feeling creative?
Calling all family members, friends, and blogland pals. It's time to get creative.
Are you guys familiar with "100 Good Wishes Quilts"? This link, this link, and this link should give you the idea. I totally wanna make one (ok, have one made) for Beckett. I love the idea of having a quilt made of fabrics specially selected for him. Squares of well loved t-shirts or a favorite pair of blue jeans... scraps of a prom dress, a blankie, or a wedding gown... fabrics that are significant because of their history and brand new swatches selected because of the color, or texture, or print. Regardless of where the quilt squares come from, the important thing is that each bit of fabric was hand picked by someone. Ken still has a quilt given to him as a child, and with any luck, Beckett will have a special quilt of his own.
1. Select a fabric and cut a small swatch plus two pieces of fabric, each at least 8”x 8” square – something that you particularly like or that has a special meaning to you. Send a fabric that you like and that speaks to you! Note: 100% cotton fabric works best, but anything is fair game. And please, send more than one fabric and message if you feel so inspired.
2. Write a note. This should be a message from you to Beckett on a separate sheet of paper or card. Typed, handwritten, painted or in crayon... anything goes. It can be a special memory, a favorite quote or lyric from a song, or original thoughts and blessings. Maybe it's simply an illustration or a photograph- the important thing is that it comes from you! Be sure to include your name and the date. I am also planning a scrapbook to keep the wishes in, so please include a small swatch of fabric with your wish so he can look at the book and match each square of the quilt to the note that came with it.
3. Mail the note, swatch and fabric square to me.
Easy as pie.
Of course, if you are feeling crafty, you could make a whole scrapbook page that includes the fabric swatch. Or you could send something on a post-it. Need ideas? I'm open to anything and I look forward to seeing your creative efforts.
Need my address? Email me. Of course, if any of you are currently working on a quilt of your own, please let me know. I'd love to send you a square or two.
*Yes, I know my kid isn't Chinese. No, I don't think that Asian cultures are interchangeable. I just thought it was a cool idea and a fun way to pass the time during the wait.
Are you guys familiar with "100 Good Wishes Quilts"? This link, this link, and this link should give you the idea. I totally wanna make one (ok, have one made) for Beckett. I love the idea of having a quilt made of fabrics specially selected for him. Squares of well loved t-shirts or a favorite pair of blue jeans... scraps of a prom dress, a blankie, or a wedding gown... fabrics that are significant because of their history and brand new swatches selected because of the color, or texture, or print. Regardless of where the quilt squares come from, the important thing is that each bit of fabric was hand picked by someone. Ken still has a quilt given to him as a child, and with any luck, Beckett will have a special quilt of his own.
The tradition of the 100 good wishes quilt dates back to ancient China* where the tradition of Bai Jia Bei –100 family quilt – was to welcome a new baby to the family. Friends and family donated fabric scraps along with a wish of good fortune for the baby, the mother then made a quilt from the scraps … and many believed that the good wishes and love from all the families surrounded the child wrapped in that quilt.So, here's how this works:
1. Select a fabric and cut a small swatch plus two pieces of fabric, each at least 8”x 8” square – something that you particularly like or that has a special meaning to you. Send a fabric that you like and that speaks to you! Note: 100% cotton fabric works best, but anything is fair game. And please, send more than one fabric and message if you feel so inspired.
2. Write a note. This should be a message from you to Beckett on a separate sheet of paper or card. Typed, handwritten, painted or in crayon... anything goes. It can be a special memory, a favorite quote or lyric from a song, or original thoughts and blessings. Maybe it's simply an illustration or a photograph- the important thing is that it comes from you! Be sure to include your name and the date. I am also planning a scrapbook to keep the wishes in, so please include a small swatch of fabric with your wish so he can look at the book and match each square of the quilt to the note that came with it.
3. Mail the note, swatch and fabric square to me.
Easy as pie.
Of course, if you are feeling crafty, you could make a whole scrapbook page that includes the fabric swatch. Or you could send something on a post-it. Need ideas? I'm open to anything and I look forward to seeing your creative efforts.
Need my address? Email me. Of course, if any of you are currently working on a quilt of your own, please let me know. I'd love to send you a square or two.
*Yes, I know my kid isn't Chinese. No, I don't think that Asian cultures are interchangeable. I just thought it was a cool idea and a fun way to pass the time during the wait.
