Interview with KSL

Today I was sooooo nervous all day!  I had a phone interview about Phoenix Quilts with a reporter from KSL this afternoon!!!  KSL is one of the major news stations in Salt Lake City.  They report the news online (www.ksl.com), on TV, and on the radio.  They are going to post the story from the interview online this Sunday afternoon as their feature story!  I'll write a post with a link to it as soon as it's there!  The reporter, Stephanie Grimes, was so AWESOME - I didn't need to be nervous after all!  :o)  We talked for 30 minutes all about Phoenix Quilts and what we're doing!  I can't wait to see how she writes the story!  I'm so excited about the help this will give Phoenix Quilts!!!  Woo-Hoo!!!  :o)

Hugs!!!

Things are CRAZY AWESOME around here!

WOW!!!  What an exciting week it's been!  I first want to send out a HUGE thank you to my INCREDIBLE husband, Todd, for surprising me and taking me to Park City, Utah, for a couple of days!  It was so nice to get away, just the two of us!

Well . . . we did find a friend to hang out with for a minute or two!  =D

This is Main Street in Park City.  It's definitely not as busy in the summer as it is in the winter, which was really nice for us!  On Main Street they have lots of cool shops (pretty expensive, though!), but the thing we love the most are the art galleries!  We spent our time in the ones that have the most fabulous photography!  Such amazing talent!  Obviously, I'll never have any of my photos in a gallery!  Especially with my silly camera phone pictures!  :/

I liked this sign's message!  I didn't even notice what kind of store it is, but the sign made me smile!  Isn't that what life is all about?  Actually "Livin' Life" instead of just sitting on the sidelines and watching it pass us by!  Love it!  =D

OK . . . now for the other part of my week.  You're not going to believe this!

Last Saturday (July 21), I spoke at the Salt Lake/Ogden Longarm Quilt Guild to tell them about Phoenix Quilts and to ask for their help in quilting some of the quilt tops I've been receiving.  I had no idea what to expect -- how many of the tops they would help with -- but they took ALL 60 OF THEM!!!  I couldn't believe it!!!  =D  I really shouldn't have been surprised, though . . . I've found that quilters are the most generous people I've ever been associated with!!!  Thank you so much!!!

After the meeting, my new BQFF (Best Quilty Friend Forever), Barbie Mills, and I went out to her car because she had something she wanted to show me . . .

You see, Barbie contacted me a couple of weeks ago about wanting to help with Phoenix Quilts.  She told me she would arrange to have me speak at the Salt Lake/Ogden Longarm Quilt Guild.  Then she suggested getting in touch with Riley Blake Designs in Salt Lake City, to see if they would donate any fabric to Phoenix Quilts.  I forced her to I asked if she would call them, and she quickly said, "Yes"!  She also offered to contact Winline Textiles to see if they would be willing to donate any batting.  What they each donated was what she wanted to show me in her car . . .

There was HUNDREDS of yards of fabric in there that Riley Blake Designs donated and a 30 yard roll of batting that Winline Textiles donated!!!  =D  TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE!!!

This is me -- after doing the happy dance and stuffing everything into my car -- giving a great BIG shout out to Riley Blake Designs and Winline Textiles to thank them for being soooooo generous!!!  THANK YOU!!!

You ought to go over to Barbie's blog, The Quilting Mill, and you can read more details about the part she played in making this exciting day happen!  You need to check out how creative this gal is!  Everything she touches turns out amazing!  While you're there, become a follower, enter your e-mail to receive her blog posts (you won't regret it!) and give her some comment love thanking her for all she's done for me and Phoenix Quilts!

I'm still receiving several boxes everyday with all of the beautiful quilts, quilt tops, and blocks (fabric and money donations, too!) you have made for Phoenix Quilts!  THANK YOU for all you're doing to help!!!  We still need a LOT of quits to reach our goal of 849 quilts (so far), but I just know WE WILL DO IT!!!  =D  Our next delivery of quilts will be to Pocatello, Idaho, on August 10th!  I'm so excited!!!  =D

Hugs!!!

Exciting news . . .

Hi everyone!  I don't have time to write now because I'm on my way to go on a surprise get-away with my husband for a few days!  I asked my husband to stop at a McDonald's so I could write and let you know there are some VERY exciting things that have been happening, but I just don't have time to write about them now!!!  :/

When I get back (either Friday or Saturday) I'll update the quilt numbers in the right sidebar (they are way off now!) and I'll write a big ol' post about what's been happening!!! 

My kids at home have been telling me we're still receiving packages everyday, so when I get back I'll be sure to let you know if yours has arrived!

Thank you for everything you're doing!!!  Keep spreading the word and keep on quiltin'!!!  :o)

Hugs!!!

Wood Hollow Quilts Delivered!

We've made our first delivery of quilts!  I'm so excited!!!  =D  The Wood Hollow fire victims, near Fairview, Utah, now have their quilts!  There was a local group of women who wanted to make quilts for this fire because it was their neighbors that were affected by it, so all they needed from us were three quilts!!!  What AWESOME women they are!!!  They worked so fast!!!  =D  I'm sure the recipients of these quilts will feel much comfort from this sweet gift of a quilt made with love!!!

As you can see, we've added a "Donate" button to our blog so you can donate directly to Phoenix Quilts through PayPal!  This should make things much easier for everyone wanting to donate!  Any amount you are willing to donate will certainly help us with reaching our goals!!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING!!!  =D

We have also set up an account at Wells Fargo Bank under the name "Phoenix Quilts."  You can go into any Wells Fargo branch across the country to make a donation into the "Phoenix Quilts" account.  Again, thank you for your support for these people who have lost a home to these terrible wildfires! 

FYI:  Any money donated to Phoenix Quilts will NOT be going directly to the people who have lost their homes.  It will be used to buy quilt supplies (mostly batting and backs for quilts) and other expenses in making and distributing these quilts.

Our next group of quilts will be going to help those affected by the Charlotte fire near Pocatello, ID.  We'll be going there August 8th and 9th.  Then it's on to Colorado the following week!!!  We, obviously, need a LOT more quilts to be able to deliver to those locations by then!!!  I have had MANY people ask what size quilts we need most - we will still accept anything you are willing to donate, but we really need lap-sized quilts to be able to give one to each family! 

Oh how grateful we are for your generosity!  I wish I could personally give each one of you a hug!  Please continue helping us spread the word!  And keep on quiltin'!!!  Things are getting so EXCITING around here!!!  =D

Hugs!!!

New Post Isn't Showing Up

I've been told by quite a few people that my latest post "I Am So Humbled" isn't getting out to people!  I'm also not getting the comments sent to my e-mail!  What's up with that?!?!?!?  :/  I'm sorry . . . I'm not ignoring you!!!  PLEASE go to the post "I Am So Humbled" and see what we've been doing!  It's so exciting around here!  Hopefully, this post will go through!!!

While you're on our Phoenix Quilts blog look around a bit!  We've added some new things, especially the information under the "How Can I Help?" and "Press Release" tabs.  Check out the "2012 Donations" tab, too!  The quilts, quilt tops, and fabric being sent in are amazing!!!  THANK YOU!!!  :o)

Hugs!

I Am So Humbled

What a whirlwind couple of weeks it's been!!!  And it's not slowing down (which is GREAT)!!!  =D  I've been going through such a roller coaster of emotions!  The generosity of so many people has brought me to tears many times as I see the beautiful quilts, quilt tops, pieced quilt blocks, and fabric you are sending to Phoenix Quilts, along with your kind words.  :`)  You'll never know how many lives you will bring comfort to because of your sacrifices.  I wish I knew how to say in words what I'm feeling so strongly in my heart!  All I can say is, "Thank You so, so much!  I appreciate you and everything you're doing!"  =D

Here's a few things that I haven't posted about yet from the last couple of weeks (You're gonna love this!) . . .

I got to meet one of my quilting idols, Melissa Corry, from Happy Quilting!  She donated 8 beautiful quilts!  She's as awesome in person as she is on her blog!  :o)



Then I met Marion in Payson.  She contacted me and told me she had 21 quilts to donate that she had gathered from various friends . . . When I got there she gave me 47 quilts!!!  Totally AMAZING!!!



I started receiving quilts in the mail July 3rd.  We have now received 127 completed quilts, 60 quilt tops, and 218 beautiful blocks and fabric to make quilts with!  Unbelievable!  =D

On July 5 and 6, I went to St. George to a "quilt-a-thon" at My Lazy Daisy.  They donated the fabric and batting and we were able to complete 27 quilts!

We made "rag" quilts (at least that's what I call them).  For each block the fabric is 10" square and the batting inside is 8" square.  For a lap-sized quilt we made it 6x6 blocks.  For a baby-sized quilt we did 4x4 blocks.  We just sewed an X through the "block sandwich" (top, batting, back) and then joined the blocks together, wrong sides together.  We snipped the seams, then washed and dried the quilts.  No quilting or sewing bindings on!  Simple and done!  =D  Click on the "Quilt Stores" tab above to see how your quilt shop, bee, guild, church group, or neighborhood friends, can organize something similar!  Here's a closer look at some of the quilts we made:

Then Dana Brooks, one of the co-owners of My Lazy Daisy, brought out several quilts from her own "stash" that she had previously made and quilted!

I wish you could see in person all of these quilts I'm receiving every day!  I am so impressed and amazed with all of the time and talent you are all putting into each quilt you are donating!

Yesterday I picked up 10 more quilts from Marion in Payson and 15 quilts from my cousin, Jen Stemmons.  AWESOME!!!  =D

If you want to see a "Quilt Show" click on the "2012 Donations" tab above and see some of the fabulous quilts being sent in!  I'm not done taking pictures of all of the quilts, so check back often to see what people are doing!

If you would like to help us spread the word, click on the "Press Release" tab.  It has an article you can use on your blog, send to your quilt guild, local newspaper, radio station, put in your church bulletin, or have your city put it in their newsletter!  I really appreciate you bloggers writing about Phoenix Quilts on your blog and using our button!  People that have lost their homes to these awful wildfires need our help to bring them a little bit of comfort during this tragic time in their lives.

Thank you for all you're doing!!!

Hugs!

I'm All Caught Up . . . Almost!

All the quilts received so far are sorted!  Everything has been logged into the database!  We're working on getting names and contact information for those who lost their homes in these fires!  Everyone has finally been notified (thanks for your patience!) that I have received their package!  Except for three - if your name is one of these please contact me!  I can't find your e-mail address from the information I have on the box!  ***  Killefer, Sherri Raymos, and Carmen Wyant ***  Thanks!  :o)

I was going to tell you all about my exciting weekend, but I still have to take pics of the quilts we made.  Oh yeah, plus get pictures of the other 143 quilts I've received so far!  I've worked 14 hours on Phoenix Quilts stuff today so I'm going to go to bed now and be ready for a great post tomorrow and LOTS of picture taking!  :o) 

Yawn . . .

Phoenix Quilts!

I really appreciate you taking the time to read this message.  I know you are very busy, but I feel what I have to tell you is so important! 

As you know, there are several wildfires raging across the Western United States.  At this time there are approximately 750 homes that have been completely destroyed by these wildfires, and I’m afraid that number will only increase as we get further into the fire season.

My husband and I are creating a non-profit organization named Phoenix Quilts.  With your help, we would like to place a quilt in the arms of each family that has lost their home to these terrible fires.  That means, as of right now, 750 quilts need to be made and distributed to these people!



On June 25, 2012, I put out a call for help to the followers on my quilt blog Having Fun Quilting! and have received commitments for HUNDREDS of quilts to be sent to Phoenix Quilts.  In just four days since we began receiving quilts, we have received 143 quilts! 

Obviously, there is no way I could make enough quilts – not even with the hundreds that are being sent to me by my followers – to give a quilt to each of these families who have lost everything.  That’s why I’m coming to you.  Would you be willing to help us spread the word about Phoenix Quilts by writing a post about this on your blog or website?  Would you be willing to donate fabric, batting, quilt blocks, a finished quilt top, a completed quilt, or make a monetary donation?  We would like to spread this information all across blogland so we can give some comfort to those who are beginning to rebuild their lives from the ashes that was once their home!  We think a quilt would be an appropriate way to do that!

Thank you so much!!!

Hugs!

Welcome to Phoenix Quilts!

We are no longer Operation Wood Hollow, but are now Phoenix Quilts!  We are expanding our goals with all of the donations coming in (and with all of the homes that have been turned to ashes because of these awful wildfires) and thought this was a great name to represent what we're doing!  Go to the "About Us" tab to refresh your memory on the mythological Phoenix bird!  :o)

As you can see this blog needs a LOT of TLC, buttons need to be made, etc., but I need to spend my time on much more important things right now!  I've got LOTS of quilts to get ready to be delivered!!!  :o)

Thank you so much for helping us spread the word about Phoenix Quilts!!!  With a little help from everyone WE CAN DO THIS!!!  :o)

Hugs!