New ConKerr Cancer MN Affiliate

I took a road trip on Monday, September 27 to Gibbon, MN to meet the ladies of Generations of Warmth.  After an adventurous drive trying to find a bridge not flooded I made it to the group just in time to eat!  

While we were eating each of the ladies introduced themselves and told me how many years they have been quilting.  I had to laugh at the ladies that said, "only 10 years."  Many of the ladies said 40 plus years.  

After some fabulous food, I introduced ConKerr Cancer to the group.  I can tell this group is anxious to make pillowcases.  I was amazed at the many quilts they were working on for charity.   This group makes quilts, lap robs, baby quilts, mittens, hats, and it goes on and on.  They make items for nursing homes, homeless shelters, the area food shelf, and the county.  The group makes between 2.000 and 2,500 items each year.  I'm excited to have them on-board to help with ConKerr Cancer!  

A special thank you to Sandy.  Sandy contacted me in the spring of this year and asked that I visit the group this fall.  Sandy does a great job of organizing all of the charitable work this group performs.  She keeps the ladies of Generations of Warmth busy - that's for sure!

~ Carolyn

ConKerr Cancer MN Chapters make 1,272 Pillowcases in September

I'm happy to share with you that the MN Chapters (Metro & South) made/collected a half mile - 1,272 pillowcases - in September!  Considering we started our chapters this year, I think it's fantastic!  Denise, our fabulous southern coordinator, and I did not share our numbers until a couple days ago.  Believe it or not the chapters' totals were within 2 pillowcases of each other.

Hats off to everyone who participated in our Miles of Pillowcase Smiles challenge.  If you didn't have the time or resources to help in September - no worries - when the time is right we'll be happy to accept your pillowcases!

A wonderful lady, Toni, in Ely took the bull by the horns this month and rallied the troops to make 100 pillowcases!  Another wonderful lady, Desi, brought the pillowcases all the way to the Twin Cities to deliver them to me.  Yes - in a weak moment I allowed my picture to be taken.  Attached is a picture of Desi and me on delivery day.  (If you don't know me you'll have to guess which one is me.)  Thank you to Toni, Desi, and the following who helped make the 100 pillowcases:

• Heart of the Woods Quilters - Ely Guild
• Ladies of the Lakes Quilters - Eagles Nest Wed. group
• Hearts 2 Hands Quilters - Ely United Methodist Church group
• Mary's Spinning Wheel - Ely Quilt Shop - Served as drop off site and donated fabric

~ Carolyn

Our University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital Visit

On September 18th, we visited the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital for a little pillowcase event.  Along with a tote full of finished pillowcases made by our wonderful volunteers, we also brought along a sewing machine and unfinished cut pillowcase sets that the kids could make themselves.  

Several parents stopped by to pick out a pillowcase, for their child who could not leave their room.  A couple of parents took a few back to the rooms to let their child choose.

There were a handful of kids who were well enough to visit the room to pick out a pillowcase whether finished or unfinished.  One little girl wanted to make her own, but by the time she had chosen the fabric, she was too tired to stay.  Two kids (pictured above) had the strength to stay and sew their own, but most opted to let us do the stitching.  It was so wonderful to see the smiles.

The door prizes we brought along were an added bonus.  I think it made the day for one dad whose child won the Percy Harvin autographed photo.

~Carolyn

The Small and Mighty Evening Crew at Quilt Youself

The Pillowcase Party at Quilt Yourself in Savage on September 17, 2010 rolled an additional 100 pillowcases of the assembly line!

Pictured above is the line of pinners, pressers, sewers, and sergers on the evening shift.  Thank you, Jeannette and Sue, for all you did to make the event a huge success.  :)

A very special thank you to Quilt Yourself who not only supplied the space, but they also supplied pizza and candy as well as the fabric!

Free Pillowcase Patterns for Quilters

Here is another great link for great pillowcase patterns!

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/freepatterns/

It is from all people quilt, and the patterns can be downloaded free.

Prescott High School Sends Pillowcase Smiles!

Approximately 20 students and staff from Prescott High School Volunteer Group were busy over the summer sewing pillowcases!

Mari Lucus, the high school physical education teacher, and avid quilter, spearheaded the effort.  The group made around 50 pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer.   As you can see from the pictures, they look like they know what they are doing!

Prescott is approximately 25 minutes from the Twin Cities.  The group has also volunteered at Gillette's Children's Hospital, Feed My Starving Children, Salvation Army Toy Shop and Sharing & Caring Hands, as well as, spring clean-up at Kinnickinnic State Park, raking yards for senior citizens, watering flowers at the cemetery, and assisting at many school district events.  WOW - What a fantastic group!

Another Pillowcase Tutorial

This is a link to another tutorial on how to sew pillowcases. This one uses the yardage requirements listed on the ConKerr Cancer website.


Click here to see all of the directions.  (Dana shows step-by-step pictures, which are very helpful.)

Throw A Pillowcase Party!

The countdown is on! Help us meet our September goal of a mile of pillowcases, which will be donated to local Minnesota hospitals for kids battling life changing illnesses.

It is a big undertaking, but you can help by
throwing your own pillowcase sewing party!  :)

Browse around our new blog then email Carolyn at aCaseForSmile@aol.com for more information.

Pictured are few of the finished pillowcases made by Minnesota volunteers getting ready for the line-up.  

A Pillowcase Party!

Where:  Quilt Yourself - Savage, MN

When:  Friday, September 17, 2010 from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

The event is "open house" style.

Bring your sewing machine, sewing kit, fabric, munchies, etc..

Help us meet our goal of a Mile of MN Pillowcase Smiles!

Any questions - please email Carolyn at aCaseForSmiles@aol.com.

See you there!

~ Carolyn

Click here for map and directions.

The photo above is from the  1 Million Pillowcase Challenge.

It is a great site if you would like a little inspiration.  =)

Sewing Instructions

ConKerr Cancer has a page on their blog with pillowcase specifications.
Please read the directions on this link before you begin.
Click http://www.conkerrcancer.org/pillowdirections.html

Another option is to make all your raw edges fully encased.  I found this neat video on YouTube that gives great instructions how to do it.  Please note that the fabric yardage is different than what is listed on the ConKerr Cancer website instructions.  However, any standard size pillowcase pattern can be used.  Click here to see Robin's written instructions.

The Miles of Pillowcase Smiles Challenge

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, and ConKerr Cancer is rising to the challenge to make as many miles of pillowcases in September as they can.

Minnesota has set a goal of one mile of pillowcases.  That is 2,112 pillowcases!  We know people that are sewing all across MN--from Ely to Jackson.  But we need your help!

If you or your organization is interested in adding your cases to the line, please email Carolyn at:
aCaseForSmiles@aol.com

Whether you make one or many, you are contributing to something bigger than a number.  You are brightening a sick, and possibly frightened, child's life.  Each day and night kids are snuggling up to something you made with love and care.  Regardless of the numbers, that is what's important.

Special Delivery!

Introducing Sarah

Sarah, our U of M Hospital rep, is holding a ConKerr Cancer t-shirt we gave her.  I thought it fitting we give the shirt in a baggie like the pillowcases.  ;-)  Our deliveries are very fast.  We chat for maybe five minutes since I'm usually getting Sarah out of a meeting or clinic.

I am happy to tell you that Sarah said the pillowcases are "wildly popular" and ALL of the pillowcases are wonderful and find a home.

The kids in the picture are my son, Bennett, and his friend, Carlson.

~ Carolyn, Minneapolis Coordinator

The Beginnings of the ConKerr Cancer Minnesota

 

The pillowcase drive mentioned in the news article was the springboard for ConKerr Cancer Minnesota.  This initiative not only resulted in enough pillowcases for our first delivery to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, but also identified a coordinator for a relationship with St. Mary’s in Rochester.