Hey gang! TGIF! I’m officially on my way to California for another one of my cross-country solo adventures. I’ll be heading to San Diego this next week to talk with the USO (United Service Organizations) about some of my ideas to help benefit veterans. The USO has been the nation’s leading charitable organization in serving active-duty service members and military families since 1941, so I’m hoping they can help me find some inspiration for my next big event. My goal this time around is to involve soldiers who are currently on active duty, so I’m really looking forward to talking with them to get some insight on how to go about doing that!

While I’m visiting CA I’ll also be teaching for Dru at the Sew Treasured Retreat in Temecula on Monday. I have to say that being on the road is kind of hard when I’ve just been home for what feels like soooo long… Taking week-long trips to three out-of-state places, all within a month’s time isn’t as easy as you might think! I’m going to need to take the entire summer off from traveling after this – which I’ll be glad to do since it’s hard to ride my toys if I’m not at home. My family and I love to boat, bike, jet ski, hike, fish… and of course, Nick and I LOVE to ride our Harley’s! We only have so many warm weather-days a year in Wisconsin, so I have to take advantage while I can!

With so much going on right now sometimes I have to wonder how I’ll get it all done – even though I know I always do! As you saw last week during “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ my works-in-progress pile is stacked high with ongoing projects and quilt-alongs. In fact, speaking of quilt-alongs today marks the release of block number five of the Fat Quarter Shops’s charity Quilt-Along, “Heartfelt.” Haven’t heard of it? “Heartfelt“ is a darling heart-themed project designed to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. I decided to participate in this fundraiser because I love kids and wanted to do something to help those who really need it. Make-A-Wish Foundation is an awesome organization that has been making wishes come true for children with life-threatening conditions and their families for over 40 years. To date, they have collectively granted more than 520,000 wishes around the world since it was founded way back in 1980. How awesome is that!?!?

Everyone loves a good quilt-along, am I right? For me they’re especially hard to resist when it’s  backed by such a great cause. Interested in joining me for this one? Let me tell you the details on this little dandy. “Heartfelt” is a heart-themed quilt made up of six stunning sampler blocks, each featuring pieced hearts. It was designed by Corey Yoder based on her new Moda fabric line, “Beautiful Day.” For mine, I decided to stick with the heart theme and used all Valentine’s Day fabrics leftover from last winter. I also decided to do my blocks half the size of what’s featured on the pattern (in other words, I did 6″ blocks rather than the 12″ version that the pattern shows). If you follow the pattern, “Heartfelt” measures 76.5″ x 84.5″ when finished.

I’m happy to say that I’m right on track with this project and have blocks one through five complete! I really love the way the Valentine’s Day fabric looks collaged together within the blocks. Being the recipient of a thoughtful valentine is one of the best feelings ever – especially one made by-hand with love! Wouldn’t this make a perfect gift for your special someone next year? If you’re ready to get started on your own version of “Heartfelt,” hit the link below for the full pattern and instructions (please remember to donate $5.00 for each download!).

I’m glad this quilt is turning out to be so darn cute. The plan is, once I get done with my version of this little gem I will be auctioning it off to help raise even more money for Make-A-Wish Foundation! It will be sad to give it up, but it really warms my heart knowing it is going toward helping someone. I guess I will just have to make another one to keep for myself! Do you “love” this quilt motif as much as I do? If you’d like to make my version of “Heartfelt,” you can find the Valentine’s Day fabric you’ll need for it on our website!

“Heartfelt“ is currently a free Quilt-Along and download on the Fat Quarter Shop website. Blocks are released one at a time, and will be posted to Fat Quarter Shop’s blog, The Jolly Jabber on the first Friday of each month through September, 2022. They do not require it, but highly encourage that a $5.00 donation be made for the pattern if you’re able to do so. Proceeds go to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. If you’d rather make a donation directly to Make-A-Wish, follow the link below!

Don’t forget to set your alarm for “Shop Talk with Shelley“ on Tuesday, LIVE at 9:00AM CST. She’ll be talking about our “Junk in Your Trunk” event along with the big Primitive Gatherings warehouse sale coming up next week! Then on Thursday I’ll be back in WI just in time to host “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ at 1:00PMCST. I’m going to be LIVE here at PG showing you what we have to offer during our Warehouse Sale and “Junk in Your Trunk” events. We’ll be featuring sale items like fabric, kits, books, patterns, notions, and MORE!

If you’re lucky enough to be local you should really stop on out! There will be vendor booths featuring crafts, baked goods, home décor, antiques, and other unique items. I’ll even be selling some things – so come get my JUNK (it’s good junk, I promise)!!! Are you a big garage sale fan? If you said yes have great news for you! This is all happening at the same time as the Winchester Town Wide Garage Sale event, so you will have plenty of shopping options to choose from – after you come see us of course! If you love “treasure hunting” the way I do, these are your lucky days! Not to mention, lunch is available! On Thursday, Erica is planning to have Sloppy Joes, Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad, home-made potato chips and dip with a delicious cookie for dessert! Then Friday through Sunday our soup and salad bar will be available! Yes please…

Alright everyone, it’s time to put this computer down and focus on my day and week ahead! I hope you all have a couple of nice days off along with some beautiful weather! Will you be doing any garage saling this weekend? Do you go a lot or just every once in a while? Let me know in the comments! Be sure to take some time to rest, get caught up on projects, and as always, do your best to stitch every day! I will see you all after I get back from CA. Until then, try to stay out of trouble! LOL ~Lisa