Prem baby hugs

 Today I went over to Hinckley to deliver some prem baby hugs to the local charity ADAPT.  Sue was delighted to receive quilts as she says the wards are beginning to open up. 

There were 60 quilts altogether, ranging from the small 18” ones ( much like this) up to the more lap sized quilts with baby designs.  They are all equally welcome! 

Unusual meeting places

 When I said I was delivering quilts this afternoon, Jane asked, ‘Where to?’  She didn’t expect me to reply, ‘Tesco Superstore, Wigston!’  The look on her face was a picture!  And while the quilts were being handed over at Tesco’s, it was Rosemary from the Diana Service for Children with Life-limiting Conditions who would be distributing them.  

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We usually meet at Meridian, as it’s easy to get to and plenty of free parking, but this was just as good, and had the added bonus of trollers to use to transfer quilts from car to car! With thirty quilts, it made life much simpler. 

Rosemary brought some cards which the children had made.  Lovely. 

Surprise!

 I had a surprise yesterday.  I had a phone call from Angie at the LRI Chilldren’s Intensive Care Unit to ask if we had any larger quilts for teenagers. (That’s not the surprise.). I said yes, and how can we deliver them? (That’s not the surprise.). She said, well, just bring them up to the ward next time you’re passing!  That was the surprise!  ‘Can I just come then?’ said I.  ‘Yes, of course.  You can even stay for a cup of tea!’   Well, I knew things were beginning to get more relaxed, but I hadn’t realised that included hospitals!  So, I sorted out ten larger quilts and husband and I delivered them with pride. 

Here are Angie and I, and we are both smiling I can assure you.  Here’s to more visits to the LRI in future! 

First meeting of 2021 - part 2

 The rule of six applies in England at the moment, so I invited six people yesterday, and another six today. Emily couldn’t come along because she was taking her parents for a vaccination this afternoon, and Sue was seeing her family.  Luckily Paula, Julie and Maria were able to come along despite the weather being no better than yesterday! 

Paula brought several quilts, including this lovely pink one.  It looks complicated, but is really not.  

She has done a great job here. 

This is a bordered nine patch.  The colour choices here are fabulous. 

 Here is Julie’s Bonnie Hunter’s ‘Grassy Creek’.  Looking really good. Maria is getting ready to display one of her quilts. 

 Maria has given me lots of quilts during lockdown, but due to ill health has slowed down recently.  Here is a beautiful purple quilt.  Stunning. 

 And here is something you don’t often see.  Julie took this photo of me!  Here is a mile a minute idea which I have found recently.  I think it’s bright and cheerful.  

We will be meeting again at Lutterworth Rec on May 6th and would be delighted to see you if you’re free. 

First meeting of 2021

 Now the rule of six applies once more, I invited some Linus ladies to a socially distanced meet up in the park.  It was the same old stuff, bring your own chair, no refreshments, no toilets, but people were keen to come.  Heather had to decline as her daughter had a hospital appointment and she was needed for child care, but Fiona, Naomi, Martha and Ann-Marie were all there, well wrapped up.  

Everyone brought some quilts they had finished, and we loved admiring them. 

This one is made from different cat fabrics. 

Fiona is hiding behind this once which is a bordered nine patch. 

Here she is with some donated blocks she assembled. 

I took a box of backing fabric, a box of ‘kits’ and some novelty fabrics.  All the boxes were lighter on my way home, although the car was fuller with the 23 lovely quilts these talented ladies had made! We had a good laugh and managed to put the world to rights, and I look forward to seeing you all in May. 

First donation of 2021

 The quilts are coming in slowly but surely, so I was delighted to hear from Helenka who works for Regional Foster Care that she would like some quilts.  She also has got some contacts with families in need and asked if the quilts could be shared with these.  The answer is always a resounding YES!  If there is any child in need of a quilty hug, we are happy to supply it!  

Despite being very busy at work with sick colleagues and other stuff, she managed to find time to come over and pick up 50 quilts. 

Here we are, socially distanced on our front lawn, with a quilt made from orphan blocks.  Helenka was at pains to tell me how much the children (and staff) appreciated the quilts and she was so excited to be having a fresh batch to distribute.  It’s a pleasure! 

Inspiration

 Several people have confessed to me that they have lost their sewing mo-jo and are feeling rather lethargic.  I feel their pain, as even though I love sewing and it has traditionally been my go to activity in tough times, I too am feeling rather demotivated.  I think not being able to visit quilt shops or see show and tell is having an impact on quilt production.  So, I have decided to share a couple of simple quilt ideas which you can sew from your stash, which might inspire you to produce a Project Linus quilt or two. 

Here is a straightforward log cabin design, using lots of dark and light scraps.  Here are the instructions. 

I find it easier to cut the 1.5” strips into the correct sizes before I start, but you may just cut 1.5” strips and go for it!  Just be aware that it’s a good idea to keep checking for accuracy if you do that. 

Here is another log cabin variation, with a curve. I have done it with all the darks in blue scraps, but it would be great in any other colour, or just multicoloured darks.  

Here is the pattern for this. 

This makes a stunning block. 

Happy sewing till we can meet again.