THANK YOU FROM MAINE MEDICAL, NICU & CCN

We are overwhelmed by your "team's" generosity.

Thank you so much for keeping the babies warm, comfortable and loved.

     The staff in NICU and CCN, East Tower, Maine Medical

A WARM THANK YOU

Hello!    
                                                        
My name is Danielle and I wanted to write and express my gratitude for the Linus blanket my daughter Isabelle received in the hospital this week. When she woke up, she was comforted to have it, and now she brings it everywhere. Thank God there are people like you who have such a kind and giving heart. May God bless you and you are in my prayers with thanks.                    

       Thank you again, Danielle

WANTED - MACHINE QUILTERS

Several blanketeers have asked if there are machine quilters that would quilt their Project Linus tops for them???

If you'd like to volunteer, please give me a call at 284-5606.

            Thanks.

OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS AND THOSE WORKING WITH STUDENTS

I owe a big "thank you" to Donna Morton of the Manchester Elementary School in Windham for putting together this flyer to encourage teachers to include Project Linus blankets in their school's programs.  For 10 years now, Donna's fourth grade class has been making 2 quilts each year.  The students get very involved and each have their own story to tell. 

This year, we have a separate category for students in the Studio Sale/Quilt Show on October 19.  It would be wonderful to have students and their programs represented.  I encourage you to contact either Donna or I for ideas.  I look forward to seeing you there.

THANK YOU NOTE FROM THE TIP PROGRAM (Trauma Intervention Program)

We thank you, too, for your efforts and hardwork. 

BATTING DONATION

I was invited to speak at the breakfast meeting for the Biddeford-Saco Rotary.  What a great group!     Thank you so much.

I submitted a grant to purchase a roll of Warm & Natural batting and was given the funds to purchase.  What a blessing.

If you would like some of our good fortune batting, let me know.

BLANKET DAY TIME AT COTTON WEEDS IN FREEPORT

I was just talking with Joanne at Cotton Weeds Quilt Shop and she graciously offered us sewing room time; especially during the week the facility is available to us for a Project Linus gathering.  We can always schedule a Saturday as well, but that's subject to availability.  And it's really wonderful space - light, bright and lots of room.

If anyone has a thought of putting together a Blanket Day, please let me know.  For those of you have joined us, they're always a fun day.

Let's get together. 

DONATION OF FLEECE FOR QUILT BACKS

WOW!!!!   What a terrific donation we received from Maine Woolens in Freeport.  A friend and I stopped to say hi to owner Jo Milier and she surprised us with an amazing donation of 96 fleece blankets 50" x 60".  We have white and a pretty light blue.

This blankets are being used as backs for quilts rather than batting and a cotton back.  They machine quilt perfectly and are a really nice back.

Blankets are available for your Project Linus quilts.   Please let me know.
You'll love how they work up.

Thanks again to Maine Woolens.      FYI, they're opening a new store in Freeport in the fall.  Check it out. 

GIFT FROM PINE TREE QUILTERS GUILD

With thanks to the Pine Tree Quilters Guild for their generous contribution of a VISA gift card of $200.00 to help defer costs such as shipping, quilt labels and other miscellaneous expenses.

Thanks so very much for the funds and a very, very special thank you for the participation of so many members and the many wonderful blankets that we receive.     Project Linus depends on your efforts and you do amazing work.   Thank you.  The children love your creations.  They help comfort them so much.     Please know that you've help make a child smile. 

WHAT DO WE NEED FOR BLANKETS

There are always questions about sizes and types of blankets.  I'd like to recap for our area.

 

What type of blankets does Project Linus accept?

Project Linus welcomes blankets of all styles, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Blankets must be new, handmade and washable. In addition, they must come from a smoke-free environment and be free of pet hair.  

You don't have to be an expert to create a blanket that is beautiful to a child!

What do you mean by “handmade,” and why?

When we say “handmade” or “homemade” we mean something that is not commercially manufactured or purchased. Of course, home sewing machines, knitting machines, etc. are fine. It has always been the mission of Project Linus to donate only handmade blankets. (Per the National Organization:)   We receive thousands of letters and thank you notes every year from children. Over and over they express how touched they are that a stranger would take the time to make something for them. They really know the difference.

 

 Purchased blankets are nice, but handmade blankets are from the heart.

 

 

SUGGESTED SIZES:       36 x 42 infant/toddler
                                                 40 x 54/60 for older children
                                                           2 yards or 48 x 65 for teens

INFO FOR FLEECE BLANKETS     Fleece blankets are a wonderful and cozy gift.  It's also a terrific way for schools, scouts and many other groups to make a blanket.    The recipients really love them!

Please remember to remove the salvage edge (the machine finished edges) before starting to cut.  Also, there needs to be a square cut out of each corner the width & depth of the ties,  example,  a 5" tie would have a 5" square cut out of each corner.   Then, the fleece will have room to be tied and won't be rounded up on the edges and will lie flat. 

                             Thanks so much.  You're all so wonderful to help!

 

 

THANK YOU FROM MMC NEO-NATAL UNIT

                              " A very special thank you. . . for being so very thoughtful!

Thank you again for your wonderful donation of beautiful quilts.  You and your team are doing an amazing job and we and the babies on NICU, love getting them.    Thank you!

                The Staff in the NICU Unit

Berwick Elementary School

In April, a Berwick Elementary School Special Education teacher, Amy Harris was killed in an auto accident.   Our Project Linus Chapter delivered 30 blankets to be distributed to her students when school reopened.  I hope that those blankets are helping to comfort them.

STUDIO SALE/QUILT SHOW

It's 5 months until our semi-annual Studio Sale/Quilt Show.

Date is Saturday, October 19 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Scarborough.

This year we'll be having demonstrations, an ongoing Blanket Day for you to bring your sewing machine and project, our studio sale and 3 categories for Project Linus blankets in the quilt show - 1. general blankets, 2. the Mystery Quilts and 3. students.  We'll also have a silent auction of donated items.

Also, bring your blankets to donate and we'll give you 3 fat quarters as a gift - as long as the supply lasts.

I'm going to invite representatives from the organizations that receive our blankets to come and meet with us. 

I'm well into the planning process.  If you have any suggestions, please give me a call at 284-5606.  I'm always looking for great ideas to make the day more interesting.

I'm looking for help with:


 Items for the sale, including fabric, kits, books, wool or maybe a machine or 2


 Items for the silent auction.  We already have several table runners and are expecting a hooked and braided rug.


 Hands to set up, take down and pack up and sales help for the day.  We'll need quite a few.


 Anyone have something that they'd like to demonstrate?


 Need help with the lunch café.  I have someone but she'll need assistance.  Looks like
 corn chowder and American chop suey and hot dogs this year.


 Someone to take photographs of what's happening.

 AND QUILTS, BLANKETS AND MORE. . .   


To be continued. . .
 

Manchester Elementary School - Windham

I was privileged to visit Donna Morton's fourth grade class to accept their blankets.  Each child drew a picture of something that they felt would make another child smile.  Then the quilts were assembled. 

They've done an amazing job and they had fun doing it.    Many thanks, everyone!

You'll have to come see your entries in our October 19 quilt show. 



Many Thanks to Cotton Weeds Quilt Shop for...

 

Check this out!  Who would have thought that I would be long arm machine quilting?

Joanne and Meredith graciously offered me a day to quilt for Project Linus.  Wow!  That was the best.

It's so much easier than I ever expected.  Of course, I'm at the beginning of the learning curve but like most quilting, it takes practice.  However, I had impressive results with my first try.   I can't wait until I can go up again. 

A very, very special thank you to Karen McPherson, shown in the picture.  She's a terrific machine quilter, great teacher and probably the most patient person I've ever met. Karen, you made it so easy for me.


Everyone, if you haven't tried this yet, you should give Cotton Weeds a call.  They rent the long arm machine and once you try it, you'll be excited for the next time.