Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Help Stitchin' Mission

If you've participated in a Stitchin' Mission, or read this blog, you probably know that since January 2005, I have been teaching free beginner quiltmaking lessons, with the students' quilts being donated to missions around the world.


These lessons, called Stitchin' Mission (SM) began at my own church, Lutheran Church of Hope, and have continued in Des Moines, Iowa, area churches of nearly every denomination. Quilts made by the students are donated to the host church's mission of choice.

To date, 689 people have participated in free Stitchin' Mission beginner quiltmaking lessons, with 895 baby quilts going to missions throughout the world. (See the world map here.)

Individuals from other states and countries have contacted me about offering SM lessons in their church. Unfortunately, I am unable to offer lessons farther away than I'm able to travel for five weeks. It has been my prayer that God would grow SM. Well, a door has opened. An opportunity has come up to grow SM.

In the month of August, an organization called Dream Big, Grow Here is giving a $1,000 grant to the person or organization who captures the most on-line votes for their big dream. With such a grant, my dream is to make a video production (DVD) of the SM lessons, including the Bible readings, devotions and prayers, and make it available to churches, accompanied by a coordinator's guide, that wish to host a SM. SM could spread across the U.S. and the world.

To win the $1,000 grant, I need your help!
The winner is determined by which dream receives the most votes.

Beginning Monday, August 16 (at noon, US Central time), you can cast an on-line vote for SM. Votes are being collected until noon Tuesday, August 31.
You can vote every day!


The July dream/grant-winner won with 2,000 votes. Can you help SM surpass that number?

Beginning August 16 cast your vote by clicking on the badge below, or click the voting badge on the right side bar. One vote permitted per day, per computer network.

These badges take you directly to the SM "Dream Big Grow Here" site at http://tinyurl.com/vote4SM

Even better... grab the badge (right side bar) and post it on your own blog to get more people to vote for SM.
Remember to vote daily through August 31!

Thank you so much, friends, for helping me help Stitchin' Mission.

Linda

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Stitchin' Mission in September

Stitchin' Mission® beginner quiltmaking lessons start Monday, September 27, 2010, 6:30 p.m., at Sheridan Park United Methodist Church, 4100 East Sheridan Ave., Des Moines. Choose from four 36” X 48” quilt patterns and in five free lessons, learn the fundamentals of quiltmaking. As much as possible, supplies are provided. Your cost may be $15 or less. Please consider donating the quilt you make to Broadlawns Family Birthing Center, Des Moines.


Stitchin’ Mission is interdenominational—everyone is welcome! For more information and to register CLICK HERE, or phone 515-263-1722.


Five Stitchin' Mission, beginner quiltmaking lessons are:

Monday, September 27, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, October 4, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, October 11, 6:30 p.m.

No class Monday, October 18

Monday, October 25, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, November 1, 6:30 p.m.