Well hey, what great encouragement, Strawbs. Mind, there is a world of difference between stream of consciousness waffling on my favourite plant forum and actually having the discipline (a very unfamiliar word) to maintain interest and consistency. I suspect writing is a vocation rather than a passing whim - those who do it (and do it well) could no more NOT write than not breathe. Even so, I do agree that a challenge, even if only a tiny personal daily chore, is always worth taking on. So, I dipped a tentative toe into the world of self-publishing and possible blogging (or at least looked at various websites). Although I haven't been terrified out of making an attempt (so far), I have been entertained by the legions of literary editors, wannabe authors and the cut-throat (and ever-so faintly delusional) nature of that whole bookish domain - considerably more predatory than the genteel world of horticulture - although I think the giant vegetable brigade are a tad more excitable (homicidal) than mere dilettantes such as most of us. At any rate, I have found it both comforting and enlightening, sharing experiences here - not just regarding plants and planting,but as a way of crossing cultural and social barriers which may well have proved insurmountable in real life. Since I find I can ramble on interminably despite a totally humdrum existence - having something interesting, or at least different, to deal with could produce a tsunami of creativity - at the very least, I am not expecting to die of boredom any time soon. Plus, I have a camera...and vaguely know how to use it....so I expect I will carry on as usual (with pics). So, to rise to the challenge of seeing this as an adventure and not a disaster, please forgive if I slip into occasional venting mode. And, to keep me company in uncharted waters, who else is intending to step off the everyday path, however daintily (maybe an experimental garden plan, a diet, a renunciation or a promise - something which takes you a tiny bit out of your comfort zone)?

Although Linus Project doesn't come up in all areas, it is sanctioned. If you enter a city name in the search instead of a zip code and the system doesn't recognize the city, it will bump you to a national list. Project Linus is the 3rd or 4th listing on that page. Try doing a search for "Avalon Park, FL" and it will pop up. The blankets are sent to a national Linus site instead of to a local collection site, so they will accept them from anywhere. Kate

It's a sickness. When my sister was here recently, I opened up the closet and she said quite a few bad words in exclamation. But she doesn't quilt. And it doesn't dawn on her pea brain that every time she drops an "I need another quilt" hint that I can't afford to rush out to the LQS to buy expensive new fabric. That goes for all the others who think the same way. Why does a man have a garage full of tools and gadgets that he "might need someday"? Why does a foodie have a kitchen full of gadgets and pots and pans still in the boxes?? And yes, I have stuff that I look at and wonder "why??" but I'm not getting rid of it. When I was working it was nothing to go out every week and drag home 5 to 10 yards of fabric. Now that I'm not working I'm so glad I did.

You can send me your email address through this site and I'll send you my instructions for the dress, you'll have to modify to fit an infant. Susan