Thursday, December 08, 2022

Manna Bags

Manna

 – in the Bible, the food miraculously provided for the Israelite's in the wilderness during their flight from Egypt – “good things which have been provided as sustenance”.

OK, so snagged this photo from Pinterest, but this is the gist of what we are trying to collect.

What are Manna Bags?

Manna Bags are bags filled with a few essential items like non- perishable food and snacks,  bottled water or juice, new socks, toothbrush and toothpaste and some information about local shelters. They are small enough to fit in your car and are a blessing to the homeless living in our community.  There are so many individuals and families that just need a helping hand.  Keep several of these 'Manna Bags' in your car, and hand them out when you see a need.

How you can help

We will be having a "Build A Manna Bag" workshop in January.  The needs don't stop during the holidays.  We will have our workshop where we will actually build and stuff bags that we can start distributing immediately.

Gallon Size Zip-Loc Bags 

These are key for several reasons:

  • Helps to keep everything together & in one place so they can easily access the supplies in their bags/backpacks
  • Keeps the items from spilling/leaking onto their personal items in their bags.
  • The bags can later be used for other storage options within their bags – storing toiletries, snacks.

Suggested Items

  • Canned tuna or chicken – (zip top for easy opening) or Tuna/cracker packs
  • Granola, energy or cereal bars (chocolate melts)
  • Trail mix, bulk chips, or other snacks individually packaged
  • Bags of peanuts, sunflower seeds 
  • Beef jerky or Slim Jim's
  • Small boxes of raisins 
  • Individual pudding cups
  • Wrapped packages of crackers 
  • Wrapped packages of cookies
  • Small cans of zip top fruit or fruit cups 
  • Individual size chips or pretzels
  • Hard candy, Mints Gum
  • Bottles of water Juice boxes or small cans of juice
  • Toiletries in plastic bottles, like shampoo, bars of soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb. Save your hotel shampoos, conditioners and other individual products.  Turn in at Chapter.
  • socks
  • Sunscreen
  • napkins or baby wipes
  • Individual condiment packets of salt, pepper, sugar, mayo, catsup, mustard, plastic
    utensil, napkins
  • Bag of quarters for washing clothes at the laundromat (put in a Snack size Ziploc to keep tidy)
  • Baby Wipes - a small pack of baby wipes help with feeling clean and fresh.
  • Hand Sanitizer - maybe include a wash cloth, but wipes are probably easier to maintain.
  • Deodorant (the full size ones cost just a few cents more than the tiny travel ones)
  •  Personal hygiene items for women
  • Chapstick

* Another option is to collect just one or two items for donation and we will add to existing bags

Items NOT to include: 

  • any homemade items
  • anything requiring refrigeration,
  • any unwrapped items, 
  • chocolate
  • fresh fruit
  • soft drinks
  • drinks in bags or bottles with snap off tops or glass bottles, 
  • money
  • cigarettes
  • anything with a torn package or more than a month past expiration date

Note of Encouragement 

If you like, you may include a note of support, inspiration or an uplifting scriptural passage. Do not sign with full name or include any personal information. You can sign with your affiliation; faith, civic, school, company. Place your note inside the bag.

Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

John 6:50-51But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

 Luke 3:11 “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”)
Index card with addresses of local homeless shelters or food pantries

Purchasing Suggestions

Visit your local Sam's Club, Costco or BJ's.

Buy in bulk;  tooth brushes, socks, bars of soap. As long as they are individually packaged, we can include.

How to Distribute

Easy, keep a couple of the Manna Bags in your car. When you see someone in need, hand them a bag rather than cash.

 




Saturday, August 06, 2022

Should I turn an antique quilt top into a quilt?

What Should Be Done With Antique Quilt Tops

What a tricky question…what happens to the value of an antique quilt top (or blocks) when you make a quilt out of it?

A customer sent me an old quilt top. She thinks her grandmother made, but doesn't know any more than that.  It looks like it was made in the late 1930s. She wants me to make it into a quilt. Also, she wants to how much finishing would reduce its value?

Quilt completed from vintage blocks
 

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Should You Wash Your Fabric Before Quilting?

To Pre-Wash or Not to Pre-Wash

To pre-wash or not to pre-wash – that is the question of every quilter. It has been a topic of hot debate for years, and every quilter has their own opinion about whether you should wash your fabric before quilting.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer. It comes down to your personal preferences and goals. But, lLet’s take a closer look at both sides of the debate.

Taking Care Of Your Quilt or Memory Quilt

How to Take Care Of Your Heirloom Quilt

 It’s important to educate yourself, your loved ones and your friends on proper quilt storage. When taken care of properly, quilts can be passed down through generations.  Let's go through some simple tips to keeping your heirlooms in great shape to pass down to your family.

Sunshine is NOT your friend with quilt storage
General Do's and Don'ts

Storage

  • DON'T store quilts in plastic bags or containers. Plastic cuts off air circulation and gives off harmful by-products as it ages. Mold and mildew can result from moisture trapped inside plastic covers. Static electricity generated by plastic attracts dust. If you have quilts stored in plastic bags in the attic, rescue them NOW!

Friday, July 29, 2022

How to Choose the Right Quilt Batting

Choosing The Right Batting

This post will hopefully help you find out everything you want to know about choosing the right quilt batting for YOUR quilt.

Batting

A quilt is like a sandwich and is made of three layers. The top, batting and backing. The batting is what goes in the middle of the "quilt sandwich.” This little informational tutorial will discuss many different types and uses of batting (See 70 Uses for Batting ). You can choose from 100% cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, bamboo, wool, silk, etc.

  • To help decide which to use, you may want to ask yourself a few questions first:
  • What will the finished product be used for? Quilt, wall hanging, bed-spread, etc.
  • Who will the end user be? Does it need to be flame retardant for children?
  • Does it need to be especially warm?
  • In a warm climate - does it need to breathe?
  • How do I want the finished quilting project to look - flat or fluffy? Contemporary or traditional?
  • Do I need a light or dark batting?
  • Will it be hand or machine quilted?
  • How much am I willing to spend?