Alyzabeth's 100 Wishes Quilt

Quilt Update January 2008

2008-02-03T13:00:00.000-05:00

I posted on our main blog about the quilt being finished! We are so please with it and that my MIL did the actual sewing and quilting.

Quilt is Finished!

Quilt Update December 2007

2007-12-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

Upper right side of quilt. The center of the quilt has a square from SIL, Mia. She is a professional signer (the brown square with the sign for love) and I loved it so much, it is the center of the quilt!

Upper left side of quilt.

Center of quilt.

Right edge/side of quilt.

Lower right corner (my Mom's square has the birds: Cardinal for Missouri and Chickadee for Maine).

MIL, Joy, has about half the quilt "quilted".
All squares are sewn together (read prior post). She brought the quilt this trip for the Christmas holiday just to show us - yeah!!
The center of the quilt has sister Mia's sign language square.
It looks great!! Thank you again and again......

Quilt is "Sewing" Together!

2007-11-30T19:00:00.000-05:00

A year ago I completed my quest for quilt squares for Alyzabeth An's OHGW quilt. I intended to cut each square to the 7 1/2 inch square size. My MIL offered to sew it and quilt it but I was determined to do as much as I could. Of course a year later after totally messing up several cuts, I gave the whole thing over to dear MIL this Thanksgiving weekend.

By November 30, 2007, in less than a week, she has cut the squares and sewn the top of the quilt AND added the border and prairie points.

I asked for the quilt to be about queen size so I know she has made it at least 10 squares wide and 13 rows. You can't see the entire quilt in these pictures.
I am so excited; she (MIL Joy) is bringing what she has completed so far to our home over the Christmas holiday!!! In the wintertime, they live about a 5 hours drive south of here and come for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Can you believe it?
It is wonderful!!!
Thank you and big hugs to MIL, Nana Joy!

Quilt Update May 2007

2007-05-16T18:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, I had all my quilt squares collected (well, not all that I wanted; there are a few family and friends I would have liked to add to the quilt).

So I decided I was done. It was time to begin arranging the squares. I also told my MIL, that I would cut the squares to a 7.5 inch square. She has graciously offered to assemble the quilt (she's an expert!).
I bought the cutting board and rotary cutter.
So I began cutting......

I began cutting the squares and cut several too small. So those will be for the shams. Just a rookie mistake!

I decided to join one more swap to make sure I would have enough squares; I joined a squish swap that was all about Chinese culture.
What a great swap! I am so glad I made my cutting "mistake" as I would have never joined another swap. The fabric and wishes are wonderful and explain alot about the Chinese heritage, symbols and holidays.

I received squares from:

Tassie Kowal, Bellingham WA
Bridget Thurston, Kingston WA
Shandra Eakes, Burleson TX
Jennifer Helms, Lewisville TX
Debbie Frentzen, Sellersville PA
Cathy Tyhurst, Newmarket ON Canada
Kelly Higgs, Elmira ON Canada
Anik Nolet, Quebec Canada
Susan Karpiuk, Surrey BC Canada
Jocelyn Firth, Lower Sackville NS Canada
Norma Loewen, Hague Canada
Kim Nagowski, Lancaster NY
Bonnie Pontillo, Geneseo NY
Ann Keisling Smith, Portland OR
Shari Hansen, Olathe KS
Chris Kramer, Fort Belvoir VA
Susan Crowell, Rancho Cucamonga CA
Laura Keir, Mission Viejo CA
Diana Vandra, Grass Valley CA
Theresa Johnson, North Attleboro MA
Cynthia Butcher, Blue Springs MO
Denise Jackson, St. Peters MO
Linda Hart, Norwalk OH
Tiffany Clark, Columbus GA
Sherrell Blankenship-Brown, Columbia SC
Sarah Swanson, Bethesda MD
Kiy Shelton, Albuquerque NM
Sue Springirth, Carmel IN
Amy Darlington, Moorestown NJ

Many thanks to Tassie Kowal who organized this swap.
Thank you for all the great wishes! Next... to learn how to "scrap-book" the wishes!

Quilt - "Design Phase"!

2006-11-26T07:29:00.000-05:00

As you may have read on our Alyzabethan blog, our MIL was here over Thanksgiving and got me moving in the right direction on Lizzy's quilt. Lot's of cutting to true up the squares to 7.5 inches. Then the sewing will begin!

We have purchased the pale green fabric for the border and prairie points. You can see it barely in the bottom of the top picture.

MIL will actually assemble the quilt, make the prairie points, sew on the border and then hand quilt/stitch. Can you believe the quilt will be a reality next year.
Thank you to all who have given us the gift of fabric and wishes.

Quilt - From Aunt Jan and Cousin Babette

2006-10-20T06:22:00.000-05:00

More family members are sending us fabric. Can't wait to get the squares out and "design" Lizzy's quilt.
Thank you to DH's family!

Quilt Squares from Sister M. Morge

2006-10-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

We are so happy that DH's sister sent several quilt squares. She had them embroidered with symbols and messages dear to this family. Since she is a professional "signer" (Sign Language for the Deaf), she wished that Lizzy will learn to sign also. She also sent one fabric embroidered in memory of DH's and her Mother, also one with her home State of Illinois on it. All are precious and we thank her for making them so special!
(pictures soon to appear)

Quilt Squares from J & K Allen

2006-10-15T10:42:00.000-05:00

Our good church buddies, Crown Financial "Graduates" and fellow red wine appreciative drinkers gave us two fabrics and wishes.

The wishes are wonderful: for Lizzy to have a good, true friend and to have humor and laughter in her life. Thank you!!

Quilt Squares from Barkers - Family Wishes!

2006-08-12T04:30:00.000-05:00

Quilt Squares from Family # 71. The Barker's are cousins on my Dad's Father's side of the family. Great people!! They were very sweet to send these two squares and wishes. Their wishes will light up Lizzy's quilt!

Quilt Squares From Pie, Weber, Helms, Mann and Humphrey's

2006-08-11T13:30:00.000-05:00

Numbers 63, 64, 65, 67 and 68 and counting!!
These squares were received between June 10th and June 15th. Boy, it was great receiving these in the mail; what fun to open each one up in anticipation of the wish for Lizzy.
These are from a special quilt square swap called "Red All Over". Thought the "red thread" throughout the 100 Good Wishes Quilt would be a nice touch!
Thank you all.

Our Computer has been Repaired.

2006-08-05T09:45:00.000-05:00

Our laptop is home from the shop and I will be able to finish posting all the pictures.... I am very behind.... especially acknowledging all of you who have contributed fabric squares.......

In the meantime, here's a picture of a bib and burp cloth I received from The McCarty's of Virginia. Unbelievable the beauty and thoughtfulness! This is a set to remember! Stunning pink and hot pink with hearts AND personalized. Thank you so much. What a nice set.
I have received many nice bibs from the bib swap I joined in the Yahoo group for our Adoption Agency.

Quilt Fabric Squares "out of order"

2006-08-01T20:09:00.000-05:00

Our laptop computer which houses all our pictures is in the shop. You know what that means..... Who knows when we will get it back.

In the meantime I had some draft messages ready to post. They are newer/the most recent squares I have received, but thought I should post them now (view below).
I can always "reorder" (re-sequence) them in the future.
Hope you like them, I am almost ready to begin the "design" phase of the quilt.

Thank you to all who contributed to this quilt. I cannot wait to post pictures of the finished quilt!!!!

Christian Swap - From North Carolina

2006-07-30T20:30:00.000-05:00

July 22, 2006
This fabric and wish is from a Christian fabric swap I participated in. I have two squares and wishes from the Cercopely Clan, one from a Red All Over fabric swap and now this one. She also decorated the envelop with a Bible verse in Chinese letters. Thank you!

From Ohio! The Rudolph's

2006-07-30T19:30:00.000-05:00

July 20, 2006
Very beautiful fabric with a "scrapbook" quality note card and the wish is personalied just for Alyzabeth.

Family Squares - From Cousin Stephanie and Niece Christina

2006-07-29T19:30:00.000-05:00

July 17, 2006

We were so glad to have more squares and wishes from Family.
Cousin Stephanie (DH's first cousin) and her hubby Butch sent a fabric with a country theme. They live way, way out in the wilds of rural Alabama!

The second square is from DH's niece who lives with her hubby Aaron in Las Vegas. The fabric is a nice yellow with flowers and lavender hearts. Her wish is personalized just for Lizzy. Our goal is to go visit them this October, a short weekend trip. We have not seen them in ages and have never been to Las Vegas. Should be a wonderful visit.

From Levittown, New York - The Casamassima's

2006-07-29T15:30:00.000-05:00

July 13, 2006
Lovely old-fashioned style fabric from the Christian swap.

Fabric from Andover, MA. Thank you, Morrison's

2006-07-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

July 12, 2006
Bright, lively fabric with white doves, hearts and crosses. From the Christian swap.

Australia!! Two Squares from Lee-Anne

2006-07-28T19:30:00.001-05:00

July 11, 2006

Lee-Anne sent two different fabrics: The Year of the Dog and a Koalas fabric (oops - I originally wrote "panda bear"). I love them both. Thank you so much.

The Gehrke Family from Milton, Florida

2006-07-28T19:30:00.000-05:00

July 07, 2006
Great red fabric with marbles - how fun!

Red All Over and Christian Quilt Square Swap - July 2006

2006-07-22T14:48:00.000-05:00

Participating in a quilt square and wishes swap was so much fun. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to have a set theme and receive so many different fabrics of the same theme (usually limited to 25 participants). I joined a Yahoo group called OHGWQ and picked which swaps I wanted to do. When I began collecting I didn't know how I would ever reach 100 squares. Now I have over 120!

Thank you to the families from the "Red all Over" swap:
Hahn, Keir, Lane, Boschee, Gehrke, Humphrey, Begala-Gordon, Helms, Pie, O'Brien, Scott, Andrews, Hewgley, McMillin, Mann, Lundy, Weber and Cercopely.

Thank you to the families from the Christian swap: McCann, Jones, Dubbs, Frederickson, Erickson, Poko, Matthews, Lauzon, Cercopely,McDonald, Howatt-Gallant, Mickelson, Casamassima, Scott, Larson, Boetticher, Krauth and Morrison.

Photos coming soon (as promised last month!!).

Quilt Squares 52, 53 and 54

2006-06-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

From Missouri, Georgia and California! WOW!

Thank you to the Lane's, Newsome's and Dr. McMillin.

The Lane's sent us two squares: the red with white hearts and the red fabric with the falling stars. Both beautiful!

I also have squares that I have sent out on different swaps that I will post pictures of. I am going to put one square of each fabric that I have sent out to others, in Lizzy's quilt. I have the brown with pink polka dots fabric, two different fabrics from the ME swap and a red fabric from a recent red quilt square swap. Those will be posted soon.

Thank you, Local Friends!

2006-06-08T21:49:00.000-05:00

The Granacher's are friends who have adopted a young "local" girl.
They also had a very long travel experience with us that did not include "jet service".

We don't see much of each other but hope to change that! Thank you for the beautiful fabric!

Squares from Georgia, California, Nebraska

2006-06-08T21:24:00.000-05:00

I have most of the quilt squares published on this blog up to mid-May. So I am only one month behind?

More Quilt Squares are coming in.
Thank you to the Fraser's, Keir's and the Ost family.
I am so grateful to the beautiful wishes with each one.

Thank you Flores Family!! From Texas

2006-05-20T19:10:00.000-05:00

This is sooooooo cute!

Cowgirls!

Family Squares # 43 and # 44

2006-05-18T18:30:00.000-05:00

I am so happy with all the squares received by family!!!

I do have additional friends and relatives I would really like to have send a square so I'm putting together a newsletter about the quilt and how to make a wishes card. I want to be able to go through the scrapbook and be able to talk to Lizzy about each relative and how much they loved her even before meeting her.

Each square will have special meaning for her in the future. I am so glad to be doing this for Lizzy!!

These squares are from cousin's Kuhn, living in Illinois (my cousin grew up in Maine, her brothers actually sent in squares: Stephenson and Soule!!!) and cousins' Clarke from New Hampshire/Massachusetts who live near us in the winter in St. Augustine. They sent a great ocean fabric.
Thank you!!

More Family Squares!

2006-05-06T18:07:00.000-05:00

Quilt Squares # 38, 39 and 40 were sent to us by our Son-In-Law's family. It is so nice to have such wonderful family married to the sweet daughter. She picked a great hubby!!

Our daughter's SIL Katie & DH Barrett Hathcock living in Alabama.

Thank you's to Marsha, Carl & daughter Cara from Florida (our daughter's MIL and FIL).

And daughter's MIL's Mother and son (SIL's Grandmother and Uncle) also from Alabama. How wonderful!!

Square # 41

2006-05-05T18:27:00.000-05:00

From Canada, the McCann's sent this fabric as part of the ME swap.

Love to join the swaps!! It is a Yahoo group and we all get to initiate or participate in fabric swaps that help us reach our goal of 100 squares.

This is a special one - From my MOM!!!

2006-05-04T18:16:00.000-05:00

My Mom selected a great fabric for the quilt. It has cardinal birds and chickadee's too. You know why??? Maine and Missouri. Just like M and M's. These two State's are joined in history in a special way.
Maine existed as a county of Massachusetts. When Maine decided to break away from the "massholes" (ooops!!), it was policy to have a slave and a non-slave State join at the same time, equally balancing the States. DH can explain I hope.
So Missouri had to wait until Maine decided to join as the non-slave State. Maine joined first in 1820 then Missouri. Not sure why but Ford has a very natural liking and feelings toward the State of Maine.

Good thing she picked birds, as the State flowers are the white hawthorne and pine cone!! Ugly fabric!!

Back to the fabric - State birds are Cardinals and Chickadee.
Now my Mom needs to get her "wish" card done......

Square # 37 from California

2006-05-02T17:57:00.000-05:00

Thank you to the Smith family!

Square # 34, 35 and # 36 More from Family!!

2006-05-02T17:48:00.000-05:00

Square #34 is from the Howatt-Gallant Family from Canada.

Squares #35 and #36 are from Family:Cousin Mike and Melinda Soule from Maine.
And his brother, my cousin, Jim and Christine Stephenson also, from Maine.

I am just so happy to have so many relatives' squares in Lizzy's quilt. I will be telling her stories about my cousins next year!!

Square # 33

2006-05-01T17:36:00.000-05:00

From Debbie Minogue of New Jersey. Thank you!

Square # 32

2006-04-30T17:26:00.000-05:00

Two more fabrics from the ME swap. Love the wishes cards! Really nice!

Everyone does so well to make something original.

Thank you to the Gimbel's from Tennessee (family #32 to send squares!!).

Quilt Square # 31 From New York - Another Family Contribution!

2006-04-28T23:28:00.000-05:00

Received this square from a family member in New York - Thank you to G. Cobb!!!
The fabric is full of butterflies and she made a wonderful wishes!

Squares # 29 and # 30!

2006-04-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

I participated in a quilt swap for Mary Engelbreit fabric.
My Mom bought the fabric so I could get the squares off before we left for our extended vacation. You will see some of these squares are from that ME swap.

Thank you to the Dunard's from MD for # 29.
Thank you to the Caudill's from KY for two squares, two different fabrics and wishes - very cute - love them both!!!

Squares # 26, 27 and 28!

2006-04-27T23:12:00.000-05:00

Here's three more from:
Bednar's in PA with the elaborate wish - even has a minature panda bear charm on it!!

Stasiak in WA and Rowledge in MD.
Thank you!

Square # 25 From Aunt

2006-04-26T23:09:00.000-05:00

Yeah! Still receiving squares from family. My Aunt from Maine sent five different fabrics. She did a great job putting Lizzy's name on the wish too!
Thank you!!

Square # 24

2006-04-25T23:06:00.000-05:00

From friends, the Gum's from Florida. Thank you!!

Quilt Squares from Family!!!

2006-04-25T22:53:00.000-05:00

My family is coming through with the quilt squares. I really hope to have about 20 squares from family (also, I avoid having to swap squares back).

Square # 22 is from our daughter and son-in-law & Square # 23 is from DD's Mom (yes, my husband's ex-wife). The squares are beautiful and mean so much coming from those who are such an intergral part of our lives. DD made a beautiful scrapbook sheet and included two fabrics.
I rarely use the "step" word as DD usually calls me her "mom" which is so special (OK, sometimes I am the second mom, however, whatever they want to call me is fine. It all works for me). Family is family, love is love! We have a great relationship with her Mom & Werner so sharing the kids has been going on for a long time. It's our family. It works for us...

Thank you all for being a caring, loving family and embracing our adoption plans.

Quilt Square # 21

2006-04-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

The squares are coming in every day now. So much fun to see the beautiful wishes cards. I can't wait to put the scrapbook together. With the long wait to "gotcha day", I should have plenty of time to put the quilt and book together.

Thank you to the Crowell's from California.

Squares #19 and # 20

2006-04-23T22:44:00.000-05:00

Thank you to the Bohley's from Ohio for Square # 19.
Thank you to C. Ryan from Canada for Square # 20, too!!

Squares # 17 and # 18

2006-04-22T13:29:00.000-05:00

Square # 17 is from the Corbin's from Houston, Texas.
Square # 18 is from the Cromwell's from Illinois!

Square # 15 From Colorado Cousin!!

2006-04-21T13:26:00.000-05:00

Thank you Sarah. She's in love with animal prints so sent one just for Lizzy.

Square # 15

2006-04-20T13:23:00.000-05:00

Another great fabric; it has bicycles - very cute! From the Blumer's in South Carolina.

Square # 13 and #14

2006-04-17T11:54:00.000-05:00

These are so much fun to receive! I can't wait until I have 100!

Square # 13 was sent by The Tappenden's from CT and square # 14 is from Michelle Gallego from California. Thank you!!

Square #11 and #12

2006-04-16T11:40:00.000-05:00

Thank you to The Higgins from Delaware sending the lady bug fabric. Check out their blog at giorgiadanette.blogspot.
Thank you to The Wanda Smith family from Georgia for the alphabet block fabric. Check out their blog at waitingforlexi.blogspot........

Quilt Square # 10!

2006-04-15T20:44:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Riggs-Sanders Family from New Hampshire (close to my home State!).

Squares 8 & 9

2006-04-02T07:17:00.000-05:00

We have recieved squares 8 & 9 for Alyzabeth's 100 Good Wishes Quilt! Thank you to the Reed's from Iowa & the Schreiber family from Texas.
The squares are beautiful and the Wishes make wonderful additions to our Good Wishes memory book.
As others have posted, this makes going to the mailbox a special joy!Thank you all again...

Square 7

2006-04-02T07:16:00.001-05:00

Thank you Laurie for Quilt Square #7.
We love skiing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It is so kid friendly. Love the local hot springs, especially at midnight! The slopes offer excitement for every level of skiing ability and the downtown area is great for strolling and shopping. We never rent a car because the local transportation is so good. Most of all we like Steamboat Springs because we feel safe with the kids, whatever their age.
Gee, we're starting to sound like an ad for the local better business bureau & tourism agency but as you can tell, we love Steamboat & Colorado!

Squares 5 & 6

2006-04-02T07:16:00.000-05:00

We have numbers 5 & 6 Quilt Squares! Thank you Krasa Family from Wisconsin and Churches Family from Fernandina Beach.

Square 4

2006-04-02T07:15:00.000-05:00

Alyzabeth now has 4 Quilt Squares! Thank you Kogut Family...

We ONLY NEED 96 more squares! Can you believe it? Neither can we :) So, if you happen to feel the urge to send a little cloth & wish down Florida way, we would lovingly accept it... Please drop us an email at acfm85@comcast.net and we will reply with the mailing address.

Our 3rd Square

2006-03-18T06:35:00.000-05:00

Our 3rd quilt square for Alyzabeth.

Thank You Stebbins Family!

Our 2nd Square

2006-03-18T06:31:00.000-05:00

Our 2nd quilt square for Alyzabeth.

Thank You Young Family!

Our First Square !!!

2006-03-11T17:01:00.000-05:00

"To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation".

Making a quilt from 100 squares of fabric given from others is a tradition I have found out about. Other families adopting all swap 8 inch squares of fabric and include a note or card with wishes for the new child. So I have decided to join the fun. Lizzy will have a new homemade (hopefully) quilt to start her life as a Morgan and may pass it onto her children.Ford and I did the research and viewed many beautiful fabric and wishes on several blogs. The first local couple we met through this adoption process has already started swapping. They even sent me a square & wish knowing I was still far from getting that organized.So here is a picture of Tom & Wendy's donated fabric and wish for our new quilt for Lizzy. They are the first so all I need is 99 more! Hopefully sometime this weekend I will have a prototype of the "wishes" card we will be sending out in return. With Lizzy's room decorated in browns and pinks, you already know what colors I will be using. I am not creative so I am hoping I at least design something that can be easily assembled. Wish me luck!!