• To Jacob’s Heart – Made with Love

    Never underestimate the power of love (or a quilter for that matter 😉 Payitforwards3131

    When members Susan Raineri, Mariah Flanagan and Pat Goulet decided to spearhead a charity quilt committee, none of us had any idea how much our guild could do in such a short time-frame.  The first project for our committee; make enough quilts to create a quilt for all the kids served by Jacob’s Heart in Santa Cruz who are fighting cancer.

    Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services mission is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and support their families in the challenges they face.”

    We then learned that 31 kids are currently being helped by Jacob’s Heart.  Was it really possible for our guild to made that many quilts in as many days?  Despite the wild enthusiastic response at our meeting, we were concerned that we could meet the deadline.  Leaving out even one child was not an option.     We had our list of ages, and gender of each child and we got to work.  We started seeing progress on our Flickr page.  Oh, maybe we could make one more for an older boy, someone asked.  We got together and pieced and quilted in our homes and at Mariah’s restaurant Woodfire Woodie.  We emailed, texted and checked in with each other throughout the month.  Some of us made one or even several more than originally promised.

    pifworking

    And at the May meeting, we all brought the quilts we had finished, and this is what it looked like:

    pif6anne

    We had actually exceeded our goal and the grand total ended up at an incredible 36 quilts!!

    pif5-anne

    During the meeting, members sat and attached labels to the backs of the quilts and we shared what we had made with each other.  The happiness in the room was evident on everyone’s faces.

    It was decided that the extra 5 quilts will be donated for the auction that will be held at “Mama’s Night Out” an annual fundraiser that benefits Jacob’s Heart that will be held this Saturday in Santa Cruz.

    Our guild plans on many more projects to Pay it Forward, but our first project will always hold a special place for us as when we remember how we were able to stitch 36 quilts with love.  Here are some more examples of the quilts…

    pif7anne

    pifmariah

    rainbowanne

    carole

    lori

    littleapples

    adrianne

    ilikebigtrucks

    rebecca

    piftina

    payred

    pifkaren

  • Quilts for Boston

    The community of Boston has been changed by recent acts of violence.  There are hundreds of people who are not only suffering from bodily harm and physical loss, but also invisible wounds from witnessing and hearing what occurred.  Quilters are always quick to respond in situations where comfort is needed and in this difficult time, naturally we want to respond.

    The Boston Modern Quilt Guild has put a call out for blocks.  quilts for boston

    From their blog:

    “As a guild we plan to make and distribute quilts to those who would benefit from a show of support, and we need your help.  We are asking the modern quilt community to support our efforts by sending us blocks for these quilts. Additionally, we will accept donations of fabric to be used for binding, sashing, and quilt backs. We would like to have the quilts ready to deliver to those in need as soon as possible, so we ask that you send your blocks to us within a month, by May 24th, 2013.

    Blocks sent to the Boston Modern Quilt Guild should be blue, yellow, gray, and white. All blocks should be 12½” tall x the width of your choice. That could mean 12½” x 7”, 12½” x 12½”, or anything wider, more narrow, or in between. Please machine piece your blocks in any style you would like. Please use only “quilt shop quality” 100% cotton or cotton/linen fabrics. Both print and solid fabrics are welcome. Our preference is white or light gray 100% cotton thread, but any coordinating thread of good quality will do.”

    quiltsforboston2

    Do you have an hour or so to make a block for our sister guild?  Show your support and dive into your scraps and your stash and send a block off to Boston!!

    From their blog:

    “Our goal is to make bright and modern quilts that will bring cheer to those who need it most! We chose this color scheme as these are the colors of the Boston Marathon, and have become the colors representing the One Fund, an organization formed to accept monetary donations for the victims, as well as the tribute tees sold to benefit the One Fund. Be creative with your blocks, and make any pattern or design that inspires you!”

    Please mail all blocks and fabric to:
    Quilts for Boston
    P. O. Box 79225
    Belmont, MA 02479