Sunday, March 15, 2015

"Quiltsy Cares" Charity Quilts: 3-15-15

It's mid-March and the Quiltsy Team Blog is through half the features on the wonderful charity donations our team members make.  Today I'm happy to write-up on the work of Donna, from the Etsy shop DJW Quilts, who donated to Quilts for Kids at Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center, in Portland Maine.  The hospital gives each patient admitted a quilt. Donated quilts are collected by Knight's Quilt Shop in York, Maine year-round and then delivers the quilts the first Monday in December.  Donna has donated quilts to Quilts for Kids for the past 3 years.  She selected this charity because she grew up in the Portland area and did her respiratory therapy clinical training there.  This year, Donna donated two quilts, "Green with Envy" a crib size quilt in green, browns, and cream, and "Bubblegum Fun" a toddler size in bright colors of purple, pink, and green on a white alphabet print background; each pictured:

Donna lives in Dover, NH with her husband and their two cats, and she has a 23 year-old daughter, Chelsey.  Donna has been crafting and making things with her hands for as long as she can remember, and she loves to give homemade gifts.  Donna started making quilts in 2006 as baby gifts for co-workers and family, but the she started getting requests to purchase her quilts so in 2010, she ventured onto Etsy with "djw quilts".  She likes to make all sizes of quilts and really enjoys custom quilts because of the thrill of getting it just right!  Donna also enjoys the process of choosing fabrics so she rarely uses precuts or kits.  She sends her quilts out to be long-arm quilted at Quilting by Carla, where the free motion quilting really brings Donna's quilts to life!  Donna recently started doing some simple quilting with her Innov-is 40 by Brother on small wall hangings and table runners.  Chelsey gave her a sign for her sewing area that says "One who sleeps under a quilt is comforted by love" - doesn't that say it all!
 
When Donna isn't sewing, she enjoys golfing, gardening, cooking, and going to the movies. Here are a couple beauties from Donna's shop:
 
 
Cheers! - - Jennifer

My mother and I make up the Olive Street Studio design and sewing team.  I cannot remember my mom NOT sewing or quilting.  Since 2003, we've made chenille and cotton baby quilts, baby gift sets, little girls dresses and skirts.  In 2013, we expanded into Home Decor quilts and after getting requests for even bigger quilts, we're working on larger quilts too.  Then, with extra time, because we all have extra time, ha ha, we also make reversible tote bags, smaller handbags, and zipper pouches.  I joined the Quiltsy Team on Etsy in 2010.  

Etsy Shop: Olive Street Studio
Website: Olive Street Studio
Blog: Olive Street Studio on Blogger

5 comments:

teachpany said...

Great charity, Donna! Thanks for sharing your talents and pretty quilts with us.

Gayle Pulley paintedquilts said...

Great donations, Donna, some lucky little persons are going to be thrilled!

Jennifer said...

Donna, great quilt for a great charity.

Lauren/CactusPenguin said...

Thank you, Donna, for donating these wonderful quilts to a great cause!

sallymanke said...

Stunning quilts Donna! Love that Maine spirit of giving a quilt to each patient. An incredibly caring effort.

Thanks for featuring this in today's blog Jennifer! Great write up!