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!

Blue Dot, Blue Dot, Where Are You? - Denniele's Quilt

I posted a block of this one, but now I"ve gotten permission to post the full quilt and all it's wonderful blooms.  Denniele Bohannan from Louanna Mary Quilt Design made this incredible Blue Dot, Blue Dot Where are you,  quilt designed by Barbara Brackman who has a free BOM - Hospital Sketches  which you can find on facebook.  This one is super sweet.  Two layers of batting, Hobbs 80/20 and Hobbs Wool, I used a 60 wt Glide thread that just blended wonderfully with everything.  Yep only one color of thread on this beauty. And Denniele won a Blue Ribbon at the Missouri State Fair, congrats Denniele!! Get cozy and get ready for some wonderful pics of this work of art.  Thanks Denniele for letting me quilt for you!

Make sure to stop by the linky parties on the side bar, there is so much inspiration out there.   Next week I hope to share more stories of the care givers.

Have a great week!

Kim Boone's Homegrown Quilt

Oh my, has it been six weeks since I've had a blog post? Well, this is worth the wait.  Kim made this amazing Homegrown Quilt. Sue Spargo's design - the book will be out shortly, it's going to be dosey!  I think I have pictures of all the houses. The detail on each is out of this world.  There's really not much I could do for quilting, just pushing that background away and giving a little texture so those wonderful houses could shine.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed working on this, I've never seen anything like it before.  I know, I'm gushing!!! If you could see me, there would be little heart eyed emojis coming from my head!  But hey, this is a quilt to gush over.  Two layers of batting, one 80/20 the other wool.  I used Wonderfil 80 wt thread, I didn't want anything to compete with her incredible hand work.  With that I'll leave with some incredible pictures.  Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy!!

the tree, the garden, the dirt is stitched on!

the detail, look at that stem!

the bees!  They really look like they are flying over the flower

the tree! The roof!

THe curtain, and the roof, oh boy 

the bunny and the carrot in the garden

The tiki hut!

The flowers

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.  Thank you Kim for letting me quilt for you, this was really something!

Meet two more caregivers

This week I'd like to introduce another two caregivers. Caregivers are those that care and often time put the needs of others ahead of their own.   They are driven to insure that others are comforted, loved and their needs are met.  They do this without expectation of reward or recognition. They simply can't themselves, it's just how they are with every fiber of their being.  Even caregivers need some care and that's what Helping Hands is about, trying to provide a little self-care when they need it.  I hope each of the caregivers will wrap themselves in the quilt when needed and feel all the love and care that was stitched into each of the quilts.  This year we made 11 (I snuck in one more for a very special care giver).  I'll be introducing them over the weeks to come.  Here's two for this week.  First up is Kathleen.  She has on of the most caring hearts I've witnessed in my life. Cari nominated her and here's what she had to say "Not only is she a full time caregiver for her failing husband, she takes care of all aspects of running her household.  She devotes her time and resources to our guild, maintaining our website, instagram and facebook pages, serving on the board of directors, handling publicity and opens her home to us for workshops and sew-ins.  She makes herself available for almost anything that is asked of her; she is a caring friend.  And she does it all so lovingly, always with a smile on her face and joy in her heart.  She is truly selfless, a real hero in my eyes, someone we call all aspire to be like."  Very well said!  Kathleen joined our group this year, she wasn't able to join when we got together but that didn't stop her from helping.  She made a quilt, she quilted and bound two quilts, and binding on another. Wow!!! It was a very special presentation at our Guild meeting to Kathleen.  She is so humble that I don't think she realized it was being given to her.  Thank you Kathleen for all you do, the world is a better place because you are in it.

Kathleen was very surprised to receive her quilt

This is the beautiful quilt that Kathleen made for your group, custom quilted an all!!

The next nomination was for Cathy.  She was nominated by a co-worker of my neighbor Nancy (thanks Nancy for spreading the word).   Cathy has an adult son with cerebral palsy and is blind.  Not only does she provide care and love for her son, but she also works as a special education paraprofessional at a local school.  The heart of a true caregiver.  The quilt was delivered by Jennifer last week.  When she presented the quilt she found out that Cathy was recently diagnosed with cancer.   My heart aches for her.  The amount of love, care and tenderness that she provides to her son and those at work, and now she has to deal with cancer.  I hope this quilt wraps you in love, helps to heal.  My heart goes out to you Cathy, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.  I hope the treatment is swift, as painless as possible and completely eradicates the cancer.  Thank you Cathy, for all you do.   You have touched many hearts and this world is better because of you.

Next week I'll share the story of two more caregivers.  Check out the linky parties in the sidebar, have a great week!

Kim's Christmas Figs BOM

Christmas in June!  Oh this was so much fun.  You know how much I love the custom quilting. Well this was custom to the next level.  I was like 20 mini quilts oh so fun!  Different designs in each block but almost all having a feather or two. And ya'll know how I feel about those feathers!!!  Here ya go, some pics of this incredible holiday quilt!

Christmas Figs BOM

The back is a puffy as the front with two layers of Wool batting

A bit of ruler work, Quilted Pineapple curves, 30, 12 and 20.   Circle 2 - 8in and the quilters rule 4 in one.  My go to rulers!  Even though I pull almost every ruler out, these 95% of the time the ones that are used.  Very little marking on this, one but there is some, mostly for registration lines and whatnot.  This sweet thing has two layers of Hobbs wool batting.  It was the first time I've done this and learned a lot.  Really wish I would have done a practice piece.  The one thing to watch out for is the puff you have on the bottom is equal to the puff on top.  There were a couple of times I had to rip out stitches  as I didn't fully appreciate this fact!!  I used 60wt  glide thread on top.  I originally intended to use 3 different colors but with the thin thread I really liked the white on the colors.  I have 80 wt wonderfil thread in the bobbin.   With the thinner thread and dense quilting, it help to keep this soft and cozy..  I'm really gonna miss this one.  But I've got some real beauties coming up.  Can't wait to get started on the next!!

Don't forget to check out the linky parties in the side bar, you don't want to miss all that sweet quilty goodness.

I'll have 2 more caregiver stories on Monday.  Have a great weekend!