First Delivery

On Monday, April 9th I visited the AnMed Health Women's and Children's Hospital in Anderson, SC.  This is the hospital where Mom received both her radiation and her chemotheraphy treatments, and my sister Terri and I visited both facilities.

We delivered 3 quilts to the chemotherapy room, and 2 more to the radiation room.  We spent quite some time visiting with the wonderful staff who helped care for Mom, and shared many memories - both happy and sad.

There were many (too many) patients in the infusion room while we were there -and I observed quite a few that had one, two, three or even more blankets tucked over and around them as they sat through their treatments.  There was a small stack available, but I could see how with just one or two more patients in any of the empty chairs, those could quickly be depleted.

The radiation team were especially appreciative - they said that while chills are not as much a factor of the radiation treatment itself, their waiting room, with a door directly to the outside parking lot, got especially chilly in the winter and the quilts would be used by patients and families alike as they waited.

This quilt pictured above is from the Thread Queens in Wichita Falls, TX and was one of the 5 donated this round, as was the top donated by Selina in NJ.   The others were the rainbow stripe and blue/gold stripe made up from donated blocks, and a lil' spinner top that I made.

The quilts are finishing up at about 48 x 56 (12x14 blocks) which is a nice manageable size for someone seated in a chair.  The "Mystery Quilt" that was received was not donated at this time, as it is quite large.  I am waiting for the right recipient for that one.

Slow but steady progress

Sorry it has been quiet of late - February is a tough month for sewing around our house as we celebrate all three of our birthdays - and inevitably at least one of us, or usually all 3, succumb to winter colds around this time as well.

Despite the germyness and busyness, I can report that SIX quilts are nearing completion and will be ready for delivery in April when I travel to South Carolina.  TWO of those were from completed tops that were sent to me (pictures to follow soon), ONE was a fully completed quilt, and THREE are ones I have made - one from donated blocks, and two from me playing in between assembling 4 patches (with the Lil' Twister ruler I got for my birthday, and attempting a 1600 quilt).  I managed to sandwich AND quilt two this weekend, and am working on bindings now.  There are a few more weeks and weekends before Easter - so I hope to have more to deliver by then...even if it means finishing up bindings in the car on the way there.

People have been asking if I am still accepting blocks -the answer is YES OF COURSE!!!!!  The goal was 4000, and we surpassed that - but I'm planning to keep on going as long as I can...

A Note on Odors

I just wanted to post a quick reminder to anyone donating fabrics or blocks or quilts to me or to any organization - but especially to hospitals - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE refrain from using scented detergents or strong fabric softener when washing your fabrics or quilts, and if you are a smoker or have a smoker in your home and around your fabrics, please consider directing your charitable quilt donations to non-hospital settings.  Most of these stronger smells are especially troublesome to those undergoing medical treatments, and many hospitals will reject or dispose of quilts that contain strong smells so as to avoid jeopardizing the health of their patients.

I will say that I have received some blocks (though not many) that do not pass the initial "sniff test" and therefore I cannot jeopardize an entire quilt by including them.  While these will not be included in my quilts, they will be "deodorzized" as much as possible and passed along to a friend who makes quilts for a local shelter, in the hopes that they can still provide some comfort.

I do not mean this to be an "anti-smoking" statement - but rather a reminder of the guidelines on donations that Project Linus and many similar groups have put forth, and that I have used as guidance for my own projects.

Thank you for your understanding.

Goal Reached -and then some!!!

As of tonight the quilters of the world have responded with 4118 blocks for 4Patches4Hope!!!  Some of you have shared your stories and your reasons, most of you have shared your names, some of you have remained anonymous - but all of you have shared your scraps, your skill, your time, and your hearts!!!

I can't thank you enough!!!

I will continue to accept blocks - and every single one received will find its way into a comfort quilt.  Not all by February 28th - but I will continue to assemble them block by block, row by row, and quilt by quilt.  My first delivery goal is the week following Easter in South Carolina, and then we will go from there and see how quickly we can get them made and delivered.

Mystery Quilter

I have a mystery - a good mystery - but a puzzle nonetheless.

See - I received a box in the mail today - 4Patches4Hope was the address, AND the return address.

Inside was a small bag of blocks... and this:

No name, no note, no return address ... just a postmark from Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The quilt is beautiful - and will be added to the first batch of quilts that will be delivered in April.  This makes two completely done, one done except for the final binding, and a bunch more flimsies in progress.

Thank you, Mystery Quilter.  And if you had contacted me in the past and told me this was coming, and I am not making the connection in my brain - please forgive.  I'm claiming aging brain syndrome -at least for today (my birthday!)

Texas Teamwork

Earlier this month I received a lovely box in the mail from the American Sewing Guild Quilting Group in and around Wichita Falls, TX. 

Vivian and her lovely friends worked together to send me a box of 105 blocks, and checks totaling $84 for the American Cancer Society.  I loved how each quilter carefully gathered her blocks together with a little note telling me who made them, and how many were in the bundle (which was VERY appreciated!!!!!!) - some were even tied with bits of string or thread, making lovely little "presents" of blocks. (I wanted to post a picture of one but am having trouble blurring out the info on the address... will try again later and perhaps add it in).

Nine quilters creating a box full of sunshine - and nearly 2/3 of a 4Patches4Hope quilt.

Thank you all for sending a bit of Texas sunshine to cloudy and cold western NY!  I will take good care and pass these bits of sunshine along to where they can make a difference.

Around the world in an envelope

Today I received 30 beautiful blocks from Raelene in Victoria, Australia - which is WAAAAAYYY on the opposite side of the world.  My son was fascinated when we went on Google Earth and "navigated" around the globe to Raelene's home town - it made the world a wee bit smaller for a moment  (though he also wanted to know when I met her - lol!)

4Patches4Hope has received blocks now from 3 continents (and email from a 4th) - and I am still hoping (with Hubby's help) to plot all the towns and cities and countries on a map that I can share.

Until then I will enjoy my little bits of Australia - and the cute little Sugar Glider on the stamp.