One Hundred Blessings

#58, #59, #60 & #61

2008-07-18T15:31:00.002-04:00

It's just like my awesome friend Amie to outdo herself!! She sent not just one, but FOUR gorgeous fabrics for our little man's quilt. Not surprising since she is one of the kindest people I know. I am so grateful to have met her through our blog... God has blessed me with SO many new friends, and Amie is one who never fails to put a smile on my face. She has 6 absolutely beautiful kiddos and is waiting for the most adorable little guy (short of MY guys) who should be home sometime this FALL!
Thank you, girl!!

#57

2008-07-18T15:24:00.002-04:00

This darling sailboat fabric is from a new friend, Ashley. She and I 'met' online when she had some questions about the SN program. Hopefully they will have another little blessing pitter-pattering around their house SOON :) Thank you, Ashley!

#55 & #56

2008-07-18T15:20:00.002-04:00

These beautiful coordinating fabrics are from Kim at Simply Sophie. She recently received her referral from the SN list after a long wait, I am SO excited to follow her journey to her beautiful daughter!!
The fabrics are SO adorable, blue and brown are my favorites and the patterns are SO sweet! Thank you, Kim!!

#54

2008-07-18T15:15:00.002-04:00

This fabric is from Lisa over at Osborn Odds and Ends. It is one I truly love, it is the fabric I chose for Jude's blanket, except Jude's was black! Great minds think alike ;) I love to check out Lisa's Thankful Thursday posts... always an inspiration :) Thanks a bunch, Lisa!

#53

2008-07-18T15:11:00.003-04:00

This adorable fabric is from Leslie and Myah, over at Myah's Days. Leslie has such exquisite taste and if you haven't checked out her blogs, you should!! They are not only beautiful, but inspiring :)
Thanks Leslie, I love it and so will Shepherd!

#52

2008-07-18T15:08:00.003-04:00

This clearly Canadian fabric is from my buddy Kate, who happens to be off gallivanting all over China right now! She's not an adoptive mama yet, but she has a HUGE heart for orphans.
Thanks SO much Kate :)

#51

2008-06-09T14:30:00.001-04:00

This beautiful fabric and equally lovely blessing are from Rebecca at Our Little Owen (password protected). She and I became fast friends when she did our amazing blog redesign in January (I am still crazy about it!). I am so grateful for our friendship, she has taught me so much by her example of following His plan, instead of our own :)

#50

2008-06-09T14:26:00.000-04:00

This beautiful bamboo fabric (and appropriately coordinated and extremely eloquent blessing) are from Auntie Kris at Tell Her This. Kris and I have been friends since we were DTC together in February 2005. She is SO close to receiving her referral from the waiting child program, I feel like an anxious auntie for the fast-approaching big day! I can't wait!!
Thank you so much for your love and support over the years, Kris... we love you :)

#49

2008-06-09T14:22:00.000-04:00

Holly and her beautiful family sent me this fabric and lovely wish for Shepherd's quilt. Her littlest, Mia, had clubfoot just like Jude and Shepherd and she was treated by Dr. Ponseti also! Thanks so much, Holly... we are very grateful for your participation and your support :)

#48

2008-06-09T14:08:00.000-04:00

This cool fabric and lovely blessing are from Holly at Purpose Driven Family. She and I have been email buddies since we were both waiting for our boys last year and now they are paperchasing for a sibling group in Ethiopia. Thanks Holly!! :)

#47

2008-06-09T14:03:00.000-04:00

Here is some darling fabric from Tamra and her family. She and I did a fabric exchange as she is almost DTC for a little one from China. Thanks so much Tamra! And may that 171 arrive SOON! ;)

#46

2008-06-09T13:57:00.000-04:00

This fabric is from another one of my good high school buds, Christian! Wow, thanks a bunch for sending some fabric, it was so great to hear from you :)

#41, #42, #43, #44 and #45

2008-06-09T13:54:00.000-04:00

These five fabrics are from my sister, Melissa, and her family. Each was chosen to represent a facet of her family :) Thanks guys! You owe Shepherd some wishes still, though... don't forget ;)

My helpers

2008-06-09T13:48:00.000-04:00

Every time these guys see me pull out the camera and NOT take pictures of them, they run in, begging for me to take pictures of them! How could I resist these faces?!?

#39 and #40

2008-06-09T13:45:00.001-04:00

These two gorgeous fabrics are from my longtime best buddy, Connie. She and I met in the 7th grade, so we've been friends for over 27 years... gosh, that makes me feel old! Connie has always been there for me, she is a wonderful friend :) Love ya, girl!!

#38

2008-06-09T13:39:00.000-04:00

Here is some fabric and a blessing for Shepherd from Gayle and her family. They are waiting for another little one from China, Aimee, and Gayle and I exchanged fabrics :) Thanks so much, Gayle!

#37

2008-06-09T13:36:00.000-04:00

This fabric is from Nicole, a new friend who is just beginning her adoption journey :) I love the fabric and wish, they are both adorable! Thanks so much for participating!

#36

2008-06-09T13:35:00.000-04:00

Talk about a blast from the past! This fabric is from my close high school friend, Julie! Thanks so much, I am so happy to have you represented in my little guy's quilt :)

#35

2008-06-09T13:27:00.001-04:00

This blessing and patriotic fabric square are from Amy, my Georgia buddy. Thanks SO much, Amy, for EVERYTHING... looking forward to finally meeting up someday soon :)

#34

2008-05-27T21:18:00.000-04:00

This beautiful fabric is from Andrea at Blogging Mama. She lives in Germany so it was truly an international week for Shepherd's quilt :)
Thanks so much, Andrea! I love it!

#33

2008-05-27T21:12:00.001-04:00

This adorable fabric is from Chelley, my buddy at Live Fully, Laugh Often, Love Deeply. This fabric is so special because it has a map of Australia on it, behind the cool cars, and it even has her hometown marked! Thanks so much, Chelley, I love it! and my son was SO excited to get a stamp all the way from 'Down Under' ;)

#32

2008-05-27T21:03:00.000-04:00

This patriotic fabric is from Sally and her family... perfect for Memorial Day! Thanks so much for the beautiful blessing and fabric, Sally :)

#31

2008-05-18T19:45:00.001-04:00

Janelle from Wise Tales sent us this gorgeous fabric and beautiful wish for Shepherd's quilt. Janelle and I have been friends since 2005 when we were both DTC in early 2005 for our little ones. So glad you, Grant, and Miss Chloe are going to be represented in Shepherd's quilt :)

#30

2008-05-18T19:42:00.001-04:00

This adorable square and blessing are from Denise at Love Keeps Growing More Love. And she JUST got home with her beautiful Maggie, so no one else has an excuse to NOT participate ;)
Thanks so much, Denise!
P.S. My kids LOVED the stickers, too :)

#29

2008-05-18T19:40:00.001-04:00

This is a very special blessing, it is from Sister Kim, who has followed our journey and been so supportive of our growing family :) It means a lot to me that you took the time to participate in Shepherd's quilt, Sister Kim... the fabric and blessing are perfect!

#26, #27 and #28 :)

2008-05-18T19:32:00.000-04:00

These three wishes and squares are from Debbie. She is a grandmother to a little one, Grace, who will be coming home from China. Thanks so much for contributing three squares to Shepherd's quilt, they are all adorable!

#25

2008-05-18T19:26:00.000-04:00

This wish and fabric are from Julie at A Little Red Thread. She has a beautiful daughter who is from the same province as Isabelle, her Maci is another Jiangsu beauty :)
Thanks so much, Julie!

#23 and #24

2008-05-03T15:22:00.000-04:00

These two fabrics are from Kim and Kate Emerson at 3 Peanuts. I so admire Kim's sense of style and it was reflected in the two beautiful fabrics she chose for us :) The chenille is so soft and snuggly and the bright blue fabric with stars is darling. Thanks so much, guys!

#22

2008-05-03T15:18:00.000-04:00

This darling fabric and blessing are from Desiree at Our Happily Ever After Story. I love it! The colors are so vibrant and it's definitely all boy ;) Be sure to check out Desiree's sewing site, she's makes some super cute outfits!!

#21

2008-05-03T15:11:00.000-04:00

This fabric is from Jenna at Waiting For Baby Panda Bear. The fabric was chosen because it is their state flower! Cool! Thanks so much, Jenna :)

#19 and #20

2008-05-03T15:04:00.001-04:00

These two fabrics are from Erin (at The Dream Continues) and her 'Guilin girl' Meizhi. Meizhi and Sophie were at Guilin at the same time :) Thanks so much, guys! I love them, they are beautiful!!

#18

2008-05-03T14:51:00.001-04:00

This adorable fabric is from Sheri at Table For Seven. They got their LOA for their son on the same day we did.. congratulations!! Maybe we'll be in China together :) Thanks Sheri!

#17

2008-05-03T14:46:00.001-04:00

This fabric is from Cindy at Happiness Is... (private) and her beautiful family. She is waiting on a little one from China, also :) Thanks so much, Cindy!

#15 and #16

2008-05-03T14:34:00.000-04:00

These two fabrics are from Michelle at Born In Our Hearts. I love them! Thanks so much, you guys have been a huge help in bringing Shepherd home! :)

#13 and #14

2008-04-24T15:47:00.001-04:00

These sweet fabrics and blessing is from Sara at Football and Fried Rice. She is the one who hooked us up in Iowa City last year when we took Jude to U of I for his clubfoot castings. We are so grateful to you guys for everything... and thanks so much for the fabric :)

#12

2008-04-24T15:39:00.000-04:00

Here is the fabric and blessing sent to us by Kim from Cate Comes Home. She is bringing home a little girl from China, Cate, who is darling! Thanks, Kim! I'll be getting the fabric for Cate's quilt out soon :)

#11

2008-04-24T15:30:00.000-04:00

This adorable "LOVE" fabric is from Michelle at I Run Like a Girl. She has been so supportive of our little ones, thanks so much, Michelle! We are so glad you are represented in Shepherd's quilt :)

#10

2008-04-24T15:24:00.001-04:00

This fabric and blessing come from Trina at Our Adoption Blessings. Their family is also awaiting a beautiful boy from China! Go visit her site and vote in her baby name poll... baby needs a name.
Thanks, Trina! Fabric for your little one's quilt will be on the way soon :)

#8 and #9

2008-04-17T21:15:00.001-04:00

These two darling fabrics and the lovely wish is from Di at First a Pearl, Then a Ruby! I'm so enamored with Miss Ruby Mei (and her faithful and inspiring family)... thanks so much Diana!

#7

2008-04-17T21:08:00.000-04:00

This patriotic fabric and blessing is from Jenn at Our Karleigh Mei! Of course, with a hubby in the military, you know we LOVE your fabric choice :) Thanks so much, Jenn!!

#6

2008-04-17T21:03:00.000-04:00

Here is some fabric from Katie Hodges, our Ni Hao Y'all camera giveaway winner! Thanks for the sweet star fabric and the beautiful blessing for Shepherd :)

#5

2008-04-17T20:57:00.000-04:00

This beautiful fabric is from Tami at Sea Glass and Jade. It's so unusual, it reminds me of sea oats :) Thanks Tami, for the fabric and the lovely card!

#4

2008-04-17T20:50:00.000-04:00

This adorable square is from Kelly O'Rourke from over at East to West O'Rourke. Clearly, this square represents her family perfectly :) Thanks so much, Kelly!

#3

2008-04-07T11:54:00.001-04:00

Here is our third fabric and blessing! It's from Denise and her family... the perfect choice to represent their family: sports! Thanks so much, guys!

#2

2008-04-07T11:52:00.001-04:00

This is the second fabric and blessing we received for Shepherd. It is from Wendy at Five Flowers.
Thanks so much, Wendy :)

#1

2008-04-07T11:50:00.000-04:00

This is the first fabric we received for Shepherd! It is from Andrea and comes straight from China! Thank you so much, Andrea :)

One Hundred Blessings for Shepherd

2008-03-08T17:59:00.000-05:00

It's time! I need to start collecting wishes and blessings for our son, Shepherd! I have seen others keep a blog to keep track of all the blessings and quilt squares they receive, but I've never done it. So this time I decided I'd go ahead and just do it!

The significance of the 100 Good Wishes Quilt!
In northern China, the birth of a child is celebrated with a colorful Bai Jia Bei, or "100 Good Wishes Quilt." Originally, the tradition involved cloth contributed by the newborn's friends and family. The quilt is said to contain the energy, good fortune and loving wishes of the gift givers.

How to participate!
We would be so humbled and honored if you took the time to contribute a piece of fabric to the quilt we'll be making for our sweet boy, along with a wish or blessing for him. The fabric should be quilting cotton (which is pretty much just regular cotton) which is 100% cotton. When you go to purchase it, just ask for 1/4 yard and send it without cutting it into squares, I can wash and cut it myself so all the squares will be the same size. The blessing can be whatever you would like to say to Shepherd or what you might wish for Shepherd's life. It can be lyrics from a song, a verse from the Bible, whatever you choose. Print out or write the blessing on acid free paper and it should measure 4 x 6 inches so I can place all the wishes in a photo album for him when he gets older.

Thank you!
I am so excited to get started on this. We have beautiful quilts for our other children from China and I can't wait to see what fabric is chosen for this newest little addition to our family. How wonderful for him to have this when he's older, he'll know how much he was loved and prayed for before he even came home :) SO many of you guys have supported us in our newest adoption venture and our fundraising efforts, I would so love to see you all represented in our son's quilt! So, if you have the time and the inclination, we would be so blessed by your participation! To get our address to participate, just email me at chrisnstefanie@gmail.com and I'll forward you our mailing address. Thanks SO much :)