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I'm Michelle Cox -- the owner of Lipstick to Crayons. I’m also a Mom to three kids (a teen, tween and toddler), a professional writer (www.michellemcox.com) and a blogger (www.fromthemom.com). And I love to save money (and help you do the same) via frugal deals and steals, coupons and other thrifty practices. My freelance writing business allows me to enjoy the great balance of being a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom, while also making time for blogging, running (ran the Chicago Marathon twice) some amateur photography and scrapbooking. I’m a St. Louis native, although I have lived outside of the city and the state. A few of my passions are amateur photography, scrapbooking and attending kids' sporting events.

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Gift of Memories and Quilt Giveaway – CLOSED

March 2nd, 2010 • Related • Filed Under
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To my way of thinking, God blesses us with a memory so that we can relive in our hearts and minds the abundance of precious moments that define our lives. As a Mom, my most precious and sacred memories involve my children:

  • The moment they were born
  • Nursing them
  • Carrying them out of the hospital, dressed adorably for their homecoming
  • Swaddling them snugly in a blanket to comfort them and rock them to sleep
  • Dressing them for their first Christmas
  • Tucking them in a sling and carrying them close to my body, mimicking and missing the days when they were carried in my body
  • Dressing them alike for photos and knowing how quickly they won’t tolerate such a humiliating injustice

Like most Moms, I have ways of actively preserving those memories — photographs, momentos and scrapbooks. A few weeks ago, I received a package in the mail from Campus Quilts, maker of custom t-shirt quilts. The package contained what instantlybecame my most prized material possession (aside from my engagement/wedding ring, honey): A quilt made from the articles of clothing that represent my “Mommy Memories.” Take a look:

Obviously, in addition to making t-shirt quilts, Campus Quilts also makes beautiful quilts from baby outfits, sweatshirts, socks, hats, and any other memorable fabric. When I opened this box, tears sprung to my eyes. And that happened several more times in the following days as I ran my fingers over the amazing attention to detail on this quilt and relived and reminisced the moments represented here.

This is the dress my oldest wore home from the hospital on that chilly April morning almost 15 years ago. She and I both were slightly battered from a rough delivery, and our state still hadn’t passed the 48-hour law, so we weren’t quite ready to be exiting the hospital about 24 hours after her arrival. But she looked adorable in this smocked piece that I had chosen along with something similiar in blue because I hadn’t “peeked” to find out what flavor we were getting that first time.

This quilt square creatively displays both my son’s first Christmas bib overalls and the fabric from a pair of matching pajamas that he and my oldest daughter wore when they were 2-  and 5-years-old. I remember proudly displaying our baby boy that first Christmas when he was just six months old, happy and smiling as long as his Mommy was holding him. And I have pictures of my two older children coming down the steps on Christmas morning, wearing those matching pajamas and squealing with delight when they spotted the mountain of presents under the tree. Notice the attention to detail on this quilt square, too — the hardware and straps of the overalls were left intact and loose on the square, giving it a three-dimensional, almost interactive quality.

Here is a square with a sleeper that all three of my babies wore, and another square displaying fabric from the gown I wore to give birth to my youngest two chidlren (I didn’t know when I had my first one that you could insist on wearing what you WANT to wear when giving birth).

This square shows the fabric from a handy nursing cover-up I used for modesty while nursing my last baby for 20+ months. Very early in her life, she would see me take this cover-up out of my diaper bag and become very animated, arms and legs pumping and mouth opening and closing like a little fish.

And this square shows the Christmas dress that my oldest wore when she was about 18 months, and my youngest wore just this past Christmas at the age of two. See how the skilled hands at Campus Quilts left the pleats in-tact, as well as the buttons and felt bows and collar on the dress — the detailing just MAKES this quilt!

So, if you’ve had enough of my trip down memory lane, let me tell you how you can win $150 toward a priceless quilt of your own (or one to give to your Mom for Mother’s Day made of clothes from the grandkids, or to a high school graduate, made of cherished t-shirts from camps, sports and other activities.  (NOTE TO BLOGGERS: Campus Quilt will double the prize to $300 if  you win here and then blog about it with a link to Campus Quilts on your blog).

Giveaway Guidelines

To win, visit  Campus Quilts and then come back here and tell me in the comment section below your favorite idea for a quilt (hint — you can look on the link called “pictures and ideas” at the top of their page).

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

  1. Become of fan of Campus Quilt on Facebook.
  2. Blog about this contest
  3. Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
  4. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter
  5. Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
  6. Stumble this post
  7. Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
  8. Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time March18, 2010.  Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winner does not claim prize by March 20, 2010, he/she will forfeit the prize to alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA and Canada residents only please.

This contest is closed. Congratulations to Roby, comment #88.

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There Are 101 Responses So Far. »

  1. #1 Annette D on March 3, 2010:

    I really liked the quilts with the jerseys, great for kids who play sports!

  2. #2 Annette D on March 3, 2010:

    I am an email subscriber!

  3. #3 Pixie on March 3, 2010:

    I love the idea of making a quilt with pictures of my cats!

  4. #4 Pixie on March 3, 2010:

    I’m a fan of campus quilts on facebook as pennypinchingpixie

  5. #5 Pixie on March 3, 2010:

    I subscribe via email

  6. #6 Pixie on March 3, 2010:

    I’m a fan on facebook to Lipstick to Crayons

  7. #7 Annette D on March 3, 2010:

    I am a fan of Campus Quilts on FB

  8. #8 Mary T. on March 3, 2010:

    I have two ideas: a wedding quilt using swatches of material from the mother of the bride, mother of the groom, wedding veil, wedding dress, brides maids, flower girl etc…..
    The other is to use swatches of material at a baby baptism, as noted above.

  9. #9 Mary T. on March 3, 2010:

    #2 I subscribed via emails.

  10. #10 Amy on March 3, 2010:

    I like the baby clothing idea best. My youngest turns three next month, and I’d love a fun way to ‘remember’ all their outfits and early stories!

  11. #11 sandy on March 3, 2010:

    baby clothing and tees

  12. #12 Katy on March 3, 2010:

    I like the tshirt quilts as my kids have tons of tshirts to use for them!

  13. #13 Katy on March 3, 2010:

    I am a facebook fan Katy Y

  14. #14 Katy on March 3, 2010:

    I already subscribe to your email

  15. #15 Katy on March 3, 2010:

    I am a facebook fan of yours

  16. #16 Annette D on March 3, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/9955620436

  17. #17 Angela Bailey on March 4, 2010:

    I like the sports shirts/jersey idea. My son is just 10 but he has played ball since T-ball and he gets to play football this fall and I have saved every shirt and this would make great use of them.

  18. #18 Angela Bailey on March 4, 2010:

    Subscribe via email.

  19. #19 Angela Bailey on March 4, 2010:

    Tweeted. http://twitter.com/theladya/status/9968522883

  20. #20 Rebecca Scott on March 4, 2010:

    I like the wee quilt for baby clothes the best.

  21. #21 Rebecca Scott on March 4, 2010:

    Subscribed to your blog via email

  22. #22 Rebecca Scott on March 4, 2010:

    Became a fan of Campus Quilt on facebook

  23. #23 courtney on March 4, 2010:

    My favorite is the Wee Quilt! OH my gosh… I was going to have a rummage sale and I am so glad to have found this before I did. I am so going to do this for my children!

  24. #24 courtney on March 4, 2010:

    i subscribe to the feed.

  25. #25 Stephanie on March 4, 2010:

    Oh man, I want them all! But I love the idea of using my little man’s old clothes… I’m also a runner and would love to do one with all my old race shirts!

  26. #26 Stephanie on March 4, 2010:

    I’m a fan of Campus Quilts on facebook

  27. #27 Stephanie on March 4, 2010:

    I subscribed to your blog via google reader

  28. #28 Jamie on March 4, 2010:

    I loved the little one that even had the sandals with the swimsuit!

  29. #29 Jamie on March 4, 2010:

    I am a subscriber!

  30. #30 Chelsea Fetch on March 4, 2010:

    I like the idea of using shirts bought on vacations. How neat!

  31. #31 Annette D on March 4, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/10000515457

  32. #32 Monique Rizzo on March 4, 2010:

    I like the baby clothing best. Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill@comcast.net

  33. #33 Rhonda Martin on March 5, 2010:

    My son graduates this year in less than 3 months and I would love to have a quilt made out of his cloths. I saved his baby clothes that were special. I have his little hat he came home with from the hospital and his fist sports shirt from t-ball, a signed t-shirt by grave digger when he was only 5yrs old. I have so many of these items I would love to put in a quilt for him. He would be shocked. I showed him a shirt of his a couple of weeks ago that he made in preschool and he grinned ear to ear and said you saved that mom. I said “Of Course I Did” Thanks for sharing this with all your readers :)

  34. #34 Rhonda Martin on March 5, 2010:

    I became a fan of Campus Quilts on facebook
    exotic1

  35. #35 Rhonda Martin on March 5, 2010:

    I’m a subscriber. Thanks for all the great emails:)

  36. #36 Rhonda Martin on March 5, 2010:

    I have your button on my sidebar. I just love buttons~!

  37. #37 Rhonda Martin on March 5, 2010:

    Follow and tweeted @twitter about this review and giveaway here
    http://twitter.com/exotic1/status/10022584452
    exotic1
    Now off to blog bbl

  38. #38 Rhonda Martin on March 5, 2010:

    I’ve been blogging about this review and giveaway here http://exotic1.blogspot.com/2010/03/campus-quilt-giveaway-lipstick-to.html
    Thanks Again for all you do for all of us~!

  39. #39 Annette D on March 5, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/10045834967

  40. #40 nan lara on March 5, 2010:

    i would definately do a quilt of my son’s cutest or most memorable outfits…i hated packing them up!
    nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net

  41. #41 nan lara on March 5, 2010:

    e-mail subscriber

  42. #42 Patti Hess on March 6, 2010:

    I have a dress my Oma (German for Grandma) crochet for me…I would like to put it in this so it will be perserved I was only about 3 years old…

    pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
    thanks bunches

  43. #43 Patti Hess on March 6, 2010:

    Fan of Campus Quilt Co. on Facebook

    pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
    thanks bunches

  44. #44 Patti Hess on March 6, 2010:

    subscribe via e=mail

    pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
    thanks bunches

  45. #45 Patti Hess on March 6, 2010:

    fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook

    pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
    thanks bunches

  46. #46 Annette D on March 6, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/10093057224

  47. #47 hj on March 7, 2010:

    i love the tshirt quilts and the neckties.

  48. #48 hj on March 7, 2010:

    i follow lipstick to crayon on FB at a marie hj saver

  49. #49 MaryBeth I on March 7, 2010:

    I am not entering but I do want everyone to know how gorgeous these quilts are. I hosted a giveaway also a few months ago and just LOVE my quilt. So much better in person than a picture could do justice to.

    GLTA and congrats in advance to a very lucky winner :)

  50. #50 Amanda on March 7, 2010:

    I love the tshirt quilts!
    oheeyore at hotmail dot com

  51. #51 Amanda on March 7, 2010:

    email subscriber
    oheeyore at hotmail dot com

  52. #52 Amanda on March 7, 2010:

    technorati favorite
    oheeyore at hotmail dot com

  53. #53 Christine on March 7, 2010:

    So many cute ideas. I like the thought of using my son’s clothes from when he was a baby. Another cool idea I saw was using all my old college tee shirts. Thanks for the chance!

  54. #54 Christine on March 7, 2010:

    I am an email subscriber.

  55. #55 Christine on March 7, 2010:

    I am a FB fan = Christine W

  56. #56 Christine on March 7, 2010:

    Tweeted at http://twitter.com/justicecw/status/10157764761

  57. #57 Mrs. Cox on March 8, 2010:

    I love these quilts! Such a fantastic idea. I’d definitely make good use of some of my daughter’s infant shirts and onesies and make a quilt for her. The hard part would be choosing which ones to use! :)

  58. #58 Mrs. Cox on March 8, 2010:

    Fan of Campus Quilt on Facebook :: http://www.facebook.com/mrscox

  59. #59 Mrs. Cox on March 8, 2010:

    Google reader sub.

  60. #60 Mrs. Cox on March 8, 2010:

    Fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook :: http://www.facebook.com/mrscox

  61. #61 Mrs. Cox on March 8, 2010:

    Tweeted :: http://twitter.com/MrsCox/status/10179558027
    Thanks for the chance{s}!

  62. #62 Annette D on March 8, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10194587526

  63. #63 Jen on March 8, 2010:

    I like the idea of using a sports theme for a quilt.

  64. #64 Brandy on March 8, 2010:

    I love the quilts with baby clothes. I also think it would be neat to have a princess quilt for my daughter.

  65. #65 sandra on March 9, 2010:

    i just want to put a few of my favorite baby pieces together

  66. #66 Annette D on March 9, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10248750969

  67. #67 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I love the baby outfits in a quilt. It is my fav idea :)

  68. #68 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I tweeted under bayboymamma

  69. #69 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I am a fan of theirs on FB

  70. #70 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I blogged about your contest :)

  71. #71 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I am an email subscriber

  72. #72 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I love the spoodles

  73. #73 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I am a FB fan of yours :)

  74. #74 Stephanie on March 10, 2010:

    I stumbles this post

  75. #75 Annette D on March 10, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10298272156

  76. #76 Stephanie on March 11, 2010:

    tweeted! under bayboymamma!

  77. #77 Annette D on March 11, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10348400487

  78. #78 Annette D on March 12, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10398899068

  79. #79 Stephanie on March 12, 2010:

    Tweeted under bayboymamma!

  80. #80 Annette D on March 13, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10449583619

  81. #81 maggie on March 14, 2010:

    Love being able to recycle all those HS shirts we had to buy.

  82. #82 Annette D on March 14, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10485949756

  83. #83 Annette D on March 15, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10542240459

  84. #84 Robyn L Norris on March 16, 2010:

    I ike the T-shirt Quilt!

  85. #85 Robyn L Norris on March 16, 2010:

    I’m a FB fan of Campus Quilts

  86. #86 Robyn L Norris on March 16, 2010:

    I’m a FB fan of Lipstick to Crayons

  87. #87 Robyn L Norris on March 16, 2010:

    I tweeted

    http://twitter.com/contestrobyn/status/10558369877

  88. #88 Robyn L Norris on March 16, 2010:

    I subscribe to your mailing list

  89. #89 Annette D on March 16, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10598070812

  90. #90 christopher h on March 17, 2010:

    i’d love one with old sports team tees

  91. #91 Nanette Olson on March 17, 2010:

    I like number 0000-0047.

  92. #92 brooke on March 17, 2010:

    I would love to do one of my husbands military tee-shirt of places he has been and unit etc.. OR one with the favorite outfits of my two wee kids.. weeshenanigans (at) gmail (dot) com

  93. #93 Annette D on March 17, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10650791613

  94. #94 Trina on March 18, 2010:

    I love the wee quilts. I would love to do one with my two boys different Christmas Outfits to bring out at the holidays.

  95. #95 debp on March 18, 2010:

    I liked the idea of a tshirt quilt. My son has a huge collection of them.
    debp
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  96. #96 Happi Shopr on March 18, 2010:

    I love the tshirt quilt – it’s perfect for hubby’s Christian tees that are a little worn and a good excuse to buy him more, lol.

  97. #97 Annette D on March 18, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10691084119

  98. #98 Susan Margaret on March 18, 2010:

    I think the T-shirt Quilts is really cool!

    charmtime at gmail dot com

  99. #99 Gianna on March 18, 2010:

    http://www.campusquilt.com/ideas/target1.html

  100. #100 Sand on March 18, 2010:

    My favorite is the Picnic T-Shirt Quilt.

  101. #101 Annette D on March 19, 2010:

    tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/10745246423