Many Willing Hands And Hearts

I have had an overwhelming response of friends and family wanting to help me reach my goal of making 365 infant blankets. I am seriously so thankful for everyone's willingness to serve. I am so excited for our upcoming blanket party! 

A friend told me she had some fabric to donate. I just figured it was a few yards of fabric, but I was so happy to receive any amount of fabric. She delivered me the fabric and I couldn't believe what I saw!!! It was a huge roll of flannel, perfect to make a ton of blankets! I am so grateful for this fabric, it means I can focus more on making the blankets and getting to where they need to be rather than shopping for fabric on sale. Thank you Hayley so much! Your fabric will help serve others! You are truly a blessing to so many!

What happened???

It has been almost five years since I last posted my goal of sending 365 baby blankets to orphanages. I do not take goals lightly...unless it is eating healthy. You all know me far too well to know I can't give up my chocolate! But any other goals I do not like not reaching! 

I was so excited to had started making these baby blankets. I had a new baby, life was grand. And then boom...I got the flu. And I kept getting the flu every day. Then it got worse. I was so sick! Could it be? Could I be pregnant? But I have an eight month old baby! I have a hard time getting pregnant, how in the world did this happen so easily? Let's just say God had other plans for me. This little baby we would now know as Ella was meant to join our family at that time. So now I was stuck in bed for most of my pregnancy; blankets were the last thing on my mind. Let's just say I've been a little busy with my three crazy kids. I was bummed about it but I knew I had to put this project on hold.

The sewing machine I had borrowed from my mom I needed to return and buying a sewing machine was on my long list of items I would like but with building a new house in the middle of this my list of wants kinda went out the window.

So about a year ago I had saved up enough money to buy a decent sewing machine. I was at the store and I saw the same machine my sister has and it was $200 less than what she paid. I was so excited and I purchased it. I set it up in my craft room (threw away the box) and then realized I totally forgot what I was doing when it comes to these machines. A few months later my little sister came out to visit. She was going to teach me again how to use this thing. She looks at it and says this is an embroidery machine not a sewing machine. I might have called her a liar.... who would make just an embroidery machine when you can have both? Yep, I bought just an embroidery machine. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry...I might have done both. 

My awesome husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas! I am beyond excited! I can finally finish what I started! So I am going to set a new goal. It is still the 365 blankets but this time I will give myself two years just in case I run into any unforeseen events:)

**I saved all the blankets that were made the first time so I will be starting out ahead of the game...until life throws me a curve ball:)

***This will also be part of my young women's personal progress project. I never earned my young womanhood recognition award and this is something that is very important to me. For those that are not familiar with this, the church I belong to has a youth program and in the young women's organization they set goals and work towards completing different projects and acts of service. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and time for these young ladies to complete. So I am so excited to work along side the youth and complete my own. Wish me luck!

The First of Many

I have a lot more blankets to make but I thought I would post the first blanket made for the All wrapped in Love blanket project. Thank you for every one's help and I will keep the blog updated with how the goal is coming.

Blanket Party!

Please join me in making blankets to send to babies in orphanages.   I have a lot to do so that I can meet my goal by the end of the year so I would really appreciate any help I can get. Come enjoy some girl time with us. If you need to bring kids let me know.  Bring a friend if you want. You don't have to be able to sew. I need people to cut the fabric and pin it together so you don't need to be extra crafty or anything.  I have fabric but if you want to bring some to donate to the stash you are more than welcome to. I will have a sewing machine here but if you want to bring yours so we can get more sewing done that would be great. In case you don't know me very well there will be plenty of snacks (not lunch).  Please let me know if you want to come so I can make sure to set up enough chairs for everyone. I really appreciate all the help I can get. If you can't come this time but would like to help let me know and I will be sure to invite you next time.

When: Saturday, February 26th @ 1:00

Where: My house - let me know if you need my address

Giving credit where credit is due

When writing my first post for this blog I failed to mention who taught me to sew.  For the last year my sister Elizabeth has been helping me and teaching me how to sew. I am sure it was not an easy task. Every time I would sew a blanket she would ask me if she could fix it.  I told her no, it is made with love. I really just wanted to feel like I was moving forward and not backwards. I just wanted to thank her for teaching me because I would not be able to start this project if she wouldn't have taken the time to help me.  Also I would like to thank my mom for donating a sewing machine.  I am pretty sure it is because she doesn't want to get a call every time I need to sew but I really appreciate it. I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the blanket goal.  Thank you everyone who has volunteered to help out with this project. You all are awesome!

Wrapping one child at a time in love

I have always wanted to go to another country on like a service mission or something to help build schools or homes for the families in poverty stricken countries.  At one time my husband was considering going to dental school and I was so excited because I thought he could go over and volunteer dental work and I could go along also. Well that didn't happen and so I kinda put that idea behind me until one day, actually I think in the middle of the night while I was feeding my baby, Breckin; I decided I might not be able to go over to another country to help but I could do something from my home.  That is when I decided I would make homemade blankets and send them to orphanages in other countries.  I just learned how to sew this last year ( I'm still learning) so for now I will start off with just blankets and then I hope to move on to clothing for the children in the orphanages.  My goal is to send 365 blankets before the end of this year. One for each day of the year (except I'm short 31 since January has already passed - I better get to work) If any of you would like to help by sewing or donating fabric please email me at jahansens@hotmail.com.