Almost the end of April already?  It's been 3 months since our blankets made their way down to MamaBaby Haiti.  A print of those precious little babies wrapped up in our blankets is posted over my sewing machine and I do believe it is speaking to me!  Time to start a fresh batch of blankets.  Who wants to join me?  

The instructions are basically the same:  All cotton, no flannel, fun prints.  Please avoid holiday themed prints (like Halloween).  Approximately 30x40".  Please see more complete instructions on this blog's other pages. Finished blankets can be sent to me, picked up by me if you live in East TN, or I can give you directions for sending them to MamaBaby Haiti offices in Portland, Oregon.

Not familiar with MamaBaby Haiti and the wonderful work they are doing?  Check them out: mamababyhaiti.org

As last time, this sewing event will take place over a few months.  Tell your sewing friends.  It's a great way to use up fabric stashes and bless someone in need.  

Well worth the effort!

It has seemed like a very long time since starting this project but, finally, here is a picture showing the results. Isn't it precious?  Thanks to Grace Community Church in Portland, Oregon for contributing in such a big way.
I lost count of the number of blankies but the last shipment I sent to MamaBaby Haiti was over 6 dozen and I know more were dropped off in person to their office in Portland.

The director, Jennifer G.,  has made a trip down to Haiti in mid-January, taking the blankets with her.  As you can see, they have been well received.  

Thanks again to all who participated.  Keep sewing and we will send them on to MamaBaby Haiti.

Slowly but surely

The first round of blanket making is finished!  Thanks to all who participated.  They will soon be flying to Haiti and wrapping up newborns and bringing encouragement to their mamas.  Each blanket is beautiful and unique, just as is each baby.

I've attached a copy of a recent blog entry from MamaBaby Haiti.  It will bless your heart as it did mine -

http://www.mamababyhaiti.org/born-under-the-starsborn-under-the-stars/

Incoming!

Yay - blankets are starting to come in and each one is so unique!  I'm trying to imagine the little babies who will be swaddled up in these - awwww...

The weather in East TN continues to be hot and humid and gives me just a tiny hint of what it is like in Haiti.  OK, I need to add at least 15 degrees and more humidity to get a reasonable facsimile but I did say just a hint!

Knowing that fabric can be expensive these days, try asking around about fabric stashes that folks have tucked away.  Also check out thrift shops where a lot of these unused treasures end up.  Another great idea is to hunt down pretty printed cotton sheets at garage sales.  As long as they are unstained, you can get a lot of yardage for very cheap.

Keep the blankies coming and happy sewing!!

I've Got 7 - How Many Do You Have?

OK - that's not meant to pressure anyone!  Since beginning this project, it's been fun for me to whip up a blanket every now and then.

MamaBaby Haiti has been very busy bringing a bunch of babies into the world.  Check out their website when you have time to see pictures and read updates.

It's been super hot here in East Tennessee but it's much warmer in Haiti!  I'm so thankful for my central air conditioning.

Happy 4th everyone!

Welcome!

Welcome to Blankets for MamaBaby Haiti! The project started out as a Facebook group and is now evolving into a permanent presence on the internet by way of this site. It will be an easy way to keep participants up to date with news, events, photos, and stories, so please bookmark us and check back often!

To those of you who have responded via Facebook - thank you! I'm imagining all sorts of colorful blankies being lovingly sewed up.

If you haven't checked out the MamaBaby Haiti website yet - please do so to learn about this wonderful organization. There is so much need in a country that is so poor.

Why MamaBaby Haiti? I first heard about them through my daughter who graduated as a naturopathic physician from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. MamaBaby Haiti was founded by Portland-area midwives who have worked side-by-side at the Haiti clinic with several other naturopathic physicians delivering high-quality care to the people of this hard-hit region. I connected with their mission and decided that I wanted to do something in my own way to help their cause!

Why baby blankets? The idea came about while I was following an online quilt shop's blog. They also are making blankets to send to Haiti. At first I thought I would just make blankets and send them to this quilt shop but they are in Oregon and it didn't seem logical to send them across the country only to have them sent back across the country again to get them to Haiti. Also, I have a lot of colorful cotton fabrics because I just can't resist buying a yard or two when they are so pretty (I'm sure many of you can relate!)...I thought this would be a wonderful way to put my stash to good use!

Check the tabs at the top of the site for directions on how to make the blankets, and also on how/where to get them to me so that I can send them to Haiti!