Sometimes it does seem like good ideas just keep wacking us over the head
till we get the message. You got the message fast.. two articles in that
short time... cool...
Its something I would like to do when Meg is less time intensive.. To give
back what she was given that day.
Im so glad there are people like you who are more give than take.
Hugs and salute!
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"Donna in Idaho" wrote in message
...
Reason for Project Linus: I bought a Viking sewing machine. Our dealer
has
wonderful free classes when you buy a machine from her. When the free
classes were over, we all wanted to keep going - so Viking clubs were
started. After a year or two of that, Doris, our dealer, mentioned that
she
would love to do something with our sewing abilities to help our
community.
Sometime after that I read two different articles about Project Linus in a
two week period. Talked to Doris, we both thought that PL was just what
we
were looking for. Because Doris owns two sewing machine stores, she just
doesn't have time to be a coordinator. However, she told me that if I
would
be the coordinator, she would do everything she could to help and she
does!
We hold our Blanket Days at one of her stores, and store all the fabric
and
blankets in inventory at her store, also.

The rest is history . . . . . . we probably have close to 300 volunteers
(some, of course, much more active than others).

I have made many wonderful friends through Project Linus that I would
never
have met otherwise (just like here on rctq). We (my most loyal
volunteers)
all feel that we gain as much or more from our efforts than the kids that
we
give blankets too.

Forgot to mention in my 'story' last night. I've had breakfast with
Ragmop
(and got to meet the 'frist' PT Cruiser), met Also Kim and Tiggr at the
Vancouver (Washington) quilt show. Met with Also Kim another time for a
fabric shopping orgy!
--
Donna in Idaho!
Project Linus Boise/SW Idaho Coordinator
Website: http://donnakwilts.tripod.com/

The ultimate inspiration is the deadline!

"Diana Curtis" wrote in message
...
Thank you Donna, this has been a great tale. What made you decide to do
the
good work of Project Linus? Ive always thought it was a wonderful giving
act
but had no idea how important this kind of gift was to a child until Meg
recieved a small stuffed bunny to keep while mommy was in the emergency
room. I thought.. now, someone donated that to the hospital just to
comfort
someone like my scared little girl... I love that person, tho I will
never
know who it is. Got me thinking, you know?
I appreciate you taking the time to add your story to all the great
stories
so far!
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"Donna in Idaho" wrote in message
...
I have really enjoyed reading everyone's stories!!

I learned to sew at the age of 9 (that would have been in 1944) when I
begged my Mother to let me join 4-H - we weren't supposed to join 4-H
until
we were 10. So, the powers-that-be let me join, but I wasn't allowed
to
exhibit my sewing projects at the County Fair until I was 10.

Didn't know anyone that quilted until 1970 after I moved to Arizona.
Up
until then I sewed lots of clothes, curtains, etc. One of my friends
(and
her daughters) in Arizona made what she called 'tear quilts.' They
would
tear fabric into four inch strips, sew the strips into big long strips
and
roll them up into balls. Then they would start cutting the strips to
the
width that they wanted their quilts to be. I loved her quilts &
really
wanted to make one, but at that time we barely had the money for
clothes
and
food - nothing extra for quilts.

Fast forward to late 1982 - first granddaughter was born. A friend of
mine
gave me copies of instructions for making a log cabin quilt that she
had
gotten in a class she took. Bought the fabric, knowing nothing about
contrasting sides of log cabins and made my first quilt. I actually
have
a
picture of that quilt on my website - just took the picture a couple
years
ago (Talena still has that quilt).

Since that time I've made more quilts and wall hangings and lap quilts
than
I can count.

In March 1997 we finally were able to get internet access (without
having
to
pay long distance) out here in the boonies and I found rctq in June
1997.
Since that time I've met several rctq'ers in person. It's wonderful
how
you
feel like they are old friends the minute you meet.

Went to the 1999 Houston quilt show and met several rctq'ers. From
Houston,
Wayne (my DH) and I went to visit Sarah in Las Cruces - what fun that
was!
Paul and Suzie got there about 4 days after we did. We offered to
chauffeur
Paul and Suzie for a few days and were certainly glad we did. We had
a
wonderful time with them. One of the things they wanted to see while
they
were in New Mexico was the Very Large Array (radio telescopes - here's
a
link to a really neat picture
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000530.html) so off we went for a
two
day
jaunt through central New Mexico. We also made a big dent in the
inventory
of the two quilt shops in Las Cruces. Paul actually picked out the
frog
fabric that I used for my granddaughter's (Talena again!) graduation
quilt.

In 1998 I became SW Idaho Coordinator for Project Linus so my quilting
has
taken on a completely new dimension - making quilts for at-risk kids
that
need a hug. Not that I've made even a fraction of the blankets
(quilts
or
afghans) that our chapter has donated - 3,511 blankets as of
today!!!!!!
We
have lots of wonderful 'blanketeers' in our chapter.

So, that's my story! I really do believe that this ng is the best! I
treasure the friends I've made - both in cyberspace and face-to-face!
--
Donna in Idaho!
Project Linus Boise/SW Idaho Coordinator
Website: http://donnakwilts.tripod.com/

The ultimate inspiration is the deadline!

"Diana Curtis" wrote in message
...
Im recovering well... certain things coming in the mail keep my
spirits
up,
thank you muchly! But the days linger long sometimes. I havent
energy
to
do
much yet, but you, yes YOU, have the power to entertain and amuse me
if
you
feel like it, and I hope you do...
Would you please tell me how you came to post at RCTQ, and why you
stay,
and
how you came to be a quilter and what you hope to find in your
quilting
future. Maybe everyone else will get some pleasure in reading these
...
then
I wont feel so selfish! lol
Thanks in advance,
Diana the slightly bored

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44