nannyboz' quilt, clipped for binding -- it will be finished today!
Alma has breast cancer and has just started radiation treatment. Her friend, eeff, has been very concerned for her and has wanted her to have a community quilt for some time. Well, this morning, community groundswell sort of overcame any reluctance Alma might have had and we are making her a quilt!
detail of nannyboz' quilt -- those little red buttons are tap dancing ladybugs, courtesy of Andy the Cat
A community quilt contains messages of love and support from the community, transcribed in archival ink by me onto muslin. The muslin is then heat set for permanence and sewn into a colorful quilt by my sister and me. The result is something pretty powerful -- the force of so many loving words on one soft, cuddly object is pretty awesome. These are quilts that can absorb many tears and keep giving back community support every day. A quilt recipient is never alone.
detail of nannyboz' quilt -- yes, the tap dancing ladybugs are in teacup formation (don't ask)
We welcome everybody's messages of support for Alma in the comments below. If you can also help support the project with a donation, it will go toward the time and material it takes to make the quilt. Here is a PayPal link -- or message me for an address if you prefer a check. $10/message is suggested -- but if you can cover for some who can't afford to donate, that would be so kind!
Watercarrier4diogenes holding Regina in a Sears Kit House's quilt
I've picked up some messages from eeff's diary for Alma and this is what I've got. If you would like to edit any of them, please let me know.
1. This message comes from Nurse Kelley, who just talked to her sister on the phone. My sister was diagnosed with a similar aggressive breast cancer at the age of 35, and that now 59 year-old wants to share her miracle with you. We love you, Alma. Be well. Nurse Kelley ♥
2. Dear Alma, Your strength and resolve during this episode is admirable. I'm so glad to hear you have lots of support. This community cares about you and it's heart warming to see eeff shout out for you. I hope you'll feel lots of arms around you today. --Neeta aka Navajo
3. Alma, I got your back, sweetie. If I can drive to Chicago to see you, I can drive further to help you. We're here for you with tons of love. bleeding heart
4. I love you my dear Alma We are in this together girlfriend. Kisses, hugs, power. randallt
5. Good thoughts and karma heading your way. We've been through it here, if you ever want to chat you know where to find me. Best to you and the whole family. sidinny
6. Alma you represent the best of what makes this community special. Yielding to others first that might need it more...in our eyes others are more important. Here's some Kossack love to wrap you in. Filled with all the love you give to others and we send back threefold. The healing energy and sharing given to others is part of your heart as well. Blessed be Sally Cat
7. I know this is tough, but there are blessings in the power of all the positive thoughts that are heading your way. high unitas
8. Dearest Alma: Woven deep within this quilt, somewhere between the threads and the batting, lay a dozen or more secret spots. One is comfort and another is strength. There is love of course and faith as well. Each one will be found when you need it most. Love, JaxDem
9. Alma, I praying/wishing you a speedy and complete recovery. zdefender
10. May the warmth of the dKos community entwine with the threads of this quilt, and may you always feel our love, concern and care for you whenever you need it. Love, strength and best wishes to you for a speedy and permanent recovery, middleagedhousewife
Betty inspects Regina's quilt very carefully
Quilt status report: Right now, we are finishing up nannyboz' quilt -- it will ship tomorrow. Ann is at work on a medallion for llbear's quilt. And I am still collecting messages for raina (just need 10 more!).
Detail of arizonablue's quilt
These are community quilts we have finished to date:
othniel (cellulitis and ensuing complications)
exmearden (cancer of heart and lung, RIP)
MsSpentyouth (brain tumor)
Moe99 (lung cancer, RIP)
Michelle Caudle (ovarian cancer, RIP)
BFSkinner (lupus)
Kitsap River (long wait for kidney donor that ended 2/18/11)
Frederick Clarkson (blood clots)
Dreaming of Better Days (lymphoma)
one bite at a time (lost house and belongings to fire)
Timroff (cellulitis)
Sol Fed Joe (multiple cancers and health problems)
Brubs (AIDS, immune reconstitution syndrome)
rserven (gall bladder infection with dangerous complications)
grndrush (brain tumor, RIP)
ImpeachKingBushII (needs liver transplant)
andsarahtoo (lupus)
Frank Cocozzelli (muscular dystrophy)
luvsathoroughbred (breast cancer)
Predictor (stroke and HIV)
Austex54 (caretaker to othniel)
Theodore Olbermann, RIP
cskendrick (antibiotic resistant infection)
Keith Olbermann (caregiver to father)
Juan (cancer)
Ana (a young horse belonging to Juan, hit by truck)
MA Liberal’s mother (Alzheimer’s)
Charles CurtisStanley (caretaker to Kitsap River)
Lorikeet (cervical cancer)
Dr. Lori (metastatic cancer)
ulookarmless (cancer, heart condition, stroke)
riverlover (caregiver to husband suffering from liver failure, now widowed)
Melody Townsel (caregiver to dying father, now deceased)
dadanation (AIDS)
Dr. William F. Harrison (leukemia, RIP)
Larry Bailey (sudden loss of partner to heart attack)
ramara (adopted son with fetal alcohol syndrome)
Noor B (herniated disk from car accident)
Louisiana 1976 (fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, depression)
stumpy (MS, stroke, RIP)
bleeding heart's niece (cancer, RIP)
escapee (failure of corneal surgery)
SarahLee (lymphoma, Lyme Disease)
Bustergirl (ovarian cancer)
mimi's niece (cancer)
ZenTrainer (breast cancer)
Miss Blue (severe injury to shoulder, anxiety over coverage for surgery)
Granny Doc (bladder cancer, RIP)
mango (heart attack)
nudger (ovarian cancer, RIP)
DaNang65 (heart condition)
Lt. Choi (exhaustion)
Nurse Kelley (spinal stenosis)
Ben Masel (lung cancer, RIP)
Otterary Scribe (caregiver, grieving grandfather, grieving widower)
Aji (autoimmune diseases incl. fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis, & Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus Syndrome)
JaxDem (suddenly widowed)
DavidW (AIDS and other undiagnosed illness)
Jester the Marine (facing amputation of leg)
peregrine kate (endometrial cancer)
mimi (grief due to family illnesses)
alliedoc (endometrial cancer)
labwitchy (diffuse scleroderma)
Daily Kos (celebrating community)
belinda ridgewood (sudden loss of her mother)
princesspat (blood clots, deep vein thrombosis)
Scott Olsen (severe head injury)
SensibleShoes (caring for sister with brain cancer)
Joanna (cancer)
cany (grieving caretaker of mother with dementia)
Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse (breast cancer)
Scottie Thomaston (intense chronic pain from spine, kidney stones)
paradise50 (throat cancer)
woodtick (caregiver to mother with Alzheimer's)
BeninSC (mulitple fractures from bicycle accident)
Adrian (colon cancer)
Smoh (breast cancer, stroke, depression)
slksfca (sudden onset of arthritis requiring hip replacement)
arizonablue (grief and exhaustion)
Lorikeet (grieving widow - this quilt was a gift from the Rescue Rangers)
remembrance (breast cancer) and Glen the Plumber (her caregiver)
MassHarry (colon cancer)
Regina in a Sears Kit House (severe immune problems from Lyme Disease)
See also these two thank you posts from multiple quilt recipients:
KosAbility: A Virtual Quilt for Sara and Ann, from Community Quilt recipients
We Have Something to Say to YOU, Sara R and winglion!
Goldie inspects Smoh's quilt and gives it four paws up
These quilts are planned:
Carol in San Antonio (cancer)
earicicle (breast cancer)
DarkHawk98 (cancer)
UnaSpensor (Lyme disease)
MA Liberal (caretaker to her mother who has dementia)
paradox (cyclical vomiting syndrome, PTSD, depression)
Ellinorianne (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia)
MsGrin (life long heart problems requiring multiple surgeries)
LorelieHI (PTSD, reversals of fortune, depression)
BeninSC's quilt, detail
PAYPAL LINK FOR ALMA'S QUILT - THANK YOU!
Boots says, "Thank you for supporting community quilts!"
Namaste.