Bama Bound Quilts

Dominating

2011-09-27T14:35:00.002-05:00

It was a long-standing joke between my husband and I that if we ever saw the TIV or Dominator from Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers anywhere near our community, we would immediately run screaming the other way as fast as we could. This Sunday was the premiere of this season's Storm Chasers and, you guessed it, they were in Tuscaloosa for the April 27th storms. Running the other way was good advice, but not so funny now, as I sat in my living room reliving the storms through the eyes of the storm chasers as they tried to do what they could to help out in a helpless situation.

As our project draws to a close, I think of all the children we have covered with the beautiful quilts our quilt angels have so graciously contributed, helping out in what seemed like a helpless situation. To date, we have collected 72 quilts from 15 states and Australia. I am still hoping to make it to 100, as we only have 28 more to go. The weather is finally cooling down and there have been several nights where I know those quilts have been not only an emotional comfort, but also a physical comfort to our kids. Thank you all for everything you have done. You are appreciated more than you know.

Rosedale to be covered this week!

2011-08-09T13:48:00.002-05:00

I can't believe that it has been just a little over 3 months since the tornadoes swept through Alabama. On the one hand, it seems like it just happened yesterday. On the other hand, so much has happened since then, that it seems like it has been much longer than 3 months.

Many of you have asked about the status of the Bama Bound Quilts project. Some have expressed concern about how long the qifting process has taken. I hope that this post helps answer some of the questions you may have.

I wanted everyone to know a little about the mechanics of the gifting process and where we are in that process. When a quilt comes in for gifting, I document it with photographs and on paper. Each quilt is photographed. It is then given a title and number. A log sheet is created with the name, number, quilter's name and address, state represented, description of the quilt and its measurements. I check to make sure that the quilts are clean, in good shape and meet the project requirements. Once photographed and logged, the quilts are packaged together for delivery.

I made a promise when I started this group that I would try to make sure that each quilt entrusted to me was personally placed in the hands of a child (or his/her parents) affected by the tornadoes. In order to keep this promise, each quilt must be given to the recipient and their name, age, gender, and address logged. Each child is photographed with his/her quilt. Parents must sign that they received the quilt and give permission to use the photos on the blog, facebook, etc.

Please keep in mind that I am the only one photographing, logging and packaging the quilts. While I could quickly prepare and gift small numbers of quilts, it has taken some time to gather and prepare the quilts for the Rosedale mass gifting. I do have help delivering the Rosedale quilts. Debra, the quilt angel, has identified the Rosedale kids, located where they have been displaced to, and mapped a delivery route. Twenty-four of the 45 Rosedale quilts will be in Debra's capable hands tomorrow. She will then deliver them while I complete logging and packaging the rest.

Please keep in mind that this entire process has taken some time for the Rosedale kids, particularly since we did not have all the quilts we needed until mid-July, and they had to be gifted as a group. All the Rosedale quilts should be gifted by the end of the month.

I will post photos as soon as possible. Be sure to check our facebook page for updates.

Michelle

7 more quilts... I love going to the Post Office!

2011-06-28T13:44:00.002-05:00

We got 7 more quilts today toward the 45 needed for the Rosedale kids. 5 from Evelyn in CA and 2 from Linda in OH. Add those to the 5 that I got on 6/20 from Anita in NC and 2 from Lois in TX. That makes 14 in the last week. That is amazing!!! Y'all ROCK! Photos to come soon. Don't forget to like us on facebook to keep up with all the details.

xx Michelle

Long time, no blog...

2011-06-27T12:55:00.002-05:00

Hi, everyone. I can't believe that it has been over 3 weeks since I have blogged! Sorry, about that, but things have been crazy down here.

Things are going well as far as quilts reciepts go. We are very close to reaching the 45 quilts necessary to cover the Rosedale kids. I am expecting a large shipment today or tomorrow. When it arrives, I will get a firm count and start posting photos.

Thanks to everyone for your patience. Please remember that you can follow us on facebook by liking our page: www.facebook.com/bamaboundquiltspage.

Precious Pairs

2011-06-02T13:19:00.006-05:00

Three totes came in the mail today from FL to pair with the ME quilts. These are great examples of how canvas or duck cloth purchased totes can be embellished. Thank you, Lynette, for completing these precious pairs.

Hey, Y'all!

2011-06-02T08:55:00.007-05:00

I am so excited to have added MA and AZ to our states list. Our sisters in stitches, Lois in MA, Karen in MI, Karen in AZ, and Jane in TX have all sent quilts in the last week, bringing our grand total to 34 quilts from 8 states! To date, we have covered 10 children from 3 communities.

Our friend, Debra, in Tuscaloosa has identified a pocket of 45 children, primarily from the Rosedale Community of Tuscaloosa, that need to be covered. I have 2 tops completed, one in the works and fabric bought for a 4th. That leaves 20 quilts for immediate need.

The children in this particular public housing community lost everything. Your quilts w/toys and totes are greatly needed and will be appreciated by these children more than you may know. Please keep 'em coming. I love getting those orange keys and yellow pick-up slips in my PO box!

Tote and Animals Needed

2011-05-26T12:25:00.020-05:00

I received several amazing quilts from a quilt guild in ME. I cannot gift them yet because there were no totes or animals included. I love these quilts! They are adorable. Can anyone volunteer to get together totes and animals? Lynette from FL has already agreed to get totes and animals for the construction, firetruck and construction quilts. That means that there are 6 more we need help with. Totes can be handmade or or purchased. If they are purchased, please make sure they are good quality (ie canvas, nice fabric, etc) and add a pocket for the animal and place the animal inside the pocket.

Concord Child Covered

2011-05-24T14:15:00.003-05:00

We were so happy to be able to cover 20 month old Eli. Eli lived with his parents in Concord, Alabama. His home was destroyed in the same EF4 torando that went through Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Eli and both of his parents were hospitalized. Eli suffered from a skull fracture, but will recover. You can still see that one of his eyes is black from bruising.

Eli was covered by a prayer quilt made by St. Paul UMC, Cpt. 690 Prayers and Squares Ministry, from South Carolina. May God bless and comfort you, Eli.

First Group of Kids Covered!

2011-05-23T15:50:00.007-05:00

Sunday afternoon, I had the privilege of meeting with 3 families whose homes in Coaling, AL were destroyed in an EF 3 tornado on the morning of April 27, 2011. This tornado came in the predawn darkness and was a ominous foreshadowing of the events to come later in the day. Six kids from 3 families lost their homes and most, if not all, their possessions in the storm.

Bama Bound Quilts made contact with a neighbor in the Magnolia Springs subdivision of Coaling. She generously opened up her home to us and provided a meeting place for us to cover these children. All six kids were given quilts with totes and storm buddies made by quilters in 4 separate states.

Covered by TN and Covered by MI

Covered by MI

Covered by MI and Covered by TX

For more photos, Find us on facebook www.facebook/bamaboundquiltspage.com.

Tennessee Cutie

2011-05-20T12:12:00.001-05:00

Check out this adorable zig-zag quilt and hand made bunny from Jenn in TN. It will be hard to let this one go!

Covered in Love by...

2011-05-18T11:51:00.043-05:00

I am so excited about how this project is progressing. We have received 15 quilts from 4 states. There are many more committed to the project. I have identified 13 kids in 3 communities to "cover." Keep 'em coming: there are so many kids to comfort and bless.

Don't forget to include a quilt, tote with pocket and stuffed animal. It is fine to buy a tote and embellish it rather than make one, just be sure the one you send is a nice one (ie thick material, canvas, etc). It is fine to name your quilt. I am giving the ones I have received names and I will soon run out of puns and alliterations.

One unexpected benefit for me has been the diversity of styles and quilt patterns that I have been exposed to. We have discussed on facebook, the prospect of creating an e-book with quilt photos, quilt patterns, bios of the quilters, photos of the kids with their quilts and the kids' stories. If you are interested in being included in that aspect of the project, please let me know. There is certain info I will need to collect from you to include in the book.

Below are photos of most of the quilts received to date:

Covered in Love by Florida

Covered in Love By Maine

Covered in Love by Michigan

Covered in Love by Texas

Package from Maine

2011-05-13T13:55:00.005-05:00

FYI, there has been a problem with the Blogger program. Several posts were removed from the blog and then had to be reposted by Blogger due to technical issues. Although the posts were restored, the comments have not yet been reposted. Hopefully, they will be back up soon. If not, please know that I value your comments and I am not the one that removed them.

On a very high note, I received a big ol' package from Maine today! Two baby quilts and three older kids/teen quilts. Thanks ladies at Cotton Weeds in Freeport! I will post photos as soon as I can.

You Are Covered in Love

2011-05-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

A new quilt from Dianne in TX has arrived. The quilt is called "You are Covered in Love." It is a Curious George theme with a tote and stuffed monkey. Already have this one picked out for a little boy in Coaling. Keep 'em coming. You are truely covering these children in love.

The First Quilts Have Arrived

2011-05-11T14:34:00.000-05:00

The first quilts have arrived. They are adorable! These three lovlies came from Lynette and Devon at http://www.whatahootquilts.blogspot.com/. They did not name them, so I am calling them "Flower Power" #1, #2, #3. The one with the dog is going to a little 3 yr old girl in Pleasant Grove who lost her home. I LOVE looking in my PO box and seeing that orange key! Can't wait to see the others on the way. We have about a dozen kids identified so far from 3 communities.

Facebook Username

2011-05-09T21:20:00.005-05:00

We now have a facebook username. If you haven't liked us on facebook yet, please go to www.facebook.com/bamaboundquiltspage.

Please see the bottom left of this blog for some links to free quilt and tote patterns.

I am really getting excited about this project. I am almost finished with the top of Quilt 1. I still have to add the borders and some applique to the borders.

How are your Bama bound quilts coming along? Please share.

Update

2011-05-06T15:03:00.000-05:00

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the good thoughts and prayers everyone has sent our way. It has been a little over a week since the storms. Things are shifting from survival mode to recovery made.

I have received several commitments for quilts for the kids. I am working to identify kids in two of the effected communities for the first round of gifting. Please let me know when you send a quilt so I can monitor the mail for it. I need to have a timeline to set up meetings in the community. I will confirm receipt of the quilts on this end.

Thanks again.

At a Loss for Words

2011-05-05T11:46:00.000-05:00

Ask anyone who knows me (especially my husband!), and they will tell you that it is a rare occasion that I am at a loss for words. I had an appointment in Tuscaloosa today and the route I took, took me right through the path of damage from the tornado. I was very apprehensive as I approached the intersection of 15th St and McFarland Blvd in Tuscaloosa. I stopped at the intersection, one I had passed through literally hundreds of times before, and I had no words of my own. All I could say (in the words of Royal Marshall) was, "Just, damn!"

I continued on my way. What I noticed most as I moved through the area was how many trucks, crews and volunteers were still working tirelessly towards cleaning up and restoring what little they could back to normal. I doubt that it will ever be possible for things to be normal again.

We will have towork very hard to establish a new normal for all of us who live here, love here and call here home. I look forward to being a part of that new normal.

Here comes the sun...

2011-05-04T10:58:00.001-05:00

Today is sunny and cool. There is a brisk breeze. The sun is warm on your face and not a cloud in the sky. It is the kind of day that makes you glad to be alive.

What a contrast to the last week (Has it already been a whole week?!?). Shock and disbelief have yeilded to hope and faith. The outreach to our communities from across the country has been so amazing. We are forever grateful to those who have helped in whatever way they could.

This week has tested our faith: our faith in God, our faith in others and our faith in ourselves. Our faith has been rewarded. God has blessed us with our lives. Total strangers have become neighbors and lifelong friends. People have reached down into the deepest, darkest parts of themselves and found light. Even people who have lost everything have given of themselves to help others.

Our quilt charity is progressing nicely. We have several commitments with the first batch of quilts on the way. I have reached out to identify children and families to serve. Please continue to pass the word. The need is great and it will take a long time to be met. The wounds run deep and the scars will take years to heal.

I am limiting dontations to finished quilts (with totes and animals) for uniformity sake. If you or someone you know would like to help, but do not quilt, consider getting together a kit package. You could donate a quilt kit with backing, batting, tote and a stuffed animal and team up with a local quilter or quilt guild to produce a completed quilt. If you are able to sew and quilt, but are not able to buy the supplies, match up with someone willing to donate a kit package. Please note that we are not set up to accept monetary donations.

I finally got my internet issues resolved. I have set up a facebook page. Please search us out on facebook: Bama Bound Quilts Charity Page. Please like the page and pass the word on about the page and the blog.

Lordy, Lordy, it's gonna be 40!!!

2011-05-03T13:47:00.000-05:00

I looked at the weather forecast this morning and is going down into the 40's this week! Alabama weather is crazy. April (and sometimes May) is a month of all 4 seasons here. It is rainy and cool today and will be 43 tonight.

Several people have asked about how the Bama Bound quilts will be distributed. I plan to directly distribute as many of them to affected families as possible. I have several social services and law enforcement contacts to help me identify those in need. I also have church and children's charity contacts that are trustworthy. I personally want to make sure, to the best of my ability, that all the donations make it into the arms of the children of Tuscaloosa County, Jefferson County and surrounding tornado damaged areas.

Quilt 1

2011-05-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

Here is the beginning of quilt one. I really liked this fabric. I am going to fussy cut and fuse the flower you see on the yellow diamond. This is one of 3 pannels. I am going to have a yellow and blue double border. The backing will be the blue and I will bind it with the blue fabric as well. I hope to have it completed by the end of this weekend. I bought a blue canvas tote bag that I will embellish with the flower fabric and will add a pocket for the stuffed animal.

Please don't forget to send totes and animals with your quilts. The kids may have to be mobile and will need a way to transport the quilt and keep it clean.

A Chorus of Chainsaws

2011-05-02T12:33:00.001-05:00

A steady chorus of chainsaws have filled the air since the tornadoes have passed. These are the sounds of life. People shaping their own fate. People making their own way back to "normal." Neighbors helping neighbors. It is so comforting to know that there is still life and still hope.

Last night, my own sewing machine joined in the harmony. I bought the materials for two baby quilts and have cut and began sewing the first one. I keep thinking, if only I had a bigger stash... If only I were a more experienced quilter... If only I could sew faster... If only I could do more...

I have to stop, catch my breath and remember that all I can do is what I can do. This problem is too big for any one person to handle alone. Like most people affected on the periphery, I work, have family duties and other responsibilities.

I can do only what I can do. I am doing it with a grateful heart and prayerful lips. Neighbors helping neighbors, even if they are miles away. I think that is what really matters. We are all neighbors today.

I just want to cry!

2011-04-29T10:59:00.000-05:00

My family was blessed as we moved 25 minutes north of Tuscaloosa in October. Looking at the aerial photos, I just want to cry. Tuscaloosa has been (and still is) my home for the majority of my adult life. I went to college there, graduate school, law school. I shop there. My son goes to school there.

I have thanked God that more people were not killed. At last count, hundreds of people are still missing in the city and surrounding county. I have prayed for the citizens of Tuscaloosa who have lost everything. Entire neighborhoods have been whiped off the map.

We had minor damage (by comparison) at my house. Tons of trees down, one on each side narrowly missing my house. A small tornado (EF3) went over our house several hours before the Tuscaloosa tornado. I know that my son has been so frightened ever since. His stable world has been shaken.

Then I think about the children directly affected that have lost everything in the 1/2 mile to 1 mile wide tornado that cut a 90 mile path through our state. Their homes, their toys, even their pets all gone. Children crave stability, and they have literally lost everything they know.

That is why I thought about the quilt charity. Blankets and stuffed animals are items that children can use to anchor themselves and hold on to for comfort. It also has been in the 50's at night here since the tornado went through.

Quilters are some of the most generous people I know. Please go through your UFO's, charity quilts and stashes to find or make child-sized and baby-sized quilts. Send them to the PO box listed in the contact info and I will make sure they are distributed through the appropriate agencies.

Make sure that they are handmade, washable, have no pins in them and are smoke-free. Please wash them in Dreft or other baby detergent to make sure that there are no irritating dyes or chemicals on them. Please label them with the name of Bama Bound Quilts. Please make sure the label lists the makers name, date and city. Instead of a presentation case, send them in a coordinating tote bag that is large enough to hold the quilt and a few other small items, but small enough for a child to carry. Also include a small (beenie baby-sized) stuff animal in a pocket in the front.

Thanks.
Michelle Kizziah
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Comfort the smallest victims of the Tuscaloosa tornado

2011-04-28T14:51:00.000-05:00

Children need to feel secure. When there are natural disasters or other traumatic events that occur in a child's life, it helps him to have an anchor to hold onto. This blog is an effort to collect child-sized and baby-sized charity quilts to distribute to the displaced or traumatized children of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.