Wrap Them in Love - Making Baby Quilts

What a whirlwind!

 

 

The last two weeks have been filled with anticipation, preparation, and organization to get ready to welcome our two new baby girls to this big world.

 

 

But the desire to love and welcome them makes it all worth while.

 

Even when one has to borrow a sewing machine (since hers is broken), one has extra furry help (though it is not requested), and one has to shuffle to meet all those little deadlines so all could enjoy the parties.

Baby quilts are my favorite gift to make for newborns. The last go-round included several boys, so this crafter was excited to add some pink and flowers!

 

 

Love them, snuggle them, wrap them in quilts.

 

Congratulations mommy's, daddy's, sisters, and brothers

(and grandmas and grandpas).

 

Wrapped in love. 

 

Way to go, Amplify!

Wrapped in Love Success

Wrapped in Love was a cozy success.

Project stats:

~ 9 adults (including 1 teen) traveled to Landmark Care Facility

~ over 150 items were made or purchased and given to Wrapped in Love

~ 2 utility carts + 1 red wagon hauled goodies up and down the hallways, in and out of rooms

~ between 80-85 residents accepted a warm cozy item; a few were convinced to take matching items, ornaments, or bookmarks

~ 1.5 hours spent visiting residents and distributing gifts

~ at least 1 case of joyful tears from a resident who had no one to visit her, accompanied by the tears of volunteers

~ one 67th anniversary celebrated with family members of a husband and wife sharing a room

~ too-many-to-count hugs and Christmas greetings

~ 3 = number of volunteers who missed the photo op

~ buckets of smiles

~ 1 grouchy guy who didn't want more stuff (at least he was honest)

~ several residents who already had gifts and visits from family urged us to give the goods to others who had nothing

~ 30 minutes to set-up conference table with donations before loading carts

~ 3 = # of times teen willingly gave up own hat (and replacement) to residents

~ many treat sacks and bags of carmel corn were given to staff members

~ remaining gifts were left for staff members to choose from and to be put in a storage closet for new residents who arrive with nothing

~ numerous volunteers donating supplies and completed projects

~ hours, days, and weeks spent knitting, crocheting, and creating items

~ joy > hours sacrificed on Christmas Day

 

Thank you, volunteers! All of you who helped in any way were a part of our Christmas Day visit to senior residents at Landmark.

Thank you!

Wrapped in Love Christmas Project is Almost Here

Today I counted all of the scarves I have on hand for our Christmas Day visit to Landmark Care Center.

I have a total of 45 crocheted, knitted, and fleece scarves. I also have several lap robes, blankets, and even an afghan.

Close, but not there yet.

94 (or 93, I always forget) is the number of residents living at Landmark.

Quick reminder:

What: Wrapped in Love visit and giving of warm gifts

Where: Landmark Care Center, Yakima

When: Christmas Day

Why: Because we love them!

How: Only with the help of my friends!

The meeting time will be confirmed and announced closer to the actual date.

I am so excited to share a part of my Christmas Day with seniors living in my community.

Better get busy crocheting!

My birthday trip provided additional scarves for the stash.

32 days left to crochet

(if you count Christmas Day)

Wrapped in Love ~ Merry Christmas at My Door!

I came home from walking in the lovely fall rain to find a package tucked neatly behind the pumpkin display.

And what to my wondering eyes (and fingers) should appear at the ripping apart of the paper but a contribution for our Wrapped in Love Christmas project.

Ten beautiful, cozy, colorful scarves burst out, tempting me to try on and touch. These 10 cozies began at our girls' weekend at the beginning of the month. I also have several other gorgeous scarves that were completed during our eating/talking/movie watching marathon. Thanks, girls! You rock!

I am feeling a little bit better about my stash of scarves, shoulder shawls, and lap robes. 94+ is a lot of cozies!

For, you see, Christmas is coming and our Wrapped in Love project for the nursing home will soon take place. You can read more about Wrapped in Love by clicking the link.

On Christmas Day, a group of us will load our packages, boxes, and bags, and go over the river and through the woods (or at least over the roads and through the neighborhoods) to Landmark. While there we hope to dispense Christmas cheer, a good bit of fellowship, a Christmas treat, and a choice of one of the warm Wrapped in Love creations to all of the residents.


Anyone not busy on Christmas Day? You are welcome to join us. If you can't make it, feel free to dig out that knitting, crocheting, or sewing and whip up a few items to add to our pile. Thank you!

And a very, merry, early Christmas!

Wrapped in Love - A Ministry of Warmth

Wrapped in Love was born following a Christmas Day visit with my mother-in-heart and the annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at our church, Amplify.

After our Merry Christmas visit, my mind wandered as we continued on our road of visiting. Surely most of the residents of her long-term care facility would receive the visits of family and friends on one of the most seasonally perfect days of the year for loved ones? Wouldn't they?

Or maybe not?

My socialite mom-in-heart adores guests. She would rather stand (though she is unable) and offer her wheelchair, bed, and side chair to her friends and family than to not have loved ones crowded in her room. This woman, lover of all - even those that are hard to handle and love - has the biggest heart I have seen.

In honor of her, Carole, I embark on this new project. A ministry really. Oh, don't worry! Carole is fine, just sitting there sassy and ready for a gab session complete with coffee and snack. Or a game of Bingo where she is sure to win prizes of treats and treasures.

Wouldn't it be awesome if everyone in the nursing facility had a visitor on Christmas Day? Would I be willing to give up time on Christmas Day? Could I do it? Could I make treat bags and crochet scarves so that each person, resident and staff, would receive a smile, a gift of love, and some Christmas cheer?

Probably not by myself. A year from now is a long time. And a nursing home has many residents and staff. Many.

But what if I had friends? What if I asked them to join me in sewing, crocheting, knitting, and creating scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, and lap robes? Could I then gather enough to wrap everyone in love next December 25th? Could a team of us take a few hours and travel with treats and gifts of love to spend our smiles and hearts with these loved ones? Would others join me in giving a gift bag and letting senior men and women dig through baskets of handmade items to choose the perfect thing, just for them? Is this a wild dream or a reachable goal?

Yes. Wrapped in Love is both a wild dream and a goal that can be met.

You see, I have friends. I have family. I have loved ones. I'm sure one or two will help me wrap a small portion of Yakima in love.

Looking for all who are interested. Let's get knitting, crocheting, sewing, cutting, creating . . . Your choice of project. Just make it with love and joy.

We have less than a year.

I better get busy! Three scarves down. One in progress.

Who's with me?

Watch for information about a monthly gathering so we can create together and encourage each other as we work our little fingers to the bones. Let me know if you are interested in joining my love army.

Yarn? Needles? Scissors? Fabric?

Ready. Set. Go.