Friday, May 18, 2012

Blogger's Quilt Festival - A Flower Garden For Ashley!!



Amy's Creative Side


Hi, all!


It's that time of year again - when those of us who don't get to go to Quilt Market have the opportunity to participate in the Bloggers' Quilt Festival!  It's always exciting and inspiring to see the quilts that fellow bloggers share - be sure to jump over there and check out some of the beautiful quilts!




This year, I wasn't sure which quilt I wanted to feature.  Looking back through my pictures, I found quilts that I had great images of, but that didn't have a great story.  Then I came across this quilt - - - and it has a great story!


If you are visiting my blog for the first time, you may not know that I do a lot of charity quilting.  Our church has a quilt ministry that started about two and a half years ago, and in that time, we've distributed 242 quilts to people going through distressing events in their lives.  We've been blessed with many friends in the blogging community who have allowed us to give quilts that are much more beautiful than we could do on our own, given the time constraints we work in.  The quilt I want to tell you about is one of those joint efforts...




See that beautiful girl in the middle of the picture?  Her name is Ashley, and she's a typical 14-year old girl.  She plays on the basketball team at her high school (very well, too!), loves to hang with her friends, text, dance, do all the things that teenage girls do.  Unfortunately, she wasn't typical in one thing - she developed breast cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy this spring.  


We received a request for a quilt for her, and we went to the box of orphan blocks to see what was on hand.  Those beautiful blocks you see up there were donated by Terri.  (This is actually the second quilt we made with the same set of blocks!)  We put these together, added a pretty blue border, and set out to look for a quilt back...




This gorgeous piece from IKEA leaped out at me and said, "Use me, use me!"  The colors worked, and it seemed like a good choice for a 14-year old girl's quilt, so I grabbed it and put the quilt together!  Keep in mind, none of us who were working on this quilt actually knew Ashley....




From an article the local paper published about her.....


     She was touched when members of Gladeville Baptist Church made a quilt for her.


     "It was pretty perfect," she said with a smile.  "It's full of flowers."


     She took it to the hospital with her and now has it at home while she recuperates.




Ashley is recuperating well and looking forward to getting back on the basketball court.  She has a wonderful attitude and I'm looking forward to keeping an eye on her progress over the next few years!


So I think I have to say that this is my favorite quilt of the year!  Nothing fancy, but it is bringing comfort and a smile to a person in need - and isn't that the best reason for a quilt?


Thanks for stopping by - if it's your first time, I hope you'll be back soon and often!!!


Hugs!


Sarah


PS Be sure to check out some of the other quilts at the Bloggers' Quilt Festival - you'll be inspired, I promise!!!

74 comments:

  1. What a beautiful girl, beautiful quilt and amazingly generous quilter. Thanks for sharing

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  2. what a lovely story and a beautiful quilt. Well done for all those amazing quilts you have made for charity - certainly a wonderful way of spreading love and comfort!

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  3. love the quilt and what a touching story. so happy she's recovering well. thanks for sharing and have a great day

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  4. Great quilt Sarah, and touching story. I hope Ashley has a full and speedy recovery.

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  5. What a lovely story and a beautiful quilt. Quilts are such a source of comfort , it's wonderful that you and your group manage to make so many.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this quilt and its very special story. Glad to hear Ashley is on the road to recovery - and I'm sure your quilt will cheer her on!

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  7. A beautiful story and a lovely quilt! You have a great heart! Thanks for sharing your story.

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  8. What a sweet story, a sweet girl, and a lovely quilt! It is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

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  9. Beautiful quilt and a wonderful, giving story. Hope that Ashley makes a swift and full recovery.

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  10. What a gorgeous quilt, and an amazing story. I'll be thinking about Ashley when I walk in Relay for Life in a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. What a wonderful gift for Ashley!

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  12. And I imagine that pretty quilt is already being treasure! Continued prayers for healing for Ashley and for you as you continue to bless people through your ministry. Such a lovely way to use your gift.

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  13. What a great story! You are doing amazing things with your quilting!

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  14. That one is PERFECT. Who needs the Quilt market when we have the festival?

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  15. The quilt is perfect for Ashley. What an amazing quilt ministry you have.

    I have some of the same IKEA fabric but haven't found the right quilt for it yet - you definitely did.

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  16. What a wonderful story and a beautiful quilt. I'm so glad you listened to your instincts and I'm glad you posted about Ashley. I know I have already and many others reading will add their prayers to those already sent for her speedy return to health.

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  17. This is a very touching story - it's awful that anyone has to battle cancer but to have to face breast cancer at 14 is unimaginable.

    This quilt is gorgeous - the back makes it! Love it.

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  18. What a wonderful story. The quilt is beautiful, and I know she'll treasure it. She looks like a very brave and amazing young woman to be going through something so difficult. I wish her a long and healthy life! Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Beautiful quilt, beautiful story! Thanks for sharing this. I will say some prayers for Ashley.

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  20. A beautiful story and a gorgeous quilt. Lovely!

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  21. Oh Sarah ! you are such an inspiration to me ! I LOVE LOVE LOVE BOTH sides of this quilt !!! God bless you and the others ! God bless Ashley ! what a brave young lady .

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  22. Sarah - you are such an inspiration to all quilters, especially this one. What a great story. I know your quilts bring so much comfort to those who receive them. Bless you for what you do for others.

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  23. Una storia bellissima, bellissimo anche il quilt!
    Ciao

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  24. Thank you for sharing that quilt and story! What a wonderful thing you do :)

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  25. What a great story behind this perfectly beautiful quilt! I hope she has a full recovery and is back to thinking about and doing normal 14-year-old things soon.

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  26. What a great story and great all you are quilting for charity. That Ikea back is gorgeous and to me it looks as if that quilt had two fronts! I am glad Ashley liked it, it;s beautiful!

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  27. What a wonderful story. This is my first time reading your blog and I have already signed on to become a regular follower. I will truly enjoy reading your blogs and the progress that Ashley makes.

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  28. This certainly is one of a kind!! I adore this quilt and this little girl...great story. It is my first time here, but I 'll be back.

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  29. What a beautiful quilt and story. I can't believe that this quilt was made from orphan blocks.

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  30. What a heartwarming story and beautiful quilt

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  31. Beautiful story!


    Margaret
    http://quiltsoflove.blogspot.com/

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  32. Beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing the story behind the quilt!

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  33. Love Ashley's story and her lovely quilt. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  34. Holy smokes...I've never heard of a 14 year old getting breast cancer. What a shock that must have been to her and her family.

    Your quilt is perfect. So happy and hopeful looking. I bet it made her hospital room into a joyous place.

    Well done!

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  35. Holy smokes...I've never heard of a 14 year old getting breast cancer. What a shock that must have been to her and her family.

    Your quilt is perfect. So happy and hopeful looking. I bet it made her hospital room into a joyous place.

    Well done!

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  36. What a great ministry! I love that backing fabric, too.

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  37. How sweet to bring a beautiful smile to Ashley's face. Love the quilt!

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  38. Sarah you have always got beautiful stories with your quilts. Breast cancer at 63 was traumatic but at 14 i just can't imagine. It is a beautiful quilt and the backing is just perfect. Blessings Sandra

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  39. Tears in my heart for Ashley. I hate cancer. I thought president Nixon promised a cure. Love your story and of corse a fab quilt

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  40. Wonderful story and a beautiful quilt, front and back. Hope that Ashley is well on the way to recovery.

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  41. Touching story behind your lovely quilt. Love the vibrant colors in the backing. Wishing all the best for young Ashley:)

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  42. A beautiful quilt for a beautiful girl! I hope Ashley is back on the basketball court soon!

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  43. A lovely quilt with a very touching story behind it. I'm so pleased I popped over from Bloggers Quilt Festival for a visit. Thanks for sharing.

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  44. Awesome quilt! I love Ikea fabric for the backs too! And its so wonderful that you quilt for charity! Keep up the good work and good luck for the future!
    Cheers from India

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  45. That's a lovely story! It's so awesome that you help with charity quilting. :)

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  46. Lovely quilt, which I'm sure is loved and cuddles - love the backing fabric

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  47. It IS the perfect reason for a quilt. And this quilt is lovely! I love that Ikea fabric on the back.

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  48. What a fabulous story, and such a wonderful quilt. To me, that is what quilting is all about! Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story.

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  49. Isn't it amazing what a little fabric stitched together into a beautiful quilt can do to touch someone's heart?!? Well done, Sarah!

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  50. Beautiful girl, beautiful action! Love the quilt!
    Andrea.

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  51. This is such a sweet story. I'm so sorry that she has had to go through this. She is such a beautiful young lady.
    The quilt is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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  52. A beautiful quilt for a beautiful girl. You and she are both blessed to have found each other.

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  53. Maybe nothing fancy, but beautiful, and I love the back and the lovely story!

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  54. beautiful quilt for a beautiful girl. What an ordeal to have to go through at her age. She'll be in my thoughts. Thank you for sharing

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  55. So glad I dropped in to read about this wonderful quilt - you are absolutely right, this is exactly what it is all about. I hope Ashley goes from strength to strength.

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  56. Oh my goodness! What a beautiful quilt for an amazing girl (I don't know her, but any woman or little girl going through breast cancer has to be amazing!) My quilt that I'm sharing is for my 30 year old sister that has breast cancer! Please check it out! Your post brought me to tears. I will add her to my prayer list. Thank you for sharing!

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  57. Thanks for sharing this wonderful quilt and story with us. It is very touching!!

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  58. What a lovely quilt for a beautiful young woman. Thanks for sharing her story. I hope Ashley lives a long and happy life.

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  59. Sarah,
    what a stunning cheery fabric to put on the back of Ashley's quilt. What an amazing story - your charity quilts do indeed bring joy into other's lives.
    May Ashley enjoy many happy healthy years with her quilt.
    Regards,
    Anna

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  60. That's exactly what quilts are for. The quilt and story are wonderful and now I need to find an IKEA, that fabric is perfect for the quilt. Thanks.

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  61. Such a beautiful young lady, a lovely quilt and a touching story.
    You have a kind, generous, talented wonderful ministry at your church.

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  62. Looking at this quilt, I thought it was beautiful before I read the story behind it.

    What a beautiful and generous gift.

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  63. What a great story and such a pretty quilt for a special girl. And I love the back...so colorful!

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  64. What a wonderful story and great ministry!! Such a beautiful quilt for a beautiful girl!

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  65. Ashley has been added to yet another prayer list. Thank you for the care you have given and the wonderful quilt.

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  66. Goodness! So young! This is a beautiful story and beautiful work! Thank you.

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  67. It touched Ashley so much to have that tangible reminder that she is loved and fervently prayed for. It IS the perfect quilt for Ash. She is a beautiful flower whose walk with the Lord is blossoming like the flowers on her quilt, even through all of this. Thank you for letting God use you ladies and thank you for sharing her fighting story!

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  68. what a touching story! I'm glad she liked it and is doing well. The quilt is lovely and i love the fabric for the back.

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  69. The fabric for the back is perfect! I am glad that she was able to receive such a beautiful quilt from all of you!

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  70. What a beautiful quilt for a beautiful, strong young woman! I always think that a handmade quilt is the perfect salve for any ailment! What a special gift!

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Comments make me smile!! If you want a PDF of a pattern, PLEASE leave your email address in your comment, or email me directly at salliesue57 (at) gmail (dot) com!