A Thousand Bibs & Blankets

Yesterday I happened to drive by an orphanage. My father mentioned to me that he remembered as a kid driving by with his family and him and his brothers trying to find any sign of the children. Funny thing is I was doing the exact same thing as he was telling me his story.

As I looked at the buildings my heart started to ache - I literally felt a pain in my chest. I also felt as if someone had slapped me a dose of reality. I am ashamed to say that I thought that orphanages were a thing of the past - and for those that were still in existence they most certainly were not in the good old USA! I then started to think about all of the kids that were in the home that didn't have a family to love or be loved by. Then I reflected on my own family and I was reminded of how blessed we are to have each other.

I have to admit, I really know nothing about orphanages, foster homes, adopting children, etc. This is a whole new world for me. But for whatever reason I feel like I am being "called" to do something. Adopt a child? No. Volunteer my time? Not right now. Make a contribution? No. Well...wait! Maybe! Not necessarily a monetary contribution but something that the orphanage could use? As I looked at the list of "needed items" a thought came to mind - why not make something? Why not make a LOT of something? Something that would be easy to make, be fairly inexpensive all the while being needed and appreciated! Bibs and blankets are easy and they are on the list!

Now, here is where hindsight is 20/20. Lately I've been sewing a lot for other people. At the same time I've also started blogging about it. Through blogging and reading other people's blogs I learned about "Craft Hope". Craft Hope's first project was sewing pillowcase tops and shorts for for an orphanage. See where I'm going with this? Maybe all of this is happening so I can do something that I love for someone who needs it!

So here is my idea. To combine my love of sewing with the art of giving. At the same time I will be connecting with other women (and men) who love to do the same! Since I only thought of this today I am obviously still in the planning stages. I have made contact with the orphanage and will be touring the home soon. But meanwhile here is what I want to do: to donate 1000 handmade bibs and/or blankets by mid-July (I chose July because we will be leaving N.C. around that time). Granted I cannot possibly make 1000 myself which is why I am reaching out to others to help. Can you help? Will you take a few of your scrap fabrics and make one bib? Or two? For those of you that have made bibs and/or blankets you know that it doesn't take too much time or too much fabric.

Soon I will be posting links on how to make a bib or receiving blanket for those that need one. Since I haven't spoken to the donations coordinator yet I'm not sure if there is a particular size or particular type of fabric that they prefer. I'll let you know as soon as I find anything out.

I was also thinking of including a picture and/or a little note from each person that donates something. A scrapbook would be a wonderful idea but quite honestly I don't have time (or more like patience) to do that. I'm thinking of putting 4x6 pictures in an album and giving it to the home along with the blankets.

Donations would be sent to me at your expense. Since bibs and blankets are fairly lightweight postage should be minimal, depending on how many you make/send. I will hand deliver the gifts to the orphanage - if you are in the area I welcome you to join me!

I also think having a ticker/counter that keeps track of how many bibs have been made would be a really cool way of seeing our progress!

Now forgive me if I am all over the place with this! I'm super excited and eager to get started! I'll post more details as ideas unfold and questions are answered. Please feel free to leave a comment and/or suggestion! Hope you can help! Many thanks in advance! (Do I love exclamation points or what?) :)

PS Please feel free to ask your friends to participate! You can link back to here!