A snowy day

Sometimes on snowy days when I don't feel like writing or the words won't come or I am stalled by the seemingly endless waiting that is part of My Life in Publishing, I do this.
Other times, I do this.
And sometimes I go on a binge and do this.
The blankets and gowns are for children who are ill in hospitals. The pillowcases go to shelters for the homeless or the abused. I also make pillows for breast cancer survivors, turbans for chemo patients, and tote bags for hospital patients to carry things in.

I made blankets first, and then gowns, for Riley Hospital for Children for the simple reason that so far none of my Magnificent Seven grandchildren have been admitted there. It's a bigger blessing than I can get my mind around, but anyone who's ever loved a child knows that--I'm preaching to the choir. The breast cancer pillows are in memory of my mom, the turbans in memory of my sister-in-law, the pillowcases and tote bags because...well, because they're needed.

Sewing well isn't a requirement for making these things. Just some time. Some fabric. Some snowy days. I am reminded, looking at the 10 pillowcases, eight gowns, and the blanket I've sewn this week, that there is more to life than writing. More to me than writing. When it's not going well, or even if it stops altogether, I will still be here. Still the luckiest person I know. Like my Pollyanna idol I mentioned in last week's post, I will still always be glad.

I hope you are, too. And, hey, if you're not?--do something for someone who needs it. It doesn't make you special--it just makes you and somebody else feel good.


Comments

  1. Great to see your photos, Liz...I'm on the same page with you. Our Heart & Hands group is making little blankies and other small items for the NICU at Parkview in Fort Wayne. Our bigger blankets go to a women's shelter (moms and their kids live there and the moms get education in a 3-year program). Knitted hats, scarves, and mittens go to various places that have the need. We're counting things in the dozens now, but there was a time when five or six items made and given away were a big thrill. Still is...doing something for others never goes out of style. Enjoy the snowy days!

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  2. I love these projects! For a while - before things got really busy - I made receiving blankets for our hospital, for the new babies to go home with ... I need to start doing that again because its fun!

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    1. I'd love to do receiving blankets, but am not really sure how hospitals want them done. Do you want to send me a "how you do them" thing? Thanks, Kristi!

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  3. What cool gifts you make for people/organizations that need them. I wish I knew how to sew, but I'm hopeless in that regard. However, I'm learning to knit and just picked up enough yard to knit 2 baby blankets for charity. I hope I know enough about knitting to do a whole baby blanket because all I've ever knitted is scarves...

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    1. The knitting is so cool! I want to learn to do that. Prayer shawls are neat things, too.

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  4. So cozy! I wish I knew how to make all of that stuff. My mom does, though, so she gifts me with a lot of blankets and pillowcases that she makes. :)

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    1. You notice they're all really easy, right? :-) I have sewn really difficult things, but found no pleasure in it, whereas I love being able to make a pillowcase in 15 minutes.

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  5. I am so envious of you being able to sew and Nan for knitting as those have never come easy for me. The times I've tried sewing, the machine ran away from me. However, I do make coasters and now I've branched into tile magnets. Although I"m not sure how those would work for charity. Mmmmmm

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    1. I'm not sure, either, but they're so pretty I'm sure there would be a way!

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  6. These are so beautiful. And your sewing of them to give to charity is a wonderful pastime for snowy, icy days.

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  7. What a wonderful winter activity! I love to sew and knit but haven't done much for years. I need to look into local charities that might hand-made goodies.

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    1. They love them, Alison--and it creates so much satisfaction on both sides. Check out Project Linus. I don't go through them because we have a regional thing here, but they do great things!

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  8. Your creations are beautiful. I admire crafty people like you. Stay warm, have fun, and keep up the good work.

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    1. Oh, I'm not crafty. Sewing's all I do, and you never want to look too close at my work! :-) It is fun, though.

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  9. What a lovely sentiment Liz. Sometimes I get so caught up in my writing that I forget there's more to my life than that. Thank you for the reminder!

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  10. Absolutely wonderful, Liz. I admire your giving spirit and the talent that allows you to do this. Blessings!

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