My heart project

Many years ago, when my youngest son was three weeks old, he came down with a high fever.  He was immediately admitted to the hospital for tests. During those tense days, there was little comfort not knowing what lay ahead with this little one.

My heart project has always been making pillowcases for children in the hospital. Ryan's Case for Smiles is an ongoing organizations, making and donating pillowcases for thousands of children in hospitals around the country. Actually over 50,000 children at over 330 hospitals are helped annually. So about twice a year, I purpose to make between 20 - 25 pillowcases to donate.

A GRATEFULFAMILY - posted from the Case for Smiles Newsletter

"Memorial Day, our son went to a local hospital with arm pain. The following day we were transported to the hospital and given a diagnoses of Stage IV Burkitt Lymphoma. Blake began an aggressive cycle of chemotherapy within hours of transportation to the hospital as the cancerous tumors are extremely fast moving. Within three weeks chemotherapy needed to stop. By week seven Blake was finished the fight and he went to Heaven. During our seven weeks in the hospital we were blessed by Ryan's Case for Smiles. And the blessing hasn't stopped. We never were able to bring our son home, but we were able to bring home the case that Blake had used while we were there. Our other children also had the opportunity to pick out cases. Thank you so much for giving such a valuable and lasting gift to my family. We are forever grateful to you!"

At the time when my little son was in the hospital, there wasn't anything like this. But there are lots of children who would enjoy a whimsical pillowcase that will bring a little bit of brightness and an emotional boost. And to put a smile on the face of sick children coping with the stress of their illnesses and injuries.

Can I get a Whoop Whoop! 

 Finished or Not Friday 
Brag About your Beauties

Wordless Wednesday

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day celebrated in the US in honor and tribute to the soldiers who have lost their lives to serve and protect our country.

"I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day.

I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did. "

~Benjamin Harrison

 

In memory and honor of those who have fought and died to keep our country free.

May God continue to protect and bless the United States of America!

Wishing you a safe and Happy Memorial Day!

Sewing Box Scraps

Finished putting together the Sewing Box Scraps pattern from A Prairie Journey. It was a fun pattern to put together, using all kinds of scraps. The original pattern called for 1 1/2 x 2 1/2" pieces making the quilt come out to 16 1/2 x 20 1/2.  I chose to cut my pieces 2 1/2 x 4 1/2. The top came out 32 x 40.  I like it a bit bigger, so it can be used for child or a baby quilt. Now to decide on the binding!

Can I get a Whoop Whoop! 

 Finished or Not Friday 
Brag About your Beauties

A Winner

Thank you everyone, who stopped by and visited my blog during my giveaway. I did not have time to repond to your posts, but they were all there, even the ones that went into the spam folder.

I was so surprised that many of you did not know the Pioneer Woman published a magazine. I think it's been about a year now that the Pioneer Woman magazine has been on the market.

 Quilting Babcia is the winner of the giveaway.  Congratulations!

Sweet On You

From the title of this book you know this is going to be a story about a "sweet" romance.

Britt Bradford is the youngest of the three Bradford sisters. And she is fiercely independent. When she was 14 years old, a broken young man came to her school and she decided that she would befriend him. Thirteen years later, their friendship has blossomed into being the best of friends. The only thing is, Zander Ford has been in love with Britt ever since he met her. But wanting to maintain their especially close friendship, he holds back his true feelings for her. The trust and loyalty between them hallmarks what true friendship is about. Until Zander no longer can withhold his feelings for Britt.  As Britt backpedals her own feelings, Zander is totally a gentleman and allows her the space she needs to navigate in her own time.

I am so amazed at how Becky Wade can delve into the deep feelings of her characters. She brings so much depth and insights into a relationship and the hazards of springing them loose. A truly sweet and special final story of the three Bradford sisters series.

Becky Wade is having a giveaway that can be found on her home page. Your can find it HERE

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

A Prairie Journey

A few months back, I won this book form Kathleen Tracy.

A Prairie Journey has some really pretty quilts. As I was looking through it, I decided that I would make this one...

I always like to make scrappy type quilts. And this one was organized scrappy.

The one thing I did differently was, the original called for 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" pieces. I like to make my quilts a little bit bigger, so I cut the fabric 2 1/2 x 4 1/2. 

I have never been great with the math in these patterns, so I 'm not sure how big it will turn out, but I'm liking it so far. Many more rows to make :-)

So do you alter your patterns to different sizes? How does it turn out for you?

 

BTW, have you signed up for my giveaway? You can find it on Monday's post HERE.

Be sure to leave your email address if you are no reply blogger. You have until tomorrow to sign up!

Can I get a Whoop Whoop! 

 Finished or Not Friday 
Brag About your Beauties

Regency Romance

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah Ladd is a beautifully written novel staged in the early 1800's. Cordelia Greythorne, having fled Cornwall following the death of her husband, has found her place as a governess. But with the sudden death of her employer, she is asked to stay on with the children when they are sent to live with their uncle.

Jac Twethewey is working hard to establish the orchards, left to him by his uncle. When his nieces and nephews arrive, with their governess and tutor, he is shocked to learn that his estranged brother has left them in his care. He finds that Delia has a heart for the children, helping them through the grieving, after she has herself, suffered through much. She carries a painful past, and a mysterious  secret. Will her secret bring danger to the children she has grown to love?

The story of loss and blooming love, with a suspenseful climax, was well paced and enjoyable. It was an intriguing story that I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Times Two (giveaway)

Have you ever bought something, not knowing if you had it already?  Well I found I had an extra copy of The Pioneer Woman magazine. (I bought one and my subscription started with the same issue).

So I thought, maybe I have other duplicates hanging around the house.  Digging around I found I had two issues of 100 Blocks Vol 2 and Vol 4.

Hummm...what other goodies could I unearth!

Well as it turns out, there were several. So why not share?  I'm going to stuff as many things into a Flat Rate envelope and send it to one of you!

Just leave a comment on this post (and if you are a follower you may leave a second comment telling me how you follow). Because of the increasing cost of postage, this offer is for you sweet friends from the USA.

I'll choose a winner on Saturday May 18th. So jump on in and make my day :-D

Happy Mothers Day

Day tripping

On our last day of travel, we found another sweet shop.

I forgot to take a picture of the entrance, but here it is non the less.

This was a beautiful shop and the staff was very friendly. 

You know we like friendly ;-)

On the day I was in, they had their sale fabric marked down to $6. And believe me, they had lots! I would certainly visit again.

Taking a tour

Taking a tour of quilt shops as we travel, we find all kinds of different places.

The day we stopped in at Sew Blessed, the shop was packed with ladies. After walking around for a few minutes I asked one of the ladies, what was going on? Was there a sale? No she said. A bus!!

So I ended up just looking around a bit, because there was no way I was going to be able to cut in a line for cutting and purchasing :-)

This next one was my favorite.

It was a nice quilt shop with a nice selection of fabric. It was the first one I ever found with Thimble Blossoms fabric.Maybe next time we are in the area, I will stop and shop.

Birdhouse Quilts

Traveling over the past week, I was delighted when my hubby stopped at a few quilt shops along the way.

Our first stop was at the Birdshouse Quilt shop in Byron Georgia. What a delightful shop it is, too. The staff is very friendly and the prices are reasonable.

We had stopped here last year on our way home from another trip. I loved the shop and found lots of creative inspiration. They had a ton of mark down fabric, which I am assuming they are preparing for the spring lines. I bought a pair of machine quilting gloves and a couple of pieces of fabric.

Don't you love to stop and shop when you travel?

More than words

 

More Than Words Can Say is a delightful novel by Karen Witemeyer.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every book written by Ms Witemeyer. She has a way of expressing a story that makes her characters feel real.

This story, of a marriage of convenience to save a family business, was intriguing. The story of Zach and Abby and the contract they agree upon, contains some humor plus romance.There is a tension that runs throughout with someone who wishes harm to come to Abby. But she is always gracious and kind. This was in inspiring story where with God's help, trust and forgiveness overcomes hatred and evil. I would recommend this book as I think it is a very enjoyable read.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.