I need quilters, knitters and crocheters!!

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

We need some volunteers to make blankets! Please, please If you or someone you know quilts, crochets or knits let us know!

Corin and I have a YAHOO group set up and we need more people! We are making blankets to go into Gabe's Gift Bags that Corin is sending to new parents. Can you help?
If so you can PM either Corin or I and we will send you an invite to join!

[Corin Nava]

Thanks for posting this Barb!

We REALLY need volunteers for these. If you know ANYONE who might be making some blankets please let us know! We really want to be able to get the bags out to as many parents as possible, but these blankets take time to make, and we can't do it alone!

[PennyCampsey]

I SO wish I could help !
I will try to think of someone that can .............

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Thanks Penny!

[SCURTIS]

How many blankets do you need in a certain time period??? I have a couple on the go right now for Corin (to go along with some other items) but maybe after I send this package out I could focus on just blankets. Let me know...

[Corin Nava]

Shauna- Thank you so much for helping! We are hoping to be able to send a bag out to each new expecting member who joins, and we have 1-2 new expecting members every week! So, ideally we need 100 blankets a year for the bags. I have a few people making blankets for these (THANK YOU ALL!!!!) but the more we can get going the better off we will be!

Anyway, the short answer would be-what ever you can do is GREATLY appreciated :)

[ChristieBrooks]

I have my own little group that donates knitted/crocheted blankets on behalf of women who induce early due to fetal anomaly. We've been kinda slow lately (having a hard time finding places to make our donations to) so I could probably make 10 or so for Gabe's gift bags. What size do they need to be? I'm used to making blankets for micro-preemies, so I don't even know what size to make for a full-term newborn. Any specific colors or are any pastels okay?

[Corin Nava]

Christie-That is such an amazing thing you are doing!

I would really appreciate your help! I'm really no expert with blanket sizes (I've just learned how to knit so that I can make these-lol) but I think most of the ones I've received are around 30"x30" give or take.

[KateC]

I am still learning : ( Can't firgure it out for the life of me.

Barb, can we have knitting time at the conference LOL

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Hey there is an idea for round tables! LOL We could probably work on this Kate!

[StephanieOlivarez]

I'm in!!!!!!!

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

oh no way Steph! Lexi will be at camp! ROFL

[StephanieOlivarez]

I am SERIOUS!!!!!!lol
Morgan wants to learn in Lexi's place.

[ChristieBrooks]

I started a pink one last night. I wasn't sure how many to chain so I just did 125. Once I get it finished and get the border on it it should be about 28 inches tall. Will that be okay? Do we have a time frame of when you would like these by? Or maybe once I have 4 or 5 done I will just mail them to you. I'll check back in with you when I have a few done. :)

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Christie you are awesome!!

I think that 28 inches tall will be great! My blankets started out way big and I kept downsizing because of fitting them in the bag and shipping cost! I try to keep mine in between 25 and 30 inches...plus I stopped knitting them in a double knit pattern as they were soooo bulky for Corin! LOL

Thanks again for helping!

[Corin Nava]

Christie-That will be perfect! Don't worry about rushing them, I do have some here for now.

My goal is to build up a reserve of around 75 by the end of the summer so I can start to send them out nationally!!!!! I know with everyones help we can do it!

[KateC]

LMAO STEPH!!! YOU CRACK ME UP!

[ReneeKebodoux]

I crochet and would love to pitch in. Please let me know how I can help.

[Corin Nava]

Hi Renee! I would love to have you help!

I'm looking for blankets, either knitted, crocheted, or quilted, that are around 30"x30" (a little bigger or smaller is fine) made with baby friendly materials (no rough yarns or loose embellishments).

You can send them to:

Gabriel's Gift Bags
C/O Corin Nava
P.O. Box 1222
Hope Valley RI 02832

Please send me an email before you send them so I can keep my eye out for them! If you have any other questions you can email me at cnava@cherubs-cdh.org

Thanks!!!!!

[AmyMiles]

Barb

Can you send me a pattern or more like directions on how to make these blankets using the knifty knitter? I have been making baby hats like crazy! I have made about 12 so far. I am going to send 9 of them to Corin.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Hey quilters!! :) With Corin's new business starting up, she's pretty slammed right now so for the time being our main office will be putting together the gift bags until things slow down for her. So please send items to this address instead:

CHERUBS
3650 Rogers Rd #290
Wake Forest, NC 27587

When Corin takes back over the gift bags and things need to be sent to her instead of here, 1 of us will post to let you all know! Thank you for all that all of you are doing!!!! :)

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Can those of you who donated blankets and quilts please PM me with the number and descriptions and date you sent them please? Some of the stuff donated to CHERUBS has gotten lost (probably in Corin's move), a few boxes misplaced between Rhode Island and North Carolina. Quite a few blankets and other items are missing and Corin is mailing down a few more boxes. With a move and new business and her new gift bag project, I'm sure she's overwhelmed so it's easy to misplace stuff! We just want to make sure that everything donated to CHERUBS before July finds it's way here for CDH families.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Photos of all the quilts we've received are at http://cdhsupport.org/members/viewtopic.php?p=51658

[KarlaHolt]

Opps, I think I posted this somewhere else too. I see my blankets in the pictures!

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

I went thru the pics and do not see several of the blankets that I have made and donated since January. I do not have pics of them all (wish that I did!) but I know that I sent in around 20 including 5-6 ribbon blankets. I think that I see 1 ribbon blanket in the pics. Here is a pic that I do have and I do not see this blanket (there was another like this with flowers and 1 with butterflies):

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/PURPHAZE19/005-1.jpg

I also have sent in MANY AVON travel sized lotions, shampoos and contioners (in asst fragrance like cucumber melon, peach, vanilla and SSS) as well as bubble bath for kids, Lip Balms and a few boxes of HUGE ziplock baggies (like the ones that have the blankets in them--they are BIG!!).......did you get any of that?

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Was looking at this pic.....the finished blanket would have had a border in blue around it. The flower one is done in white and pinks.....does these look familiar?

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

We don't have a boat blanket or flower blanket or butterfly blanket. We have 2 CDH ribbon blankets. We definitely don't have 20 or so blankets from you, Barb. So far with what people are telling me they donated, there are at least 50 blankets?

We have no shampoos and conditions or bubble bath. I don't even see those on the lists of donations (which could be a typo, everything I donated wasn't listed either).

We have 4 boxes of ziplocs that Corin bought with donations, no donated ones.

Hopefully Corin has found most of this and is mailing several more boxes to us.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Corin sent out 14 bags in 2009 and 2 in 2008 so maybe some blankets were sent in the bags? I have no idea what she sent to who.

Here is the lists I was sent. I whited out cash donation amounts and last names to keep privacy:


2008 List:

http://www.cdhsupport.org/graphics/totebags/corin2008.jpg

http://www.cdhsupport.org/graphics/totebags/Corin2008c2.jpg

http://www.cdhsupport.org/graphics/totebags/Corin2008b.jpg

2009 List:


http://www.cdhsupport.org/graphics/totebags/corin2009a.jpg

http://www.cdhsupport.org/graphics/totebags/corin2009b2.jpg


As soon as I finish the conference stuff and video, I'll type up an inventory list with details of each blanket.

[TaniaSmythe]

You and Barb are full of crap! Now i can see why the BOH crap will never get resolved!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Tania? You've been a bit short in your posts for weeks... now this.... why? Do you want to explain why you feel the need to say Barb and I are "full of crap"?

Do you know what Barb donated?
Do you know what I donated?
Do you want what other people have donated that they are PMing and e-mailing me about?
Are you not reading other posts of other people looking for items that they donated?
Those lists above were written by Corin, not me - is she "full of crap" too?
Are you at her house, going through her things, knowing every item and every box is mailed? Because just a few days ago I received the baby shirts she forgot to mail out with everything else.

Why is it "full of crap" to sort through what was donated and not donated and what still needs to be shipped? I have to account for every single penny.

So what are we "full of crap" about and what do these bags have to do with BoH?

If you are relying on what you've been told by others and you are not involved yourself and not a witness to any of it and don't know all the facts... is that not gossiping and being part of drama? The banned members you are listening to and getting your "facts" from (1 who wasn't at the events herself - ask someone who was actually there what the truth is).... why? They were banned because they gossiped, didn't want to follow rules, wanted drama, and numerous other inappropriate behavior (and you only probably know 25% of it because we don't sling mud and don't want to personally hurt anyone). Why would any CDH parents who was here for support and information and helping other parents want to be a part of that?

You've been a member of CHERUBS for 4 years... are we so bad? Have you not been supported, not had CDH information? You were here for 2 years before they had even heard of CDH. Was CHERUBS so bad then?

You fussed at me for posting on my PERSONAL FB account something that wasn't bad at all. Now I am ASKING you to please stop the drama.

And to everyone - I posted this before and I will say it again. If you are not here to help other CDH parents or gain support yourself and learn about CDH. If you are not here to be positive and productive...... please log off and do not log back in.

These forums are a place of SUPPORT for parents. Leave the other stuff to Facebook, Myspace or other social networking sites where gossip and cliques and drama are welcomed. Because it is not welcome at CHERUBS.

[DarleneSilverman]

Tania: I am sorry you are having a bad day. Regarding "Full of crap"--- What on earth are you talking about?
Darlene

[NicolleColvin]

Will you accept the hotel size lotion, shampoos, cond, etc?

[TaraHall]

Tania, I am confused. Why are Dawn and Barb full of crap? They posted lists that were given to them and their inventory is incomplete. We (as board members) do many things behind the scenes to ensure that this organization can be a supportive group and lately all it has come to is undeserved drama and petty HS/teenage bs. I have been a member for almost 13yrs and will continue to support ONLY CHERUBS because I know the true intent of those I am dealing with. I have personally met almost every board member at CHERUBS, numerous families, and many at BOH and I know in my heart where I can trust and find the support that I need, here at CHERUBS. I am sorry you are feeling the way you feel but maybe if you look past all this going on to the true root of what CHERUBS is all about you will find what you need. Dawn started this group with a friend and a typewriter, an extremely sick little boy, and a dream to reach thousands. She has accomplished that and has never been given the credit she is due. Not many can go thru what Dawn has and still hold their head high and I for one am proud to stand by her side through it all. Dawn was the only one that I came to that actually KNEW what I was going thru, for that I will be eternally grateful. So should everyone else. Everyone needs to stop the nonsense and get back to the basics, OUR CHILDREN. They are why we are here.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Tara, you got me all teary eyed even though I know you were being tough. I never would've gotten through losing Shane without you and the Board. Did you all know when Shane died Tara immediately got into her car and drove all night from Ohio from North Carolina. That's the kind of person she is and she always does the right thing. That's what we all try to do here - the right thing.

Darlene, Brenda - thank you for always standing up for what's right and not putting up with "crap". And always looking at the positive side of things too. These 2 are my surrogate big sisters... I look up to them so much and so does everyone else who knows them. And Brenda doing all this while a single mom of 2, grieving 2 cherubs and a PICU nurse... the woman has more strength than most.

Barb - if you all knew the personal sacrifices she's made and the attacks she's dealt with just for having the courage and morals to say "Hey, this isn't right. This isn't good for CHERUBS or CDH families" when others only cared about themselves and popularity and having fun. She took the hard road, the high road. She gave others the courage to come forward too. She's the bravest person I know. Not to mention we work her to death doing CHERUBS stuff! LOL

Heidi - still volunteers despite going through a horrible car accident and having a brain injury that required her to learn everything all over again! And she's one of the most positive people I know! And did you know she's raised dozen of foster kids? She's an angel on earth if I ever met one!

Kara - mom of 2 young boys, both of which have medical issues. And she's here with us, helping us do what's right instead of what's popular. She sugar-coats nothing and gives her opinion straight-up... I respect her so much for that. As she says "I'm not here on the board to make friends, I'm here to help CDH families"... that's why we are all on the board. Because if you can't tell by Tania's post... we get judged A LOT - for what we do right or wrong and sometimes for things we don't do at all! It's not fun being on the Board and putting yourself on the line.

If everyone knew how much the Advisory Committee did and how much flack we take for trying to do the right thing. Not just me - all of us. They know 100% of what goes on - not the 25% that's public - because despite what some think, we do an awful lot to protect not only the organization but the reputations of trouble-makers as well. Because it's the right thing to do. And while we may call out behavior that hurts CHERUBS or CDH families - we do not personally attack anyone. Ever. You'll never see a Board Member at CHERUBS say something horrible about someone or their child or wish bad things on them or call them names or put them down. Question someone... yes. Call out horrible stuff... yes. Attacks.... no. That's childish, rude, unprofessional and has no place in the CDH world at all. We're supposed to help children - not act like children. Our Board Members are kind, classy and some may be loud (ok, mainly just me!) but our hearts are in the right place. If you don't believe that, Tania, then this is not the place for you. : (

All 7 on our Advisory Committee are GOOD people.... Darlene, Barbara, Brenda, Tara, Heidi, Kara and yeah, me too. We are so lucky to have them. God bless them for taking so much "crap" and putting their necks on the line too.

So if anyone else wants to get confrontational and immature here... go ahead... but don't think any of us will let it slide. It's our (volunteer) job to keep CHERUBS safe. We're here for CDH families and CHERUBS. That's the only reason anyone should be here.

Now... back to regularly schedule programming please! : )

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Nicolle, absolutely we will accept them!!!! Thank you!!! : )

[DarleneSilverman]

regarding Dawn's post- PERIOD. AMEN.

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Very well said Ladies.

Tania I am not sure why you would post that I am "full of crap"......but if "full of crap" means that I volunteer SEVERAL hours a week to help CDH Families then Yep I am! If it means that I have knitted and crocheted SEVERAL blankets...then again yep I am! If "full of crap" describes all the stuff that I have sent in to the blanket project, to the conference and bowl-a-thons then I will proudly wear that description!!

Tania you have NO IDEA what all I have donated to that blanket project. NONE what so ever! The last box that I sent in was 24 lbs...that is a lot of blankets and supplies......and that was just ONE box that I sent. There were a few that were 16 and 17 lbs. All that was donated TO CHERUBS should have been returned. PERIOD. It was donated to CHERUBS and I have every right to question if it made its way back to CHERUBS. I have that right as an Advisor and I have that right as the person who donated it.

[stacynovak]

If I could suggest something..... I opened up this this post because I have a lady friend who wants to make afghans for Cherubs. I really didn't care to have to read all this. It is upsetting that this sight has people on it who aren't on it for the right reasons. I don't want to be part of the pettiness and I don't want new members to have to read all about it either.

If you could, try to put it under another heading or get rid of this whole trail of comments. I would be sad if another new member, searching for something good to do for Cherubs, accidentally came across this sad trail of messages.

Just a suggestion!

Thank you, Stacy

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Stacy, I 100% agree with you. However we do not delete anything so it has to remain. BUT we will start a new thread with the blanket information so that no one need read this nonsense.

[stacynovak]

Thanks Dawn. I knew that you would understand and be able to do something about it.

Hope the conference is a success. I'm thinking about you.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

There is a new thread with photos of each of the blankets. Please help identify your blankets so we can label them correctly! :)

http://www.cdhsupport.org/members/viewtopic.php?p=53592#53592