Celebrate the Fourth of July

Happy 4th of July. I always try to look for a quilt or two to display around the house this time of year.  I often forget I've made so many small quilts in a red, off-white and blue theme. I'll bet many of you also have some if you look hard enough.

This year's favorite quilt is "Union Stars" from The Civil War Sewing Circle. I forgot to bring it out last year. I'm so spoiled - Isn't it nice to have made so many quilts you forget about some of them?? It's always fun to see and appreciate them again.

When I first began to think of quilting (it took me awhile to actually start), one of my favorite books was Little Quilts All Through the House by the Little Quilt  ladies - Alice Berg, Mary Ellen Von Holt and Sylvia Johnson. A few years after buying their book I did begin to quilt, and then wrote a pattern book of my own (who would have guessed THAT would happen?). My publisher was their publisher and when American Doll Quilts came out you can imagine what a thrill that was to see my book listed alongside their books. Me, a long-time fan.  Patriotic Little Quilts is another wonderful Little Quilts book and Martingale & Co., is having a blow-out Fourth of July sale  this weekend so here's your chance to buy it.

A few days after the tragic events of September 11, Little Quilts sent out a request to their fans for small quilts to mail to the families of  New York firefighters, police officers and emergency workers who were killed. Over 2300 little red, white and blue quilts were made and donated by quilters from all over and sent in by October of 2001. 

The quilts they received were displayed in the parking lot. Look at all those little quilts! I wonder if any of you donated one? 

Celebrate Freedom!

So, while you're celebrating the holiday, step back and think about all of the freedoms we Americans enjoy and sometimes take for granted. Education is a big one for me. I think of schoolhouses - and how hard the early Americans (and my immigrant ancestors) worked to establish schools in America so their children could have the best opportunities. To me, education  IS freedom, in the strongest sense, particularly for so many in this country with limited economic prospects. My son teaches in a public school in an impoverished area of the city and I am so proud that he makes a difference in children's lives to help them have a better future.

"I believe in America because we have great dreams - and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true."   ~ Wendell Wilkie

 "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

One more reason for us to celebrate here today - it's my littlest girl's birthday! Happy birthday Ophelia! (Princess Lia to her friends and family.)  She will enjoy her freedom to play in the backyard and be cute all day . . . .

She's still bummed about the U.S. losing that World Cup game to Belgium . . . .