WINNERS!!

Oh man.  

This giveaway was more than I expected.  96 comments--and almost each one of them followed the rules :) and 

gave us the name of a very deserving man who could use some HOPE and comfort.

It is hard for people like me to only pick one 'winner'.

I really wish we could pull an Oprah-type move and give a quilt to EVERYBODY. But 

that is not a choice.....

So that is why I called my mom (the keeper of the quilts) today and asked her how many man

quilts we have in our reserves.

Her answer was 4.

So we will be giving all 4 of those away--knowing that God will replace them soon.

Here are the 4 winners:

1. Shana said...

I would love to win this quilt for my Daddy. He has Alzheimers and Dementia and while he is in the beginning stages it is progressing fairly quickly and he is only 63. It breaks my heart that he will eventually not know us and I think having something tangible to hold onto may help comfort him when he truly becomes lost. Man, I really didn't want to write what I just wrote. Sometimes writing things makes them more real I guess. Anyway, This is a lovely giveaway and what a wonderful way to do it.

2. Amy said...

I know a man who recently lost his daughter in a fatal car accident in which he was the driver. He has had a difficult time grieving and could really use something to lift his spirits. I'm sure this blanket would help.

 3. Bree said...

This is an amazingly thoughtful giveaway!
My grandfather is my nominee. He's recently been moved to a fulltime veteran's nursing home and seperated from my grandmother, who still lives in their home. He has alzheimer's, and it has gone from managable to just terrible in the last year. He rarely remembers his age or anyone around him, but the things he loves right now are quilts and stuffed animals. He's reverted to a stage where he is basically like a child again, and plays with his stuffed animals all the time at the home. An extra cuddly quilt for him would mean both something special to cuddle with, and a tent to play with his stuffed animals under. Thank you for the chance to win - I know, reading these comments - that any of these entries will be a loving home for your quilt!

4.  ♥Lola said...

I'd want my grandpa to have thiss beautiful quilt. He is 97 years old, and recently had to move over 2 hours from his home. He hasn't been adjusting well. But I think something as beautiful and cozy as this, would help him a lot!

Thanks to all who entered and brought these wonderful, struggling, sad, and loved men to our attention.  If you nominated a man who didn't win--could I encourage you (if you already haven't) to send them a little note or work of encouragement this Christmas season?  I know it isn't a quilt--but it might be what gets them through another day!

Breaking Your Hearts

***Sew Mama Sew Giveaway is one post below this!***

I am happy to report that I am getting what I wanted for Christmas--all of the children with a January birthday on the 'Wrapped in Hope' list have a volunteer quilter! One month down--eleven to go :)

If you are new to our site--please take a look around--and if you are a quilter with a big heart and a few extra hours this year please consider making a birthday quilt for a child who has one or both parents in prison.
I have heard some heartbreaking stories over the past year but I think this one tops the list--this child and his sister are on the birthday list for 2011 but I did change their names to protect their privacy:


    " Micah and Kristin are my sons step children. If at all possible for Kristin and Micah to recieve these quilts it would mean a great deal to both of them. Both kids have had a tough year. Micah's biological father shot both Micah and Micah's mother several times and then turned the gun on himself a year ago today. My son was keeping Kristin at the time so she was unharmed but like her brother traumatized by the ordeal. Both Kristin and Micah love and adore my son (step father) and miss him greatly as he was incarcerated shortly after the shooting.  Thank you!"


Touches of kindness like a quilt might be a significant thing in a child's life--we as the givers never know.  But we can trust that no child ended up on this list by mistake. I believe that God led each and every one of the 122 kids to us. Here is one more story behind a child that is on the list in 2011--her name has been changed too.


"Cara would like a quilt but not necessarily from her dad in prison whom she ahs had no contact with since he went away when she was 4 1/2 (she is now 13 1/2)  It would be great if the quilt was from the quilter and her friends at 'Camp Hope'.  Cara is currently in therapy for an eating disorder and part of what she needs to face is her father's abandonment--she could really use a quilt."


There are 9 kids still available in February--and many others over the following months.  
Visit our 'Wrapped in Hope' site and see if there is a child you can bring HOPE to next year!
E-mail me when you find one!

Sew Mama Sew December Giveaway!!!

This quilt is perfect for a guy and measures 44X58 inches.

Once again, Margaret's Hope Chest is joining Sew, Mama, Sew in her December Giveaway Day. In true MHC fashion we are putting our own little twist on it. Interested??? Read on....
Our mission at Margaret's Hope Chest is to give quilts to individuals and families who are experiencing seemingly hopeless situations. Do you know a man RIGHT NOW who could use a gift of HOPE? Cancer? Job loss? Sickness? Death? Loneliness? If you would like to "win" this quilt  please read these guidelines:
- Leave a comment with a brief explanation of the man you would like us to give the quilt to and why.
- Be prepared to provide me with a mailing address for this person--if you "win" this quilt it will be sent directly to the person you nominated.
-Drawing will close at 8pm on Friday, December 17.
-My kids will randomly pick one commenter using a highly scientific method (HINT: it involves little slips of paper and a hat).
- The winner will be posted here later that night and contacted through e-mail..
- Please leave an e-mail contact in your comment.
We can ship anywhere!

All I Want For Christmas

Look at this sweet little face!  This is Charlie and he received a quilt back in May from our 'Wrapped in Hope program.  His daddy is in prison which means he can't enjoy the hugs, wrestles and tickles that only daddy's can give.  His birthday quilt reminds him daily of his father's love until they can be together again.

How good would it feel for you if you could help a child feel his father or mother's love? 

We have 79 kids still waiting for a volunteer quilter for our 2011 'Wrapped in Hope' list!!

7 of of those kids have a birthday in January--January is not that far away.....

All I want for Christmas is all of the January kids to be paired with a quilter--because if you don't sign up, I will have to spend my entire vacation making all 7 quilts :) which wouldn't make my family very happy!  No seriously, I don't mind making the 7 quilts but it would be more fun if you were involved.
***update***I just added 2 more kids to the January list--Zachary and Kaylee--that makes 9 kids in Jan. who still need a quilter.  I have been praying that God would send quilters and instead he is sending more children for the list--he must know something I don't :)

Jump over to the 2011 list and have a look.  If January is too soon for you--pick a child later in the year! E-mail me if you can help make my Christmas wish come true!

Quilts Behind Bars

I had an amazing weekend in Muskegon
Michigan at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional
Facility sharing quilts with kids who have a dad
in prison.  For the 3rd time this year we joined
Forgiven Ministries and Prison Fellowship of
Michigan to bring HOPE and healing to families
affected by crime.  I entered the prison on Friday
morning with 56 quilts collected from our
volunteers and 61 quilts collected from a church
group from the Detroit area.  The 23 dads had
an amazing selection of quilts to choose from.

 First, I was able to share my testimony with the dads--I shared with them about forgiveness, HOPE and God's plan of restoration in my life and in theirs.  I am not exactly sure what I said but I do know that the Holy Spirit spoke through me and touched several of the dads--especially a few that are in prison for murder.

This dad picked these two great quilts for his two sons--ages 12 and 13.

Helping him choose the best quilt for his son.

He picked the Lions quilt--too bad they can't win a game :)

 After the dads picked the perfect quilt for their children I encouraged them to wrap themselves up in it--rub it on their head--get some of their smells and love on it!  It was really neat to see these huge tough guys wrapped in pink and purple quilts :)

This dad had two preteen girls who loved bright colors--he made two excellent choices!

We prayed over the quilts before they packed them away for the next day.

I don't have any pictures of the kids getting the quilts on Saturday yet....but once again, I promise that when I get them I will share!
Once again, a HUGE thank you to those of you who sent a quilt to us over the past few months for this program.  God is using these quilts for his purpose and it is more beautiful than anything I could have ever imagined!!!

This Little Piggy

 Isn't this fabric line cute?  I found it on sale at Fabric.com and it made a very easy de-stressor project yesterday. The line is by Kate Honarvar for Timeless Treasures Fabrics. I haven't quite finished it yet-binding is attached but not sew down yet.  I will leave that for Thursday when I get to take a plane ride all by myself :)

The Pile is Growing Again!

With the final 'Wrapped in Hope' prison giveaway less than two weeks away, our pile of donated quilts is growing daily!!  I had a chance to visit the quilts this weekend--and take a few pictures of course!

In the last two days, we have received several more packages--once again, we are amazed and excited to have the support from quilters around the country! 

**UPDATE** I just finished my daily phone call with my mom :) and I wanted to tell you that over the past 2 days we have received 66 quilts!!!! 18 by mail and 48 from various members of the West Michigan Quilters Guild.  WOW!  Thank-you so much everyone!!  

A surprise donation from a friend from church here in Toronto.

My mom and I are happiest when surrounded by a pile of kid-themed quilts!

  

Forgiveness

Margaret's Hope Chest exists today because forgiveness was chosen.  We have forgiven the two women who were responsible for my grandma's death.  We exist today so we can bring HOPE and forgiveness to families and children who need to forgive.  Some have, some haven't.  Some want to, some don't. Some don't know how.  It is our prayer that the quilts we send to children who have a parent in prison will help them to forgive and that through Margaret's death we will show others how to forgive-- and how beautiful it can be.  
PLEASE watch this video (and grab a tissue) and then consider looking over the 'Wrapped in Hope' birthday list for a child that you can help lead down the road of forgiveness.

I've Been Busy This Week

 I have been busy playing with girly fabrics this week.  What fun! This pink quilt is for a little princess named Hydie who will turn 3 in December. She is part of the 'Wrapped in Hope' birthday program. 

This top needed to be finished this week.  It had been sitting around and originally I thought it would be sent to volunteer longarm quilter but I decided to do a bit of hand stitching to make all of that white a little more interesting.  There was a day long ago when I only hand quilted--but time is of the essence these days--so I try to sneak it in here and there.

 I made another top of pink squares--this time I added some girly I Spy squares that I have collected from a few swaps.  By the way, if you are interested in fabric swap--I Spy or charm pack etc.  Katie is going to start a new swap and is looking for joiners--as for me--I'm in.

This is what you get when you have 3 or 4 jelly rolls of different designs in one giant bin.  

I just started sewing the strips together--4 hours later-boom! 

Now I will take a break from sewing (gasp!) and travel to my alma mater--Calvin College for a choir reunion of epic proportion!  Yeah, did I ever mention I have other hobbies--singing is one of them :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

DESPERATELY NEED HOCKEY/BLUE THEMED QUILT FOR BOY WITH 11/18 BIRTHDAY

**UPDATE** A quilting angel from Iowa just called me and she has a hockey quilt for John!!! Thank you!! I had a few others offers for other quilts that weren't hockey themed--thanks to those ladies too!  I love the team spirit behind what we do!
Hi Friends!  I am in desperate need of a quilt with a hockey or blue theme for a young man on our 'Wrapped in Hope' list. This boy is named John and his mom and dad are in prison :( He will be turning 12 this week. His original quilter is not able to make it.  We need a quilt ready to go.  MHC will be more than willing to reimburse for postage---if you have a quilt that you could donate--please, please, e-mail me and I will forward you his mailing address.

Because We Aren't the Only Ones Helping Others

I wanted to share a few things with you this morning

Because we aren't the only one helping others

Margaret's Hope Chest is one of two charities highlighted this week on Bernina's 'We All Sew' site.

Bernina has gathered a rather extensive list of charities and organizations who rely on volunteer sewers to serve others.  

Also,

Starting today, a few lovely quilting gals are beginning a one month quilt drive.  Margaret's Hope Chest is one of the suggested charities for quilt donations but there are others too.

If you donate a quilt to MHC you can enter to win prizes over there....did you hear that??

IF YOU DONATE A QUILT TO MARGARET'S HOPE CHEST over the next 30 days you can win prizes as a part of the 100 Quilts For Christmas.

How cool is that??? Head on over there are check it out!!

Let's help them reach their goal

Why We Do What We Do

From my church liturgy today:
"God, sometimes it is hard to love.
Where there is hatred, give us love.
God, sometimes it is hard to forgive.
Where there is injury, give us pardon.
God, sometimes it is hard to believe.
Where there is doubt, give us faith.
God, sometimes we are overwhelmed by grief.
Where there is despair, let there be HOPE.
God, sometimes the world seems so dark.
Where there is darkness, let there be light.
God, sometimes we forget who we are.
Where there is death, let there be life."

We come to you Lord.
Teach us to love.
We turn to you Lord
for HOPE in a broken world.

Seeing Double and Other Odd and Ends

I'm glad you were wondering what I have been doing this week because I really wanted to show someone these matching farm-themed tops.  I have decided to make two of every top again--if I have enough fabric of course.  I guess I figure if I am going to go through all the work of finding the fabric and cutting it out--I might as well make two!  I used Cluck Cluck Sew's Road Trip Quilt pattern--a very easy pattern to cut and sew and guess what ladies, it has no matching seams--perfect for when you are having one of those days where perfectly aligned seams are the least of your worries!

 Yes, that is my back yard.  And yes, I left the toys there on purpose because  I am too lazy to move them  I thought they would add to the playfulness of the quilts.  And yes, I did crop out the broken plastic patio table and chairs that I am also too lazy to throw out my kids use for all kinds of imaginary play. You're welcome.

And after what seems like FOREVER I have finally allowed myself to play with pink fabric again.  

In May of this year I put myself of a special boy-only quilt diet. There are a few examples of my boy-themed work Here, Here, Here, Here.  Six months later I still feel a bit icky about making girl quilts--and my eyes are now drawn to the sport prints on equilter.com.  I wonder if I have poisoned my quilting life forever.......

On a completely different note, many people have generously offered to send quilts for our prison giveaway coming up on Dec. 4.  This is a friendly reminder that if you were planning on sending us something-you should probably be doing it within the next week or so. 

One more item I should mention--I am adding 25 more kids to the 'Wrapped in Hope' list tonight! 

Please take a look at the available children and e-mail me if you are interested in quilting for one!

Polka Dot Obsession Part Two

224 HST(half-square triangle) blocks made of assorted polka dot fabrics

 I made this quilt top while trying to participate in Goddess in Progress's HST sew along.  

I was supposed to only do 8 HST's a day--I averaged around 75 a day.  I have problems controlling my rate of sewing!  While others in the group are still sewing HST's together in group of 8's--I have finished the top and am moving on to other projects.  I am feeling guilty--sort-of :)

60 left over polka dots squares paired with various solids

This quilt top was designed by a group of 3rd graders at my kids school last week.  I did a similar project  last year.  This year, to make the project easier for me, the squares are 5 inches instead of 2 inches.

I will show the quilt top to the kids tomorrow--they will be excited to see it!