love and soft sq-wishes quilt for Izabella Danielle: January 2008

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

"Xiongmao's" (Panda's) Sq-Wish #6

1.30.08: Each Sq-Wish package that arrives is sooo special...and each one reduces me to tears. But it never ceases to amaze me how each one touches a different place in my heart, each one arrives with the most perfect timing, with the most perfect message--assuring me, we are on the right path. This beautiful and ever-s0-amazingly-soft sq-wish is from a very dear friend Tori and her family. I worked with Tori for almost 6 years, I overheard her often talking to her daughters on the phone--with one thing or another--and each time she got off the phone--I remember thinking "wow, what a great mom she is--I hope to be as good a mom someday." I saw her faced with a health issue with one of her daughters that tested her motherly intincts to the point where she took action other mothers might have hesitated to do--and this one saved her daughters life. It was a mis-diagnosis--that she just knew in her heart was not right--and she was "right on". Ahhhh...the amazing love of a mother! Tori, it is such a special honor to recieve this gift from you for our Izabella. You will always be a part of her life--her story.

Tori's wish card speaks to the 23rd Psalm--her favorite passage. It reminded me that life here on earth is not easy--but if we keep our faith in Him and live with confidence he will guide us--there is much more comfort in this journey we call "life". Soooo true. Life has been especially difficult on many levels. But everytime I say a prayer and leave it as his feet...he always comes through for me with an answer.

The other really wonderful part of this gift is the surprises kept on happening--each step of the way into this little beautiful surprise gift. The outside of the envelope had the most adorable messages "A little girl captures your heart...ahhhh" and "thank heaven for girls!" Then inside it was wrapped so beautifully with the sweetest Pink sticker that said "with love", and then of course, the wish itself was so beautifully written and touched my heart deeply. I can't wait for Izabella to meet them all! I have included the packaging in this picture--as it was soo beautiful. Thank you to my dear friend Tori and to her family for their love, prayers and support on this very long journey. You make this all so much easier for me.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

#5 Sq-Wish! Rubba-Dub-Yellow Duckies...

1.9.07: This absolutely adorable sq-wish arrived a few days ago from another beautiful family in our July LID group--all the way from Canada-British Columbia. Once again the fabric is soooo amazingly sweet--but the wish was the most precious. And ironically enough spoke to my heart on a matter that was troubling us soooo this past week. There is still no final resolution--but there this wish helped me remember that He only wants what's good and wonderful for us--and there is comfort in that. Thanks to the Denis Family--you touched my heart and ways you'll never know--and I'm sure Izabella will be touched as well--forever with your thoughtful wish and sooo soft sq-wish.

Traditon--"To Welcome and Celebrate LIFE...."

Lisa's Family Tradition--Quilting goes back in our family, as I made my first quilt when I was just 13 and “tyed” it on an antique quilting frame that was a family heirloom. It was handed down through the generations and then on to me from my grammy. I remember cutting the squares on rainy days at the pool when I was a lifeguard.

Chinese 100-Wishes Quilt Tradition--In parts of China (specifically Northern China) there is a tradition in which family members and friends of expectant parents give them scraps of cloth or old clothing, and with this scarp of clothing a card with their good wishes. The fabric is then made into a quilt (called a "Bai Jai Bei"in northern China), which will wrap the child with the energy of good luck and wishes. The cards with good wishes are kept in a book, so the child has a map of sorts to each square—indicating who gave this wish. This is also a visual way to show the child how many people loved them even before meeting them!

Here's how it works:

The details of Izabella's Sq-Wish Quilt--So here it goes..our little girls very special “Sq-Wishes Quilt” will be:
-- meaningful
-- soft
-- colorful
-- and it will be used! Not a show piece.

Be Creative--Many of my family members live in Vermont—the weather is very cold—and fleece is a favorite fabric choice for clothing. If you so choose—you could use an old fleece shirt, pullover, jacket to make the square. This would follow the tradition of scraps of special fabric in the traditional Chinese Wishes Quilts. The only requirement is it should be lightweight fleece. OR—you could opt to purchase a piece of new lightweight fleece fabric—I’ve been told sometimes the best way to purchase fleece is to purchase a small blanket or throw. It’s really up to you—whatever moves you—feels right for our little girl and her new family. Whatever you chose wil be perfect.

I would love you to participate in my quilt project by sending us a Sq-Wish.

CREATING A SQ-WISH (A Fleece Fabric Square plus a Card Wish ):

For example “Sq-Wishes” click here

1. Choose any Lightweight FLEECE fabric that you like-any design or color. You may use a piece of old fleece fabric that is special to you, or a new fleece fabric that inspires you feel inspires good feelings, good luck and good wishes.

Note: If it is a new piece of fleece—please DO NOT WASH it.

2. Fabric Square--Cut one 12" x 12” square from the fabric.

3. Card Wish--On a 3"x5" or 4"x6" card attach a small piece of the fabric (so we can to match which fabric goes with which wish) and write your wish on the card.
Your wish can be your own original writing or a favorite poem, quote, or anything else you like. Please sign your wish and include a picture of your family, your city, state and date of your wish on the card. The date is important—as this wait looks like it will be years—and those dates will show her the love that was here for her for YEARS before her arrival.

4. Mail the fabric square and wish card to us. If you need our address—please email me at ljcotaa@mchsi.com. You can email the wish card and photo if you'd rather. I will print it and put it in her book for you.

That’s it. We have had wonderful support from so many people during this process, and we thank you very much for all that support as well as for your participation in this project of creating a beautiful gift of meaningful wishes for the little girl.

love and soft sq-wishes quilt for Izabella Danielle

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

"Xiongmao's" (Panda's) Sq-Wish #6

Thursday, January 10, 2008

#5 Sq-Wish! Rubba-Dub-Yellow Duckies...

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Traditon--"To Welcome and Celebrate LIFE...."

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