Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Charity Quilts

I'm happy to report that I haven't gotten too out of control with my exit shopping. Just because we're leaving in five weeks doesn't mean I have to take the entire output of the country with me. I did finally break down and buy one of these new-made-to-look-old coffee urns. I'm guessing that this is meant to be Beduoin, since a lot of their jewelry uses old "coins" in this manner.

Sweetie of course just said you bought this??? and for how much??? Well I love it and I'm sure the cats would too if they could get at it.

Since one of the "suggestions" (I hate the word "rules") of the Take the Leap Challenge is that the quilt be donated to charity, I thought I would post a couple of links to worthwhile causes for you, in case you don't already have something in mind.

First off, Wrap Them in Love, which donates quilts to children in need around the world. They recommend that the quilt be heavily quilted or tied and sturdy, since they're going to get lots of loving and laundering. Their preferred size is 40" x 60".

Another is the U.S. Project Linus. They were the lucky recipient of loads of fabric when I cleaned out my stash before moving overseas. Their mission is to "provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need... Quilts can be as small as 36" X 36". The majority of Project Linus blankets are about 40" X 60", or what is called "crib size." Blankets could be as large as twin size for teens."

Have to admit I never realized that crib size was that big. I've always aimed for 45" squarish when making baby blankets for friends. I don't know what size preemie quilts should be. I'm guessing darn small...

I received an email asking what kind of batting/wadding should be used and does the material need to be 100% cotton. I don't know if there is a preference. I didn't see one when I scanned through these two sites. If anyone out there has some good tips for making baby quilts for charity projects, that would be appreciated.

Links to check out:

Tazzie has absolutely made my day. Way back when, Tazzie commented that she wanted to be more adventurous in her quilting, but was afraid to take the leap. That was how the Take the Leap Challenge got started. So I'm thrilled that she's tried the instructions and learned that it wasn't as scary as she thought it would be. Woohoo!

Quilt Pixie has gone wild, unsurprisingly enough since she used all sorts of wonkier than wonky houses and letters in her home quilt. Now she's making fantastic hugs and kisses to go with her "supernovas" and "sinkholes." I wonder if I can be considered a child in need, heh heh heh.

ClickertyClick Linda in Adelaide is a fairly new blogger - a knitter and quilter. She's making letters and they're looking great and she knitted an a that's very clever.

13 comments:

Passionate Quilter said...

Tonya, that would be hard leaving for good and not wanting to take it all with you! It's funny, you can live somewhere a long time and then when it's time to go, you want to see it all and buy it all! LOL
I envy you being able to live all over the world. So I just travel it--although Egypt is one place I have not been.So it's been great seeing it through your eyes.

quiltpixie said...

one would think that coffee out of that urn wouldn't stay hot long... but then again make it well and you could empty it fairly quickly too and make more!

You're doing a great job of only picking up a few keepsakes as you plan to leave... The restraint is a wonder :-)

Unknown said...

Good grief, if I had only a few weeks to go in Egypt, I would be going absolutely ape-&%$# with the shopping. The furniture you have is so gorgeous and so unique. Then there are the carpets and the fabulous objets d'art like that coffee pot. And I bet there is some interesting jewelry too...

Joyce said...

THat is quite a coffee pot! Is it fairly large and do you plan to use it or is it purely decorative? My son went to Egypt when he was in his twenties and brought back Egyptian necklaces for his sisters. THey looked like something Cleopatra would wear. They were thrilled and when he said he'd paid about $.35 for them they were wishing he'd bought dozens of them. Then we saw the same ones in the Field Museum store in Chicago for $35. One person's junk is another person's treasure.

Judy said...

Wow Wee!! I know it's Egyptian, but I think I might have to agree with hubby on this one. Yowzaa!! That's one fan-cee teapot!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Your coffee pot/urn is really fun! Not that I would know where to put it in my house - but it is sure cool!

I"ve got to try some X's and O's, just like the 100 other things I want to do!

Susan said...

You might not have to take *all* of Egypt with you, but don't you need at least one of everything? =) That's a cool whatever. I'll bet the cats *would* love it!

In a frustrated day of almost no sewing, I did my first 3 letters - they are 3" finished. =) I'm using them as stripping between red and blue scrappy Shoo-fly blocks for an American Heros quilt. All of it is out of scraps! The letters I did today were from leftover pioneer braid pieces I cut for a previous quilt, and extra 3.5" squares. I have to find more scraps of WOW and COC to make more squares!

Cher said...

quite a conversation starter when you have new friends over for coffee! can't say I blame you for buying something you absolutely adore...enjoy your exit shopping while you can.

Finn said...

Hey Ton, I'm still among the vargrant and missing in action for the most part.
But I have survived all the appointments of this week (6), and next week looks a whole lot better.
Hopefully I can get some sewing and quilting done.
I still need to pick fabrics for my X & O's.

Tazzie said...

Hey there Tonya, I luuuuurve that coffee pot! You're going to have so many wonderful memories of your time in Egypt. Save a little space on your shelves for when you visit Aussie sometime okay! And for sure, the bright lights of gay Paris do beckon ... you may regret saying that some day! *lol*
I'm going to do some more on my hugs and kisses today, I'm feeling daring!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

KC Quilter said...

Hey, congrats on having your blog mentioned in the August issue of Quilters Home!!!!

ForestJane said...

I love the blue beads on the side of the coffee pot there. :) What would have been the heat source for a coffee pot like this? Or was it for serving coffee already made?

Anonymous said...

The guild I belong to Fraser Valley Quilter's Guild in Delta, British Columbia, Canada makes premie quilts for the special care nursery at Vancouver's Children's Hospital.The quilts are 36" x 36" and have flannel backings. No embellishments or monofilament threads as the babies' skin is quite delicate. More information is available on the Fraser Valley Quilter's Guild site. I would love it, of course, if you sent quilts to our guild but I'm sure the quilts would be welcomed by any hospital with a special care nursery.