Status Update on Forge Ridge

With the fall leaves still on the trees Tennessee got a cold blast of winter this first day of November!  I haven't seen any snow yet but the mountains got plenty.  Now is the time I "hunker down", get Alice fired up and concentrate on quilting the tops for the second graders of Forge Ridge School.   Hunker down had a different connotation when I lived in Florida - I'm now very happy to apply it to hibernating for the winter instead of riding out a hurricane.

This time of year also brings many of you down from the North to escape the cold and to your warm and toasty (or should I say hot and humid) Florida homes.  One such traveler is Cheryl.  She was very busy this summer in Michigan making NINE tops for Sewing Hands !  She met up with me in  Lenoir City, TN to drop them off on her way down to Naples.  Awesome work, Cheryl - thank you very much. 

Cheryl at Cracker Barrel dropping off quilt tops

Deborah went back to Naples after her visit with me this summer obviously fired up about Forge Ridge.  She has been sewing nonstop.  Look at the tops she has completed.  But don't give her all the credit, Peggy did a couple of those - thanks Peggy !

The goal is to have all 27 quilts made and delivered to the second graders at the end of January.  But wait....there's more....Deborah is now gathering the fleece for the 36 blankets needed for the Kindergarten class.  Yes, you heard right 36 !!  This is a huge undertaking for our small group - not just with time but also expenses.  So I need to ask all of  you who are reading this to please consider donating a gift card from Hobby Lobby or Joanne's to Sewing Hands.  Each blanket for a kindergarten child takes 3 yards (1 1/2 for the top and 1 1/2 for the bottom).  This works out to about $15 if we are able to get it on sale and use a coupon.  $15 times 36 students is a whopping $540.  Any help, even enough for one blanket, will insure that another child will be warm this winter,

That's it for now....Happy Sewing,

Sharon

A Fun Day At Forge Ridge With Third Graders

The day continued with a visit to the 28 third graders.

This class was so appreciative!  One little girl asked if the blankets were free - she had a very big smile when we said that they were a gift and that everyone could take them home.  

Sharon explained that many ladies worked hard to make the blankets for them because we wanted them to be warm this winter but to also know that they were special and loved.

Deborah and Sharon  received many, many hugs.  It was a very happy day for everyone.

A Fun Day At Forge Ridge with the First Graders

Deborah and Sharon packed up the truck and started out on their 2 hour drive to Forge Ridge School very early this morning.

There were 28 students in first grade.

These little ones were adorable.  When Sharon asked them if they got snow in the winter, one little boy very excitedly said that he wished for snow last year and his wish came true!

They all could not believe that the blankets were theirs to take home.  

All Ready For Forge Ridge !

Deborah and Sharon will be delivering blankets for 1st and 3rd grade to Forge Ridge School on Wednesday, September 10th.

Next, we will be working on the quilts for 2nd grade which will be delivered late winter.  If you would like to help with quilt tops we need 8 boys and 8 girls by the end of January.  Second grade is approximately 8 years old.


Thank you and Happy Sewing,
Sharon

Successful Blanket Tie at South College

The Legal Studies Dept. of South College agreed to host Sewing Hands for a blanket tie at the school today.  Two years ago Deborah and Sharon were at the college as a part of their "day of caring".  Then they were trying to meet the goal of 78 blankets for Laurel Bloomery.  17 blankets were tied by students, faculty, and staff.

Today Sharon took in 20 blankets.  Unfortunately Deborah was in Florida and although hopeful Sharon was questioning whether all 20 would be finished.  Great News !!!  All 20 blankets were tied in 3 1/2 hours.

Criminal Justice, Health Science and Nuclear Medicine students came to tie along with faculty and staff.  They say Tennessee is the Volunteer State and today the folks at South College proved that right.  Here are some of the happy faces that worked hard to make sure that the children of Forge Ridge School are nice and warm this winter.

South College Community Service Event

Tuesday, August 26th the Legal Studies Department at South College is hosting a blanket tie to help Sewing Hands with the 2015-16 Forge Ridge School project.

Sharon is taking 20 blankets.....

                                                                                      will they all get tied?????

Check back to see how this event turns out.

Laurel Bloomery

Two years ago Sewing Hands delivered over 70 blankets and quilts to ALL of the students at Laurel Elementary School.  If you scroll down through the blog you will be able to read that story and revisit the exciting time Deborah and Sharon had driving through Virginia in order to get to a school tucked away in the Appalachian region of Tennessee.

Last year we sent the school a box for the kindergarten class - that way every student at the school still had something warm for the winter.  And loaded up in my vehicle is the box for this year's kindergarten class ready to be shipped!

Many of you continue to tie blankets for Sewing Hands.  I wanted you to know that not only are you participating in the current project but are helping us continue to give to past projects too.  Thank you for all that you willingly and happily do.  Just remember that each fleece blanket will be wrapped around a little one this winter as they watch TV or will tuck them in all snugly warm while they sleep during a cold Tennessee winter night.

Shepherd's Home Delivery

We often times say "it's a small world" but that phrase really hit home to me this past Friday when I was making the delivery to the Shepherd's Home in Jacksboro, TN.  For those of you who don't know, I was a probation officer in Naples, Florida before moving to Tennessee where I began teaching criminal justice at South College.  During those almost 19 years working for Collier County I made friends with Elena Yuskiewicz.  She was one of the support staff that everyone relied very heavily on.  Lo and behold after I moved to Maryville she also moved to Tennessee to be closer to her son.  Elena started volunteering at the Shepherd's Home and after Elena told us of the marvelous work they do we knew we had found one of our  2014 project sites.

Sharon and Elena

The Shepherd's Home is a faith-based transitional living home for women.  This agency provides a foundation for a continued life of sobriety and productivity.  They give an environment of love, hope, help and encouragement to their residents.  The women learn job skills, social skills, money management, health education, and participate in the community all while nurturing their faith.

Judge Shane Sexton from the 8th Judicial Drug Court endorsed Shepherd's Home when he said "Since its inception, the Shepherd's Home has proven to be a safe and effective alternative to a life of addiction and suffering.  It continues to be a blessing to the women and families of the area."

I was able to meet some of the administrators and board members on Friday.  They were thrilled with our gifts and couldn't wait for the residents to get home from work and see what was done for them.

They fit perfectly !

Thank you to all of our Sewing Hands who contributed to this project.  I hope that you realize the impact you have made on another woman's life.  I know you enjoy using your creative talents but in doing so you have also shown love and have given hope to many.

Sharon and Deborah

Summer Update

Look  at what Deborah and Sharon have been making for the little girls in Haiti!

The delivery to Shepherd's Home is set for August 22nd.  We'll post pictures after that.

We have received word from Evelyn and Cheryl that they have been busy making quilts for the Forge Ridge School project.  Deborah and Sharon are making plans to meet with that principal in the coming weeks.  We currently have 43 fleece blankets tied and ready for the first two grades.

Sharon's students at South College will be helping tie blankets on the 26th.  That should not only help Forge Ridge but also the kindergarten class at Laurel Bloomery who we continue to support.

Super Girls help Sewing Hands - again!

New Horizon's super girls Isabel and Angie come together with Deborah to make blankets for Sewing Hands 2015 projects.

1 of 9

Here is the first quilt ready for our Fall project. It was pieced by Deborah.  Only 8 more to go.  All of the tops have been pieced and the matching pillowcases made.  It's now up to Sharon to get them sandwiched, quilted and bound.  

Florida Sewing Hands

The Sewing Hands from Florida (and one from Tennessee!) got together to celebrate Deborah's 80th birthday. After a wonderful lunch the new cover photo was taken.  From left to right: Peggy, Cheryl, Sara, Deborah, Sharon, Kathy, Lois and Evelyn.

Sewing Hands contributes to United Methodist Church Mission

Sewing Hands from Florida and Tennessee contributed to the dresses and shorts seen in this picture.  This article was taken from the North Naples (FL) United Methodist Church newsletter.

On March 22nd, Youth 4 Orphans sent a team of 7 people to LaGonave, Haiti to visit 2 orphanages along with the Village School East.  Our team was blessed to spend 5 days with 195 children leading worship, playing games, doing crafts, and performing biblical skits.  We partnered with Ed and Sally Ritter of God's Face Haiti Mission and community leaders to further support Sanouvaye Orphanage and the Village School East.

2015 Project Announced

The 2015 Sewing Hands project is......

     FORGE RIDGE SCHOOL

Forge Ridge is located on the border of Tennessee and Kentucky. The winters there are especially cold and they normally receive a lot of snow and ice. This school has over 200 students from Pre-K through 8th grade, therefore it will most likely be our project for both 2015 and 2016.

Sharon spoke with Principal Cosby and he was astounded that Sewing Hands wanted to give each child a quilt or blanket. He stated that this was an area that would appreciate such a blessing.
Deborah and Sharon will be meeting with Principal Cosby in August and will then post more on the time table and the grades that will be sewn for first.



Other than our 400 pieces of clothing to the Bahamas and Haiti, this will be our largest undertaking. Any help you can give with tying fleece blankets or sewing scrappy squares will definitely be needed. Our shelves are completely bare after this past very harsh winter season. Please share our endeavors with friends, family, Sunday School classes and women's groups. Contributions of fabric, fleece, Joann Fabric gift cards or money are always welcomed.



We now have approximately 10 "Sewing Hands". If you know of anyone who would like to join us please let Sharon or Deborah know. We currently have "hands" in California, Indiana, Michigan, Florida and Tennessee.

Second Project for 2014

The Shepherd's Home in Jacksboro, Tennessee is going to be our second project for 2014.  They are a transition home for women recovering from drug addiction.  In August, we will be delivering 9 quilts with matching pillowcases and 6 children's fleece blankets to them.  They are very excited that Sewing Hands will be helping them brighten up the bedrooms.

Fortunately all of the blankets, pillowcases and quilt tops are already made!!!  Sharon just has to quilt the tops and put the binding on.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this second project.  Pictures will be posted soon.

Brrrrr, this Winter has been cold!

Sewing Hand Sharon took a break from quilting to try crocheting.  Look at the scarves and hats she made for our future winter projects!

New "sewing hand"

Meet Cheryl Walker, our newest "sewing hand".  Cheryl has made this beautiful quilt top for one of our 2014 projects.  Great job Cheryl - we are so happy you are now a part of our group.

Indiana Blankets

We've received a wonderful thank you for the blankets we sent to Indiana.  Meet Stephanie Kaczor-Niemeyer.  She is a member of a team called Saints on the Streets.  They search out the homeless and provide them with blankets, food gift cards, hygiene items etc.  As you can see from the picture below, Stephanie was so thrilled with the boxes we sent her that she tried to display it all !!!

Super Girls of New Horizons of SW Florida

On Friday, the Super Girls and their mentors met to make fleece blankets for Sewing Hands.  The girls who participated were: Eileen, Esmearda, Itzel, Arely, Laura, Araceli, Anaika, Daisy, Jennifer, Rocia, Aracely and Annai.

Jennifer - hard at work cutting the fringe

Anaika, Rocia and Aracely displaying the great job they did

Annai and her mentor, Sue Price

Aracely, Rocia and Debbie









THANK YOU to these wonderful girls!  This is an annual event and they are always so excited and happy to be a part of Sewing Hands.

Women's Shelter

Our delivery was made to the women's shelter in Clinton, Tennessee early this morning.  Although the day was gray and rainy, the atmosphere in the shelter was happy and sunny - everyone was  so excited to see all of the beautiful things we had made for them. 

Janice Wilson, director of the shelter, loved the devotional books we included for each bedroom.

Five bedrooms were occupied but we were able to set up the sixth bedroom and everyone agreed the colors really brightened things up!

Oasis of Love

Everything is ready for the delivery tomorrow to Oasis of Love in Clinton, TN.  Each of the 6 bedrooms will get a fleece blanket for a child,and for the women a quilt with matching pillowcase and a devotional book called Jesus Calling.  If you don't have this devotional let me tell you that it is fantastic and especially speaks to the topics women are concerned with.

Meet our new Sewing Hand

Our newest Sewing Hand, Susan, is busy sewing scrappy squares for the Fall 2014 project.

Happy New Year

2014 has begun - and most of the country is seeing very cold weather....which brings me to one of my New Year's resolutions.  It has been 3 years since the inception of Sewing Hands and it is time to bring it to the next level!

Many of you who follow us have a talent (knitting, crocheting, quilting) - why not share that with someone who is in need?  Sewing Hands currently has a 50 unit limit for each project, only because it is hard for a handful of people to make more.  I will be getting a PO Box to accept donations of hats, scarves, blankets, quilts, mittens, slippers etc. 

But you say - I can't do any of those things.  You can spread the word.  Tell your "crafty" friends about us.  Share our email address (handmadebysewinghands@gmail.com). 

You could also suggest an agency, shelter or organization that would benefit from our work.  We would like to focus on children...after all, they are our future and can not help the circumstances they may find themselves in.

Sewing Hands has always been about helping others and spreading love.  We are not about money.  Thank goodness we have had people donate fabric and yarn.  If you would like to do that - it is very welcome.  We have had people donate gift cards to Joann's and Hobby Lobby.  If you would like to do that - it is very welcome.  We can not afford to file for a 501c3 (non profit status) so you will not be able to deduct anything off your taxes.

We will be delivering to a women's shelter in Clinton, TN next week.  Their blankets are finished and the quilts are almost done.   Our next project will be somewhere in Indiana....we are still working on finalizing a location. 

A big Thank You to everyone who supports us with their talents, donations or prayers.

Happy New Year !!!!