Mail surprise!

Everyone loves getting something in the mail don’t they?

Well, at least GOOD things. Not necessarily envelopes if they have legal stuff or bills.

I had a lady in FL contact me about some things she was given in their thrift store. She wanted to know if I wanted it - and what she sent me pictures of was cotton batting!

So I said Yes, even though I knew it would cost a lot to ship. I hated to say yes in a way, but she asked - so I said “Yes, I’d love the batting.” She had also asked about a couple other things but I did say no to those - as they were so heavy as to make the cost worth it.

Here’s what I got!

Here is the batting all laid out so you can see it!

This much cotton batting in Poland would probably cost close to …well…let’s just say a lot. I’ll have to go measure it and let you know. I don’t know how much is here, but quite a bit!

A special thanks to God’s Share in Zephyrhills, FL. In the past they have sent me several quilt tops that people have made and donated to them. One series of tops was, what shall I say, “Interesting”? I added borders to the lap size bright gold and hunter green crazy quilts to make them the size I needed and yes, people took them! They were well made, if not ‘my colors’, let’s say. But, as I’ve mentioned before, when it comes to charity quilts, “design" and colors really have no play in whether a top would be useful. People have chosen them and they have long been in people’s homes by now.

Here’s a close up of the top that was included:

Never mind that’s a bit wonky. I’ll add a border to it (or more than one) and quilt it and it will be just fine. I like it. It’s colorful and is perfect. It is hand stitched, however, so I will make sure I quilt it like crazy so it stays together nicely. I think it is an old top, actually. It just feels like it.

If you are considering helping me with tops - just remember, I’m not picky. All I really don’t want is not well made with holes or things like lace without fabric underneath. Everything else I can use. I have used from poly double knit to poly cotton to cotton to not sure what!

Once again - Thank you! I appreciate all of you who help me out this way! Your gifts and donations make it possible for me to get more done than I could ever get done without all the help!

I put a few of the quilts I finished back in 2015 from the centers of tops that Kim sent from God’s Share. Someone had donated them to her. I am so thankful for them.

I’ll be honest - at first I laughed at how ugly I thought they were. Then I decided not to worry about them and just finish them! And yes, they have all been chosen. They were sometimes chosen over some others that in my mind were pretty.

The key here that they were well made and I appreciate someone’s time in making the tops. The fabrics they used were obviously what they had…that is great! It works. What was sent to me was about a 36” square - you can probably tell where I started adding borders.

Mostly men took these. Remember - when we have our charity quilt give-away, we let people choose what they want. I don’t hand them a quilt.

When I added the borders, you may be thinking, “What was she thinking?” Instead, I decided to completely “celebrate the color” and go with it!

This was such a great example to me that when I make charity quilts - they don’t have to be what I would want to give to my grandchildren or daughter.

I’ve seen some people post on Facebook that they would “ONLY” give to charity what they would give to their children. While I applaud their desire - it is not necessary to do that—some people are simply looking for something to keep them warm.

Of course, that all depends on the recipients of the charity. If it is a single mom who had to leave home suddenly - I’d love to give her something beautiful. If it is an alcoholic who will just spill vodka on it- then, just ‘something’ to keep them warm so they don’t freeze is what it is needed.

Plus—we are all different as to taste. You know that. I know that.

End of “spiel”!

I trust you have a great day wherever you are!

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Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store!

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