cskendrick’s quilt
J and newpioneer moved to Puerto Rico to pursue a dream – running a restaurant. The economic downturn killed their dream and the restaurant closed. Then something even worse happened. J, who is HIV+, was diagnosed with cancer. He has had the cancer removed and is in chemo and radiation treatment now. He is completely disabled at present and very despondent, as one might expect. Meanwhile, newpioneer is baking cakes, catering, and raising chickens and rabbits for sale in order to make ends meet, all while being the caregiver to his love.
It’s a terrible situation – but one where a group hug in the form of a “love catcher” quilt is likely to make a positive difference for this couple.
Boots approves of austex54's quilt -- it's comfy!
What is a “love catcher”? It is a quilt made of colorful, pictoral fabrics and muslin patches on which uplifting messages from you are written in archival ink. It is like a big greeting card but with extra snuggly and warming function. It can be cuddled, cried into, and read again and again for the community support it provides. It is a blanket full of love that won’t wash out.
card for cskendrick, by BlueHeron
Here are some messages for J to give you an idea of what we are looking for:
Life. It's one damn thing after another! Shahryar & Shaharazade
Sending good vibes of love, hugs, smiles and laughter J, to speed your healing along. Alma
"J" is strong with a soft edge. J as in Jah and in Journey. As in Jedi and Justice and Jewel. Something most precious. - Joy
Dearest blessings, newpioneer, J and all "lost" and "new" babies! Kindest regards, Tahoebasha!
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. - Timbuk3
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. anonymous
All you need is LOVE - mrD
A soul is fed with needle & thread
Under a cotton pillowed cloud
A lullaby tied with a silken web
Hemmed round with blessings
Stitched together with love
Good Wishes that will never unravel
Dreaming for you warm firefly hugs
love, RiaD
detail of quilt for Theodore Olbermann
To date, the following community quilts have been made and shipped:
othniel (cellulitis and ensuing complications)
exmearden (cancer of heart and lung)
MsSpentyouth (brain tumor)
Moe99 (lung cancer)
Michelle Caudle (ovarian cancer)
BFSkinner (lupus)
Kitsap River (waiting for kidney donor)
Frederick Clarkson (blood clots)
Dreaming of Better Days (lymphoma)
one bite at a time (lost house and belongings to fire)
Timroff (cellulitis)
Sol Fed Joe (multiple cancers and health problems)
Brubs (AIDS, immune reconstitution syndrome)
rserven (gall bladder infection with dangerous complications)
grndrush (brain tumor)
ImpeachKingBushII (needs liver transplant)
andsarahtoo (lupus)
Frank Cocozzelli (muscular dystrophy)
luvsathoroughbred (breast cancer)
Predictor (stroke and HIV)
Theodore Olbermann, RIP
austex54 (caregiver to othniel)
cskendrick (antibiotic resistant infection)
lap throw made for Theodore Olbermann
Keith Olbermann’s quilt is on the design curtain. Messages are still being collected for Charles CurtisStanley (click here to leave a message) and for Lorikeet (click here to leave a message).
Goldie, quilt inspector, supervises some sewing
The cost of J’s quilt will be in the neighborhood of $5/message – we would like to have either 68 or 72 messages so as to make a blanket the size of luvsathoroughbred’s quilt, something he can take with him to treatment. It will also be big enough to cover the both of them. You can donate using this PayPal link – or email me for a snail mail address if you do not use PayPal. If you can’t donate, please leave a message anyway -- your message has great value to the project.
luvsathoroughbred’s quilt
Future quilts are planned for:
DrLori (cancer)
MA Liberal (caretaker to her mother who has dementia)
dadanation (AIDS)
Louisiana1976 (fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, depression)
ramara (cancer survivor)
Ellinorianne (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia)
UnaSpensor (Lyme disease)
ulookarmless (cancer, stroke, heart problems, arm amputation)
FLRealist (recovering from a kidney transplant)
Namaste
Goldie, quilt inspector