me to replace some files.  I can now get to the desktop...but the mouse and keyboard don't work.
Tonight...more attempts to fix it.

So if I don't comment on your blog or if I seem hopelessly missing...I am just still trying to fix this @#$#^*!  computer.

Angels -Update and Another Prize

If you saw my earlier post "Searching for Angels"  then you know that I am working on a service project. I have never really known how much JOY could come from something like this.
I saw a post on FaceBook that led me to a post by Lyric Kinard.  So I have added a button on my sidebar that links to the Angels project.
Here is a picture of the button

I have truly found the beauty and joy in my quilting friends.  

One of those friends, Cyndi, said she was unable to make a quilt and get it here in time. However, she is offering a SECOND prize of a $100 gift certificate.  So that winner's name and email will be shared with Cyndi so that she can set up the gift certificate for you. ( but you will get to hear from me first! )

I never knew I had so many amazing readers and friends.  You have all done me very proud so far.  This project has expanded a bit so that the shelter can have a stash of quilts in the closet.  

If you have questions, first read the previous post, then email me if that doesn't answer them.  And if you can't help, it is okay. But if you can, I truly appreciate it.  This project is OUR project now, it is definitely bigger than I am.  I will be posting pictures of the quilts I make as I get to the point where I have them "photo ready."

Peace be with you all.  I am blessed to have you.

Searching for Angels

Angel on High - Photo by Dave Burks

I have a Christmas/Holiday project that was asked of me too late. There is no way that I can accomplish what is needed AND do everything I have to do before Christmas. 


Here is the deal:  I need 8 lap quilts for a shelter.  This shelter is a safe place for children ages 12-17 that are temporarily displaced from their families or are deemed a child in need of services, not "juvenile delinquents.” Youth participate in activities that will increase their knowledge of life skills. Some examples of life skills training they receive will include chores, cooking, budgeting, and other independent living skills. The children also volunteer and perform community services work while in the program and attend public schools to continue their educations.  I know some of the people who work for this shelter and it is a wonderfully run facility.


I am looking for some ANGELS - yes it could be  you -who can make (or one you already have made!) and send one lap quilt (or more if you can) and get it to me by December 21st (in time for Christmas.).  I have a non-quilting ANGEL who is offering a prize -to be drawn from those who send a quilt. This prize will be a $100 gift certificate to an online vendor. (I am thinking Connecting Threads, Fabric.com someplace like that - maybe I can even let the winner choose!) I will have to have six quilts sent in order to be able to offer this prize.  The drawing will be held as soon as possible after the quilts are delivered - I am thinking December 26th.  


I would like the lap quilts to be at least 45 by 60, but a little bigger would be better. Fabric should be gender neutral as the shelter houses both boys and girls and the ratio changes. As these are teens, bright colors will probably be best, but I will leave it to your discretion and wisdom. As for pattern, your choice, I don't mind if it is simple, we do have a short deadline.  Please insure that these are sturdy as I am sure they will get lots of use and washing.  Binding by machine is fine -and faster!   I am hoping that I can make a couple of the needed quilts, however, the shelter can always use extras for new children coming in.  I will take as many quilts for this project as are offered.  Those that arrive by December 21st will be entered in the drawing.  


Okay ANGELS, I know you are out there.  Can you help?  Comment to let me know if you can help and be sure I can contact you by email. 


I thank you for considering this.

Dad

This is a painting that I did of my Dad several years ago. I did the initial sketch in a hospital waiting room. Mom was extremely ill and we really thought we were going to lose her. It was a rough time emotionally. Sketching helped to occupy my mind so I could stay sane. Dad had dozed off so he was nice and still for the sketch. When I did the painting, I wanted to retain the sketchy loose quality. So I mixed a blue gray color.

After the painting was finished, I had it matted and framed. I presented it to Mom and Dad. It was immediately hung in the living room where it is to this day.

I am truly proud that I captured Dad's likeness. In case you are wondering, he wore a cap more than he went without one. He had a large number of caps. I am also glad that he was wearing a cap in this sketch/painting.

I have to say that I have been missing him and thinking a lot about him lately.  I love you Dad! Rest in peace.

Finally - I got something done.

Some of you will remember the pattern I developed called "Japanese Lanterns."  I made the top and sold some patterns (still available on request!) However, the top got packed away along with the backing I bought for it and it was almost forgotten.
Then something happened.  Joanne Lendaro at Splitting Stitches had a Quilting Stimulus giveaway.  I won half price quilting. Joanne's other blog is called Insanely Cheap Quilting.  Her prices are good already(we are talking $65 for queen size!), so half price was an excellent price!

I sent in the top and backing. I chose to buy the batting from Joanne and save on shipping. I also chose the Hobbs 80/20 batting.  I have to say it worked out well!
Here are a couple of (badly taken) pictures of the quilt and one close up of the quilting.

Quilting Close-up

Oh, what did I get done?   I squared and trimmed the quilt so that it is ready for binding. Now, I just have to decide on the binding fabric. Ha ha.

I did the trimming at a friend's house.  I was planning to use the big open floor, but I watched a video that showed trimming/squaring  on a table top...so I tried it.  It worked great and my back and knees thank me.
My friend looked at the table after I was finished trimming and said "Sure looks like a lot of waste!"

I said, "That isn't waste a lot of it will be used in other projects."  And it will.  This picture also shows the rulers I used for trimming.  I have to say that I love this 16 1/2" square ruler for squaring. It really assisted nicely in getting it squared. I also used my 6 by 24" ruler ( you can see a bit of it in the lower left corner) After getting the corner squared, I used the longer ruler to trim up to the next corner.
I want to try some free motion quilting with the extra Hobbs 80/20 batting and compare it to my usual Warm and Natural/ Warm and White. From the feel of it, I think it will work just as well.

Happy

I am sure some of you have wondered where I have been.  I have been pretty quiet.   I had a little respiratory infection and still have a lovely hacking cough at times.  The cough was deep enough to whack my lower back out of place too.  Hopefully that is all sorted out now. And just in time too.  Thursday in Thanksgiving in the USA.  I was at Mom's this evening and helped her get the ham out of the oven.  We had a little taste just to be sure it was okay.  
(It was excellent!)  Tomorrow she is planning to cook a turkey too.  I sure hope someone shows up to help eat it all. LOL.


As you know, I had the sale this past Saturday.   I had an excellent day and made a few dollars that I can use to resupply my quilting stuff. (but I need to use some more of what I have first!) I was very happy that my first sale was early in the day.  Another vendor - a weaver who makes lovely things - came over and saw the Chinese Coins quilt and loved it.  I honestly think that showing the back of it was the clincher.  She also bought a quilted journal for a class she is taking.  I have to find my receipt book to be sure but I think I sold three quilts total. 
For the next few days, I will be busy with family and friends enjoying the holiday. (I just have to work Wednesday of course.) 
So, for all the readers in the USA:

And for anyone who wished to make the above block (one of my designs!) the instructions are here. (no, it doesn't have the words on it.)

Almost Show Time - &- another QST layout

Many of you saw my blogger spotlight in the AccuQuilt newsletter. I have another layout using some applique that I wanted to share for those who come to my blog.  The layout is my "Pink Diamonds" quilt but with snowflakes and stars added in the open areas.  You could of course add any shape you desire. You could also add applique inside the larger pink diamonds.  This is a great place to let your creativity out to play.

 Tomorrow is my show and sale.  Today I will be going to set up the booth and get it ready for show time.  I am hoping for a good turn out and lots of  sales.
For now, I have quilts piled on the bed and have started rolling them up.  I like to roll them so there aren't any creases in them when they are displayed.

Oh, there are also some table runners in that stack.
I have boxes packed with jewelry, display items, note cards, etc.

If you are wondering about the "E Black" on the box, my actual name is Eugene - Gene for short.
I sign my paintings "E Black" -it confuses people. LOL

There is one painting on top of that box too and a bag of quilted purses.
There are more boxes AND more paintings.

And one more box with quilted notebooks, journals and photo albums

Whew!  Now what am I forgetting?  I suppose I will find out when I start setting it up. ha ha.  Oh my, I just remembered, there is one more box in that closet! I best not forget that one.

Spotlight!

I hope that you are signed up for the AccuQuilt emails. If you are then you most likely got today's Blogger Spotlight Isssue featuring ME!
If not - then click this little gadget and sign up. If you sign up and don't get today's email, leave a comment here and I will try to fix that for you.
My spotlight is on the quarter square triangle.
Did I mention that you also get 22 patterns just for signing up? Great deal, huh?

Batting Giveaway

at Our Busy Little Bunch.

Musings on Quilts

One of the comments I received on a previous post prompted me to remember a passage from a book. The character was talking about how quilts reflect the personality of the maker. The comment was on my Chinese Coins quilt. She mentioned the vivid blue sashing and border setting it off.
I have too agree. Here is how I replied to her comment.


The jelly roll that I used for the majority of the "coins" was just a little too muted for me. The vivid blue was my answer to making the quilt bold and exciting (to me at least.)I read in a book that you can tell a lot about a person by their quilts. Looking back at this one, the front is all planned and organized, but the back is not at all that way. Both have bright as well as muted parts.
I guess that pretty well defines me.
Do you think that
Your quilts show who you are? If so, what do you think they say about you?

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