New Possibilities for a New Quilt

This was a long day of sewing and napping--a great way to spend a day off. I have 10 of the 14 rows joined on my new quilt--Essences of Joy. I'm excited watching this creation come to life. Just a bit more and it will be ready to be pressed and quilted. As a trial run I tried metallic gold thread stitched on scraps of the fabric. It's beautiful. and the thought of bits of sparkle shimmering through my quilt really excites me. I still need to pick out my backing but that should be done in short order. Watch for the finished top to be posted soon and in a few weeks the finished quilt.

Announcing An Upcoming Raffle of a Quilt Orchard Quilt

Lily is designed by Jillian Grant for The Quilt Orchard

Great news!  This quilt will soon be available for an online raffle to raise money for Mercy Covers, an organization in Costa Rica that is working with indigenous women to teach them sewing skills.  They are making quilts and other products to give to other needy people as well as learn skills to grow their own ability to support themselves.  Sewing is a skill that can be vital in helping women support themselves and their families.  We are working toward gaining more funds to help ship supplies and sewing machines for this effort.  Watch for more news to come.

The Family That Sews Together

I just got back from an amazing weekend in Illinois.  My cousin got married for the first time, and he's 50+. Better late than never.  Congratulations to Brian and Beth Graham.  I know your union will bring you many blessings.

In the meantime the women of our family are all planning a sewing retreat yet this month where we have hired a meeting hall for two days.  We women and the young girls are all going to sew together.  The goal is to bring our current quilt project or anything else we want to work on and we will sew away.  What a good way for we women to enjoy one another.  Of course, we have decided the men will cook for us and deliver the food.  Now how's that for a good way to enjoy time together.  We will also be honoring our matriarch, Alma Dye Grant, my salt-of-the-earth grandmother.  She was a quilter and a sewer and she has handed down the gene to  we "girls."  We can hope this will become an annual event.

Happy beginning of the month of Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for my family, friends, a great job, and the talents bestowed on me to create.