... Since having children, we have sadly become no strangers to hospital...
Unfortunately I had to have hospital stays during both pregnancies. And if we count the 5 days she had to stay in hospital for jaundice & feeding problems after she was born, then Hannah has been in hospital 3 times for serious illnesses in her short life...THEN there's the multitude of extra visits to the emergency department where one of us has had treatment but not had to be admitted (including me quite badly burning my 26 week pregnant belly - whoops!).
Sheesh... we actually became on a first name basis with a couple of the ED doctors at one point!
And despite the fact that I sometimes have a little rant about them in exhausted frustration, my children are my entire world... they really do hold the keys to my heart and I love them more than I thought I ever could love a person.
Period!
It really rocks me to my core when either of them are sick!
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| Hannah's foot - September 2009 |
So I know first hand just how distressing it is as a mother to look down at your very sick child and struggle to hold on to hope {and at times reason!!}...
Perhaps that is why when I was standing in line a Spotlight a few weeks ago with a trolley full of 40% off fabric my ears picked up to the conversation of the lady if front of me in the queue, and the cause that she spoke using her discount fabric for tore at my heart and compelled me to take action...
The lady told me us that she was using the fabric to sew "Blankets of Hope".
Her son & daughter-in-law had recently had a very premature baby. At the end of their hospital stay (at our Perth Children's hospital) they were presented with a "Blanket of Love" quilt as a gift. So they had asked their mum, my fellow Spotlight bargain hunter, to make some more quilts for the hospital to pay forward the love.
I was touched!
What a great cause!
Anything that can make a hospital stay more comfortable for a sick baby and offer their family a bit of love & strength during their time of need has got to be good in my book!
And what a great use of my overflowing scrap bin & fabric stash!
So I contacted the hospital the next day to find out more...
Meet Alexandria...
She is the very cute model of a "Blanket of Love"....
(although I should probably say that this one is not made by me... I'm not actually sure who the maker of this one is)
(although I should probably say that this one is not made by me... I'm not actually sure who the maker of this one is)
These blankets are not very big - really only large doll quilt size! So they really would not need to take long at all. - But I bet the message of love that they send speaks volumes!!
So I have decided that since I am finishing with 2 of my bees this month, and since the "do good stitches" bee has not contacted me back yet, that I will start this bee for Blankets of Love instead...
Each month, instead of making a bee block for someone as I used to, I will make at least 1 of these little quilts instead.
Does anyone want to join with me in this cause?
You can join in any capacity you feel led too - whether that be sending me any orphan quilt blocks or tops that you have as a one off, making some mini quilts yourself (these can be for your local hospital - they don't have to be for mine), donating fabric or money for quilt backs/wadding... anything really. It's up to you!
I just think it would be so great to be using my (our) gifts to help the community!
So if you are keen to help then either leave a comment here or email me to discuss details. And lets pass on some love people :)
Happy Monday!
17 comments:
What a fab idea! I must see if Yorkhill children's hospital (which takes in not only children from Glasgow, but much of Scotland from the far reaches of the highlands down to the borders) has something like this. Quilting's not as big a thing here, but if they do, I might suggest it to my local fabric shop to put a leaflet out to advertise (they seem happy to advertise anything sewy)
Having had four premmies...two requiring NICU care and in total around 30weeks in hospital with said pregnancies and weeks as a mummy to children who get sick and/or require surgery I wholeheartedly support this.
I am a bit pushed for time at the moment but would definitely be keen to help in anyway I can once my load eases...will be in touch :)
xx
I'm in! What can I do? Blocks? Fabric? Let me know what you need and I'll jump.
What dimensions are they looking for when making the quilts, please?
My local hospital used to do this so am going to check if they still do. My two bees are finished already or finishing this month so am planning on making a couple of blocks for Bee Blessed on Flickr too.
I think it's a brilliant idea, but after sitting down and going through my current projects I'm not going to be able to put my hand up for awhile. Hopefully once I get through some of these I'll get all the info from you so that I can make some.
I've made a couple of blankets for the local hospital for the same purpose. It's a wonderful idea. Good luck with your efforts. Hope you get a ton of people to participate.
Isabella was 6 weeks 'premmie' so happy to help in any way. Just let me know what you 'need' me to do ! X
What a wonderful idea Kat!
My quilt guild, TLC Quilters, asks each member to make at least one quilt per year to be donated. We give quilts to the local women's shelter, the fire & police departments, and to our soldiers.
I will check my UFO cabinet to see if there might be an appropriate top that I can send to you too.
:D
Hi Kat,
i'd love to help. i'm going to put my thinking cap on and come up with some suggestions for you to see if they work.
take care
Allie
Hey Kat,
I love this idea, I'm more than willing to help with blocks if you need, when my load eases hopefully a blanket or two! Just let me know!
Jenn
Hi Kat,
I would love to help out. What are the dimensions they want?
Helen @ http://helenscreativerelease.blogspot.com/
Hi Kat
I have only just read this post but it has come at the most fortuitous time! Just before all the craziness happened in our house I had finished a cot size quilt that I began more than ten years ago. It doesn't suit my taste anymore but it is super bright and fun for a small child and I had wanted to give it to charity. So, can you please let me know how to go about giving it away under this banner - I would prefer to give it locally but perhaps labels or something??? I can add. Also, what are the dimensions of the teeny tiny quilts for babies? I have loads of offcuts of fabric and batting from other quilts that I could use for those... Again, for the local NICU rather than posting them...
You are seriously an inspiration! Thank you :)
Jules xx
Hi Kat, I'm a bit late to the party on this one, but I'd love to donate a quilt top. Any particular size? Jxo
Hi Kat!
What a sweet idea, count me in. Please let me know the dimentions for blocks and blankets,...
I'd like to donate some quilt blocks I have that I'll never use. I'll wait to hear from you! :)
Hi Kat...
I have started some Blankets of Love this past week and did a google on them and your blog came up... I live in WA as well and was wondering to which hospital you give your quilts to and what is the process... also do they need to be tabled... and any info you can pass on to me would be a great help xxx
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