Swatch # 86

This is from Lory, she has been with me since I started my business over two years ago. I am so glad that she participated in Mattine's quilt. The fabric is fun and bright. The wish is for a bright and beautiful future.

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine upon your face

The rain fall soft upon your fields

Until we meet again

May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Swatch # 85

Orange is my color. I am always drawn to orange. It is a good grounding color. Well, this is from Tiffany who knows how I feel about the hue. It is very bright and cheery. The wish is .......... " I wish you blue birds in the spring that gives your heart a song to sing...... and then a kiss but more than this...... I wish you love!"

# 84

The lucky elephant trunk.... first of all I love the bright pink of the fabric and then the print is very cool. This is from Nancy, an ultra hip friend of mine. Her son just turned eighteen and she is looking forward to watching our little girl grow up surrounded by love and luck. I think we are the lucky ones!

Swatch # 83

Oh, if you have seen our little one it is evident that she likes to eat, quite a little chunker. I think she will love this fabric. The wish is to every bit of life, especially the "sweet things". I agree!

# 82

Let is Be- The Beatles

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom,let it be.

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom,

And all the broken hearted people

Living in the world agree,

There will be an answer, let it be.

For though they may be parted there is

Still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.Let it be, let it be.

There will be an answer, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,

There is still a light that shines on me.

Shine until tomorrow, let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music

We are huge Beatles fans and I love that we got this fabric and message. There were many times in this process this message helped us through some tough times.

Swatch # 80 and # 81

This is from Lisa. She has a small farm of animals at her house, one dog and four cats. She always has such fantastically funny stories to share about her brood. She wishes for our daughter the love of animals. I think that will be easy considering the best two dogs in the world already live with us!

# 79

This fabric swatch is from Kathie. I have the pleasure of seeing Kathie three times a week and I really look forward to our time together. She has been there every step of this journey to Mattine. Kathie likes to travel and knows how much we love to travel. In her message she stressed that our daughter keep her eyes open to the wonders around her and to never stop discovering the beauty not only within her but also in the world in front of her. She encourages Mattine to stand in awe of the people she meets and the places she will go. She page she did for the wish book is amazing and pictures really do not do it justice!

Swatch # 78

This fabric is from Kathy, a good friend of my mom's. The fabric is a beautiful blue-ish green and is reminiscent of of the tropical Florida environment. The sentiments in the card are wonderful and reference Kathy dancing and singing with her own children. I remember those same times with my mom and dad. I recall dancing on my dad's feet to Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier. Being huge music fans ourselves, I hope she has a little rhythm and if not she can always dance on our feet. We are looking forward to dancing and singing with Mattine.

Swatch # 77

So, in doing this project I have been touched by almost every fabric that we have received. Each one is special and unique and just as lovely as the next. This one made me cry- but in the best way possible. This fabric is from Laura, a friend of my mom's. She gave the wish and fabric to my mom just after we received the news of our referral, a very emotional day for all of us caught in the midst of Mattine's adoption journey. I don't normally copy down the entire wish but I think this one everyone following this should hear or read.

Dear Mattie,

Today is a beautiful and wonderful day. Today your mommy and daddy received the referral. You are but a step away from them. I received the joyous news today from your Grandma, my friend Sandy. The tears in her eyes were shared with me and I in turn wanted to take today and let you know how much a part of their lives you already are. Your journey to your family started in their hearts and that is the significance in this fabric that I found to add to your quilt. Always remember that you were i their hearts before you were in their arms. These hearts are but a symbol of the joy you have brought to so many. For one so little, you have brought happiness. You have touched so many hearts just by being you. Welcome Home!

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides!" - Daryn Biscotti

Thank you Laura! I am truly touched by your message and how eloquently you stated it on such a wonderful day for our family.

Swatch # 76

This fabric is from Liz and Garry. The super soft heart pattern echoes the message for our little girl which is one of love. Liz writes, "In all who are waiting for you we have kept Faith, Hope and Love in our hearts. A plaque your mother gave me that I cherish said....What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail? So, I say DO IT."

Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Swatch # 75

This swatch is from a fellow adoptive family who are with the same agency we are with and whose little girl waits for them in the same orphanage as Mattine. The wish is for health and happiness and the fabric matches the room of their first daughter's baby room. I hope our girls continue their friendship over the years.

# 74

This fabric is from Debbie. I feel so blessed that she has come into my life, such a strong woman with an amazing heart. She has been a very good friend throughout this process. Her swatch is from an the sofa arm chair her family has used for the last twenty years. It is the place her boys grew up reading, laughing, playing and becoming a family. She wrote in the card, "We believe there is "life" in the material and we wanted it to be a part of Mattine's life with you." We love this swatch!

Swatch # 72 and # 73

We received these fabrics from very dear friends of ours, Kristen and Steve. Although we are waiting on the wish attached to the fabrics I am confident that they will provide profound wisdom and humor. I love paisley patterns and the lady bugs are adorable. Enjoy the fabric until I update this post with "wishes".

Swatch # 68-71

These ultra cool fabrics are from a friend of my sister's. She picked fabulous quotes to accompany the swatches and we are so touched that they can be a part of Mattine's quilt. My favorite one which is actually a quote on my desk reads, "You must be the change you want to seein the world." - Gandhi

Thank you!

# 67

It all starts from the inside out.

Swatch # 66

My most wonderful daughter Mattine,

I selected this fabric for you because it represents the wonders of working with your hands. As your grandfather Marty worked with me when I was a child, he showed me how to use tools to make and fix things. All of our family has talent being creative, artistic and innovative using our hands and imagination. I will work with you to teach you all I know. Whether you find your talent in drawing, thinking, communicating, carving, shaping, cutting or pasting be happy and enjoy all of the wonders of the world in front of you. I will support what ever you decide to do. Love this life.

Dad

# 65

Mattie,

Never be afraid to try new things, especially when it comes to food and flavors. Cooking is a way of sharing yourself with others around you. Do things in moderation. Sometimes a little bit can go a long way. However, sometimes that little bit will make all the difference. Express yourself well. Share the love. Enjoy the food.

Love Dad

# 64

This is from me.

It is about growth. I want her to never stop growing.

• to grow in perspective, wisdom, tolerance, patience and charity
• to grow artistically so that she is free to be herself
• to grow in peace understanding that we are in the world, no one is alone
• to grow healthy knowing that your body is your temple, she will have it with her always and sometimes that will be all that you have
• to grow a sense of humor for laughter will get her through almost anything
• to grow a loving heart
• to grow a strong spirit

Swatch # 63

This fabric is from a dear

friend of mine who recently moved. I am really bummed to see her leave because she is pregnant and due in November and I had such high hopes that our little ones would be fast friends, not to mention that I will miss our friendship. I am sure they still will be good friends. The fabric is from Nairobi, Kenya where my friend visited a couple of years ago. I enclosed a map on the page for Mattine figuring that we can never start her too early reading maps. The wish is that she have an adventure some spirit like her parents and that she travels a lot. I think she will have a great head start, even on us, by traveling so far at such a young age.

Swatch # 62

This is from my brother-in-law's sister, Andrea. Very creative in her approach with the star......"Reach fro the stars in all that you do. Go above and beyond and all your dreams will come true!" Words to truly live by. Thank you so much.

The little things that keep us going on tough days....

Just an example of the lovely cards we are sent that keep our spirits high especially on tough days of waiting!

# 61

This is from my brother-in-law's sister and her new husband, newly-weds. Our family wishes you the best in your new life together and we are so appreciative that you chose to join us in this project for our newest addition. I love the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

Swatch 57-60 (four wishes here!)

This is from my sister, Mattine's aunt. She is very crafty how she assembled four swatches with four wishes. The patterns are very fun and modern. Here are the wishes....

1. There are bad times, but that's okay, just look for the love in it, don't burn the day away."


2. "Take what you can from your dreams, make them as real as anything."


3. "Celebrate... we will... for life is short but sweet for certain."


4. "See you and me have a better time than most can dream of, better than the best, so we can pull on through, whatever tears at us, whatever holds us down, and if nothing can be done, we'll make the best of what's around."

Love it!

# 56

This fabric is from my brother-in-law's mother and father. I am so excited that participated in our little one's quilt. Family is very special to us and it will be to her, too. The fabric is one of boats, lighthouses and compasses. The sentiment reads, " The joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:20. I love that they said, "In a special way today may you sense his nearness, rejoice in his love for you and know the joy you bring to others." She has already brought so much joy!

# 55

A Friend

A friend is like a shade tree beside a summer way

A friend is like the sunshine that makes the perfect day

A friend is like a flower that's worn close to the heart

A friend is like a treasure with which one will not part.

Always keep family and friends first in your life!

Wonderful words, Christina.... thank you.

# 54

The next lot of fabrics came from friends of my sister and brother-in-law. It was sweet of everyone to contribute and we were overwhelmed by the abundance of fabric and warm messages. This is from Brian. Work hard and don't forget to have fun! More specifically, Brian said "the price of success is hard work, dedication tot he job at hand, and determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." Thank you, Brian.

Swatch # 53

This is from Crystal, Carl and their twin baby boys- Gavin and Gage. The fabric is a collage of clouds. The message is the sky's the limit and that no matter how big one dreams or how deeply one prays, there will always be a tiny miracle waiting behind every silver lined cloud. You are right, our daughter is a sweet blessing from above simply given to fill our lives with everlasting joy and love.

# 52

This is also from Katy, Reg and Wolfie. It is a beautiful water scene of sea horses and shells. The message celebrates the beautiful wonders of nature in Florida, our daughter's new home... a group of pelicans performing their amazing aerial acrobatics over the pier, an osprey dive-bombing for fish, listening to the gentle rustle of the palms, or feeling a balmy, jasmine-perfumed tropical breeze caressing you. But the most wondrous beauty lies beneath the ocean. Katy, Reg and Wolfie encourage Mattine to never lose her sense of wonder and delight in the amazing creatures of the sea.

Swatch # 51

The frolicking kitten pattern is from Katy, Reg and Wolfie. The sentiments attached speak of the playful and innocent behavior of our pets and encourage Mattine to shower them with nothing but endless kindness, help, patience, joy and unconditional love. For animals and pets in return give us back all those gifts daily- that is what they are here to teach us.

Check this out?

In the last two weeks the number of fabrics delivered has sky-rocketed. I have so much work to do to get caught up with Mattine's wish book and updating photo's here but I wanted to at least post the pictures! Thank you everybody.

# 50 Happy Halloween

My husband helped me pick this one out. He said we can't not have a spooky print on the quilt. It just wouldn't be right. I love Halloween and I hope she will, too!

# 49

It's the little moments that make life BIG.

This one is from me.

Swatch # 48

This is from the puppies, Jackson Brown and Clewiston. They will love and protect her and I am sure get her into plenty of trouble as they always seem to find it themselves. They are like shadows to us and I am sure they will follow her around, as well... always being there to love her.

Swacth # 47

This is from Dieter and Debbie. Debbie is such an amazing person with such a calming spirit. As soon as I opened the package I instant;y thought of a Monet painting- a beautiful, calm afternoon with nature. The wish is one of balance. Balance being an important ingredient to happiness, being comfortable with the ebb and flow of things and finding the right place for yourself between the two. Debbie always helps me re-balance my thoughts and I can't wait for Mattine to meet her. You did a great job.

#43- 46

These fun, bright fabrics are from Nana Kris. There are all sorts furry friends for her to discover in the fabrics and in life. I can't wait to see her sweet little face, either and have her here safely with us. Love the pink!!!!

Intermission

So, as the fabrics come in I am making pages for our daughter's memory/ wish book. I am preserving the cards and swatches of fabrics so that as she gets older she will have this to know how much she was treasured and loved before she even reached us. The wishes and sentiments have been a real treat for my husband and myself to open and reflect upon. It always amazes us how each individual brings something unique to this project. Last Saturday I spent a large part of the day re-organizing where we were and doing the pages, taking pictures and updating the blog. When I was done I sat down with my husband to review the book and re-read the stories that had come in. I made a comment that she will see the book when she is much older and can appreciate what is inside. And then my husband made the most profound statement.... "No, these will be her bed time stories and everyday picture book. She will know this book by heart shortly because we will read her this all the time. She will see the pictures of the cards and fabrics and ask questions and tell us stories that she has created for herself in the pages." I had never thought of it that way but he is so right. So, thank you to everyone who is collaborating with me!

Swatch # 41

This fabric is from my Aunt Jan. She is a very talented potter and choose this fabric because the shades of teal green and blue are the primary colors used in her pieces. The quote, "Look for all the beautiful in life, no matter what little imperfections there may be..." represents how she views her artwork as a potter and how she views life. This is a important lesson. Usually it is the small imperfections that may something so lovable or cherished int he first place. It is what makes something different. Thank for for all the time and effort you placed in this project. You truly touched us with this.

Swatch # 40

This fabric and block print from Walter Anderson represent my grandmother, "Miss Yvonne" who is no longer with us. She was so full of love. I have such vibrant memories of my summers with my grandmother. She had an amazing talent with food and was known in the community and surrounding communities for her stuffed crabs. She touched everyone's soul with her kind ways and delicious creations. She may not be with us but our little one will know her from the "Loving Spoonfuls" we will prepare in the kitchen all the while telling funny stories about her grandmother.

Swatch # 39

My heritage is a southern fishing family- generations of fisherman. The next couple fabrics were put together by my aunt Jan for herself and my grandparents. She artfully incorporated very important aspects of each individual in her fabric choices. First, my favorite artist, Walter Anderson is from Mississippi. My aunt did an amazing job at including him in the fabrics. His artwork is hung in our daughter's room. This was very important to me and one of the few things I was certain about. This first fabric is a green, blue batik with a Walter Anderson fish screened printed on it. The card has a picture of my grandfather, Capt. Eley, and his shrimp boat on it. The quote, "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life." My grandfather as my aunt so tenderly put devoted his life's work to this noble and humble profession (fishing) and raised six children, teaching them how to fish literally and figuratively. I am so proud of my family and look forward to carrying on the tradition of teaching our child important lessons about how to live a good life.

Swatch # 38

This is from Melissa. She gave us the most adorable butterfly fabric. I have heard the song "Butterfly Kisses" but I had never really listened to the words of the song...."there's two things I know for sure: she was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl."

# 37

The story that goes with this swatch is very touching. This is from Joann, who is also a quilter. This fabric is from the first quilting project she ever did, a table runner. The story talks about her new surrounding and home when she moved and how she settled right in. The sentiments are about a new beginning with loved ones filled with happiness and how whenever Joann looks at this table runner she quilted she will that she has become a piece of someone ele's life- our daughter's life. Thank you for welcoming her.

Swatch # 36

This one is from me. We picked this fabric up while we were in St Thomas at a local market. I really like the color orange and am always drawn towards it. This pattern made me think of her. A balane of orange will let a person handle the ups and downs of life with finesse.

Swatch # 34

We received two fabrics with this is lovely card which looks like a Spode plate. This is from Jennifer who mentions in the card how quilts have always been a part of her heritage. She wishes for Mattine happiness, a kind heart, understanding, patience, a sense of adventure, humor and love. And reminds her to always find strength in knowing how much she is loved.

Swatch # 33

This is from Carole, a friend of my mom's who had been following our process for some time now. She must know how much we love our two dogs, Clewiston and Jackson. This fabric is awesome and her sentiments speaks volumes about love. Not only is the family waiting for our little one but so are our additional family memembers- our dogs. Who, Carole points out, will love our daughter unconditionally, protect her, and be her constanct companions. I can't wait for that!

Swatch # 32

This koi fsh print is from an on-line swap I did. It says "If you want to swim, jump in the water"... Bruce Lee. That

is a great thought! I think we have "jumped in" on this one!

# 30-31

These snazzy prints are from Arlene who also included a very personal family poem.

Swatch #29

This is from Aunt Beth and Uncle Dick. Being that we are in love with water and actually most of the family is as well I know our daughter will know the sea. Each day is different on the water with things ebbing and flowing back and forth. We painted her room a soft-light blue that we hope will be as calming as the ocean.