Fire Relief Giveaway

A Stitch In Time

Friday, February 24, 2012 Eric Betts

A group of women who use the Internet to share their passion for needlework with one another have come together to make sure that like-minded hobbyists in the Bastrop area have access to supplies after the Labor Day wildfires.
The members of Stitchmap, an online group, have collected materials to be distributed today to fire victims, says co-owner Shari Jensen. The materials, and members, come from nearly every state and several foreign countries, all of whom found the group at its Yahoo home and identified with its motto, “Keeping Needlearts Alive by Sharing Stitches.”
“Women all over the world share a needle and thread,” Jensen said. Stitchmap helps them share ideas and experience. Lessons are sent to members who sign up, with photos and instructions to follow. They’re encouraged to take pictures and share them with their mentors, who can help them with troublesome spots or make sure the final product was completed correctly.
The group encompasses nearly 30 kinds of needlework, including embroidery, cross-stitching and both crazy and traditional quilting.
“Anything done with a needle that has an eye,” said Jensen.
They also had some firsthand experience with the devastation of the fires. Co-owner Lyn Gaskill lives in Bastrop, and the group has seven members throughout the county, some of whom lost their homes and their stash of needlework supplies in the fire. Originally, Stitchmap had planned to help just its members, but as the donations continued pouring in they realized they could do something more significant and help a lot more people.
After months of collecting materials, Jensen and her husband drove down from their home in Colorado with a truck and trailer full of donated materials – yarns, threads and needles, thousands of magazines and pattern books and what she estimates to be 500 to 600 pounds of fabric. Jensen says they’ve got something for everyone, an array of tools and materials that test the boundaries of the all-inclusive “fibercraft” term.
The highlight of the giveaways are the five sewing machines that will be allocated via a drawing, including both new and used models and one vintage one with its cabinet. Jensen said to enter the drawing, a person would have to provide a FEMA number proving they were affected by the fire. Other materials will be available to anyone who lost supplies in the fire, charitable groups making items to be donated and anyone who would like to learn about needlearts.
The giveaway will be held today at First United Methodist Church in Bastrop, 1201 Main Street, in the Fellowship Hall from noon to 4 p.m. The first 100 people through the door will receive a free small sewing kit. The drawings for the sewing machines will take place at 3 p.m., and winners must be present to receive their prize.
Volunteers will also be available to help teach needlework to anyone who wishes to learn. The group is asking for help unloading the trailer at 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning; anyone who volunteers will have first run at the materials.

That is the article that appeared in Bastrop's newspaper regarding the giveaway.

Shari would like to thank these people:

Lyn G.
Connie K.
Glenda S.
Michele P.
Renee G.
Debbie H.
Patricia H.
Josie T.
Dorothy M.
Claudina H.
And all the ladies of the Lost Pines Quilt Group, In Stitches Group and the Ladies of Charity from Bastrop for all their help and encouragement.

The trailer was absolutely full as you can see from the photo above. We gave away 5 sewing machines and roughly 8 gift baskets. Everone was thrilled. There was a line waiting at the door to get in that morning. Over 14 volunteers were on the floor at all times to help people with their choices. Michele P. made a wonderful taco soup for the volunteers lunch. Renee G. helped finish organizing the books and magazines with great detail. Connie K. and Claudina H. manned the welcome table. They made sure everyone recieved a Basic Sewing Kit and their drawing tickets. We served over 75 families. The little bit that was remaining was donated to the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul Society. They were chosen because the sale of the remaining stash supplies monies will go to the fire victims to help pay utilities and rent deposits.

Basic Sewing Kits Galore

What a busy day last Sunday was. Members of the Rocky Mountain Crazy Quilters showed up in force at the Holly Quilt Shop in Centennial, Colorado for what can best be described as a Sew-A-Thon. The purpose was to help make at least 100 drawstring bags for holding Basic Sewing Kit supplies that had been donated to the Texas Fire Relief Effort. We also needed to make additional needlebooks and prepare some of the items we planned on putting into the BSK's by dividing them into small containers that could easily be slipped into the bags when they are filled.

Connie K. (MAP moderator and mentor) and I spent the past few weeks sorting the donations and pulling out all the needles, pincushions, needle books, measuring tapes, marking tools, buttons, spools of thread, floss, seam rippers, scissors and other cutting tools, etc. Anything that could be used in a BSK. We had separated all the fabrics into cotton and fancy types, then sorted them by color. While we were at it we pulled out many pieces that were sized right for making the BSK drawstring bags. We cut velcro into strips, we gathered charms and packages of lace strips and many other items that could be put into the bags. We set it all aside to take to Centennial when the time came.

There were a dozen ladies and 2 gentlemen who showed up to help make the bags and fill them with the BSK supplies. Some brought sewing machines, one gal brought her serger. The guys brought their patience and ability to count endless numbers of buttons, charms and spools of thread. It was amazing that as much as we thought we had it all ready to go we soon found that there was much more to do.


Here Richard, facing the camera, and Louie, are counting buttons into film canisters.

Pins that were all mixed together had to be sorted into types: plain straight pins, those with beaded tops, and safety pins. Then equal numbers of each were put into over 100 pincushions by MAP member Sandy B. and her young friend Cheyenne. That's Liz standing at the end of the table. She was cutting felt for the needlebooks.


The safety pins were sorted again by the fellas, according to size, before being sealed into small plastic baggies.

This picture shows the table area where volunteers (Diana and Claudina) were setting up their sewing machines early on. The table was as busy as a beehive about 10 minutes later when everyone else arrived.


We had ladies ironing the fabric, others were cutting/trimming the fabric to size for bags and/or additional needlebooks, one was cutting cords for the drawstring, another cutting felt for the middle of the needlebooks, another sewing the felt into the books, another serging the edges of the needle books, one or two were turning the bags and a some were putting the cords through the casings. Henry Ford would have been proud of our assembly line.

Almost every lady who attended also brought a box or two of additional donations. Customers of the quilt shop stopped in every once in a while to find out if we were holding a class. We would explain our mission and cause...many offered to bring even more donations to the store and drop them off. A volunteer stepped forward, said she would pick them up on a certain date and bring them to me.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the effort that the ladies of RMCQ put into this project. It was so wonderful to see how much they really wanted to help and how hard they were willing to work to get the job done. At the end of the day we were still shy of our goal of 100 bags and there were still a bazillion needles to be sorted into sizes and then put into the needlebooks. Volunteers stepped forward to take the tasks on. Those ladies took the materials home and will deliver them to me at some point in time after the Thursday night stitching session that they have planned for tonorrow.

When it came time to clean up the room and pack the car with all that we had brought with us and the additional donations we had received, they did not shirk. Everyone carried boxes out to the car, helped my dear husband load it in (He had to drop 2 more seats in the Suburban to accommodate it all). Then they found the energy to come back to straighten up the room. I don't know how they managed the energy to go shopping in the store but they did! This day I was proud to be associated with such inspirational and giving women...and,of course, the two wonderful fellas.

Texas Christmas Stocking Giveaway Held

The first phase of our Texas Fire Relief Effort took place on Saturday, December 3 in Bastrop, Texas. The members of the Lost Pines Quilters set up the distribution site and played Santa's Helpers during the giveaway from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.


SANTA'S HELPERS: Back Row from left to right: Judy Harvell, Stephanie Gaskill, Lyn Gaskill, Debbie Higgins and Renee Gray. In the front is Judy Harding. All are members of Lost Pines Quilters. Lyn, Debbie and Renee are also Stitchmap members. Stephanie and Debbie lost their homes to the fires. Debbie is currently rebuilding. Stephanie moved into a new home and was evacuated out of that in a matter of days. She is now resettled.

There were stockings of all sizes (over 100 were sent down), bags of ornaments for each stocking recipient and extra ornaments set out on the tables for those who didn't want a stocking. The ladies set all the kits and patterns and books out at the far end of the table and let everyone choose what they would like to work on during the pre-holiday season.



Lyn shared with me that there were 20 families who were represented that day, for a combined total of over 50 people given help. More than 100 stockings were donated. Several people opted not to take a stocking at all, taking only a few of the 282 donated ornaments or a couple of the 100+ Christmas kits and patterns. There seemed to be a sense of wanting to make sure there was enough left for everyone else who might come after them.

Mothers brought in their children to choose their own stockings and you could tell it was a MAJOR decision for each child. Very important stuff...had to make sure the stocking was just the right size, style, and color. Afterall, it had to be able to hold all the stuff Santa would bring. The first stocking chosen was a candy cotton pink cotton with a full lace overlay held down with strategically placed sequins tacked down with seed beads. The cuff was a quilted white fabric. The young lady who chose it.....Sugar was her name...was speechless because she couldn't believe someone had made something so perfect...just for her.



Stitchmap member, Debbie H., who lost her home to the fires of Bastrop, is helping a young mother and her children find something to brighten their day, too!


One lady, mother of a 3 yr. old, hugged a volunteer, broke down and cried, "I didn't know there were people like all of you in this world. Thank you so much!" She had watched as the first day of fires took the home of her neighbor, but spared hers. Then, her home was burned to the ground when the fire turned with the wind and roared through the same area again. She has been slowly trying to recover while living with family.


Even the grandmothers were there, choosing stockings and/or ornaments for their grandkids so that they would be able to give them "a little something" this year in spite of the expense it is going to take to rebuild. It was an emotional day for everyone.


Another lady confided that she was reluctant to remain in the room when she first got there. It all seemed too overwhelming to think that they could be getting the help from perfect strangers. But Lyn and the crew talked her into coming in and choosing something. She was immediately drawn to the large stockings made from an old patchwork quilt. She broke down and sobbed while telling the ladies that her grandmother had been a quilter and she had lost her grandmother's quilts in the fire. These stockings reminded her so much of those quilts. She had to leave the room due to the emotion. Lyn wrapped up the stockings, went out into the hall and tucked them under the lady's arm. They are going to a home where they will be very much loved and cherished.


Sugar and her mother perusing the stockings. Note the old patchwork quilt stockings on the right side of the table, bordered in a red binding mentioned above.

Since the distribution Lyn has received additional calls from ladies who were away from the area on the day of distribution or who had heard about it from friends. She is allowing them to come and pick out things at her house until the supply is gone. The final figures on the number of people who were helped might not be in until after Christmas. The Bastrop advertiser sent a reporter and a photographer to cover the event and the story appeared in the paper this past Wednesday. Hopefully, more people will get the news and contact Lyn for some of what is still available.

There were two special drawings held. Each person who attended got an opportunity ticket to put into the drawing box. At the end of the day two names were drawn for the special prizes. The blackwork wall hanging banner of the Three Wisemen was won by Annette H. and the beautiful hostess apron done in a cross stitched holiday design was won by Bobbie P. Both of these ladies were thrilled.

There was a lot of sharing going on in that room. Sharing of stories about the fire, the recovery process and the healing. Sharing of stash and stitching news. Many of the ladies asked about information on how to join Stitchmap and the Lost Pines Quilters. New friends were made and hope was renewed.

Everyone who attended will be invited back to the Phase 2 distribution of general stash in February. We have asked to tell their friends about the event. In talking with the attendees we discovered that many of the ladies who came to this event were not members of quilt groups, guilds or formal needlework groups. The majority were homemakers who loved to stitch for family and friends but had not had time to join with others for workshops, etc. They didn't shop at the local fabric or quilt shops, didn't attend the guilds. They were calling themselves "crafters" and bought most of their stitching supplies at hobby shops like Michael's and Hobby Lobby. Most of them were looking for kits that were complete so that they could stitch right away and get back to something that brought them relaxation and pleasure after a busy day. Many thought it would be a much longer time before they could have afforded kits and patterns like they had to choose from in that room that day.

The smiles on their faces as they left made it all worth the effort! Thanks to everyone who sent stockings, fabric, kits, books, patterns, ornaments and anything else that we sent down there for the Christmas Giveaway. May your holidays be as full of hope and cheer as that which you gave to these ladies and their families!!!



This is Michele Pittman, a member of Stitchmap and Lost Pines Quilters. She also lost her home in the fires. Here she is making a selection of a crazy quilt kit and ornaments for tree as she starts over again and begins stitching in her new apartment.

Many thanks to those families that allowed us to use their pictures in this post. They made it possible to put a face to the story. We wish you all a Blessed Holiday Season.

Hugs, Shari

Texas Christmas Ornaments Shipped

The Christmas Stockings and Ornaments from the first phase of our Texas Fire Relief Effort have been shipped and are due to arrive in Texas on this coming Tuesday. Lyn and her committee from the Lone Pine Quilters in Bastrop have secured a distribution site for Saturday, December 3, 2011. The local newspaper ran a nice article about the distribution, flyers have been put around town and word of mouth is spreading the news that help is on the way. The list of those contacting Lyn for help in the way of stockings, ornaments, kits and Christmas decorations is beginning to grow.

Here is a breakdown of what was sent in the boxes for Phase I:


104 Christmas Stockings - small gift card size to full traditional size.


282 Tree Ornaments that were received from all over the world.


Some were from family collections of antique glass ornaments.


Some were done in ethnic techniques like huckweaving.


Many were sent in sets of multiiples like these smocked fans. Others were in silk ribbon and even iron on applique. Many were done in machine embroidery.


There were store bought ornaments of all types- ceramic, wood, and even feathers.


The majority of those received were handcrafted and/or hand stitched ornaments. There were a wide variety of techniques represented - feltwork, beading, cross stitch, needlepoint, quilting and plastic canvas, to name a few.


Many tatted, crocheted and knitted ornaments also were included in the donations.

Other Christmas related items were received and sent in the shipment to Bastrop. They include:

-- 7 Holiday Decor Items for around the house and even tinsel for some trees
-- 18 Christmas Pattern Sheets for cross stitch and candlewicking
-- 84 Complete Cross Stitch Ornament Kits
-- Crazy Quilt Ornament Kits: 7
-- 1 Needlepoint kit of a Jewish Menorrah Applique Kit
-- 1 T-shirt Iron On Kit
-- There were several cuts of red and green 14 ct. Aida cloth
-- Multiple packages of Plastic Beads for stringing garland
-- 2 Already Beaded Garlands
-- A wide variety of Christmas Cotton Fabric pieces - from scrap size to yardage.
-- 40+ Christmas Pattern Books & Magazines for cross stitch, candlewicking, crochet, knitting and needlepoint

There were also some one-of-a-kind specialty items that were donated. The committee has decided to use these for special drawings throughout the distribution day. They include:


A Beautiful Cross Stitched Hostess Apron


A Blackwork Wall Hanging of the Three Wisemen



And several of the Beaded Ornaments will be included in the drawings.

If I left an item off the list, it is not for want of trying to remember, lol. I have been told that there are more packages on their way and if they get here in time I will ship them overnight to Texas. If they arrive late, I will include them in what is taken down in February, for it is never too early to begin planning for next Christmas.

I want to thank everyone who sent items for Phase I. There really aren't words to tell you how special everything really was. Lyn has promised to take pictures on the day of distribution. I will post again right after the distribution to let you know how it went.

Shari

Fabric Yardage & Tools

We have really begun to receive some wonderful donations for the Texas Fire Relief Effort. I am going to post pictures over the next few days of some of the goodies that have been received and that will be taken to Bastrop for delivery in February.

Here are some of the very first books that came in. They are from MAP member Carolyn W. and her friend who donated the applique books.



Melissa H. of Japanesque Accents sent a very large package of wonderful stitching supplies, a part of which are shown in the pictures below:


A great book on sweatshirt embellishment ideas.


Needles and various other tools and sewing notions.


Flexible lights which will surely bring a smile to someone's face.


Wonderful fabrics for quilting, sewing and embroidery.

Thanks go out to these ladies for helping to get the ball rolling. My daughter, Moon and my DH have also just returned from Michigan. While they were there they stopped by Karol's - a StitchMap member - house and picked up some wonderful stash that I will share pictures of as soon as we get it unloaded from the trailer.

Hugs, Shari

Ornaments

Phase One of our fire Relief Effort is the donating of Christmas Ornaments and stockings. We have asked that the donations be received in Colorado no later than the weekend of November 19. Today I want to show you some of the first ornaments we received.


Various types of hand crafted ornaments made by Stitchmap member Annette A. of Virginia.


Marjorie H. made these darling appliqued wool mittens. She also sent some Christmas Kits. Marjorie shares that she actually intended to deoorate these mittens for Christmas last year but never got around to it. She says it is just proof that they were intended for the families in Texas. This is one of those times she is glad she procrastinated. I have to say, "So are we!" These are so cute in person!

Hugs, Shari

And So It Begins.....

Donations have begun to arrive for our Fire Relief Effort. The first donation that came was from a MAP member in Alabama. It contained some really great books


.......and a wonderful assortment of perle cotton threads.


Later in the week my husband graciously agreed to drive me to Denver to pick up a large donation from a member of the Rocky Mountain Crazy Quilter's Association. The lady helped to fill the backend of our Suburban with 7 large boxes and 15 very large black garbage bags. Let me tell you that there isn't any garbage in those bags!


I have just begun to sort out what is there and it will take me several more days to finish. So far I have discovered that she has donated quilting patterns, magazines, fabric, q-snaps, buttons, quilting templates, and some specialty yarns. There is stuff that I haven't even been able to get to yet.

In these pictures you can see my hubby and I are unloading the first bags once we got home. To tell the truth, I took that one bag in the house and then Moon helped him unload the remaining bags and boxes while I held the front door open! They are real troopers!



If you have extra stash items that you would like to donate to the ladies of Batrop and the surrounding communities, please email me at ladyjspice@aol.com I will be keeping everyone updated through this blog from now until we deliver in early February. We are accepting donations of Christmas ornaments and stockings up until the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 19-20). These will given to the ladies who lost their cherished holiday items when their house burned to the ground. Email me for details.

Hugs, Shari