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Thursday, November 6, 2014

When Friends Meet


An old Scottish proverb states:
"When friends meet, hearts warm."

How true that is here in the quilter's blog world.
I'd like to extend my thanks and appreciation
for all your kind and encouraging comments

My daughter left a comment that I am pasting here
to let you all know how much she appreciated you, too,
and to give you a little more info.






KPage said...
Thank you all for the kind words. When I was contacted by Be The Match this summer, I had no doubt that I would donate if I was indeed the best match! And, I would do it again if given the opportunity.  24 hours after the process ended, I was feeling 100% again. Only a few bruises from the IVs remain.

After the transplant, the recipient will take on attributes from my body, such as my blood type and my immune system. I was told that recipients of PBSC donations have a 90% chance at recovery. He will have recovery milestones to hit, with the biggest being 100 Days. At 100 Days, they will know whether or not his body has fully accepted my cells and is successfully producing his own and is on his way to recovery.

Please help me and the Be The Match organization create awareness about this amazing and life-saving procedure! Join the registry by ordering a kit online. Share my story through mom's blog with your friends and family and encourage them to join the registry. More information is available at www.bethematch.org.


Speaking of my daughter,
today is her birthday!


I whipped up this sweet and simple birthday cake wall hanging
from the Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber
just in time to get in into the mail
on it's long journey to TX.
Thankfully, it arrived with time to spare.
That's not always the case
with international mail.
I had to brave gale force winds to walk it up to the post office, 
and it was well worth the effort
when it arrived at her door!
She was delighted.

You know who else is celebrating a birthday today?
Linda, over at Scrapmaster.
Pop on over and tell her hello!!

In preparation for my southerly migration,
I've finished up another quilted giftie.


Although I originally intended to make it a bed quilt,
I thought of  Lesley, The Cuddle Quilter, when I made the label.


A 'cuddle quilt' is all it turned out to be.
Any bigger, and it would have sat unfinished 
in the laundry basket
in the bottom of my closet for another 4 years!
Finishing this was my goal in May.
Well, it took all summer,
but it happened.

I couldn't resist joining Jacquelynne Steeve's
Sew Sweet Simplicity Block of the Month.
Because of my travel schedule,
BOMs are difficult for me this time of year,
so I chose to make my blocks scrappy.


I am going to make two of each block
so I can have a larger quilt in the end.

With most of my stash being packed away,
 I still have to sew, right?
I kept out a bag of batik scraps that a neighbor dropped off
and made the most beautiful journal cover.



Well, I think it's beautiful, anyway.
I find it difficult to sew things for men,
but I think this is manly enough 
and my brother-in-law will love it.
The pattern was designed by Karen Ackva
and is for sale in her Craftsy shop.
I hadn't done foundation piecing in years
and it was so much fun, I might make a mug rug to match
for his desk at the office.
Then I need to find a matching mug......
.....maybe a few of his favorite snacks.....
this could go on and on!
How about a matching pen?
Truth is, he'll only get the journal.
I'm not that good.

No little birdie pictures today.
There are lots of cute little chickadees,
and a junco or two, at the feeders,
but they are being camera shy.
I won't give up, though!!

Have a wonderful day,
xo,
karen











28 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i am so glad to hear your daughter was back to fine form a day later! i truly hope day 100 brings 100% good news for the recipient!

Carol Swift said...

I'm glad your daughter had a swift recovery after her sweet donation. Happy Birthday to her! Love that cake wall hanging!

Kerstin said...

sure hopes that everything will go well. Here in Germany we have a saying - all good things come in three. What a great thing for your daughter to do.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

so glad that after only 24 hours your daughter is feeling good!! No one would want my crappy immune system in their body otherwise I would be on a list but with an autoimmune disease that is something we can't do - instead I will encourage others to do so.
I saw three huge pleated woodpeckers today - all flying together and then on two trees in the same area - surprised me I normally only see one at a time.

Lynn said...

Your post today made me feel all happy inside. It was lovely of your daughter to add a postcript to your last post.And picturing a mother walking through strong winds to mail a gift she made for her daughter, is just sweet. Thanks for the cheering up! And I love the blocks!

Sondra said...

I have my fingers crossed the recipient will make a full recovery! I love that Journal cover too, Im sure your SIL will adore it!

Bob Bushell said...

The quilts are superb, and I can feel for your daughter, cheers Karen.

Fiona said...

So glad all went well with your daughters donation... wonderful and we look forward to hearing about two recoveries! lovely sewing too... those butterflies are gorgeous...
Hugz

Judy said...

I'm so glad that your daughter is feeling better. That's amazing that the recovery rate is around 90%!
Wonderful creativity all around, but that journal cover is my favorite. I bet he'll love it, for sure!!

Lin said...

Pleased to hear that all went well and hopefully with the recipient too. Great quilt and I love the journal cover. xx

eileeninmd said...

I am so glad to hear your daughter recovered quickly and the recipient is doing so well. Great news.. Your quilts and squares are beautiful. I love the journal cover too. Have a happy weekend!

Unknown said...

I am so glad to hear your daughter was back to fine form!!!
I love your new blocks!!
Hugs
Deborah

Karen said...

Wish your daughter happy birthday for me. Your cuddle quilt is beautiful. I love the label too. Your BOM are lovely.

Allie said...

So glad your daughter recovered so quickly - that's awesome. Just got word that my friend's daughter is engrafted and will be on her way home soon, yay! I LOVE the birthday banner quilt, how cute is that, and the cuddle quilt is just lovely! Your BOM blocks are really nice, I like the scrappy look. That journal cover is AWESOME - what a great gift for a man!

Just Ramblin' said...

I'm glad things went well for your daughter and that she is recovering quickly. I love all your projects you have been able to finish. Love the the scrappy blocks. The journal cover looks challenging. I'm sure he will love it. Nola

DeniseinVA said...

All these quilts are gorgeous and you know what? So is your daughter for doing what she did. But then you know that :). Big hugs for both of you! Denise xo

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

I love it that is gorgeous...glad your DD is doing OK

Sheila said...

So good to hear your daughter was feeling so well after a short time , I also pray the recipient does well with her generous donation of cells , that is a wonderfully high rate of recovery . Happy birthday to your daughter and what a sweet birthday banner for her . Love the quilt you finished , you are on a roll ! Great journal cover too , wow very creative . Hugs Sheila

Kathie Brown said...

Well, this is quite a post! It made me want to scroll down and read "The Rest of the story!"

I love your quilts!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Happy Belated birthday to your daughter. She is giving the gift of life and I hope the recipient can celebrate the 100 day milestone. Lots of lovely projects but I do really love the journal cover.

FlourishingPalms said...

You are the giving-est person, Karen! I don't think you keep much for yourself, do you? These quilts (that cute cake), BOM blocks, and the journal cover are super. You're the bomb... and your daughter is the bombette! Impressive. Both of you.

Linda said...

So glad your daughter bounced back quickly and the outlook is great for the recipient. Thanks for the shout-out. I had an amazing birthday. I really love the leaf design on the journal cover. Very artistic.

Lynette said...

Do you know - I had never heard of Be the Match! I'm glad you guys shared your daughter's experience. My girls and I will be looking into this.

Rambling Woods said...

Oh wow Mom.. you raised a wonderful child and what an awesome thing to do... gives me chills....

I wanted to let you know that I will be a grandma for the first time in April. I am so excited. I have been looking on Etsy for a baby quilt as I love them so...

Tell you daughter many people are in awe of her...Michelle

Carrie P. said...

love your SSS blocks

Teresa in Music City said...

Belated Happy Birthday to your daughter!!! Such good news to hear that she is doing well and has recovered so quickly! Now our prayers are for the recipient that he will accept her cells and go on to live an amazing life!

I love all your projects! That journal cover IS beautiful - and manly enough I think :) I love the way you quilted the finish of the leaf on each side. And your SSS blocks are lovely - they will make a wonderful bed quilt!

Quilting Tangent said...

Your summer home looks so peaceful and inviting.

Dog-Walker said...

Those are nice quilts, Karen. I'm sorry it's been a long time since I got to visit you on your blog. I've been super busy trying to get ready to graduate from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) in the spring of 2015.