Popping in today to share a few things with all of you. Many of us are having a tough time trying to deal with all that has happened over the past couple of weeks in our country. Much unrest, anger, sadness and feelings of helplessness seem to have settled over much of our world. There are ways to help and to remain positive though. Lots of people are trying to provide support where they can, donate to various organizations, and be really vocal about the changes that need to be made.
To this end, there is an auction starting today on Instagram. Hosted and organized by MrDomestic, many artists, quilters and people of all sorts have donated things to be auctioned off. There are a variety of items in all sorts of price ranges – from beautiful skeins of yarn, to out of print and collectible fabrics (think Tula Pink and Heather Ross) to amazing quilts and children’s clothing – something is sure to appeal to you! I know there are items on the feed that I am going to keep an eye on for sure.
Needle and Foot has donated both a $75 gift certificate to the shop as well as a bundle of fat quarters by Sharon Holland to the auction. This is a great way to contribute to a much needed cause. There are many, many items for auction so take some time to enjoy some scrolling and shopping!
You can find details about which organizations will be supported by clicking here. I like this format for fund raising as it allows people to help both by donating our hand crafted items or supplies as well as purchasing beautiful things and all of the money raised goes directly to the charitable organization. I hope you will go to visit the auction which is on @mrdauctionhouse. Also, please share this far and wide on all social media feeds – the more bidders, the better! (Try saying that a few times in a row!)
Moving on but still talking about ways to contribute in our world. This is a feel good project many of us have worked on in the past. Amy, of A Doll Like Me, is running low on hospital gowns for the dolls. She would LOVE to have us make more and send them over to her. For those of you who are not familiar, click here to read the post from last year. Amy’s dolls go to special needs children. She sends them their special doll (who looks just like the child) along with a handmade doll quilt – donated by so many of you – as well as a hospital gown, if needed. Many of these children are in and out of the hospital on a regular basis. They often bring their dolls with them and Amy likes to give the doll a gown much like what the child will wear during his/her stay. The gowns are super easy to make and you only need a fat quarter of fabric and some narrow, double fold bias tape. Truly a wonderful and easy way to contribute. If you have time (and I know you have fabric!!) would you consider making one or two (or ten?!?) and sending them to Amy in Wisconsin? If you need the mailing info for the gowns, please comment and I will email it privately. Just in case you didn’t keep the tutorial for making the gowns, you will find it here.
Finally, I want to share a sampling of the quilts that have arrived recently for Mercy Hospital.
I cannot thank all of you enough for making these amazing quilts and donating them to Mercyful Quilts.
Truly you are the best of the best!!!
These quilts will be loved and appreciated by their recipients.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
How could I close without a baby picture to make you smile. Yesterday, big sister took this picture of little sis. Doesn’t it look like the baby is giving her big sis the stink eye? That one eyebrow raise is hilarious. I love this one. Hope you do too!
Everyone – please hang in there. Our world feels upside down right now. Breathe in and out, try to find a calm place so you are able to react and help in whatever way works best for you. Let us hope all of this anger results in positive change.
Such a positive post, Bernie, thank you! We all need little boosts of encouragement these days. So many pretty quilts! That design you asked about looks familiar, but I can’t recall where I’ve seen it. I’ll see if I can get some gowns made, too. I’m giggling, looking at that little eyebrow too – wouldn’t it be fun to know what she’s thinking? I have a feeling those two are going to make lots of memories together! Haha!
Thank you for making a gown or two Wendy! I am so looking forward to watching the girls grow up together. This grammy thing is the best!
Bernie, what a nice post. You balance a pep talk with the reality of the situation. I know it always makes me feel better to do some charitable sewing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas- and for helping amy.
You and me both Elana. It may be a small contribution but it is helpful nonetheless. I am so glad you are getting better. What a time you have had!! Take care.
Hi Bernie. I am so blessed by what you are doing and by your positive stance. So many of my friends are dismayed and a bit depressed. It is nice to read your post this morning! I got hacked on Instagram and when I reported it they closed down my account. I’ve been unsuccessful so far at getting it straightened out so I won’t be able to participate in the auction. But I did want to voice my support. I hope you experience incredible success!!
Hi Gloria – I haven’t heard from you for a while! Thanks for leaving a note. It is depressing and it makes me sad. But for me, sitting around feeling upset and sad doesn’t do anything. At least by writing, donating and sewing, I feel like I am helping a tiny bit. If everyone helped just a tiny bit, wouldn’t that be amazing? I hope you are well. Have you been doing any sewing?
Thank you for all you do! I would like to have the address for Amy and will be happy to make several little gowns for the dolls. What a sweet thing to do for little girls with health issues.
Hi Terri, thank you for making gowns. Just to let you know, Amy makes as many boy dolls as girl dolls. So when you make gowns, it is great to make some with little boys in mind. All sorts of novelty prints are really fun for the kids. I will send the address info via separate email.
I would love to make some hospital gowns for A Doll Like Me, Bernie! Is she also still accepting doll quilts? And one more question – what size do you like the Mercyful Quilts to be?
Hi Diann, Thanks so much!! Yes, Amy still accepts the doll quilts. So feel free to make what you would like. Also, for Mercyful Quilts – any typical lap size is good. We aren’t too picky – I am sure the lap quilts you make would be wonderful. I appreciate you asking though!
A very well said, well thought out post, Bernie! We certainly are having to view things through different lenses, aren’t we? I have some fabric set aside and in line for next up at the sewing machine for hospital gowns for Amy. I will need to be brave and pop over to Joann’s for some more binding, though. The auction is a wonderful idea. You are So thoughtful and generous of spirit.
You have the bias tape process down now. I remember it made you nervous last time. Thank you for making more gowns!!
I tried the link for the auction but it came back as “Page Not Found”. Help!
Hi Carol: For various reasons they had to change the actual link to the fundraiser. Thank you for the reminder to update the post. You will find the auction here: https://www.instagram.com/misterdomesticfundraiser/. There are so many items so enjoy scrolling through. My auction items are toward the end of the feed. Thank you!!
I have got to find my bias tape maker! I will start making some of these dresses for A Doll Like Me. Thanks for the gift certificate to MrDomestic’s auction….a great event and I am sure it will do well.
I totally forgot about the bias tape maker. I have one somewhere too. I need to dig it out. I am low on tape after using it for masks. So this is a great idea! Thanks Kathleen!
Yes please address for Amy. would love to make some gowns fo the dolls. Thanks Tamara Gassen
Oh Bernie! I laughed right out loud at that baby picture! She’s a treasure, that’s for sure! Kind of looks like she’s saying “you’re wearing that??” Thanks for the laugh, and I’ll make up some more hospital gowns for Amy.
Isn’t that picture hysterical? I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks a bunch for making more gowns. I cut out a few this afternoon. A quick and easy project.
Please send me the address as well – I have lots of odd size scraps left from making dresses for my two granddaughters and they’ll be just the right size for hospital gowns. Great tip on using the bias tape maker as well! That’ll save me a trip to the store.
Such a great post Bernie, full of good news and information. My way of handling these past few weeks/months is to keep my news watching to a minimum and to try to find good in every day. Lately that’s been working for me. The quilts you shared are beautiful – so much talent from so many people! Thank you for all the good you do.
Thank you Beth. I look forward to days where we don’t have to think about all of this – so life can feel a bit more normal again. Not sure that will happen any time soon but surely we will get there. 🙂
Beautiful quilts (and yes, I LOVE that palette!). It’s so nice to see good things happening in the world!