Her New Life

I don't know how to have youtube videos appear on my blog.  It can't be that hard, right?  So no video, but here's a link to My New Life:  Stephanie's touching story.  You probably read her blog and know about this already, but it's beautiful, and worth another mention.

daytime television

Mark got to take home our table's centerpiece, with the winning sticker on the back of his program. I love the white and green.
 On Saturday, we were able to attend the annual COPA ball, a black tie event to raise money for the Maricopa Health Foundation, which is hugely responsible for Stephanie and Christian's recovery through the Burn Unit at Maricopa County Hospital. You may remember last year we attended as well. Only last year, Stephanie and Christian were in comas. The tone of the event, for us, was obviously much more somber. We did not know how or when or if they would recover.

This year, the event was joyous. A celebration of the miracles that faith + medicine can produce. Stephanie and Christian were guest speakers and had the whole audience captivated with their remarkable story. Tears flowed. Standing ovations were given. We were so grateful to be in attendance and so thankful for the donor who purchased the expensive table (it IS a fundraiser) so more of C and S's families could attend. I don't know who it was, but we are most appreciative. And, as you likely already know, Stephanie and Christian will be on OPRAH today! Don't miss it!

the winner

Christine, from Alaska, wins! She made a most generous bid/donation to Stephanie and Christian's recovery fund and she will receive this quilt, which I would love to keep and might need to make one for myself to hang on the wall, in 3-5 days! Thanks Christine!

up for auction

Go here to bid on this quilt. All proceeds - 100% - go directly to help Stephanie and Christian Nielson.

This auction will end Monday online, NOT carried over to Monday night's live auction in Provo.

Free shipping. Tell your friends.

And don't bid here. I'm not running the show or taking any money. Go here instead. Thank you!

busy - the good kind

Weekend, in a nutshell:

1. Friday: Saw Lend Me a Tenor with some most generous, and very fun friends at the Hale Centre Theater. It was very well done! We laughed and laughed and had a great time.
2. Saturday: Cleaned out my old file crate that's been sitting in the garage, untouched, for 8 years. Old taxes, teaching junk, more junk. 95% went to the trash or shredder.
3. Saturday: Went to a BBQ at our friends' beautiful home complete with giant bouncy castle and delicious food. So fun!
4. Sunday: After attending our own ward, we went to my nephew, Ben's ward for his farewell talk. He's leaving on a mission for our church in 2 weeks. Colombia.
5. Sunday: Visited Christian and kids who are in town for a few days. So good to talk with him and listen to the happiness in his voice. He has come so far and is determined to help Stephanie continue to heal. He looks and sounds great! Our kids were excited to see Claire and Jane and Ollie too. After just a few minutes, they were all playing cowboys or school or dress up.
6. Sunday: Open house for Ben at his home. Lots of good food and company! Ben is going to be an incredible example to the people he meets in Colombia. He's a great young man.
7. Sunday Night: Meltdown.

summer in november

I just finished this for a client who liked the Stephanie and Christian auction quilt I made several months ago. I believe it is for her daughter who is away at college, living in the dorms, in a snow filled state, far from her southern California home. "Summer in the City*" sounds just about right. Also, I'm told this co-ed loves orange and turquoise. Happy warming.

*fabric: summer in the city by urban chicks for Moda

saturday is a special day

Saturday was busy. Cheered for Jonah at flag football in the morning. Took the girls to the Benefit Garage Sale for Christian and Stephanie. Met the very kind people hosting the sale.
Found this almost-complete set of 14 adorable vintage children's readers. {only 12} Put the books on hold and then off to the nearby bakery to get some cash {and a huge brownie for the girls + my favorite granola} so I could pay for said books: The Children's Hour set, published in 1953.

Back at home, burned 65 cds for our church primary program.

Grocery shopped.

Helped my sister at the will-call table for the Mindy Gledhill benefit concert.

Cried much as my darling nieces sang for their mom and dad.

Loved the whole concert!

Found Mindy to be very entertaining and talented.

Met and chatted with Jaimee Rose {AZ Republic journalist behind the recent articles on S + C}.

Visited with old friends.

Posed for this picture with my cute sister and cute mom.

Gave my camera to Darin who snapped a photo of Mindy and my nieces and nephew.

Brought home THE silhouette cookies (YUM!) for our kids. They were thrilled!

And Christian came home.

me and my shadow

WOW! Look what Melissa* has made for the concert on Saturday. Almost too good to eat. I will be buying. Claire + Jane + Ollie + Gigs are going to love these! And I think Christian needs/deserves a few, even though cookies are not part of his recovery diet. No doubt the kids will take care of this little issue. It's the least they can do for their dad!
*we're cousins. pretty much.

music and passion are always in fashion at the Copa....

This is the Nielson Clan (actually only about 1/3 of the adult Nielson clan) at the Copa Ball at the lovely Camelback Inn Saturday Night. The 5th annual event was put on by the Maricopa Health Foundation to benefit the patient and community services it supports. One of which is the Arizona Burn Center, where Stephanie and Christian have been receiving care for the past 7+ weeks. We are ever thankful for the phenomenal medical attention and love the doctors and staff have provided them. So....we were thrilled when the President of the foundation donated a table to members of C & S's families.
This picture was taken post dinner. Stephanie's brother, Andrew, and his cute wife Megan dined with us, but left early (thus missing the photo op.) to make it to the hospital to see Stephanie before visiting hours were over. They headed back to Utah on Sunday. It was great to talk to them about how the children are doing, the vegetarian family count*, and stories of Christian and Steph.
We had a great time and were especially entertained by the live-auctioneer. He was amazing and Mark had to stay my hand several times, from bidding on something. Anything. He (the auctioneer) was just so fun and convincing, he really got people into the spirit of bidding and I was no exception. Alas, we left empty handed. No Sedona getaway, no Suns pkg., no framed pink underwear, signed by Joe Arpaio. The woman who bought the pink underwear was the only bidder on that item, and the auctioneer kept her bidding anyway. She outbid herself at least 4 times. It was funny. All for a good cause though. Debbie did win the fancy centerpiece, pictured above - not in the auction, more of a door prize really. *the entree was filet mignon, which C & S would not have appreciated, but their dog, Jimmy is a carnivore. Jimmy, can you say leftover filet mignon? yum yum.

beneficial

likely you already know about these events for Christian and Steph on Saturday. but just in case.... 1) Big Garage Sale in Gilbert. If you haven't been to Agritopia, you're in for a treat! New-ish neighborhood built the charming old school way: darling homes, front porches, low fences, detached garages, split-grass driveways (is that what you call them?), etc. etc. 2) Huge Sale at SOEL boutique in Provo. I went for the first time this summer and let me tell you, I drooled. Cuuuute and Hip. And a bowl full o' Good & Plenties at the counter for snacking while checking out. MMMMMM! 3) Also this Saturday, The General Relief Society Meeting Broadcast, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Not a benefit sale, but you will certainly benefit. More info here.

pizza and prayers

On Saturday, we spent some time with Stephanie and Christian at the hospital. First stop was to see Miss Stephanie. She was more responsive than I've ever seen her. Her sister, Page, was there when we arrived and the two seemed to be having a delightful conversation - Page talking about happy childhood memories and such, and Stephanie waving her mummied-arms and moving something fierce! She wanted to talk so badly! It was exciting, but we also felt her frustration. We told her we love her and we're so proud of her. We just keep praying for her and hope that she feels some comfort when we tell her of the thousands of people who are also praying. If flailing is any indication, she feels it and is very grateful!

We also talked with her Dad who recounted some funny stories about Steph's boyish page-boy haircut as a child, which happens to be the subject of her blog today.

Christian has been awake and alert for several days and it was great to visit with him finally. He looked so good! He's really healing nicely. We brought him his favorite LGO avocado pizza and he accepted it so graciously - mmmm-ing and smiling and thanking. Christian was visibly tired and I am sure we stayed too long, but he seemed happy to talk to us - repeatedly expressing gratitude and concern and love for Stephanie, and us all. We assured him of our love as well.

So many miracles we've witnessed already. And we're praying for more.

get your wallet out

Today's the day to buy something special. And with purpose. I am auctioning this handmade baby/toddler quilt in Stephanie and Christian's behalf and one lucky bidder will have an oh-so-happy daughter! Or, this would be a fabulous gift for your sister or friend who is expecting.

bright pink, orange and turquoise are irresistible!

I have made 2 quilts (see Gigs' quilt here) for Stephanie's kids and in her words, "things don't need to, and probably shouldn't, be so matchy-matchy." I agree. If you read her blog, you know that her eclectic style is stunning. So go on, bid. Don't worry about your sister's baby colors.

She will love this!

Quilt measures approx. 47" x 35".

A few more details:
*100% cotton top *super soft minkee back *freehand machine quilted *machine wash cold *tumble dry

You know you want this! How this silent auction works:

1) Please place your bid by leaving a comment with your Bid Amount in the comments section. Check the comments to see the most recent high bid. Please bid in increments of whole dollars.

2) Following the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (make sure your comment bid includes an email address or link to your blog or some way to contact you). The winner will pay the amount of their winning bid to the Stephanie and Christian PayPal account. The winner will then forward the PayPal receipt to me and I will send the quilt to her (or him). (Or send me a check and I'll deposit the money for you.) Shipping's on me.

3) The auction will end at 10 pm MST, SATURDAY AUGUST 30, 2008. Thank you for participating!

going once, going twice...

Gabby, over at Designmom, has come up with a great idea. She's holding an online auction Thursday, Aug. 28, to benefit Christian and Stephanie and their impending medical bills (we're talking millions). She's linking to anyone else who wants to do the same. Cool. So on Thursday, check her site for all the wonderful items for sale, then come back to mine and bid on a one-of-a-kind handmade baby quilt, made by moi. Tell your friends. It's a really nice thing to do for someone in need, and you'll get something really cute in return! Really. Tell your friends. If no one bids, my sweet mom will feel obligated to buy it!

Thanks, Emily, for the idea and the push.

Christian and Stephanie have so many friends, family and awesome people they don't even know, praying for them. What a blessing. Thank you. Thank you. We are hopeful for their recovery. We love them so! News coverage here. And updates from Stephanie's sister here.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Check out the FRONT PAGE of The Arizona Republic's Home section (Saturday) for a look at nienie's beautiful home. Or if you subscribe to an inferior paper, look it up here. Nice work Stephanie!!!

YOU ARE A STAR!