Hands2Help - Thanks for your input!

Hi, all!


Thanks so much for your response and input last week - it really helped clarify a lot for me!  I'm glad everyone seems so excited to be involved in Hands2Help again, too!  

My Stash Runneth Over.....

As a result of your comments, I've found that most of you would prefer to work out of your own stashes.  That works for me!  But I also found that many of you liked the interaction and challenge of working with a partner.  

Sample Design Seeds Palette

So this year, I will assign partners, and your partner will pick out a color palette from Design Seeds for you to work with.  We'll have a linky party where everyone can link up their palette picture (if they want to!) so that everyone can enjoy seeing the different color choices.


We'll also offer the option to non-US participants to mail their quilt top and back for quilting here in the States.  Hopefully this will take some of the expense of mailing off their plate.  Or in the alternative, they can choose a charity in their own country to donate their quilt to!


And there will be guest bloggers!  I've already had several quilt bloggers commit to doing a guest post, sharing their favorite easy quilt design - so you'll have some great ideas for your own H2H quilt!!


Sponsors are already signing up, too - so there will be great giveaways once again, at the beginning and end of the challenge!


There will be two charities to choose from this year.  This means there will be a wide variety of types and sizes of quilts, so I'm sure you'll be able to find a quilt that fits your quilting style!  Here's some info about our charities 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 that these people 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 twice 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. The children and the teachers look forward to their return each year!

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 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."

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.... ;-)

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I do hope you'll join in the fun!  I'll post the schedule next week, along with a list of guest bloggers and sponsors!!  And if you'd like to be a guest blogger or a sponsor, let me know - the more the merrier!!


Hugs!


Sarah