Squishes #37 through...#46

My Mom sent this first batch of six lovely squishes! (I had the privilege of picking out fabric with her...so I love them all)...the Peter Rabbit one is one of my favorites!












This next one came to us as a surprise from the Iowa State Music Department in Ames. We love it!



The next two were sent to us from Australia! (I love to Koala Bears!)





And finally, this beautiful Bolivian themed fabric was sent to use from Kansas City, MO:

Squishes #27 through #36!

More squishes from near and far!! I am addicted to finding fun fabric in my mailbox:)

#27 comes all the way from Espana



#28 and #29 are from Michigan (check out the cute little gnomes):





#30 and #31 have been sent form a family in Colorado:





#32 is from Menlo, Iowa:



#33 from Victoria, Australia:



#34 and #35 come from Naracoorte, South Australia:





#36 is from the Lone Star State (Texas):

Squishes, Squishes...#22-#26

More wonderful squishes have arrived!

From Sunbury, Austrailia:



From sunny Florida:



From Utah:



From California:



And, From Rochester, Minnesota:

Fabulous Squishes...#17-#21

This was a wonderful Squish Day!!

#17 a beautiful squish for my dear colleague and friend Amy! (she is so crafty!!!)



#18 is from my Aunt, Uncle and Cousins (This fabric is PERFECT, it very much reminds me of them and their home on the lake!!)



#19 comes from South Carolina:



#20: These two lovely pieces of fabric come from Canada:



#21 is from the great state of Kentucky:

Squishes #11 through #16

More Great Squishes!!

From Ohio:



From Illinois:



From the state of Washington:



From California:



From Colorado:



And, one more from California:

Squishes #7 through #10

#7 was sent to us from Arizona:



#8 came from Missouri (Love these berries!)



These next two came from a family in Pennsylvania. They are part of an "Around the world" swap that I am participating in with other adoptive families...these clearly represent the United States and Ireland:)

#4 Through #6...:)

Here are some additional lovely squishes that have come in:)







Also, I have been sendng some out to other adoptive families that are making quilts (so far I have used themes from France and Japan)... Here is a sample of one that I made:) ...I am having a lot of fun making them! I even purchased supplies while shopping with Mom this weekend (rotary cutter, cutting board...etc.)

Our First Squishes!!

Here are our first three Squishes (click on the pictures to see bigger versions)!!

#1 from soon to be Grandma and Grandpa Daniel:



#2 from soon to be Aunt Andrea:



#3 came from an Ankeny family. Thanks, Rhonda!



This is so much fun!!:) We love getting squishes!

Squish Swaps!

I thought that I would jump start my quilt project by joining a yahoo swap group that is made up of (mostly) other adoptive families that are making quilts. The group organizes swaps of squishes. I am excited to try it. I have arranged to do a couple of "individual swaps" (swaps with one other person) and one "group swap" (an orchestrated swap involving many people that sometimes has a fabric theme). The group swap I joined is "around the world". We each choose a country as our theme (no two canbe the same). I have France.

I have also heard from a couple of families that used our agency that are willing to swap as well! So, time for me to get some squishes in order:) Yay!

Share a Squish (a Square plus a Wish)!

I have been reading adoption magazines, and I came across an article that had ideas for projects to undertake while you wait for your referral/travel. One of the projects struck me as especially interesting.

In parts of Asia (China, to be precise), there is a tradition in which family members and friends of expectant parents give them scraps of cloth or old clothing as well as good wishes. The fabric can then be made into a quilt, which will surround the child with the energy of good luck and wishes. In addition, the wishes can be kept in a scrapbook for the child to see how many people cared about them even before meeting them! Even though our baby will be from Vietnam instead of from China, the idea of making such a lovely keepsake seems completely worth emulating (and it seems to be catching on in the adoption community for those waiting for babies from many different places)!

I would love to invite you to participate in my quilt project by sending a squish. We have had wonderful support from so many people during this process, and we thank you very much for all that support as well as for your participation in this project of creating a beautiful gift for the baby.

CREATING A SQUISH (A Square plus a Wish):

1. Choose any 100% cotton fabric that you like - any design or color (preferably quilting fabric weight - not fleece or flannel). You may use a piece of old fabric that is special to you, or a new fabric that inspires you feel inspires good feelings, good luck and good wishes.

2. Cut one 9" x 9” square from the fabric.

3. On a 3"x5" or 4"x6" card attach a small piece of the fabric (so we can to match which fabric goes with which wish) and write your wish on the card.
Your wish can be your own original writing or a favorite poem, quote, or anything else you like. Please sign your wish and include your city and state on the card.

For examples/ideas click on some of the links to the right or click here.

If you would like to share a squish, please email me at martineandnate@yahoo.com, and I will send you our address. I will track progress and post squishes on this blog. If you feel moved to send more than one squish, please feel free:)