--John's Daughter--: May 2011

Friday, May 27, 2011

Hello, old friend...

spring has begun :)

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end."

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Calmer. Cooler. More in control.
not ridiculous, but poised, witty even.

so. not. the case.

I stuttered and probably spoke in sentences that made no sense.
I spoke fast. Like lightning speed.

My voice wavered and I don't think I let her get a word in.
Oh. stupid. me.

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I just got off the phone with the celebrated Do It Yourself-er Kim of the DIY dish girls.
and let me just say that I think they are awesome, both she and Kris.

Why did I have this super chummy chat with Kim you ask??

well let's back track...
I just bought their DVD.
Yes this one...

On SALE for $10 bucks till friday! (May 27, 2011)

This DVD is chalk full of ideas for your kids to make and do this summer!

Not convinced? check out this excerpt from the video:

My kids and I used this video clip to make a gardening apron for my daughter and a tool belt for my son--they loved it and really connected with the video!

so anywho.... I ordered it and had a question but my email wasn't working and at the bottom of your invoice is a phone number.

so I dialed it.

and KIM picked up!

and I went on and on like a gas-fed duck and she was super friendly and didn't even seem to notice what an absolute dork I am!

moral of the story?

buy this DVD for your kids, your grandkids, for birthday gifts, and just because--it's a wealth of crafting fun!

p.s. by the way, I am in no way being compensated for this review-- I just knew when I saw it on sale that I HAD to have it!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Hello to all visiting from the Blogger's Quilt Festival!

Welcome!

I am Kelly and I am John's Daughter.
And this is my story.

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My father, John, died of Lou Gehrig's disease 3 years ago this past February.

We were very close.

In amidst this turmoil I felt idle as my parents lived 9 hours away from me.

So I began to create.

As my father's illness progressed he lost weight and was cold all the time.

That Christmas I gave him a blanket.

A quilt actually.

Made from thrifted wool sweaters.

It was an idea born of idle fingers and a need. (and a little inspiration from Betz White)

Once completed, I realized that making that blanket had been theraputic for me.

As well as for my dad.

He loved it and it was well used for 2 years.

Upon his passing, I spiralled into a world of self pity and doubt.

I tried to get away from things by spending much time on the computer.

I blog surfed. I read. I devoured.

Quilting.

I taught myself.

or should I say the blogosphere did.

Either way, when the most wonderful Dana of the Old Red Barn Co. began a quilt along, I dived in.

And my creation was for my son.

I had sewn for my daughter. Girls are so cute and frilly and fun to sew for, but my boy deserved some handmade.

I began with some $4 sheets on sale at our grocery store.Unfortunately for me I hadn't realized that real quilter's used 100% cotton, as my sheets were a poly blend.
I added in other fabrics like Katie Jump rope and Monaluna (which at them time I didn't realize that these fabrics were of demand--I just liked them)

The quilt top sat for about a year. W a i t i n g .
I realized one day that I was afraid of it and after a chat with my very supportive cousin, I backed it in one of the sheets, quilted it with my walking foot (my first time) and bound it.

Within 4 days.

So here it is, my Therapy Quilt.

It's not perfect in theory, but it is now offering my son comfort on his bed.

That is what makes a quilt perfect. Not the quality of stitches that go into it but the love in every stitch. You can almost feel it when you wrap a quilt around you.

Since beginning this quilt 2 years ago, I've accomplished many handmade projects and 2 other quilts.

After completing a few more quilts, my goal is to begin making lap quilts for the ALS Association in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Do you do any charity quilting?

what's your favourite cause?

Thanks for visiting and feel free to pop by anytime :)
I'll be here :)