~~Productive Weekend~~ WOOTS!!!

I had a very productive weekend. I cranked out these lovely table mats for consignment over at my favorite shop, Painfull Acres. If you are in northern NY, you really must visit this shop and see all of their gorgeous Amish furniture and other awesome items that they carry! I would love to do a custom order for you if any of these strike your fancy! All I need is your favorite color combination!

Hey...go ahead and click on the picture to get a close-up view of the detail in the stitching!

The table mats are approximately 15 inches in circumfrance.

Here's a chance to help an artisan's family and win a beautiful handmade quilt in the process.JoAnn, of Pieceful Afternoon, is trying to raise the $25,000 copay that is required for her husband Don's open heart surgery.

To raise the money that is needed for the surgery, JoAnn is actually holding a raffle which gives everyone out there the opportunity to win a gorgeous quilt.

A quilt which just happens to be Don's all time favorite quilt.One look at this quilt and one cannot help but smile! "Grandmother's Flower Garden" will fit a double sized bed and was created using tone on tone bright cheery colors A quilt like this is sure to become the favorite in any household. Imagine snuggling up beneath this beauty made from 100% cotton.Not only are you getting the chance to win a gorgeous quilt but you're also helping a fellow artisan's family! Now that is a true reason to smile.Head over and find out how you can be entered into the raffle. One major way you can help is spreading the word!

Blog about it and pass the word along (this will get you some entries by the way)! Feel free to copy and paste this post.

A big thank you to agoodwitchtoo over at thecoppercauldron for letting me borrow this post! If you would like to borrow it too, please link back and thank the awesome witch for your post!

I'm on Artfire!! Woots!!

I am a new seller on Artfire. You'll find some of my new handmade creations there! Check it out!!

You can now actually make a purchase from the Artfire RapidCart right here on my blog! How awesome is that!

~My Song Words for Wednesday~

I love a song where the lyrics really speak to my heart. This is one of my favorites of all time.

The Rose
Music and Lyrics by Amanda McBroom

Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.

Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.

I say love, it is a flower, and You its only seed.

It's the heart, afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance.

It's the dream, afraid of waking, that never takes a chance.

It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give.

And the soul, afraid of dyin', that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,

And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,

Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,

Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes

The Rose.

Enjoy the video!

~~Happy Easter~~

~Pay it forward~ with the Blockhead Radio Charity Sampler Box

These are trying times. I have always said that no matter what you are going through or what struggles you have there is always someone that is going through worse. Sometimes I pinch myself that I am blessed in many ways. Yes, I have had many a challenge over the years, but I have always had the strength to persevere. I heard somewhere that “everyone has a story, don’t judge until you have heard it.”

Giving back or the newer phrase “paying it forward” is something that many of us strive to do. Whether it’s helping your local community or going more global, every dollar combined with more dollars can add up quickly.

As an artist, I am thrilled to be able to pay it forward with the new BHR charity sampler box. This gives me the chance to give back to artists that are less fortunate than I am. It’s a simple thing, really. I have a wonderful stash of fabric that I have been fortunate enough to collect over a few years. It sits there and begs to be made into something lovely. All it requires is a little bit of thought and time on my part to come up with something that will work for the BHR sampler box. I encourage all of you to read more about this awesome cause and then decide what you, as a crafter, could put together for this wonderful cause. Even if you can only submit one or two items….remember…. it all adds up.

I decided to make drink coasters in sets of 4 for the sampler box. They were made with lots of love and from the heart. Here are my first 6 sets going out in the mail to our BHR charity sampler box co-coordinator, the awesome Lily Wrey (whom I lovingly call sweetlips) aka, TulipsTreasureBox.

Please remember that one day it may be you (God forbid), that has a tragedy and may need a little bit of help. As Blockhead Radio’s biggest fan, I thank you in advance. I am sew proud to be a member of this artisan community. A community that is bigger than any corporation and where love is widespread.

Visit the Blockhead Radio Charity Sampler Box's website.

Many Hugs,
Cindy
aka SewHappyDesigns