Quiltsy Cares-Judith Messenger March 15

Today's Quiltsy cares donator is Judith Messenger from  FabriArts. She donated a soft, flannel rag quilt to Project Linus, Canada. http://projectlinuscanada.org/ Project Linus provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need of a hug, through the gifts of new, handmade, washable blankets, quilts and afghans, lovingly crafted by volunteer "Blanketeers".

When she first started making quilts, her family loved the cuddliness of flannel rag quilts.  She enjoyed making them and soon after came across information about Project Linus. She used to haunt the remnant bins at the local fabric store for pieces of flannel to have on hand to make quilts for the kids who need a special hug.  She have since "graduated" to more traditionally made quilts, but still tries to make a few rag quilts each year to use up her stash of flannel fabric! While she was sorting through the fabric for this Project Linus quilt, she also found enough smaller pieces to make a smaller rag quilt for the charity initiative of one of the quilt guilds she belong to - collecting layette items for single mothers.

Judith lives in Toronto, Ontario Canada for most of the year, but she lucky enough to spend much of the summer and autumn months at her cottage on Lake Muskoka, in Ontario's cottage country. Of course she moves her quilting studio with her! Judith is an active member of two local quilt guilds and help with the organization of the guild quilt show and Quilts at the Creek, a summer outdoor quilt show.  

Judith's Etsy shop, FabriArts, was opened in late 2012 She joined the Quiltsy Team in 2013.  According to Judith"I have found a wonderful group of friends that are always ready to support each other, and their communities both personally and professionally".

Judith enjoys making baby quilts - with bright colors and fun prints. She also enjoys hand stitching and embroidery, so her crazy-quilt greeting cards and postcards allow her to use luscious threads and fibers on small projects.

ETSY Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FabriArts

Blog:  https://jmstitching.wordpress.com/

Website:  http://www.fabriarts.com/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/jimmuskoka/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fabriarts/

Written by Pat Young of PatsPassionQuilteds, Quiltsy Team member since May 2011.

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Quiltsy Cares - Ilse Daehler

Today the Quiltsy Team is featuring Ilse Daehler who chosen charity is the Betty Ann Krahnke Centre. This is a local emergency shelter assisting women and children who are trying to get out of desperate situations due to domestic violence. The crisis centre provides help in safety planning, victim advocacy services, counselling, skill-building and personal empowerment.

Ilse chose this charity as a result of prior volunteer work that she did for the Abused Persons Program, helping women who are in abusive and often violent relationships to file for protective or peace orders against their spouses or partners. Not only are they afraid of retribution by their abusers but they also often feel ashamed and responsible for their situation and are intimidated by the filing process in court.

This year, Ilse donated a scrappy patchwork rag quilt, hoping that it will be a cuddly quilt for someone feeling alone and in need of a hug.

Ilse has been sewing since she was old enough to hold a needle, probably at the age of eight. She learned machine sewing on an old treadle machine that was left by her maternal grandfather who had been a professional tailor. Ilse started a career as a seamstress a few years after her marriage and she was trained in drapery making. She worked for a local store for about sixteen years and later opened her own business. She had always promised herself that she would learn how to quilt when she was retired and about nine or ten years ago, decided it was time! She is largely self-taught and her attention to detail shows well in her quilts.

Three years ago Ilse joined the Etsy Quiltsy Team and she says that now she can't imagine not being part of this truly great team.

Ilse has two Etsy shops: ISewTotes and OrchicFabricDecor. She finds it hard to decide on her favourite thing to make because she loves abric and playing with the designs and colours. The orchid shop got started as a way to show off special designs in some fabrics. Most recently, she has had fun making a bargello wallhanging, Dancing in the Rain and then a messenger bag using the same idea ... but she is always looking for new ideas, designs and processes.

Other links to Ilse's work

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This blog post was written by Kathy Kinsella of kathykinsella.etsy.com

Quiltsy Cares-Featuring Sue Simpson of Back Pocket Design

Today we are featuring Quiltsy member, Sue Simpson of Back Pocket Design. Sue's charity, No More Sidelines, is a non-profit organization, run by volunteers, committed to helping children and young adults with special needs in the community. They provide children and young adults with special needs, ages seven and older, an opportunity to play sports year round and to participate in community events and outings. Sue said "I love that this charity helps children with special needs play sports and enjoy being kids."

Sue's brown bear pillow

Sue told me she has donated a quilted pillow made with recycled jeans.  It will be part of the silent auction at their Gala fundraising event this coming weekend.  A sweet brown bear is appliqued on the denim and looks like he is climbing out of the jean pocket!  "This is one of my newer designs and I am currently writing this pattern."

 She says, "I am a quilter who is constantly inspired by old denim jeans. The denim in an old pair of jeans is very soft, faded, and ever so cozy. This soft denim is a wonderful canvas for my whimsical applique designs and bright colors. Critters, bugs and flowers popping out of pockets are sure to make anyone smile. A pillow to hug, a quilt to cuddle under, a purse to carry, a mug rug for snack time or a happy animal wall hanging are all wonderful ways to bring new life to this old denim.  Custom memory quilts and pillows are very special projects as well.  I am honored when a customer trusts me to make something with such precious clothing."

A few of Sue's other original designs.

Sue has been sewing since 5th grade, learning from her mother and grandmother.  She started teaching herself to quilt when her son was born 24 years ago.  She began working with denim 14 years ago with a little frog peeking out of a pocket in the middle of a baby quilt for a friend.  

Sue's favorite things to make are her quilted pillows. "They are fun to hug, provide comfort and the pocket is a great place to keep your TV remote! I also LOVE adding a bit of denim to my quilts.  The recycled denim adds a wonderful texture to a quilt and makes them so very cozy!"

Sue's booth at a craft show.

Sue lives in Traverse City, Michigan and has 

been a Quiltsy member since August of 2013. She enjoys very much the friendships and support of all the members in this team.  

You can find Sue here:

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Instagram:  backpocketsue

Quiltsy Cares' Gaydeen Dollar

Our first Quiltsy Cares' star is Gaydeen Dollar of SweetLeafQuiltShop. Her charity is Johnson & Johnson One Child, One Blanket and Gaydeen donated 45 quilts and 44 fleece blankets!

Why is your charity special to you? I am an employee of Johnson & Johnson. Over the years, the employees of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies have often supported victims of humanitarian disasters, mainly through company-matched financial and product donations. The "One Child, One Blanket" program has created a path for employees and the community to respond personally. Blanket donations are made year-round by individual employees as well as through group efforts supported by colleagues, friends, families and the community. The blankets then become part of a kit of individual hygiene items prepared in advance of need.

In total, it's hard to estimate the total number of quilts I have made-somewhere in the thousands. In addition to the quilts in my home and those gifted to family and close friends, a number of my quilts have made their way into the lives of the homeless, hospice patients, displaced and abused children, cancer victims and soldiers of valor.

I feel that gifting a quilt is giving a gift of love, providing a hug to someone who is feeling lonely, sad or unwell. A quilt can truly provide a sense of comfort and security. This program is special to me because it gives me an opportunity to pair my love of quilting and my sewing skills to brighten a child's life somewhere in the world, providing them with warmth, comfort and security during a time of horrific upheaval. I am thrilled to know that these blankets will cheer the lives, warm the bodies and comfort the souls of many children.

Gaydeen lives in Orlando, Florida and has been quilting for 20 years. She has been a member of Quiltsy Team for a year. Her favorite thing to make in her Etsy shop is quilts because they become "sewn hugs"!

Here is a link to a two-minute photo montage of recipients with their donations:

one+child+one+blanket

Written by Pat Young of PatsPassionQuilteds, Quiltsy Team member since May 2011.

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Quiltsy Cares' Lauren Krueger

Our final Quiltsy Cares' star is Lauren Krueger of Cactus Penguin, whose dedication had her up to 4:00 in the morning finishing her charity quilt. Lauren is donating her quilt to Queen Creek Fire Dept..In her own words, Lauren explains why this Charity is so important to her- "A few years ago, I witnessed a fatal car accident. After the mother was taken away, the emergency personnel had only plastic ground sheets to wrap around & cuddle the kids. I have donated other quilts to fire departments so that they have something more comforting for family members. That's why I made a flannel youth quilt--something to comfort a baby or small child that they can hang on to.


Lauren started her Etsy shop two years ago. Her Shop, CactusPenguin, represents living in the cold Midwest (Illinois & Wisconsin) for the first 35 years of her life, then moving to cactus country. She kids that when she can stop sewing long enough, she plans to change the banner in her shop to a picture of a cactus with snow in it! Lauren currently lives in Sun Lakes, Arizona, where she will never have to shovel snow again.

Lauren has been quilting for 15 years, but has been sewing since she was 6 years old. She made her clothes in high school and college, including her prom dress and first wedding dress. But to her, quilting is so much more fun and creative.

Lauren joined the Quiltsy team 16 months ago through Gail of QuiltSewPieceful, who is still taking Lauren's pictures, helps and inspires her in her quilting everyday.

Lauren's favorite things to sew are anything patriotic and anything Christmas. Her newest creation for her shop are candle mats for every holiday and season. She is making them for a friend's centerpieces at his wedding, and she just kept creating more

for every holiday and season!

Lauren works a full-time job that she enjoys, except it takes her away from her quilt studio! She has also refereed soccer for the last 21 years. Best times for her are working on a quilt while watching soccer on TV. Go Chelsea & Galaxy! Good luck USA Women at World Cup in Canada this summer!

You can look for Lauren here also:

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Written by Pat Young of PatsPassionQuilteds, Quiltsy Team member since May 2011.

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"Quiltsy Cares" Charity Quilts: 3-29-15 Lyndalou Fibre Works

It's March 29th and although the calendar says it's Spring, in the Northeast, we are not yet feeling it.  Yesterday we had snow - and it flurried almost the entire day.  Maybe by April Spring will arrive?

As we've been showcasing all month, today is my last write-up to feature Lynn from Nashville, TN who donates quilts to the Nashville chapter of Project Linus.  Several other Quiltsy Members donate to this worthy charity whose mission is "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer 'blanketeers'." 

Lynn's Etsy shop is "Lynndalou Fibre Work" and she makes the most AMAZING star-burst quilts among other cool designs!  These are some of my favorites:

Lynn is a lifelong seamstress with an interest that began sewing Barbie doll clothes and doll quilts as a ten year old.  Through time, Lynn made her daughters' clothes, Halloween costumes, more Barbie-baby doll-American Girl doll clothes, stuffed animals, her own suits for work attire (holy cow that is incredible!), and quilts for gifts to friends and family.  She engages in fiber work now for therapeutic purposes…the stresses of a fulltime career being what they are, as well as for fun.  And I can whole-heartedly second that self-therapy! :-)

Although Lynn is well-versed in all forms of needlework, her focus now centers on knitting and machine quilting using her Bernina 830 and 440QE, with the occasional Hippie Teddy Bear, prom dress or renaissance costume thrown in for fun.  Through Etsy as an outlet, Lynn endeavors to expand her creative side with work that either respects traditional heirloom quilt work or creates modern representations of her quilting craft.  You can also find out more about Lynn through her Facebook page "Lynndalou Fibre Work".

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
Facebook Page: please give us a "like"!! https://www.facebook.com/olivestreetstudio
Website: Olive Street Studio
Blog: Olive Street Studio on Blogger

"Quiltsy Cares" Charity Quilts: 3-22-15

Good Sunday Morning!  Today's Quiltsy Team Blog features the charity donations of Cheryl and Cindy of Twin Sis Creations Etsy shop.  Cheryl and Cindy live far apart - Cindy is in Sibley, MO and Cheryl is in Austin, TX - but still manage to work together to make beautiful quilts and other creations for their shop. 

Their supported charities are the Pajama Program, which provides new pajamas and new books to children in need on a nationwide basis, and has a local Austin chapter, and Safe Place in Austin, Texas, whose mission is to provide a place for ending sexual and domestic violence through safety, healing, prevention and social change.  Here are some of the donated pajamas:

The Pajama Program charity is important to them because Cheryl was a Kindergarten teacher and has always had some type of job or volunteer position that benefitted or helped children. 
She believes that every child should be able to snuggle in their own pajamas and curl up with a good book to read at the end of the day, and to feel loved.  Most people readily donate baby or young children pajamas, but Cheryl thought it would be important to donate/sew pajama pants for the older tweens and teens who also are in shelters with little or no belongings.  To take it one step further, Cheryl also thought it would be good to encourage other tweens and teens to learn how to sew pajama pants and to donate them to the shelters, so she started free classes to help kids learn how to sew and donate to these two charities.

Although Cindy and Cheryl live in separate states, they are able to showcase their creative talents in one Etsy shop.  Cindy is an artist and Cheryl is the seamstress and quilter.  Cheryl has been sewing since she was five years old and hasn't stopped since.  She started quilting after taking some quilting classes while in college, and has now been quilting for over 35 years.  Cheryl has also been teaching sewing/quilting for over 10 years.  Cheryl enjoys sewing anything from quilts and table runners, to pillow cases, bags and toys.  After participating in the February Quiltsy Mug-Rug swap, and having alot of fun with it, she may start adding them to her shop!  Although Cheryl and Cindy have different creative outlets, they each create with love and joy - and they learned that from their mom!

Here are a couple here are a couple beauties from Cheryl and Cindy'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