Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday - Comfort Pillows for Hospice and May for Me Prize!

Yes, May is for me or for you and we are suppose to be sewing and doing stuff we want to do.  Like projects we have put aside and now is the time to do those.  But I have decided I am going to change my list whenever I want to and do whatever I want to do, on a whim!

What kind of plan is that?  If you have been following me and reading my posts, I think it is pretty obvious that I love to sew and quilt.  So no matter what I am sewing or constructing, I am happy.

My mom came to visit for an early Mother's Day, this past weekend.  We decided to sew together again.  We made more comfort pillows for Rainbow Hospice.  I sew and my Mom stuffs!  On March 19th, National Quilting Day my Mom and I made a Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice and comfort pillows.  Here is a link to that post:  Sewing with Mom!   Tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday I will post photos of the completed Passage Quilt.  Two weeks ago I mailed it to my Mom and she gave it to Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson County, (Wisconsin).

What is a Comfort Pillow and how is it used?

A comfort pillow is made to comfort ankles and heels and wrists and elbows and the neck of a patient that is bed ridden.  The caregiver uses it to comfort the patient by padding the areas of the body that have increased pressure when laying in bed all the time.

An added benefit that we found was it brought comfort to us, as we moved them around for my Dad to make him more comfortable in the last few days of his life. 


Here's how we make the comfort pillows. 
We make 2 sizes:  Approximately 5 1/2  inches by 12 1/2 inches and 5 1/2 inches by 10 1/2 inches.

Cut 2 pieces of 100% cotton fabric  - 6" X 13" or 6" X 11".

Place pretty sides together as shown  and pin.

Stitch a 1/4" seam allowance all the way around the rectangle leaving an opening of about 3 inches at one end.  See the double pins to remind you not to sew there.  Use a tight or small stitch to sew.  Or stitch it a second time.

Clip off the corners close to the stitching, being careful not to cut the stitches.

Turn right side out.  Poke corners out.

Press/Iron to get the wrinkles out and make sure you have the open ends folded  to the inside.

I stuff with a poly stuffing.

Stitch the opening closed with a tiny zigzag stitch.

The comfort pillows are machine washable.

We have been making the comfort pillows since 1996.  More information about the comfort pillows in the Sewing with Mom post.

Update: This is NOT a current giveaway.


Time for another "May for Me" Prize Giveaway!

Orange Flowers Note Cards  Set of 3 - Value $6.00

These cards were made from a photo of thread painting on orange batik printed fabric. I stitched for hours and hours with many different colors of threads including some variegated threads. I named the quilt "Fun at the End of the Day" !  It brought back memories of coloring -- but not staying inside the lines....  I use this quilt photo as the logo for my quilting business.

Sorry - Only US and Canada Free shipping. 

International winners shipping charges apply.

Drawing May 8, 2011 6pm CST 

It's simple to enter the drawing - Please leave a comment - Tell me what you like to sew, make, quilt, or craft!

Feel free to share on Facebook and post it on your blog and tweet it !

Enjoy May!  One day at a time!

Marcia

Sewing with my Mom!

My Mom and I are making a Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice.  We finished the center of the quilt top this weekend.  I will add 2 borders and quilt it.  Our sewing days go like this...I cut and sew and Mom presses.  My Mom is great with colors, so she makes the colors choices.  We make a pretty good team!


We also worked on making Comfort Pillows for Rainbow Hospice this weekend.  We make the long stuffed pillows for Hospice to use to comfort and pad a person in bed.  We started making these back in 1996 when my Dad had cancer and Hospice Care. We made some to help comfort Dad. Then we started to make them as a family with me sewing and my Mom and Jewels and BJ stuffing the pillows and then back to me to stitch them closed. Even my brother and his son have helped on occasion. Here's some pictures from our weekend of sewing.  My Mom's dog, Toby fell asleep while we sewing.

Oh, yes!  We make a pretty good sewing team!


Enjoy your day!




Marcia




Here is the link to the post of the completed Passage Quilt. and the post about how to make the comfort pillows.

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 

Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday - Sewing with My Mom

This past weekend Mom and I sewed Plastic Grocery Bag Dispensers. Mom wanted to make some gifts for all her drivers for radiation, for all the people that help her at the Cancer Center, and other caregivers.  We are very thankful for all the care and help that many are extending to her during this time of need.

I set up our little sewing shop at Mom's dining room table.  I sew and Mom turns the straps inside out. I brought Toby along to visit Mom.  He jumped up on her lap to help her. See him in the background of the first picture.

We completed 16 bags.  I had to bring home 6 more to finish, as she needed at least 22.   

You can hang them on a door knob or you can hang it on a hook.  This is where I hang mine.

I will share a tutorial on how to make the dispenser later.  Sorry... too busy sewing the bags in the evenings after I am done working (quilting).  It is simple and fun to make.  They do make a very useful gift.

Our friend Kathy took our picture.  Gabby and Toby wanted to be in the picture, so I picked them up.

But Gabby just wanted to kiss my Mom...

I kissed her too!


Thursday I am going to my Mom's again, as we are going to the Open House for new Rainbow Hospice facility in Jefferson County. Hospice took care of my Dad years ago.  


Mom and I make and donate comfort pillows and have been doing that for about 15 years. Recently we made urine bag covers too.  We also made and donated a Passage quilt for them in the spring of this year.  Every year I make a quilt for the Fireside to raffle for Relay for Life.  This year they chose to raffle it for Rainbow Hospice.  I am looking forward to seeing the new hospice facility.


Thanks again for all the positive thoughts and prayers... 


Marcia


Linked with:
Freshly Pieced: WIP Work in Progress - Oct. 12, 2011 

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

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