Why Are We Making Bright and Colorful Hospice Quilts?

Candy and Debbie and Linda and I have made several beautiful quilts for Rainbow Hospice. Recently, we decided we need more "Bright and Colorful" Quilts. It cheers up the room of a Hospice patient.

I cut tons of 2 1/2 inch strips in bright colors and we combined it with some beautiful prints.

I quilted both of them with large Paisley Swirl Quilting with a Blue quilting thread. 

I selected Purple for the backing fabric. It works perfectly for both of them!

These quilts are placed on the beds of dying patients and they are enjoyed by the family members while they are with their family members for the end of life process.

Then they are given to a family member afterwards. We all hope that they are comforted by our quilts during and afterwards.  

My Dad died in 1996. Rainbow Hospice was fairly new and we were blessed to have them take care of him and us during the our time of need.

Over the years, starting back in 1996, I have been making comfort pillows  for Rainbow Hospice.  My kids and my Mom and I made them.  See the link for photos and how to make the comfort pillows.

I am sharing today, two quilts that were made by Candy and I. 

Whenever we make them I quilt/stitch in " Made with Love by ..... (Our Names - whoever contributed to that quilt).

Many friends have shared with us.

Our friend, LouAnn donated fabric and we added her name too.  

At a quilt retreat, last year, several people brought us their Orphan Quilt Blocks to add to a quilt. 

Some people brought us fabric and batting. 

All gifts are appreciated.

Do you want to help us by sending us Orphan Quilt Blocks, fabric for the quilt top and backing, or batting or money? Please send me an email at Marcia@craftysewing.com and find our how you can help us give too.

We appreciated any contributions.  Thanks in advance. I will add your name to the stitching for that quilt or quilts. 

You can help us even if you are not a quilter.  Again, Thanks in advance.

Yes --- We use Quilt Patterns? 

The one with more Red and Orange is Pat Sloan's String Bean Quilt. Here is the link String Bean Quilt.

I used Pat Sloan's String Bean Quilt Pattern for a Hospice Quilt earlier this year.

Click here for that post to see the quilt up close.

The other one is a Post Card Pattern that Candy purchased and I will get that information and post it here later this week. Sorry I do not have it right now. Check back later in the week or email me if you are looking for it and I will email the information to you when I get it.

My Mom and I made a Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice. Click here to see that quilt.

Last year Candy and I made a Patriotic Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice. Click here to see that quilt.

I share to inspire you to create! 

I am not asking for a donation, but I am giving you the information, if you would like to team up with us and join in the fun of giving to others, to comfort others in their time of need, as we know how much it meant to us when we were in need.

According to the News, this week is the week for giving!

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

31 Days of BLog Writing 

The Green Donation Quilt is Completed and Needs a Name!

I completed our donation quilt this morning.  As I was stitching on the binding, I paused to enjoy the beautiful view of my evergreens in bloom. I am not sure if that is what you call it - "in bloom" - but the trees are sprouting out in this bright green color.  Spring is Wisconsin is so refreshingly green!

Maybe that is why I love this quilt so much. It's the greens of spring!

I need some help naming the donation quilt.  All I can think of is Blooming Evergreens.
I would love some name suggestions from you.
As you view the photos of the donation quilt, please help me think of a name. 

I am so pleased with how it turned out.  It brought tears to my eyes as I finished the last corner and then spread it out on the bed to take the photos.  My Mom and I have been creating a donation quilt almost every year since 1997 in memory of my Dad, Dan Nordeen. We have since added in memory of Blanche Anderson, my sister-in-law's Mother. I think every year we enjoy it more than the last year.  There is something very special about creating a quilt for a cause.

Here are some up close photos of the quilting and the embroidery stitched binding.

 We created our courthouse round quilt with 40 assorted green fabrics.  All 100% cotton fabrics.

 We chose the bright green for the lattice and a multicolored green for the center square and the corner stones. 

 The last border, the binding, and the backing fabric is a green 108" Wide Quilter's Blenders.  It was perfect to use an extra wide fabric as there are no seams in the long outside borders and only 4 seams in the binding.

 I mailed it to my Mom's this afternoon and soon it will be on display at the The Fireside Dinner Theater in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.  They will raffle it for their fundraising efforts for the Rainbow Hospice Care in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

My Mom and I have started to brainstorm some ideas for next year's quilt and colors. We would love your suggestions on colors too.

"Quilts for a Cause" are quilts that you create from your heart.  
Take a moment to enjoy the colors around you!
Marcia

There are a couple of the "Quilts for a Cause" currently on my blog and website - click on the titles and it will take you to the posts:
All the Posts about making this year's donation quilt 2012 Link includes this post.
Donation Quilt 2011 for Rainbow Hospice
Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice
Comfort Pillows for Rainbow Hospice
A Signature Quilt for Kathy
Relay for Life Quilt 2009
Hearts from all over the World Quilt
Relay for Life Quilt 2012 in Praire du Chein

Sharing this post at:
Linky Party at Our Delightful Home
Happy Quilting: TNT Thursday
Faith, Grace, and Crafts: Pearls and Lace Thursday
The Thrifty Groove: Thrifty Thing Friday
At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
MyRepurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can Friday
TGIFF Thank Goodness it's Finished Fridays
Quilting in my Pyjamas: Favourite Things Friday
Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish it up Fridays
Amylouwho:Sew and Tell Fridays
Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Richard Quilts: Link a Finish Friday

"Quilts for a Cause" are quilts that you create from your heart...

My Mom and I made this quilt and donated it to The Fireside for one of their fundraisers for Rainbow Hospice. The Fireside raffled this quilt to raise money for the Family Room at Rainbow Hospice in Johnsons Creek, Wisconsin.  It has been on display at the Fireside in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.  The drawing was yesterday and the winner is Susan Kramer of Helenville, Wisconsin.  

Through the quilt raffle sales, they raised $2,904. The Fireside will donate the money to Rainbow Hospice for the kitchen and snack bar within the family rest and relaxation area. 

Every year, since 1997, Mom and I together create a donation quilt in memory of my Dad, Dan Nordeen.  We have since added in memory of Blanche Anderson, my sister-in-law's Mother.

The pattern we used is a courthouse round block.  Mom and I chose blues and greens for the colors.  Of course we both love blues. Last fall, Mom pressed and starched all the fabrics and I rotary cut all the strips.  Then Mom picked out each color for each round of the block.  She put them on a paper towel and placed them in a pizza box.  I sewed only 3 blocks at a time, so I didn't get any of the strips mixed up!

 We chose a stripped fabric for the lattice.

I quilted with free style Overall Swirls.  It softens the sharp straight lines of the blocks.  I finished the quilt with an all machine embroidery stitched binding.

We have already chose our colors for the next quilt and we will start pressing and cutting the fabric later this fall. Mom will plan out the blocks.  I will do the sewing this winter, so I can quilt it by March or April.


Some day soon, (maybe next week), I will post about all the quilts my Mom and I have made together over the years for "Quilts for a Cause".  I am still searching some old albums for old photos to scan into the computer.  I am adding them to the photo gallery as I find them.


There are a couple of the "Quilts for a Cause" currently on my blog and website:
Relay for Life Quilt 2009
Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice
Comfort Pillows for Rainbow Hospice
A Signature Quilt for Kathy
Hearts from all over the World Quilt


"Quilts for a Cause" are quilts that you create from your heart...

I entered photos of this quilt in a Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side Oct. 28, 2011

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

Linked with:
Favourite Things Friday-Oct. 28, 2011