Sunday, August 25, 2019

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!

Sunday, August 18, 2019

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!

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

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!