I don’t think I can really articulate all that this Spread the Love, Quilting for Kids event has meant to me, but I am going to try. This is likely to be a long post…. Bear with me.
When I first read about Amy and her shop, A Doll Like Me, I knew she was special. I knew the work she does is really important and so valuable. But I didn’t know what all would happen when I put out the call to the quilting community to make doll quilts for A Doll Like Me. I didn’t realize how much I would come to enjoy working with Amy. I didn’t know I was going to have the opportunity to become friends with her and get to know about her family and what is important to her about this work she does. Also, I had no idea I would make so many new friends within the quilting community. I hadn’t a clue how much support my family would pour into this project. My sisters that sew, made blankets, quilts and gowns, my family donated financial support to the Go Fund Me campaign for A Doll Like Me. My nephew works for Go Fund Me and he took Amy’s campaign to his management team – they loved it and donated $1,000 to it.
Kindness begets kindness. It has this incredibly powerful, trickle down effect. Let’s take a look at the flow of kindness within this event. I think it is so important.
- Amy made a doll for a friend’s child. Kind act #1
- Her friend showed it to another friend. Kind act #2
- That friend asked for a special doll with a limb difference for her child and Amy made it for her. Hugely Kind Act #3
- The friend shared the doll and Amy’s world changed. A Doll Like Me began. Hugely Kind Act #4
- Sometime later, Elana of That Fabric Feeling somehow connected with Amy and offered to make doll quilts for her. Amazingly Kind Act #5
- Elana posted about the doll quilts on her blog, thereby sharing the need with the online quilting community. Kind Act #6
- I randomly stumbled on to the posts about Elana’s doll quilts. Random and happy occurence!
- I decide this needs to be shared as a community event so more people can participate, thus creating Spread the Love, Quilting for Kids. Kind Act #7
- Art Gallery Fabric offers me an amazingly generous number of prizes to offer and hopefully encourage participation so Amy would have a large stash of quilts to use in her work. Kind and Generous Act #8
- My family reads about my work (they are such faithful blog readers!) and decide to contribute financially via the Go Fund Me campaign for A Doll Like Me. Kind Act #9
- My nephew finds out about these donations from his mom (my sister) and takes it to the management at Go Fund Me. They donate $1,000 to the campaign. Hugely generous and Surprising Kind Act #10
- Quilters take this event and announce it at their guilds, their sewing groups, their on-line community and I start receiving emails, lots of emails, asking if they can continue to contribute after the February event concludes. I can’t remember how many groups contacted me but it was at least ten. Kind Acts #11 through 20 or so?
- My sister, who lives in the UK, offers to be a collection point so that quilters in the UK can participate without having to mail their quilts to the states. They are mailing their donation to Juanita and she will collect them, package them up and send them to Amy. Kind Act #21
- A quilter in Canada offers to do the same thing so the participants in Canada won’t be paying such high postage expenses. Debbie is collecting the Canadian doll quilts and will package them up and send them to Amy. Kind Act #22
- Doll quilts start arriving – I have received pictures of well over 200 doll quilts so far. Promises of more are in the works. I have heard tales of how meaningful this has been to so many quilters, how much they have enjoyed taking part in this and thinking of these kids who will have their Doll Like Me and also a quilt to wrap up their baby. So, let’s try to quantify this and say these are Kind Acts #23 – 228. I know there are more quilts in process but this gets the idea across, right?
- Quilters ask what else they can do. Amy says ‘well, I would like to have some doll size hospital gowns for kids facing a hospital stay.’ So far I know of fifteen hospital gowns that are finished and sent. Also two more doll outfits. More are in the works, but for now this will be Kind Acts #229 – 246.
See how this works? Kindness begets kindness. Small acts grow, more people get involved, more compassion is extended, and people feel intrinsically rewarded; it feels good to be kind. That warm feeling of satisfaction causes kind acts to happen more and more. One mom is using this project as a teaching tool. She has five children and has committed to making five quilts, one with each child helping her. Those kids will likely benefit and become more compassionate for others, more sympathetic to the needs of others. How will they use that lesson in compassion as they grow? Who knows, but you know it will affect them in a positive manner.
I cannot thank everyone enough. You are all so amazing. Want to see some of the quilts that were made?
I didn’t think it was feasible to upload over 200 pictures so I just made a few collages. So many fun quilts though. I am sorry I couldn’t share every single quilt. They are all outstanding. Included in these special quilts are applique, strip quilts, animals, patchwork, Dr. Suess, Sesame Street, Raggedy Ann, flowers, tractors, and even race cars. Whether modern or traditional, each one is unique and so special.
This community grabbed on to the idea of helping children. It spoke to so many of us. It felt good to do something positive. To have something meaningful to work on as we deal with one senseless tragedy after another in this world we live in.
So many amazing, adorable, hand made quilts in all shapes, colors and styles. These tiny quilts aren’t going to change the world but we are giving something special to a child who needs our love, maybe just a bit more than the other kids.
Look at these sweet hospital gowns, pajamas and clothes that have been made so far.
When I was talking to my friend Mari about this doll quilt event I was dreaming up, I asked what she thought – she said there would be an overwhelming response. She nailed it, didn’t she? Do you know what? One quilter made seventeen doll quilts! She was on a tear (no pun intended!), making one after another; an example of the kindness spreading throughout the community.
Let’s talk about those gorgeous fat quarter bundles offered up by Art Gallery Fabrics! Each person who emailed me pictures of their quilts has been entered once for each quilt they shared with me. Also an extra entry was made if the person made hospital gowns or outfits. You may continue to email me pictures of completed items through February 28th.
Quilt bloggers who have gotten involved can share their posts by linking up below. The link up will remain open through February 28th. When I read through the link ups, I will enter the blogger once for each quilt shared on the post. I hope you will take a few minutes and check out the other posts. I am sure you will come away inspired and gratified.
On March 1st I will have the fun task of picking ten winners via Random Number Generator. I will email the winners and ask for their mailing information. If you are a winner, please email me your information within two days. Otherwise, I will pick another winner. Does this all make sense? If you have questions, leave them in the comments and I will get back to you.
I am so energized by the response from all of you. You are amazing, generous people and there are no words to accurately describe how gratifying this has been. Thank you for all of the time and effort you have poured into these sweet quilts over the last several weeks. Thanks in advance for the quilts promised to A Doll Like Me in the future. I know Amy is overwhelmed by the response and also very grateful.
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What an amazing response, quilters are the most generous people!!
Absolutely loved reading this! I mailed a quilt to Amy yesterday, and I plan to make more. Thank you for this opportunity. 😊😍
I’m so happy to hear about what a great response Amy has received! Thank you SO MUCH for being the spark that started this bonfire of kindness, Bernie. I’m grateful that I found your blog through Spread the Love 🙂
Amazing, and so fun to be part of such a great community of quilters who give so generously!
This is all so very impressive Bernie. And those tiny quilts WILL change the world. When they make a difference in even one person’s life, the world is changed for the better. Thank you for all that you and Amy and all the other quilters did to make that difference. 🙂
This project has been such a blessing to me personally, on many levels. I plan to share it with my Stitching Sisters quilting group from church at our April meeting. I hope to have at least one more little Quilt and hospital gown ready for show and tell. I’m hoping Amy will receive lots more quilts after I inspire and encourage my friends.
Thank you Bernie, Mari and others from the quilting blog world, for keeping this wonderful balloon up in the air.
I serve a kind and generous Lord Jesus and You have provided opportunity for me to be a little more like Him. Beth
I don’t even have words except to say – yes. I feel like it has restored my faith in humanity at a time when I need it most.
I had fun for days on end….making several quilts every day. it’s an addiction…to be able to complete a quilt in a day….even if it’s tiny. i mailed a box off to Amy yesterday with 24 quilts. and i have 5 more in the works. wonder if i can make 100. i challenge you……how many can you make? let’s flood Amy with quilts.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I enjoyed making the quilts and thinking about the joy they will bring to a child. I still hope to make some hospital gowns!
Such a beautiful post and event… I knew when you first posted that the response would be big. Thank you for this opportunity to help Amy. Kindness generates kindness.
Bernie, what an amazing thing you started! Thanks for letting us all join in!
Thank YOU, Bernie, for opening your heart to this wonderful cause and folding all of us into it!
You’re welcome. ❤️❤️❤️
This is amazing. Thanks for organizing.
You are most welcome. Thank you for making quilts for these special little people.
Bernie, you’ve done a wonderful, funderful thing! Can you believe the response? Truly amazing! Thank you for initiating this ‘movement’ and for following it through! I had fun making my two quilts to contribute. Although my daughter is not a quilter, she has had lots of fun keeping up with the momentum and watching it grow into something so fabulous.
I”m sorry I missed this. What an awesome “event” for a great cause.
Val- don’t think of it like you missed it. For one thing, as a teacher you probably encounter situations where a child could be helped by something like this- so. Ow it is a resource to keep in your back pocket. Goin forward, Amy now has a lot of doll quilts- but the tiny pajamas and hospital gowns are super easy to make and can use mainly scraps so not costly to make them. She would welcome your contribution- even if it is next summer while you are off from teaching. ☺️❤️ Finally, wouldn’t talking about these doll with your kindergarteners be a really interesting thing for the kids? All sorts of ways to be involved.
Good deeds lead to more good deeds. Thank you so much for the shout out yes, it is incredible how you just happened upon my blog and took it too an incredible next level!! Amy has become a very special friend of mine and I am so grateful you have helped share her with the rest of the community! Bernie…you rock!!
Also- I was made aware (thank you Amy😉) that i have been misspelling your name!! Off to make the corrections- I am sorry Elana!
I loved reading this post, even though I didn’t get involved. this time. Maybe I will at a later date. Great work everyone.
Lisa, The timing isn’t always going to work for people. Thank you for reading along though! Have a nice Sunday afternoon. 🙂
Such a wonderful response! Congrats and I’ll watch with some envy as winners of the beautiful Art Gallery fabrics are selected.
I agree Caroline, on both counts! Fantastic, heartwarming response for sure – and I will share a bit of that envy with you as I pull names for these fat quarter bundles. It was such a gift from Art Gallery to support the event with these prizes. Take care.
Hi,
I would like to know where to send hospital , doll clothes, and/or quilts. I just found this blog and would like to contribute. I work at an elementary school. We have a set of twins, both are boys. One of the boys does not have his right arm. I would like more information about purchasing a doll too.
Thanks for sharing this organization,
V Hoopes
Hi Vonnie- I got your note. I am going to reply in a separate email.☺️
I read about this project on Sew Preeti Quilts and was directed to you, and I feel honored to be able to help out such a worthy cause. Thanks.
Jill
Hi Jill, thank you for the note. Very happy to hear you found your way over! I am looking forward to hearing what you make. Email me when you are ready to send your project off and i will give you the mailing information.
Please send your mailing address:
I have made a doll quilt, which I would like to send to you
I find it difficult to comment on this post Bernie, the generosity of quilters is wonderful indeed. My heart breaks reading the stories of some children and the effect receiving a doll has had. I give thanks none of the children in my family have ever needed a doll like me.
Kate, I know what you mean. I hope the joy I feel about the project doesn’t somehow make it seem I take the situations of each of these children lightly. Some of their stories are so painful and their families have such challenges raising them. It makes me very aware of how lucky I have been that my children are healthy. It is almost a miracle that a baby is born healthy when one considers all that can happen during the crucial months of development in utero. But I have to see all the joy Amy brings. It is so valuable for the child to have this doll to love and to express feelings with. But there is a bittersweet aspect to what Amy does and what this doll quilt drive is all about. Absolutely. Thanks for your thoughts and your honesty. Thanks also for the lovely quilts you made. <3
Oh no Bernie, I don’t think you take it lightly at all, your caring shines through. Amy is inspirational, it is wonderful that this has come together the way it has, surely as it was meant to be.
Kate…I think it speaks to how important representation is – especially for children, when egos and self esteem are so fragile. What this quilt drive has done is quite literally wrapped these kids in love…from strangers! I think we WANT to know that people care – but this is a very visual representation of what that “care” looks like.
It is overwhelming in a very, very powerful way and I find myself at a loss for words. Quilters are amazing people.
This is one of the many reasons I love this community!! Quilters are such generous people. Thank you for hosting this event, Bernie. I wouldn’t have heard of A Doll Like Me otherwise and it has been so wonderful to be able to help 🙂
You know, this COULD change the world. We don’t know how far the ripples of each kind act will go, who will be encouraged when they were ready to give up, what child will grow up to do something miraculous. There are so many small acts that reap great rewards, and these will certainly do that. Thank you for spreading the word!
I love your perspective Susan. Thanks so much. You are right – the ripples continue to move outward. Well written. 🙂
All of this is so moving and I wish everyone in the world would read this post. One small good act can snowball into so much warmth if we let it. I’m hoping to make some quilts to send soon and will tell my guild in hopes they may want to help too. I figure she can always use them. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Wow. I just read through all the comments. I am feeling all sorts of “Quilter Power” right now! We absolutely CAN make a difference! I have taught many children with physical differences over the years. On a smaller scale, as a patent of a child with medical needs that sometimes set her apart, I know the isolation that parents can feel as they watch their children struggle. I love the idea that we have wrapped these families in a large, warm quilted hug. Can’t think of anything better.
Is it possible that Amy might be burdened under this large load of quilts? I imagine that 300 is more than her typical out put of dolls for a year. Does she have a place to store these quilts? Is she overwhelmed? I know there’s never too much of a good thing, but I’m putting my self in her shoes and wondering where the heck to put all the quilts!! Lol!
Bernie, I can’t thank you enough to getting me back to my blog to show off my quilts. Its been far too long, and writing that quick post felt wonderful! I hope it sticks!
Haha, quilter power, that is cute. I know you especially relate to this project so I am happy you were able to be involved.
Amy swears she can store the quilts while she uses them. I was worried about that too. She is so happy to have each one of them.
I’ve known about Elana’s quilts for a while and I’m SO glad you took the idea and ran with it! This is such a deserving cause and I’m so glad to see a worthy charity benefit!
Such a wonderful thing to be part of, Amy for starting it off with her special dolls, and you and all the other kindly quilters adding the dollies quilts and hospital gowns. Quilters everywhere bringing joy to little ones and their parents.