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Sunday, March 18, 2012

Hands2Help Challenge - Time to Sign Up!





“What does love look like? 
It has the hands to help others. 
It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. 
It has eyes to see misery and want. 
It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. 
That is what love looks like.”

Hi, all!

Well, the day has finally arrived - signup day for the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge 2012!  I'm overwhelmed at the response we've already received - so many of you are excited to do this again, or for the first time - and it makes my heart sing!  Thank you for all the support and encouragement you've given over the past few weeks as we geared up for this year's challenge.

If this is your first time to come across the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge, here's a little info about the charities we will be quilting for this year.....



St. Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina

First up is something I'm calling The NOLA Project.  Quilts will be distributed to grade-school children in St. Bernard Parish in New Orleans.  St. Bernard Parish was hit incredibly hard by Hurricane Katrina - storm surges took out virtually every building in the parish, and flood waters stood at 7 feet in most of the homes.  The children that remain there have suffered through family changes as spouses split up over the decision to move or remain in the parish, and mothers tend to suffer from depression which affects the children deeply.  Gladeville Baptist Church in Gladeville, TN has taken multiple work groups to this area since Hurricane Katrina, with the thought that returning to do mission work in the same area reinforces to these people that they are not forgotten, and puts an exclamation point on God's love for them.  When the parish residents see the same faces over and over, relationships are built and God’s love is shown in many ways.  The senior high school students at Gladeville have been going three times a year since Hurricane Katrina, and for the past few years have been working with the grade schools to provide physical education activities for the children while they are there during the school year, and summer camp activities during their summer trip. The children and the teachers look forward to their return each year!  Quilts for this project can be any size from 50" square to twin size and will be sent to me here in the Nashville, TN area to be distributed in St. Bernard Parish this fall.




Our second charity this year is an ongoing project of Emily of Em's Scrapbag.  You can choose to make quilts for Happy Chemo, an organization that provides quilts and comfort for chemo patients.  They also collect up and provide information about freebies and discounts that may be of use to chemo patients.  Emily has been championing this cause for a while, and last January set a goal of providing 1500 quilts to Happy Chemo.  She’s at 382 right now, and I’d like to see her numbers grow!  She has generously agreed to be part of this challenge, and is excited to see what comes of it.  Here's what Emily has to say about Happy Chemo...

"The first time I met Ginger Johnston, founder of Happy Chemo, it was my first visit to a chemo lab.  I was scared and unsure of what the future held for me.  In walked Ginger, bald and boobless but determined to bring a little sunshine into the chemo lab.  So before she started her treatment she took everyone’s name and drew prizes.  It so changed my experience that I knew I needed to help her in her quest.  I started making quilts for her to give.  Because I can’t sew as fast as cancer strikes I started asking for help.  I just want to bring a little comfort and joy to those who are facing the fear and uncertainty that trips to the chemo lab bring.  
I accept quilts that are 45” square to 60”x 72”.  Any style of quilt is accepted as cancer effects men and women, children and adults.  Thank you for any help."

Quilts made for this project will be sent to Emily to help her meet her goal of 1500 quilts donated to Happy Chemo....

If you're torn between the two charities, feel free to make more than one quilt!  Just think how many wonderful designs you can try.... ;-)

And here are the guidelines for this year's challenge:

1.  Each participant agrees to make one or more quilts from their own fabric stash or purchased fabric measuring at least 45" x 45" and no larger than 72" in any one dimension.  This will allow you to make rectangular quilts or square quilts, whichever you feel most comfortable with.  The size of your quilt should be appropriate to the intended recipient (i.e. smaller quilts for young children, larger quilts for adults) and to the fabric you choose to use.

2.  You can choose to have a partner assigned to you who will pick a color palette (just a palette, not fabric!) for you to work with if you wish.  This is a fun way to interact with another participant in the challenge, and to stretch your wings a bit, maybe using colors that are outside of your comfort zone.  If you want to participate in this part of the challenge, please let me know in your comment!  I'll be assigning partners from those who wish to participate, and will send out contact information by Sunday, March 25th.

3.  The quilts should be quilted rather than tied - this makes them sturdier and longer-lasting.  And a new feature for international quilters (those outside of the US) - to save on shipping costs, you can choose to send your quilt flimsy (top) and backing to me and we will quilt it for you!

4.  You have until Sunday, May 27th to complete your quilt.  From Sunday, May 27th through Saturday, June 2nd, there will be a linky party hosted on this blog for you to link up to a post or Flickr picture showing your quilt.  Please note:  You do NOT have to have a blog or Flickr account to participate in this challenge - if you don't have a Flickr account, you can e-mail me the picture of your quilt(s) and I will post it for you.

5.  Completed quilts are to be sent to either myself (for The NOLA Project quilts) or to Emily of Em's Scrap Bag (for the Happy Chemo quilts) no later than Friday, June 8th.

6.  On Sunday, June 11th, we will draw winners for all the giveaway items donated by our wonderful sponsors from the people who linked up their quilts. You will get an extra entry if your quilt has been received already!  You'll also get extra entries for each quilt you make, and there will be a special giveaway for the people who make more than one quilt.

And guess what?  
We've got giveaways 
for those who sign up this week!  






First of all, Shannon of FabricsNQuilts is generously offering to send each person who signs up this week a digital copy of a great quilt pattern called "Charmed, I'm Sure" and a discount coupon for a future visit to her store!  So if you don't have fabric to work with, or like me just can't resist a good deal, you'll be all set!  And I've seen the pattern and it's perfect for a H2H quilt!  Instant inspiration!

Then, from the people who sign up, we'll be drawing two names.  The first will win....


... this beautiful jelly roll....

....and the second will win.....


... this great fat quarter bundle!

Both prizes were donated by Sue of Sue Daurio's Quilting Adventures.  Thanks, Sue!!


And we've got one more prize especially for those people who put the Hands2Help button on their sidebar!




This great book, More 90 Minute Quilts, has been donated by Annie of Annie's Ruby Slipperz!  Full of wonderful quilts you can make quickly, it's guaranteed to inspire you for Hands2Help and more!!

Now - here are some very important things to take note of.  First of all, sign up for the challenge by leaving a comment below.  Your comment should include your e-mail address (so I can reach everyone!) and whether or not you want to participate in the color palette swap.  I will be contacting you by email, so if you don't hear from me within a three days of signing up, email me directly at salliesue@clearwire.net because it means I don't have your email address!

Next, for extra entries in the signup giveaway, put the Hands2Help button on your blog sidebar, and/or write a blogpost about the Challenge.  Encourage your friends to join in - it's fun!!  Leave another comment for each of the extra entries you earn.

Signups are open from today until Saturday, March 24th.  (People can still join in later to participate, but the winners of the signup giveaways will be drawn from the group that signs up this week.)

We've added some neat things this year - a linky party for you to share your favorite tutorial links next week; guest bloggers who will share a simple quilt design; and like last year, check-in dates for you to touch base and show off your progress!  Each Sunday there will be something related to Hands2Help on this blog so be sure to check it out each week!

I hope you'll join in the fun - it feels good to quilt for others!!  Let me know if you have any questions I haven't answered yet, spread the word and invite your friends, and sign up now!!!

Hugs!

Sarah

84 comments:

  1. Count me in Sarah! I do not want to participate in the color idea.

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  2. I would like to do at least 2 - one for each charity. =)

    hugZ,
    annie

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  4. Your button is on my sidebar and I've blogged about this event already!

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  5. I will do one for each charity ; I do not want to do the color swap ; woohoo !!!!

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  6. I put your button on my sidebar !!

    http://harleywife57slife.blogspot.com/2012/03/hands2help.html

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  7. I blogged about your wonderful H2H !!

    http://harleywife57slife.blogspot.com/2012/03/hands2help.html


    and I hope I did not make too many comments for what I did !!!
    Have a great day and GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!

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  8. Me too! I'll try and make at least one each. Have some new ideas...I've put the H2H Badge on my blog.
    www.auntiepami.blogspot.com
    Thanks again Sarah!

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  9. Yeah, I love it all. I hope to be able to commit to 2 quilts to each charity. I don't want to be in the color swap (as I have quilts on hand).

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  10. I have The Hands2Help button on my sidebar as well as have posted about it. Will do a reminder of the sign-up on Monday.

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  11. I will make one or more quilts for the NOLA project. I will pass on the color palette so I can use things I have in my stash.

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  12. I would like to make a quilt for "Happy Chemo." I do not want to participate in the color palette as I have a large stash to draw from.

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  13. I have added the "Hands 2 Help" button to my sidebar:
    http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/search/label/Hands2Help

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  14. Hi Sarah! I'm getting excited about H2H...so much fun to quilt for others!

    I'll participate, planning to make 1 quilt for each ministry.

    I'll pass on the swap, I'm trying to use up my stash.

    Thanks for the challenge!
    Hugs from PA!

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  15. I put the button on my blog side bar.

    http://cjs-sewingroom.blogspot.com/

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  16. And I blogged about the H2H Challenge.

    http://cjs-sewingroom.blogspot.com/2012/03/quilting-for-other-you-can-help-too.html

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  17. Hi Sarah!
    Yes, I will send at least one quilt top! I do not want to participate in the fabric swap.
    YOu didn't mention it, but will you still be able to have the tops quilted if we send tops and backing?
    Thanks, Leslie

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  18. I'm in! I think I'll skip the palette partner since I'm trying to reduce my stash. It's a fun idea, though:)

    Once again...thanks for organizing this!!

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  19. The button's been on my blog for a while:)

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  20. I will join in the H2H by promising at least one quilt. I decided not to participate in the color palette idea...I have ideas already in progress.

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  21. ...and I posted about the Challenge...

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  22. I have decided that I will also make a quilt for the NOLA project, also from my own stash.

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  23. I will participate by making a quilt or two for Em's project. I will select my fabric from my stash.

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  24. I have your button up and have posted about H2H.

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  25. Count me in. I will make one quilt for Happy Chemo. I will select fabrics from my stash.

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  26. I have blogged about H2H and I have added the H2H button.

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  27. I think I may have already signed up, but I would like to make a quilt for Happy Chemo and I would love a partner to select colors for me! Thank you!

    Lyn

    emossett@msn.com

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  28. Don't have a blog but would love to help out. I'll pass on the swap since I'm trying to stash reduce.

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  29. Please count me in, Sarah.
    I will make a quilt for the NOLA Project.
    I do not need help with colors.
    I will write a post about the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge 2012

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  30. Sign me up, Sarah... I've been looking for some easy but interesting patterns, and I'm making some paper piecing patterns as I write this.

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  31. P.S. I don't want to partner... but you already know that. I do have the button in place on my blog, and have blogged about it. I see a bunch of friends above me here on the comment column... Should make things lots of fun.
    Hugs!

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  32. Hi Sarah!
    I've posted the button on my blog!
    Take care, Leslie

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  33. I would like to make one quilt for Happy Chemo. I will select fabrics from my own stash. I have added your H2H button to my blog. I am looking forward to the challenge!

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  34. I'm all in this year. I will make one quilt for the NOLA project and will use fabric from my own stash.
    My blog post will appear on Monday March 19th and your button is on my side bar!
    Thanks for organizing this. You are awesome.

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  35. Hi Sarah, I would love to make a quilt for Happy Chemo and I will use my own stash since I need to get rid of it.

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  36. Hello! I'd like to sign up to make a quilt for H2H, I will pass on the palette partner, though, since I will be finishing a WIP for this.

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  37. I have put the H2H button in my sidebar 1 :)

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  38. You can count me in Sarah ... however I have decided that I don't want to partner up. I will be finishing last years off, and at least one more (though, don't count last years' in my 'finished quilts' tally at the end of the challenge!!

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  39. Hi Sarah, i'm in for at least 2 quilts. Using my stash or tops I have on hand. thanks for organizing this effort.

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  40. I've added the button to my sidebar!

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  41. I'm ready to start. I would rather come up with my own color palette, but if you have someone who needs a partner I'll give it a shot.

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  42. I enjoyed last year and would like to participate again, making one for each charity this year. I would like to parrticipate in the color palette swap if you have others interested.

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  43. Count me in Sarah. I plan on making a woman's quilt in memory of my MIL(brain cancer) and a man's quilt in honor of my father (cancer survior) for Happy Chemo.
    2 children quilts for the NOLA Project. No color swap.

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  44. I have posted the challenge on my blog. Will post button. Last years challenge was so much fun, thanks for hosting again.
    diane.wingo10@comcast.net

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  45. I'll make a quilt from stash, no swap partner for me.

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  46. Count me in, I'll make at least one for each charity. I would like a partner for color swap for one of the quilts. I like going outside my comfort zone. Thanks for organizing!!

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  47. I have the button on my sidebar and blogged about your wonderful efforts :)

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  48. I am so happy to be joining in again this year. I would like to make two quilts. I would like to be paired up with a partner for one quilt. I would like to pick the colors for the other quilt.

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  49. I have added the button on my blog and will be posting about it tomorrow. I can't wait!!

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  50. I would like to join! And, I would like to chose my own colors!

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  51. I'll join in again - this was lots of fun last year. I need to use up some of my stash, so I won't need a palette partner. Thanks for getting this together again!

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  52. I added the button and link to my blog, too. Hope you have a great response this year!

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  53. Sarah - Count me in for at least one quilt for the NOLA project. I will pass on the color palette, using from my stash. Thanks!

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  54. I would live to join! Both please. And I am going to blog and add the button right now!

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  55. Hi Sarah - Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity!! I would like to make one quilt for each Cause!! I am also going to add your button to my sidebar. Kris

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  56. Sarah, count on me for a quilt for the Happy Chemo cause, but I would like to choose my own colors. I'm also adding your button and blogging about it right now! Take care!

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  57. I hope it is not too late to sign up! I am a cancer survivor times two so I will do two quilts, one for each group.

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  58. I will use fabric from my stash.

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  59. I posted your button on my blog and will post about it tomorrow. What a great thing you are doing along with your friend.

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  60. Count me in Sarah and I don't want a partner for color selection.

    You can count on at least 2 quilts from me.

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  61. I updated my sidebar with this years button.

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  62. I also did a blog post about it as well.

    http://renegadequilter.blogspot.com/2012/03/hands2help-challenge.html

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  63. Count me in for one quilt... and I'd love to play colors with a partner.

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  64. Good luck. If I wasn't so over loaded with projects already, I'd love to help. Maybe next time.

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  65. I'd like to take part, and will use my own stash :)

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  66. I'd love to participate in this! I can commit to one quilt...and no to the color swap. Thanks!

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  67. I'm putting the button in the sidebar of my blog. :) And I'll be blogging about it today.

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  68. I'm excited to participate for the first time! I have blogged about this challenge and put the button on my sidebar (both last week). I am on a Fabric Fast so I'm unable to participate in the color challenge --- stash fabric only for me this year!

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  69. Thanks Sarah! Sign me up for a quilt for each charity. I blogged about this and put the button on my side bar. I will choose my own colors.
    Ann

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  70. Sign me up, Sarah! I'm happy to have a color palette partner! You've chosen such worthy causes. Thanks so much for coordinating the projects!

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  71. Sign me up for the challenge. I prefer no partner. I will be making a chemo quilt and I have the button on my sidebar.

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  72. I am hereby signing up and will probably make a chemo quilt. I will also add the button to my blog sidebar.

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  73. Hi, Sarah! Count me in. I will make a quilt for Happy Chemo. I don't have a blog so I cannot post the button. I will use my own fabric. God bless you for organizing H2H.

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  74. I'll be happy to make atleast 1 quilt each for NOLA and Happy Chemo. I'll be finishing up tops I've already made, so I won't need a palette partner.

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  75. I'm In! Designed a pattern just for the H2H Challenge and 1/2 way done with the top already.

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  76. I would like to sign up. I'm all set with choosing my own colors.

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  77. Ok sign me up. Love having a reason to keep making quilts!

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  78. Please sign me up. I am interesting in making a quilt for both you and Em~ ♥♥♥

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  79. Please sign me up for both organizations. I will be using my own fabric. What you're doing is wonderful.

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Comments make me smile!! If you want a PDF of a pattern, PLEASE leave your email address in your comment, or email me directly at salliesue57 (at) gmail (dot) com!