Blog Take 2 & The Gift of Giving

Ok, so I had started a blog a couple of YEARS ago...I think it had 3 or 4 posts (If I Can Craft It)...and, while I fell in love with the process of creating things, I realized that I wasn't cut out for a blogging gig.

But, BUT...now I think I just might be up for it!  Over the past couple of years I've sewn various things, but last spring I caught the quilting bug.  And I haven't been cured yet!  I'm still quite the novice.  Heck, I haven't even finished a quilt bigger than 19" square yet (but I'm working on it...a post for another day).  But I'm loving everything I'm learning about piecing blocks and the whole quilting process.  It's so much fun!

Recently I've finished up a few projects for charity, which is kind of the catalyst for this post and, well, this blog.  There's just something so satisfying about making something for someone else...to help them out...without expecting anything in return.  I have to be honest - I haven't been a huge "giver".  I mean, yes, I buy gifts and whatnot.  And, I've had good thoughts about helping out...volunteering my time...doing good...all that heart-warming stuff.  But, honestly (and hopefully I'm not the only one!) I have a thousand and one excuses as to why I don't...mostly because I have 3 kiddos at home.  How sad is that?  I'm trying to be a good example to my boys, teaching them about giving and hoping I raise them to be good people...but we haven't actually DONE anything.  So, I was given the opportunity to help a little bit, and all it took is a little of my time and some fabric.  Talk about fun and satisfying!

For the past few months I've been part of a wonderful flickr group called do. Good Stiches.  It's a charity bee with several circles of quilters making blocks and putting together quilts for many different charities.  I felt so lucky when I was accepted into the Love Circle.  These are the blocks I've made so far...

I was also lucky enough to be part of the Stockings for Kids campaign put together by Lyanna of Purple Panda Quilts.  Lyanna works with foster kids in her area and in past years they made stockings from paper and such...stockings they had to throw away after the holidays.  So, Lyanna, sweet as she is, wants to give each child a stocking of their own...to keep!  She put the word out on her blog and the response has been awesome!  I made three cute stockings (if I do say so myself) and I'm so happy they'll be used and loved by kids in need.  Here they are (and it's not too late to get involved!):

And, just the other day I made this block for a quilt going to a family that has experienced some recent tragedy in their lives:

Man, it just feels good to help out!  Now, I know I'm not saving lives by stitching up quilt blocks and stockings...but it's nice to know that I can hopefully bring some joy and comfort to people, even if they're strangers.  I definitely think I'll be looking for more ways to give through sewing!