Become a Superhero!

The beginning of September, when Sew for the Charity of It! celebration began, I suggested to find a cause, or two, or three, and begin sewing, creating handmade items to give to those needing comfort.

I couldn’t pass up not sharing something I recently discovered! Oh, my! The Enchanted Makeovers’s Capes for Kids mission!

“Transforming Shelters for Women and Children from Surviving to Thriving Spaces”

This fabulous non-profit organization believes:

Capes for Kids represents hope. Since every cape is unique and handmade with love, each child who receives one will feel their own superpowers, and know that they have the strength and ability to create whatever they want for their lives.Sending Hope, Faith, and Love to Children Living in Shelters Across the Country.

As children, we often play “dress up”. But beyond just having fun, the clothing or costumes we put on our body send us a message.

Many children play “Superhero” because the messages that Superheroes “save the day” is everywhere, but Enchanted Makeovers believes it’s not about calling on “superman” or “supergirl” to swoop in.

It's about calling on our own strength, from within, that we never knew we had. It’s about the power of our minds, tapping into our imaginations. 

It's about putting on our daily armor and believing in ourselves.When our programs were being developed, the goal was to teach the children life skills as well as coping skills. The power of imagination is infused throughout. As Dr.Victor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning pointed out, when you can imagine survival, you will survive. For the children, the “Capes for Kids” program ignites the imagination and creativity.

As a kid, did you play dress-up? I certainly did!

I made a cape for one of the grandson’s several years ago… it’s from Papa’s recycled t-shirt. It was when the youngest was into Batman. Because he lives in Dallas, and we live on the ranch, this is the only time – since the birthday – we saw him in the cape!

What about joining the Capes for Kids program? Or, simply make capes for kids living in your local  family shelter!

On the Parents.com website, and was published in the December/January 2014 issue of FamilyFun magazine, they’ve teamed up with Enchanted Makeovers for this campaign. They also have a free, simple cape pattern.

Limitations live only in our minds.

But if we use our imaginations,

our possibilities become limitless.

~ Jamie Paolinetti

What an amazing project to be involved in ~ helping kids find their empowerment through imagination!

I’m going to go make a cape… or two, or ten! Will you?

Take Care of Others

A friend of mine recently gave me several lovely books, one of which was Comfort Quilts from the Heart by Jake Finch. Published in 2008 by C&T Publishing ~ where Mary works. Now out of print, it’s available in eBook format here!

Found on the website, this describes it perfectly: 

Whether you make these projects for a loved one or someone you've never met, you'll give the irreplaceable gift of loving care. Projects include quilts for babies in intensive care units; handy projects for wheelchair and walker users; quilts for adults and children bedridden at home or in the hospital; and therapeutic quilts for stroke, Alzheimer's and other patients with brain impairments.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this book!

Besides the easy to follow projects ~ with the first one being about “fidget” quilts (aka Action Quilts) ~ Jake also includes chapters on:

Materials, Tools, & Techniques

Healing through Words – Labeling Your Project

Group Effort: Making Comfort Quilts at Large

Who Needs the Help?

Sources

As it says on the back of the book:

Thoughtful, useful gifts for Those Needing a Helping Hand

I’m going to work on the project found on page 26…

Chair Bound: A Wheelchair Quilt with Footwarmer!

I’ve never made one before, but can see how wonderful this would be for those who cannot walk!

While Momma was basically wheelchair bound after breaking her femur at age 84, she had to have help to stand/transfer to bed or another chair. I can see how she would have loved having that extra warmth around her only sock covered feet!

I’ll let you know how it goes!!!

Just One Block

UPDATE: Thank you all for participating in this endeavor! I'm in the process of assembling the fourth and final quilt top for this project!

I listed first the Quilts of Valor Foundation in my Community Service article back in September. Yesterday, while working on a scrappy quilt for the QOV National Service project, a light bulb went off...  actually several went off (with the help of a friend!). But, for now, I want to share, and ask of you… will you make just one block for a QOV?

Maybe you want to help, and say “Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and valor,” but don’t have the time to create and piece together an entire quilt. Maybe you can do just one block in a matter of minutes, then mail it to me!

There is an urgent call-out for more QOV since the Nightly News did a piece on this fabulous endeavor last Monday (10/21/2013).

I will collect the blocks, put them together, and get it quilted & finished according to their specifications. I will share pictures of the finished project with everyone!

What I need in just one block (based in part on their requirements):

š                  Use PRE WASHED high quality 100% cotton quilting weight fabric appropriate for an adult.

                              Do not use sheets (bedding), thin, stiff, metallic or scratchy fabric.

š    9.5” x 9.5” block – in any design you would like to create using RED WHITE AND BLUE colors!

  š  As customary in quilt making, a ¼” seam allowance is used.

Need ideas for a block? I did a google search and found quite a few “free quiltpatterns” !!!

Please consider helping me get another quilt together by making just one block!

Thanking you in advance! Send me an email when you need my address!