Guatemala Generosity Recap

I had some very generous donations given to me to take to Guatemala. 

(No quilt content today) 

Where the after school program is located stands about 8000' elevation and can get very chilly so we opted to bring warmer clothing. 

Thank you to quilter Donna and friends and her daughter Krista who blessed us with coats, hats, socks, and gloves. Her daughter Krista knitted a bag of hats! Also Highland Baptist Hispanic Church blessed us with clothing, toys and snacks. 

We were able to set up a room and organize the clothing by size. 

This little boy was blessed with a toy and this coonskin hat! 

The littles all received a toy or stuffed animal.

We were able to bring families into the closet room to choose warm clothing. 

Several of the mamas would wait for their children while they were in class. Even if the hats don't quite fit the moms they have children that will wear them!

Carrie brought Spanish New Testaments for the older kids. 

When I passed this washing station every day from the hotel to la escuelita I thanked God for my washing machine!!

Carrie also brought hacky sacks!

Several times we set up a "store" outside of the classroom for kids to choose some things on their way out. 

I did have pillowcase dresses and was going to find a place with a warmer climate to hand them out, but Victor said he would like them for the school so, if you recognize yours let me know!

I had a couple of tiny knitted hats left and brought them with me to hand out when I saw little kids. 

How cute is this?!

And this?!

Before  leaving Guatemala we packed up the clothing into 2 of the suitcases and made a list of what was inside so they could continue to bless others with warm clothing. 

Three of these suitcases stayed, 2 filled with clothing. 

And Ingrid sent me this adorable photo after finding this in a suitcase!

For all of you who have donated cash, books for fundraising, quilt tops, etc. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Before we left we gave them cash for tables to set up in the kitchen (which isn't used for cooking) to feed the kids. Because this is a new space we were helping bring food upstairs, which was not efficient. This really warms my heart!! They will do their studies, then get a meal before heading home.

More to come! Thank you all so  much!

 

Quilt Tops finished!

I was able to get the tree top trimmed and the small border attached. I'm pretty happy with it and I hope the quilting goes well! I'll get the backing made soon.

The Bible quilt top is complete too! I plan on quilting this one myself- very simply since it is applique and wool. 

I'm thrilled with both tops! 

Happy February!

 

Retreat Finale

One final post!

Michelle was working on a baby quilt designed by Cheri. We all loved it and I'm sure baby and momma will too!

 

I made a bit of progress on my Liberty 250 quilt. I shrunk it from 12" to 10" And between my math and sewing, the blocks will now finish at 9.5"!

This flannel panel needs a good press! We all agreed there was no reason to cut up the panel as it was so darling. This is a charity quilt for my guild.

And Carrie made progress on her Lone Cabin quilt border. It needs one more border for the top to be completed. 

This is Christy's center of the Peppermint Twist of Jo's. She was having a hard time getting everything to fit, so we helped! It is so charming!

Carrie and I have 4 bags we are bringing to Guatemala! Thank you to all who donated!

Retreat Week Part 2

Carrie shared her beautiful antique sampler with us! WOW!

Christy was the over achiever of the group! I love it!

I got all my blocks appliqued!

And my tree top together. There wasn't a good place to trim it and measure for the small border I am going to add. Maybe this week I'll get to it!! Shouldn't take much time at all.

I tried several reds and this one seemed the best. 

The gangs all here! All of us had/have big events- Christy just became another great grandmother, this time of TWIN girls! Michelle is in the hospital today recovering from back surgery and Carrie and I are prepping to leave for Guatemala on Saturday! Was a good time to be together to encourage each other. 

Love ya!