Quilt Qwazy Queens are Here!

It’s a blog hop day…and National Quilting Day, how fun is that?  Of course, I think every day should be National Quilting Day, don’t you? With the current schedule (I work two jobs), I didn’t have time to make something new for today so I thought I’d take a minute to show you some of my favorite work I’ve done and introduce myself.   My love of quilting started at a young age.  I can remember  trying to sew scraps together after reading the Little House on the Prairie books and I loved the idea of making something beautiful out of the leftover bits.  In fact, I love it so much that my scrap baskets have gotten out of control.  So, my quilting word of the year is “Scrap.” My goal is to make a dent in the scrap bag(s),….and boxes…..and drawers this year.  I haven’t given up buying new fabric but I am trying to slow way down in my acquisition of new yardage.  (We’ll see how that goes!)

My favorite projects and one the things I love the most about quilting is the opportunity to show my love of people in a tangible way.  I like to think that a quilt is a hug you can wrap around someone when they need it most.  Every day, someone is facing their toughest day and while a quilt won’t fix it, I like to think that it can bring a small measure of comfort.

For years, I’ve made quilts for a local program that facilitates the intake of children taken from difficult situations.  Imagine my feelings when life surprised me with a second daughter who came with a Project Linus blanket.  For years, I’d made quilts for kids who would share a bit of history with the daughter who was heading for my life! Here’s a sampling of some of the quilts I’ve made and donated. (These are some of the most recent…my computer has been being “remodeled” and I didn’t have access to most of my older photos.)

A stack of children’s quilt that my daughter pieced.

Made with inspiration fabric from guild and donated back to guild.

I found these partial 9-patches on the scrap table and donated the baby and doll quilt back to the guild.

Donor quilt with blocks from the Heartstrings Project.

Donor quilt #2, pieced by my cousin with donated blocks

Inspiration fabric baby quilt.

Donor quilt #3, Heartstring Project blocks.

 Two year ago, I found out that this same daughter’s heart surgeries were merely palliative and that she will need a transplant eventually.  Just after that, I was asked by a dear cousin if I would consider making quilts for the donor program.  These quilts are taken to the hospital and used to give a small touch of warmth and comfort to otherwise sterile hospital rooms.  Afterwards, the quilts are given to the donor’s family.  His mother had made them for years and, with her health failing, she was unable to continue.  I like to think of this as “paying it forward” in a small way.  Someday, if we are lucky, someone will bravely choose to give our daughter another chance at life in the midst of their tragedy.  I like knowing that I am extending even the smallest measure of comfort to families in their darkest hours.

If you’d like to join in making quilts for the donor program, feel free to leave me a comment saying that and I’ll be in touch.  The need is great.  It is my fervent hope to someday live in a world where children are safe and organs are grown in labs but in the meantime, I send my little quilts into the world to give a hug on my behalf.

And, speaking of hug quilts, this is one of my favorites…

The Autograph Quilt, living up to the name.

 I made this quilt when one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met lost three limbs to a rare blood disease issue.  She continues to be one of the kindest and most encouraging people I’ve ever met and her quilt, covered with loving words and good wishes, gets regular use.

So, in honor of National Quilting Day, Marian has secured an extra gift for everyone who visits the hop!  The Fat Quarter Shop has offered a 10% off discount with the code seamstobe316.  There are also other great prizes up for grabs!  Just leave  a comment on each blog then hop over to Seams to be Sew to enter the rafflecopter.  There’s a different giveaway daily so stick around and see what everyone is up to!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for letting me share my quilting passion with you.  Here’s a list of the rest of the hop.  I hope you’ll have as much fun hopping as I do and that you get some good quality quilting time in for National Quilting Day!

Beth

 

March 18
Life In The Scrapatch
Sew Incredibly Crazy
In The Boon Docks
Quilting Affection
Words & Stitches
After You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter Only At
Seams to Be Sew

March 21
QuiltShop Gal
TeaTime Creations
Ravelly
Meadowbrook
Bumbleberry CottageAfter You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter Only At
Seams to Be Sew

March 22
Feather Your Nest
Grandmama’s Stories
Pamela Quilts
Vroomans Quilts
My Quilty Musings
After You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter Only At
Seams to Be Sew

March 23
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Ridge Top Quilts
Quilt Art
Patchwork Breeze
Kwilt Krazy
After You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter Only At
Seams to Be Sew

March 24
Marjorie’s Busy Corner
Just Because Quilts
Moose Stash
Batts In The Attic
All Things Sewn
After You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter Only At
Seams to Be Sew

March 25
Just Let Me Quilt
Sew Many Yarns
Quilting Queen Online
Jane’s Quilting
After You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter and Also My Featured Day
Seams to Be Sew

Have a Quilt Qwazy Queen kind of day!