Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Rotary Cutter is Dull...

and the machine has been smokin'...well not really, thank goodness...but I think it was very happy when I shut it off a bit ago.  I've been working on pillowcases for Jami today...but first I need to tell you about my trip to Joann's this morning.  I saw in this morning's flyer that they had patriotic fabric on sale for 40% off and then they had a coupon for 10% off your entire purchase, sale items included.  Well, we were there when the doors opened...I was so excited!  Well it got even better...the cashier looked at my pile of fabric and said "Are either of you military?"  I said "I grew up military, my dad was in the Air Force."...I wasn't sure where she was going with her question...she looked at my pile of fabric again and looked at my coupon for 10% off...she then asked what I was doing with all this patriotic fabric...I told her I was making pillowcases for servicemen and women...her face lit up and she said "That's military enough for me...I'm giving you the additional 10% for the military that we're doing this weekend"...I almost cried right there at the cash register...I thanked her and thanked her...well then we were both almost crying, Andy got me out of there so the poor woman could check out the person behind us.  It was a wonderful morning.  I came home and cut out all the pillowcases that I could get out of my pile of fabric...16...and then started pinning
and sewing
Oh I had that poor machine flying...nice long straight seams.

A huge thank you to all of you that have sent in your pillowcases so far...we hit 100 on Saturday...I was doing the dance.  I delivered 87 to Jami on Thursday...she was absolutely speechless...I can't even tell you how wonderful my visit with her was...she was so happy, so appreciative and she kept saying to me "You have the most amazing friends, they don't even know me and they're helping me with this."  I told her we weren't going to cry...but we did...tears of joy this time.  I heard from her on Friday and she had gone through every envelope and every box and read every note that you all included...she asked me to please thank you all so, so much.  She said "I know now that I don't have to be afraid, I have all of these new friends who are praying for me and sending me good thoughts.  This cancer may slow me down, but it's not going to beat me!"
THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  You all are the BEST!

I worked on something really fun with a friend yesterday...I bought this pattern

with the tiny template at a quilt show back in April that Lisa from Primitive Gatherings was vending.  We started out by sewing these blocks together...this ends up being 22"...did the cutting with the little teeny twister template...sewed them back together and it ends up being 10"
...It is really, really fun...but I'm going to tell you, the pieces a teeny.  I'll finish it this week.

At lastly today...here's a little peak at my version
of what Kelly showed the other day on her post...a Quilt Along that will be starting really soon...it's going to be FUN!

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend...we have much to be thankful for!

34 comments:

annieb said...

You have had such a wonderful response to your call for pillowcases, and I am so pleased for you and your friend. I look foward to seeing what you have for the quilt along.

Barb said...

That is so awesome about your friend getting the pillowcases...and your good deal at JoAnn's...awesome!!!

Darlene said...

Putting a huge smile on Jamy's face with all the pillowcases is wonderful. :-) More coming your way soon.

I like your sneak peek at your version of the Kelly/Carol quilt along. Can hardly wait. teehee!!

Adorable tiny quilt. :-)

Betty Lou said...

You tell Jami that quilters have pretty powerful prayers and we are all rooting for her.

Linda said...

What a great story! How sweet and generous! I almost started crying too! :-)

Love your all your projects in progress!

Shakerwood said...

Lisa surprisingly does some tiny quilts with tiny blocks. I've made one of them already that wound up being 15" square. I should have looked at the finished size before I started the pattern!

Wonderful job to all that donated pillowcases!

Me and My Stitches said...

Yay! So glad that Jami was excited about the pillowcases, and that is awesome that you got such a good price on your patriotic fabrics!

AnnieO said...

I bought that exact same fabric today, Carol! Loved the pinwheels. I got the 10% off too, even though I am not military and they didn't even ask.

How wonderful to surprise your friend and have something happy to cry about :) I'll be getting my pillowcases off to you this week.

Anonymous said...

I have my military id and received an email from JoAnns as a reminder but they are an hour away....I'm so glad that cashier was sweet enought to offer you that for a great cause! Well done!
How fun that Jamy could enjoy seeing all those pillowcases...what a sweetheart she is !

Stitched With Prayer said...

Okay Carol, Now you and Jami have me crying. Please tell Jami that we DO know her, especially those of us with either veterans, active military, or both in our families. Most of all, we know her because YOU introduced us to her and both of you left little footprints all over our hearts. Thank you both for all your doing and a big hug to the clerk at Joann's that acknowledged a worthwhile project. Keeping you and Jami in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs... (Give your machine a nice pat on the back for me too *wink*)

Allie said...

Oh Carol what a BLESSING to get an extra bit off! So glad to hear that Jami is feeling the love too. Bless her. Love your quilts - but oh that one is so tiny!

Anne Heidi said...

What a wonderful start of your day getting extra %off at Jo-Anne's! I made three pillowcases for you over the weekend, hope to make a few more during the week :-)

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a wonderful gathering of pillowcases you were able to deliver. I know it added a bright spot to Jami's day.

Cheryl said...

Great story...makes me want to shop more at JoAnn's! So glad the pillowcases have touched Jami's heart!

ann hermes said...

I love the last photo, stunning selection of fabrics.

JudyCinNC said...

I just hope the pillowcases keep coming and coming - You had an exception employee at JoAnn's and deserving of recognition for her making your visit memorable. Operation Jami is a good one.

Kim Brackett said...

That's great that so many have sent pillowcases. (I haven't started yet, but hopefully this week.) And the JoAnn's clerk was so sweet to allow the extra discount.

Your quilt-along project looks so pretty. Can't wait to see the reveal!

Cheryl said...

Whipping tears here!!! What a nice sales person at JoAnns!! Happy for Jami that her pillowcase project is moving along and we all definitely have her in our prayers. BIG HUGS to you!!!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Carol, I forgot to tell you how gorgeous your quilt along teaser is. I can't wait to see the project. It looks like so much fun. Hugs....

Dandelion Quilts said...

Cannot wait to see what you gals have been up to...the teaser sure is cute.

Sharon said...

Darn, now I need to go put my mascara on again....thanks for the update on the pillowcases, awesome! Jami has the right attitude, reminds me of a quote from Kahlil Gabran...Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.
And can't wait for the quilt-along...looks beautiful!

Angie said...

I'm so excited for you and your dear friend with the pillowcase response! Give her hugs from us too. I love your twister quilt and I can't wait to see the quilt-along project. Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my birdie photos, Carol. You can come stay with me ANY TIME!! :D (Altho it's 93 here today with lots of humidity :( ) Hugs, Angie

Vicky said...

Your quilts are fabulous. I have that Primitive Gatherings kit, but I'm scared to try it! LOL. What a fabulous response on your pillowcase project!

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Carol -- it looks like you had a super fun weekend. I saw the JoAnn's flyer and was tempted, but there was so much work going on around here this weekend that I never made it there. Can't wait to see your quilt along quilt!

Lori said...

Wow! You hit the motherload of fabric sales!!Thanks you for everything you and Jami are doing.

Carrie P. said...

Well, how nice of the lady at Joanns.
Wow, so many helping out with the pillowcases. Quilters are the best.
My 2 will be in the mail tomorrow.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh what a great day at JoAnn's! Don't you love that little twister from prim gatherings! I have it too!

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

Oh Carol - it is so sweet of you to do this for Jami - and I'm so happy that she's so touched by everyone's pillow cases and what you've done! That is so neat that you got such a great deal on the fabric!! Love your little (LITTLE) quilt :) And, you already know - but I just adore your version of Simple Things - it's gorgeous!!

Tammy said...

Hi Carol, I worked this weekend on a few pillowcases and was getting ready to package them up to send your way and realized that I've lost your email with your shipping addr - could you send it to me again - so sorry.
Thank you!!

antique quilter said...

I have that pattern from primitive gatherings but haven't tried it yet.
think I will have to pull it out and give it a try soon.
can't wait to see yours done, any tips?
I was afraid of fabric placement
so glad Joann's was so nice to you and gave you an additional discount, warms the heart considering your doing all this for the military.
Love your sew along project great fabric choices...
have a great day.
Kathie

Michele said...

I'm so happy that you are getting so many pillowcases :-) What a great discount at JoAnns! I'm glad Jami was happy about the pillowcases! I got some of the same fabrics :-)

sweetbabies00 said...

I didn't even think to write a card for your friend, I was just so thrilled I got it finished and mailed. :) I'm very pleased to be a part of this.

Sheila said...

Oops. I forgot to write a note to you friend. I was in a hurry to get it in the mail. Please tell her that I think she is doing a wonderful think for the troops. It's kind of you to help her.

bingo~bonnie said...

would love to see how that Lil' Twister turns out. I love when people show the layout before cutting. :) I have both the big and little and think I prefer using the little best

Love from Texas! ~bonnie