QuiltE

Another way behinder here too!

Anael ... a pair of beauties. And isn't it so much fun to get these surprise mail packets!

QNSue ... You had tears coming to my eyes when you were talking about PIF ... all around the world! The true PIF spirit is an amazing thing. Good for you for all your generosity and kindnesses shown! And for all the other PC riders. I know I am truly blessed to have found such amazing e-friends!!

And yes, I know, I need to get back in the saddle myself ... will life ever slow down and let me?

Anael

Oksewglad and QuiltE, dont'worry. I'm planning and planning and getting off track all the time. I thought I finish my Sylvia before starting a new project and now I'm thinking of finishing the Pony blocks instead of Sylvia. So I can't make up my mind and I'm ending up reading the board instead of doing anything quilty

I coach a few groups of mentally challenged people once a month. I thought of donating my Pony quilt to a daycare center where I coach one of the groups. They're the nicest people I've met. The only thing I don't know is if they can 'see' what's in the quilt. Depends on the group I guess. Some of them are babies in adult bodies and can't talk at all. The elderly take a nap after lunch and they use these dull brown blankets. It might be nice to have something bright and cheery instead of brown!

dublb

Anael that sounds like a great idea! I bet that most of 'em would at least like the colors! You are gonna make several people happy.

QuiltingNinaSue

Anael, it takes a very special person to coach and relate to special persons who walk a different life. Each unique individual has a special talent and relate in their own way. Only very special people have the vision to see each unique personality of the 'mentally challenged'...others will avoid the issue. (The latter is me, most of the time. I get too emotionally involved to be helpful.)

If you think of brightening up their life, keep the design simple. The PC blocks may be beyond what many of them 'see'. And , yes, some may appreciate a bright color instead of the 'brown', but laundry may be the problem for them... to house so many that basic needs that are met first...not quite like home laundry where we sort out colors, or wash and wear, etc.

Dd (out on her own) taught me to keep things simple, so she had a wardrobe filled with earthy colors to wear and wash together. Yes, her IQ is very high, but she keeps her style simple and basic. I admire her abilities and common sense in daily life.

Anael

Thank you Bev and Sue!

I thought of laundry too so I will contact the manager of the daycare center first. I'm making a scrap quilt for the eldery at the center. They only use it for their nap so I hope it won't get dirty. I will wash that one first to see what happens.

About 10 years ago I worked with people with Alzheimers. I got very involved at first but learned not to. You have to if you want to work with them. Sometimes I came home crying but most of the time laughing because I had a good time. But I have to tell you it's heart breaking when a 85 year old lady is crying because she doesn't know where her mom is. I loved working with them just as I love working with the mentally challenged. They really are unique personallities, each with their own abilities.

QuiltE

Anael ... As QNSue already mentioned, it does take a special person to work with special people! Bless you for being so considerate as to share your time and work with these people. My Mother had alzheimers, and I know all too well, how sad and somewhat pathetic they become. I learned you had to let it flow and go, and enter into their world. There was no sense fighting her and her reality and upsetting her further, rather better to join it, as best I could. I knew it was no longer her, rather what we were left with because of the alzheimers. Similarly for the mentally challenged, dependent on their functioning level. Though, I was taught by a Director of one of their schools, that they were more like us than not! And to not be drawn into thinking they were different. hhmmm? big lesson learned and it has stuck with me for years.

The laundering issue, should not be an issue ... IF ... you abuse your fabric becore you start sewing. Wash in as hot of water as possible then likewise hot dryer. Then use a polyester batting with machine quilting.

The PC would be a wonderful gesture, though the amount of work you put into each block, may not be appreciated. ITA larger bolder pieces may be better, to give them a larger piece of fabric to see and enjoy. Or what about using your PC blocks, and spacing them with larger pieces of fabric?? That way there's some detailed piecework in there, along with bigger blocks. My oh my, the 95 PC blocks, might become a whole set of quilts!! Now wouldn't that be something to see each afternoon when they have their naps?

Too, I'm sure their caregivers would appreciate the cheerfulness your quilts could bring each afternoon instead of drab brown institutional blankets! As well as their family members feeling more at ease with the care and concern they are receiving while at the day centre.

Good Idea ... share your idea with the Centre Manager and find out what requirements there'd be for you to make and donate these.

Anael

Oh QuiltE, that's a great idea, using larger pieces of fabric and making more quilts with the Pony blocks. That way I could make at least 3 quilts with these blocks!

I know they are more like us than not. Even when people with dementia are back in their youth, thinking they have to be home by 5 otherwise mom would be mad, they're still who they were before and not to be treated like a child.

QuiltE

Oh I was thinking ten quilts!! ...... lots of spacing with the other fabrics! yes, I know, giving you lots of work!!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ P _ P _ P _
_ _ P _ P _ _
_ P _ P _ P _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _

P = Pony Club blocks
_ = assorted fabrics
5 blocks x 7 blocks = 40" x 56"
plus borders

OK ... you can hit me now!!
When you do speak with the Director of Care, be sure to check what sizes they know work best for the afternoon naps.

Here's one of my smiles from when my Mother was in the hospital. I went in to visit with my brother, 13 yrs older than I. She kept referring to us as Bob and Ethel, her brother and his wife. Bob, hang up Ethel's coat, etc. My brother was one to argue with her and set her straight!!! ... Me? I just flippantly turned and said, yes Bob, please hang up my coat! Why bother to try to agitate? ... let her be! But my brother always "has" to be right ... and this time was not going to be any different for him, though she was far beyond that stage.

I just smiled and was glad to have him commanded to hang it up! Yes, I was being a bit devilish, but what the heck! .....and somewhat tossed it at him!!!!!!!!

oksewglad

When my BIL would visit his mother somedays she'd think he was his dad, or a brother or BIL. My BIL would just fill the role of the day to be whoever she thought he was. Was much easier on both of them.

Is this what you're thinking, QE? These measure 49 x 64 and 66 x 50 and are my colors.[ATTACH=CONFIG]347555[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]347556[/ATTACH]

QuiltE

OKSGlad ... I was thinking more like the 2nd one ... more quilts from the PC blocks!
Oh Anael ... don't you just love all your helpers!!