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.