Fun with Nickel Patches

Nickel patches are squares of fabric that are 5 inches x 5 inches.  Hence the name.   At my local fabric store, they are also 5 cents.   So I often stop in to pick some up, planning to use them in small projects, or add variety to a scrap quilt.

Apparently, I stop by quite often.   I went today because the quilt fabric at the store was on sale for 25% off.  Even the nickel patches.   Yeah, I am cheap, I like patches for even less than 5 cents. The nice lady at the counter recognized me.   She asked me if I had ever made a quilt out of all the patches I bought.   I showed her the picture of the sashed 4 patch I finished recently.   I used nickel patches for the 4 patches.   She liked it.

Usually I only buy 1 of each fabric, but I also found some really cool patches to make a block for the toys my friends and I are making for the Family Justice Center.   Right now we have an uneven number and it was driving me nuts.   Then I saw this particular fabric and realized it would make an awesome block.   Sometimes, it just works out.  So I bought 4 of those and will use a nice coordinating fabric for the rest of the block.

Isn't that some really cool fabric?


I wound up buying 25 patches for $1.   Told you I was cheap./

Giving Tuesday - Virtual Quilting Bee

It's here!  It's here!.   It's Giving Tuesday.   That wonderful day of the year that we give rather than overspend.

We are going to have a quilting bee where we work on our charitable projects.   Need not be quilting, I am not that picky.   Feel free to chat and share in the comments.   I have turned comment moderation off for the day so you can chat easily.   But keep it civil (remember the day).   If spam sneaks in, just ignore it.

I won't be able to be here much because I wound up with two hearings today.    But, I will participate when I can.

For today, I designed a special quilt block.   My first foray into applique.

 Every donation made to one of the charities on the side today, will have one of these blocks made.   Let's get a whole quilt made shall we?   Share this post with your friends so we can get there.  Don't forget to let me know through the form that you donated.


Let's start chatting.

Expenses

Don't get me wrong, I love quilting.   I love giving quilts to charity.   But sometimes it gets expensive.   The biggest expenses are backing and batting.    Since I mostly do scrap quilts, I don't need a lot of fabric and can use bits and pieces in more than one quilt.   But each quilt requires a backing and batting.   Baby quilts only need a yard.   But any bigger and it takes more supplies.   And muslin for backing is not cheap once you get back the 36 inch size.   Don't even get me started on batting.  

So, if you could help out on the supplies, you can give any amount through the tip jar on the right below the charities.   These donations are not tax deductible.   If you want to send me fabric, batting or backing, leave a message in the comments.  

As always, don't forget to make a donation to the charities on the right.   These donations are tax deductible, go right to the charities and are not used for making the quilt blocks or quilts.  

Don't forget Giving Tuesday, one week from today.   Wait until you see the special quilt block for any donations made that day.    Join us for an online all day (court hearings permitting for me) quilting bee.   Do not have to quilt to join in.

Quilt Idea

Just picked up this pattern yesterday in a cute little quilt shop near my friend's law office.  Doesn't it look like stacks of books to you?  (yes, I know it is crooked, I put it in the scanner that way and didn't feel like redoing it).

I can see doing this one in blacks, browns, dark reds and blues like old time book covers.   G Street has some nice book fabric that I can get a 1/4 yard of when it goes on sale.  Scatter that throughout the blocks just to set the theme.  

This would be a great quilt to make and donate to a literacy organization for an auction or raffle.   Anyone know of one?

Finished - Veteran's Quilt

I finished it.    It came out quite nice if I do say so myself.    I wanted to complete it by Veteran's Day.   Looks like I am ahead of schedule.

The pattern is Courthouse steps.   The center is medallion of Declaration of Indepence fabric.   It's quilted with stars in blue and red on the white spaces.   The border is patriotic hearts.

It is going to Blankets of Hope.   With luck, some military person will enjoy it.   If I can figure out the shipping.  Finding a box to fit a full size quilt is going to be interesting.

Don't forget Veteran's Day is in November.   You can show your support for our troops by donating to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes on the right.

Progress

I completed the top for the quilt I am making for Blankets of Hope.   I posted about this before where I had the inspiration of what to do with my Constitution fabric.   I must say, it came out even better than I thought.

Here is a close up of the center piece:

Next week I will add the border and put the batting and backing together.   Only problem, I have run out of room for laying out quilts.   I have no idea how I am going to cut the backing and batting, then baste after the border is on.   I may have to borrow a friend's floor.  


Reminders:

Donate to the organizations on the right so you can be a part of these great quilts.

Giving Tuesday is December 3.   There will be a virtual quilting bee all day right here.   Bring your projects to work on while we chat.

Giving Tuesday - Virtual Quilting Bee

Wow, Giving Tuesday is fast approaching.   It is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which is December 3rd this year.  

Giving Tuesday was started as a counter to all the consumer madness of the holidays with Black Friday and Cyber Monday.   Giving Tuesday is about giving back, not buying.   Helping others, not getting into fist fights in the stores.

So for this year's Giving Tuesday, we are going to have a virtual quilting bee.   Everyone join me to work on a quilt* to give to a worthy organization.   Not sure of the final set up, might just be a post with us interacting in the comments.   This will be all day, so drop in when you can.

What to do to get ready for the Bee:

Decide what you want to make.   Feel free to ask for help in the comments.
Get your supplies together.
Plan on showing up.

The day of the Bee:
Join us.
Comment/interact.
Work on your project
Have FUN


As always, you can also donate on that day to the organizations on the right.   I will come up with a special block for all those who donate that day.  

Let me know in the comments if you plan to attend.   This is not a written in blood committment (unless your rotary cutter slips or you stab yourself with a needle).   If you can't make it, no biggie.   Plan to be here next year.   But the more the merrier.   Even if you just want to show up to give moral support, your participation will be welcomed.




*Quilted/sewn toy, knitted/crocheted blanket or preemie cap.   Not being real strict here.

More Swag

Went to the Project Linus meeting today.   Because I made it to 2 meetings in a row as a new member, I got swag.   Awesome.  

In Flanders Fields ..

the poppies grow, row on row.

As a special remembrance of our veterans, I will be selling these special edition poppies between now and Veteran's Day.    Just $1 each (plus shipping and handling).   The proceeds for each poppy will go to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

To order, just use the Contact form on the right to get in touch with me.


I hope I have to make a lot of these.

What I Learned This Week

For a short work week, I sure learned a lot.   Here are some tidbits.

Quilt Donation Organizations Need Quilts.   Well, DUH.    But the light finally went on when I was finishing off the Project Linus quilts I brought home from the last chapter meeting.   These are pretty basic quiltts, just square blocks of fun fabrics sewen in diagonal lines (each patterned fabric one line diagnonally).   That's it.   Two of them were thin enough to machine piece with a simple zig-zag pattern.    Finished quilting both quilts in less than an hour.   As compared to my friend's quilt I made for his wedding that took 11 hours to handquilt.   Here I have been planning these elaborate quilts, when what they need is QUILTS.   They need the actual item more than they need me showing off my piecing skills.    There are lots of simple patterns using strips or blocks that can still make a beautiful -- needed-- quilt.  

Of course, any blocks made through donations will still be something pieced to make a pretty patterned quilt.  

People Need to Be Listened To.   Got this one driven home HARD this week.   First I met with a new client.   He was just so grateful I heard his story out and didn't treat him like he was crazy for even thinking of trying to get custody of his kids.   He thanked me for just listening.    But the real lesson came at clinic on Thursday night.   It was NFL kickoff.   I wanted to get through the cases and get home.   I was trying to explain to a very nice man what he needed to do to respond to the papers he had been served.   He kept interrupting me to try to give me the background.   At clinic, we don't need much background.   It's a general advice clinic where it's more "Oh you got served, here's how you answer, here is what the court process is like, here is how you get a pro bono attorney."   Not a lot of detail.   But he kept trying.   Once I got through explaing how he answered and counter claimed, then I talked to him a little more about the case.   We would up talking for quite a bit of time.   Turns out he had a horrible domestic situation.   I mean terrible.   He was trying not to cry while telling me.   I told him it was fine to cry.   But screw football (blasphemy I know), this guy needed to tell his story.   So I listened as long as it took.   Then I told him he wasn't wrong to act as he did, he wasn't crazy, and his feelings were normal.   I didn't lie and say the court process would be easy.  But just getting through his story to me will hopefully make it a little easier the next time he has to tell it.   I hope I helped.   And next client, I will be a little more patient when they are interrupting me.   Well, I'll try okay?

September is Blood Cancers Awareness Month.    Yep.   So make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Soceity this month.   Help them fund research to eradicate cancer.   Because cancer SUCKS.   Don't forget to let me know of your donation so I can make your quilt block.

New Project -- Make Your Donation Count

I just volunteered to make some quilted toys for the Montgomery County Family Justice Center's children's room.   The FJC is a one-stop shop for victims of domestic violence.   They can get therapy, legal help and other assistance without running all over the county.   They can even leave their kids in the children's room while they are meeting with counselors or their attorneys.   The children's room always need toys.  

One of the toys I will be making is quilt balls.   These are fun balls to make.   They are soft so good for children to play with in a confined space.   I made a soccer ball one for my niece her freshman year of college.   I figured she could kick it around the dorm halls as a stress reliever.  

They have smaller balls which is what I will make for the FJC (that soccer ball was harder than I thought).

I know the picture is a little blurry.   But trust me, this a great fun ball.   You can use bright colors that kids will like.

How do you come in?   Every $10 donation to one of the chosen organizations on the right makes 1 toy for the room.   Instead of one block that goes into a quilt, you get the joy of knowing you helped make a whole toy.   You helped ease a parent's worry about the child while giving a child a little fun during a very difficult time.  

Inspiration Has Struck

While quilting tonight I had a brilliant idea what to do with my Constitution fabric.

I don't have a lot of it, so I have to use it wisely.    Then it hit me.   I always wanted to do a Courthouse Steps quilt.   It's a nice simple pattern.   I decided I can use the Constitution fabric as a center medallion solid block then put Courthouse Steps blocks around it.   The dark part of the steps will be red on one side and blue on the other.   The light part of the steps will be white as will the center piece of each block.   I think this will turn out quite nice.

I have some red fabric and I think enough white.   I have to get some blue.   If you want to help with the fabric of this quilt, you can use the donate button on the right below the notification form.   If you want to commission this whole quilt through a donation to an organization on the right, just make your $200 donation and let me know.

When I finish it, I will donate it to Blankets of Hope. They donate quilts to wounded soldiers.   Hopefully, I will finish this quilt by Veterans' Day.

Let me know in the comments (I know by the stats page I have readers, I want to hear from you), what you think of this quilt.

---

Reminder1:  August is still Back to School Month.   1 donation to Room to Read gets you 2 quilts block in your name.

Reminder 2:  If you make a donation to one of the organizations on the right, you have to send me proof of your donation so I know to make your quilt block.

Hanging With Project Linus

Today was absolutely insane at the office.   Must be the sun switching its polarity or something.   Fortunately, I had an out.   The local chapter of Project Linus met today.   Normally I can't make meetings because they are in the middle of the work day.   My clients tend to get irked if I am not around during the work day.   But like I said, if I stayed in the office today, it would not have been pretty.

Off I went.   So much fun.   It was just sewing Project Linus labels on already made quilts, but still it was fun.   The quilts were beautiful.   The other ladies were friendly and fun.   The effort worthwhile.   Project Linus donates quilts to kids who are undergoing health crises or other traumatic events.   The Montgomery County Chapter has donated TWENTY THOUSAND quilts since it began.   That's a lot of kids comforted.

I also learned what kind of quilts work.   I mentioned the directions seemed kinda scary.   That they only take the highest quality quilts.   I quilt, but highest quality is probably a reach.   Fortunately what they mean is remember these are for kids who are in need.   Make them pretty, make them sturdy.  Make them with love.   I can do that.

Project Linus takes knitted or crocheted quilts too.   Those were some awesome quilts too.   They also accept knitted premie caps.   You don't have to be a quilter to be a part of Project Linus.

It was fun and just the mental break I needed.   Plus I brought home some quilts that weren't quite quilted enough to finish off.   YAAAY.  

Finished -- Binky Patrol Blanky

I finished the quilt for Binky Patrol.    Here is the completed quilt.   It is finished with fleur-de-lys quilting using light yellow thread..   Not sure you can see the quilting even the back photo, but trust me it is there.   The good folks at Binky Patrol will add the labels.

It will be shipped off this weekend (day job for the next couple of days).

I want to do more of these.   Remember the more donations, the more quilts.   And August is back to school month with Room to Read.   Two quilt blocks for every $10 donation.

Back to School with Room to Read

It's August.   Schools will be getting back in session soon.   Here in Montgomery County, they start the end of August.   Parents are in that back to school mode, getting new clothes, buying supplies from the extensive and detailed list put out by the school, threatening their children that they must go back to school so Mommy and Daddy can get a break.  

In honor of Back to School, this month's featured charity is Room to Read.   Room to Read establishes libraries and literacy programs around the world.   Give a kid a book and he/she is transported to another world.  Everything is possible if you can read.  

For every $10 donated to Room to Read this month, I will make two quilt blocks.   Yep, a 2 for 1 back to school sale.   You make 1 donation, I make 2 quilt blocks.   More quilt blocks means more quilts for special people.   Make your donation by clicking the Room to Read Link on the right.   Then send me proof of the donation and I will get quilting.  

New Month - New Ideas

Wow it's August already.   Where did July go?   It seems I was just getting excited about going to NADWCON, now that event was almost a month ago.   Day job keeping me busy, but I am still quilting.

I hope to have the quilt I am finishing for the Binky Patrol ready to show you by the end of the weekend.   I will probably quilt while watching the Hall of Fame game between the Cowboys and the Dolphins.  Yes, I quilt while I watch football.   Makes for some surreal moments when I am yelling at the tv, but I get a lot done that way.

In the meantime, anyone got any ideas how I can get this Quilt Challenge in gear?   Contests?   Giveaways (within reason)?   Anything?   Post your ideas in the comments.  

Still waiting for the elusive first donation.   I know if I can get that first one, others will follow.   So any ideas to get that first one -- and lots of others -- are welcome.  

Quilting to Make A Difference

While wandering the internet today (I started on some historical research related to WWII and then got lost), I found this great site Quilt for Change.  

It's a site that is about how quilters can come together to make a difference.   A lot of quilt patterns have their basis in expressing an opinion about certain things.   Goodness knows THOUSANDS of women sat home quilting while their men were off fighting.   You can imagine the imagery that went into those quilts.  I myself did a quilt after 9-11 as a means of coping.    It was made out of red, white and blue scraps to symbolize the melting pot that is America.   It was blue and red lightening bolts on a white background to symbolize that we were not helpless, we still had power.   The quilting was bursting stars to symbolize the fighting back we did beginning with the invasion of Afghanistan.

Then there is the AIDS quilt.   A quilt started to honor those killed by that horrible disease and to raise awareness.   Quilts can heal.    Besides the practical of keeping warm, the meaning of a quilt can heal or give hope to those in need.

I urge you to check out Quilt for Change.   Everyone can make a difference in so many ways.

Hello Out There

Hello out there in Internet Land.   How ya' doin'?   Hope you enjoy reading this blog.  

Sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself here.   So why doesn't everyone who reads this drop me a line in the comments.   Just say hi or ask a question.   Cough.   Something.   Just so I know folks are reading.   (Note:   rude, crude, profane or obscene comments will not be posted.)

Also, any suggestions for getting that first elusive donation would be appreciated.

Playing the Waiting Game

I heard this afternoon there was added police at St. Mary's Hospital and that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had left Bucklebury (her parents' house has air conditioning) for London (Nottingham Cottage does not have air conditioning).   I figure this means the baby is finally on the way.   So far no real confirmation, but hey, babies don't just come shooting out you know.

But in anticipation of the Royal Birth, this would be a good weekend to quilt.   I would love to be quilting a block for charity.   Pick a charity.   Donate $10.  Email me proof.   Then hopefully come Monday we see a picture of the block -- and the Royal Baby.  Sound like a plan?  

I'm up for it.   Gotta do something while we wait for the good news of a healthy new baby born into the world.

It's Official

I am officially a member of the National Quilting Association.   I sent in my dues awhile ago.   Just got my official member card and pin in the mail.  

I'm a quilter not a photographer okay?

Very exciting.   I would love to tell them all that the Quilt Challenge is going well.   So let's get with it.

Celebrating Freedom - Fourth of July

Today we celebrate the day our Founding Fatherf told Merry Olde England to get lost.   We were sick of paying taxes (some things never change) and being told what to do by an unresponsive government (again, some things never change).  

We had to fight to gain our independence.   That fight goes on today.   Not only for our democracy but for democracy around the world.   Our troops continue to protect our freedom.   Many make the ultimate sacrifice.   Those who don't may come home wounded.   Wounds both visible and invisible.  

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund helps those who return home.   Today, you can help their work by making a donation.    Everyone who donates today to IFHF will have a special patriotic block made in their honor.   The quilt made from those blocks will go to Blankets of Hope which provides "comfor and hope for recovery to our Wounded Heroes."   What a great way to say thank you twice.

Don't forget you can donate enough for a whole quilt too.   Just a $200 donation makes a whole quilt for a wounded soldier.  

As you are bbqing today and setting off fireworks (illegal in Montgomery County and other places) take a moment and donate today.

Tragedy in Arizona

Many of us woke to the news yesterday of the death of 19 heros.   19 firefighters gave their lives protecting a town from a wildfire.   Almost the entire hotshot (specialist firefighteres) team from Prescott, Arizona perished when they were overtaken by the flames.   Only one member of the crew survived.   He was on a lookout a mile a way so managed not to get caught.

Our prayers are with the families of those lost and with all of those affected by the fire.

I thought about doing a special addition to the Quilt Block challenge for donations to families.  I had to restrain myself though.   As I posted previously, there are a lot of worthy organizations.   If I lose focus, a lot of organizations will get a lot of $10 donations.   But the idea is to make an impact.   So a lot of $10 donations to a few organizations is more of an impact than a few $10 donations to a lot of organizations.

It was a hard decision to make.   But focus and discipline is important when trying to change the world.   Come change it with me.   Make a donation today.

Why I Am Doing This

The other day I got a package from Helen Keller International.   I participated in a trivia contest with the organization on Twitter.   I didn't win -- by a longshot.   But they had some extra prizes and they liked my answers so I got the package.   It consisted of a biography of Ms. Keller, some healthy seeds for eyesight and a magnet with an awesome Helen Keller quote.   I'll get back to the quote in a second.

What does HKI do? They work globally to prevent blindess, help those with poor visition through ensuring proper vision screening and nutrition.    As you know, Ms. Keller was both deaf and blind through illness contracted as a baby.   This organization carries on her work.    I do support the work of HKI though some of my other work.

HKI is not one of the organizations that the Quilt Block Challenge supports.  I had to limit it to 5 organizations to avoid diluting the impact.   If I had a list of 100 organizations (easy to do with all the great organizations out there), the $10 donations would be spread too thin.   But, by limiting it to 5, it focuses the impact a bit more.


And focusing the impact is key.   Helen Keller  "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."   By myself, I can only give so much to worthy organizations.   I can only make so many quilts.   Together, we can give to the chosen organizations, which will give them more in donations to their work.   Then I can do more quilts to help others.   It is a collaborative effort.  

Won't you join me so we can do so much?
 

Future Plans

Once this gets going I will add a gallery page.  

Also, I will have a ticker showing amount raised and quilts donated.   Won't that be pretty?  Won't that be cool to see how all of us working together can make a difference?

So let's get going.   Let's get donating so I can get quilting.

Update -- Room to Read

Tune in to Girl Rising on CNN June 16-23 to learn more about the efforts to educate girls worldwide by organizations like Room to Red..   Hear some amazing success stories.  Then donate to the Freedom to Dream Campaign.  Donations made to this campaign through June 23 will be matched.   So you can triple your impact (your donation, the match and then the quilt block).  

Don't Forget to Donate

The whole idea of the Quilt Block Challenge is you donate, I quilt, then I donate the quilt.   So it all starts with you.   Take up the Challenge.   Just one $10 tax deductible donation gets the project going.  

If you have donated and have not received an acknowledgement from me, let me know in the comments.   I am not sure I trust that contact form.  

Update on Intrepid Fallen Heroes

Just caught this tweet today:

IntrepidFallenHeroes ‏@IntrepidHeroes3h

We're thrilled to announce that tomorrow we break ground on our 3rd NICoE Satellite Center at @FortCampbell KY! pic.twitter.com/ghy7fr99NK

Great job guys. You can follow all the chosen charities on Twitter through the links provided.

If you want to get in on this great work -- just a $10 donation.

Let's See a Quilt

How do you even know I can quilt?   Well here is a quilt top I just finished.   It's a pretty basic design.

Obviously for the challenge quilt, I will use more elaborate blocks.   Because face it, this challenge is partly an excuse to do all those block patterns that are a lot of pieces that I just don't have the patience to make a whole quilt of those blocks.   For people who do the whole quilt it will be an overall design like the above, although more work.   After all for $10 you want some effort out of me.  Probably something like a courthouse steps.   As a lawyer I really should have done one of those by now.   (hint, hint, hint.)

This one is just one I did while waiting for the challenge to take off.   Haven't decided which organization will get it yet.  This is only the top, I still need to attach the batting and the backing, then quilt it.  So I have time to think about which organization will get it.

About the Charities

I chose 5 charities to be the recipient of the donations for the quilt challenge.   I went with 5 because I couldn't narrow it down any further, but I didn't want to have too many.   Believe me there are a lot of worthy organizations out there.   I went with organizations that are rated either 3 or 4 stars on Charity Navigator.  I wanted trustworthy organizations.   Then I chose organizations that operate in areas that are important to me.   So let's learn more about them:

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund -- Mission Statement:  The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund serves United States military personnel wounded or injured in service to our nation, and their families.  Supporting these heroes helps repay the debt all Americans owe them for the sacrifices they have made in service to our nation.  They are, in the words of our founder, the late Zachary Fisher, “our nation’s greatest national resource,” and they deserve all the help that our nation can provide.  The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is a leader in meeting this important national mission.      Currently IFHF is fundraising to raise $100 million to build satellite centers to serve those suffering traumatic brain injury and PTSD.  I chose IFHF because I served myself for a short time, and because we owe a huge debt to those who protect our freedoms every day.   Some pay the ultimate sacrifice, some live with the wounds (both visible and invisble) and every day.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society -- Dedicated to funding research for blood cancers and providing education and patient services.   More than $750 million has been awarded to researchers    I chose LLS because I have lost 3 family members to cancer since 1997.   A cure can be found, we just need to keep looking.

Mercy Corps -- Alleviating poverty, suffering and oppression through building secure just and productive communities.   This is an international development organization.   They go in to communities throughout the world and help people help themselves.   This month (June 2013) donations are matched.   Besides donations of any amount, you can give symbolic gifts to help people become productive, healthy members of society.   Some of the gifts are:  a goat, a hive of bees, a bag of seeds, a cookstove and many other items.   I chose Mercy Corps because I have a degree in International Relations, so I know the link between poverty and war.   I also love the symbolic gifts, it is such an awesome way to connect the work done with the donors.

Polaris Project -- Pushes for stronger laws against human trafficking, operates the National Trafficking Hotline, provides services to victims and educates the public about human trafficking.   Slavery didn't end with the 13th Amendment.   It goes on worldwide, including the US, today.   Polaris Project is leading the fight.   I chose Polaris because I interned with them in law school.   I saw first hand the work they do.   Human trafficking is disgusting and horrible and has no place in a civilized society, Polaris is trying to end that.

Room to Read -- Literacy improves society.   Education, especially for girls in places it is denied, improves society.   Room to Read works in Asia and Africa to bring education and literacy to under served communities.   I chose Room to Read because I love to read.   When I was a little girl we only had a bookmobile in our town.   I was grateful mind you, but it only came once a week.   Then my parents and a bunch of other concerned adults got together and got the town a library.   Books, glorious books.   I want every child to experience that joy of being transported to another place, time, world by books.

You can learn more about the chosen organizations by clicking the links on the side.   The link takes you to the donation page, but from there you can navigate the websites.   Learn more about these fine organizations.   Don't forget to donate.  Together we can make a difference (yeah, it's a cliche but it's true).

Clinic Night 6/6/2013

Had a very long day in court today.   Longer than it was supposed to be due to an emergency motion.   I was tired out by the time I got back to the office.   But my day wasn't done.   It was Pro Bono Clinic night.

I love doing it Clinic.   It's a walk in clinic in Montgomery County.   We have several around the county every month.   This particular one is the first and second Thursday of every month at the East County Regional Service Center.   Anyone with a legal problem can walk in and get basic advice.   We don't represent the folks.   They either get referred to the Pro Bono Program or another agency.    But it's anything goes:  traffic, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant, criminal, debt collection, whatever.

I do family law.   You would think after a long day I would be too worn to muster the energy.   But honestly, it is the most energizing thing.   People come in with their problems, you help them a bit.   The whole reason most lawyers went to law school.

You get the most bizarre twist on cases.   Which is why I love family law.   Put family law and clinic together and you never what you will get.   Heck even if it old dogs up to the same old tricks, it still can be fun.   I love telling someone -- yeah that pension your spouse said you would never get, it's half yours.   Oh your spouse thinks income can be hidden to avoid child support, good luck with that one.   Then seeing the sign of relief when they realize that the court system is not how the other person said it was, makes all the tiredness disappear.

Clinic is not all excitement.   Sometimes you have to tell people "No you are not going to get joint custody of the child you haven't seen in the last 5 years."  "No joint custody does not get you out of child support."  But whatever.   I ain't here to be Little Ms. Sunshine.   My job is to educate people about how family law works in the state of Maryland.   You might not like it, but you will get the truth from me.

All in all a good night.   Which is what I am saying now because after the adrenalin rush of clinic comes the crash.

The Quilt Block Challenge - Long Version

This is the long explanation for what the Quilt Block Challenge is.   The short version is over on the right side there.

I love to quilt.   But hey, I can only use so many quilts myself even here in frozen Maryland (those from further north I don't want to hear about how MD is not frozen).   So I make quilts for friends.  Babies, weddings, etc.   But I also want to give back.   There are a lot of organizations that accept donations of quilts:  Project Linus , Soldier's Angels, Afghans for Angels just to name a few.  But how to get quilting.  That should be a no brainer but wasn't.   Just never got around to it.  

So I came up with the idea of the Quilt Block Challenge.   It is modeled on the "buy a brick" fundraisers that many organizations have.   Except instead of a brick, you are buying a quilt block.   For every $10 donation made to one of the organizations listed on the sidebar, I will quilt a block in the donor's honor.   Feel free to make an "In Memoriam" or "In Honor of" donation.   I make the block and sew your initials or the person being remembered/honored onto the block.   I then send you a picture of the completed block.   When I get enough blocks done, I make the quilt.   You get a picture of the completed picture also.   The quilt then gets donated to one of the organizations accepting finished quilts.   So its double giving for one donation.  The organizations get donations and an organization gets a finished quilt.   The links for the organizations take you right to the donor page for each organization.  

But QA, what if I want to give more than $10?   Feel free to do so.   In fact, it takes about 20 blocks to make a quilt (some more, some less, depends on size of the blocks and size of the quilt).   You can donate $100 and get half a quilt made.   Or be really generous and donate $200 and get a whole quilt in your honor or the in someone else's honor/memory.   The only difference with the whole quilt is you don't get a picture of an individual block.   Just of the whole quilt.   I know breaks your heart right?

Does the donation for a half or whole quilt have to be to only one organization?   No, it does not.   I couldn't choose just one organization to be the recipient of the monetary donations, why should you have to choose only one.   As long as you let me know the total donations, I don't care how you distribute it.   The only requirement is it must be one of the five on the sidebar.

How do you prove you donated?   Simple use the contact information below to copy and paste your receipt (without any bank, credit card or the like info) for the donation.   Then send it to me.   Make sure to include your email address so I can send you the pictures.   This information will be used solely for that purpose.   No marketing, no spamming, etc.   Use it and forget it.   I don't want to bother you after you did something so nice.   Your privacy is important.   If you want to continue talking about your block, quilt, the challenge or whatever, feel free to use the comments on the blog.

When I was bouncing this idea off friends they wanted to know why I didn't use Firstgiving or Indiegogo or something.   Those are great places to go to donate, get funding etc.   Just not right for this.   First of all, I wanted you the donors to make the donations directly to the organization.   That way you get the tax writeoff.   And I don't have to worry about handling the money.   Also those websites require a fundraising goal with a set deadline.   I don't have a deadline or a goal amount in mind.   I just want to see how much can be raised and how long this can keep going.   If I am still making blocks and quilts in 5 years through this -- AWESOME.    As long as folks are donating, I will keep making quilts.  

There is a donate button on the top right side.   That is to help me with the costs of this.   Fabric, batting, thread, plus the occasional snack while quilting.   These donations do not go to the organization, do not qualify for a block, and are not tax deductible.   But your help is appreciated if you choose to help that way.

So that's it.   The long version.  I said it would be long.   So let's get donating and quilting.   Any questions?   Put them in the comments and I will respond.  

Welcome

Yes this is the traditional welcome to the Blog post.   I think it is required by law to do one of these.   Since I am a lawyer, I should check on that.   Oh well, here goes:

The purpose of this blog is really to promote the quilt block challenge.   The general idea is over on the side there.    Go ahead try it.   You will be helping others.   And besides the warm fuzzy feeling you get from donating to really good causes (all of them are 3 and 4 rated charities on Charity Navigator) you get that warm feeling again knowing you helped make a quilt that was donated to a worthy organization.   Twice the warm fuzzies for one donation.   Plus you get not one, but two pictures of "your" block.   One of just the block, then one of the quilt into which the your block went.   All for one low, low, donation of $10.   I'll stop now because I am starting to sound like a Ronco commercial.

I will also be posting about the pro bono work I do as a family law attorney in Montgomery County, Maryland.   No, don't call me to take your case pro bono.   I only take cases approved by legal services organizations.    And no, I won't be talking specifics of any cases.   Just more my overall experience.   But hey, at least I won't be posting about football (hopefully), I have another blog for that and twitter.  

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading, and helping me help others.  Drop a line and say hi.   Participate in the discussions I hope to get going here.   Comment on the pictures of blocks and quilts I hope to post.   You know all the fun stuff that bloggers hope happen when we start blogs.