Victoria Findlay Wolfe owner of Bumblebeans, Inc. started an amazing quilt drive for BASICS, a non-profit organization in the Bronx, NYC that helps homeless families get out of shelters and back into transitional housing.

Her initial interest in finding a good home for a few of her extra quilts ultimately grew into a global effort when she asked the head of Basics if he could use a few quilts, and he responded, “Do you have 700?” one for each of the families on the waiting list for housing.

Last year her “Call for help” very quickly gathered 300 quilts which were hand delivered to the families. You can see pictures of the events and more info at http://bumblebeansbasics.com/

Victoria is on a serious mission to get 400 more quilts by the United States’ Thanksgiving to meet the 700 quilts she was originally asked for. Can you help by sending a quilt?

If not by Thanksgiving, Keep sending! This is an ongoing quilt drive, and they always need more quilts! Every few months they try to do quilt distribution events to personally hand over your quilts, announcing the maker’s name to the family where the quilt will now live. It is a highly emotional and fabulous event!

All kinds of quilts are needed, from baby quilts to large quilts, what ever they receive they can find a home for. New or gently loved quilts can be sent to:

From Mishka…

Earlier this Fall, Scott Hansen from Blue Nickel Studios asked his quilting friends for quilt blocks so that he can put together some quilts for Victoria’s quilt drive. Here are the blocks I sent:

I’m hoping to send a completed quilt of my own in early December too. I have a few tops done, just need to be quilted, bound and sent.

Block 26, Welcoming Friends, has been designed by Kimberly Jolly from the Fat Quarter Shop. They also have a fabulous 50% off Super Deal for you to enjoy too.

Super Deal from the Fat Quarter Shop

Fat Quarter Shop is the online quilt store with the best and widest selection of yardage, fat quarter bundles, specialty cuts, quilt kits and patterns. We also offer access to many wonderful quilt clubs, block-of-the-month programs and exclusive projects.

Most of all, we pride ourselves in our top-notch customer service, with friendly, knowledgeable representatives and speedy same-day shipping. Our user-friendly web site makes it easy to find the collection, designer and even the theme you are seeking. Fat Quarter Shop has all you need for your next project, so start shopping with us today!

Today’s Super Deal:

50% OFF Garden Party by Jane Dixon for Andover Fabrics. Enter code GPARTY at checkout. Expires Tuesday, November 15th @ midnight CST.

Get your Super Deal Savings here!

Featured Designer: Kimberly Jolly

What is your quilting style?

My favorite quilts have sampler blocks or star blocks! I love traditional fabrics and children/novelty fabrics. I also like a mixture of traditional and contemporary projects; there are places for both in my home!

How did you get started quilting and/or designing?

I started out crocheting when I was five and learned to cross stitch as I got older. I was introduced to quilting in my early twenties. I’m a very creative person with a million ideas bouncing around in my head, so my designs flow out of that. I took a quilting class and was immediately hooked. Back then, I felt like there was a great need for a quilting store that had a wide selection and attentive service, and Fat Quarter Shop was born. Soon after, I started to feel the need to design great patterns.

Do you have a favourite quilt?

Well it’s a tie between a Bliss quilt I made for Emma and the Children at Play Pinwheel quilt – I just love love them both! Do you notice all of the pink?

Quick and fun questions:

• Favourite colour: Pink- especially when Emma looks so cute in pink!
• What part of the quilting process do you like the most? I love cutting!
• What part of the quilting process do you dislike the most? I don’t like quilting the tops or putting on the binding
• Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or: Cookies and Cream
• Favourite super hero or comic book character: I don’t know anything about those. I like Fancy Nancy though!
• Most exciting place you’ve travelled: Las Vegas – I love it there.
• Favourite quote or mantra: "I have an idea!"

Block 26 – Kimberly’s Welcoming Friends

Here’s Kimberly’s Welcoming Friends block. Head over to the Jolly Jabber blog to download the tutorial.

Share Your Photos

Upload your completed blocks to our Flickr group for a chance to win some adorable buttons from Button Mad – Incomparable Buttons. One winner for each of our quilt-along blocks will be randomly chosen. You have two weeks to complete Kimberly’s Welcoming Friends block to be eligible to win.

Quilt-Along Links

• General Info
• Featured Designers
• Super Deals for Quilters
• Upload your blocks – Flickr Group

Please share the Quilt-Along graphic on your own blog. The more participants, the more FUN!

It’s week 9 of our Celebrate Christmas Quilt-Along. I hope you are enjoying our quilt-along as much as I am. Be sure to check out the Flickr group to see the super cute blocks that have been made so far.

Block 25, Christmas Stocking, has been designed by fellow Canadian quilting friend, Benita Skinner. Our friends at Fort Worth Fabric Studio have a fabulous 40% off Super Deal for you to enjoy too.

Super Deal from Fort Worth Fabric Studio

Fort Worth Fabric Studio is an online quilt store full of fabulous fabrics, bundles, kits, and patterns! You can expect great customer service with special attention to your order. Nearly always, next day shipping and many times, same day shipping! We promise you "online service with a smile."

We are home of the Friday Bundle Batch, an assortment of fabrics that are hand-selected to perfectly complement each other! Check for a new Bundle each Friday!

Today’s Super Deal:

40% OFF all Deep Deep Sea, by Studio E. No special code is required. No special code is required. The discount applies to all Deep Deep Sea Yardage and Bundles! SALE runs until November 14 at midnight, CST.

Get your Super Deal Savings here!

Featured Designer: Benita Skinner

What is your quilting style?

I design both appliqué with a touch of Victorian/nostalgia and pieced quilt patterns with simple blocks that make a graphic overall design. My most recent collection is a series of Stuffies Baby Quilts.

How did you get started quilting and/or designing?

After making a pictorial quilt of my own creation [Victorian Manor], I was asked by my quilt guild to develop a workshop.

Do you have a favourite quilt?

That’s a hard one…I’ve recently counted, and discovered I now have over 100 quilt designs, after 10 years of offering my quilt patterns exclusively online. I love all of my quilts, or I wouldn’t enjoy finishing them!

My loveliest, would be my Victoriana Album quilt.

My super quick and easy favourite is Bubbles.

Quick and fun questions:

• Favourite colour:Green
• What part of the quilting process do you like the most? Playing with the fabric
• What part of the quilting process do you dislike the most? Unsewing :)
• Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or: Chocolate…and it’s good for you too!
• Favourite super hero or comic book character: Calvin & Hobbes (I miss them &#heart;)
• Most exciting place you’ve travelled: I thoroughly enjoyed my train trip across Canada.
• Favourite quote or mantra: Believe

Block 25 – Benita’s Christmas Stocking

Here’s Benita’s Christmas Stocking block. Head over to Benita’s site to download the tutorial.

Share Your Photos

Upload your completed blocks to our Flickr group for a chance to win some adorable buttons from Button Mad – Incomparable Buttons. One winner for each of our quilt-along blocks will be randomly chosen. You have two weeks to complete Benita’s Christmas Stocking block to be eligible to win.

Congratulations to the Week 6 button winners:

• Block 16 – Joy – CBNova1
• Block 17 – Christmas in Italy – Fluffysoftkitty
• Bonus Block – Christmas Ornaments – Mona’s Creativity

Quilt-Along Links

• General Info
• Featured Designers
• Super Deals for Quilters
• Upload your blocks – Flickr Group

Please share the Quilt-Along graphic on your own blog. The more participants, the more FUN!