Friday, May 22, 2009

Random Acts of Kindness

This arrived in my mailbox from Dorrie. Heather Ross's Happy Camper Vans. I'm giddy and glowing inside!

She didn't want anything in return. She said random acts of kindness are good for the soul. She's right, but she forgot to mention the joy they bring the recipient. JoAnn and Cheryl sent packs of selvages too. Your kindness and generosity made my day. Thanks all, the happy feeling has helped me deal with the little quilty bump in the road that happened today.

I finished Jon's graduation quilt last night and disaster struck in the washer. My mother in law is downstairs ripping out the quilting so I can make repairs later today. I'm trying to stay calm and solve the problem. (Inside I'm freaking out and crying hysterically.) I still have hope that I'll be able to give it to him tomorrow.

More relatives arrive today...I've got cooking to do. Have a great weekend...I know we will...finished quilt or not.

40 comments:

Cheryl Arkison said...

Uh oh. I hope you get the fix you need.

Have a great weekend! Congratulations to Jon.

Michaela said...

I have learned (trying to) in past couple of weeks to take things as they come and not always as I plan them. It is hard, but I am sure you will have a great weekend anyway and since you have magic helpers already, it just might be according to plan anyway. Good luck!

silversmith said...

oh oh!! is that fabric still in production or is that one that went away long ago? i haven't seen it before and one of my best friends is the proud owner of a camper van and quilts a bunch of vw stuff. i'd love to find some for her.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful gift! Yes, R. A. K.'s truly give a fabulous feeling. I hope all goes well with the quilt. Don't fret though, I have faith in you and your skills. All will work out!

Susan said...

I'm so sorry that you have had a quilt bump. I'm sending hugs to you and hoping that all will turn out well.

Unknown said...

Ack! don't loose it now - sounds like there's too much to do :) It will work out, I know you! Have a great weekend with your family!

Amber said...

Oh no - Hope you can get it all sorted out. I have more of the fabrics you used (except the linen) if I need to make another block. Glad you had some kindness in your day!!

Melanie O said...

:( Sending good vibes your way...

Kerri said...

oh, no!! i hope everything works out!!

i forgot to put my name on the quilt block a sent several weeks ago. it is a red and aqua one that has four blocks sewn to make one and they are all strips. sorry for forgeting to label it.

Alissa said...

You will absolutely have a wonderful weekend regardless of the quilt! And you'll get it fixed for sure!

Unknown said...

ok, take deep breaths, and stroke the camper vans - if the quilt is a little late then it's ok. It's how much love that's in each stitch that matters. And I am pretty sure it's bursting to the seams with that...

ellen said...

I am sorry about the quilt. Bummers!
I am happy about your unexpected gift..they are the best, aren't they?
I wish you a wonderful weekend with loved ones, enjoy this huge milestone in your life.
Always thinking about you and send you love, e.

ellen said...

p.s. the word i.d. for my comment was "dinglen". Perhaps that's a good term for a quilt gone awry in the washer: The quilt suffered from a bad case of dinglen. That word just conjures up all kinds of twisty, convoluted things to me.
Best again,e.
Oh, and now the next verification is "comersol". That means that everything will work out just fine.
"Comersol": The feeling of comfort and reassurance when an impending disaster is averted and all turns out well.

Needled Mom said...

What a wonderful random act!!!! I love it.

Sorry about the disaster. I hope that it will all get sorted out and things will look much brighter for you.

Artfulife said...

That's so awesome. Hope you have a fun weekend.

Di~ said...

What happened???? ugh colors bleed?

Val said...

What a sweet mother in law! I hope you get it all fixed and hav a great weekend.

Bekhy said...

Here are some crossed fingers and best hopes sent your way! Maybe after you've fixed it, you could tell us what happened and how you addressed the issue?

May Kristin said...

I'm so sorry for the quilt! Hope you manage to sort it out. Then it helps with some great mail!
Wish you luck with the quilt and the week-end! Happy graduation to your son!

MightyMom said...

you'll fix it with your usual flair.


do you remember the painter on PBS back in the 80s? I always called him "the happy fro guy" (I was 10ish). Anyway this white dude with a fro gave painting lessons on PBS.

He was always talking about the happy little fence under the happy little tree that sat by the happy little pond. hence his nickname in my childish brain.


Anyway. One thing I've carried all these years from his show (which I watched religiously even though I can't paint OR draw to save my life!) is that there are no mistakes.

When something happens to your work that you don't intend, just keep looking at it in different ways till you find a way to incorporate it into the finished beauty. More often than not those "mistakes" enrich the work rather than detracting from it.


and in other "you're not alone" news. I have a friend who painstakingly made herself a "mother of the groom" dress. Altered it to fit her just right! Finally got the hem put in 2 days before the wedding. While washing her dress her washing machine flipped out and washed and washed and washed for about 2 hours. When she finally realized there was something wrong the dress was literally washed to shreds! She had to run out and buy a dress THAT DAY!! Kid got married and the mother of the groom didn't walk the aisle necked so all's well.

Jennifer said...

What a lovely gift. :~)
Congratulations to Jon, what an exciting weekend for you all!
Good luck with the quilt, he is very lucky.

Beth said...

Thanks goodness for mothers-in-law!

I find myself saying this a lot lately: This too shall pass.

Victoria said...

Oh my, I am so sorry about the washing fiasco. I hope you can fix it. Good luck!

Kritta22 said...

Oh no with you quilt!!!! I hope it will all work out!

Good deeds are great for the soul!

henny said...

I know you'll find a way to fix the quilt. You're Jacquie...remember?! :)

Lovely gifts and congrat for JON!
Happy weekend...

Levin said...

that fabric is gorgeous. i agree about the random acts of kindness - they are good for the soul - but as a recipient i find it very hard to receive without returning - i'm not sure why.
hope the quilt goes well - i have no doubt that you will be able to fix it :)
l
x

sewtakeahike said...

Hi Jacquie,
I hope things are going well with your weekend and with the quilt! Your repairs are going to make it even more special to him!

Cheryl said...

MightMom, the painting guy you're thinking of is Bob Ross.

Jacquie, I'm sorry you're having quilt problems, especially when you think you're all done and giving it the final wash. That's unfortunate.

You're welcome for the selvages and thank you for the paint by number fabric! It's awesome! I'm collecting more selvages for you again.

Kathleen said...

oh my you have had some problems with washing before...was this a dye problem?

I guess I am paranoid about washing them now before hand...hope it works out okay.

All the best for the festivities

Kim said...

Did you use your color catcher sheets and give that quilt plenty of room to swish? I have heard of quilters who have washed and had bleeding of color, they put the quilt back in to wash with the color catcher sheets and it pulled the bleeding color out and all was well. Can't imagine what else might happen in the washer...hope all is repaired now.

Bonus Mom said...

Just take a deep breath. I know it will work out. And oh my goodness what a great random act of kindness :)

Unknown said...

I spent around 45 minutes today, just pootling around your blog, looking at pictures and getting inspired.

Thankyou for making the effort to log what you do!

Shari said...

Major, hysterical panic on the inside; cool, calm, collected on the outside. Yes, sounds like a Mum. Deeeeeeeep breath. I'm sure it will work out. Who needs to sleep anyway? It will be ok... it really will... honestly. I know. I'm a Mum too.

Amy said...

People are good.

Elissa said...

oh, i just love anything heather ross does. hooray for random acts of kindness!

Christina Lane | The Sometimes Crafter said...

Oh no! Thank goodness for the help of "mothers". What great fabric. I've been searching for some of the blues from the lightning bugs line...found the horses this weekend, still hunting down the vans. :)

Anonymous said...

hoping that all works out with jon's quilt. i am sure it will. cant wait to see it.

oh, those camper vans. i can't find the blue anywhere. it is so perfect for little boys!

Jen said...

Hi Jacquie! I am still catching up on all the blogs so I just read this post today. I hope you were able to fix the quilt! - Jen

Staci K. said...

What a wonderful gift to receive! I already read you post showing the finished quilt - it turned out beautifully! What a shame about the washer incident. I think all household appliances are evil! :)

Amanda Jean said...

it's funny how the good surprises how up at the right time, though, isn't it? how sweet to be on the receiving end of such a kind and thoughtful gift.