Honoring An Angel

A friend gave birth to her sleeping baby recently. 

We knew that if he survived birth, he may not live long.

I felt like he needed a quilt, even if he only lived for a few moments.

But, when I was able to start the quilt, I learned that he had passed away in the womb.

After another friend had a pregnancy loss earlier this year, I learned that it can be a comfort to gift something with the baby's name on it.

So, I made my friend a quilt in honor of her little angel, and asked another friend to embroider the baby's name on one of the blocks.

These pictures have the name scribbled out, since I don't know if she'd want that online.

My hope is that when she, her husband, or children need comfort when sad, they can wrap themselves in something that was made with love.

HANDS2HELP CHARITY QUILT CHALLENGE 2017!!!

CONFESSIONS OF A FABRIC ADDICT

I discovered my favority quilting blog last year, I think.
I LOVE Sarah's quilt designs/patterns, and have even made a quilt for a wedding gift that was from her pattern!
Sarah created a charity quilt challenge a few years ago.
Since I relatively recently discovered her blog, this is the first time I'm able to participate in the challenge.
Someday I'll get to meet Sarah, but in the meantime, I love following her blog and instagram, seeing what she's up to, and what she's designing.
Click on the name of her blog (just above), to see it!
If you click on the challenge logo, below, that'll take you  to details about the challenge.

I was going to finish a more feminine quilt I've been working on, for the challenge.

But, we've had an insane amount of things going on with our family for the past several weeks, with this week being the craziest.

So, without time to finish that one, I looked in my closet to see which of my as yet ungifted quilts would work.

The charity I donated 2 quilts to is a women's shelter in our community.

The shelter is actually for women and children.

The Pokemon quilt, below, is perfect for a friend of mine.

Her son is a Pokemon fan, and I know he will love having a cozy quilt to use!

Sorry the lighting is so bad on all these pictures!

This is an infant/toddler quilt, that was hand-tied.  

Even without machine quilting, it is cozy and will be warm in the fall for someone.

These gifts of comfort were met with gratitude, and I hope to make more for them soon!

Quilt Cousins!

When Anthony went through 14 months of treatment in Seattle for his leukemia, I had 3 of our younger children with us in Seattle.

Our two older children stayed home with Andy.

Whenever Andy would come visit (weekly and whenever Anthony was admitted to the hospital), Daniel and Kelly stayed at two other families' homes.

Those families are like family to us now.

When their children started having children, I got busy.

There are 3 grandchildren now, and one coming any day.

I was behind on baby #3, so I thought of a design to make that would work for both babies, just different colors.

The baby coming soon is a girl, and her mom requested no pink.

She's getting a vintage-y teal and yellow look.

Make A Difference Day!!

I have a project that I've worked on since 2011.
When children are sent in an ambulance or life flight to Seattle, I make kits for their parents.

The first time Anthony went in an ambulance to Seattle, I was given 15 minutes to be packed and ready to leave.  Not much time, and if you add shock in there, not even close to enough time!

My kits include toiletry items, snacks, vending machine money, socks, gum, etc.  This is the stuff that's needed for the parents to get through the next couple of days, let alone the next several hours.

I've found it can be more than 8 hours from the time you go to the ER to the time that you're able to get to real food (hospital cafeteria).

The last couple of years, I have included my project in our local Make A Difference Day.
This year, I received a phone call on my birthday (total coincidence!) that my project is a national winner!!  Only 14 projects won national awards.

The prize was being able to make a $10,000 donation to the charity of my choice.

We were able to donate $10,000 to STRONG AGAINST CANCER at Seattle Children's Hospital!
My hope and dream is that this donation will help other children have a chance at a cure like Anthony had.  He's healthy now, and all kids deserve that.

Check out our surprise video!!
https://www.facebook.com/makeadifferenceday/videos/10155421959479835/

If you aren't on Facebook, you can see it HERE  on Youtube.

SpringBreakRoadTrip2017 -- Day 6

We ran some errands before leaving town, then arrived in Western Washington early evening.

I had to try to find a decent, slimming, shirt for the news interview tomorrow.

More details will come on that, when I can.  ;)

It's Aunt Di's birthday today!  

We're staying with Nana and Aunt Di, so we don't have to leave so early in the morning.

Everyone watching a movie.

SpringBreakRoadTrip2017 -- Day 5

We are home. Until tomorrow. Then we'll be in Seattle until Friday. 
LONG day driving, but we drove the whole way today. 15 hours

We arrived home. For the night.

We drove ALL. DAY. LONG.

15 hours.

But we made it home!

Last week, I renewed our long-expired AAA membership.

The lady told me the benefits of membership.

I laughed and thought it was ridiculous when she said they provide fuel delivery.

Well, we ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere.  

I was so thankful for being covered by AAA again.

The house was dark, but happy to have us back.

SpringBreakRoadTrip2017 -- Day 4

Tuesday morning, Andy and I went to the temple with Kelly.

It was her first time going all the way through and receiving personal blessings.

We hung out with Kelly part of the day, and also Jared in the evening.

Kelly almost took us on a hike, but Bridal Veil Falls was closed!

We visited another thrift store and found good stuff.

Being a good dad to get just the right angle for the shot Kelly wanted. 

 I liked Kellys' sandals, then saw the exact same ones featured on a fashion blog the same day.

 First time visiting In N Out!

It was good, inexpensive (even with everyone having milkshakes with their lunch), filling, and everyone was so nice!

 Anthony having everyone say the Pledge of Allegiance with him.

Anthony took a few pictures.