One of the things that I sometimes we do is provide transportation for these young people as they shop for Ukraine - but without wheels it is hard for them to carry this many groceries on foot. This place is not far from the church building where they are staying - well, three of them are staying there- and keeping it in the garage there til the next van comes to take it away.

You know all those quilts that Rachael is sending my way to send to Ukraine?

This is my vision!

Several young people were at our house yesterday and they measured, folded and put all these quilts in these vinyl cases for me! Yes, I am actually tearing part of my heart out and handing it to unknown people as I send some of these quilts! :)

This is what I want to do.

When I get each quilt - I want to measure it, and put it individually into a clear vinyl container (don’t fear - it has a little vent that allows in air) and a coordinating pillow/pillowcase and a super soft microfiber blanket.

Right now I can get the super soft microfiber blanket for about $6 and the pillow for $5-6 - depending on my source.

Included with these, I plan on writing up where these quilts came from and including that as well (you, dear readers and those who care about them in the USA and Canada), etc. I haven’t written that up yet. That would be a printed sheet of paper.

That’s next.

I plan on doing about 100 at a time.

Not more than that, simply because I’ll have to buy 100 pillows and coordinate pillowcases or make them.

Plus the quilts will have to be measured.

I think if things are ready, and I had about 5 helpers, we could do 100 in a couple of hours or less. I am positive, if I provided all the ‘stuff’, I could have as many helpers as I need - from Ukrainian volunteers.

I say 100 at a time, only because storage could be an issue as my sis is finding out, but we will start moving them out as soon as some get made up. The words “moving them out” is because even as I write this, my husband is returning from a trip to Ukraine and moved some food and supplies into Ukraine. I could do this multiple times a week with transports heading to different areas.

The plan is to include an email address or my own Messenger or Viber or What’s App name so that people can send pictures (I’m going to ask for them - why not?) and ask where they are from (city) and see what happens.

I know we are all curious where they will end up, right?

I sure am. I’m sure I am not alone in this.

While I love the little flange on the pillowcases, I decided it was taking too long for these. So, ‘out’ it went! :)

I think the vinyl case is a good idea simply because these quilts will be transported and passed around. They need to be protected somehow. This should do it, and believe it or not, I’m able to get them for about $1.25 each! So, I’m happy with that!

Don’t you think they make a handsome gift? I do. Maybe “gift” isn’t the right word, but wouldn’t they be a boost to a poor lady who needs encouragement? (or a couple - or whoever ends up with them)?

My husband encouraged me to NOT translate this into Russian or Ukrainian but to leave it in English. Everyone there has a phone and can use it to translate the words and the letter which will be included. They use their “translate” feature all the time for other purposes.

This particular group of quilts came from my own house. I had a crisis point the other day as I couldn’t get into the room to get it ready for company. I still need to take about 30 or more quilts out of there, but at least now the company can get to the bed (on one side) and climb in.

(That’s for another day/another blog post.)

So…what do you think? My goals with all this “extra work” are many:

To protect the quilts from possibly (probably) dirty hands as they get sent to another country (people are handling a lot of things - quilts are only one of them).
To display them proudly so people can see the designs. Patchwork is COOL - let’s show it off!
To be able to include a pillowcase/pillow and fuzzy blanket to sleep on should they actually not have anything - say they are in a temporary shelter or at a relative’s house.
To be able to include the size and a note about “who we are” as I want to give a short story of where this all came from included in the package.

So there it is - my vision!

As I contemplate the first of your quilts arriving, I am very excited about them! I am busy buying the supplies needed for this, plus meeting other needs locally.

“Like what?” You say.

Well, someone has a visiting family of 6. They needed a temporary place to hang clothing, so I got them one and dropped it off at their house today. Someone else needs a high chair. That kind of thing.

Thanks so much for coming along with me on the wild journey my life has become in the last month and a half!

Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store here!

Here’s one of the beauties we have!

Am I Crazy? My Vision for those Quilts!