Don't you just love the end of
the year clearance sales? So much stuff you just feel you must have and
put away and then when you are cleaning the following year you go, 'Wow!
I wondered where I put that?'
I
want to share with you a few of the wonderful sales going on that you
may not know about to help rebuild your stash, get some much needed
notions or just meet your goal for having the largest stash in your
quilting guild.
1. Abbi Mays head over and meet Linda she is just the sweetest shop owner and so helpful and she is having a huge blowout sale right now.
2. Summers Country Quilts over there fabric is 50-65% off and yes, they even have end of bolts for sale!
3. AccuQuilt hasn't announced an end of the year sale, but they do have some pretty slick dies on sale for less than $30
4. Nancy's Notions Nancy Zieman's store and right now she has everything on sale from charms to zipper feet all at great prices!
If I hear of anymore, I will pass them along.
Have a safe New Years Eve and Awesome 2014!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
What Does 6 Months Look Like For Those Left Behind?
This was shared on Facebook and I thought it was important to post it here for those of you who do not do social media.
'6 months ...... What is 6 months? 6 months no hugs, no text messages, no phone calls, no smell of smoke in their homes, no smiles, no laughter, no I love you's ..... What is 6 months? Tonight December 29th is the Eve of the 6 month anniversary of a tragedy so hard to comprehend it cannot be defined. 6 months? Can it be? 3 babies born and many memorials attended. 6 months ....... What has been accomplished in these 6 months we can say not very much if we are talking change for our future and current Wildland firefighters but everyone is trying and working hard to ensure we never have this happen again. Has anything been learned in 6 months .... Yes we have learned a lot ... We have learned that our 19+1 heroes should have never been where they were in the first place along with fellow hotshots from the Blue Ridge Hot Shot Crew, we have learned that all hot shots have an inadequate way to survive a burn over, we have learned that there were many many mistakes made that day, we have learned that a town that once was united quickly turned and became divided .... But with all that said what have we really learned in the last 6 months ..... I can only speak for the things I myself have witnessed and my fellow admins will agree I am sure .... In the last 6 months from the conception of this page I have seen those who do not know these men personally come together, I have watched this page grow from a few wonderful heartfelt words to millions of condolences and shared thoughts, I have seen the community of Prescott stand tall and for many support these men and their families without question never once turning their back, I have watched and entire nation come together to show love and support to 3 expectant mothers and shower them with love, I have watched a cemetery once barren come alive with grass and sun where a cloud once was. I have watched a world stand up and say "We Have You" ..... I watched a survivor be embraced instead of blamed. 6 months I watched well WE have watched our FAMILY grow! In 6 months I watched the entire world stop and without question without hesitation open their arms and embrace these 20 families as if they belonged to everyone. Is it easy NO, has it been easy NO, is it a work in progress YES! With each and everyone of you we can make change happen and we can continue to lift up these 20 families and still say "WE HAVE YOU"! Though the loss of these men will forever scar our hearts and souls their deaths will not go without helping the world change! One lesson I think many of us have learned is the world is still filled with amazing people who truly have in them what made these men great! What is 6 months?'
This was posted by the mom of Billy Warneke, Kathie Purkey and I am not sure if she is the original author of this, but I wanted you to feel what the families do and realize what you do is very important!
'6 months ...... What is 6 months? 6 months no hugs, no text messages, no phone calls, no smell of smoke in their homes, no smiles, no laughter, no I love you's ..... What is 6 months? Tonight December 29th is the Eve of the 6 month anniversary of a tragedy so hard to comprehend it cannot be defined. 6 months? Can it be? 3 babies born and many memorials attended. 6 months ....... What has been accomplished in these 6 months we can say not very much if we are talking change for our future and current Wildland firefighters but everyone is trying and working hard to ensure we never have this happen again. Has anything been learned in 6 months .... Yes we have learned a lot ... We have learned that our 19+1 heroes should have never been where they were in the first place along with fellow hotshots from the Blue Ridge Hot Shot Crew, we have learned that all hot shots have an inadequate way to survive a burn over, we have learned that there were many many mistakes made that day, we have learned that a town that once was united quickly turned and became divided .... But with all that said what have we really learned in the last 6 months ..... I can only speak for the things I myself have witnessed and my fellow admins will agree I am sure .... In the last 6 months from the conception of this page I have seen those who do not know these men personally come together, I have watched this page grow from a few wonderful heartfelt words to millions of condolences and shared thoughts, I have seen the community of Prescott stand tall and for many support these men and their families without question never once turning their back, I have watched and entire nation come together to show love and support to 3 expectant mothers and shower them with love, I have watched a cemetery once barren come alive with grass and sun where a cloud once was. I have watched a world stand up and say "We Have You" ..... I watched a survivor be embraced instead of blamed. 6 months I watched well WE have watched our FAMILY grow! In 6 months I watched the entire world stop and without question without hesitation open their arms and embrace these 20 families as if they belonged to everyone. Is it easy NO, has it been easy NO, is it a work in progress YES! With each and everyone of you we can make change happen and we can continue to lift up these 20 families and still say "WE HAVE YOU"! Though the loss of these men will forever scar our hearts and souls their deaths will not go without helping the world change! One lesson I think many of us have learned is the world is still filled with amazing people who truly have in them what made these men great! What is 6 months?'
This was posted by the mom of Billy Warneke, Kathie Purkey and I am not sure if she is the original author of this, but I wanted you to feel what the families do and realize what you do is very important!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
A Dispatchers Job
I hope each of you takes the time to check this out!
It is a story about emergency dispatchers and hopefully you will understand why I do what I do a bit better!
Friday, December 20, 2013
Still Needing Quilt For 12 Year Old
I know it is Christmas and at this time it can hold off until January although I really wanted to have these sent out by next week sometimes things get in the way.
I will not ask any of you to take on a new project, but perhaps if you have a completed quilt sitting around that would be perfect for a 12 year old young man, you would be willing to bless him.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Able To Change Hearts
I was a 911 dispatcher for almost 13 years. I loved my job, still love it though I am now retired and it absolutely breaks my heart when I see one of them do something wrong or not send help to someone that needs it.
That happened to one of my followers and she was very gracious in explaining why after making quilts for the Granite Mountain Hot Shot families, she would not be reaching out to help others.
A few days ago, I received this very amazing and humbling Email from her and asked if I could please share it with all of you and she said yes. So, as they say somewhere, 'without further ado...'
That happened to one of my followers and she was very gracious in explaining why after making quilts for the Granite Mountain Hot Shot families, she would not be reaching out to help others.
A few days ago, I received this very amazing and humbling Email from her and asked if I could please share it with all of you and she said yes. So, as they say somewhere, 'without further ado...'
Hi Jean,
After the Granite Mountain
project, I asked you not to put me on your list because I quilt for
local groups and generally don't have warm fuzzy feelings for 911
operators. My only experience with them was when the operator refused
to send help because he was sure the person trying to break in to my
home at 3am must be someone I knew. Living alone at the time, it was
probably the most terrifying night of my life, thanks to that operator.
Now I'm sure he was "one in a million."
Working on the Granite
Mountain quilts gave my quilting a sense of purpose I hadn't felt with
any other charity. I still check your blog so often that I now would
like to be on your mailing list.
Thank you for the wonderful job you are doing.
Through reaching out to others, she was able to heal and accept her situation is NOT the norm!
Amazing I say you are all amazing!
Merry Christmas and Blessings!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
You Did It and A Huge Thanks To Joanne H.!
I just logged into my Email for the evening and almost fell out of my chair! Thanks to all of you who donated and an exceptionally generous donation(s) by Joanne H. we have reached our goal of $172.
God Bless You All! I can't say thank you enough, I cannot wait to see our new logo!
God Bless You All! I can't say thank you enough, I cannot wait to see our new logo!
Whoo Hoo We Have Passed Our Half Way Point!
I am so excited and happy to announce that as of a few minutes ago, we have surpassed the half way mark of raising the funds we need for the new design and site.
We are now at 53% funds raised and that is just awesome. I am praying we can begin the design and changes in January 2014.
I recently had an amazing office manager who works for one of my doctors tell me she will make time for her and I to sit down so she can help me set everything up the way it needs to be done for a non-profit!
YOU ALL ROCK!!
I hope you know that without you, this would not have ever been possible!
THANKS SO VERY MUCH!!
We are now at 53% funds raised and that is just awesome. I am praying we can begin the design and changes in January 2014.
I recently had an amazing office manager who works for one of my doctors tell me she will make time for her and I to sit down so she can help me set everything up the way it needs to be done for a non-profit!
YOU ALL ROCK!!
I hope you know that without you, this would not have ever been possible!
THANKS SO VERY MUCH!!
Friday, December 13, 2013
Another 911 Operator in Need
Odessa (TX) Dispatcher Tina Jones in Need of Support
Public Safety Communications dispatcher Tina Jones with the City of Odessa, Texas is currently in the Critical Care Unit at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. She has been there for 2 weeks today, suffering from complications of a disease called Myasthenia Gravis. She has been on a ventilator since Nov 26th.
Tina was diagnosed with the disease last February and was forced to retire, and give up her position as a Communication's Supervisor which she had held for many, many years. She made a remarkable recovery (remission) and was able to come out of the medically forced retirement, and had gone back to work part time, working her way back to full time for the past several months, and was in the process of applying for the supervisor position again, and getting her benefits ( insurance, etc) back in force, when the disease took her in a reverse direction yet again. She would have had her 20 years of service completed in 2014......
Tina has been a huge supporter and follower of 911 Cares for as long as I can remember, and always kept a jar on the dispatch counter for everyones spare change, and I have no doubt ya'll have spoken to her several times over the years. I can't even begin to imagine what her medical expenses will be totalling up to, but her medications alone to control the disease were unbelievably high before this setback.
While donations to assist with her medical expenses would be fantastic, cards and letters of encouragement would also be appreciated to keep her spirits up. If that is something possible that could be put out there, please call or email me and I will put your company in touch with a fellow friend of Tina's who is able to give more up to date information and a local address to ensure she receives them in a timely manner.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Cindy Knight
1024 Breezewood Dr
Arlington,TX. 76017
**Please make sure if you send a card that you put Layers of Hope - Quilting 911 on it so they know where you got their information from**
Public Safety Communications dispatcher Tina Jones with the City of Odessa, Texas is currently in the Critical Care Unit at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. She has been there for 2 weeks today, suffering from complications of a disease called Myasthenia Gravis. She has been on a ventilator since Nov 26th.
Tina was diagnosed with the disease last February and was forced to retire, and give up her position as a Communication's Supervisor which she had held for many, many years. She made a remarkable recovery (remission) and was able to come out of the medically forced retirement, and had gone back to work part time, working her way back to full time for the past several months, and was in the process of applying for the supervisor position again, and getting her benefits ( insurance, etc) back in force, when the disease took her in a reverse direction yet again. She would have had her 20 years of service completed in 2014......
Tina has been a huge supporter and follower of 911 Cares for as long as I can remember, and always kept a jar on the dispatch counter for everyones spare change, and I have no doubt ya'll have spoken to her several times over the years. I can't even begin to imagine what her medical expenses will be totalling up to, but her medications alone to control the disease were unbelievably high before this setback.
While donations to assist with her medical expenses would be fantastic, cards and letters of encouragement would also be appreciated to keep her spirits up. If that is something possible that could be put out there, please call or email me and I will put your company in touch with a fellow friend of Tina's who is able to give more up to date information and a local address to ensure she receives them in a timely manner.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Cindy Knight
1024 Breezewood Dr
Arlington,TX. 76017
**Please make sure if you send a card that you put Layers of Hope - Quilting 911 on it so they know where you got their information from**
Lets Reach Out to This Single Mom
If you can't donate, please consider sending her a card to wish her well!
I am writing to you on a somber note, hoping to see if we could get a 911 Cares Activation going for one of our dispatchers, Ms. Cindy Henderson. Cindy is a 12 year veteran of our department, is a 33 year old single mother of 3, who suffered a stroke last month out of the blue. Cindy has been out of work since October 30th, and is currently still hospitalized, undergoing in-patient rehab.
We were able to make her mortgage payment today with the help of some generous employees and an Officer’s association donation, but she is still in need of help. She will have medical bills to cover, so anything would be helpful.
I can be your point of contact here at the Sheriff’s dept., or you can also contact her direct Supervisor, Cecilia Ochoa.Thanks in advance for your help! Have a great day.
Talia M. Carey
Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Communications Administrative Supervisor
1750 E. Benson Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85714
**Always remember when you sign your card to make sure you put Layers of Hope - Quilting 911 in your signature**
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Thank You So Much!
We are now at the 47% mark for raising the funds to pay for our new logo for Layers of Hope. I cannot say thank you enough to the three people who have stepped forward in faith and their belief in me and donated to see this project take a major step in becoming the best it can be.
Christmas is a difficult time for many of us, I cannot tell you how much I struggle this time of year to keep a smile on my face and the depression that works so hard to tear it off.
I lost a child many years ago and Christmas reminds me that a chunk of me is missing, a part of our family hasn't been here to celebrate, I will never know what he grew up to look like, if he married, etc. But in his memory, we hang an angel on our tree sitting on the moon first each year and there is a contest each year to see who wins the honor of placing it on the tree.
My mom loved Christmas, her house was always decorated even when all the kids were gone and she baked and mailed us goodies like you wouldn't believe.
The one Christmas we spent together with her, her husband, my grandmother (her last) and my son, we arrived at her house and she had so many pies I was in awe.
Mom made hubby his favorite Pecan, me a Cherry pie, my son and her hubby a Pumpkin pie and as we came in the door, she had taken out of skillet a fresh hot pan of fried pie dough with cinnamon and sugar for me because it was my fave as a child!
The following Christmas, grandma was gone and two years later I lost both my mom and dad within 3 months of each other. I felt abandoned and lost and while I know it was their time, it doesn't make Christmas any better. Or does it?
I decorate more than I used to, I force myself to smile more than I used to and I am blessed to have a family who loves me. Still, depression is a battle.
However, yesterday with no school the girls played several musical pieces for me with their Trombone/Piano and Clarinet, diva girl made a snowman and someone donated to Layers of Hope all of which made me realize how awesome my family and all of you are!
Layers of Hope - Quilting 911 will move forward, we will continue our ministry and we will bless others who work so hard to reach out to help us during our time of need!
Blessings to all of you and thank you isn't enough for all your donations this year!
Christmas is a difficult time for many of us, I cannot tell you how much I struggle this time of year to keep a smile on my face and the depression that works so hard to tear it off.
I lost a child many years ago and Christmas reminds me that a chunk of me is missing, a part of our family hasn't been here to celebrate, I will never know what he grew up to look like, if he married, etc. But in his memory, we hang an angel on our tree sitting on the moon first each year and there is a contest each year to see who wins the honor of placing it on the tree.
My mom loved Christmas, her house was always decorated even when all the kids were gone and she baked and mailed us goodies like you wouldn't believe.
The one Christmas we spent together with her, her husband, my grandmother (her last) and my son, we arrived at her house and she had so many pies I was in awe.
Mom made hubby his favorite Pecan, me a Cherry pie, my son and her hubby a Pumpkin pie and as we came in the door, she had taken out of skillet a fresh hot pan of fried pie dough with cinnamon and sugar for me because it was my fave as a child!
The following Christmas, grandma was gone and two years later I lost both my mom and dad within 3 months of each other. I felt abandoned and lost and while I know it was their time, it doesn't make Christmas any better. Or does it?
I decorate more than I used to, I force myself to smile more than I used to and I am blessed to have a family who loves me. Still, depression is a battle.
However, yesterday with no school the girls played several musical pieces for me with their Trombone/Piano and Clarinet, diva girl made a snowman and someone donated to Layers of Hope all of which made me realize how awesome my family and all of you are!
Layers of Hope - Quilting 911 will move forward, we will continue our ministry and we will bless others who work so hard to reach out to help us during our time of need!
Blessings to all of you and thank you isn't enough for all your donations this year!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
We Still Need 4 Quilts For Colorado Dispatchers...Completed!
As Christmas approaches I would like to ask those of you who may have large quilt stashes to pray about reaching into those and choosing perhaps your very favorite that you do not use and think about giving it to one of the 4 dispatchers that are still trying to move forward with their lives after the Colorado floods.
Unlike many of us, dispatchers go to work during these disasters, they put their own lives on the back burner, they place their children with friends or family members and they go to work, because it is what they do and who they are.
Their jobs matter and trust me when I say few can do those jobs and even fewer still want to do those jobs. I have taken calls from spouses who just woke up to find the body of their lifeless spouse after 50 years of marriage, from spouses who came home to find their spouse had committed suicide, parents whose babies passed from SIDS, people who just witnessed a horrible accident and cannot do anything to help.
I have heard the desperation in a police officers voice when they realize what they are doing will not help and yet, they must try. I have talked people out of killing themselves and talked to scared children whose parents were beating each other up.
I went to work everyday, I loved my job and yet, it took a toll on me in ways I didn't realize until now. It took my hearing, it took my physical health and at times my mental health.
We do it because we are good at it, because we know not everyone can do it and we do it many times without thanks, without days off after a major incident, we do it because we know we are the life line between life and death many times.
Many of you have never had to call 911, never experienced a disaster or known anyone else who has. But if you ever do, you will be glad that dispatcher was there calm and reassuring and then only then will you realize how much a quilt means to them as they meant to you.
I know quilters that have closets, cabinets and storage areas full of beautiful award winning quilts and they are just sitting on a shelf somewhere. When I ask about them, I hear the same thing most of the time, 'I spent to much time working on this to just give it away to a stranger.'
How would you feel if one day you needed a dispatcher and they said, 'I spend to much time helping strangers with things like this to help you right now, good-bye?' Of course that would never ever happen, but how would you feel if you could help someone and you didn't?
Christmas is a time of year that is stressful for many of us and now imagine that stress compounded because your home couldn't be lived in due to flooding. The greatest gift these dispatchers receive sometimes are a quilt from a complete stranger.
Maybe not your favorite quilt, but a quilt you feel would make someone happy. If you go to the page with our needs, you will see 4 names of dispatchers in need. Please consider making or donating a quilt to one of these 4.
Blessings to you all and thank you for making 2013 a year to remember!
Unlike many of us, dispatchers go to work during these disasters, they put their own lives on the back burner, they place their children with friends or family members and they go to work, because it is what they do and who they are.
Their jobs matter and trust me when I say few can do those jobs and even fewer still want to do those jobs. I have taken calls from spouses who just woke up to find the body of their lifeless spouse after 50 years of marriage, from spouses who came home to find their spouse had committed suicide, parents whose babies passed from SIDS, people who just witnessed a horrible accident and cannot do anything to help.
I have heard the desperation in a police officers voice when they realize what they are doing will not help and yet, they must try. I have talked people out of killing themselves and talked to scared children whose parents were beating each other up.
I went to work everyday, I loved my job and yet, it took a toll on me in ways I didn't realize until now. It took my hearing, it took my physical health and at times my mental health.
We do it because we are good at it, because we know not everyone can do it and we do it many times without thanks, without days off after a major incident, we do it because we know we are the life line between life and death many times.
Many of you have never had to call 911, never experienced a disaster or known anyone else who has. But if you ever do, you will be glad that dispatcher was there calm and reassuring and then only then will you realize how much a quilt means to them as they meant to you.
I know quilters that have closets, cabinets and storage areas full of beautiful award winning quilts and they are just sitting on a shelf somewhere. When I ask about them, I hear the same thing most of the time, 'I spent to much time working on this to just give it away to a stranger.'
How would you feel if one day you needed a dispatcher and they said, 'I spend to much time helping strangers with things like this to help you right now, good-bye?' Of course that would never ever happen, but how would you feel if you could help someone and you didn't?
Christmas is a time of year that is stressful for many of us and now imagine that stress compounded because your home couldn't be lived in due to flooding. The greatest gift these dispatchers receive sometimes are a quilt from a complete stranger.
Maybe not your favorite quilt, but a quilt you feel would make someone happy. If you go to the page with our needs, you will see 4 names of dispatchers in need. Please consider making or donating a quilt to one of these 4.
Blessings to you all and thank you for making 2013 a year to remember!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Let It Snow!
I know many of you live in areas where you are under snow almost the entire winter season. However, I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for over 22 years where snow or even winter chill was unheard of.
So please forgive me for saying snow makes me very happy, almost giddy and I love it!
This is what I woke up to this morning!
So please forgive me for saying snow makes me very happy, almost giddy and I love it!
This is what I woke up to this morning!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Colorado Quilts On Their Way
These are all going to one family in Colorado who lost their homes to the floods. I was going to hold onto them until I had the 4th one completed, but think I will just pop them in the mail this week and work on the 4th one this week!
Thank you to Joanne H. for such a wonderful blessing!
Please Consider Giving To Us This Christmas Season
So many of you give and give to this organization already that I feel bad asking for more especially since I know your mail boxes must be full of people asking for money for any number of charities.
I am asking you to please consider giving to us to help me complete the design for Layers of Hope and all the stuff that goes with setting up this great organization as well as changing to another site as Blogger isn't always reliable.
We are at 41% of our goal for doing this and I am not asking you to jump in and finish us to 100%, all I am asking is that if you can afford it, can you help us with $5 or $10?
In the past I have asked people to collect change for 15 to 30 days and give that to Layers of Hope. Trust me, everything helps.
Thank you!
I am asking you to please consider giving to us to help me complete the design for Layers of Hope and all the stuff that goes with setting up this great organization as well as changing to another site as Blogger isn't always reliable.
We are at 41% of our goal for doing this and I am not asking you to jump in and finish us to 100%, all I am asking is that if you can afford it, can you help us with $5 or $10?
In the past I have asked people to collect change for 15 to 30 days and give that to Layers of Hope. Trust me, everything helps.
Thank you!
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