Refreshed

Sometimes a good hard cry leaves you feeling refreshed, tonight I had a refreshing cry. As I finished opening the packages for threads of love, I cried at the thoughts and sentiments from each of you. Some of you sent personal sentiments, some sent love and prayers, some sent piles of beautiful fabrics, but each of you sent a piece of you and I love it. I never could have anticipated the emotions this project would drum up! Much gratitude is sent your way for your generosity. I am certain the Nielsons will feel your love when they receive the quilts. Here are more photos of the beautiful fabrics, I am sorry I can't include all of your sweet messages:

Thank you Colleen Cannatelli in Howell New Jersey! Unless you are like me and love the color red, you might not know what is so special about this fabric so I thought I would share Colleen's sentiments. "For weeks I have been searching for a fabric or pattern that would move me to donate. Finally here are 4 squares....These squares are made from my 43 year old Christmas Stocking. It holds so many wonderful emotions/memories. I wanted to include them for NieNie's children. Belief, Hope, Love, Magic, Innocence, Faith"

Thank you Shelby Bingham in Beaumont Texas!

Thank you Brandy Doty (my friend from high school) and her friend Mandee in St George Utah! Brandy also has a fun crafting blog at http://www.mandeeandbrandy.blogspot.com/

Thank you Vickie Willis in Sumpter Oregon!

A large package...

...with loads of cuteness for everyone!

Thank you Glenda Isaacson in Haines Oregon!

Thank you Linda Watson in Everett Washington! (If you aren't LDS, this cute print depicts the Salt Lake City LDS Temple and other images pertinent to our religion.)

Thank you Margaret Kieffer in Ambler Pennsylvania! Margaret sent 2 packages just to be able to include the monkey yoga print, love it!



Thank you Sarah Foster in Oak Park Michigan! Sarah's sentiments contributed considerably to my refreshing cry. Her capacity for embracing sentimental value is very Nie worthy! She writes: "Dear Friends, Enclosed you'll find 2 squares for each child's quilt: one is of great sentimental value to me and given with deep prayer and faith for the road ahead; the other is from a brand new charm pack I recently aquired. About the sentimental ones-the boys each have a plaid square from a shirt of my father. He is the kindest, bravest, most generous man I know and has endured numerous hardships in his life. Always with a smile, never giving up. His pieces will bring the boys both strength and endurance. The girls have squares from a very old quilt made by my great aunt when I was a child. She was a woman of deep faith and although she never had children of her own she dearly loved her neices and nephews and their children and treated them as her own. She made all of my siblings a quilt for Christmas one year and I still use mine today. The girls' squares are from one she made for a baby and was used by all of us. Her pieces will bring the girls continued faith and undying love for all God's little ones. May God's strength and comfort continue to embrace the Nielson's, their family and friends, as they learn to make their way anew in a life they have not know. Blessings to all, Sarah"

Thank you Jean Thut in Escalon California! (Can you guess what breed of dog Jean loves most?)

Thank you Michele Raven in Spanish Fork Utah!

Check out this stack of fabric...

...I was sorting and drooling...

...what do you think of the bird print...

...seriously adorable...

Thank you Kristina Wilberg in Minnesota! (Her mother in law owns a quilting store, lucky girl!)

Thank you Sarah Briese and Marty Koehn in Lee's Summit Missouri!

Thank you Aubrei Norris in Ventura California!

Thank you Mary DelaMare-Schaefer (a friend of Nie's mother) in American Fork Utah!

Thank you Holly Broadland in Vancouver BC Canada! (You have perfect handwriting!)

Thank you Sarah Kotronis in Atlanta Georgia! The fabric reminded her of the Nielson Family Ranch and of JIMMY! I think it is only appropriate to include this important member of their family, thank you Sarah for thinking of Jimmy!

Thank you Eileen Wingfield in Seattle Washington.

Thank you Carrie Page in Murray Utah! Her fabric arrived from reprodepot.com, so cute!

Thank you Alexandra Pielech in Watertown Massachusetts!

Thank you Taraka Pyper in Spokane Washington!