{What I Worked on Wednesday} "Quilts of Hope" Blocks

I bumped into a really cool blogger, Deborah, who makes Quilts of Hope.  Doesn't that name just make you excited?!  Quilts of Hope provides quilts to a home in Russia for girls who have been rescued from abusive situations.  I love hearing about organizations like this who have a passion to give to others in need. Its like reaching out and giving a hug, from half way around the world.

I just want to giggle when I think about a girl around the world from me getting a gift from a complete stranger.  I think, "won't she be surprised!" Deborah is sewing together blocks that others send and taking them with her when her family goes there in October as finished quilts. Aren't these blocks that others have sent great?! So many pretty styles and fabrics...

I made a bunch of blocks during my February destash to put in the quilts.  I hope that by using some of my scraps I can do something in even the tiniest way to help one of these girls on their path to healing. I affectionately call these scribble dots.

Here is more about the project from Deborah's blog...

A couple of years ago I was introduced to the Deborah House and the work of Missio Link International in Romania.

'Deborah House provides a unique and critically needed sanctuary for severly abused girls, providing a healing sanctuary where hurt fades and is turned into hope'. 

I am in contact with Lorena, Mum to all the girls and I urge you to read her story and details of her amazing work here. She explains, ' if you wonder why SPER.MLI? SPER, in Romanian means HOPE and is the acronym of Services for People at Risk. '

And this brings me to a brainstorm which involves reaching out to my quilting sisters around the globe! 

This, dear friends is the plan ...

Send an 8x8 inch block to the address at the bottom of this post.  The block can be anything at all.  Perhaps you would like to sign it or write a message, or maybe use your country's colours or emblems.

The first blocks received (unless you specify that you want them to be made into quilts for the girls) will be made into a quilt which will be a prize for an online competition with 100% of proceeds going to MIL for the Deborah House.  Subsequent blocks will be made into quilts for the Deborah House and delivered by our family in October.

Should anyone wish to make something larger than a block, we hope to visit orphanages (details to follow) during our trip and could drop off baby quilts or children's knitted items.

If you have scraps that you would be willing to sew into 8"x8" blocks and want to share a hug around the world I encourage you to participate with this project.  If you want to send the blocks to a US address, I will be sending my package and anyone else's over to Deborah in the UK at the end of June.  I'd love to include your blocks if you want to join me.  My address is below:

Ahmelie.com

46743 Melanie Drive
Madison Lake, MN 56063


What are you working on today?

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Amy Butler Dancing Paisley #Giveaway

Today I'd like to draw your attention to the lovely Dancing Paisley fabric by Amy Butler.  This color is called limestone, isn't it to die for?!  I can think of so many fun projects for this, it works in the kitchen, on the patio or on your bod! 

Here is a funky necklace by The Vintage Honey Shop.  This would go great with a jean skirt and t-shirt for a fun and funky summer look.  This would also make a wonderful and original gift for that hard to buy for female on your list.

Next let me draw your attention to this beautifully clad bucket.  Yes that's fabric on there!  Brodders Tubs has the most amazingly decorated tubs and buckets.  What a great way to showcase your favorite fabrics.   This is perfect for the patio, just add ice and some of your favorite bottled beverages.

Yes I said it works well in the kitchen, check out this fancy vintage style apron by Great Goods.  It would be very hard not to feel like a pretty little lady while you cook in this.  Love that flair on the bottom, a nice accessory to compliment your cooking, don't you think?! :)

What would you make with a yard of this fabric? Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   

Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Monday. Open to US and Canada.

{What I Worked on Wednesday} Bug Catcher

With a houseful of boys, we are often in need of a bug or critter catcher.  I've made two of these simple netted wonders this week for Owen.  Good thing I have an abundance of wire hangers and netting fabric.  Who knows where the first one went.  I think the neighborhood dogs might have wanted one of their own!  :)

Start by reshaping the body of your wire hanger into a circle and straightening hook of the hanger into the handle.  

Next cut your netting or fabric.  I made mine 16" long and about 32" wide.  Note that you should measure around the circle of your hanger to get the correct width and add an inch for your seam allowance.

Fold the top inch of netting over the hanger to make a casing.  You will be sewing the hanger right into the casing.  I use a zig zag stitch as this is very forgiving and will "give" a bit if it gets stretched by the bug catcher without tearing.  Make sure to back tack at the beginning and end.  Your netting should be hanging from the ring of the bug catcher when you're done.

Next is the side seam.  I started down about 2-3" from the top ring on the side seam.  Sew at a 1/2" seam allowance to the bottom.  

Last, bunch the bottom up and sew across it several times for added durability.  

And that's it, time to catch some bugs!

What are you working on today?

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Prince Charming Olive

Today I'd like you to set your eyes on this fancy little collection.  Its Prince Charming Olive by Tula Pink.  Does it take your breath away?  Make you swoon?  Does it make your heart go pitter patter the way prince charming should?  Well I should say so! I love this playful little combo of fabrics.

I was asked by a friend to make a blanket for a baby gift out of greens and pinks with frogs on it.  Well I think this pretty much nailed it, don't you?  And the other options out there with that criteria were not nearly as breath-taking.  :)

What would you make with a yard of one of these lovely fabrics? Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   

Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Monday.

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Greenhouse Buttonwood Rose #Giveaway

Today I'd like to introduce you to this little ditty called Greenhouse Buttonwood in Rose.  Its by Erin McMorris.  I love pairing pinky-purples with reddish-oranges and the bright white background is the perfect balance to make this print pop!

I used it in a patchwork blanket with other lovely prints.  The hoot owl one is a fav of mine but no longer in print so you gotta snatch up the good stuff while you can, ya know.  I mean I wouldn't want my fabric stash to dwindle too much.  What fun would that be!?  I actually made a pit stop for this at a local fabric shop while we were on vacation just to get the very last of it.  I know, I know, I have serious fabric addiction problems.  I call this the Elephant, Hearts and Hoots blanket.  That about covers it, don't you think? 

So, the good news is that I have a full new bolt of the Greenhouse Buttonwood fabric (and it comes in three other great colors!)  What would you make with a yard of this yummy fabric? Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   

Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Monday.

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Kumari Garden Tarika Gem #Giveaway

Happy Friday, hope its a Good one for you! Today I'd like to show you this little bit of eye candy from Dena Designs.  Its called Tarika Gem from the Kumari Garden line.  I love this print in every color it comes in, but this is one of my favs.  So many pretty colors!

Look at this adorable dress from Palm Tree Princess.  Wouldn't every little girl feel like a princess in something so pretty? I especially like the ric rac trim around the shoulder straps and hem line.  Adorable!

Its also a great print for burp cloths.  With all these pretty colors, you'll never see a stain. :) So what would you do with a yard of this great fabric?  Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

Follow me on Facebook

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Share this giveaway on Twitter 

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   

Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Monday.

{What I Worked on Wednesday} Fabric Buntings

Buntings are for fun!  I can prove it cause my kids love them.  Every time I make one, they tie it up somewhere.  You know what they say, location, location, location. Yep location is key.  These babies can draw a lot of attention, but you gotta put them in the right place.  For a little boy this could be tying them between a bedroom door and a closet door in the hall.  This makes getting the dirty laundry to the laundry room a little more like a boot camp obstacle course.   All the more fun, right?!

When I look at these I think of parties, decorating, special events and happy times.  They signal something fun on the horizon.  Don't they just make you want to smile?

This week I've been working on buntings.  We have two weddings in my family this summer so special occasions are on the calendar.  I'm sooooo looking forward to a new sister-in-law and a new brother-in-law!  It will be a summer of parties, dancing and welcoming into our family.  The best part will be all the memories we create.  What are you working on this week?