Get it Finished {February}

It's time to set my goal for February for A Lovely Year of Finishes.  This is a year long activity and is hosted by Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs. 

Participating in A Lovely Year of Finishes means that each month I will pick one project (can be new or something already started) and vow to finish the task within that month.  I'm looking forward using this as a motivator to better plan out what I want to work on.  I find myself sometimes sitting in my craft/sewing room and willy nilly picking up pieces and making progress, but not finishing things.  I will still allow myself to flit between projects, but this also gives me a sense of focus and urgency for at least one piece a month.

This month I would like to finish sewing, quilting and mail a completed quilt for Hurricane Sandy people in need.  I now have all the pieces trimmed and am ready to get this one off the to do list and off to a new loving family!

This is what the other Hurricane Sandy quilt looked like.  Only this time I have the coolest backing with little macaroons on it.  It's going to be super!

Quilt #1 for Hurricane Sandy Peeps

It's finished!!  Quilt #1 for a family affected by Hurricane Sandy.  I also talked about this quilt here and here.  I merely pieced the blocks and finished off the quilting/binding.  And then gave it it's first fluff up wash and send it off to be distributed.  Delightful isn't it?

The wonky log cabin blocks were made by Max in Kansas, Susan in New Jersey, and Marry Kay in Arizona.  Thank you ladies for showing your quilty-spirit and demonstrating how even a small effort can go a long way in comforting someone!!

I volunteered to assemble one more quilt and have received the last blocks I was waiting for.  Looking forward to the meditative process of piecing the blocks into rows and creating another giant hug to share!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Sandy Blocks are Coming Together

I was excited to find Sandy blocks in the mailbox!  So far I've received blocks from Beverly, Max, and Susan... I've trimmed the blocks and am beginning to layout and assemble quilt #1.

This is going to be a really cool quilt!

Quilts for Sandy with Quilting Gallery

Welcome back to Me!  November has been a full month to say the least:

::  We had a storm or two roll through
::  I am still working through medical things for the Mister (sending healing would be awesome)
::  I have kept busy fingers on many little projects -- can't wait to show you over the next few weeks
::  Thanksgiving was lovely and I enjoyed lots of family time!

I've also been puzzling out how to lend a hand to help heal the NY/NJ/CT area from all the chaos that Sandy created.  I had one of those moments where I know I have gifts to share and I want to.  I am openly acknowledging (to the universe) that I am here to help somehow and I will.  So, after looking around a bit I decided to join in the efforts at Quilting Gallery.

Here's a snip from Michele's call for help on her Sandy Block Drive:

"I know many of us are devastated by what we’ve seen in the news as a result of super storm Sandy. My heart goes out to all of those affected. I also know that many quilters are wondering what they can do to help. With that in mind, I’m organizing my first-ever Quilt Block Drive and I hope you’ll join in and help out too."

Michele is organizing quilt volunteers into block makers and team leaders.  I've raised my hand to be a team leader and assemble, quilt, and bind two quilts.  Exciting and nerve-wrecking... I'll just remember to transfer all this energy in to healing-loving thoughts for the quilt recipients. 

If you're interested feel free to jump over to Quilting Gallery and read about the effort.  We quilters know that many hands makes light work... and we also know what it feels like to wrap yourself in a quilt and know everything will work out. 

I look forward to seeing the blocks trickle in, so I can begin assembling them.  I will be sure to share bits of the journey along the way!

Also, thank you for the notes to say hi and see how I am -- means a lot to be missed!  We're fine here; the break from blogging was welcome and at the same time it feels good to be back!!  We'll catch up more over the next two weeks!