My name is Heather Spence and I am a Quilt Artist.  Primarily I longarm quilt for others but pattern design has become much more of a focus.  Quilting is a way for me to release all the creative energy I have inside, it connects me with my very creative children, provides a way for me to stay home with them and gives me an avenue to show how much I love and appreciate others by giving them special gifts of quilts.

In April of 2009 my mom was diagnosed with Chronic Leukemia.  Since then she has undergone chemotherapy twice and her diagnosis has changed a bit.  It is now Lymphoma/Leukemia and is much more aggressive than originally thought.  Currently she is in remission, which
is such wonderful news, however, as she puts it, “The Mother Ships are still out there.”  Meaning, the cancer will come back, it is just a matter of
time.

You can imagine what a blow this has been for our family.  My parents just celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary in May.  Besides myself I have three siblings and, between the four of us, there are seven grandchildren.  My husband is Australian, one of my sister-in-laws is Japanese and the other is from El Salvador.  Family get-togethers are a sight to behold with different languages, accents,
children…oh…and beer.  My mom told me recently that she wants to grow old with her family.  To see her grandchildren get married and, hopefully, see great grandbabies be born.

The good news is there is an excellent chance for this to happen.  She is the perfect candidate for a stem cell transplant.  Apparently the vast majority of people with her cancers who get the stem cell transplants these days go into permanent remission, though there are a lot of things that can go wrong, it is her best chance of long-term survival.  I am, and on behalf of the rest of my family, so grateful for all the people who
have given in the past to make the research happen for innovations such as this procedure.

However, she needs to do fund-raising for herself and I am determined to help her.

I have created a quilt pattern called Dan’s Climb and it is my next Mystery Quilt By Email.  All monies raised go directly to her.  My goal is to have 100 quilters join the Mystery Quilt.

Here’s how it works:  Once a week at noon starting October 7^th you will receive via email a clue that is one or two steps towards finishing this quilt.  This is not a complicated pattern.  Beginning quilters (though I wouldn’t suggest it as your very first quilt) can easily make this quilt.  You should be able to complete each clue in about an hour or two.

It is a fat quarter quilt with one fat quarter equaling one block.  There are two sizes: twin and queen.  Each block is 16” (finished) with the largest piece being 8” (finished).

The cost of the Mystery Quilt is $10.00US.  You will receive fabric requirements when I receive payment.

At noon on September 2, 2011 I received and email from my friend and client, Tina.  She gave me a challenge and I need your help!
Here’s what she said:

“In the spirit of getting your mom well and w/ apologies to fundraisers at public radio, I have a challenge for your subscribers.  If 15 people join up by midnight on Monday (September 5, 2011), I will donate an extra 10 dollars per person.  It has to be the full 15 and it has to be by midnight Monday!  HOWEVER, first, I would like to know how many fat quarters are needed…there are several sales on this weekend and I’d like to get the fabrics now!”

How could I pass this up?!?  So there are several ways to get a hold of me…stop by my blog/website  www.heatherspencedesigns.com or
send me an email heather@heatherspencedesigns.com.  I can also be found on Facebook.

The support I’ve had so far has been mind-blowing!!  It moves me to tears that so many want to help my family.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

With kindest regards,

~ h