JUNE 2009
I am just back from Conference (now called Institute) and can say that this was on of the best yet. Wednesday started out with classes from Patricia Pepe and Gina Halliday. Patricia taught us how to use he special X-Block template to make a very interesting quilt. As I have to be different, I turned the template over and made backwards stars! If you go on her site and see Kathy’s Phoenix Star you will know that I’ve finally made the big time. Patricia’s web site is www.patriciapepe.com.
My afternoon class with Gina Halliday was making Buzz Cakes. This pattern uses a layer cake put out by Moda (www.unitednotions.com). It has an entire line of fabric in it and is about 48 to 50 10x10 squares. Such a simple pattern that makes up so easily. Check out Gina’s patterns and ideas at www.threadedpear.com and her blog at www.quiltersbuzz.com. I also learned to make a casserole carrier, Fun and Done Quilt, several different types of quilt blocks and a wonderful paper crafting project. I picked up several other patterns and special treats for everyone for retreat.
I am so excited to tell you all the news:
In October, Project Linus will be at the Houston International Quilt Show. They will have a booth and welcome anyone who wants to volunteer and see the show. It is supposed to be the best. Check it out at www.visithoustontexas.com, one of the great things I found out on this site is that the Terra Cotta Soldiers from China will be at one of the Houston museums. What a great opportunity to see such great works of art. So, anyone up for a road trip? Anyone have an RV?
Next year there will not be a conference for coordinators. There will be regional “Institutes” and will include one day of sessions for the coordinators in the area, those who can drive to the site in about one day; and a second day of teaching, learning and fun projects for the volunteers! Next year the sites are Portland, Oregon and North Carolina (not sure where yet). We might get do one too if you all would like to.
There will also be a cruise next summer, check it out on www.quiltersbuzz.com. It should leave from LA and cruise down to Mexico and back. There will be classes, fun and relaxation. Start saving now as everyone is invited. Project Linus will have a special room on the ship for everyone to work on quilts for us during the cruise. Also, $100 of each fare is donated to Project Linus if you mention you are from our organization.
DON’T FORGET YOUR PLEDGES FOR OUR BLANKET EXTRAVAGANZA
Our July blanket bee will be from 9 AM to 9 PM as a fund raiser for our retreat and for more supplies. Please come and help us refill the coffers so we can get more batting, yarn and fleece for our meetings.
RETREAT ON AUGUST 22, 2009
Many of you may have received an unreadable/unprintable e-mail with the registration form in it. If you go to our website you should be able to download and print a legible form. Just print it out and send it in. I have invited Patrick Lose, designer of our Project Linus Fabric to attend, also Carol and Mary, our President and Vice-President and our founder, Karen Loucks Rinedollar may come. It may seem like one day is not a retreat, but you will get a lot out of this one.
If you get the Blanket Beacon, you will know that there is a contest for using Project Linus fabrics in quilts. Check out www.projectlinus.org for specifics but basically, there is a category for an individual quilt based on quality, craftsmanship and artistry. There are 2 categories for “Doing the Most Good” individuals and groups. Here’s the best part, chapters can enter the group category!!!
We will be using PL fabric at the retreat for both the quilting class and for the binding booth. So if you come to retreat you could help us win lots of fabric and supplies for our chapter!
STATE FAIR - October 17th We will need volunteers to work the State Fair on October 17 from about 10:00 to 4:00. Let me know if you can come and help out for even part of the day. Inducements include free entrance to the fair and free parking, happy smiling faces of the children who stop by to color squares and the opportunity to talk about what is near and dear to your heart- Project Linus.
Now it is tissue time, here are some letters received by our local chapters and national headquarters:
· The other day my son was hospitalized. Due to his cancer returning. He is three years old, and has been fighting cancer since Dec. 2007. This time was a lot harder on him as they found it in his spinal fluid and brain this time. At the hospital he was given a quilt made by one of your angels. He has not let it out of his sight.
I can not Thank you and the work you do enough. Just know this is one mom that will spread the same love. I would like to donate once I can, and I have asked others.
· This is from a thank you note received by the Eastern North Dakota Chapter:
From the child life specialist at one of the hospitals we support:
One day a four year old patient with Downs Syndrome was admitted. I brought
in a blanket moments before the nurse attempted to start an IV. After
several attempts an IV was still unable to be started. After the nurses left
the room the mother leaned over the crib and asked if it would be ok for her
to wrap her shivering daughter up in her new blanket. The look on her face
was absolute awe as she opened the hand pieced frog blanket. It is so
beautiful she gasped. She wrapped her daughter up awaiting another IV
start. In the meantime the results from lab work came back and it was
determined that the patient would need to be air lifted to another hospital.
What a beautiful gift of love to wrap this family in as they were being
transferred because of terrible news.
We had another patient last week that was admitted early in the morning. The
nurse immediately went to the storage closet and picked out the perfect
fleece blanket. The elementary school patient had just been diagnosed
Diabetes and was scared by what that would mean. The nurse reported that her
face lit up and stayed cuddled in her blanket during her entire stay. For
this patient it was more than a blanket, it was a sense of security.
Thank you Project Linus for the blankets you provide. They really are
appreciated by our families.
· My daughter received one of your blankets recently. She received it through
Childrens Hospital home health care. It was a wonderful surpise, when we
opened her box of healthcare supplies and there it was. What you do does
make a difference, it was a great thing for Sami as well as the rest of us,
just something unexpected that is a marvelous gesture, thank you very much!
Again we all thank you for this gift
Michael of Prussia Pa.
· Dear PL Family,
Doryce spoke to the East Valley Project Linus Group and told this story:
Nearly 5 years ago, my daughter Wendy Ford and her family (husband
Thomas, 10 year old Haley and 8 year old Patrick) attended a birthday
dinner for my other daughter Ronni. As they were on their back to
their Scottsdale, AZ home, on a Wednesday night at 8 p.m., a drunk
driver crashed into their van at nearly 60 mph. My daughter Wendy
died at the scene and little Haley died 20 days later at Phoenix
Children's Hospital as a result of her severe head injuries.
Fortunately, both Thomas and Patrick survived the physical impact of
the crash. The young 27 year old drunk driver is now serving 18 years
in prison.
For 20 days we hoped and prayed that our little Haley, an
accomplished dancer, would survive. When she ultimately succumbed to
her brain trauma, our family was asked, very lovingly by Donor
Network of Arizona, if we would be willing to donate her organs.
Without much hesitation, we agreed. After being taken off life
support for a very short time, Haley was declared legally brain
dead. For the next 24 hours, she was once again given oxygen to
maintain her healthy organs for transplant. Her heart was donated to
a 10 year old girl in California and her other organs to unknown
older recipients.
By now you may be wondering why such a sad story has been included in
your Project Linus newsletter....the reason is, during that 24 hour
"wait" period of determining who would be a match for Haley's organs,
our precious darling was given a light blue crocheted blanket from
YOU, Project Linus... it was heartwarming, even in a time of our
worst sorrow, to know that someone, who would be forever unknown to
our family, had taken the time to lovingly create this cover for little Angel.
We give 25-30 blankets each month to Project Night Night., our contact, Susan Zimmerman put our blankets into totes with a book and stuffed animal to give to homeless children in shelters. This is a letter Susan received:
· Hi Kendra,
My name is Kelly Wills and I work as a Crisis Interventionist at the Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. I wanted to take a moment to tell you what a wonderful job Susan Zimmerman is doing on behalf of Project Night Night. She has provided our Advocacy Center which is part of the Scottsdale Police Department with your totes.
We keep some of the totes at the Advocacy Center and also carry some in our City vehicles. As Crisis Interventionists, we respond to calls in the community including Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Mental Health as well as many others.
The totes are a wonderful tool to help calm and comfort a child in distress.
Thank you again for your organization and for the contributions you and Susan make in our community.
Sincerely,
Kelly
Kelly Wills, MC/MFT B1175
Scottsdale Police Department
Crisis Intervention Unit
480-312-6372
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