Gifting love

In the face of  recent events, quilters reach out by doing what we do.  Projects to show Boston some love & empathy have been in the works.  Quilts For Boston and To Boston With Love.  Quickly followed after the tragic events in Oklahoma, Quilts for Oklahoma or as I saw it described somewhere "Moore Love".

Boston Modern Quilt Guild began collecting blocks in blue, yellow, gray & white, to assemble into quilts that would benefit those most directly by the blast.  They hope to begin distributing these by summer.  At last count they had an astounding 1,267 blocks.  I sent a couple that I posted earlier & having been watching their blog to see their progress.  It looks like they have an amazing group of members.  Here are some photos from their blog, you can follow link above to view more.

Boston Modern Quilt Guild

BMQG

BMQG

BMQG

I was fascinated with the "To Boston With Love" flag exhibit .  Boston Museum of Fine Arts is open to the public over the Memorial Holiday with no admission charge.  The complete story of an online friendship culminating with this exhibit is on this link and certainly expands our idea of community.  1500 flags,a one mile-long outpouring of love & support from the world---all continents sent additions, except Antarctica.

Spoonflower.com photo of the tying process

Photo from During Quiet Time blogspot

Photo from Fresh Lemons blogspot

Amy Friend's photo, co-organizer of exhibit

My flag

Now quilters all over are busy making quilts for the children & families in Oklahoma, with their homes devastated by the monster Tornado that passed through in the past week.  They certainly have need of whatever help we can offer.  Their need for the most basic things, water, food, & shelter, will be on many minds.  More on this in the weeks ahead.

The important thing about this is that whenever we 'gift' quilt blocks, or a quilt, is not that we are giving just fabric, a quilt, a cover or blanket.  We are gifting a part of ourselves, giving our love, our comfort.  We may also be covering you with warmth in a practical way, but we are also covering you with the warmth of our hearts, hands & love.    It is important to me, that others understand what it is that we are giving.  If someone were to think, oh, so-and-so just gave me this quilt, not a crystal vase or a necklace, it would be such a shame. Not to mention that buying something would be SO much easier.   Quilting is a gift of the heart & soul, the ultimate in sharing for us Quilters.