Here is my kitty Daphne with this month’s block.

Download the block here. BOM-DirectionsColor-July

Think Pink!

One evening a few weeks ago I was at Barnes and Nobles trying to find the latest issue of Quilting Art‟s magazine. Hurrah, it was there. I then began to look around the rest of the store to see what else I could find. While browsing I kept thinking about this year‟s block of the month. I had so many questions. Will the ladies try something different? Would I have good participation? How can I increase participation? And, the biggest question, would the guild members really help me make quilts to be donated to CMC‟s Breast Cancer unit?

Hmmm…..I hope so.

I then made my way to the check out. I passed the bargain table and I couldn‟t believe what I saw. “QUILT PINK for hope.” Fifty quilt blocks and one-hundred ideas for quilts to make a difference and fight breast cancer. Wow, it was a sign. A sign, that this was the right thing to do for this year‟s block of the month.

All of us have been touched by cancer in some form or another. It is my hope that when we are stitching these blocks we will remember loved ones and friends who have or are suffering with cancer. In some small way, I feel this is my way of giving back so others can fight cancer.

My concept is pretty simple. Create pink lap quilts for breast cancer patients at Carolinas Medical Center‟s Breast Cancer Unit or GYN Unit. Beginning in July and continuing through April we will create the blocks. In April and May we will finish the quilts and show them off before the June meeting and donate the finished quilts in June 2012.

Quilts should be all pink or heavy on the pink side, but of course there‟s always room for your individuality to shine. We also have a nice stash of pink fabrics to help motivate you with participation. The final size will be 35”x35” (three 10″ block plus 5″ border) so this will make a very nice lap quilt!

The blocks will consist of paper-pieced, appliqué and pieced blocks…something for everyone. You can choose any combination of blocks to complete your quilt. If you choose to, make 2 blocks each month, keep one and donate one. For your donation, your name will be entered in a raffle to win a prize. The major difference with this year‟s BOM is that each month I will collect all blocks that will be made into donation quilts. Throughout the year we plan to have a few “sit-n-sew” opportunities. At these “sit-n-sews” we can make blocks, piece blocks into tops and quilt.

I hope you will participate in this year‟s block of the month. Remember, “blankets wrap you in warmth, quilts wrap you in love.” 

So, let‟s spread the love and make it PINK!

———-

PS: I’ve got a great prize for everyone who turns in their block…stay tuned.