Simple & Sweet : :

I can't thank you enough for all the kind words and advice so many of you left me yesterday. I read every comment and felt, more than anything, lifted up by your support and encouragement. I had originally decided that I wasn't going to share what's currently happening with my health, especially after having such an amazing Quilt Market experience. I didn't want to spoil the news and excitement of it all. I came back feeling SO good. Then immediately to have what feels like my whole system just crash on me, has really got me down, which is what brought on yesterday's post. I've been dealing with some pretty severe Autoimmune issues for as long as I've had this blog. That's not a coincidence. I've turned to being creative and sharing my passion for it to get me through it all, without ever dreaming what it would turn into. I don't feel a pressure to continue on the days I'm struggling from my readers, my sponsors, or any contract I've signed. The pressure comes from ME. Each day that passes that I don't spend being productive, creative, and happy is one I feel I've wasted. There's being tired and needing rest, which I think I have no problem conceding to and feel I get plenty of. Then there's what I'm dealing with now, which is an exhaustion and fogginess that leaves me feeling defeated before the day begins. I don't want to be overcome by my grief and illness, I want to succeed more than ever despite of it. I do need to learn to give myself a break on the days I don't. Yesterday, you all reminded me of that and I can't thank you enough. I feel much better today, like a weight has been lifted. Today I'm going to continue working on my sisters pillows at my new pace, without worry or guilt for how behind I feel I am. I'm going to continue counting down the days to when my fabric collection arrives at my door with excitement, which with perfect timing should be right when I can take my medication again.  I'm going to do some of that "selfish sewing" that so many of you mentioned in the comments yesterday. I definitely don't do enough of that! I'll continue to update you all on what's going on, without feeling embarrassed and shy, because pretending it all away just isn't working anymore. But first I want to share a few photos of what I made yesterday. Just a sweet & simple set of whole cloth pillows, quilted with Aurifil, bound in a solid navy.









Such an easy project, but still I managed to create something rewarding that is beautiful and special for my sister. A good reminder that sometimes the grand plans, long to-do lists, and big goals can be forgotten for awhile. That sometimes simple is exactly what's needed to bring the joy and magic of making back to our days and hearts.

Thank you all again!  ♡  Maureen

For Pillow Making : :

Thank you all so very much for the kind words wishing my family and I a great weekend together as we remembered and celebrated my Dad's life. It was such a wonderful and comforting weekend!

My sister and her family will be here visiting for another week and have some sewing work for me! We looked through my fabric stash last night, picking fabrics together for a set of six 11"x18" and two 16" square pillows for their built-in breakfast nook and I'm excited to get started today!



Like me, my sister loves color, and was immediately drawn to the Anna Maria Horner prints I showed her. Since we don't have time to shop, my pretty large AMH stash will be just perfect for this project.





I can use a number of quilting cottons for the pillow fronts, adding in some of the Drawing Room collection I've been hording as my backing. The sateen home decor weight will give each pillow an extra sturdiness, while tying them all together by using one united fabric print for each of my pillow backs.



I hope that working with these fun, colorful fabrics will give me the boost in energy I so need to get back on track here. Wish me luck!

And how about you, have you started anything new lately?  

♡  Maureen

Holiday Sales & a Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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Happy 4th of July! 

I have so many great sales to share today, along with a special Fabric Giveaway!!

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:  :  Amazing Sponsor Sales  :  :

Just click on each shop ad to enjoy these special sales!

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For this special Holiday Giveaway, Contemporary Cloth is offering a gorgeous FQ bundle 
of the Hand Drawn Garden collection by Anna Maria Horner for FreeSpirit,
including all FOURTEEN prints of this brand new collection!!!

A HUGE thank you goes to Sondra at Contemporary Cloth for sponsoring this special Giveaway!!  

You can find Sondra at the sites below!

* Shop * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest *

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Enter to win! 

Here's how,

1. Simply leave a comment at the end of this post!!
2. Follow Contemporary Cloth on Facebook page! Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)

3. Followers of MC Handmade get an additional entry, too! Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry) 

4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, instagram, blog, etc... (one optional entry)

Please enter now through Monday morning, July 8th. The winner will picked by Random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post and will contact the winner via email, as well!

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! Please check to make sure you can be contacted!

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Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway!!

 

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From 1,240 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

    
Comment #597 --   * allierae *  
 

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!