August 4, 2011

What a summer!  We have gone from spring to tornadoes to oppressive heat and summer isn't over.   SO...the only thing to do is to stay inside and SEW!! 

We have been asked to make some very small blankets...only 15" square for pre-school children. The plan is to do this in a group on August 16th, 9 AM, and Christ's Community Church, 2700 E. 44th Street.
DIRECTIONS: From Rangeline Road, turn west on 44th street. The church is up the hill on the south.  

We hope to have media coverage for this event, so, if at all possible, please come and be a part.  

Supplies needed:  Fleece cut into 15" squares (we will provide some fleece)/ appliques/  lace trim/ ribbon

Lunch:  Bring a sandwich or we can order from Cracker Barrel.

If you have any questions, please call (417-781-1871) or email (rojogentz@att.net)  This should be a fun day!

What a week...

....if you want to get a different view of your life, try living through an EF-5 tornado.  Even the fringe areas, where we are, become extremely scary, but...take a drive.  Your grocery store is gone.  Your doctor's office is gone, Your church is partially, by all means not all the way, gone. Even though the major damage didn't hit us, we were still close enough that it could have. Just about 4 blocks away from where some of the major damage happened. Too close for comfort. The hospital where we have gone for surgeries, etc is destroyed and will have to be rebuilt. The high school is a total loss and we don't have any kids in school there, or grandkids, but it still is an awesome sight to see a building that has become an icon of the city in shreds.

...if you want to get a different view of your life, try driving to your home and you can't identify your street--the houses and signs that are your "markers" are gone.

The list is long, much is gone...but there are many miraculous stories.  God is Good.

To date, 30 May 11, we have received over 900 blankets. Over 200 of those went to children who attended the memorial at Missouri Southern. We have only 81 left, but it's my understanding that we still should be receiving another 8 to 900. AMAZING!!!

Spring is HERE ????...maybe???

What a wild Spring!  Storms, hail, tornadoes...COLD...Wow!  Just remember that we live in Missouri so, if you don't like the weather, just wait a bit and it will change.

A lot has happened since our last meeting... 

Two of our ladies have lost their husbands. Others have had serious illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Please look at the Pages Section on the blog and click on the "blanket days and coming events" page.  The list of dates and activities is there.  Please check out that page.  If you have any questions, please call or email me.

IN MAY...We will work on a quilt pattern, which some of you probably already know, the Bow Tie Pattern.  If you will bring red, white and blue squares (4 1/2 inches square), we will work on Patriotic blankets for July.  Hopefully, we will have a nice amount to hand out in late-June and July. (Machines and irons needed)

We have some exciting thing happening in the coming months and we want you all to be a part of the fun.  You know, along with the enjoyment that we have working on blankets,  think of all the children we have touched with the power of kindness wrapped up in a blanket. 

OK...May 4th..WEDNESDAY...9 AM   Bring a machine and an iron if possible.
  Questions:  joplinprojectlinus@yahoo.com    or  417-781-1871...  Joyce

A GREAT DAY...

109!   That is the total number of blankets for our Blanket Day in March! Wow!  You all are so good. In the morning we made 21 quillows which were wonderful.  Aren't they easy to make?...and the kids love them. 

Thank you all for your giving spirit and your abilities...!

A New Look for a New Year...

2011...Project Linus of Joplin/SW Missouri is a chapter of National Project Linus.  The Joplin chapter is alive and well in the southwest corner of Missouri ( and a piece of Kansas).  We are in a new year and we have a new look.  During 2010, we made and distributed 1,616 blankets and afghans.  That means that since 2003, this chapter has given  blankets, quilts and afghans to 10,799 children from age birth to 18. 

This is a new (different from last year) blog and has a new feature with more in the future.   There are "pages" added which will eventually have instructions for new quilt patterns.  Look at the upper right hand corner and you will see PAGES listed.  To access the new pages, just click on the title, at this point it is HOME (this page) or PATTERNS AND PIECES, the second page. 

All of you that are a part of Project Linus in Joplin/SW Missouri are truly a wonderful group of women--yes, and men, who continue to amaze me with your skill and dedication.  Thank you....