A Challenge to start the New Year

Many of us struggle with day to day things. Money is tight all over. We struggle with health issues. Not enough time to do the things we want. Mostly they are things we can change or at least deal with. When we look at the overall picture ... Life really is good to us. God is good to us. Maybe we can give a little to make a child smile!

I am CHALLENGING all of those who come across this blog post to help out in a very small way. I grew up in Connecticut. Spent most of my life there. In Connecticut Paul Newman started a camp for children with terminal illnesses or cancer. It's called the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Here the kids can experience a few days or weeks of being a kid just like any other kid with others who understand why they don't have any hair or are puffy from steroids or don't have a lot of energy. But they are still kids.

The Farmington Valley Quilt Guild (I hope that's the one Jackie but correct me if I'm wrong) has decided to donate 300 pillowcases for the children. They are a small guild and Jackie is offering up a CHALLENGE to all her readers to make just one pillowcase. She will send you a simple 20 minute pillowcase pattern. (Or I can send you the pattern.) I am Challenging YOU! It takes very little fabric. You might find it so simple that you make a few of them! Such a small gift that makes you feel good as well as bringing a smile to a child's face.

You can contact Jackie at jackie@cvquiltworks.com

her blog!... http://www.cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/

her web site!... http://www.cvquiltworks.com/

CPSIA 2008

or Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act signed into law on August 14, 2008.

Regardless of whether or not you make/sell products for Children under 12, this new law will effect you, and effect all children.

The CPSIA of 2008 will effect everyone who makes items for children under the age of 12, and everyone who buys products for children under the age of 12. In order to be in compliance with the new law, third-party testing and certification would be required for all products for children under 12, stating these items are lead-free and phthalates-free. Testing that is so expensive it is prohibitive to most of us. EVERY ITEM needs to have certification with it for all components including threads, zippers, buttons and fabrics! This would apply to all products inclusive of handmade items, vintage items, and any items made - either for sale or for free - for children (other than your own) under the age of 12.

Go after the foreign made stuff! Not only will this affect the small business person but also organizations that depend on donations of items such as blankets from crafters that make them for the needy. Don't sit idle as it won't go away just by us wishing it so.

featured - Spotted Cow Soaps

What a name! Well....she does live in the heart of Vermont amongst dairy farms! She started making soaps because she had some skin issues and it just took off from there. I think her day job as a Food Service Director has spilled over into her soaps and scrubs. Just stop by and see some of the stuff she has to offer.

You might try this to help celebrate  the New Year!

Visit Spotted Cow Soaps!

For a special little boy named Jacob

My husband's niece and her husband adopted a little Korean boy whom they named Jacob. They recently celebrated his 1st birthday and had him baptized. I wanted to get this quilt finished and sent to him for that special day but alas....time was not on my side. It is going in the mail today.

These are some of the pieces as I started the appliqués. I wanted it to have lots of textures so used minky fabrics along with cottons.

Here is the finished quilt top. I used purple and yellow and green and red and blue. All the appliqués were done with Scottie fabrics! All the same design but in yellow, red or green.

Here is his name!

The back is a nice soft green minky fabric. I hope he enjoys it!

Featured Artist.....Storybeader

check out her shop! the storybeader
	The colorful cross Gave a big shout out to all The shades of turquoise. - storybeader
	Leo wanted to Be chosen to sit atop The serpentine knoll. - the storybeader
	The workers shot large Cannonballs into the hills To draw out silver. - storybeader

Scottie fabric finds

Lots of friends on Scottie groups have been asking what some of the Scottie fabrics I have purchased this year look like as they want to be able to make wise choices and FIND them! Here's for all the Scottie fabric addicts like me! There is a red thermal with black Scotties that I haven't bought yet so don't have a photo. Hope this helps all my Scottie friends who have asked what they look like!

two pink fleece from JoAnn Fabrics

Blue Fleece called "Scotties with circles" and red plaid with Scotties from JoAnn Fabrics

Pink ribbons with Scotties and red plaid with Scotties from Hancock Fabrics - I know not everyone has one of these stores nearby. JoAnn's can be purchased on-line though!

assorted pink Scottie snuggle flannels from JoAnn fabrics

Christmas flannel at JoAnn Fabrics

red plaid snuggle flannel with Scotties from JoAnn Fabrics

reissues of old favorites can be found at both stores this year. The green at Hancock's and the red at JoAnn's.

Wordless Wednesday - We share the sun spots!