Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Speed Bumps

I wish I could say I was done piecing. Sadly, that is not so.

I was half-way though a square when my sewing machine bobbin ran out. And it hasn't worked since. We killed two needles (bent them to he** and back) in one evening and determined that was a sign to give up. And we just haven't gotten the machine to the Machine Doctor. So, no new pretties.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Piecing has begun!


Fish square.

yellow square.

Bugs/dragonflies square

Flowers/Asian stuff square. And the colors co-ordinated.

Teddy bear/childhood square.

Purple square.

Purple and green. I love this foursome.

Pink!

Ladybugs.

Random square.

Bright, bright colors square.

I have begun piecing on my mother's 23 year old Kenmore sewing machine. And the bobbin hates me. I had to wind a new one today because the one I had ran out...and now it's being stupid and won't pull through. Grrr.... But the fact that I'm piecing does not in ANY WAY mean you can't still contribute. Obviously, this will not be a 100 Good Wishes Quilt, as I am well into the 120's. And it is becoming apparent in my planning world (which is really abstract and loose on facts, LOL) that I still need more to make the darn thing a rectangle. Sooooo....feel free to continue to contribute. If I don't need them for this project, I'll use them in the next (which is top-secret). So, they WILL be used, some how or another. I'm planning on using the scraps from cutting out the little 5x5 squares out of 8x8 and larger squares to make a smaller quilt that's more kid-sized. Like a scrap quilt/crazy quilt thing. It's going to be really random. I'm not going to bother with sashing on it. The hope is it'll be about toddler sized, a little bigger.

I'm grouping squares into groups of 4 (unless they can't be cut down, like the 2 contributions from awesome people in my Irish dancing world) by color, theme, or...if there is not enough of them to have 4....a random or half-and-half square.

Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed. Without you, this would be a pointless endeavor. Thank you.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Squish #125- Omaha, NE, USA


Love the dance/ballet fabric. Reese loves her dance!

The wish:

Parenting and loving a child is a tremendous joy. You are a blessing to your parents and your arrival has been eagerly anticipated.

My wish for you is that some day you experience all the joys and challenges that come with caring for a child you love.

Jeff, Carrie, Maizie, and Bo Schaffert
www.mingmaizie.blogspot.com

Thanks for the squish!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Squish #124- Canada

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #123- ehh...I don't remember


The letter F for the ABC swap

Fruit, just as life goes, fruit isn't always what you think and sometimes what it actually is may surprise. For instance, there is the age old debate....

The Kowel Family
Scott, Tasie, Baden (b. 10/30/03, a. 7/31/07, Shenzhen Bao'an in Guangdong province), and Savannah (b. 3/17/04, a. 6/16/05 Yihuang , Jiangxi)

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #122- Quebec, Canada


The wish: (no translation available, I'm not that good at French).

Chere petite He des etoites

Comme une etoile filante
Tu as parcourse te ciel
Pour rejoinde ta famille
Et attente du rayon de soleil
Cue ta vie soi simplie d'amour
Aupre de tes parents
L'etoile pelaire brillera et veiterra sur toi
Tout au long de ta vie

Nous t'enveyons de millions de Bisous Scintillants

Marie-France, Francis, Jonathon et Anna-Marie
Quebec, Canada
arsenaultroy.blogspot.com
LID: 26 mars 2007

Sorry if the typed up words are off. I'm reading them off of a picture on my computer. :)
Thanks for the squish!

Squish #121- Frisco, TX, USA


That's my cat, Chen Le's head in the picture.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #120- Can't remember


"The glory of friendship
is not an outstretched hand,
nor the kindly smile,
nor the joy of companionship;
it is the spiritual inspiration
that comes to one
when he realizes that some one else
is willing to believe in him
and is willing to trust him."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

May you always be surrounded by loving family and friends.
Carolyn, Todd, and Vivian

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #119- London, England


The letter P for the abc swap.

P is for Play
pinwheel. pretend. pinata.
Can you think of more playful words that begin with P?

We don't stop playing because we get old; we get old because we cease to play.
-George Bernard Shaw

With love,
The Cole Family
London, England

Squish #118- Mikulus Family


I have lost the envelope so I can't remember where it's from. This one is the letter V for the alphabet swap.

V is for Valentine

My teacher's very special
So I'm making her a heart,
A valentine that's sure to be
A proper work of art.

I've worked on it all morning
So it should be ready soon,
I'd like to slip it on her desk
Before this afternoon.

It's colored in with crayons
And it's trimmed with paper lace,
It has flowers, hearts, and Cupids-
I can't wait to see her face.

May sweetness follow you all year round.
Mikulus
Charles and Karrie
2 grown children-5 grandchildren
3 teenagers (oh my)
4 year old- Kazakhstan 4/05
10 month old from Vietnam 4-07
DTV-2007

Thanks for the squish!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Squish #117- West Fork, AR, USA


This one is from a family who takes dance at my dance school, if I recall correctly.

The wish:

My 8" square is made of 4 cathedral window squares. It is a variation called "Secret Garden". I am making a large quilt of these for our pastor and his wife, celebrating 50 years in the ministry. Folding, ironing, and sewing these squares reminds me of my 4 daughters doing origami.

To: Reese KaiJin
I wish for you to become a happy, healthy, woman of God. I hope you will some day learn to make quilts of your own. Quilting can be a great joy, and in so many ways can connect peoples together.

Paula Dutton
West Fork, AR

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #116- Indianapolis, IN, USA


I love the clovers.

The wish:

Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments.
-Coreta Kent

Mary Ann DeMartes

Thanks for the squish!

Friday, October 5, 2007

Squish #115- Strongsville, OH, USA


The wish:

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."
-Louisa May Alcott

Our wish is that you always follow where your dreams lead.

Sarah & Alison Kobulnicky
Strongsville, OH

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #114- Boothwyn, PA, USA


The wish:

When your life began the stars in the sky aligned then a wish was made for you to be loved and that voice was heard was heard by an angel above.

Little one, here are my wishes for thee:
May your life always be filled with sunshine.
May you always be surrounded by love and happiness.
May you always be proud of who you are.
May you always feel a sense of belonging in this world.
May you attain all of your dreams in life.

Chris and Michelle Lynam.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #113- Boucherville, Quebec, Canada


This is the letter 'M' for the Alphabet Swap.

The wish:

Hickory, Dickory Dock

Hickory, dickory, dock.
The mouse ran up the clock,
The struck one, the mouse ran down.
Hickory, dickory, dock.

Hickory, dickory, dock.
The mouse run up the clock.
The clock struck two, the mouse said, "Boo!"
Hickory, dickory, dock.

Hickory, dickory, dock.
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck three, the mouse said, "Whee!"
Hickory, dickory, dock.

Hickory, dickory, dock.
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck four, the mouse said, "No more!"
Hickory, dickory, dock.

M is for mouse.

May you always stay a child at heart.

Anik Nolet and Sylvain Theriault,
LID: 05-18-06
Boucherville, Quebec, Canada

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #112- Etrechy, France


First (and only) squish from France.

The wish:

Bienvenue Parmi Nous

I wish you much happiness, health, prosperity--That's beautiful life being for you. All your life are being happy.

Viviene et (and) Micheal

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #110 & 111- Suffolk, VA, USA


I actually got this on Saturday...it's been a crazy week.

The wish:

My daughter's room is decorated with the bold words below, because they are my greatest wishes for her. They are my wishes for you, too:

May you DREAM big dreams and know you can make them come true.
May your heart DANCE with laughter and joy.
May you IMAGINE all the possibilities that life has to offer you and choose wisely.
May you always be surrounded by LOVE as strong as your family's love for you.
May you always remember to WISH on shooting stars and when you blow out the candles on your birthday cake.
And, may you always have FAITH in your heart and HOPE for tomorrow.

-Robin Salsberry

Thanks for the squish!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Squish #109- Broken Arrow, OK, USA




The wish:

U is for Umbrella

The collapsible umbrella is said to have been invented during Cao Wei in ancient China, roughly 1700 years ago. The Chinese character for umbrella is - (san) and is a pictograph resembling the modern umbrella in design. Some investigators have supposed that its invention was first created by tying large leaves to bough-like ribs (the branching out parts of the umbrella). Others assert that the idea was probably derived from the tent, which remains in form unaltered to the present day. However, the tradition existing in China is that it originated in standards and banners waving in the air, hence the use of the umbrella was often linked to high ranking (though not necessarily royalty in China). On one occasion at least, we hear of 24 umbrellas being carried before the Emperor when he went out hunting. In this case, the umbrella served as defense against the rain rather than sun.

Enjoy life and take time to play in the rain.
-Darrell and Vivianna David: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #108- Chevy Chase, MD, USA


This one is the letter 'Z' for the ABC Swap!

The wish:

Z is for Zebras!

My alphabet starts with letter called yuzz. It's the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You'll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond 'Z' and start poking around!
-Dr. Seuss

May you always enjoy inventing and telling your own stories!!

The Lindsays
Chevy Chase, MD

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #107- Chevy Chase, MD, USA


This one is the letter 'X' for the ABC Swap.

The wish:

X
"X" sounds like the "X" to X-Ray your bones;
"X" sounds like the "Z" in xylophone;
"X" marks the spot in tic-tac-toe;
"X" means a kiss when a hug is an "O".

To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.
-Reba McIntire

xxoo,
The Lindsays, Chevy Chase, MD

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #106- Benton, AR, USA


This squish is extra special because it is from our good friends, The Rouseys, who are members of our local FCC.

The wish:

"We may be a thousand miles apart
But I'll be with you wherever you are.

I'm already there,
Take a look around.
I'm the sunshine in your hair.
I'm the shadow on the ground.
I'm the whisper in the wind
And I'll be there until the end.
Can you feel the love that we share?
Oh, I'm already there.
Oh I'm already
There."

from the song "I'm Already There" by Lonestar

Dear Reese,

Always remember that you are wanted and loved, no matter where you go or what you do. What a blessing you are! May God bless you and keep you throughout your life.
This was the song that kept me, Kim, going while we waited to bring Anna-Marie and then Savannah home to our forever family. The words are just so true...even though your family is not with you right now, they are still there with their love, prayers, and thoughts. It will always mean something special to our family, just as You will always mean something special to your family.

With love,
Kim, Bryan, Anna-Marie, and Savannah.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #105- Bay Village, OH, USA


The wish:

May your life be filled with happiness.

Lisa Napoli
Bay Village, Ohio

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #104- Victoria, Australia


The wish:

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
-Helen Keller

From the Stewart Family
Robyn, Ian, Seb (Korea), and our little one waiting for us in Taiwan.
Victoria, Australia

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #103- Chardon, OH, USA


This one is letter 'O' from the ABC Swap.

The wish:

O is for Orange
We wish for you to see a beautiful orange setting sun, to play in newly fallen orange leaves, to taste the sweetness of a ripe orange and to smell the scent of a freshly carved orange pumpkin.

The Eierman Family:
Gregg, Laurie, Megan, Rebecca, Stacey, Daniel, Alexa Rose XiaoHui & Carrie Anne HongHuan
Chardon, Ohio

Thanks for the squish!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Squish #102- Fort Collins, CO, USA


This one is the letter 'R' for the ABC Swap.

The wish:

R is for Rainbow

The falling rain dissolves into mist
And the thunder begins to die;
As the sporadic lightning fades,
An arch of colors pours from the sky.

Rainbows appear after mighty storms
When things look their worst;
Just when the skies are darkest gray,
Out of heaven does the rainbow burst,

God first sent the rainbow to Noah
As a sign that His word is true;
The rainbow's eternal message
Still speaks to me and you.

The rainbow is a sign of God's promise
That He will guide us through any storm;
That He will ease all our troubles
No matter what their form.

When you feel battered by life's storms
And you are filled with doubt and dismay,
Just remember God's rainbow is coming
For it's blessing...you only have to pray.

Wishing you patience to wait for your rainbow,
The Pie' Family

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #101- Fort Collins, CO, USA


This one is the Letter 'C' from the OHGWQ ABC Swap.

The wish:

C is for Crayons

I had a box of crayons,
All shiny, straight, and new.
I lent a friend one crayon,
And -oops!- it broke in two!
My friend said she was sorry,
But I said "I don't care,
'Cause now we both can color
With one crayon. We can share!"
-Helen H. Moore

There are few things as special as opening a new box of crayons. May you always appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

With love,
The Pie' Family
Fort Collins, CO

Thanks for the squish!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Squish #100- Mayaguez, Puerto Rico


We made it all the way to 100! Hard to think I just started asking for squishes about 2 months ago. But don't think I'm stopping at 100. I have more on the way. I can't stop now. LOL.

The wish:

"L" is for letters.
Librarian Ladybug, Linda Lace, Landed her Legs on the Left Lane Leaf of a Lily in London. Last but not Least, Linda's Laptop Logged to a Large and Long List of Love Letters of Linguist Lightning bug Lord Leo Lemon, who Liked Little Lamps, Lanterns and Lentils. Lured by Love, Limes, Lettuce, and Lollipops they had a Lovely Lunch at the Lake where Laughter and Language Lessons Locked their Lives and Long Lasting Love!

Wishing you a life of laughter, lessons, and long lasting love!

Tinin and Tono Carrillo living in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and waiting for our daughters from China.

Thanks for the squish!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Squish #99- Gainesville, FL, USA



The wish:

E is for Elephant.

The Van Gohs, Gainesville, FL

Thanks for the squish!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Squish #98- Raleigh, NC, USA


The wish:

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.
-Richard Bach

We wish you a lifetime of love, happiness, and joy. Always remember that your true family loves you for who you are.

The Carley Family, Raleigh, NC
LID 6/15/06 for our Sweet Baby Girl

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #97- Raleigh, NC, USA


The wish:

Aspire to the principle, behave with virtue, abide by benevolence, and immerse yourself in the arts.

MUSIC/INSTRUMENTS
The Chinese believe that music is an expression of harmony that exists among heaven, earth, and man, and nature has provided man with eight kinds of such materials to build musical instruments. Therefore, traditionally, Chinese instruments are also classified according to the type of material they are made from. They are stone, metal, silk, bamboo, wood, skin, gourd, and clay.

We wish for you curiosity, happiness, and an appreciation for arts of all kinds.

The Carley Family, Raleigh, NC
DTC June 2006 and DTV- August 2007

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #96- North Attleboro, MA, USA


The Letter 'W' from the ABC Swap.

The wish:

W is for Watermelon

Watermelon is juicy and yummy to eat.
It's cool and refreshing, delicious and sweet.
It's fun to have watermelon on a warm, sunny day.
Watermelon brings health and happiness your way.

May your life be full of warm, sunny watermelon days!

Theresa Johnson
North Attleboro, MA
LID 9-12-06

Thanks for the squish!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Squish #95- Lewisberry, PA, USA


This one is from Annie off of the Asia Blessings Yahoo! Group.

The wish:

Reese KaiJin

May your life be full of joy and beauty.

Annie
Pennsylvania, USA

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #94- South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA


This one is from the ABC Swap, too.

The wish:

K is for Kittens.

"There is no more intrepid explorer than a kitten."
-Jules Champfleury

May you enjoy exploring your world.

-Kelley and Steve Rude
South Lake Tahoe, California

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #92 & 93- Crozet, VA, USA


This is one from the rubber-ducky board swap. The yellow fabric has kittens on it.


The wish:

A dream is a wish your heart
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true.

-from Cinderella (Disney)

Follow your heart. Find your dreams and live them. I wish you happiness always.
-Jennifer Ryan

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #91- Tasmania, Australia


The wish:

When flowing water...meets with obstacles on its path, a blockage in its journey, it pauses. It increases in volume and strength, filling up in front of the obstacle and eventually spilling past it...
Do not turn and run, for there is nowhere worthwhile for you to go. Do not attempt to push ahead into the danger...emulate the example of the water: Pause and build up your strength until the obstacle no longer represents a blockage.

From the I Ching

Betty van Es & Phillip Hilton, Alun, Jonty, Meghan, & Juliana
Hobert, Tasmania, Australia

May you meet the problems you face in life with courage and self belief.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #90- Tucson, AZ, USA


The fabric is sparkley...

The wish:

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone.

--Chinese Proverb--

God made you special & unique.
There's only one just like you!

The Gibbens Family
Tuscon, AZ
LID 11.23.06
Waiting for LeiHua- ShanXi province

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #89- Bensalem, PA, USA


The wish:

D is for...

Darling dragonflies
Dancing delightedly
During Daybreak.

May you always know the love and protection of your family.

Tom, Marie, Rita, and Grace Kilgore
Yahoo One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt
ABC Swap- September 2007

Thanks for the squish!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Squish #88- Shannon Hills, AR, USA


I chose this fabric because it sort of symbolizes me. I collect rubber duckies, and I let Reese play with them. When she feels bad, I let her play with my ducks. Plus she LOVES bath time. LOL.

I've also decided I'm not stopping this collection thing at 100. I just want to have AT LEAST 100. More wishes is a good thing right? At some point, I'll stop, but that won't be until I'm pretty sure I have all the ones I'm waiting for. :)

Squish #87- Shannon Hills, AR, USA


This is 1 of 2 squishes I am making for Reese. This isn't the actual squish, just the fabric it comes from. I love My Little Pony, and when I bought this fabric, Reese carried it around for some 2 days. Reese also loves My Little Pony fruit snacks. So I'm using this for one squish. I haven't decided what the wish will be yet. I'll update this post when I do.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Squish #86- San Juan, Puerto Rico


This one is off of the General Swap on OHGWQ.

The wish:

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
-Chinese Proverb.

We wish you happiness, love, peace, and song you can sing forever...

Love and blessing from San Juan, Puerto Rico
Rodriguez-Vazquez Family

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #85- Macomb, IL, USA


This is the letter J for the ABC Swap on OHGWQ.

The wish:

J is for Jungle

We hope you will Juggle, Jiggle, Jump, Joke, and be Joyful in the Jungle and Just about everywhere.

Don and Kathy Powers
Macomb, Illinois
LID 9-11-06

Thanks for the squish!