Big Surprise . . . BIG MISTAKE!!!

Hi everyone!

I had a big surprise to show you, but I was the one who got the BIG surprise because of a BIG mistake I made!  (I'm now hanging my head down in shame.....)

I've been working for quite some time on changing the name "Phoenix Quilts" to something else, so that the name would fit all the people that we are giving quilts to.  The new name and blog were all part of a big surprise.  Well the BIG mistake I made, after the blog was created, is that the new name I chose is already being used!!  I AM SO EMBARRASSED!!!!  I thought for sure I thoroughly checked the Internet to make sure the name wasn't being used!!!  I must have seen that the name was being used, but blocked it out of my mind because I liked the name so much!  I feel like such an idiot!!!  Ugh!!!

So, instead of my big surprise, I'm coming to you for help in choosing a new name.  You have all helped in such BIG ways in the past, that I decided you ought to have a say in what we call ourselves!  I've got a few ideas, and this time I really can't see anywhere else they're being used, but I wanted to see what you come up with.

Why am I wanting to change the name?  Here are a couple of reasons:  Many people ask if I'm in Phoenix, Arizona.  I've been asked if I have a quilt store in Phoenix and if quilts could be dropped off there.  I live in Utah, so this was a little confusing to people.  Some just didn't understand the name.  The biggest reason why I want to change the name is because we've increased the types of families and individuals we're donating quilts to.  We aren't only dealing with people who have been affected by wildfires (although we did some AMAZING things with that), we are also reaching out to those who have been affected by man-made tragedies or natural disasters, like we did with Hurricane Sandy in New York.  I'd like to change the name to something that includes everyone that receives one of our quilts. 

So what do you think?  What should we name our group?  Once this is all finalized, I'm going to apply to become a non-profit agency (surprise!).  Therefore, the name needs to be available with a .ORG extension for a future website, as well as a blog name.  I REALLY want to help others through these quilts, and being a non-profit agency will help us help even more people in need of a quilted hug!

By the way, if you want to see the "new" blog, you can go to it by clicking HERE.

I can't wait to read your suggestions!

Hugs!

Sandy Hook First Responder Quilts

Happy New Year, Everyone!

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Now that the holidays are behind us, it's time to get busy making quilts! :) The response I've received from those wanting to donate quilts has been AMAZING, but we still need a LOT more! This blog post will give you all the details about these special quilts.

• The quilts should be approximately 60" x 72" since they are going to adults.
• The quilts need to be pieced, quilted, and bound. Not tied and not rag quilts. ***(See more details at the bottom)
• If you would like to do a quilt for a particular first responder, e-mail me at julie@cut.net, and I will give you a name of a man or woman who responded that day. If you get a name from me, please either embroider or applique their name on their quilt. If you don't want to embroider or applique a name, then just send in a quilt without getting a name from me - preferably one that is specifically for a man or woman.
• If you would like to include a letter or note with your quilt, I will attach it to your quilt so the recipient will get it, too.
• If you would like to make a quilt with novelty fabric (i.e., fireman, police, etc.) I will make sure it gets to the appropriate person.

The names I've been getting of the policemen, EMTs, firemen, etc., who responded to the school shooting that day, have been put into a spreadsheet so they can be kept organized. If you ask me for a person's name, I'll add your name by theirs in the spreadsheet, so I know what quilt is going where.

There are some first responders who don't want their names given out (I TOTALLY understand!) because people in the media are hounding them! I will make sure they are also given a beautiful quilt. There were approximately 200 men and women who were involved that day, so we need a lot of quilts!

My husband and I are EMTs and my heart is aching knowing a little of what these men and women are going through, and what they'll have to deal with for the rest of their lives. Thank you so much for being willing to share your time and talents with those who put their lives on the line every day they go to work!

PLEASE HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THESE SPECIAL QUILTS ON YOUR BLOG, FACEBOOK, ETC.!!! THANK YOU!!! :)

*** If you would like to send in a quilt for something other than this school shooting, PLEASE DO SO!!! I am now collecting donated quilts to be distributed to people who are affected by future natural disasters and human-caused tragedies. These quilts can be any size quilt, and can be quilted, tied or a rag quilt. PLEASE HAVE THEM COMPLETED! Unfortunately, because we are going to be donating so many more quilts, I don't have the time or resources to complete unfinished quilts that are sent in.

*** If you would like to send in a small, tied quilt for a child at a neighboring school to Sandy Hook Elementary, Michelle at https://securityblankets.wordpress.com/ is accepting them now!

Hugs!

Huffington Post Article

This article was in the Huffington Post yesterday!  Click HERE to read it!

Hugs!

Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting Quilts

I've decided with a lot of thought and research, that we will be donating our quilts to the first responders, police, firemen, etc., of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Being an EMT myself, I am saddened by what these men and women are going through now, and will be dealing with for the rest of their lives! I am in the process of gathering the 200+ names of the men and women who played a part that day, so you can embroidered or applique their name onto their personal quilt.

We've already donated quilts to people who lost their home to the wildfires in the Western United States this past summer, and helped bring quilts to 325 families who lost their home to Hurricane Sandy. Because there are so many things being donated to the children (as there should be!!!), I decided to focus on those who risked their lives running into the school that day, not knowing what awaited them. They are truly heroes!!!

Thank you so much for everything you're doing to help! I would appreciate your help in spreading the word about what we're doing!

Hugs!

Quilts for Connecticut

Like everyone else, my heart was torn in half upon hearing of the news of the school shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut.  I have five children and three grandchildren and I just can't wrap my mind around this whole thing.  Of course, my mind immediately turned to quilts and how I would love to give one to each family who lost a child or loved one in this unbelievable tragedy.  Then I thought of all the children who were affected, just because they went to school.  So I did some research . . .

There are almost 700 children and 39 teachers at Sandy Hook.  I began to wonder, is it possible to have that many quilts donated, when everyone is so busy with the holidays, so we could give one to everyone???  I never would have thought that giving quilts to wildfire victims and then 325 to Hurricane Sandy victims was possible, but we did it! 

What do you think???  Can we do this???  I don't know how else to bring a little bit of comfort to the friends and families involved, but I just have to do something . . .

SIX FREE FAT QUARTERS!!!

Merry Christmas!

'Tis the Season of giving and we at My Lazy Daisy  would like to begin the holiday season right...by offering a FREE gift to you during the month of December. 

 

For every order of $50 or more (before shipping and tax) you place this month, I will include a FREE stack of SIX coordinating fat quarters* (over $25 value) as my gift to you!  Click on the My Lazy Daisy Shop tab (above or to the side) and see what great gifts you can find!

 

 

Have a wonderful holiday season!

*Fat quarters will coordinate but colors and patterns will vary from customer to customer.

 

Hugs 'n Stitches!

Black Friday Specials!

It's almost here...

the beginning of the craziest shopping day of the year:
BLACK FRIDAY!

 

 

I want to let you in on some products that we will be offering at our Black Friday special. You won't want to miss it!  Sale items will be available online Friday morning from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday night (MST) while supplies last.
Select yardage starting at $4.50 yd. Some kits are going to be as much as $100 off!

 

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4 yd bundles at $17.95

63% Savings

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 Home Sweet Home Kit

sale price $ 144.95

25% Savings

Kit is a 54" x 70" wall hanging and includes all yardage, backing and binding.

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How to Shop our Black Friday Deals Online:

Step 1.  Go to my website http://MyLazyDaisy.net/Julie or click on the My Lazy Daisy Shop tab!

 

 

Step 2.    Click "shop online"

 

Step 3.    Click "Black Friday" to view products at blowout prices! This will be a shopping option on the left hand side. ( Note that this shopping option will not be available until 12:01 a.m. Friday morning).

 

 

 

Step 4.  Click on "Daisy Deals" while you're there to see what else is on sale!

 

Happy Shopping!!!

 

 

Hugs!

 

Hurricane Sandy Victims Need Our Help!

Hurricane Sandy Victims Need Our Help!

I have about 200 quilts that were donated to Phoenix Quilts that I was going to use for the 2013 wildfire season. But hearing about the thousands of people who are still without power and are freezing cold, I've decided to donate the remaining quilts to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
 

I need your help, though. I can't afford to ship all of these quilts by myself, so I'm asking . . . would you be willing to make a monetary donation to help me get these quilts out of my basement and wrapped around those who need it now? There is a link on the right-side bar that enables you to donate easily with PayPal. Will you please help me help those who have such a great need???
 

Thank you so much for your generosity!
 

Hugs!

I have to do WHAT?!?!?!?!?

I think it has finally settled . . . my blood pressure has gone back to normal . . . I'm going to Houston!!!  Read HERE if you don't know what I'm talking about (and to find out about the great deal going on until the end of October . . . )! 

Anyway, here's the thing . . . I have to dress up like a witch on preview night!!! 

I don't do dress up!!!

Ever!!!

So, I need your help!  Do I do something like this . . .



Or this . . .



Do you have any suggestions???  PLEASE give me some ideas!!!  If you asked my kids they would probably tell you I could just show up as myself and be fine . . .

Hugs!

Oh - My - Gosh!!!

You're never going to believe this . . . I can't believe it myself!!!

I'm going to the Houston Quilt Market!!!!! 

 

You all know I'm a consultant for My Lazy Daisy, right?  Well they drew my name out of a hat and I get to be in the My Lazy Daisy booth in Houston!!!  WOO-HOO!!!  :)

 

To help celebrate, I'm going to ADD to the already AWESOME Starter Kit, which is only $99, when you become a My Lazy Daisy Consultant with me!  You can go HERE to see what comes in the Starter Kit (including the additional Story Time Snuggle Quilt Kit they're giving you FREE until the end of October) and I'll be ADDING a YARD of fabric - your choice - from the My Lazy Daisy Website!!!  Here's some fabric you might want to consider adding to your stash:


S'Noel


Tippy Toes


A Ghastlie Night

or maybe . . .


Ooh La La!!!

You'll have to check out all of their fabric HERE and then let me know which one you want a FREE yard of!!!  To qualify for the free yard of fabric to be added to your Starter Kit, you must sign up as a consultant for My Lazy Daisy before midnight (MST) on October 31st!!!

Merry Christmas, to YOU!!!  :)

Send me an e-mail (julie@cut.net) and I will get you all signed up!!!

Hugs!

Happy 26th Anniversary to Us!!!

Twenty-six years ago I married my very best friend! 

After all these years, I still get butterflies when he walks into the room! 

 

I love you so much, Todd!  Thanks for always being by my side,

through the good times and the not-so-good times! 

Thank you for being my #1 fan with everything I try . . .

especially when my ideas are a bit CRAZY! 

What a great life we've had so far! 

I can't wait to see what the next 26 years brings us!

I love you, Hon!!!

Hugs!!!

My Lazy Daisy Consultant Information and *NEW* Starter Kit

I'm so excited to share with you about how you can become a Daisy Consultant like me and launch your own home-based quilting and sewing business!  In order to enroll as a Daisy Consultant, you must first purchase the Starter Kit . . . 



No time is better to become a Daisy Consultant, because now through the end of October 2012, the Starter Kit includes not only all the basics needed to start your home-based business, you also receive a full kit party topper (46"x46" with pattern and all the fabric to make the quilt top, binding and backing) and a SECOND quilt called Story Time Snuggle (41"x49" with pattern and all fabric to make the quilt top, binding and backing), in addition to the Lazy Daisy Cottage Cookbook, pin cushion kit, and a Candy Ribbon quilt demonstration kit.  The retail value of this special Starter Kit is well over $300, but is currently available for only $99!!!  Sweet!!!  :o)  Here's a list of everything you'll get in your kit:   

* Party Topper - Cupcakes (fabric and pattern)
* Story Time Snuggle (fabric and pattern)
* Petal Pushers Pin Cushions (pattern and materials for 2 pin cushions)
* Candy Ribbon consultant demonstration kit
* Lazy Daisy Cookbook
* Daisy Charms Bracelet
* Catalogs (10)
* Daisy Folder and Essential Paperwork including:
- Compensation Plan (1)
- Price List (2)
- Daisy Consultant Handbook (1)
- Ordering Instructions (1)
* Daisy Event Invitations (100)
* Customer Order Forms (50)
* Credit Card Processing Slips (25)
* Daisy Clipboard
* Daisy Designs (designs not included in Catalog)

You will have an opportunity to purchase additional materials, including a wide variety of quilting kits, during the enrollment process.  I strongly recommend you purchase the Basic Bundle which gives you the "most bang for your buck" and is only available at the time of enrollment.

Send me an e-mail letting me know you're interested and I'll send you the My Lazy Daisy Compensation Plan information!  You'll see for yourself why being a Daisy Consultant is an excellent way to make money while having fun!  :o)

Join me and My Lazy Daisy . . . Start your quilting legacy today!

 

Hugs!

My Lazy Daisy Retreat

I just got home from the BEST retreat EVER!!!  As you know, I'm a consultant for My Lazy Daisy, a company that designs and sells the CUTEST quilt kits you've ever seen, and I attended their retreat last Wednesday through Saturday and had an absolute BLAST!!!



Here I am with Dana and Diane, two sisters who are co-owners of My Lazy Daisy!  The quilt behind us is called "Love Heels" in memory of their Mother who died of cancer. 



Here's a better picture of "Love Heels!"  Notice the high-heeled shoes in the pink fabric in the outer border? That's why it's spelled heels instead of heals! Too cute!!! They are donating a portion of the sales from this quilt kit to the National Breast Cancer Foundation! So awesome!!! :o)  LOVE IT!!!



This is my AWESOME team leader, Kay McArthur!  She has more energy and fun packed inside her than anyone I know!  Love that gal!  :o)

In addition to "Love Heels," look at all of these new products that they announced at the retreat!



"Smell My Feet"  (This table runner matches their "Hocus Pocus" quilt!!!)



"Story Time Snuggle"



"Frank -n- Friends Table Topper"



"Ghastlies Table Topper"



"S'Noel Table Topper"



"Tinsel Toes Christmas Stockings"



"Trick or Treat Door Hanging AND Table Runner"

Isn't all of this the CUTEST ever?!?!?  And guess what?!?!?  The "Trick or Treat Door Hanging AND Table Runner" are on SALE for the month of September!!!

I LOVE SALES!!!  :o)

Here's some more random pictures of the retreat . . .


Oreganata fabric line to be released early in 2013 (sorry about the blurry pic)!

Table decorations for the night of the gala!



Leslie Christensen and I are speaking with Karen Pedersen - an AWESOME gal My Lazy Daisy hired to teach us how to grow our consulting business!  Three days FILLED with incredible information! 
I'm so excited to start using everything I learned in my business!!!

WOW!!!  What great times we had!!! 

 

I'm going to leave you for now, but tomorrow I'll be telling you about some changes that My Lazy Daisy has made with the company! 

 

It's so AWESOME to be a consultant for such a GREAT company!!!  :o)

 

Hugs!

Helping Out When Disaster Strikes

Many of you know I'm a consultant for My Lazy Daisy, a direct-sales company that sells complete quilt kits. Look at this article that Diane Card, co-owner of My Lazy Daisy, just sent me! I'm so excited!!! :o)

Click here to see the article!

The donations I'm receiving daily are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! My thanks to each of YOU for "helping out when disaster strikes!" You guys are so AWESOME!!! :o)

Hugs!

Changes for Phoenix Quilts

What a whirlwind of events we've had around here lately! With speaking assignments, attending quilt-a-thons, delivering quilts, having a Phoenix Quilts booth at an event where there were approximately 1,200 women in attendance, PLUS keeping up with the day-to-day work Phoenix Quilts requires, it's been CRAZY busy!!! But oh, so AWESOME!!! :o)

Because of how much time I'm working with Phoenix Quilts I need to make some changes that will allow me to stay sane! :o)

• I would appreciate it if you would now send in completed quilts and/or monetary donations. It's taking a lot of time piecing tops with the blocks that are being sent in and then finding people to quilt and bind all the quilts. Everything I've received has been so beautiful - there are a lot of talented quilters out there! I have been totally amazed by the generosity of everyone sending in these donations, but for now I need to limit it to completed quilts. I also think I have enough fabric to make the backs for all of these quilt tops. The monetary donations will be used to help complete quilt tops and blocks that have already been sent in and to help with distributing the quilts. If you are currently working on something you were planning to donate, please still send it in! I really do appreciate everything all of you are doing! :o)
• I'd prefer that you send in lap-size quilts to be used for Phoenix Quilts purposes. That way we can give one quilt to each family and the entire family will be able to use it. I have received soooo many baby/child size quilts, it's unbelievable! They are all so darling! :o) I've got enough to cover our needs for now, though. If you would still like to donate smaller quilts (which would be awesome!) I'll be donating them to our local ambulance service (I'm a volunteer EMT when I'm not quilting!) and hospitals. If that's all right with you then keep sending them in! :o)
• I would love to have a picture on my blog of every quilt that is being sent in, but that also takes a lot of time (I'm not very fast with cameras and computers). If you would please post a picture of your quilt in the Phoenix Quilts group on Flickr (use the Donations tab on the Phoenix Quilts blog) then we'll all be able to see the quilty goodness being donated! :o)

I am deeply grateful for all the donations that have been sent in and hope that you will continue to help us help those who have lost their home to a wildfire. I hope that you can understand why I'm making these changes. I haven't ever done anything like this before and I'm having to learn what works best for everyone as I go along! :o)

If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave me a comment or send me an e-mail at julie@cut.net.

Hugs!

Help Wanted - Inquire Within

Well the time has come . . . I need some help!

Those of you who have been following Phoenix Quilts from the beginning know how quickly things have grown in the past month and a half. What started as wanting to give one quilt to some friends who lost their home to the Wood Hollow wildfire near our home, grew to a desire to give a quilt to the 52 families that lost a home in that fire. Because of your generosity, we decided to help every family in the Western United States who has lost a home to a wildfire this summer. Today we are at 897 homes that have been destroyed.

As you can imagine, this has turned into a very large, time-consuming project. It's a project that I LOVE, but now I need help with it. Here's what I'm thinking . . .

I would like to have one person per state monitor and research the fires in each state in the Western United States. That person would inform me through e-mails about the status of the fire(s) in their state. That will help me keep our lists up-to-date of the homes that have been lost to a wildfire.

The way I research a fire is I go to the Phoenix Quilts blog and click on the map of the United States on the right sidebar to see where new fires are. I then go to the two websites listed on the sidebar under the map and look at the information for the different fires in each state. Sometimes those sites don't tell me how many homes have been burned so, if needed, I then go to the local news or newspaper websites.

If you are interested in helping me with this, please send me an e-mail (julie@cut.net), not a comment on this post. If I happen to get more than one offer of help per state then I will use the first person that e-mails me and put the second person on a back-up list. You can click on the Volunteers tab on the Phoenix Quilts blog to see who the volunteer is for each state.

Thank you so much for your willingness to help! In my wildest dreams I never thought Phoenix Quilts would need to help so many families and that so many people would step up to help fulfill those needs! Thank you so, so much! =D

Hugs!

Charlotte Fire Quilts Delivered

This weekend was so AWESOME!!! We donated some quilts for the Charlotte Fire victims on Friday in Pocatello, Idaho! There is a quilt store in Pocatello, Sages Creek Quilt Co., that has been collecting quilts for those who lost their home to the Charlotte wildfire.

When we drove up I thought it was going to be a tiny store. Boy was I wrong!!! :o)

This sign was on the door we went in. It's asking for 66 quilts for the fire victims! I was so glad I was there for just that reason! :o)

The store was amazing! So much fabric and so many beautiful quilts around the store! I LOVED IT!!! The people there were so friendly and extremely grateful for your donations! :o)

The local quilters in Pocatello have been so busy! They had already donated 46 quilts so all that was needed was 20 more from Phoenix Quilts! I was so happy to help them reach their goal of 66 quilts to help all of these families who have lost their homes! I'm so grateful to each one of you that have been so generous with your donations! This trip made me realize that I am just representing Phoenix Quilts, but you guys are Phoenix Quilts! THANK YOU!!! :o)

Hugs!

Kyle Received His Mission Call

Last night our son, Kyle, opened his mission call! He actually got the letter in the mail last Wednesday, but he wanted to wait to open it until our other son, Brian, was home from Ohio so he could be there for this exciting time! (They are the very BEST friends!!!) It about KILLED me waiting, but I thought it was cool that he wanted everyone with him for this big day! The only ones that weren't able to be home was our daughter, Jess and her family, so we called them and put them on the speaker phone so they could hear him as he read the letter out loud!

He will be serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Colombia, Cali Mission!  He leaves December 19, 2012, for two years!  We are soooooo excited and proud of him!!!

Now to get everything ready for him to go . . .

Hugs!

Pocatello, Idaho - Charlotte Fire

Today Todd and I are headed to Pocatello, Idaho, to take quilts to those who lost their home to the Charlotte fire! I'm so excited! It's weird . . . these quilts kinda feel like my "babies" . . . I've tried to take such good care of them . . . it's almost sad to see them go! I'm so happy that they'll finally be where they belong, though! :o)

There are a couple of gals in Pocatello who have also been collecting quilts from local quilters so I'll be adding 20 quilts from Phoenix Quilts to the 46 they already have! In a couple of weeks they are going to have a "tea party" for everyone who lost their home and will be distributing the quilts then. I'll ask them to be sure and send me some pictures so I can post them on my blog!

Thank you so much for all you're doing to help!!! :o)

Hugs!

It's a Small (Quilting) World After All!

Today I got a quilt top in the mail for Phoenix Quilts clear from Australia!  And yesterday I got a quilt and a fat quarter bundle all the way from South Korea!  The world is full of such great people!  THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!  :o)

Hugs!