Signed, Sealed, Delivered

You can never really know what is going on in the lives of the people around you, can you? The struggles others go through behind closed doors are often unknown to the people around them. I live in a very small community and had the privilege of lending a hand and a little comfort to someone that needed it. In turn she gave me inspiration.

She is such an amazing woman, fighting breast cancer and being all the things all women wish to be. Strong, beautiful, inspiring. She is always cheerful and happy in spite of everything. Her love for and relationship with God shines through her.

When i first heard what she was going through i kept asking myself what could i do? how can i help her? My skill set is quilting...so, I presented our homeschool group with the idea to make this quilt for her and was pleased that they wanted to take part and participate by writing personal messages to her. I just pray that they do not fade or wash away...i wanted to have the chance to wash it first to see if there were going to be any great catastrophes but i ran out of time. Pray!! pray hard.

I could not bring myself to quilt through any of the personal messages so i just outlined each box in pink. Then i spent what felt like forever straight line quilting, of random sizes, the rest of the quilt. It looks beautiful but was a lot more time and work than i anticipated.

I also wanted to hand stitch in some things that would be personal to her so i did a pink on pink breast cancer ribbon...a purple on purple cross...and the names of her husband and children, so that they would be with her when she used this quilt no matter when or where. I had not originally intended to make it pink but it turned out that they were her favorite colors. What a perfect coincidence.

She in turn gave me a gift...the gift of gratitude and appreciation(and a few tears) which really meant a lot to me. It is hard to know what people really think when you make something like this and then mail it away...and kids don't necessarily love getting a blanket.

This is ironically Breast Cancer Awareness month. What a perfect time to honor her fight by bringing her this quilt. If someone around you opens that door a little and lets you in consider it a privilege to do what you can....what seems so small and insignificant can mean so much to someone that is struggling. I know you don't know her but if you think of her take a minute and say a little prayer, every single one counts!



I am linking this up to Fabric Tuesday this week, as well as Amylouwho's for sew and tell. Got to Amylouwho's and see what everyone else has made and leave a little comment behind so they know you were there.

Proof

Yup we are still here....still plugging along...still schooling, crafting, sewing and baby growing. But i am having a serious lack of creativity and inspiration when it comes to blogging. I am slowing down a little.....but i am here and reading all of your lovely blogs, enjoying what everyone else is doing while i finish up my dead-lined projects.....breast cancer quilt, Christmas tree skirt and Christmas quilt! I promise i will show and share when i get them to a point worth showing!!!

A certain little man around here is not lacking in creativity...he was a old man last night(beard and mustache made from paper)...but if you look real close you can see that the tooth fairy has been here again. To the cheers and jeers of a crowd of teenage boys(college students my husband works with) Mitchell used a plastic spoon and pried his tooth out of his head! Crazy i know.

The Big Moments

This was a big weekend for Mitch....

Not only did he take the training wheels off his bike and give it a try(they are back on but he is still trying)....

If you look real close he is missing a tooth....he pulled it out himself. Yikes! The kid means business!!! Now we know what he can wish for for Christmas! :o)

Sneek Peek for Jonelle

Back a little while, before i knew i was pregnant....my wonderful friend Jonelle put a lot of faith in me and asked me to make her a Christmas tree skirt. I ordered up the fabric right away, but in typical Leslie fashion did not get started right away....it was for Christmas, i had lots of time right? Wrong!!! This week its time has come, it is my designated project. I need to get it done before this baby comes. She is so nice she did not want to bring it up or put any pressure on me about it. But here is your peek Jonelle...since we kind of went into this whole project blind. All she told me is the colors she wanted and left the rest to me. That is why i am telling you, she put a lot of trust into this!

Bee Blocks Update

A little while back there was a huge earthquake in New Zealand, near Christchurch where the wonderful Deb from Works in Progress lives. She has a giving heart and wanted to do something for those that lost everything....she started a earthquake quilts project, and asked for a little help.

I was able to make up a few blocks to send to her this week. She specifically requested that they be in blues and reds. I hope that they work out Deb, i enjoyed making them.
The first two were made from a simple tutorial she provided in case we were stuck and could not think of what to make.

These wonky stars were made for Deb from my favorite star tutorial at Silly Boo Dilly blog. They always turn out amazing and i always love them!

These last three blocks are for my vintage sheet freedom bee, also started by Deb. I am plugging my way through them so that i can be done in time to have them back to all the other ladies before i have this baby.

for Deb

for Tracey

for Jilly

Sew and Tell- Baby Week

Ahh, it feels so good to get some of the things done that have been in my WIP pile for the baby. My to do basket is almost looking, dare i say, empty!!!!

I have acquired several cute flannel prints from Joann's with the intentions of making lovey blankets. Some i have had in stash for a long time, like the baby food jars print. Lovies are our favorite and every one we have given as a gift has been favorites for the new families too!!! They are versatile and warm and just so cute! These were made with two flannel prints(i am loving the animals)...squared...sewn right sides facing...turned out and top stitched! Easy Peasy.

I thought the baby food print would be good for some burp clothes. You can never have too many with a little on, i think....and all the ones i had made for my other two have since worn out. New ones were in order. I cut these into 8 pieces and then used the same sewing method as the lovey blankets.

Oh, and last but not least the Katie Jump Rope Hooter Hider!!!! I love this print. I used the tutorial here to make it, as i have for all the others i have made. Pretty simple and straightforward...but with pregnancy brain i am afraid i did some incorrect measuring. I am not sure it turned out the way it was supposed to, but i will reserve my final judgment until there is baby to nurse under it.

i am so thankful for Amylouwho and the motivation she provides!!! I am joining in this week at sew and tell. There are so many great finishes, as usual. Go and have a look and give them a little comment love!

Happy Happy

Yesterday was my sweet hubby's birthday. He views a birthday as just any other day, but the kids and i feel obligated to do something special even if we are told we don't have to by said husband. There was no way his day was going to go by without a birthday cake. SO i made this so so yummy Apple Caramel Cake. It is perfect for dessert and honestly it has apples in it so by my criteria that make it breakfast food, right? Happy Birthday Babe, i love you so much!

Apple Caramel Cake

3 c. Flour
1 t. Baking Soda
1/2 t. Cinnamon
1/4 t. Allspice
1/4 t. Nutmeg
1 t. Salt
1 1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Brown Sugar, packed
1 1/2 c. Vegetable Oil
3 large Eggs, room temp.
3 c. Granny Smith Apples, chopped(about 2 1/2 apples)

Caramel Glaze:

1/2 c. Brown Sugar, packed
1/4 c. Butter(1/2 stick)
1/4 c. Heavy Cream

Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour 10 inch bundt pan

In med bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and salt. Set aside

In large bowl, preferable that of large stand mixer...beat together the sugars and oil until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing completely. On low add the flour mixture in three additions. Mix well. Now spoon in the chopped apples and mix those well.Spoon batter evenly into pan and smooth out top.

Bake for 65 to 70 minutes until tester comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan. Now cool cake completely.

To make the caramel glaze, in heavy saucepan combine brown sugar, butter and cream. Bring to boil stirring for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool about10 minutes so glaze can thicken but is still pourable.

Place cake on cake plate and drizzle glaze over the top with a spoon. Enjoy!!!