Quick trip to Glenfield

 I have had several larger quilts donated recently, and thought these would be most suitable for teenagers.  I searched online and found that there is a in-patient provision for 13-18 year olds with mental health difficulties on the Glenfield Hospital site.  It’s called The Beacon.  I contacted them, and the lovely Jessica said they would love some quilts for their young people.  Fortunately for them they only have about half a dozen patients at the moment, so we headed off to Glenfield to deliver them. 

Here we are with one of the quilts.  It was lovely to meet Jessica, and also lovely to have no queue for the car park.  Amazing! 

Busy afternoon

 Since the last couple of times we’ve been to the LRI in the afternoon we have had a short wait in the car park queue, we thought we’d cracked it.  Alas, no.  Today we went up in the afternoon and spent 40 minutes in the queue!  Never mind, Paula and I had a lovely time putting the world to rights! 

We took 50 quilts to Ward 27 and Chandni managed to gather plenty of people willing to have their photos taken. 

Everyone was grateful and appreciative, and it took us less than 40 minutes to get home! 

Visit to Leicestershire Quilters

 The first quilt group I belonged to was Leicestershire Quilters, who meet monthly in Leicester.  We thoroughly enjoyed their meetings, although it was sometimes a bit of a scramble to get to Leicester for 7pm after work.  I can’t explain why we stopped going, but maybe it was after Piecemakers and Rocheberie started up, with a much shorter journey.  But I was delighted to be invited to their meeting to talk about Project Linus. 

I started by showing the rosette I got for winning the Silver Thimble competition in 2003!  It was a sew a row quilt, called ‘Does my pumpkin look big in this?’ and is giving cuddles at the moment. I had a big pile of quilts to show, as well as giving information about Linus. Everyone likes seeing quilts, and the LQ members were no exception! 

Here is one of the quilts, before I passed it round for more examination.   

 

Here is a rainbow one.  Great use of scraps.  

The group kindly gave me a donation, 9 quilts as well as some fabric and UFOs.  It was lovely to see some old friends and make new ones. 

2025

 This new year has been galloping along for me.  I usually organise/make/buy the costumes for our local drama group’s panto in January, so it generally goes by in a blur!  This year was no exception, but it was very much enjoyed by audience and cast. 

 Now back to important stuff!  Last years final Linus total was 378 quilts, which while not quite as many as recent years (we have been topping 400) is still a lot of hugs and a lots of happy children and families.  Well done everyone!  The first delivery of the year has also happened, and it’s to Ward 12 of the LRI again!  Great to see Sue and other staff members to take 50 quilts. 

She chose a quilt that I had actually made, from the bagful of HSTs which Jacquie gave me.  I find they work better if arranged by colour.  Heather kindly spent a couple of hours sorting the triangles into colours and then into groups of the same design, so that made it a lot easier.  Thank you, Heather!

Then we had a celebration at February’s Knit and Stitch.  This group was founded 14 years ago! 

Here I am with cake for all who wanted it.  Most people did and the few pieces leftover I offered to the Leisure Centre staff, who are so obliging. 

Here are some of the members of the group busy chatting!  They get a lot done as well as making friendships!  

Here’s to another successful quilting year! 

Last deliveries of the year (and a sewing day)

 I go to a local sewing group every week called Talking Textiles.  It’s a good name for the group, and there are textile crafts of all kinds and a lot of talking!  At Christmas we usually do a project such as a bag, purse, picture, but this year we decided to do something for others.  I brought in some 12.5” Linus orphan blocks with wadding and backing, and people quilted them ready for quilt as you go!  

Here is the first set ready to be joined together.  They play fairly nicely together, I think. 

Then I contacted Lutterworth Foodbank to see if they would be able to distribute quilts to families in food poverty.  They took 20 quilts and said they were very popular.

Next to the LRI Ward 12 (Children’s I C U) who asked for 30 quilts.  My husband and I braved the traffic this afternoon, and Sue (the ward housekeeper) and other staff were delighted. 

I’d be surprised if there were any more deliveries this year, but there are some quilts in my cupboard, just in case! Hope everyone has a great Christmas and happy, healthy New Year! 

Lots of deliveries

 The quilts have been coming steadily in, and I suddenly realised that I needed to organise some deliveries!  Before I had time to do this, I was contacted by Amanda from Jay Fostering, to ask a question.  Apparently one of their social workers attends a support group for the families of suicide victims.  She was wondering if she could have some quilts for the families in the group.  Easy answer: yes!  Amanda came over to take 25 quilts.  That’s dedication. Here are the quilts waiting to be off! 

Then I decided to contact some local ELSAs.  Both Sherrier and Saint Marys were delighted to receive quilts.  Who doesn’t like a quilty snuggle! 

I have been trying to contact another school in my area, but despite phone calls and emails, there is no response.  Surely there must be someone there?  I’ll keep trying. 

Then today, Paula and I went up to the LRI to take 50 quilts to Ward 10.  We set off early, hoping to beat the parking site queue, but although it didn’t take us too long to get in, it was still over 20 minutes.  It was worth it to see Pip and to see the positive reactions from all the staff (including a couple of maintenance workers who got caught up in it all! 

Both Pip and Paula look happy here.  Pip also gave us a lovely card, and some chocolates which we’ll take to the next Knit and Stitch meeting.  Be there or miss out! 

Busy Linus day!

 Today has been a busy and enjoyable one.  Firstly, Amanda came over from Jay Fostering in Leicester to collect quilts for their looked after children.  She said that the children love the quilts, and all the staff look forward to a new delivery!  Paula and I were hoping she had time for a cuppa, but unfortunately there was an emergency she had to sort out, so we just had a cuppa the two of us! 

Then this afternoon we went over to Burbage to the Hinckley U3A Craft Group to do some sewing.  We do a session with the members of this group every year, and really look forward to it. 

Here they are all hard at work, getting to grips with Heat and Bond. 

I took my iron, but the group has an iron of their own, so it meant the work went faster. 

 Here are the finished blocks.  Don’t they look great?  One lady said it wasn’t at all what she had thought it would be.  ‘What did you think it was going to be?’ I asked.  ‘Well, quilting, sewing, just boring.  But this has been fun.’  That must be praise indeed!