Daddy's Dreams - In Memory of Danny H.

Danny Hancock

12/12/1948 - 07/02/2011

It is with great sadness that I share with you that Danny has lost his battle with cancer.  Danny was the first ever Daddy's Dreams quilt recipient and also a dear friend of my dad's, having served in the Army together during Viet Nam.  

Danny and Daddy -1972

I will be arranging a special Daddy's Dreams session in Danny's honor soon, so be looking for that announcement.  Please keep his family in your prayers as they adjust to life without him. 

Thank you to everyone who had a part in creating Danny's quilt.  While every loving stitch was intended to "wrap him in love" during his treatment, this quilt will now also bring comfort to his family when they most need it.

Danny will be laid to rest on Friday.  If you would like to leave a message for the family, you may do so at this link:  http://www.mccomasfuneralhome.com/_mgxroot/page_10726.php

I know when Daddy passed away, reading the messages on the funeral home website was a comfort to us, as I am sure it will be to the Hancock Family as well.

Have a Blessed Day!!

Katie Burke

Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator

Pine Mountain / LaGrange, Georgia

http://www.bellabdesigns.com/

Inspire. Create. Share.

Click HERE to place your online order 24/7!

"Like" me on Facebook by clicking HERE.  Exclusive offers!
Visit My Demo Service Site - I Blog For Demos!

Daddy's Dreams - Fourth "Works of Heart" Quilt Recipient

The recipient of the 4th Daddy's Dreams "Works of Heart" Quilt shows off his new quilt, which was sewn especially for him by Daddy's Dreams Youth Ambassador, Samantha M., and Daddy's Dreams Team Leader, Kelsie B.  Samantha M. and her mother, Kelly, were able to deliver the quilt a week or so ago.  He and his family send their thanks to Daddy's Dreams volunteers and donors.  Please send up prayers for this young man and his family as he undergoes treatment for T-cell Leukemia.

Look for photos from the volunteer session soon!  I have to download them from my camera, but couldn't wait to share this sweet child's photo with you!

Welcome to the Daddy's Dreams family!  May your quilt warm your body and your soul and wrap you with the love and prayers of total strangers that now call you family!

Katie Burke

Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator

Pine Mountain / LaGrange, Georgia

http://www.bellabdesigns.com/

Inspire. Create. Share.

Click HERE and select "shop now" to place your online order 24/7!

"Like" me on Facebook by clicking HERE.  Exclusive offers!

Daddy's Dreams - Pay It Forward

What a blessing Daddy's Dreams has been!  That which I have received, far outweighs anything I have given on this project.  Just when I thought my heart couldn't possibly be more full, the goodness of people continues to humble me!

Pay It Forward #1: 

A few days prior to the September Daddy's Dreams Fabric Cutting Session, I received an unexpected box in the mail from Danny H. and his wife Karin: 

They live hundreds of miles away, so, as much as they want to, they can't participate in person with any Daddy's Dreams activities.  Instead, they printed a copy of the Needs List and went shopping in a foreign land (aka the sewing department).  They sent some much needed items for use at our September Daddy's Dreams session.  They also provided 2 of the Scallop Square Dies that we use to cut the quilt squares.  THANK YOU!!!  We have special plans for this fabric and the notions were much needed! 

Pay It Forward #2: 

I was thrilled to find out that Samantha M. and her mother, Kelly, would be able to join us for the September Daddy's Dreams session.  It was amazing to meet Samantha in person and, even more amazing that she was able to come just a day after completing her last round of chemo! 

Samantha cranked out hundreds of quilt squares using the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Die while her mom layered the fabrics for her.

Bless her heart!  Did I mention that she cranked out hundreds of quilt squares?

Samantha brought along her Daddy's Dreams quilt and I was pleased to see that she very genuinely loves it.  Samantha and Kelly plan on coming back next month to help again, where they will try their hand at sewing!

As always, the Daddy's Dreams project would not be possible without the generous donations and volunteers who spend countless hours making "works of heart."  Thank you to everyone who has had a part in making Daddy's Dreams a reality! 

Katie Burke
Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator
Pine Mountain / LaGrange, Georgia
www.bellabdesigns.com

Inspire. Create. Share.

Announcing Daddy's Dreams Youth Ambassador - Meet Samantha M.!!

Have you ever had an experience where you just KNEW that God had placed someone in your path for a reason? My story begins last month, on the day that we were blessing the first "Works of Heart" for the Daddy's Dreams project. A member of the congregation asked that we pray for a young lady who had been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and was undergoing treatment at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta (formerly known as Egleston).

The young girl, Samantha, was the daughter of a child psychologist in our local school system. I immediately knew that she would be the perfect person to receive the "fireworks quilt" (as it had been dubbed) and set out to locate Samantha. I met her mother and delivered the quilt to her and it was a beautiful emotional moment for me. I was thrilled when I received the photo below, taken just moments after Samantha's mother arrived home and delivered the quilt to her.

As I got to know Samantha and her mother better, I was touched by their strength, faith, and optimism. As I was sharing their story with my husband, he looked at me and said, "Katie, you should see if Samantha would like to deliver the quilts to the kids." I absolutely LOVED the idea and Samantha graciously agreed!

Samantha is just like any other 12-year-old. She loves animals and loves going to school, where she is a 7th grader. She loves to bake and bike riding and swimming are 2 of her favorite activities. She also loves doing crafts. Samantha aspires to be a child-care specialist when she grows up.

Samantha's duties as Daddy's Dreams Youth Ambassador will include helping to identify youth to be recipients of "Works of Heart" both in the community, as well as through Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. Samantha will be fulfilling the mission of Daddy's Dreams by hand delivering these "Works of Heart" to the recipients. I hope that it brings her the same joy that it has brought me!

Samantha, welcome to the Daddy's Dreams family!! May your quilt warm your body and your soul! I look forward to many years of working side-by-side with you fulfilling the Daddy's Dreams mission!

Samantha and her mother will be at the Daddy's Dreams September Fabric Cutting Session (DETAILS HERE) this Saturday to "pay it forward" to other deserving patients, even though she has just completed her last dose of chemotherapy (yesterday) and will be starting radiation treatment within days (I told you she was an amazing young lady!).

Hope everyone can join us!! If you are not able to be with us, please take a moment to look at our "needs list" (FOUND HERE) and see if there is anything that you might share with us to keep this project going strong. Thanks for your support!







Katie Burke
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Pine Mountain / LaGrange, Georgia
http://www.bellabdesigns.com/

Inspire. Create. Share.

Daddy's Dreams - First Ever "Works of Heart" Quilt Recipient, Danny H.

I have to admit, this quilt was very personal.  Danny is an Army buddy of my Dad's.  Danny was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) just days after my Dad passed away a year ago from AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia).  Danny was then given an additional diagnosis a few weeks ago of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.  I knew from the moment that Daddy's Dreams became a reality that I wanted the very first quilt completed to go to Danny - and it did! 

Danny "wrapped in love."

Danny in what he termed as his "more natural pose." 

This quilt is made of sailboat fabric and included a very special attachment on the back - a piece of my Dad's favorite shirt because I know that he would have wanted to be with Danny through this experience.  Thanks to everyone who helped to make this possible - all of you wonderful volunteers, those who made donations, and the congregation of Pleasant Grove UMC for helping us bless this quilt!!! 

Danny, I hope your quilt warms your body and your soul and that the blessings it comes with bring you good health! Much love from the entire Daddy's Dreams Team!

Psalm 4:8  "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." 

Visit the Daddy's Dreams Page to learn about ways to volunteer your time and your resources to this wonderful cause!  We have 2 upcoming volunteer sessions and we welcome EVERYONE!  You don't have to be able to sew!  We have important NON-SEWING tasks available as well! 

Katie Burke
Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator
Pine Mountain / LaGrange, Georgia
www.bellabdesigns.com

Inspire. Create. Share.