Safe Haven Womans Shelter ~ Great Oaks From Little Acorns Grow

I remember one day when I was little ~ my Mom reached down and placed this charm in my hand. She explained that "from little acorns ~ great oak trees grow." I have applied this thought to many areas in my life and it is what came to mind when this project was born.

My friend Pat Winter http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/ had a "tiny acorn of an idea" to send "Comfort Dolls" http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/ to battered woman's shelters. Myself and so very many others jumped aboard and it is quickly growing to "great oak tree status" reaching worldwide in a fairly short period of time. I noticed one of the shelters she sent to was just one town over in Waterbury, Ct. I work in the Mayors office in Naugatuck and he encouraged me to put out a call in our Naugautck Town Hall and take a collection for our local shelter ~ Safe Haven in Waterbury. The folks I work with generously donated cases of TP, paper towels , diapers, food and personal items, and new clothing. I embroidered "YOU ARE LOVED" on enough blankets so that if they are at maximum capacity ~ each woman will receive a blanket with warm, cozy socks attached.

I thank you all from the very depths of my heart for letting the Lord use your beautiful hands as a vessel to reach these woman He loves so dearly. These shelters are often the last hope for many woman, mothers and their children who are suffering from abuse. There is nothing more hopeful or more powerful ~ than woman lifting up woman. Be FILLED with all the Love that you have shared with others. Pat may your Oak Tree grow Mightier with each passing day. Always remember ~ beautiful ones ~ that YOU ARE LOVED.

A Touch of Heaven from Pat

"A mind that is stretched to a new idea never returns to it's original dimension." Oliver Holmes ~ I recently heard this saying and thought of my dear friend Pat. Her single idea of making a few dolls for abused woman has grown with leaps and bounds and has brought hundreds of smiles to faces that didn't have one. I just received one of the 50 charms she has sent to those who have participated thus far in the Comfort Doll Project http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/ When I see Patricia A. Winter on the return address label ~ I know whatever is inside is filled with LOVE. This was no exception. One more saying that makes me think of Pat ~ "To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to LIVE gratitude is to touch Heaven."

Comfort Dolls Ready to Go

Ten Happy Bears filled with Love are sewed,packed and ready to go to Pat Winter for the wonderful Comfort Doll Project :) http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/

Dolls for abused woman

Would you like to use your creative talents to make someone smile? Please go to Pat Winters blog for details http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/ Look for the entry for Sat. June 23, 2007.

Beautiful Treasure's from Pat

Beautiful treasure's from a very special friend! This is what has kept me smiling this week! Every chance I got ~ I was in my sewing room playing with these beautiful prints and ribbons Pat has printed and dyed herself.Gorgous fabrics ,vintage beads and ribbon flowers! I am almost finished making a new block with these beauty's for my next TAST stitches. I am a week behind but will catch up hopefully this week! I am only sorry these pictures aren't better ~ they just don't do them justice!

Wonderful Birthday Treasure from Pat

This special birthday surprise SO warmed my heart. It included a handmade card of filled with Wisdom for woman over "40" ,beautiful fabric print's,a card that say's "Dance as though no one (who is qualified to commit you) is watching!!! (How perfect !!!!! ) and some of the lovely hand dyed ribbon. (You can see some of the ribbon hanging on the wall ~ in fact most of that is hand dyed by Pat from her Etsy store ~ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=80476 )Thank you so much Pat for making my day SO special!!!!! :)

my very special gift's from Aunt Bonnie

These are the beautiful treasure's my Aunt Bonnie sent me this week-end! I was rendered speechless! They are mostly item's from her Grandmother's sewing box. Can you imagine how lucky and blessed I feel!?! She said the button's are about 60 year's old. Look at the breathtaking lavender button's on the button card. Can't you just picture them on a lavender themed crazy quilt. The scarf and collar are made of German lace by one of her grandmother's neighbor's in the 50's. It has a beautiful weight to it and a gentle sheen. Did you see the sock darner? I have heard of darning sock's but never dreamed there was an actual tool to do it! The" plastic mend " is an item I have never seen before. It is a heavy plastic type material ~ it look's like stabilizer I use for my embroidery machine. Please look carefully at the leather pin cushion resting on the sock darner. It appear's to be quite old ~ maybe homemade. Has anyone seen one like it before? She even included old photo's of my mom, Grama , Uncle Jack and Grandad and other family member's! Aunt Bon-Bon ~ I felt like you sent me part of your heart when you blessed me with these treasure's! From one who love's her Grama to another ~ the fact that they belonged to her and you shared them with me ~ is priceless. I promise to treasure them alway's !!!! Love Alway's, Terri (click on photo's to get a closer look)