Cherry House Quilts

An update, a sale, a quilt along, and more...

First, and foremost, a huge thank you all who have donated quilts for the wounded at Fort Hood.  The first quilt arrived yesterday, and I'm sure the trickle will soon become a flood of quilts.  Luke was telling one of his wounded friends about the quilts that are coming; this young man was so touched, and sent his thanks and gratitude in advance.  This young man was shot, and has a bullet lodged near his spine.  The bullet will not be able to be removed, due to the possibility of further damage.  Considering what these soldiers have gone through, a quilt seems a minor thing, but they are so grateful.  My heart melts into a little puddle every time if I think on this for too long.

Onto other things...

• We will be starting the Scrap Quilt Along soon, soon, soon.  We will begin with the Fruit Stripped Gum quilt, then make Children's Lit.  The supply list, badges, Flickr group info, and schedule will be posted by Saturday.
• Has anyone seen the new Quilt Sampler magazine?  One of the featured shops is hanging a great version of "I Do".  I don't think those kind of things will ever stop being a huge thrill to me!  Makes me giddy :-)
• Remember when I said that with the new store, I could see which pattern was the most viewed?  At the time the top two were City Park, and I Do...well City Park has definitely pulled ahead!  To really test these statistic I've put both City Park and I Do on sale, with 10% off, we will see who ends up the winner of this little race.  The sale will run from now through next Wednesday.  No codes, nothing to enter, the prices have already been reduced!
• Speaking of City Park, with the next printing I'll be making a change to the pattern - changing it for the better.  If you are familiar with the pattern, you will understand what I'm about to explain...the colored solids in the quilt are indentified by number, the new patterns will have an image that shows the block placement by color number.  Quilting by numbers, so to speak.  
• Well it is definitely time to get back to the business of being in business, new quilt patterns are on the horizon - our first new release will be City Breeze, which I'm quite sure you will LOVE!  After that some beauties with new Moda fabric, then it is a couple of baby quilts which are always too precious! 

That is it for me today my friends...I must say I feel so much closer to the quilting community at large, by this amazing coming together as mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters to give something of comfort back to those that serve and protect our nation.  Thank you again for all that you have done!

Cherri

Hooray!!! We met our goal!

We now have reached our commitment for 31 quilts!!!  Thank you so much to everyone that has committed to send in a quilt, and to those that were not able, but truly desired to participate in some way.  I'm certain that the recipients of these quilts will feel the love and tender care that will be sent in each package.

There seems to be a bit of confusion on one matter that I need to address.  The quilts that are being shipped to Killeen are for the wounded; and not those that died.  When I first spoke to the Assistant to the Chaplain, it was my desire to collect enough quilts for both groups, but the assistant said that logistically, it would be difficult to get the quilts to the family members.  Because of this, and the urgency I felt to get the quilts to the wounded; that was where I focused my energies.  In speaking to my son Luke, I told him that I was sad about not having quilts for those that died.  He has committed to getting quilts to family members of those that were killed, if we can come up with the quilts. 

What are your feelings?  Do we go on and collect for those that were killed as well?  This is a painful subject, and my heart breaks thinking about the suffering of these families.  If we can collect 13 more quilts, Luke will make sure they are delivered.

I'm so grateful for everyone's contributions, and for the outpouring of love that has been demonstrated to the members of the military.  Luke has been so overwhelmed every time I've called and said "we have 4 quilts", "we have 11 quilts", "we have 15 quilts", "we have 21 quilts'', and now we have met our goal.  He said "where are they coming from, who is doing this for us?"  He has been touched, and is grateful for everyone's kindness.  I knew though when I wrote that post on Friday, that we could do it, that quilters would make certain it happened. 

Let me know what you think about collecting 13 more...I think we should do it, if everyone is willing.

With love and gratitude,

Cherri

Quilts for Fort Hood

Hi Friends,

The response to the request for quilts for the wounded at Fort Hood has been wonderful!  Thank you so much to those that have committed to a quilt (or two).  Our goal was for 31 quilts, and to date we have approximately 15 committed.  So we have 16 to go! 

Do you have a quilt to spare?  Several dear quilters have said that they have had finished quilt tops that they were going to quilt over the weekend, and ship at the first of the week.  Size wise - lap quilts are great!

Here's a free pattern I designed years ago called Patriotic Pizazz that would be perfect if you are inclined to make up quilt quickly.

Thank you to everyone that has spread the word about this project!

Cherri

A Request for quilts

By know, I am sure the entire world is aware of the tragedy at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.  My son is Spc. Luke House, command executive assistant, STB, III Corp, at Fort Hood, and was working yesterday when the horrible events transpired.  I thank God with all my heart that he was not harmed or injured, but I am so saddened about the lives that will be forever devastated by what happened.

What can we do to help?  Quilts.  We can comfort them with quilt. 

I would like to gather 31 quilts to provide for the soldiers that were wounded yesterday.  Currently the wounded are divided between three hospitals in the Fort Hood/Killeen areas.

Would you help?  Do you have a quilt to spare? 

If you do, please leave a comment, or email me at cherryhousequilts at gmail dot com

I would like to do this as soon as possible...I will provide an address to ship the quilts to, and we will get them to the Fort Hood Chaplain, who will deliver these to the wounded in the hospitals.

Thank you,

Cherri

How about a scrappy quilt along?

A while back I introduced you to my 'One Mountain, Ten Quilts'  a series of 10 quilts that I created from a very large, very stuffed bag of scraps that I couldn't bear to throw away.  The scraps that had been saved were very similar in terms of color and style...mostly pastels, many children's prints - quite literally leftover scraps of fabric from clothing I had sewn for my sweet children when they were little ones.  I had made a game of using as many of the scraps that I could, and I imposed some rules as well...

1. The #1 rule was, that I could add as much white (solid or tone on tone) fabric as I needed.
2. I could pull from my stash for the quilt backs
3. Every quilt had to be different - not 10 of the same quilts
4. I needed to push myself in terms of new styles, or techniques that I hadn't tried before
5. Keep making quilts until I ran out of fabric
6. I couldn't purchase anything to make these quilts...not thread, not batting, NOTHING - everything had to come from what I had on hand
7. The sum of the quilts needed to be cohesive
8. Have fun!

One mountain of fabric, and 10 quilts later, and the fabric was basically gone...all that was left were little bite size pieces of fabric that really were too tiny to use.  By the time I got to the end, I had discovered the some of the quilts were better than others (one was downright awful), that strict limitations can truly push creativity, and working outside of my comfort zone, as anxiety producing as it was; was good for me.

At the time that I was blogging about this, many of you expressed a desire to use up your scraps, but were perplexed on how to start...so, how about a Scrap Quilt Along?  We will create two of my favorite One Mountain, Ten Quilts quilts if you would like to participate.

How to get started?  First, tell me if you are interested, and would like to join along.  Second, vote on whether you would rather start on Children's Lit, or Fruit Strip Gum.  As soon a decision is reached, I'll provide you with a supply list, and we will get started!

Children's Lit

Fruit Sliced Gum

  

Something fun!

 
Do you remember this photo?  One of my first quilts in a magazine!  Well yesterday I dvr'd Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting.  Liz was introducing the guest, and over the lady's shoulder, I believe I see a photo of this quilt; which I couldn't believe.  So I reversed the dvr (gotta love the dvr), and sure enough, a huge poster size print of this photo is hanging in Fons and Porter's new tv studio. 

How crazy is that?  Did anyone else see it? 

I can't tell you how tickled I was...made my day!

Cherri