I'd like to introduce 3 more care givers

I have 3 special caregivers to introduce, one of which is the inspiration for the care givers drive.  They are all so special and dear to me.  I'd like to introduce Amy, Steve and Allison.

Amy is a nurse and works in the emergency room at a local hospital.  Her job is caregiving in critical circumstances. But that's not why I nominated her.  I nominated her for the work that is above and beyond her job.  For the last two years her and a co-worker run a program for high-school students at the hospital.  The students come to the hospital for a semester and learn all the different areas of healthcare.  These kids want to be there, less than 10% that apply actually get in.  The work that she does to not only show them the field of nursing but making sure all other aspects of career opportunities are exposed. This provides a wealth of  knowledge as these Junior and Seniors make very critical choices that will be with them for the rest of their lives.  Some come and solidify their choice, some see new doors open that they weren't aware of and some learn the health care profession may not be for them. All very important learning no matter which way it steers you.  For this caring for the youth and the generation that will someday lead this nation, I thank Amy.  Keep doing what you're doing it's wonderful impact on the world.

Simple but with a big impact, that's Steve

Next is Steve, a physicist.  Steve has always cared for my dad in ways that none of the other kids do or can.  It's just in his heart.  He does this from the East Coast when my dad lives in the MidWest.  He makes sure he gets to his Dr appointments, he makes sure his Gym membership is up to date.  He talks to him weekly and visits multiple times a years.  He's helped to make sure that dad stays connected and finds good things on the internet from time to time.  Words just can't describe what he's done for him and at times I"m not even certain my Dad knows or appreciates it. But that doesn't stop Steve.  He's driven from deep within to care and there is nothing that can stop him.  I have felt that care myself many times.  Thanks Steve for all you do, you make a difference in this world.  Well I didn't have anyone taking pictures as it was a bit of a surprise that they actually came out and I was able to give to him personally.  You can see which one he got. Thanks to Arlene for grabbing some pictures.

It was so nice to deliver n person in Georgia,

The inspiration for the Caregivers Quilt Drive

And finally Allison. The inspiration for the caregivers.  Allison is away studying to be a clinical psychologist in FL.  As part of her PHD program, she does counseling.  Her areas of speciality are suicide, alcoholism and substance abuse.  She works at one of one of the state  psychiatric hospitals.  One day I called her and she was a bit down. When I asked, she had a hard day with one of the patients.  It was then that it just hit me. Yes, all the cancer patients and those that need quilts for health issues or reasons we may not know, bless them they are valid. But what about those that care for the people with Cancer?  With Mental Illness?  They do this day in and day out.  They need a bit of self care. They need to understand how to recharge, rejuvenate from the thing that they can't help but do - care.  So one third of our quilts this year went to caregivers.  As a small and simple way to say thank you, you are making the world a better place.  And to provide just a tiny bit of self care when it's' needed.

To all the caregivers, not all are in the healthcare profession, thank you for all you do.  The world is a better place because of you!! If there is a special care giver in you life, just let them know you notice, you see it and you appreciate it.  That goes a long way!

Grand Finale - 2019 Hands to Help

The quilting Gods were with us on Sunday. We were able to hang all 22 quilts in the backyard.  What a sight!  I love seeing them all hanging. My heart is so full. The love the care that went into making these quilts is amazing. I've seen two caregiver quilts delivered and the reaction from the caregivers touched my heart and will be an experience I will never forget. Such deserving souls need a little bit of self care. We have 10 caregiver quilts, 5 quilts for Quilty Hugs for Happy Chemo, 5 quilts for Carolina Hurricane Quilt Project, 2 for project linus. Thank you all so very much for participating, thanks for fun days sewing like crazy, and spreading some quilty love throughout the world. The world is always a better place when you wrap up in a quilt! 

Half of the quilts

Quilts one and four are for caregivers

the first and fourth are caregiver quilts

the first and fourth are caregiver quilts (I swear it wasn't planned that way)

The second and fourth are caregiver quilts.  Just switching it up a little!

The middle quilt was made by a caregiver

There are 2 more caregiver quilts to be chosen and then I'll split the remaining quilts between Quilty Hugs - Happy Chemo and Carolina Hurricane Quilt Project.  I'll be posting the stories of the caregivers over the next few week.  One of our new members had a great experience with Project Linus so the two baby quilts will be donated to the local Project Linus chapter

That was a record breaking year, 22 quilts for 4 different causes. LOL and you still can see a dent in my stash and I still have a huge bag of strings!!

Don't for get to check out all the linky parties on the side bar, so much inspiration out there!

Hands 2 Help 2019 May 5 sync up - you're gonna be amazed!

One of my favorites - this is going to one of our care givers.

Is it May already?  Oh my where does time go?  I'm happy to say that we have a number of new members.  Bob, Liane, Laurie, Dorothy, and Veronika - all have been hanging around for years and I love them all so much.  We have some new helpers in the sweatshop this year, Abby, Sue, Jodi, and Kim have been with us and it's been amazing.   Kathleen is helping with quilting and binding and Cari has helped to bind a quilt as well.  Annette also donated 2 quilts to the cause. That is what love is, giving of your time to share good will, compassion and love to those who needed it.  So.....here we are syncing up - are you ready to be amazed, cuz I sure am!!  Here's a look at the finished quilts.  Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, you might need a snack, we've got stuff to share.....so let's get started

fabrics that have been used from many quilts for Hands2 Help over the last 7 years

Simple quilt with graphic edge to edge quilting gives it a bit of a different looks - modern moon

Big Block Quilts were my thing this year

graphic edge to edge can really makes a difference-mesmerize

Bonnie Hunters Good Fortune - this will go to a care giver

edge to edge quilting, flower fans seemed appropriate

One of my favorites, front and back this is one of the brightest quilts ever! Jodi has her mark all over this quilt

simple edge to edge capri feathers 

Leftover blocks from H2H 5 or 6 years ago, Jodi knew just what to do with them!!  She definitely taught me a thing or two about using prints, love it!

edge to edge - tried to find a pattern that complimented the large print - far east leaf I was pleased!

Beau Jangles edge to edge  

Isaac approved!

Abby quilted this, her first time at a long arm, amazing free motion, she's a natural!

Annette donated two quilts .  She had a queen size quilt that she really didn't like so she split it in two and practiced some custom quilting on these!

 Wow!!! that's a lot of finishes and we're not done yet! 10 tick marks in the finish column!

We also have a pile of quilts that are waiting to be quilted

Using up some of those left over strings, Sue mad this I love the colors together. She had some blocks that didn't work the way she wanted in her quilt so decided to use them with the strings, fabulous!!

Bright and cheery!

Kim put the Spools big block quilt together, Love it!!

This may be my favorite big block quilt, wait have I said that already?

A little more calming with blues greens and reduced color range

Kim made this soft flannel quilt, we just need to flip that top row and it's ready to quilt

Butterscotch - this was pieced many many years ago, it's finally going to be finished

I really want to custom quilt this one, but we'll see if time allows

phew - that's 8 quilts waiting to be quilted.  I've used up all my batting scraps on these as well.  I love the king rolls as I can use two scrap pieces for one quilt.  For just about every 4 quilts I make, I get a scrap batting for a comfort quilt, love it!!!  That gives us 8 tick marks in the waiting to be quilted column.

Here's the quilts that are in progress.

still debating the layout of these strings - there's so many more, they just won't stop

Betty's blocks - still working on getting those together.

Kathleen has one that she is making that puts 3 tic marks in the in progress row.   There's still one more session before the big party / quilt show on June 9, I wouldn't be surprised if these crazy people came up with a couple more!!

Summary - are you ready for this? did you make it this far? If you did please hold on as I have a request after the summary

• Finished -                   10
• Waiting to be quilted - 8
• in progress -                 3

• Grand total            21!!!!   

A record breaking year - congrats to all the team members who  gave time and creative energy to the process!  My heart is so completely full. 

I do have a request.  I need more caregivers.  With this record breaking year of quilts we have many more quilts to give to than we originally thought.  I will ship quilts I don't have a problem with that.   I'm looking for those that go the extra mile and honestly can't help but care for others. These people are special they are all around us, nurses, doctors, teachers, neighbors, volunteers, psychologist, managers, house wives, house husbands, brothers, sisters, they are everywhere.  These people feel, they have high levels of empathy and they are concerned about the well being of others, whether they know you or  not.  When they see someone who needs something, they feel as well and do everythng they can to comfort and care for those who have a need.  Because they feel so much and they give so much for others, they need a little self care. That's what these quilts are for.  If you know of anyone that fits the bill and goes the extra mile to make sure that someone is cared for, send me note.  Do you have a neighbor watching out for a loved one?  A Dr or nurse that goes the extra mile?   A Day care provider, one of our submissions was for a woman who but her retirement on hold for three years to care for two precious brothers of a child she watched for years.  Please, let's recognize those people just this time.  Have you ever been given a quilt?  I was given one for the first time fairly recently and I have to say it is the best feeling ever.  So lets give that feeling to someone who really cares. Thanks!!

Now that was a posted wasn't it!  My goodness. I'll be sharing this at all the linky parties on the sidebar so please stop by all the parties and go get inspired!!

H2H and Care Givers Quilt Drive 2019 - Update

Oh they did it again!  This team is absolutely amazing.  Two more quilt tops complete, 3 new ones started, 3 quilted - Wow!! So lets take a look at the finished ones first.  I'm really into the big block quilts this year,  I love this pattern.  My husband saw the quilting pattern and said it looks like turnips or onions.  Well, that wasn't quite the impact that I wanted to have, but it's done!

Quilt pattern is Mesmerize by Claudio Pfeil and Patricia Ritter

So Fine thread on top - Hobbs Poly Down batting

Another big block quilt, these colors just really appeal to me, going to miss this one.  We were working so hard.  Dorthory got this one done, put it on the design board and then right on the frame. We had it the board and said, "yes!! I like it"  Neither of us say the wayward blocks.  Didn't even see the misplaced blocks until I was winding down for the evening.  Yes that's right, *after* I finished quilting it.  There *may* have been a few inappropriate words spoken.  It's a big block quilt and there is just no place to hide, it had to be fixed.  Found my trusty seam ripper and got to work the next morning.  I ripped out the quilting on the two naughty blocks and about an inch all the way around.  Had a good talking to those blocks, got them back in line then hand sewed them back in place. Threw it back on the frame and re-quilted the small space. Ahhhh so much better.  Isaac was very pleased when it was all completed. 

Looks bettter (see picture below)  e2e pattern is Beau Jangles - Apricot Moon Design, Glide thread, Hobbs Poly Down batting

Do you see those naughty blocks?

Yes Isaac, I agree, much better

The last finish.  We've been working on this one for years, doing a leaders and enders thing.  Love how this one turned out 

 A little ruler work,  a little FMQ, a little computerized quilting

Forget Me Not Block 1 - Janet Lee Santeusanio - computerized center

So Fine thread top and bottom, hobbs poly down batting

Then an additional top was finished, the last of the big blocks. I just adore this one.  Kim finished this one. LOL she said she wasn't leaving until it was done!

It looks fabulous!  I see Janice's mini photo bombing this one :)

Three more got started

Laurie and Dorothy hard at work!

Abby was sampling a couple machines this trip.  

Need to make sure they have snacks within easy reach 

This will look great with the navy, wide range of colors is so exciting

this one with the white, a little less range in color, a little more calming 

Blues and a bit more muted, will go with a light grey, even more calming.

Phew, they wear me out!  So where are we in our totals?

Finished                        - 5
Waiting to be quilted    - 4
in progress                    - 4
cut or waiting in queue - 3

That gives us a grand total of 16!!!!  Twice what our goal was. WOW!!! Stayed tuned, these folks are not done yet!  Next get together is April 14. 

Oh have you heard about Country Quilters of McHenry Opportunity quilt?  Our guild pieced the quilt and I quilted it.  It's a queen size 90 x 90, custom heirloom quilting, two layers of batting, Hobbs Heirloom blend and wool on top.  Appraised at over $2700.  If you would like a chance to win, head on over to the on-line ticket sales.  Go ahead, zoom in close, I think you'll like it!  And it could be yours!

Don't forget to stop by the linky parties in the side bar, so much inspiration out there!