winners of Cowboy Challenge

Last year I announced the Project Linus challenge to make blankets with a cowboy/ cowgirl theme. Robinanne agreed to carry some of the line of fabric chosen by the National office of PL. Quilters took home a piece of the selected fabric and purchased coordinating pieces. I am amazed at the quilts which came in! Each was unique, colorful and well done. Lots of creative thinking went into each design. The kids will LOVE them, and thats the best part!

Congratulations to Pat Davis, Lynn Hiltz and Mary Maloney for creating the blankets which were voted as the favorites.

Autism Blankets

This is a relatively new idea-- that special blankets may help families of Autistic children get some needed sleep. These special children often sleep much better with a heavy blanket over them-- one that weighs about 10 - 15% of their body weight. The Thursday volunteers who meet at the local quilt shop have made 15 blankets for this cause. All will be filled with rolled up sheets. Ladies of Salem have donated the sheets and will be filling the blankets. A finished sample is shown in the photos.

Autism Blankets

Autism Blankets for Worcester County Kids

The concept of special blankets for Autistic kids is relatively new. Families are sleeping much better when their very special child is covered by a heavy blanket. When I say heavy, I mean that these blankets should weigh about 10 - 15% of the child's weight. We are told that one side should have a children's print fabric and the other side should be a calming color. Channels are stitched to provide space for rolled sheets which make the needed weights. The Thursday sewing group did the initial stitching at the local quilt shop, while ladies from Salem collected clean, used sheets. Once all 15 of our blankets are filled, they will go to the Occupational Therapists at Cedar Chapel School in Snow Hill. Depending on the success of our first effort, we will consider making more of these blankets.

Honoring Blanketeers

Volunteer Blanketeers honored at Salem United Methodist Church October 18

Colorful Project Linus Blankets draped over pews, railings, window ledges and altar rail are a great testimony to the dedication, love and talent of many volunteers who quilt, sew, tie, crochet and knit for children. Each person in attendance will be asked to write a message of comfort and cheer to add to a blanket for a personal touch. In addition, many of the blankets in the front are very special. 12 blankets were made with extra special care for the annual themed challenge. This year the quilters are "competing" with cowboy/ cowgirl themes. So much thought went into these blankets with horses, famous cowboys, hats, boots and other wild west symbols. At a penny/ vote we are hoping to earn some needed money while finding the favorite!

A great big thank you to all who make blankets or donate funds to make the work possible.