Grateful, Thankful, Blessed, and Charity

November is a month for thankfulness.  It is a time of reflection on what God has provided for us.  As my mind often does, I turn first to my relationship with Christ and my salvation.  I also turn my thoughts to my quilting.  God has so truly blessed me with talents beyond measure with abilities to create and desires to bless others with that creativity.

My sewing group with the Cruso Friendship Club recently began a project to make quilts for our local DSS and Child Services.  We call these our Comfort Quilts.  What began a little less than two months ago has ballooned into a wonderful project.  We are typically a small group of 6-8 that meets most Tuesday mornings.  Two of our usual friends have ventured back to their winter homes, one in Florida and one in Texas.  We had another friend who lives in Georgia visit recently with a generous gift of fabric, blocks, and quilt tops that she had been given.  With these pieces and parts we have already put together four tops with several more started.


Our initial goal of making 20 quilts before our first delivery is being reached quickly.  We have seven in the completed pile with at least 12 more in various stages from cut fabric in kits to completed tops awaiting quilting, to a few only needing binding.  We are making quilts in a variety of sizes and styles from crib to twin and everything in between.  We have some that are very juvenile, while some are flowery and some are bright and geometric.  All patterns are welcome, none frowned upon, remember there are NO quilt police!

We always welcome help with our projects. If you would like to help, we can use fabrics (please only quilting cotton), blocks, completed quilts, or if you're free on a Tuesday morning, we would love to have you join us at the Cruso Community Center from 9-12 and we'll sew up a storm.  I can also get kits to you that need sewing or binding, or if you happen to be a longarmer with a spare moment or two , we could use some additional quilting help too!  This is an ongoing project for us, so if you find time even after the busy holiday season, send me and email or call me at 828-400-7323 and we'll get to work.

While I've been working on Comfort Quilts, I've also been finishing up a long-time due wedding quilt and baby quilts for twins due around the corner.  My friend Jennifer and her husband were married 4 years ago.  I began a wedding quilt for them and as the best laid plans usually go, it got waylaid.  I kept jokingly saying, "I'll get it done before you have a baby"...Well, she's due with twins just after the first of the year, so I've kicked it in high gear and have all three ready for quilting then gifting!!!  All three have turned out exceptionally well.  I can't wait to get them quilted and bound so I can get them delivered.  I'll share pictures of them once they are delivered, since the designs are still a surprise.


Recently, I tried my hand at making something other than a quilt.  I made my first necktie and let me tell you it was super simple and a lot of fun to make.  There will definitely be more in the future.  I found the pattern from Bryanna of Sweet Shop Sewing.  She has lots of great patterns and this one was exceptional.

This week, I was blessed to be able to share my Quilts and Their Stories lecture with the Logan's Lap Quilters Guild in Columbia, SC.  I'll post more about that tomorrow.  I also have exciting news coming in the next couple days, so you'll definitely want to check back for that!

Tim is certainly flying, but I encourage you to take a moment with me, to remember all we have to be thankful for and to give thanks during this season of Thanksgiving.  Thank you for sharing this quilty life with me!

Until next time, quilt on!