Following the tragic event that took place in CT this past Friday, continuing with my planned post for today just doesn't feel right. On Saturday my heart was heavy as we celebrated my little girl's 6th Birthday with a Princess party for her and the girlfriends from her Kindergarten class. Her party was full of pretty princess things, a lot of which I made on Friday as I watched in tears, as the news came in. I had planned to share my princess makings but today instead, I pulled a stack of fabrics from my stash to make pillowcases to send to Quilter's Corner in Milford, CT, who is collecting them to offer to the students at Sandy Hook Elementary after the holiday school break.
I know it is a very small gesture to offer, I know we are all feeling so helpless right now! But when I read the request, as a maker I knew that I could join in, gift something made with love and with my hands, and help spread the word. My hope is that it may bring some comfort to so much pain, that it might connect our family to those who receive our gift, and that they might feel our love in a tangible way.
Because this event cannot be diminished by time, I still would like to share my daughter's special day here. She is such a bright blessing to our family and everyone who knows her. After a day of so much sadness and emotion, celebrating her special day did bring a lot of joy to our family and friends, and of course, I would love to share that joy with all of you, as well!
If you are looking for a way to help the victims and community of Newtown, you can join me in making pillowcases (detail are here), this is a great article listing many different outlets, and I am certain there will be many other ways we can help popping up throughout the day and weeks ahead. I will add them here, as I read them. Please feel free to leave any links or information you have of ways to help in the comments, as well!
Sending my love and healing thoughts to all of you! ♥, Maureen
I know it is a very small gesture to offer, I know we are all feeling so helpless right now! But when I read the request, as a maker I knew that I could join in, gift something made with love and with my hands, and help spread the word. My hope is that it may bring some comfort to so much pain, that it might connect our family to those who receive our gift, and that they might feel our love in a tangible way.
Because this event cannot be diminished by time, I still would like to share my daughter's special day here. She is such a bright blessing to our family and everyone who knows her. After a day of so much sadness and emotion, celebrating her special day did bring a lot of joy to our family and friends, and of course, I would love to share that joy with all of you, as well!
If you are looking for a way to help the victims and community of Newtown, you can join me in making pillowcases (detail are here), this is a great article listing many different outlets, and I am certain there will be many other ways we can help popping up throughout the day and weeks ahead. I will add them here, as I read them. Please feel free to leave any links or information you have of ways to help in the comments, as well!
Sending my love and healing thoughts to all of you! ♥, Maureen
What a wonderful post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea. The news brought all of us here back to Dunblane, 16 years ago and only 30 miles up the road. I knew people involved and it changed the town forever, but there were many positive things that came out of it eventually.
ReplyDeleteJulie of Phoenix Quilts is thinking of collecting quilts for all of the children as well.
ReplyDeleteCheck out http://phoenixquilts.blogspot.com/2012/12/quilts-for-connecticut.html
I have seen some chat about that, but nothing solid yet. I will definitely check out the link. Thank you for sharing Barbie!!
DeleteThanks, Maureen. I'm sure it was impossible to not think of the little ones in CT while watching your daughter and her friends on Saturday. Thank you for putting information out there on how we can help.
ReplyDeleteThere is a flickr page now for the pillowcases, too!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/groups/2100168@N25/
I bet they will far exceed the original plan for 600!!
This tragedy has certainly saddened all of our hearts. It happened on my little foster grandson's 6th birthday, but at least he knows nothing about the event.
ReplyDeletei came across this one this morning http://www.damasklove.com/drawn-together-a-fundraiser-for-newtown-connecticut/
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachael!!
DeleteThanks for sharing. I made one last night and sent off today as I felt like it was something concrete that I could do!
ReplyDeleteI am in!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThank your for sharing, and make the pillow cases are great idea.
ReplyDeleteMaureen thank you for the thoughtful post. Enjoy your precious princess.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the link to the "ways to help". I'm making pillowcases now and have sent something to UW for counseling. So much will be needed. C
thanks for letting us know about this effort for those in Ct. It has caused many tears by many of us on behalf of the families who lost their precious ones. This will be a great way to give a long distance hug to those whose hearts are aching. So glad you have your little one and her party to bring a bright spot to your weekend. Have a blessed Christmas! Hugs from Helen in Healdsburg
ReplyDeleteFor all you knitters!!
ReplyDelete- http://www.ravelry.com/groups/600-monsters-strong-for-connecticut
- http://www.ravelry.com/groups/stuffed-animals-for-sandy-hook
- http://www.ravelry.com/groups/comfort-shawls-for-newtown
Thanks so much for spreading the word about all the ways to help. This is unbearable. Lovely post, as always...Sending you hugs, Sondra
ReplyDeletehttp://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&forum_id=10&thread_id=3210175 - For those who are less crafty! Also great to have your kids do them too.
ReplyDeleteJust want to thank you so much for this post. About six months ago I saw an easy tutorial on how to make a pillowcase. New to sewing, I pinned it and thought, "Someday..." Well, out of the clear blue, "someday" was last Friday. I had planned to donate it to the "One Million Pillowcase Challenge" but my local quilt shop was no longer taking these donations. At the time I thought now what am I going to do with this pink sparkly ballerina pillowcase. Well, God knew! I read your blog a couple of times a week, and when I saw your post this afternoon I just cried! My pillowcase is on its way to CT, and I will be praying for the sweet little head that will lay on it. Thank you for spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteHello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I'll definitely return.
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I just wanted to say thank you!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
Thank you. I wanted to say not only are we heart broken to have lost so many young lives, but, to give honor to the principle and teachers for going above and beyond the call of duty. To give their lives to protect students. Not a day goes by that I don't end up in tears. My prayers are never ending for all of the families.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and hugging your dear princess. I'll be sending some pillow cases from Sweden.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting about the pillowcases. I have been wondering what I could o to help. This is a great idea!! kniturlgrrl@att.net
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post.. i never had interest on fabrics until i read your posts.. lol
ReplyDelete