Welcome to my stop on the Fruitful Hands Blog Tour. I hope you’ve been having fun visiting with Jacquelynne Steves and the other guests this week.
I first met Jacquelynne and her lovely daughter at Quilt Market last year. You might also remember having met her earlier this year when she sponsored one of our weekly contests too.
Jacquelynne’s first book, Fruitful Hands, is simply delightful. It contains 14 gorgeous projects including: machine appliqued wall hangings, wool felt floor mat, painted recipe box, stitchery and more. Also included are 12 delicious sounding recipes… I can’t wait for the weather to cool off so I can try the Orange Chocolate Chip Scones.
The photos and colour illustrations throughout the book are simply gorgeous. Here’s a sample page:
Download a free project and a recipe [PDF] from the book, Pineapple Welcome wall hanging and the Pineapple Bread Pudding recipe… yummy!!
A few more photos from the book:
You can order an autographed copy of the book directly on Jacquelynne’s, The Noble Wife web site or through Amazon.
Give-Aways
Jacquelynne has donated a copy of Fruitful Hands to be given away to one of my blog readers. Additionally, I’ll also be giving away, to a second winner, an Aurifil thread sampler pack and a Lapel glue stick.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this blog post, just one comment per person please. Share a story of an act of kindness that you did recently or that someone did for you. Two winners will be randomly chosen next Wednesday.
Facebook friends: Please enter on the blog, NOT on Facebook … CLICK HERE.
Fruitful Hands Blog Tour Participants
Rumour has it, you’ll be able to win a copy of Jacquelynne’s new book Fruitful Hands, and perhaps some other goodies too from each blogger. Here’s the the blog tour schedule:
- The fun begins at Jacquelynne’s blog
- Acorn Quilt and Gift Company
- Jillily Studio
- Pat Sloan
- Cinderberry Stitches
- On Friday visit Sandi Andersen at A Legacy of Stitches
My neighbor called me and asked me to go to her house and let out her HUGE dogs.. they are lovely dogs, but overly friendly when you go to see them. They tend to jump all over you in their excitement. Poor doggies needed to go potty.. My hand took a few days to recover from their big mitts jumping all over me, but you do what you need to do for your neighbors. That is what makes a neighborhood nice.
I just finished making 12 angel wraps and tiny preemie quilts for our local hospital. These are used to wrap the tiniest of babies that do not survive being born far too soon. It gives a loving wrap for a baby that has been so loved and whose parents still want to be able to hold, bond, and say goodbye to their little ones. Besides making the quilts, I gave my readers links to dozens of free patterns for wraps, blankets, and tiny little clothing. It touched my heart to be able to do this for others and judging from my comments, so many hearts have also been opened and now they are making and donating these, as well!
My friend needed a ride to the eye doctor for some relatively quick procedure. But the wait time was 2 hours..oh well, that’s what take-along sewing projects are all about. Someday I might need a ride to the doctor.
I staged a “quilting emergency” so that my friend could escape her longterm houseguest for a few hours of respite, coffee and fellowship. Oh wait, that doesn’t seem very self-less. I am helping a friend to empty the apartment of her recently deceased family member; lots of trash runs and boxes of packed goodies to the thrift shop.
My friend and walking buddy looks after our two cats for us a lot in the summer so we can spend lots of time at the lake. But when I had to look after her cat for one week, the cat disappeared on the second day and we never saw her again! Thankfully she came back shortly after her owners returned!
The other day I gave money to a young man who had gotten off at the wrong bus stop and didn’t have any money to get back on . There are many opportunities to help others and I try to be open to them as there have been some that I did not act on and will forever regret it. Thanks for this Michelle, I really love Jackie’s work and congratulate her on her new book.
I’m having my parents over for dinner tonight! It’s such a small payback for everything they do for us kids. Love you guys! Oh, and I love the pineapple welcome sign too!
My DH fixed the pedal on my sewing machine for me. The spring was too tight, and the machine had a mind of its own – just sewing away without me doing anything! He also spent several hours last weekend helping me redesign my blog header.
I am 38weeks pregnant now. I get a lot of helping hands from my beloved collegues. I am thankful for it. My collegues will give priority to me first when we are queuing for lift, while waiting for lunch and waiting for cab :)
So happy!!
I’ve been wanting to obtain a hand crank sewing machine. A nice lady contacted me, and offered me a FREE Singer Spartan to convert to a hand crank. The motor is great, so, now I can use this machine to hand crank AND also use the motor with just a few cranks of a screwdriver. Sweet! This lady also gifted me with 2 treadles last September. What a nice lady.
I was registrar for a 3 day quilt retreat in Michigan this past weekend. In early May, I had a quilter call me at 8 o’clock one morning and wanted to drive from Wisconsin, a 6 hour drive, and take 3 days of classes. She started to ask me about hotels near the college and I said she would be more than welcome to say with me…..now I have a new quilting friend, a delightful new friend. She arrived on Thursday evening with the biggest basket of goodies….everything made in Wisconsin….from cheese, beer, wine, crackers, salsa, spices and the very best chocolates ever. She left on Sunday after class, I was exhausted after 3 days of classes, I just can’t imagine how tired she was and she had a long drive home…she emailed me that she arrived home safely…..a new very nice friend!!!! I’m a new follower of your blog Michele and as Jackie said, ‘one can spend a lot of time’ reading and learning…..thank you!!!!
With all of the devastation that has happened around the world, I’ve joined up to make quilts for Japan and most recently I’ve been working on quilt tops for the Joplin Quilt project. Thanks so much for sharing about Jacquelynne’s beautiful book.
We are in the middle of a major remodel on our upstairs bathrooms. I’m the one who is home with the contractors during all this fun, but my sweet husband took a day off from work so that I could go on our guild bus trip to the Quilt Odyssey show in Hershey, PA. It was such a nice break from the noise and mess.
I’m losing one of my job – company is liquidating. As a result, we’re having a large closing sale so I’m trying to work as many hours as I can while I can. As a result, things have been neglected at home. Imagine my shock coming home after a double shift to find my front & back lawn cut and edged! my neighbor came over and said he felt bad about my losing my favorite job so he wanted to take a little stress off my shoulders! He’s a great neighbor and, in gratitude, I embarrassed him by breaking down crying in happiness! :)
I got the chance teach a friend to make a Pioneer dress for the TREK she is taking this next week with our Church YOUTH group. So great to ‘Pass it on’! Thank YOU for the chance to WIN Jacquelynne’s new book and other goodies.
In July my DD2 got married. Their wedding was a beautiful outdoor wedding at our friends home. It had many unique touches which lended it to be very DIY. With the gracious, helping hands of our very dear friends, the wedding went smoothly.
Jacqueline’s book is so beautifully illustrated. Love seeing all the peeks on the tour!
I drive my friend who doesnt drive to visit her mom in the skilled nursing center. It is such a small kindness tho-
love your patterns, thank you for the giveaway!
My daughter is always doing kind things for us. She comes by once each week while we are at work and vacuums our house thoroughly and cleans the bathrooms. It helps so much to know that she is doing this and things don’t get too far behind when we are busy.
HAPPY SUMMER TO YOU!
JUST HOLDING THE DOOR OPEN FOR AN ELDERLY LADY BROUGHT A BIG SMILE TO HER FACE! SMALL THING THAT BRINGS HAPPINESS TO SOMEONE ELSE!
Since I work in a restaurant I am always experiencing random acts of kindness both on the giving and receiving end. Either it is watching someone make a patrons day special by going that extra mile or listening to a patron make a waitresses day special by bragging on how nice they are. We don’t realize how special that extra smile can be. Recently, we were VERY busy and I had an elderly couple come in. I told them about the longer-than-normal wait and they expressed that they don’t get out often because of their age. I assured them I would put their order in as quickly as possible. I was able to tell them what would be prepared the fastest and get them on their way quite quickly. They were very pleased with this. Since I am not a waitress (I am in management) they felt very special. It is at times like that … I love my job!
I recently spotted an old lady get knocked over by the automatic door of the supermarket whilst trying to go in the ‘exit’; I ran over and held he hand til the store first aider and ambulance came… I hadn’t run anywhere in years!
Wonderful blog with losts to look at, read and enjoy…..I love quilting, embroidery and of course cooking—-when it doesn’s interfere with the fun!! I usually give my projects away—nothing makes me happier than to see the smile on someone’s face when you surprise them with a handmade gift!!
What a wonderful book, and thank you for the free project – it’s as tasty lookin’ as the recipe! As for a random act of kindness, I rarely use store/newspaper coupons but I always take them with me, and hand them to anyone who’s looking at that particular item – times are tough for people, and if this can save someone $$, then the coupon cutting is worth it. Thanks so much for an opportunity to win something, your site is a delight!
Recently I donated four quilts to the Salvation Army where my sister works. She sees a lot of homeless people come through there, and at least once a year I try to donate no less than two quilts. This year I wanted to return the blessings many bestowed upon us in some very hard times last year, so I was able to make four of them to donate.
My friend is having a baby, and she think it’s really hard to find nice clothes, so I told her I could sew her one, although I’m a quilter. I was surprised how much fun it was, and a learned a few tricks that might come in handy for bagmaking.
Today I’m baking bread, and of course I have made so that my dear neighbours can have a loaf each, as I always do.
Kindness is not something that you can learn or do randomly – it’s a way of life if you do it with your heart involved!
My daughter and I were visiting a local Botanical Gardens recently and we ended up following a man and his wheelchair-bound wife so we could open the doors in the greenhouses for them. Thanks for the chance to win!
My husband was very sick and in the hospital for 10 days and our neighbor mowed out lawn every week until he was fully recovered! There is so much kindness out there in the world if we only open out eyes to see it!
MGM
This is a beautiful book and I already know that if I don’t win one it will go on my list of books to purchase. Recently at Costco when I had multiple items I was purchasing and the people behind me only had a couple of things I asked if they would like to go ahead of me. That is something I always try to do as it only takes a couple extra minutes out of my day.
I made a blogging friend’s daughter a tiny hand stamped copper necklace for her new baby Eva. I loved that she kept us all informed during the pregnancy and felt a part of the happiness by doing this! Thanks for the chance to win! Pam
Lovely giveaway.
We have had a lot of economic struggles lately, like many people. We have managed, but then my husband required surgery and has been off work for a week. Just enough to make it a little harder. Last night I found an envelope pushed under the door with $60 in it. That was such a blessing! I do not know who to thank and so will thank the world!
There is so much goodness and kindness all around us. Time to pass it on.
Two ladies from my church came over and cleaned the house we were moving to. One of them even scrubbed the floor on her knees!
A friend of our’s lost her mother last week after a long, painful battle with cancer. We’ve been leaving her messages, sending emails, and sent flowers after the services, when everyone goes back to normal and you just don’t feel “normal”. Hopefully it’s reminding her that someone is still watching over her.
Everyday I sew something for charity. It may be a quilt, a tote or walker bag or wheelchair bag but I work on it everyday for World of Charity Stitching. They gave one of my wheelchair bags to a lady and she thought I had made it just for her as it was her favorite color. That is the best feeling in the whole world – knowing you brought a smile to someone’s face.
Acts of Kindness – Give and you shall receive. I find if I give time to others that it always comes back to me in some form. I am so truly blessed.
Thanks for participating in this blog hop. It looks like a fantastic book. So are the threads! :-)
Hmm, have a bit of trouble mentioning an act of kindness ( I think that’s a Dutch thing, you don’t talk about who you have helped ), but I drove 30 km. today to bring my neighbours and their children to a large super-playground today and picked them up late afternoon.
OK, am blushing now LOL.
Happy quilting
Last night I did a nightshift for a college, she worked last week for another college who was ill and now I helped her to take over one of her nights. This is how we help eachother on the place I work. If you do something for another you get it back, one way or another.
Greetings Roos
I make baby quilts for charity. Also I had a quilting freind that had a hip replacement and I ran arrands and cooked for her. I am so blessed I like to pass it on.
Was in Jo Ann’s shopping and a lady behind me had 3 skiens of yarn, but when she heard the cupon didn’t cover only one she said put these back, But I told the clerk to just add them to my order. They where her xmas gift to young grand daughter. (knitted scarves) Felt good the rest of day, pass it on PIF
I’m always on the look out for something I know one of my quilty friends wants/needs and if it’s in my budget range I buy it as a surprise gift—-it always brings hugs smiles to their faces.
The other day our alley was littered with trash. I picked up my area and then went on and picked up the neighbors, too. Even though they are a young couple, I had the time and that day the energy to do it. ( The exercise helped me too!)
I was on my way to the subway in the middle of the day last week when I noticed an elderly lady with a walker standing on the corner. She caught my eye and asked if I was crossing the street. I didn’t answer her because I didn’t have to cross the street to the subway but instead I asked if she needed assistance. She asked if I would assist her to get across the street. I did. She had gone shopping and even though the street was a side street, there were always cars turning onto it. After she got across she thanked me and I went on my way. It was a little thing but I was happy to have been of some assistance in what was a small way to me but meant a lot to her.
For the last year or so, I provided a ride to one of my fellow bell ringers in my church’s bell choir. She is in her 80s and still going strong, but didn’t like driving at night. In June she moved to another state to be closer to her daughter, and as a farewell gift, she gave me a cross-stitch picture of the Grand Tetons. When I see in on my wall, it reminds me of the great value of small gestures to help another. Kathie L in Allentown
I always try when I’m out on errands to help the seniors…like at the grocery store. I helped a tiny little lady load her sacks of groceries into her car, and she was so happy. It was a small thing for me, only took a few moments, but it made me feel good, and made her day.
I made a 30 page full color book for my grand niece’s Flat Stanley project. It is a journal of her “flat self” visiting friends, family, historic and fun locations in Florida. Loved it. Thanks for the great give-away.
love to be included in this giveaway thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
My granddaughter Bethie who is 9 years old knew I was missing my weenie dog, Sammie. She had a small blue plastic weenie dog that you could write on…I guess signatures of friends. She scrubbed all the writing off and presented it to me with a loving small on her last visit.
How sweet was that!
My great niece has a cochlear implant and I offered and made all of her headbands to hold the transmitter. They have bows and flowers are every one!
My friend Cindy volunteered to come and keep me company at my chemo treatments – six of them over the next three months! It makes the time go so much faster to have a friend there – she’s the greatest!!
I voluteer to teach the 4-H quilting club here…all girls finished and received high awards for their projects.
I learning to quilt on a longarm and finished 5 cancer quilts to give away at the local hospital. Such a joy to work on these beautiful quilts and know that someone is in need of them.
My best friend’s daughter is bi-polar and also has substance abuse issues. She has 3 boys. My friend has had custody of the oldest since he was in 2nd grade–he’ll be a senior this year. The middle boy is 11, and has been in his dad’s custody for several years now. Due to his dad’s employment issues, the middle boy will be moving into my friend’s care, too. So far the mother is doing well enough to care for the 3 year old. I help out by being my friend’s sounding board, computer tech, math tutor, internet guru and occasional sitter. Last week it was research for used text books. Today I am helping the senior get registered for his second round of ACT testing. Tomorrow? maybe she’ll just need me to listen.