Archive for Patterns & Ideas
Manicures and pedicures are not just a want, but for some…a need!
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Blessing the lives of those who need help is Christlike.
Summer is here – there are manicures and pedicures to take care of ‘summer sandal feet’. You wouldn’t think that would apply to charity as it would seem to be a ‘want’ and not a ‘need’, but for the handicapped and ill, it is a serious need as feet and hands can get sores and cracks leading to infection if not taken care of.
Wheelchair bound patients with braces on their legs develop blisters and open sores that need attention. Caring for those with these special needs takes love, patience and knowledge to give them the assistance they require.
Relief Share donated hygiene products and coordinated efforts to meet the needs of those who required specialized care for their hands and feet. Volunteers, who offered their time and services to give much needed manicures and pedicures, showed compassion and Christlike love to the permanently wheelbound and also patients recovering from serious surgeries as they tenderly ministered to them.
Spirits were lifted, hearts softened, hope returned to those who sometimes seemed forgotten and all were blessed as the spirit of service touched everyone.
We are grateful for our volunteers who blessed the lives of those who needed this specialized kind of help. We are also grateful for the wonderful donors who provided the funds and supplies that the volunteers put to use for the benefit of those needing personal care in these areas.
President Carol Green
ReliefShare.org
info@ReliefShare.org
Soft dollies, cuddly blankets equals happy children.
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Soft dollies, cuddly quilts - love in action for the children!
Being in hospital looking out the windows and seeing other children happily playing in the sunshine can be hard for little ones. One of our ongoing donors continues to spread sunshine and dry tears with her sweet donations of blankets, dollies, teddies.
Included in her donations are some very special preemie receiving blankets. She takes the time to carefully crochet lacy edges around the blankets to make them beautiful. These soft pretty blankets are used for the most precious of God’s children who need only one last blanket to be cuddled in. Those who are too perfect, too special, to remain here on earth for long are gently placed and wrapped in the blankets made with so much love and then they go on to God’s arms from ours.
Some of the little ones, born too soon or very small, are strong enough to fight and and stay here to continue to bless the lives of the families God has sent them to, and their blankets become a family heirloom.
We are grateful to R. M. for her love and continuing kindness to God’s precious sick and needy babies and children. She continues to reach out and bless the lives of strangers with love in action through her donations 
Carol C Green
Relief Share President
info@Relief Share.org
Donations OUT – new baby, orphanage, animal shelter
Posted by: | CommentsRelief Share volunteers have been very busy the last few weeks sewing, crocheting, serging, shopping, shipping and, in general, thoroughly enjoying our compassionate service efforts!
Donations out:
- donation July 17, a nice large box of essentials to a baby soon to arrive of bottles, receiving blankets, burp cloths, toys, shoes, socks, rattles, washcloths, towel, diaper bag, quilts, blankets, pacifiers and more. Baby’s Momma was very grateful for the much needed items. With this economy it can be quite a jolt to the family budget to provide for a new little one.
- donation July 11 to orphanage of socks, shoes/booties, blankets, toys, pacifiers, crib sheets, receiving blankets, socks, burp cloths.
- donation July 18 to orphanage of baby quilts, receiving blankets, burp cloths, rattles, toy ducks, pacifiers, socks, booties, toys, bottles, teddy bears, bunny, birdie – 86 items.
- donation of essential items to local animal shelter to help displaced animals and also owners who can’t afford to neuter and spay their animals.
These are some of the items donated out this week.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers and donors who made these donations possible.
Pattern for baby positioning aids we donate – ‘neonatal nests’
Posted by: | CommentsThe pattern for a neonatal positioning aid is very simple. It’s basically a tube with an elastic at one end to catch the other end in to make a circle. The baby nest provides a boundary for developing neonates and promotes containment, flexion, correct positioning and musculoskeletal development.
From selvedge to selvedge cut a 6″ wide strip for a small size diameter and an 8″ wide strip for a larger size diameter. Sew it into a tube, stuff it, and sew it closed. Place an elastic loop about 6″ down from the top on one end (I sew it into the seam so it doesn’t rip out). The elastic should be large enough for both ends of the tube to go through.
Form a circle with the tube putting the one end of the tube into the elastic on the other end, making sure that both ends are inside the elastic for stability.
Place a receiving blanket over the entire tube and place baby down in the center – like you would if you were taking baby to the swimming pool and were going to float him in an inner tube.
This positioning aid can also be used by doubling the tube up and placing behind baby to keep him on his side. Babies should not be placed on their stomach, ever, according to recent statistics from the SIDS Council, and laying baby on his back is best unless dealing with reflux problems.
A tube is a tube – you really can’t improve on that 
We have made thousands of these, the hospitals love them and use them as rewards for mothers to take Lamaze and prenatal classes. They are fun to make and your children’s group or our own kids might like to make them and donate them to your local hospital or crisis center.
Tip for stuffing. Cut out the ends of a tin can with a can opener so you have a tube. Put the fabric tube you have made down through the middle of the can and pull the fabric opening over the edge of the can. Stuff the fabric tube, pulling the tin can further and further down it as you go until you are at the end. The tin can provides stability while you are stuff the nest
Carol
Info@ReliefShare.org
Baby Quilt Pattern – quick & easy!
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Supplies Needed for this darling Baby Quilt (make 2 – one for yourself and one to donate
Color One: 1/2 yard of 44-45″ fabric (1 yard for larger size)
Color Two: 1/3 yard of 44-45″ fabric (1/2 yard for larger size)
Color Three: 1/3 yard of 44-45″ fabric (1/2 yard for larger size)
Binding: Cut binding either 1.5″ wide or 2″ wide (your preference), and long enough to go all the way around your quilt – about 120 inches for the smaller size and 180 inches for the larger size (you may piece strips).
Batting: You will need a 28.5″ x 28.5″ piece of batting (or 42.5″ x 42.5″ if you are making the larger size).
Quilt Backing: 28.5″ x 28.5″ piece of fabric for the quilt back (or 42.5″ x 42.5″ if you are making the larger size).
Cutting Instructions
PRE-WASH AND DRY YOUR FABRIC before beginning, if desired.
Small Quilt – Baby Blanket Size (28.5″ x 28.5″) Cut strips of fabric 4.5″ x w.o.f. (width of fabric) For color one, cut three strips, each 4.5″ x 44-45″ (your width of fabric) For colors two and three, cut two strips of fabric 4.5″ x w.o.f. Cut strips into 4.5″ squares. For color one, you will need a total of 25 squares. For colors two and three you will need a total of 12 squares of each color.
Larger Quilt – Lap Size (42.5″ x 42.5″) Cut strips of fabric 6.5″ x w.o.f. (width of fabric)
For color one, cut four strips, each 6.5″ x 44-45″ (your width of fabric), plus one more square that measures 6.5″ x 6.5″ For colors two and three, cut two strips of fabric 6.5″ x w.o.f. Cut strips into 6.5″ squares. For color one, you will need a total of 25 squares. For colors two and three you will need a total of 12 squares of each color.
Sewing Instructions
Using 1/4″ seam allowances, sew the squares together. It is easiest to assemble the squares into one row at a time. You can create horizontal or vertical rows. After your rows are created, sew the rows together. TIP: Iron all squares before sewing them into rows. Iron the rows before sewing them together. It works best to press the seams in opposite directions. In other words, if row one has seams pressed to the left, press the seams of row two to the right. That way, when you sew the rows together, it is easier to match corners more precisely.
Quilting Instructions
You can now stitch the three layers together, either by tying with yarns or embroidery floss, hand quilting or machine quilting.
President Carol Green
ReliefShare.org
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
417-763-3288
Busy fun FUNDRAISER! Donations in and out – the flow and ebb of love!
Posted by: | CommentsWe are now in our third week of sales for our fundraiser for Relief Share. Instead of having folks come inside our building, we took it to the parking lot in our mall. It’s been very busy as we set everything up like a garage sale to attract people and have a HUGE room all set up inside with tables and everything is just one dollar! The room was donated by a wonderful gentleman who owns the mall so we have a place to haul things in quickly when the rain shows up and to put things in for the duration of the fundraiser & business inventory liquidation sale at night so everything doesn’t need to be dragged around the end of the building.
Outside we have items that are half the original prices and sales from GrandmothersAttic.net, a store located in the same mall, are also being donated to Relief Share to help. We are hoping to have enough money from the fundraising to be able to purchase the material needed for the hospital gowns for Shriners, the x-ray shorts, and the twin size quilts for the patient’s beds. We also have many other projects we need supplies for – mama pads, diaper bags, diaper covers, bibs, clothing and quilts for sick and needy families.
Relief Share is blessed to have the Lucky Dollar Store down the road in Licking who has fabric at very reasonable prices and gives us a discount because it’s for charity. Now that our local Wal Mart no longer carries fabrics (don’t get us started on that…), we are grateful for the Lucky Dollar Store and Mel Porter – the owner.
A huge thank you to Ashley Green who has set up, taken down and spend the entire time monitoring and running the sales. She has been sunburned, tired, sore from dragging heavy items in and out of buildings and pressed into service more than she could ever imagine. What started out as a weekend sale has now turned into three weeks. She needs a medal and we are most grateful to her. A thank you to all the wonderful people who donated their time and effort helping.
Today 100 baby hats were donated out to Tennessee for the babies there. We pray none of them suffered from the recent flooding that has caused so much problems in that state. We also donated out preemie clothing to a little baby born to soon and only lived long enough for momma to say goodbye. A tiny baby doll was donated to baby’s older brother so he would have something to remember her by. A large donation went out to an expectant abandoned mother for her little one. Donations of household items to needy folks were given out and baby blankets and clothing were given out to a young family in need. Yarn donations have gone out to volunteers who are knitting and crocheting for the sick and needy in their area – those donations were possible from a large donation of cone yarn from a shop that shut down. Beautiful tiny baby blankets with gorgeous hand crocheted edges done by a very special volunteer were donated to the local hospital – thank you Roberta – your work is lovely and the hospital so appreciative.
Make your own double bias tape – quick and easy!
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For folks helping out with making bibs and other items with bias binding on it, there is a cheap easy way to make your own bias tape. Now you can have a darling custom fabric bias to match the item you are making and you don’t have to pay a lot to buy the store bought bias tape!
We found this wonderful visual tutorial for DIY bias tape on the net and are happy to share the link with you!
bias binding
When you find fun informative sites like this one, please email us so we can include a link to it on our site so everyone can enjoy saving money and having fun being creative!
Ideas for saving money
Posted by: | CommentsThis information is timely and important. It has been taken from an email from www.flylady.com Share the information with friends as this economy has even the most spendy folks now paying attention to nickels and dimes. Charities are being overwhelmed with people who would love to be self sufficient but don’t know how. Here is a good place to start:
Going green doesn’t have to cost us green money. We are very bright and each of us has come up with great ways to save money, help the environment and FLY!
Everyone is feeling the pinch of the economy. Did you know that when you are FLYing you are saving money and helping the environment? I want to discuss some of these money saving green/purple
habits we can help you establish.
Decluttering 15 minutes a day! How can this save you money; I know you are thinking this? The act of decluttering makes you more particular about what you buy and bring into your home. This amazing thing happens because you begin to love yourself and the way your home looks. You have to really need something to buy it! Shopping becomes something you do because you don’t need a diversion from being at home feeling guilty about your clutter and all the stuff you buy because it is on sale. If you did not spend $20 a week on more clutter then you would have saved $1040 a year. This doesn’t even count the money you spend on the gas to run around and buy the clutter. Buying less reduces your carbon footprint. It also reduces your trash and landfills.
Picking out your clothes as part of your before bed routine! This simple action will give you more time in the morning so you can fix your breakfast and a cup of coffee before you head off to work. No more stopping for expensive drive thru breakfasts and designer coffees. You have to pleasure of a peaceful morning with your life under control along with your finances. If you spend $5 a day on a drive thru breakfast and a coffee then you could have saved $1300 in a year. Pulling out and trying on creates pile of clothes and those clothes get mixed up with your dirty clothes and then you use more water to wash them.
Planning your menus for next week and preparing a grocery list before you go shopping can help too. This keeps you from going to the grocery store multiple times each week. This alone can save you $50 a week. There is hardly anyway to keep from spending less than that each time you go to the store. If you are cooking then you are saving more money by not getting takeout from restaurants. That could alone could save you another $25 a week. This amounts to $3900 for a year. Then if you factor in the gas you save by only going to the grocery store once each week. Less gas used, buying fresh food instead of packaged also
helps reduce our trash.
Wearing good shoes for your feet help in lots of ways! Good shoes gives you more energy and keeps you from breaking toes and cutting your precious feet. More energy helps you to exercise more and take
better care of yourself; this saves on doctor bills. One co-pay for an office visit could save you $20 a month. A broken foot could set you back $1500 for an emergency room visit. Shoes save you more than you
would ever think about. $1740 is amazing when a good pair of shoes could runs around $50. What an investment! This doesn’t even count the money you save because of the energy you have to keep your home in order. More energy means more walking instead of driving.
Next let’s look at how much you save by paying your bills on time and not running up your credit cards. One late charge a month or an over draft fee is could run into $100 dollars a month. If there is one there are usually many. You are having to rob Peter to pay Paul. Stay on top of your bills and paying things on time is a major way to save money while FLYing! $1200 is a small amount to save when we examine what we really spend in those fees and interest rates. I haven’t even figured the cost of the fuel for all those extra trips to the grocery store, to pay a bill before the power gets turned off, doctor visits and fast food trips. Besides the more you go shopping the more you spend. Fewer trips to the store will keep your bills affordable and you have not put that gas into your car and the pollution into the atmosphere.
So you see with these five simple habits you can save lots of money and help the environment. $9180 is no chump change to me. That is more money than I made some years in my career as a furniture store bookkeeper. That is $176 a week. WOW! Now that will buy you a tank a gas with some money for savings and something simple for you as a celebration.
30 more twin size quilts donated to Shriners Childrens Hospital!
Posted by: | CommentsOur volunteers have been busy as little bees. We have just made and donated THIRTY patchwork twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital for use on their patients beds and for cuddling the children after surgery. We now have another 68 quilts to go to make our 240 goal that was requested!
All the fabric, batting, thread, yarn and machines needed were dedicated and consecrated for the benefit of the sick and needy. Nothing is wasted, each piece of fabric is sewed into place with love and concern for the little ones who are getting needed treatment at the hospital.
Many of the children are missing limbs, some can’t walk, some have halos, others needs spinal surgery and ALL are very much loved and well cared for at the hospital. We feel blessed to have the opportunity to bless the lives of the children by creating our quilts made by happy volunteers and loving hands.
If you would like to be included in this wonderful project – feel free to contact us at info@ReliefShare.org
Busy righteous hands belong to happy people! Join us!
Are you ready? Resources and advice for self reliance….
Posted by: | CommentsThat’s a question we hear almost every day. Are you ready? There are a variety of events that we can all be ready for depending on our situation, age and family. We may need to be ready for school, work, church, shopping, or the holidays. Most of what we do we can do on auto pilot because of our experiences in the past.
The kind of ‘are you ready’ that I am going to discuss is the kind of events you may wish would never happen to you, your family or your friends and neighbors. Some of the events that you may not be ready for can be described in one word and the whole world will know what you are talking about. Haiti. Obama. H1N1. Taxes. Flooding. You know what I mean. Unforeseen events that require preparation or survival may be at question.
Lets discuss a few of the ones mentioned in the above paragraph one at a time.
Haiti – Instant hell for an entire nation throwing world orders into action to help the sick and needy. Many sources for donations at home are immediately drained off out of the US as the squeaky wheel gets the grease and the media is making sure that Haiti is the squeaky wheel right now. Charities that usually had resources to calm the cries of cold hungry children here in the states no longer provide necessary bedding, clothes and food at the level they used to simply because donations are down, having been sent overseas or just not available due to the rotten economy – which brings us to another event, or rather person.
Obama – because of the decisions made by the Obama administration, every man, woman and child is in debt to the tune of $100,000.00 – that is one hundred thousand dollars – not chump change – and more announcements of further excessive spending by the same folks are surfacing daily. I am not discussing whether anyone likes it or not, or even whether they like our current administration, I am simply stating a solemn fact that the US is heavily in debt and not likely to get out for generations, if ever. If you are counting on the US for welfare, social security or any form of free handout – just know that it may be dubious as to whether governmental help will be there when you need it.
H1N1 – sickness can strip even an able bodied man or woman of the ability to provide basic essentials for themselves or their families. Illness knows no boundaries, creeds, or race. It can strike when least expected and leave devastation and misery in it’s wake.
So – what can you do? Can you do anything? Are you a victim or is there a way to safeguard yourself and your loved ones in times of crisis?
The answer is in the Bible. “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”
You may ask.. What kind of preparation? How do I get started? What do I do? How much does it cost?
The good news – there are many entities, charities, churches, and resources to help you be more self reliant. You see, that’s the key – being able to rely on yourself for relief and assistance, and then extending help to family, friends and neighbors. After you are secure and stabilized, then you reach out even further to others who need help.
Natural disasters, national leadership out of control (not just the current administration, it’s been going on for quite some time), sickness, death, loss of jobs, breakdown of the family and the disintegrating moral standards of those around us all impact our lives.
Here are some suggestions on how to insulate yourself, as much as possible, from negative aspects of events.
I. Be aware. Read the news, check the weather and be involved in your community so nasty surprises are kept to a minimum.
2. Get out of debt. Cut up those credit cards, use bank debit cards instead or paypal where when the funds are gone, they are gone and you can’t dip into someone else’s pocket at a terrible rate of up to 30%. Know the difference between wants and needs. You can get along with a lot less than you think you can. Use ebay, craigslist, your local flea market or farmers market to sell what you don’t need that is cluttering up your life. If it means walking to work instead of driving, taking a sack lunch instead of eating out, mending your clothes instead of buying the latest trends, then do it. If you can’t meet your mortgage, talk to the lender NOW before things get out of control to see if you can refinance at at lower rate or if there are other options available. There are debt management companies – legitimate ones – who are ready, willing and able to help you pay off your credit cards. Don’t wait – mail this guy david@debtguru.com
David Gibbons, Credit Counselor
American Credit Foundation
www.debtguru.com
800-259-0601
7720 S. 700 E.
Midvale, UT 84047
Nope, I don’t get a kickback or am related to anyone that works there, I just am more than happy to share with others how to lighten the load. There are no gimmicks or high fees and it’s easy.
I will be posting more on provident living later on our Relief Share blog. Helping folks to be self sufficient reduces our workload and strengthens America. Once you are on your feet, then we hope you will join us in helping others who are walking the same path that we have walked.
3. Illness is devastating. Some illnesses are long term and coping mechanisms need to be set in place. However, other illnesses have immediate onset and no warning may mean little or no preparation for some folks, such as having 6 months worth of income in the bank should employment be discontinued or disrupted due to illness. Preventative measures can circumvent a lot of the loss and pain accompanying illness. Good quality vitamins can build your immune system so you stand less of a chance of getting sick in the first place. The vitamins we recommend and take ourselves are by Pharmanex These vitamins are nutritionally formulated to nourish and protect cells, tissues, and organs in the body. We also take Reishi for immune boosting. You can read about the ‘miracle mushroom’ at www.reishi.com
When you do find yourself dealing with illness, don’t hesitate to talk to your caregiver, hospital, Bishop or family for help. Note that emotionally sustaining the sick and needy is just as important as providing warm blankets or essential items through the hospital, such as gowns or slippers or turbans for women who have lost their hair through cancer.
There are a number of wonderful resources to offer more advice, and we strongly recommend you get yourself a cuppa, pen and paper and check them out.
Our self reliance top picks are free :
http://www.ready.gov – prepare. plan. stay informed.
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready – an in depth guide to preparedness
http://www.providentliving.org – self reliance and resources
http://emergencyemail.org – have severe weather reports for your area sent daily to your email, etc.
If you have other links or information to share regarding self reliance, please feel free to respond to this article in our blog. It takes everyone working together to make life a better place for all.
If you are able, and have the desire to assist others, please consider sending a donation to: Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483. All donations are tax deductible and acknowledged with a thank you letter. Donations of funds, new and used clothing and bedding, baby items, toys, books, fabric and sewing, knitting or crafting supplies, and essential items are gratefully accepted and donated out to those who need your gift of love the most.
If you have a question regarding a donation, and some folks have unusual donations they would like to make, please feel free to email us at info@ReliefShare.org – come join us in making America a happier and better place to life.
How to make a quilt into a pillow for storage
Posted by: | CommentsWhen donating to the hospitals, crisis centers or homeless shelters, storing quilts can take up quite a bit of space and make a mess for the staff as quilts are pulled out for use. Donating “quilts in a pillow” helps with storage and also provides a more useful multi use item.
The fastest way to make a’quilt in a pillow” is to first make a ‘pillowcase’ quilt. Lay the front and back of the quilt down with the right sides together. Put the batting on top of the front and back and cut all three layers together the same size.
Sew a 1/2 ” seam around all the edges, leaving a large enough opening in the center of one side to turn the quilt. Turn and either sew closed by hand, or sew closed by machine. Topstitch 1/4″ all around the edge to secure. Tie, hand quilt or machine quilt the quilt. If tying make sure that ties are at least 4″ apart or less for stability of the quilt. Double tie the knots. Please do not just take a stitch and then another one in the same spot and keep going. Quilts that are tied this way without making a knot come undone in hospital laundry. Make sure you tie a square knot using thread or yarn that does not slip. Embroidery thread is not a good choice because it tends to work it’s way loose through wear.
Make a square mini quilt the same way you just made the quilt (omitting the tying or quilting) that is approx. just larger than 1/3 the size of the narrowest width of the quilt. For example: if your quilt was 45″ x 72″, then make your mini quilt 18″ square. The mini quilt makes the pocket.
Lay the larger quilt down with one shorter side next to you like you are standing at the end of a bed. Place the mini quilt on the edge of the short side nearest you and center it on the edge. Sew down three sides, leaving the side open that faces the center of the quilt, making a pocket. Reinforce the ends of your stitching so the pocket will not come unsewn from the quilt.
To make the quilt into a pillow, lay the quilt with the pocket side down . Fold the quilt into thirds longways, overlapping long edge. Turn the pocket over the end of the quilt. Fold the remaining quilt into thirds and continue folding into the pocket forming a pillow.
Voila! Done You can embroider a cute teddy bear face or heart on the front of the pocket if you want to make it fun for a child or adult.
Note – regarding quilt sizes: Baby quilts can be 36″ x 36″, 36″ x 45″ or 45″ x 60″. Larger quilts can be 45″ x 60″ or larger, depending if it is going to be used for a child or adult, partial coverage such as a wheelchair quilt or full coverage for a bed. The bottom line is pretty much any size is welcomed to keep the sick and needy comfortable and warm. Twin size quilts are the most urgent size needed right now – approx 70″ x 90″. You can make the quilts all the way up to 120 x 120 if you like, be creative and have fun making your donation of love for the sick and/or needy. Feel free to sign the quilt and ask your church group or quilting group if they would like to get involved.
We love to receive volunteers items lovingly sewn for the sick and needy to distribute where the need is the greatest. If you would like to donate quilts in a pillow or supplies to make them to Relief Share, please send donations to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd., Houston, MO 65483-2225. All donations are gratefully accepted and acknowledged with a tax deductible receipt and thank you letter.
Patterns and ideas are happily accepted to share with others on our Relief Share website, blog and at work meetings. Please send submissions to info@ReliefShare.org Upon receipt, all submissions will be considered public domain for distribution for charitable purposes and will not be returned so if it’s your favorite pattern, please make sure you have a copy, too. Thank you
Look what we’ve done! All of us together are making a world of difference!
Posted by: | Comments| Twin Size Quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital | |||||
| Delivery Person | Date | Number of Quilts | Running Total | Goal Needed | Still Needing |
| Carol Green | 4/30/2009 | 3 | 3 | 240 | 237 |
| Carol Green | 5/12/2009 | 4 | 7 | 233 | |
| Jan Stice | 6/13/2009 | 7 | 14 | 226 | |
| Carol Green | 6/17/2009 | 10 | 24 | 216 | |
| Nadine Colvin | 6/24/2009 | 10 | 34 | 206 | |
| Carol & Richard | 7/10/2009 | 24 | 58 | 182 | |
| Nadine Colvin | 8/13/2009 | 14 | 72 | 168 | |
| Mailed from RS Office | 9/17/2009 | 10 | 82 | 158 | |
| Mailed from RS Office | 10/20/2009 | 14 | 96 | 144 | |
| Nadine Colvin | 11/10/2009 | 18 | 114 | 126 | |
Recent donations in – supplies, children’s clothing and more & Donations out
Posted by: | CommentsRelief Share has been very blessed with donations to help the sick and/or needy families we serve. Donations of baby and toddler clothing, shoes, diaper bags, quilts, blankets, sheets, and toys came in and very quickly were donated out to where they were needed the most.
A generous donation of books from Alma Mooney of Licking was received as a fundraiser to raise money needed to purchase flannel for the backing of the Relief Share Quilts for Kids project.
Donations out include helping a family with a young child and another on the way with nursing pillow covers, household goods, food, baby clothing and bedding, essential supplies, toys, and other needed items. Newborns in Need Ozarks Chapter was the recipient of a large donation of cone yarn, baby clothing, bedding, fabric and diaper bags.
Donations of clothing to area residents in need of warmer seasonal clothing and food was also given out.
Wonder what you can help with? Here is a handy urgent needs list that you can print out and take with you when you do your shopping. Just get one or two extra items and send them to:
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
All donations are tax deductible.
Urgent Needs List:
Basic food item suggestions – Sugar, flour, salt, pepper, oil, cereal, tinned food such as beans, vegetables, fruit, soup, etc. Baby food, formula, crackers, tuna, etc. Many of the families we serve are very grateful for the food given them. A package of animal crackers, macaroni and cheese or juice boxes can make the world of difference to a hungry child. A Wal Mart gift card is also a great donation item as volunteers in our Relief Share office are happy to take the list of what is needed and purchase food and personal items, like toilet paper and shampoo and deliver it to the needy family – this also saves on shipping cost to us.
Clothing – clean gently used clothing or new. Socks, pants, tops, coats, shoes, undergarments, hats, mittens, etc. Accessories like purses or wallets, belts and backpacks are very gratefully accepted by recipients.
Bedding – home made, clean gently used or new. sheets, blankets, baby blankets, receiving blankets, pillows, pillow cases, crib sets, afghans.
Personal hygiene items – shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, deodorant, moisturizer, lotion, wet wipes, baby oil, baby diaper cream, baby powder, etc.
Books, toys, movies, games, and furniture is also welcome. Christmas is coming and many of the families we care for have little or nothing for the holiday. Full size filled stockings are a huge blessing at the Christmas season. We donate the stockings, when available, to foster homes, hospitals, medical centers, crisis centers, homeless shelters and area churches who care for the sick and needy. A doll or book can make a wonderful difference in a little one’s holiday season. A mother struggling to care for her family with no partner for support is grateful for a soft warm scarf from a donor to show her someone cares for her.
You can make Christmas brighter and more blessed by showing your love to a stranger who has need of your care.
Here are some ideas for you to consider making items to donate:
Sewing – quilts, baby clothing, bedding, blankets, tote bags, diaper bags, toys, dresses, diapers
Quilting – baby quilts, twin size quilts, toys, Christmas ornaments, tree skirts, wall hangings, totes
Knitting – hats, sweaters, mittens, socks, pants, tops, blankets, afghans, toys
Crochet – afghans, blankets, hats, dish cloths, toys, clothing, sweaters, mittens
Tat – handkerchiefs, bonnets, doilies , lace trim for baby gowns
Embroider – blankets, hats, clothing, toys
If you have questions or would like to talk with representatives from Relief Share – please feel free to email info@ReliefShare.org or call 417-967-3340 and ask for Stephanie or Carol. Please note: all Relief Share workers are volunteers – no one is paid – this is a work of the heart in Christ’s name giving relief through sharing to God’s children. We are his hands and feet showing mercy to the less fortunate – join us and make a difference today.
Relief Share receives donation of 2 twin size quilts from local quilt guilds.
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Bev Flowers donates two beautiful quilts to Relief Share
Relief Share, a non profit charity for the sick and needy, received 2 twin size quilts from Bev Flowers (shown in picture attached) representing the UMC Holy Tearers Quilt Group and the Piney River Quilting Guild. The donation was presented to Director Stephanie Little at the local Relief Share office in Houston, Missouri on Oct 19, 2009.
These quilts are a part of a large project being undertaken by Relief Share to fill the need for bedding for the children hospitalized at Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis, Missouri. Many children have been cared for by Shriners Hospital in St Louis at no cost. Since April 30, 2009, Relief Share has donated 99 of the 240 quilts requested by the hospital, 141 twin size quilts are still needed.
Richard and Carol Green, founders of Relief Share, have provided most of the many yards of fabric needed for the quilts, purchased from the Lucky Dollar store in Licking, Missouri at a discount given by business owners to help with the charitable efforts of the community. Two local sisters, who wish to remain anonymous, have purchased and donated most of the batting and spend hundreds of hours sewing and tying many of the quilts. Volunteers combine efforts to create the warm quilts for the sick and needy children being treated at Shriners Childrens Hospital.
All donations are much appreciated and put to immediate use. To donate to the “Relief Share Quilts for Kids” project, visit www.ReliefShare.org or call 417-967-3340 for more information. Fabric, batting and flannel backing are needed as well as those who would like to help sew the quilts together and either tie or quilt them. A total of 141 twin size quilts are still needed.
Diaper Covers for the hospital for children
Posted by: | CommentsThis is what we have been busy sewing. When children are in a body cast or spica cast, they need a large diaper cover that goes over the diaper area – right over the cast! These diaper covers are lined with a waterproof material called PUL that does well in medical applications as it stand the heat well in cleaning. On the outside of the PUL material we use cotton or knit.
The medium size diaper covers for a little girl were done in pink minky fabric, so luxurious and soft. The larger diaper covers were made in kids print – hopefully to bring a smile to the face of the patients and their parents.
Here are pictures of the diaper covers – we used wide velcro and plastic resin snaps applied with a snap press for closures and they can be snapped small or all the snaps opened for a very large diaper cover. There are three rows of snaps for a wide range of sizes, depending on how you snap the diaper cover.
Medium and large diaper covers
Medium size diaper cover that can be snapped down really small or unsnapped for a much larger diaper cover.
Large diaper cover in animal print for boys. Note that the pattern is upsidedown so the child will be able to see the animals.
Nemo large diaper cover.
Large diaper cover - little girls love princesses
back of large diaper cover with fun girly print.
fun fairy print in large diaper cover for little girl
two more diaper covers in fun fairy print and lined with PUL
Large diaper cover lined with green PUL
We created labels for the diaper covers using our ink jet printer
Fool proof way to remove applied plastic snaps.
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Ever used your snap pliers or snap press to put on snaps and realize you put on the wrong part? Tried to get it off but put a hole in the fabric and ruined the item? This is for you…..
My daughter found a fool proof way of removing the snaps without damaging the fabric.
She took a pair of button shank removers and cut off the top of the snap completely – making sure she got the center as that is what holds the snap together. Then she turned the diaper over and put the edge of her fingernail under the cap. She inserted a small slot screwdriver under the cap and turning it slightly on it’s side, she popped off the cap.
Once she got the hang of it, it took her less time to pop the snaps off with no damage than it does for me to write this post.
KMart, Hancock fabrics and most other fabric stores carry button shank removers. I bet a pair of small wire cutters would do the same thing.
Good luck!
Carol
Donation out – gowns to make burial layettes with
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the items that we make at Relief Share is burial layettes for children who have passed away and only need one last gown and blanket to be snuggled in.
When someone is willing to make these burial layettes for the hospital, we donate out satin gowns to be cut up and used for the burial layette. Out of one wedding dress we can get 20 gowns!
We just happened to have 2 dresses made of satin and lace with beading that were donated by a store who couldn’t sell them because someone had spilled something on them. There has been no time lately to make them up into burial layettes but we weren’t concerned because we didn’t have any recent requests for them.
A lady from another charity asked for supplies to make burial layettes with so we donated the gowns out to her to use
If you have a beautiful wedding or bridesmaid gown that you are no longer using, please consider sending it to us to be used to make burial layettes. Many a grieving parent have expressed their gratitude for the beautiful layettes we provide in their time of need. You can help make it happen.
Donations out – tote bag
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I just finished working on this tote bag for a wonderful lady who has cancer. She has always given of herself when others needed her and now it’s her turn to be shown love. She wanted a book bag that she could also put her craft projects into to take to doctor’s appointments.
This tote bag is a unique design that was made just for her. The bag is lined and has fiberfill throughout to provide stability. I used the snap press to put snaps on the ends so she could make the tote smaller or larger, depending on what she was carrying and there is also a key holder that snaps in one end. I put a snap closure in the middle to hold things in.
The tote is trimmed in gold metallic bias binding and made from cotton quilters fabric. I padded the handles for comfort and double stitched everything so it is durable. It is a generous 25″ across. A lot of things can fit in this bag so it could also double for an overnight bag if needed.
My daughter, Laura, chose the fabric as it is perfect for this sweet lady. She loves the Lord and knows he will be with her throughout any and all trials she will experience. We are including a book for her to read called “Everyday Miracles”.
I started the bag this afternoon and stayed up to finish it so we can ship it first thing tomorrow via priority post. Her surgery is coming up ASAP and we want her to have the bag to not only use, but know she is loved and cared for.
Tutorial – How to make your own cloth labels
Posted by: | CommentsMaking your own cloth labels is so easy but it took a lot of research and testing before we came up with the right way to do it.
Materials needed:
- white or cream muslin (you can use whatever material you like, including gross grain or ribbon)
- freezer paper
- heat and bond
- compute
- ink jet printer
First wash your fabric to make sure there is no sizing or other chemicals in it as the sizing interferes with the ink’s permanency. I purchased white muslin from my local quilt shop that has no sizing or chemical in it. The store owner carries this muslin specifically for projects where folks are making memory quilts or labels. Dry and iron your fabric so there are no wrinkles.
Design your label on your computer. I used Adobe Photoshop as there was a graphic on the label as well as fonts, but if you are making sizing or care labels and just need black text, you can use a word processing program.
Put the logo you have designed into Microsoft Word or another program that does labels – I chose the format that prints out 30 labels on a page. You can use your graphics program and lay out a sheet of labels but I found that printing smaller text from a graphics program results in lack of sharpness in the text and prefer to use MS Word or Publisher.
Cut your fabric and freezer paper to 8 1/2″ by 11″ and fuse the freezer paper to the back of the fabric. This makes the fabric stiff enough to go through the printer with no problem.
Print out your labels on the fabric. Let dry completely – at least 10 to 15 minutes, but I let mine dry overnight. Peel off the freezer paper from the back of the fabric.
Iron on heat and bond on the back of the labels – being careful not to rub or press too hard and cause the print to smear. You can skip this step if you are sewing your labels in but I use heat and bond on the back of my labels even if I am sewing them on because it holds them quite nicely as I am sewing and makes sure they are on to stay.
Peel off the paper off the heat and bond backing from the back of the fused fabric. At this point, I cut my fabric into individual labels with a rotary cutter. Fill a plastic bowl or your sink with very cold water. I used the cold water from my fridge dispenser as it was close and easy. Make sure there is plenty of water as you are pulling the excess ink off the fabric so the particles don’t come off and adhere to other parts of the label you don’t want it to and smear or ruin the label. Do not twist or rub the labels – just carefully lay them in the water and gently swish them with your hand, separating the labels that want to stick together. The water should be clear and the font on the labels look darker because of the water.
Gently remove the labels from the plastic bowl and lay out individually on a towel. Put another towel over the labels and with a rolling pin, press to remove excess water.
Set the ink by using the highest heat on your iron for 8 to 10 seconds, but be sure to drain the water from your iron first because you don’t want any steam.
Since there was fused heat and bond on the back of the labels – I put the slightly damp label on the edge of the xray room hospital shorts and fused the label on at the same time that I set the ink. I had extra labels left over so I set the ink and used some of the backing for the heat and bond that I had taken off the back of the labels so all I have to do when I want to use those labels is again peel the backing off and they are good to go.
I sewed around the edge of the label with a straight stitch just inside the edge. Voila! All done.
It really didn’t take all that long, but it was a huge journey of finding the right way to do it and a lot of frustration trying out different methods and things.
This method for making labels can be used for printing out photos for memorial quilts and anything else you might want to print on fabric.
Enjoy.
Pictures of delivery to Shriners Hospital – Friday July 10/09
Posted by: | CommentsWe had so much fun getting this delivery ready – it was exhausting work but well worth it. The donations were put to immediate use by the hospital for their sweet children who are patients.
Kate and Janet at the hospital were so nice and pleasant to visit with.
The suburban was full all the way from the back of the front seats!
Goal 240 twin size quilts for Shriners Hospital for the patients beds – to snuggle the children in. Donated so far 58, still needed 182. YOUR help is needed. Quilts should be approx 72 x 90″.
If you would like to help – here is what is needed:
If you sew – twin size quilts that are approx 72 x 90” – machine quilted OR hand tied OR hand quilted – your choice.
If you want to clean out your closet for a good cause – thread, sewing supplies, fabric – all kinds but especially flannel and cotton, sewing tools – scissors, pins, rotary cutters, quilters rulers, machines, seam rippers, etc, batting, all kinds of yarn in all colors (our volunteers use the yarn, even scraps, to make afghans and to tie the quilts
If you don’t have the time to sew and no supplies to share – a donation to info@ReliefShare.org through Paypal is gratefully accepted and a tax deductible receipt and thank you letter is given for all donations.
All donations can be mailed to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225. We’d love to talk with you at1-417-967-3340.
Emai is info@ReliefShare.org
A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers who worked hard on this donation. Your help is much appreciated and needed.
Snap Press now set up as a foot press! A huge help!
Posted by: | CommentsA big thank you to Richard Green for converting our hand snap press to a foot press. It is quick and easy to use now, with no discomfort or pain in attaching snaps to our diaper covers and IV hospital gowns for the hospital.
The snaps are resin so the hospital is delighted as the gowns don’t have to be removed when the children are xrayed. They also go through the hospital laundry just fine.
We are also thrilled that Friend Lumber in Licking, MO allowed us to purchase all the lumber needed for the snap press for only $6.38 because we are a charity. Good people are everywhere!
Snap press conversion to foot press.
Snap press to attach snaps to hospital gowns and diaper covers
We have already put the snaps on 15 hospitals gowns! This would have taken us a LOT longer without the press! With the press converted to a foot press, there are no aching arms and backs! Wonderful!
Embry Claire helping her Mommy put snaps on
Need donations to get flannel for charity quilt project – please help!
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Time for an update on our charity quilt project. Relief Sharecharity is a 501 (c ) 3 non profit registered with the IRS.
Our current main project is making 240 twin size quilts for Shriners Hospital in St Louis for children who undergo surgery to help them walk and move properly and have other skeletal problems.
So far we have made and donated approx 40 quilts (I will give you the exact number when our volunteers have reported in). I will also be taking a load of quilts next week to Shriners personally for the charity (yes, I will share photos).
I purchased all the fabric needed for the tops of the quilts and we are getting some batting and fabric donated, however, we need approx 250 yards of flannel for the back of the quilts and that’s where YOU come in. I managed to get a wonderful deal of excellent quality flannel at only $1.69 a yard but need donations to be able to purchase it. I can drive to pick it up, so there will be no shipping cost, and because Relief Share is a nonprofit, there will be no tax.
The goal is $422.50 to be able to purchase 250 yards of flannel.
All those who choose to donate will receive a tax deductible receipt. If you can help make a child’s stay at Shriners better by helping to provide a warm snuggly twin size quilt for their bed, please donate through PayPal to info@ReliefShare.org .
Checks can be sent to:
Relief Share,
6078 Lundy Rd.,
Houston, MO
65483-2225
Attn: Charity Quilt Project.
If you request it, a brochure can be mailed along with your tax deductible receipt and thank you letter.
Please share this need with your family and friends. God blesses us with what we need for ourselves, and for those in need. This is a way to help each other and give back to God for all our blessings. If you would like to send yarn, flannel, sewing supplies, fabric and batting, please send it to the address above. We would love it if you want to make a twin size quilt (approx 72 x 90 – doesn’t have to be exact) and send it, that would be wonderful!
Crochet pattern for quick cloth or quilt
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Basket weave crochet
Well, I am back with Ashley from Dallas and the American Idol tryouts. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed our experience. There were 10,000 people there and only 200 chosen according to the scuttlebutt that was going around. Everyone had fun and was very pleasant.
While I was there waiting (and that was a large part of it), I tried out some new patterns and yarn and found this was a quick easy pattern to do that you didn’t have to pay too much attention to. As we stood for hours in the 105 degree heat outside the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium, I tucked a ball of yarn under my elbow and went to town with a size G hook.
Here is the pattern that can be used for something as small as a face cloth and can be made as big as an afghan to give to the hospital for the sick and needy.
Make a chain row as long as you want the item you are making. For the second row, double crochet in each chain, starting from the 3rd chain from the end. For the third row, instead of DC in the top of the chain, alternate from crocheting around the front of the dc in the first stitch to crocheting around the back of the dc for the next stitch, and so forth to the end of the row. This makes a basketweave looking pattern and if you use a rougher yarn, it makes a wonderful scrubber for the kitchen. Use a soft yarn with a larger hook and you can make a beautiful soft baby afghan or a larger afghan for a cancer patient.
St Louis Cardinals charity quilt – almost done!
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Charity quilt for Shriners Hospital patient
This quilt has been a lot of fun to make. Lots of happy bright colors and a soft fuzzy backing makes for a wonderful snuggly quilt destined for a very special little boy. I just finished the edging late tonight and am taking it to the work meeting tomorrow to tie it. The little boy loves the Cardinals and this quilt was truly a labor of love.
If you would like to make a quilt like this – buy a St Louis Cardinals t-shirt and cut out the logo. Back it with fabric for stability and use it for the center block. I strip pieced the top by sewing strips together and then cutting so I had long rows of squares sewn together, then I applied them to the center block by doing the log cabin method. After the strips of blocks were used up, I finished the quilt with long strips of the same fabric. It is really a one of a kind quilt that is very nice.
I used low loft batting and a heavy brushed nylon in white for the back that I got from my friend, Grandma Ev, years ago and was saving it for a very special charity project.
The baby lock sewing quilting machine the quilt was sewn on made putting it together a dream. The large plastic area that holds the quilt better around the machine makes a lot of difference. The machine is truly a blessing for all the sewing and quilting we do for charity.
Crocheting at American Idol!
Posted by: | CommentsIts’ been a really fun 2 days. My daughter, Ashley, is trying out for American Idol and we made a strafing run from Missouri to Dallas Texas in 9 hours so she could be here and audition. Yesterday we stood in line for 3 hours in the wee hours of the morning to get registered and I was really glad I had my crocheting with me. I made 2 washcloths and started a third one that I will finish tomorrow as we are there for auditions.
The washcloths are for Shriners Hospital for the parents of the children needing surgery who stay at the parent’s wing. You can either make them as wash cloths or you can double them over and crochet them together on the bottom and sides and add a drawstring to make them into soap sacks and add a bar of soap.
Here is how to make the washcloths – Chain a row as wide as you want the cloth. Do two rows of half double crochet, then do two rows of double crochet but crochet alternating around behind and in front of the dc stitches to give a raised texture to the cloth instead of crocheting in the top of the chain. Alternate the two rows of hdc with the two rows of dc and finish with 2 rows of hdc. I like to do a slip stitch all the way around the edge of the cloth to stabilize it but you don’t have to.
Remember that the cloth will shrink after it’s washed so make it slightly larger. I use 100% cotton yarn. Wal Mart carries a nice line of cotton yarn – my favorite is the variegated colors.
Closeup of stitches - crochet
Working on the twin quilts for the hospital – how to….
Posted by: | CommentsWe are enjoying making the twin size quilts for the hospital and thought we would share with everyone on how we are making the ones we are doing. We purchased fabric that was already patchworked with flannel and chenille and added fabric strips along the sixes to make it 70″ x 90″.
Twin size quilts quilts being tied for the hospital
Crochet Ideas – working on fundraisers and donations
Posted by: | CommentsThis is a super idea to handle all the left over skeins and bits of yarn from leftover projects and when you find bags of the nicest yarn remnants at garage sales or flea markets. Children ( and adults) love the scrappy afghans. We also use them for fundraisers to get the batting and fabric needed for the twin size quilts we are making for the hospital beds.
Turning scraps into fun afghans.
The pattern is quick and easy. Chain a row the size of the afghan you want to make.
- Crib: 45 by 60 inches
- Twin: 66 by 90 inches – the twin size quilts we are making are approx 70 to 75″ x 90″ – the extra inches allow for more cuddle room side to side for children in body casts.
- Double: 80 by 90 inches
- Queen: 90 by 90 to 100 inches
- King: 108 by 90 to 100 inches
After you have chained your first row, insert hook into third stitch from hook, under the two upper strands and make a dc. Skip one stitch and make 2 double crochet stitches in the next stitch. Do this until the end of the row. In other words – instead of making a dc in each stitch, you are making 2 dc in a stitch, skipping the next stitch and then doing 2 dc in the next stitch.
This is the pattern for the entire afghan. Use a large hook and keep your stitches uniform and loose. When changing color, either make a square knot or tie both ends together by making a loop, passing the ends through the loop, and pulling it tight to make a knot. Leave an inch of ends when you change colors to make the afghan even more scrappier – see picture.
This type of afghan crochets up very quickly and is a lot of fun to do. When you are done, put your afghan (or afghans) in a box and send them to:
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 665483-2225
Please include a note in the box with your name and address so we can send you a thank you letter and tax deductible receipt.
Snuggle blanket from scrap yarn.
Happy colors make for happy kids.
Look what a difference a bit of eyelash yarn can make.
If you don’t have time to make the afghans – please send your yarn skeins and scraps to us and our volunteers will be happy to crochet them up into bundles of love.
Hugs
Carol
Charity quilt being worked on
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Quilt for little patient at Shriner's Hospital being worked on
This quilt is certainly being made with a lot of love. We are using a Cardinals t-shirt purchased at Wal Mart as we couldn’t find any St Louis Cardinals fabric to use. Wal Mart also had the perfect red, blue and yellow fabric to go with the red shirting material with logo. We are strip quilting the quilt and need to go purchase stabilizer to iron on the back of the shirt that we have carefully cut open on the seams to use for the quilt. Fortunately, there is a quilt shop having a sale of 40% off in town so we can get the stabilizer there.
When the patchwork quilt is pieced, then we will add the patients name in applique on the top of the quilt. Everyone is so excited to get the quilt done and to this darling little boy. He has had many many operations in his short life time and is always cheery and fun to be around. What a good example to the rest of us, eh?!
Keep checking back, we will post the progress on this quilt of love.
Sewing blocks for twin quilts – pattern idea.
Posted by: | CommentsI am so excited. Yesterday, when shopping for more fabric for the twin size quilts wer are doing for Shriner’s Hospital in St Louis, I found some marvelous shiny fabric that is perfect for fish applique! The little children will love it. I have the perfect block fabric to go with it.
This shiny kind of fabric must not be sewn on directly if you are doing applique unless you are very patient and skilled in handling it. I have a wonderful quilting book with templates for frogs and fish that I will be using. Here is how you do it:
Cut two squares the size you want, making sure you leave a 1/4 seam around all edges. Place fabric right sides together – for these blocks I am using 100% cotton quilting fabric. Pin together so the fabric does not shift and carefully trace the frog or fish applique shape on the block, centering it – or even putting it slightly off center for an interesting block. Sew around the shape with a short stitch, approx 2.0. Cut out the inside of the shape, snipping the curves and turn so right sides are out and iron. Now you have a block with the shape of the fish or frog in the middle that is ready to be laid down over the shiny fabric.
Pin carefully with silk pins so there are no pin holes in the fabric and the fabric doesn’t shift while sewing, layering the shiny fabric right side up on the bottom and the cotton fabric you have just sewn on the top so the shiny fabric fills the outline you have just made. Sew carefully around the outside of the frog or fish shape approx 1/8″.
Viola! You now have a wonderful block to incorporate into your twin size quilt for the hospital.
The book I am using for the shapes is called 150 blocks for baby quilts by Susan Briscoe. I bought it at the local Enchanted Quilt Shop. The frog pattern in that book is my very favorite. It is on page 79.
I would love to see your block pattern ideas for the quilts you are making. Feel free to post ideas and pictures here to our Relief Share blog!
Happy sewing,
Carol Green
President
www.ReliefShare.org