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Monday, September 11, 2017

Disaster Relief Comes in Many Forms

Oh, boy, Mother Nature's wrath shows no mercy.  As I write, I'm worried about the southeastern population of the US and concerned about those already affected by Hurricane Irma.  I can't watch the news because I find it so upsetting.

I know we all want to help, somehow, and it's frustrating to know how.  The needs are overwhelming.

As many of you know, my daughter and SIL reside in Texas.  Although affected by Hurricane Harvey, their home was on the northern fringes of the storm and escaped any devastating damage.  I'd like to thank everyone who reached out with concern for their safety!  It meant a lot to me.

They found a unique way to help by adopting a family in ravished Rockport, TX who lost everything. They made phone contact with them to assess their immediate needs, reached out to their community for donations, then loaded a box trailer full, and personally delivered the goods.  Because of the proximity of her location, only a 2.45 hour drive, this was possible, as will returning to assist with the rebuild of the home.  Genius.  I thought it was a TX initiative, but discovered that they did it on her own.  If more localized families and groups did the same, it would make an incredible difference in any area affected by catastrophic weather.  And we seem to have lots of that.  Florida, you are in my thoughts at this very moment.

My birthday is next week.  I have but one wish.  I want blocks.  Dog Gone Cute blocks.  Lorna had a quilt along awhile back, and offered each of the 8 different dog blocks for free.  They can be stitched up in two sizes.  I'll take either size, any colors.

Here's the link to block one and two,  three and four,  five and six, and blocks 7 and  8.
             
Why, you ask?  Well, after a lot of searching, Crafty Daughter was able to hook up with this family through the nonprofit agency that traveled the 350 miles from Granbury, TX to take on the pets and keep them safe until they could be returned to their families.  I have been asked to make a doggie themed wall hanging for this agency to auction off to help fund their efforts.  Their job isn't over yet.

A wall hanging.  One wall hanging.  While I was showering, where I do my best brainstorming, I thought, "I can do better than that!"  So, here I am, asking for your help.

I would love for you to send me blocks, and will provide a mailing address upon request, but.....this isn't the only pet rescue agency that stepped up to the plate, and if you want to make a few blocks into something for your own pet rescue agency, or any other that you have been made aware of, go for it! And share with me!

I would like to make up sets of placemats, wallhangings, and who knows, maybe even a quilt or two for them to auction off!  These blocks have so much potential and like all of Lorna's blocks, are easy and addictive to make, like eating potato chips.  Thanks, Lorna, for always sharing!

Okay, that's all for today.  
Thank you for reading through this.  
Every little bit helps along the way!

Stay sweet!
~karen






  

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen,you have one very special DD and SIL there,i think thats a marlous thing to do .
I would like to make a block but i am a novice when it comes to patchwork like this,i cant work out the sizes for the fabric to make one block.
I love your idea to raise money ,what beautiful people you are.
You have had so much natural disaster in America i hope there is no more xx

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Great post. Every little and big thing helps. We pray future storms stay at sea. My grandson's girlfriend has a home in Port Lacava which flooded. She is staying with us and will probably go back to collect what is in storage and a dog that a friend is caring for. Her parents are in Miami and Naples so it's been a hard month for her, but luckily all are safe.

Your, and your family's, plan to help is a great idea.
xx, Carol

krislovesfabric said...

Hi, I will make you a block or two :) Send along your addy. glad to hear your Texas relatives are ok, sounds like they are great people with good initiative! I have relatives in Florida and they are ok so far to my knowledge...hoping their houses will be too!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

sounds like adopt a family is a good idea! hope more get into it. Happy birthday next week

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I'm in! Any particular color?

Fiona said...

as you say Mother Nature does crazy stuff.... glad your family are safe. I have a friend in Florida and they seem ok but waiting to hear from another. I'd love to send a dog to you .... if time is ok for making and sending it overseas...
Hugz

Binsa said...

Happy birthday Karen so happy to learn your family are ok.Such a wonderful idea they came up with

Lesley said...

How wonderful to hear of your daughter's generousity...help that will be most essential and appreciated. Great idea to do those puppy blocks. I'm sure you'll get lots...and happy birthday in advance!

Lin said...

Glad to hear all well with your family and what a great job they are doing to help those less fortunate. xx

Anthea said...

Wonderfully selfless acts from your family to help another in such dire need...this is needed at times like this, more than any other form of help.

Louise said...

Absolutely! I'll send you blocks as soon as I get back from California. You have a big heart, Karen. Obviously your daughter inherited that from you :)

It's so hard to see so much loss, and the only thing that helps is for us to roll up our sleeves and help in the way that our hearts and talents dictate. Quilts can raise money, and cash is king. Great idea!

Janice Holton said...

Getting caught up on my blog reading and just now read your post. I didn't know you had kids in Texas! What you're doing is awesome! I hope you get a lot of response and if I can, I will send more.

Nancy said...

There is also a request by shelters to make small kennel quilts. Many rescue shelter are requesting them.

http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/program/KennelQuilt/

I already have some cut out to sew.

FlourishingPalms said...

It warms my heart to know you have a daughter and SIL who are so generous with their finances and time to help the Rockport family that is in need. That you also are spearheading an effort to make raffle quilts for Second Chance Farm is wonderful. I will contribute a block or two, as I am able. Shall I send them to your Texas address? Do you have a deadline for collecting them? What a great thing you're doing, and on your birthday! What day is that? Are you telling how old you are?! Bless you for your generous spirit.

Createology said...

Happy Birthday Karen. Bless your DD and SIL for jumping in to help others in desperate need. No sewing here as all is packed away however if you pm me your address, I will send along some $ to help with your efforts. Blessings for you and your family...<3

JanineMarie said...

What a neat project, Karen! I will definitely make a couple of blocks for you! (Do you have a timeline for getting them?) I hope you have a very Dog Gone Cute and happy birthday!

Adrienne said...

Karen I will make you a couple this weekend!

Sugar Free Quilts said...

Happy Early Birthday, my friend! What a wonderful idea! I'll send some blocks along asap!! I haven't "visited" my machine lately and I can't think of a better reason to get up close and personal with it again! xo

Ioleen said...

I will give it a try. Going to forward your post to a quilts friend as well.

Sheila said...

Karen , your daughter and sil are obviously just like you , you caring people . What they have done and are doing is wonderful . I'd be happy to make a couple of blocks, they look like fun . Happy early birthday my friend .

Heather J said...

Happy birthday. Great post and greatful caring people assist others in need. Happy to make a block or two this weekend.

Carrie P. said...

Oh, I wish all my sewing stuff wasn't packed away. I would have made on for you. Happy early Birthday. Hugs.

Julie Cefalu said...

It's so heartwarming to hear the story of your daughter and her husband helping a family in Texas. It's not easy to cut through the red tape and bring aid directly to where it's needed.

And you have a big heart, too, Karen! I would love to make a block for you. Just let me know where to send it. I will even spread the word on my blog if you don't mind. Happy Birthday!

Sandi said...

Karen what a proud parent you are having a daughter so giving to those in need along with so helpful husband.l.cant forget his part in it all.

This is a fabulous idea and I hope you get lots of blocks. I'll see what I cN do and get them off to you, any particular background colours? Il have to reread your post and them make notes on the various blocks.

Hoping that none of these atoms make it to you in Nova Scotia this year.

KirstenNB said...

Everyone is so kind!
Mom didn't tell me about her request until I received the first block today (Thank you, Kris!). What a surprise!
As I'm sure she shared with you, we have no deadline and no color preference. This will be a winter project for us.
Thank you, all!
- Kirsten, aka Crafty Daughter

Maria said...

Happy Birthday Karen,have a wonderful....
Hope i'm not too late to make some Doggy Blocks...please let me know ?

Raewyn said...

I hope you have a fabulous birthday Karen!! Am I too late to make a couple of doggy blocks?? I would love to help out if I can.... hugs

Preeti said...

Wish you a very Happy Birthday, Karen. I will have a few blocks to you next month. If only we had more folks like you and your daughter, this world would be a much better place for all.

kiwikid said...

You are a very special family Karen, if it ismnot too late I mm will happily make some blocks for youm tye are super cute blocks.

Bernie Kringel said...

Happy Birthday Karen!!
I am not a whiz at tiny pieces so I am not sure about making a block. However, I really love what you are doing and would like to donate fabric for the cause. Maybe a quilt back? Take a look at my shop and see if you like something in particular and let me know.

If you search on "color weave" I have these textured linen-look fabrics in several colors that might work. I also have a gray and white dotted wide back. Whatever you think....

www.etsy.com/shop/needleandfoot

Take care and happy sewing!!

Sandra Walker said...

Wonderful story Karen. Would that we would all be like your daughter's family and this caring to all our brothers and sisters always, not just in disasters. So very thoughtful of her and now of you in asking for Lorna's blocks. I will be sending you a couple. :-)

Sondra said...

You are my hero! What a wonderful idea and I hope you get oodles of blocks! I've been wondering how Sea Rim survived the flood...I had such a great time there, they had not fully recovered from Ike (2008) many of the buildings were never rebuilt, and some roads were never reopened... People helping each other is the best way for the wheels of the govt help turn very slow.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

i thought i had commented here, i had in my head! We too watched the extremes of weather in the usa over the last few weeks with great trepidation. It must have been very frightening for those involved.
And I do love your quilt, that sounds nearly inconsequential on the end, but I do.

Anonymous said...

Great project. Thanks for the link to the patterns. I thing your dogs are the cutest ever! I know these quilts will be helpful in making people feel that someone cares about what they are going through. Your daughter and husband are amazing. They didn't wait to be told to help, they went out and found someone who needed their help and set to work. You did a good job bringing up a compassionate daughter and she did a good job picking a like-minded spouse.

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

It's a wonderful gesture by your daughter and SIL and she obviously takes after her Mom for her generosity of spirit. I will be happy to send blocks if I'm not too late.

Lorna McMahon said...

This is a paws-atively purrr-fect idea. So glad to hear there are so many willing to help in a time of need. Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Karen!

Carole @ Fresh off the Frame said...

A belated happy birthday, Karen! I hope you received an avalanche of blocks - neat idea. I'll be watching for an update, just in case you call for more help!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Happy Birthday!! This is a great idea. I had planned to make some blocks but got sidetracked with life. What's your outside deadline to accept blocks?