Memorial Day and Special Visit

This Monday, Memorial Day, we will honor the memory of our U.S. servicemen and women in America who died in battle, and we will salute our current veterans and soldiers. Let's be sure our Veterans Administration Hospitals are doing right by our vets. If you're in the U.S., please — in addition to attending a parade, decorating a grave or memorial, or heading out to a family barbecue — please write a brief note to or call your elected members of Congress, urging them to do what's right by our vets. They deserve it (and more).

Earlier this month, serendipity struck. Kate York — a very talented quilter and blogger from Melbourne Australia — visited with her lovely mother, Suzanne. When we'd learned of Kate's upcoming trip to the U.S. on her blog Kate's In Stitches, we invited her to come by if/when she was passing through. On their drive from New York City to Boston, they stopped over for a brief studio tour, a walk around the neighborhood and some sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, and tea (note to self: have Aussie tea on hand for visitors from Australia!).

Meeting Kate and Suzanne felt to me like I'd been reunited with long-lost friends. They're kind, funny, smart, creative, imaginative, unassuming, and gracious people...and we laughed a lot. What could be better?!

Kate zipped out to the car, and came in with this beautiful quilt she’d made for a wedding gift for her friends in San Francisco. She would deliver her quilt to them later during her whirlwind trips across the U.S. For the colorful top, Kate used the free Daydream pattern and fabric I designed for Moda:

So pretty! Apparently Roscoe thought so too (eh hem...little grey fur blob in lower left corner. Sorry Kate!). I'd been watching this quilt come together on Kate's blog, but there's nothing like seeing it in person. What a treat! For the backing she used a scripty print from Ikea.

An extra special and very well-traveled wedding gift.

Congratulations to Stacy and Nick!

Kate's online store is Bella's Patchwork. Oh yeah and Kate's full-time work is as a PhD scientist in genetics research at the University of Melbourne — an impressive fact that she was very slow to mention. So modest! I look forward to our next get-together...in Houston at Quilt Market. YAY! Hope to see some of you there, too.

Have a beautiful weekend!

xo,

kate

Graduation Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations and hats off to All the Graduates! Thank you so much for entering our drawing for a set of the new bedding. 

More than one hundred and eighty of you shared your graduation tales, some even included photos.

Every single heartwarming story I received inspired me and made me even more aware of how much perseverance and determination it takes to pursue our passions. It was remarkable to read about so many people who courageously changed their paths, no matter what their age or how many responsibilities they already had. Like so many of you, I am grateful to my parents, teachers, and friends for helping, supporting and challenging me as I wandered, succeeded, stumbled, discovered and created the road ahead. Emerson said it better than I ever could:

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."

I wish you all the very best and don't forget to dream BIG!

Through random selection, the winner of the new bedding set is:

Some of you may know from Sheri from her amazing quilting creations at Bungalow Quilts. Sheri sent in the following moving story with two photos, which she's permitted me to share with you here. From Sheri:

My favorite graduate is my daughter, Caitlin.

Cait started her education at age 6 months, with services through the Cincinnati Association For The Blind And Visually Handicapped. From the very beginning of her education, through her high school graduation, Cait has always had a positive attitude. Cait completed her high school education at 19 years old, then deferred her diploma for two years while she did some job training Children's Hospital. At the end of her training, she was the only person in her class to be hired on at Children's. 

Cait is always willing to learn something new. She learned to use the city bus system (not easy!), learned to do her own banking. Learned a new skill and got a promotion at her job! I'm very proud of her perseverance and positive attitude. She's a lovely girl. 

P.S. She's learned to sew :) 

Sheri Cain

Catilin, you inspire me! Keep sharing your positive outlook. The world is a much better place with you in it.

xo,

kate