I'm a little late writing my blog entry for this week. Carol and I have been at Quilt Market in Pittsburgh PA, helping to introduce a new Project Linus fabric line to the quilting world! What a marvelous experience it has been. We are so grateful to Richard Gross, the president of Avlyn Fabrics and Patrick Lose, a well know fabric designer, for taking a leap of faith and creating a fabric line for Project Linus called Komfort Kids. As we watched the Avlyn sales representatives as well as the fabric distributors from around the country write order after order for our beautiful fabric, we couldn't have been more excited to see how successful this venture is proving to be! We cannot wait to get our hands on the fabric (probably in July), and actually make some quilts! We hope you feel the same. In addition, Fons and Porter Magazine will have a Project Linus "Komfort Kids" spread in their next issue. There is a contest that will be introduced and the prizes are absolutely phenomenal. You can work as an individual or as a group and I'll post again as soon as I am able to send you all of the details.
Please click on this link to view Avlyn's Komfort Kids promotional video: http://avlyn.com/gallery/video/7/
Please click on this link to view Patrick Lose's blog and then click on New Fabrics to see Komfort Kids: http://www.patricklose.net/
Komfort Kids is such an appropriate name for a line of Project Linus fabric. We know that the gift of a handmade blanket offers comfort to children going through a difficult time and this new fabric has truly captured the essence of what we're all about. What an honor it continues to be as we work with these kind, extremely talented and generous individuals!
Not only does a child receive comfort from a Project Linus blanket, but the family members benefit as well. The following thank you note was sent to Project Linus by a mom whose child received one of our blankets. She writes: “The other day my son was hospitalized due to his cancer returning. He is three years old, and has been fighting cancer since December of 2007. This time was a lot harder on him as they found it in his spinal fluid and brain this time. At the hospital he was given a quilt made by one of your angels. He has not let it out of his sight. I cannot thank you enough for the work you do. Just know this is one mom that will spread the same love. I would like to donate once I can, and I have asked others.”
The beauty of this note is that in spite of the heartache and difficulties that are currently enveloping this family, the mom still felt the need to take the time to write us a personal note. Not only did she thank us for the Project Linus blanket that is now offering comfort to her little boy but she also to offer to help us in the future. Her beautiful expression of gratitude not only warms our hearts, but touches our souls and as Project Linus blanketeers we are inspired by the sincerity of her words.
Albert Schweitzer said: “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within each of us.” The touching words of gratitude that are passed along to us through a simple thank you note, rekindles OUR light and inspires us to make yet another blanket for yet another child in crisis. For the mom, the blanket has been the “spark” sent out from a stranger to rekindle her flame – giving her family hope and a reason to forge on. What an inspirational cycle of hope – and each of us can participate!
There are many times in our daily lives that we may feel as if our light is going dim. We may be overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities; we may have health problems that are getting us down; we may be dealing with difficult family issues or we may simply be losing our way. An expression of gratitude offered to us can quickly and easily rekindle our flame, enabling us to extend the same act of love to someone else.
It is my hope that your blanketmaking light will be rekindled by the illuminating spark offered by those individuals mentioned above. I offer you my sincere thanks for your continued support of our Project Linus Chapter. Each blanket you make keeps my light bright – and each delivery that I make does the same for a very special child and his or her family.
Happy Blanketmaking,
Mary
