Thursday, March 27, 2014

It's an April Showers Giveaway!!!

A little background on who I am and why you’re here. I mean, other than to win that fabulous April Showers Giveaway!!  You need to know that I moved from New Jersey to Alaska. From the City to the Wild. From Outside to Inside.
Front Yard, I kid you not!

Here in Alaska, we have a term for the rest of the World. OUTSIDE.  Here, you really get the feel for the meaning of Out… Doors.  Doors signify the safety, dignity and sanctum of the home. To be outside of the door is to be alone in the harsh elements, out of luck, out of hope. And quite possibly, out of tea. 

And so it is with Quilts and Quilting. Everywhere there is not a Quilt is Outside of our love and care for each other. I’m not alone in thinking this.  Why, the thought that quilts signify Home and its shelter has even entered humanity’s mass consciousness.


Take picnics, for instance. Many folks actually take a quilt on a picnic with them, so they won’t be Out, alone and unprotected. The Brits bring a rug, so it’s more classy, but we see what they’re doing there. Even Out-door clothing is frequently ‘quilted’, signifying extra loft and warmth. (I tell ya, when you’ve spent a day out in the white and cold, even with great friends, you will be mighty glad you brought a little bit of home with you!)
Quilts and quilting signify Home and Home is usually in-doors in Alaska. When you are In-doors, enveloped in a quilt, you are IN where it is warm and bright, and full of love and smiles. People enjoy you. Everybody wants to know your name. Quilts say, “Come on in and set a spell and tell us how you’re doin’.”  So, you might think I quilt because it’s the IN thing to do;)  
In a way, Our quilty way, yes. I quilt because I love to show my caring for others, big and small, prickly or cuddly. When I make or share a quilt or handmade item I think of all of the things it can and will do for someone else.  My quilts can keep someone warm while they do work, keep the blues at bay, or bring memories of loved ones at a distance too great to span in any other way.  They can challenge, brighten a day, warm a night, soften a fall, soothe a soul.  How else could I, alone, do all of that? Quilting is my way of inviting everyone IN.  Of letting each and every one of you know that there is always a place where you will be warm, loved and accepted, no matter how far Out you are
Ooh! Deelish! Bundle purchased from Westwood Acres online fabric shop.

Giveaway is closed. Come back for another!!
And now, the Rules for the Giveaway.  I am giving away two Fat 1/8 bundles of eight fabrics each. This giveaway is open Internationally! You need to:
* Follow this blog,
* Pick a friend to share your bundle with (they need to follow this blog as well),
* Both of you, separately, leave a comment on this page saying how you are following, and who you have picked to share your joy. If one or both of you wishes to add to your potential proceeds, pick another friend to share the bundle with and just follow the rules a second or third or, gasp, fourth time!!!!!
* I will close this giveaway on April 5th,  at 12 noon, AK time. At which moment Heckyl the cat will knock the bowl of your names off of my desk… the name that sticks to him, wins!!!! Ooh! Ahhh! Much joyfulness! Don't forget to come back and see if you won! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Linking up with: Really Random Thursday