A Patchwork of Friends Article

Nifty Fifty Quilts

Nifty Fifty Breast Cancer Quilts

Nifty Fifty Swap Quilts

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I have not posted on my blog since December 2011. My quilting always has given me the strength to get through the tough times in my life which included living with my husband who was suffering from depression.  On December 13, 2011 his struggle with depression came to an end through suicide.  I have been living in a dark tunnel of grief since this time and I have not been able to quilt or write on my blog since then.  Someone recently left a positive comment on one of my posts and encouraged me to keep posting.  This has given me the courage to come back and post about losing a loved one to suicide.   So my first post is this video which has helped me understand my own husband’s depression….”This kid Thinks We Could Save So Many Lives If Only It Was OK to Say 4 Words”…..
http://www.upworthy.com/this-kid-thinks-we-could-save-so-many-lives-if-only-it-was-okay-to-say-4-words?g=2&c=ufb1
I hope it will bring awareness for others who are suffering from depression or know of someone suffering.

I would like to announce the winner of my Dishcloth Give away and it is Sandie Anne!!! 

This is the first give-away on my blog.  I thought it was an interesting idea when I first read about the Blog Hop Party on the Quilting Gallery.

I love knitting washcloths or dishcloths!!  They are easy and fast to work up.   There is a great website called Knitting Pattern Central that has free patterns for Dishcloths. This website has patterns to suit anyone’s interest including hobbies, sports, holidays, animals and houses.


These are 100% cotton knitted cloths which can be used as either washcloths for the bath or dishcloths.  I make them every year for my Mom for Christmas.  She uses them as dishcloths.  She loves them especially since you can place a dirty one on the top rack of her dishwasher and they come out sparkling clean.


 My sister lost her mother-in-law Madeline to Breast Cancer in 2010.  My sister was very close to her and I chose to make her one of my favorite patterns which was an Angel washcloth to comfort her during her loss.  One of the things that Madeline always told her grandchildren was to take comfort from the beautiful sunshine whenever you are feeling down.  So I chose to make them the yellow Sunshine washcloth. This pattern can be found on another great free pattern website called Designs by Emily.  This website has another one of my favorite patterns which is a Heart.  There are so many patterns to fit any occasion.  My son is being commissioned in the Army this spring and I made him the Army Eagle one.  

So I have decided to give-away a couple of my hand knitted dishcloths.  I decided that since our Nifty Fifty Quilting websites support Breast Cancer Awareness that I would knit up a Breast Cancer Ribbon for my give-away.  I tried finding a pattern for the ribbon everywhere online and was unsuccessful.  So I designed a pattern myself.  Here are photos of the Breast Cancer Ribbon Washcloth/Dishcloths that will be given away.

Variegated Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Washcloth

All Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon Washcloth

 Anyone who comments on my blog will be entered in the give-away.  The drawing will take place on December 18th.  I will be giving away the Variegated Washcloth and the All Pink Washcloth.  So please mention your preference in your comment.


I love hand made gifts and it would be nice to share ideas this time of year.  Please feel free to comment on your quilting, knitting or crochet projects that you make for gifts.  And if you are not making any gifts this year then you can comment on one of your favorite handmade gifts that you have received in the past.  Actually any crafty related comment will get you in the drawing.   


A copy of my free pattern for the Breast Cancer Ribbon Washcloth/Dishcloth can be found on my Breast Cancer Charity Site.

 More sample Amish blocks are arriving at my house for our Nifty Fifty 30 Swap.  We are getting a great variety of patterns and colors.  This will be a very unique Amish quilt.

 As these blocks arrive I measure them to make sure they are 9 1/2 inches, take photos of them for the rest of our swappers to enjoy and then place them in a safe place.

I should start sewing our Nifty Fifty Breast Cancer Charity quilt as these blocks arrive but  I have been too busy trying to get some Christmas presents finished before the big day arrives.    I think I will start sewing them together in January.

 This year  I have decided to participate in the Quilter’s Blog Hop Party and do my first giveaway on my blog.   I do a lot of knitting, quilting and crochet this time of year for Christmas presents.

This week I will be working on the item that I will be giving away on my blog.  So check back on December 10th to take part in my free give-away.  A hint…..it will be a handmade item.