Yes, thank you! We live in a county with 15 % unemployment. Yesterday I watched a young boy (7th or 8th grade) walking by his school with flapping shoes. He was having a hard time walking because of the poor shape his shoes were were in yet, he was trying to 'be cool' as he walked up the stairs of the library. So many families are hurting and I hope we all find it in our hearts to give where we feel compelled to give and give to the level we are able.

In my area, there are quite a few charity quilt organizations, and their requirements vary. I've noticed, however, that for quilts that will be used in a hospital setting, the requirements are all cotton, so the quilts can be washed and sanitized. I don't think fleece holds up well to the high heat needed for hospital laundry, but cotton can "take the heat" as it were. On the other hand, our local Linus organization gives quilts and blankets to a number of different organizations, not just hospitals, and fleece blankets are OK in non-hospital situations. I tend to agree that you can't go wrong with all cotton, no matter what. Laura, I've done a couple of pieced "throws" (it doesn't seem quite right to call them quilts) with fleece. I take my pieced top, lay it over the fleece (taking care not to stretch it) and pin, pin, pin with safety pins (just like pinning a quilt sandwich), then I machine "quilt" it. This makes a nice quick and thrifty project, especially when I'm interested in testing out a block design or technique. I end up with what I call a "TV throw". Fleece has some stretch on the cross grain, selvedge to selvedge, but no stretch on the long grain, parallel to the selvedge. I've done a couple of all fleece blankets, sewing 2 layers of fleece together to make a heavier blanket (and added a Quillow type pocket); it's not super stretchy and actually is very easy to sew. CMC

Thank you. This is a great way to 'use up' all of that extra fabric :) For a good cause, no lessÂ

bleigh - That's a little harsh, don't you think? lyban - Thank you for the kind words, and understanding. You hit the nail on the head! I was most surprised with my sons reaction. He is the one who never plans to return back to our hometown. He only spent his first summer away at home, and has only been back for holidays ever since. My first born, on the other hand, will not think about dating anyone that does not have roots where we are. She is not spoiled (or a BRAT), but definitely a homebody, and much loved! work_in_progress_08 - You are correct. I thought about that last night. I will change the card to The Smith Family and Riley. beekeeperswife - We have friends who send a doggy card every year. They have no children. whitdobe - I see your point, too. I like to see the names pre-printed for that very same reason. Funny story... my mother once received a Get Well card from someone. She could not read the signature. Thought it said from The Chair. She was racking her brain trying to figure out who the "Chair" was. One day, she mentioned the card to a friend. The friend started laughing and said the card was sent from the CHOIR at church, that my mother sang with. lol I showed the cards to my DH last night and asked him which he liked the best. First off, he said "I like the one with Riley, but who in the heck are Victor and Susan Smith?" LOL When he looked at the other card, he said, "why would we send that generic card?" He did not even recognize his own front door. I am surprised he even recognized the dog... MEN!