Recently someone asked me how I came up with the name Happy Cottage Quilter. My answer was slow in coming, as no one had ever asked me that before. Being told that I should have a cottage to use that name really threw me for a loop. But going back to one of my first blog posts, well, here is what I wrote......
We don't exactly live in a cottage, but in my heart it is. It is the cottage that we bought when we first married. We have raised our three children here. I love the oak floors. We have a large back yard where we have grown vegetables, roses and now a lemon and orange tree. There used to be a tree house in the large old water Oak. I could never go up there because it was so high it made me dizzy. But the memories are rich and full in this little house of mine. Laughter at the dinner table, games at the kitchen table. Children practicing piano and violin. M & M cookies baking in the oven. I used to even brew my own sweet ice tea, a southern tradition. Welcome to my cottage.
Yes we did live in a cottage. I loved decorating with things that brought us pleasure, whether they were from a retail store, tea house, or thrift store. We enjoyed sharing our lives in our little home. Many of you know that we moved last summer when I took you along as we painted, replaced carpets, found furniture and did a little bit of remodeling along with the excitement of moving for the first time in over 30 years.
So in the two years that have passed I have come to know many new friends. You have enriched my life with your encouragement, humor, creativity, faith and love. It amazes me that, even though I have never met you in person, I feel that we are friends.
So in appreciation of all of my followers just by being here and being supportive of my little blog, I would like to do a little giveaway. But this time I am going to ask you to do something for me. We all like to win a prize, whether it's a fat quarter of fabric, or a new cutting system. But don't you sometimes get more pleasure in giving rather then receiving? Please take a few minutes to view this video "The Power of 1". It will only take 5 minutes of your time.
I can't give away a cutting system, but here is the skinny on the giveaway -
* Since this is a follower giveaway, you must be a follower of my blog to enter. If you are not a follower, I would love to have you sign up!
* Leave one comment on this post and share with me how you have given to help someone by being the Power of 1. Have you made charity quilts, or volunteered in a soup kitchen, or even if you donated to an organization that helps others. (There is no right or wrong answer, and it is not required to be entered in the giveaway, but you must be a follower) One comment per person please.
Make sure you leave an email address if your email is not linked to your profile.
Make sure you leave an email address if your email is not linked to your profile.
* I will ship anywhere, so everyone is welcome to enter.
* The giveaway will close on Sunday, February 27, 2011.
* I will notify the winner via email. Again, please make sure I have a way to contact you.
If I am unable to reach the winner by Thursday, March 3rd, I will choose another winner.
Oh and what am I giving away?
You will have your choice of 6 fat quarters and 2 yards of coordinating fabric
or The Square in a Square Technique Ruler, Instruction book, "Special Delivery" pattern book, and some always useful tools. Let me know your preference in your comment.
Thank you so much for following the Happy Cottage Quilter. I appreciate each and every one of you!Happy Quilting!
78 comments:
I crochet afghans for Project Linus and donate about 3 every month. If I should be so lucky as to be the winner of your wonderful giveaway, I would prefer the fabric. I am a regular follower of your wonderful blog.
My daughter is a director of a local Hospice and hubby and I both donate to raffles..He is a woodworker and makes picture frames and I donate baby quilts.
and I am OF COURSE a follower...
I would love to try out that ruler and notions...
I have had a lot of fun this last year making Hatai relief quilts. They are huge, but getting together with a large group of ladies to tie them up is always a night of good cheer and lots of laughs.
I follow your blog and throughly enjoy it :)
Prior to moving to TN I worked with the youth in my church. I did this for years. I started with younger kids and worked my way up to young adults. By doing this I ended up working with the same kids for years and enjoyed watching them grow up. I nurtured them when they were not receiving that at home. I tried to nudge them to make the right decisions by supplying them with the tools to do so. I wanted them to hear the voice of the Lord by hearing my lessons. I still get notes from many of them through facebook. Many of them are parents now and still ask for advice. I truly love those kids and miss them.
I love your blog and follow it. Thank you for what you do.
Well, I can't say I do anything big like this. I love the video. I want to but right now I am trying to just teach my Grands the simple things in life. My Granny taught me. I am passing it on.I try to bring them to my house once a week and teach them something. This sure doesn't sound like much and I want to do more but this is a start. I want to pass it on. I would love to find someone to do a project like this with me but the power of 1 says we can start it ourselves. Beautiful.
I've made quilts for Project Linus and Quilts for Kids and I plan to make more this year. If I win, I'd like the fabric please! And I'm definitely a follower! Thanks for the giveaway! :0)
I'm new to quilting and haven't gotten into donating quilts yet... but right now I am making mug rugs and putting them in the school courier mail to co-workers to brighten their day. Things are stressful at work... in addition to the normal "busy season" for us, the State budget crisis is worrisome because we wonder if any of us will have jobs come fall.
Congrats on your two years of blogging... and your home certainly sounds cottage-like to me!
Inspirational video -thanks!
We donate to charities that help others - MCC is my favorite. I also volunteer one full day a week at an elementary school (OK - maybe that benefits me just as much - 5 year olds are so entertaining!)
I am a follower and either prize would be a bonus! Thanks!!♥
I make quilts for a local charity set up in memory of a much loved local doctor
I loved reading from your original post -- and accordingly, I think you picked the perfect name for your blog! I volunteer with our Downtown Rescue Mission, and I make quilts for our guild's "Comfy Quilts" program, which gives quilts to the NICU, local nursing & veteran's homes, and for kids who are involved in 911 calls. Our guild receives probably between 20-30 of these quilts from guild members every month!
And of course I'm a faithful and long-time follower! :)
I have been making pillowcases for Community Crisis Center, in Elgin, IL. It is a shelter for abused women with children. I am a follower as well.
I make quilts for those in need, cancer patients, neglected children, have donated blankets to Project Linus in the past and have set goals to do so this year. My work place has a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society each year and I volunteer to help with it and donate a quilting or crocheted item to raffle off. The quilt guild I belong to also donates blankets to children entering head-start to comfort them on their new journey and we also make lap quilts for those in nursing homes. Helping others is part of the journey.
Here's wishing you great week!
God bless and keep you,
Sonia
I am involved in a small group that makes quilts for those that need a hug from God-whether it is CA, homes destroyed by flood or fire, illness or wherever we feel a need. The blessing is ours.
I am a follower. I have many charity quilts. I don't know if this counts but 5 years ago my mother died. My parents lived in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. Dad's health wasn't the greatest but he refused to leave the house he had lived in with my mother. So....I quit my job, left my husband and family and moved up north to take care of Dad. We had 4 years together and I think Dad was happy. He died a year ago and I miss him, but I am happy to be with my family again. Hugs
Thanks for your blog! I always am inspired by your work.
My volunteer work is with high school students, tutoring in chemistry and math. Sometimes I have to study very hard to be able to answer their questions, but we learn together.
I am starting to donate kids' quilts that our guild gives to a local childrens' hospital.
Joanna
Thank you for the inspirational video. Over the years my husband and I have fostered children in our home. I also make quilts for donation and more recently I have been running a twice a month lunch for senior citizens at my church.
I would love to win the fabric. I always love to see what other quilters use. You can email me at rjk@ndsupernet.com
I know it's not much, but I donate to our local food bank regularly.
congrats on the two years. I often don't stop to think about what I have done for others and your video made me think about it. Through my guilds I have made items for dontations, personally I have donated to Project Linus and made a wallhanging to donate, and I donate regularly to a local thrift shop to name a few.
Such an important topic. We have tried to instill a giving nature to our son from an early age. From around 5 years old bringing gently used, but no longer needed, toys to a homeless shelter to preparing sandwiches for Thanksgiving meals at a soup kitchen. I could go on, but you get the idea. Oh, and I love the idea of having a cottage in your heart, that was lovely.
Wow, thanks for asking. I've done many things over time from volunteering for a charity group to giving money. I'm sure there is more that I could do. Thanks for planting the seed.
I have made quilts for kids and help out at our church with several outreaches.
I am hoping to help with quilts for valor this year. If I was so lucky to win I would love the fabric. Thank you and have a wonderful day!!
What a lovely give away! Anyone would be so pleased to win! One way I give back is my volunteer work at the Bangor Humane Society. The animals need a voice and I try to be that voice and speak out for them. It's almost like cats are throw away creatures, more so then dogs and they get a rough deal so many times too. I don't like raising money, it's very hard for me but I do it because I know all the good that it is going to do and that it will help give those animals a second chance at life for happiness and love. Yes, I am a follower! :o)
That is just the neatest thing!!! You just never know how God will call you to minister!! :)
I'm not a quilter so I don't want to win anything. But I did love this post. I am following now... :)
~Liz
P.S. maybe you will follow me too??? :)
I enjoyed your video. I make pillowcases that get donated to local charities. Last winter I knit slippers for the homeless shelter. I'm a follower and I would choose the fabric if I win.
I am a follower and would choose the fabric if I win. I've made lap quilts for the church to donate to local nursing homes, and bought food for the church pantry that goes to those in need. My jump start into service came from a year long community leadership program and chairing the community projects initiative. These ranged from cleaning trash out of the river, to a sensory garden for the blind, and a foster family recruitment public service TV announcement and video.
Follower, & I would choose the fabric. Since July of this past year I (along with 5 other wonderful ladies) have been making knitted & crocheted hats, afghans & quilts to donate to the local hospitals for newborns & preemies. Right now I'm working on a Pink sampler quilt that will (eventually) be donate to a local women's center. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
I loved hearing about you named your blog, thank you. As for what I do, well, quilts for Linus, quilts for my disabled sister, donations and regular financial support to our local hospice, used to be a volunteer at the Samaritans, have run a youth club,look after my father who is 86, look after grandchildren so their parents can work, but really, these are all things that a lot of people do aren't they? I don't do anything really inspirational, so perhaps I'd better start thinking about that one.
I would choose the fabric since I am a fabric hoarder LOL Thanks for a chance to win. I donate quilts,blankets and gently used baby clothes to our local pregnancy center.
I would pick the fabric too, I love my fabric stash. I quilt for our local Woman shelter, we make quilts for each child in the shelter.
Due to physical constraints for me and time constraints for hubby (he holds two jobs), we tend to give money or buy things for charities. Most recent was a gift of money for a couple in the process of adopting from Ethiopia....it's been a long process and very expensive. We gave that they might have a little one to love and nurture and be blessed in that mighty way that having children is! Another area we give regularly to is our food pantry in town. We've gone on shoppig trips to stock their shelves, given them cash to fill in where needed, and donated fresh produce from the garden. Nursing homes benefit from fresh crops as well....
well, didn't intend to toot our own horn....just know that we care and do what we can to be a blessing to others as well.
(I'm a follower)
It was really lovely to read about your translation of your cottage!
My power of 1 experience has been crocheting socks for soldiers in places that are the 'tip of the sword' It's an amazing feeling to be able to give them a little piece of home while they are off doing the most noble things out there!
And I have also enjoyed getting to know you!!
I help people for free with study projects where more advance computerwork is involved, like building 3d models and other graphic work. I also design scrapbook kits for good causes, like Children hospitals or Haiti red cross relief. And I take care of stray cats (neutering, spaying, vaccinating) :)
I would choose the fabric, as it's hard to find nice fabric where I live.
And I am a follower. Love your blog!
I'm a follower. I'm a blood donor and I make quilts for orphans and for the local pregnancy help center. I would choose the ruler, book, and notions.
Very inspiring video, Jocelyn. Thanks for sharing. I am a new follower now...Christine
I donated to the foodbank thru my kids school's 12 days of christmas. And I sponsor a child thru World Vision. But at the moment there isn't alot of time or money to be donating much more. I'd take the fabric. Thanks for a chance to win!
I donate to a lot of things but recently I donated a lap quilt to Hopes and Dreams for ALS patients. I was not expecting it but I got the most touching thank you note written by the wife of the man who received the quilt. It brought tears to my eyes.
If I were to win I would love the fabric. Thanks for a chance.
I like to donate to World Vision and our local homeless ministries.
Either prize would be fabulous! I'm a new follower.
Thanks!
Julie
I have always been a big fan of Project Linus and donated a blanket to them back in high school. Then this last year we *received* a blanket from them when our son was in the NICU. Amazing to have been on both sides of the project, and I look forward to donating more blankets once I work my way through my current gift list.
I did one for the Downy Kids Quilts.
Thanks so much for the wonderful giveaway! What a joy your blog has been, I have gotten to follow you for a while and really enjoy it. My husby and I have recently been asked to take over the outreach ministry in our church. We have recently served at a homeless mission, and a ronald mcdonald house. We have gone to New York School of Urban Ministry in NYC where we had the opportunity to work with homeless, hungry, hurting people in the city.
What a privilege to be able to serve others.
Wonderful & inspirational post!I think you chose the perfect name for your blog. Blogging has introduced me to so many new friends too.
I don't feel I do anything special anyone else can't, doesn't, or won't do, and a post like this is very good for causing one to think about service to others...always needed, whether appreciated or not. Thank-you.
I am a follower and I help with the Nathan Blanket project in my corner of the world. Thanks for such a lovely giveaway! I love the fabric - very nice!
Right now my biggest cause is helping my daughter with her son. She works full time and is on the last leg of college. She will graduate in Dec with a degree in chemical engr and minor in chemestry(?). I know this isn't a big cause - but it is for me.
Yes, I'm a follower. I can't say that I've made a quilt to give away to a truly needy person, but I've given many, many quilts away to friends and family. Usually one of my first thoughts is: What can I make and give this person? It's an addiction of mine! LOL!
However, on the charity front, my husband and I are big supporters and donate to our local crisis pregnancy center and love the idea of helping babies be born who possibly would not be if these moms-to-be didn't hear some Good News and change their minds about aborting. It's our part of helping these little ones.
Just come back to read these comments and can't see mine? Mmm have I had a senior moment and not sent it right, I am always doing that. Before I came to live in France I use to do voluntary work with physically and mentally handicapped young adults, this involved helping to run a disco once a week and taking them on holiday once or twice a year. It was very rewarding but also very exhausting too. Thanks for a chance to win...and I hope I send this in right this time. LOL
What a lovely post.
You have read my blog and so you know....but I do do alot of things that I don't blog about, if I do blog I never say where it is going and I like it that way. Sometimes just need to stay close to the heart and does not always need accalades....if I spelt that right. The most joy and satisfaction I get in life is doing for other as most of us quilters are givers instead of takers...that is the way life should be.
Thanks for your wonderful message.
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
I donate some needlecase to the breast cancer of my town.
I`d take the fabrics.Thanks for the chance to win.
I am now a follower of your blog. I am a crocheter as well as a quilter so one of the ways I like to help others is by crocheting "Prayer Shawls." My husband and I take several road trips and while he drives, I crochet.
Hi! Love your new blog header! I've made pillowcases to support Conkerr Cancer. Recently, I helped make string blocks for Quilts of Valor.
Thanks for sharing this video link!
Loved the video and I'm a pediatric RN (25yrs) in a children's hospital. I had a close african american friend's grandchild who drowned in a city pool!
I've volunteered in our church nursery ages 16-24 month old for 12 years. My husband and I actually teach this age and our goal is show the children a love to come to church. They start out crying when they leave their parents and when it's time for them to move up they can't wait to come to church. Some of their first words are Bible and they learn God made them. We use the Palma Smiley early childhood eduaction (google that it's pretty neat what that age can learn) I email pictures of the kids to the parents so they can see what the kids are learning. At the end of our session they earn a Bible and I make each one special. I place a picture of the child with their Bible inside the front cover. I reinforce to them God made you!
My email I check regularly is mikedebbienifong@bellsouth.net
I would like the tool set if I win.
Thank you for the giveaway. I love your blog!
I belong to the World of Charity Stitchers, a Yahoo group that Cross stitches squares that are made into quilts. I am not only one of the stitchers but I am one of the quilters for the group. Last year I made 14 quilts, 22 tote bags and misc sewn items. I am currently working on 7 quilts which will go to a nursing home. we also send to a abused women and children's shelter, Ronald McDonald house, ill children, and cancer patients
I crochet afgans for the homeless shelter in our community. They give a quilt or an afghan to each child who comes through the shelter, for them to keep for their own. Thank you for the giveaway. I would love the tool set.
As a quilter the only thing I like almost as much as fabric is the tools and gadgets that go with it.
I'm a long time follower and I make several premie quilts for our local hospital each year. I also make quilts for children in a domestic violence shelter. It's very rewarding to be able to give. Thanks for the giveaway. I would prefer the fabric. Thanks for the chance.
Today I donated my time to our clothing closet at our church along with several other ladies! Then I donated some other things to my favorite thrift shop. Thanks for the giveaway and I would prefer the fabrics!
I am a new follower!
I am a new follower!
ctrau48@gmail.com
I have worked many Thanksgiving at a center in Indianapolis. This was very rewarding. We served hundreds of meals in the center as well as delivered them to those who could not make it. Your give away looks great.
Thanks,
Cheryl ctrau48@gmail.com
I deliver Meals on Wheels with my church, and I make quilts with my local Quilts of Valor group http://lolqov.blogspot.com/
I also volunteer for several different organizations thru my church. Helping others is what we are supposed to do. If I win, I'd love either, but, I love tools and rulers. Visit my blog and find out about me. I'm new to blogging.
Thanks for the great thoughts Janet. Quilts of Valor is one of my favorite organizations to donate to in addition to the local crisis nursery and further away from home for the Basics Quilt Gather.
I was able to start a prayer quilt ministry at my church. We make quilts of comfort for people facing crises in their lives be it health issues or emotional needs and offer prayers for their recovery. I would appreciate the book, tools, and notions. I'm a follower and can be reached at nbtay@sbcglobal.net Thank you for the opportunity.
Thanks for sharing the video, it really got me thinking about what I do for others. I can't say that I've had a huge impact in helping others outside of my immediate family for quite a while. But when my husband and I were in the military I always really enjoyed having the single airmen over for the holidays. I hated to think of people far from home and all alone, we always had good food and good times!
Hello;
I do a lot of volunteer work for the local Big Brother/Sister Org. There are so many local children that just need a mentor in thier lives.
I have made quilts for Project Linus and plan to do more in the future. I'm also planning to donate to the Alzheimers Art Quilt Iniative as it's a cause close to my heart.
I'm a new follower.
I recently donated money to help a Downs Syndrome child become adopted. In the past I have donated hand made items to a local church to sell to raise money for their charities. I have donated money and blankets to various groups for those in need.
Wow, great message! What have I done? Well, not much. I hope to change that, though. I do belong to a guild that makes and donates quilts to several charities around the area. And another on-line group I belong to does, too. Recently one of the girls I work with lost her home to a fire, and I was able to get 3 quilts for her from the on-line group. I've made blocks and put together tops for them in the past, too.
Not sure this is what you were looking for!
And I am a follower!
Thanks,
Sandy A
Hey, I give free quilting classes, and have done humanitarian hygiene kits to be sent off to foreign countries.
I volunteer. My neighbour organizes running races and each race is associated with a different charity. I volunteer at several races, one of which is a week long series. I also volunteer at the fencing club. lots of fun working with the kids. My quilting quild also does several projects throughout the year. I definitely believe that each of us can make a difference. It doesn't have to be big things as all those small bits do add up.
Thanks suggesting this video.
I am working on starting a charity sewing & quilting group in my small town. I already have two project ideas on my "list." We hope to meet for the first time soon. Also, I cannot resist fabric in just about any shape or form!
I have made several quilts and donated to disaster victims- also donated fabric to Linus quilts and churches who make quilts. Our quilt guild also donates quilts. The local senior center quilts for people and I volunteer to quilt. The money we make is donated to the senior center. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am volunteering in a family resource centre. I'm plaaning in the future to make a quilt with some of the service users to raise funding forthe organisation.
Thanks for the giveaway, I think I'd like to get the notions if I'm lucky.
I've been following your blog for a while.
I'm hosting a giveaway at the moment, I invite you to participate too. Thank you!
Hey Jocelyn...can't believe I'm finally getting around to visiting everybody's blog...the funeral through a ringer in my week for sure. I'm a follower of course! :0)
I donate quilting to my guild for woman's battered shelter here in town.
I think that I got this following right now. I have been following your blog for a few weeks now but I must not have registered right.
My sister and I donate every tenth project to a home for troubled mothers to be and a shelter for mothers with children. Crafty people have big hearts as well as talent.
Honey
New blog (started from your example) homeymadecrafts.blogspot.com
I try to do a variety of things, donate quilts, donate to the local food kitchen, donate business attair to women's shelters, whatever I can.
I'm a follower.
I'm a new follower! I just found your blog and I really love it. Enjoyed the sweet memories of your long-time home. We, too, have lived in one spot for many years (32 so far) and remember the laughter, games and love that we all have shared here.
We taught our kids to give and share by asking them to help us as we put together items for a crisis pregnancy center near here; I still make blankies for the new babies. If I win, I'd love the wonderful notions and tools!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com
Longtime follower! Donate to Food Bank regularly. Donate to Quilts of Valor every fall. Since I hoard fabric...I'd love the fabric...but I also seem to hoard quilting books and tools too..so would be happy with either!
Your blog is one I always enjoy reading. Volunteering has always been a part of my life in one format or another. Presently, I help make blocks with my quilt guild that go into charity quilts. The things my family no longer needs gets sent to charity. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win the fabric.
I am a follower. Our quilt guild makes quilts for shelters and hospitals and every member helps out. In the past, I have tied quilts, made mastectomy pillows and wheel chair bags.
Post a Comment