Hands 2 Help Charity Quilt Challenge 2013

"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like."

~St. Augustine

Sarah, over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is hosting this challenge for the 3rd year year.  I have participated all 3 years and have met many quilters through her ministry of quilt making.

This morning I read that she has 62 quilters signed up and most make more than one quilt.  There is still time to sign up here.

Just look at what I found!  I was browsing the fabric isle for another recent project and found a whole bolt of this Happy tropical flower print in the bargain bin!  How could no one see the amazing potential this fabric had?  I knew I had just the right bright fabrics in my stash to make it sing.  Whoot!  I even dug out this matching stripe for an inner border and the binding! 

 Have you ever seen a fabric and instantly knew exactly what you wanted to do with it? 

Here is my vision and I love it!

   

I plan to quilt a flowery, feathery freehand pattern all over the top.  As you can see, I let the tropical floral take center stage and this top didn't take long to put together.

I plan to make a masculine quilt also, just have not gotten to that point.  Sarah has organized the drive for two quilt charities this year and I am making my quilts for Em's Scrapbag.  Em makes and donates "Quilty Hugs for Happy Chemo."

Here is the link to Happy Chemo

Here is what Em's Scrapbag says about Happy Chemo:

"The first time I met Ginger Johnston, founder of Happy Chemo, it was my first visit to a chemo lab.  I was scared and unsure of what the future held for me.  In walked Ginger, bald and boobless but determined to bring a little sunshine into the chemo lab.  So before she started her treatment she took everyone’s name and drew prizes.  It so changed my experience that I knew I needed to help her in her quest.  I started making quilts for her to give.  Because I can’t sew as fast as cancer strikes I started asking for help.  I just want to bring a little comfort and joy to those who are facing the fear and uncertainty that trips to the chemo lab bring.

 

I accept quilts that are 45” square to 60”x 72”.  Any style of quilt is accepted as cancer effects men and women, children and adults.  Thank you for any help."

Here is a snippet of my story: Happy Chemo supports the Huntsman Cancer Center in Utah, where I had my surgery and treatments in 2009.  Although I did not have chemo, I did receive a hand made afghan when I finished up my 33 treatments of radiation.  I feel like I am fortunate to be able to give back to the same hospital's cancer patients.