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' 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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