First Shipment of Quilts for Mayan Families On Its Way Today

 Here are three more finished quilts for Mayan Families.  The third quilt is unexpectedly graphic.  I like that!

I sent the first shipment of quilts to the Mayan Families orphan program on their way today.  There are 16 quilts that are first headed to Santa Fe.  There they will be consolidated with many other donations going to Mayan Families in Panajachel.  I'm hoping the shipment will arrive in Guatemala before Christmas.  What a nice suprise that would be for these kids who have so little.

Basketweave Quilts for Mayan Families

Kathy Loomis donated these tops for the Mayan Families project.  I quilted them, and some local quilters completed the binding. Here's an example of how choice of fabrics affects the outcome of a design.  These two tops are both made from the same block.  It's just a large rectangle with a narrow strip on each side.  Then the blocks are rotated, one horizontal, next one vertical.  One quilt came out calm, sweet, and vintage-looking.  The other is a jazzy, more modern rendition.  Kathy is a great blogger with interesting perspectives on quilting.  She's also an accomplished photographer.  Check out her blog, Art With A Needle.



More Quilts for First Mayan Families Shipment

Here are three more quilts for the Mayan Families shipment.  These were pieced mainly by Chris of Vancouver.  In the quilt above she used the 9-patch pieces that were left over from the Vancouver group's many 9-Patch and Stripe quilts.  Varying green squares completed the piece.  Chris made the quilt below while in her motorhome in Indio, California.  She took her scrap bag with her and went to town!

Chris also made the cute applique panel in the center of the quilt below.  She donated the piece to the project, so I set out to make it large enough for a twin bed.  I added the Chinese coins border, and then made the top and bottom strips using more of my stash of square-within-a-square blocks.  The resulting quilt is very playful and fun!

Recent Quilts for Mayan Families

Lake Atitlan from Panajachel, Guatemala

Below are four new quilts for Mayan Families.  These are pieced by Pat from Idaho.  I quilted them, and they were finished by friends here in the Portland area. 

I packing the first shipment for Mayan Families this coming week, and the quilts will begin their journey to Panajachel, Guatemala.  They are destined for kids in the Mayan Families orphan program.  Many kids in the Pana area need sponsors for the next school year which will begin in January.  Families have to pay to send their kids to school, and if they miss the beginning of the year in January, they are not allowed to begin late.  Please think about sponsoring a child.  If you ever travel to Panajachel, located on the spectacular Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala near Antigua, you'll be able to meet your child and their family.  That's an experience of a lifetime!  Give it a try.

Lake Atitlan from Panajachel, Guatemala

New Purses for Sale

PTB14

I've added four new Travel Bags to the Purses for Sale page.  Check it out for more details, more photos, and purchasing information.  Thanks!

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PTB12

PTB11

The Bird Park at Iguazu Falls

Our first stop after arriving at Iguazu Falls, the Brazil side, was the Parque da Aves. Here are a few of my favorites.

Black Hooded Parrot

Chilean Flamingo

Red-Breasted Toucan

Toco Toucan

Dusky-legged Guan

Green-winged Macaw

News Video of Sao Paulo Patchwork Design

The Patchwork Design show went to Sao Paulo this past weekend.  Here's a link to a news segment on the show.  Click here.