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Friday, March 04, 2022

Hearts of Hope: Making a Plan!


Sometimes I just jump in with both feet with no thought on how something is going to work out ahead of time.

Yesterday was one such day.

Remember when March 2020 hit and the world stopped?

And we didn't know what to do to keep ourselves from doom scrolling and feeling helpless?

I presented a mystery for our Unity Quilt, while I was sewing just one step ahead of everyone else - because I do crazy things on the fly like that.

I've been working hard and furious with these string hearts in the colors of the Ukrainian flag for nearly a week.  I still have several more to go, but I started thinking:


Would you like to make them with me?  Would you like to sew along step by step as I post directions for each part on my blog over the course of 4 to 6 weeks? 

(It all depends on what I decide to do with borders, and I'm not even there yet.)

Just like our Unity Quilt, we will work with one part at a time, you could use your stash for it or swap strips with friends to get enough yellow/blue/neutral. 


Even further - if your guild made blocks, and assembled the quilt together, they could raffle it off (Or call it a Donation Quilt - whatever your state laws recommend) and donate the proceeds to the Ukraine charity of their choice.  


I need a couple of weeks to get my top together so I can share it with you and you will know what we are doing.

Look for the first part to drop on Friday, March 25th with additional parts to go live each Friday until we are done.  I'm thinking there will be 4 to 6 parts.

I will have a basic introduction and supplies list ready here on the blog on March 18th, one week before we start Part One.

Other optional things that may be helpful to you:




If you have participated in my mysteries before, you may already have these on hand.

As with our previous mysteries, I will be giving unit sizes in finished and unfinished dimensions so you can choose your own favorite method to make them. 

You will also need some sort of foundation paper, either phone book, financial prospectus, doodle pad, coloring book, newsprint - something close to 8 1/2'' X 11'' works best for the amount of unit yield per page. You can also use designated foundation paper piecing paper, as in the Carol Doak Paper.


Each part will also include a link to a different reputable charity benefiting Ukraine that you can donate directly to.

Even if you don't donate, you can participate in making blocks to become a group quilt with your own group to benefit where proceeds are most needed.

Thank you for understanding that pulling something like this together on the fly takes a bit of time so we can't start today.  You can. however, start combing through your scraps and pulling your blues, yellows and neutrals together.

The block pattern (or block sizes) will NOT be given ahead of time (My quilt isn't finished yet, and the quilt comes before patterns and instructions do - I have to write it all and do all of the step-out photos and graphics. Patience please!)

What you CAN do to help is to share this post with your social media outlets and news feeds.  Let your guild and bee groups know that this is starting on March 25th with yardage requirements and more info coming March 18th.  The more that can join us the merrier.

You can start to promote your fabric pulls on social media using the hashtags #quiltville and #heartsofhopequilt and #quiltersstandforukraine.

What you decide to do with your blocks/quilt is up to you.  I do know that Lutheran World Relief is accepting quilts and sending them to be distributed to refugees, and if you want to donate there, they can get your quilt to where it is needed.

If you are in a country where Ukrainian refugees are being housed and cared for, perhaps you'd like to donate your quilt to an organization there, or directly to a family who has left everything behind and needs to start over.

I just know we all feel a need to do SOMETHING.  And this is something we can do.

I'm not asking for suggestions on how anyone else would run this.  I'm not asking for your thoughts on charities to or to not donate to.  Everyone needs to go their own way on this when it comes to that part.  

But the making of the blocks?  That is something we CAN do TOGETHER.


Quiltvillians on a road hike!

Things to notice about this photo?  NO COATS!  It reached 67 here yesterday, and several of us took a good long leg stretch up Roundhouse Road.

The Quiltvillians are busy retreating and having a ball - more on that to come.

Go pull those blues and yellows and help me get the word out!


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Life is a lot like the safety demonstration on an airplane. You have to adjust your own oxygen mask before you can help others.
Start with you!
Garden Party quilt made by my friend Irene. Pattern from the Addicted to Scraps book.

Have a wonderful Friday, friends!


 

41 comments:

  1. What a wonderful, generous plan! Thanks for organizing this quilty way to support those who are suffering so much.
    Connie

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  2. Love this Bonnie. Thank you for ALL you do!!!!!

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  3. What a wonderful idea, and so many thanks for your generosity of time and talents.

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  4. Thank you, Bonnie - I hope to participate but I know either way I look forward to seeing these quilts go out into the world and will be cheering you on.

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  5. Thank you Bonnie! This is just the kind of project I need as I struggle with "what can I do to help the people of Ukraine?" I'm handicapped with a broken wrist right now, but I can pull fabrics and gather my equipment with hopes that by March 25 I'm able to sew again.

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  6. You have the best ideas!

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  7. Great idea! Thanks.
    Susan

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  8. Already started a folder for Hearts of Hope! Waiting (sort of) patiently for March 25. ;>)

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  9. Thanks for sharing. I didn't finish my Unity so I will add in some Yellow and Blue to remember Ukraine as I stitch. The retreaters are sew Lucky to have you show them the way up the hill. Did you see Ponies???

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  10. My husband would bring me daffodils when they were blooming new every March. We just had pennies to spare and they became my hope for things to come and they did, important that they are yellow, especially held up to the blue sky.
    So, thank you and yes please, need a project, feeling helpless, thankful for my quilting people, everyone wants to do something good.

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  11. I shared your post yesterday, and a friend is ready to bid! I don't have fabric yet! Just Wow! Let's Do this thing!

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  12. Thank you Bonnie. This is a great idea. Going to pull my fabrics.

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  13. Thank you, Bonnie! You are a wonderful, giving person and we appreciate you!! Giving to others is one of the most important things we are able to do as God's children.

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  14. Irene's Garden Party is really pretty with her cheddar yellow accents.

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  15. Thank you! Lutheran World Relief quilt information is here
    https://lwr.org/quilts/resources
    And a Facebook group
    LWR Quilters and Kit Makers
    https://m.facebook.com/groups/170949699587764?group_view_referrer=search

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  16. I'm thinking of combining the "Peace" block (available as a download from your previous post) with these hearts and hanging the result on my front door.

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  17. Thank you, Bonnie
    I'm not good with quilt a longs but I love the idea of this. And I'm going to do this : )
    Thank you for the work you are putting into this.

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  18. I am so happy to see Americans helping Ukraine. This is just one more piece of care.

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  19. I love this and am hoping to be able to participate. I will start pulling some blues and yellows. I love that color combination. Will share on social media too. Always in stitches,
    alice

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  20. Thank you Bonnie. I’m pulling out fabrics!

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  21. Bonnie, you are wonderful to do this new quilt. I have a close family member whose parents moved to the U.S. from Ukraine a little while before he was born. They have been so much on my heart as they still have family there. Thank you so much for what you do for others.

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  22. Thank you, Bonnie, for a beautiful idea and your willingness to turn it into reality.

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  23. You are such a kind soul with a BIG heart! Thanks for directing our focus on those who need our help

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  24. Thank-you Bonnie for all you do!!!

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  25. Bonnie, thank you so much for doing this! The whole situation is heartbreaking.

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  26. Once again you are so generous with your time and talent. Thank you so much for offering this free heart pattern for helping the Ukrainian people.

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  27. What a wonderful idea, Bonnie. You are always so generous and other-centered. Can't wait to be able to participate and Support the Ukrainian people! Thanks, Bonnie

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  28. Wonderful Idea! Thank you, Bonnie, for being the generous gal that we love!

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  29. Thank you Bonnie for the time you give to us and bringing us together. We all need to share love and compassion with each other now more than ever.

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  30. Thank you, Bonnie. Makers can make a difference, and your generous heart for others leads the way. Great idea.

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  31. Going to pull fabric now, this makes me feel so much better. Thank you for getting us all involved in helping the Urrainian people.

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  32. Excited and looking forward to a new pattern.

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  33. Thanks Bonnie! A quilt as a donation can help a little. Thanks so much for your help.

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  34. Love your hearts of hope! What a great idea Bonnie!

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  35. Already bought fabric for Pat Sloan's Ukrainian block you posted earlier, but will use scraps from that, plus stash to begin your Hearts of Hope. Thank you for all you do and then sharing it to spread the joy.

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  36. Your kindness & inspirations is truly what the world needs now

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