The GracieJane Project

Good Karma!

2011-06-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

We could all use it right. I know that I could, these days more than ever it seems. I have been using my knitting as a form of therapy and weight loss (knitting at night means I'm not snacking or emoitionally eating), and well it seems that I need to find a good use for all the things I've been knitting.

I have listed a few more sets in the shop as well as these . . .

For those of you who don't knit, or don't have time, it's a chance to give something handmade to a babe in need. I could make them for less but the truth is that the bamboo/silk blend that I use really is so modern and a bit of a luxury that I really want these to be just like my bigger ones for sale. Also it's a great blend because it is so soft on a little one's head and also great for the insulation that they need so very badly.

Hoping that getting a few of these out the door and onto the heads of those in need will boost the spirits of the families who receive them and my karma rating, a win/win right.

Everything to everyone.

2011-06-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

I know it's not possible of course, but there is always that small hope. Melissa got the first of her blankets and so I will keep you posted on her great work. I have been knitting some neo-natal hats to send off. Knitting is so much more portable in the summer and because I wanted to keep as close to my original vision as possible, I'm working away.

I sometimes need to remember though that everything evolves, and so does the project. Just got some great items up in the shop, or each item sold a hat will be donated to a neo-natal unit so go take a peek!

Onward . . .

2011-05-03T05:39:00.001-07:00

This lovely bit of graphic design is now hanging at Starbucks waiting for other neighbourhood mommies to decide to make a difference.

A turn for the better . . .

2011-04-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

So The Gracie Jane Project has been such a pleasure to do, but finding time on my machine these days, even for the quilts that people are waiting for seems to be a big issue. I still want to be able to do something, and it's funny how something is presented to you at just the right time.

The other day on Facebook my favourite photographer Melissa posted that she was finally ready to help a charity that has been the cataylist for her becoming a photographer in the first place. It fit perfectly with me wanting to do something and so here it is!

Melissa has generously decided to donate her time and her talent to the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation. And what a cause it is. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

The NILMDTS mission statement is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the gift of professional portraiture. We believe these images serve as an important step in the family's healing process by honoring their child's legacy.The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of more than 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and 25 countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby.Our entire network of affiliated photographers graciously donate their time and talents to our families and we are proud to be able to offer our services at no cost.

My contribution, to knit blankets for Melissa to take to the families to use in photographs and then to give them as a keepsake of their little one. The blanket is about 15x17 but I'd like to square it up a bit. I'm still working on the perfect pattern but I'm sure the ones along the way will find a use as well. There is always something we can do to help others . . . I will be working on a pattern and then post it up here, you can visit the NILMDTS site and find a photographer in your area who you might be able to help out with a few donations yourself.

Generosity always surprises me!

2011-02-12T05:50:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure why it does because if there is one think that I've learned it's the that the online quilting community is more than generous, but I always get tickled when I get an offer to donate.

The tickle today came from Ladybug Quilting and it's wonderful owner Linda. I had entered a giveaway over at her blog (you must go too! quick) and was in awe of the e-mail she sent back offering to help out the project with a couple charm packs!

Linda's blog is full of eye candy, including this!

I mean really, who gets to have a stash of Neptune like this other than Tula Pink herself! Linda has a wonderful sense of colour and pattern and she's not afriad to try anything, quilts, clutches, etc. etc. etc. I could go on forever. So drop by her blog, give her some love for me and make sure you pass her address on to someone else!

Another Delivery

2011-02-07T08:57:00.000-08:00

I am not lost and forgotten nor is the project, several donated quilts as well as a few that I have made are already on their way up to the babes!

We Heart Handmade Reto

2010-10-06T14:52:00.000-07:00

If you have never been to Kristy's blog you need to get over there as quick as you can. I had been a bit of a lurking fan before this but I became even more amazed by her today!

I got Kristy's package in the mail today and after my neighbours stopped giving me their strange looks (I think that I might have been squealing a bit), I rushed back into the car and tore into the package right then and there.

I was not disappointed and more importantly neither will be the families that receive these quilts. Kristy thank you for being so generous and of course for creating these amazing quilts. I feel like she hit the nail on the head with these two, modern, fun and of course the perfect pattern! I can't wait to get these labeled and in the box for my next donation run.

Time to get back at it!

2010-09-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty quiet over the last few weeks, but my little man became a big boy when he started JK last week and the babe is keeping me busy as well. Now it's time to buckle down and get back at it as I want to make another donation before the holiday season. I can only imagine that the families will need these even more during a time when they should be home celebrating together with their new baby and their families.

So last week I got all these cut and ready to sew . . .

And my mom made a lovely donation to the project with this new beauty!

A real sewing table I can hardly wait to get my machine on it, my stash in the drawers and get working.

Monaluna Love!

2010-09-09T13:55:00.001-07:00

I am really a little bit overwhelemed at people's willingness to help when randomly asked. One of these people was Jennifer from Monaluna. I had fired off an e-mail telling her how much I loved her Monoco line, it was cute and had great boy colours, which are a bit harder to find, there are amazing modern girl lines everywhere. Not only did she e-mail back right away, but a week or so later a package was at my doorstep.She even included this great note, which will be the first thing I pin to my inspiration board when I get one put up in my sewing area.

Today I spent cutting up her lovely organic fabric, which was hard but man oh man some babies are going to be lucky. I've got 8 quilts cut up and ready to start piecing, so I'd better get working. Thanks so much Jennifer for making a difference.

Why?

2010-09-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

The thing that I get asked most, espeically by those who know me and my kiddos is 'Why"? I guess having two healthy boys leads them to wonder how I think of little babes. Also since they know Gracie now as the healthy girl that she is, they don't much give her beginning a second thought.

Being in the NICU last week was really something that I had tried to prepare myself for and could not. There, isolet after isolet were little tiny babes, nurses, parents, doctors, tubes, machines, and more machines. There was a whirl but also a serenity to the unit that I wish I could better explain.

About 12 hours after my visit I got the following comment here:

"Anonymous said...
The baby who received the first GracieJane quilt at the neonatal unit was my granddaughter Madilynn (Maddie). My daughter was quite thrilled to receive the quilt it was a lovely gesture and something we will always treasure. Timing was perfect as we were just recovering from a down loop on the rollar coaster of miracles at the NICU. It was very comforting for my daughter and will provide Maddie with love and comfort through out her life. Your kindness is greatly appreciated."

That sums it up. If I was even the least bit half-hearted about this project before (which I was not) I'm full steam now. So if you know me, if you read my other blog, expect to be hit up. If you can't, I completely understand, but I'm going to ask you anyways!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Packed and ready to go!

St. Joseph

The emoitional walk to the NICU

Our first quilt was given to Baby Madilynn

Donation Day . . . and giveaway!

2010-08-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

Today is donation day and my stomach is fluttering! I'm hoping that this will be a really profound experience for me, and I want to share that with everyone else. For the rest of this week, if you commit to donate to the project I have the follwing to offer up . . .

Yes, it's long lost Flutterby by Tula Pink, two fat quarters just for you, or you, or you. How you ask? Here's the breakdown, commit to donate:

A charm pack = 1 entry

A jelly roll = 2 enteries

A Layer cake = 3 enteries

A Gracie Jane Quilt = 4 enteries.

Do some good, win something good. Off to change the world!

Gracie Turns Two!

2010-08-30T04:08:00.001-07:00

I actually cannot believe that she is two already(well on Friday she was), I'm sure that her parents are feeling the same way! Two year ago I spent the night sleeping in the waiting room of the hospital in London, just hoping that everything would turn out okay and it certinaly did. She's gone from a little peanut to a little girl and I can't imagine our family without her. My brother and sister-in-law have done an amazing job so far of raising one precious little girl.

Progress feels good!

2010-08-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

So I was inspired by the lovely ladies at Quilt Story to write this post today. Ever since I got the call from the NICU that we had a date to tour and donate I've been working overtime to get some quilts done with the new pattern I had chosen. There has been a little sacrifice here, in that I have used some of my favourites from my stash, I really want these babies to be able to grow up with these quilts. I want them to be something I would want to receive, and so modern great fabric it is.

I have come close to perfecting a label that I like, so all quilts will be branded in a way. If you become a donor your name will be added to the label as well.

Where do I stand as of this morning? 1 completely finished. 4 ready for the binding to be finished by hand. 1 waiting for basting and quilting. 2 waiting to be pieced. Looks like I'll have another post when everything is all done.

With progress comes challenges, so here is yours! I have given 2 of my favourite charm packs to the project, Cotton Blossom and Authentic. Do you have one in your stash you would spare for us?

Renewed Hope

2010-08-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a new look at The Gracie Jane Project over the next little while. I was re-contacted by the NICU that I had had previous contact with and I have a date of August 31st for a visit and our first donation.The more I thought about it though the more that I feel the need to re- work the project a little.

Working in non-profit pofessionally I know that the best successes are those that are run very much as you would a business. So where to go? Here is my list . . .

1. New logo

2. Mission statement

3. One uniform pattern (3 rows of this pattern and a 2.5" border in background colour)

4. Realistic and specific wish list for donors - see "How you can help" on our sidebar

5. Pledge to donors - That all donors will be properly recognized on our blog as well as on the label placed on the back of the quilt with which their materials were used. We promise to keep donors up to date on our donations, and any stories that we receive permission to share from families that have one of our quilts.

6. Letter/E-mail donation request

7. Get quilting with what I have here

Wish me luck. I few of these I have already I just need to get them written down. It is my hope that with a plan I can use my next 8 months off with baby Drew to really get this project off the ground.

HELP! It takes a village right?

2009-07-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

If this on-line quilting villiage is as big as I think that it is, I might just be in the right spot. I need some help, I have a lot of scaps at home that I'm planning on using for the quilts, but I could use more, if I want this project to grow as much as I think that it needs to.

So what can you do? Blog about the project, if you don't mind? Or if you have the ability and the scraps, donate them our way. Pre-cut scraps would be amazing, if you're anything like me you have 5 squares left from a charm pack, 10 strips left from a jelly roll or honey bun, or some turnover pieces. Anything that you could send would be greatly appreciated.

And if my little rant isn't convincing enough, here is Gracie Jane the day after she was born. If this was your babes, you know you would love something special to wrap them in.

I really have this project in my head 24/7 at the moment. I've already finished a couple quilts that I will put up on the project site this week. There is nothing more helpless than a baby in distress, and it breaks my heart to think of it. I'm already working on a tag for the quilts that will include the name/organization who donated the material for the quilt given. Just a way to show the families that it's not just me, there are others out there who are willing to help on behalf of someone they don't even know.

So e-mail me if you can blog about this, or e-mail it to friends, or if you are willing to donate to us. Any help is apprecaited, and no matter how small, a gift is a gift.

Here we go!

2009-07-17T04:33:00.000-07:00

So here we go. I have made contact with the first hospital that will be receiving blankets from The GracieJane Project. There are still many details to be worked out, but I'm happy to say that they are on board and I'm ready to start making the quilts.

I'm thinking that I will start to love Jelly Rolls even more during this process. I've even ordered my first Honey Bun! I want the fabrics to be as modern as possible, something that I would use in my own home, something that reflects the great designers out there these days.

I'm also a littlle scared, I've never really taken on anything quite like this before, I know that there will be bumps in the road, but I have to remember that none of my quilting issues will ever compare with anything that these families are going through.

So here's to happy quilting, I'm off to start a tag design!