This is an update on our community message quilts -- quilts containing messages from the community to valued members who are facing something hard, like illness. The messages are inscribed on muslin in archival ink and heat set for permanence -- and they really pack a wallop. Every recipient to date has been touched to the point of tears by the expression of love and support from this community. Those expressions are caught in the quilt, prompting Dallas Doc's name of "Love Catcher". A Love Catcher quilt is softer, warmer, and far more cuddly than a stack of greeting cards.
I shipped two quilts last week! Kitsap River’s quilt was mailed on Friday and Frederick Clarkson’s started its journey on Saturday.
I am at work on Dreaming of Better Days quilt which will be done in a few days.
But first, some pictures?
Kitsap River’s quilt – the patches are alternated with a “White House Steps” log cabin block. The top is bordered in the same red rose fabric that backs the quilt.
Frederick Clarkson’s quilt, arranged around a labyrinth seed pattern. Fred's quilt is bigger than most of the lap throws – almost big enough for a bed.
Here is the beginning of Dreaming of Better Days’ quilt. It will be laid out much like Kitsap River’s – but the alternating block is different. It is a traditional block called, “Crow’s Nest”.
Here is one of the blocks, featuring the backing fabric from Frederick Clarkson’s quilt in the center. The green background is printed with words, such as “Dream”, “Happiness”, and “Love”:
I am still collecting messages for a bed sized quilt for one bite at time. One bite is not ill – she just suffered a huge, traumatic loss, however. While she was out running errands with her kids, her house burned down. They arrived home to find it in flames, surrounded by emergency vehicles. The family cat perished in the fire – and the upper stories were a total loss. Imagine, standing there with your kids watching your house burn down, in total shock. One bite is handling this pretty well, all things considered – but, being a mom, she is putting the needs of her children and her partner first. Rebuilding is going to take a while – in the meantime, the family is displaced. I’d like to see her have some solid community support for her and a quilt to call her own. Here is a PayPal link if you would like to contribute – but the biggest need is for messages. If you have a message for one bite, please leave it in a comment below.
I would like to know if we should go forward with a quilt for Timroff. I understand he had an ordeal with cellulitis, much as othniel did. If you would like to do that, I can start the message collection process in a separate diary tomorrow.
If there are other candidates for a quilt, please let me know.
Here are pictures of other quilts this community has sent:
BFSkinner’s quilt:
Michelle Caudle’s quilt:
moe99’s quilt:
MsSpentyouth’s quilt:
exmearden’s quilt:
othniel’s quilt (with me):