Painted Turtle Ranch Quilts

Dear Quilting Friends,

It's come to my attention the Lake Hughes Women's Club needs a little assistance-- and I'm writing you to ask for your help.

Background:

In 2003, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, founded by actor and entrepreneur Paul Newman, will open The Painted Turtle Ranch for children with chronic and life threatening illnesses in Lake Hughes, California. The camp, which is situated on 173 acres of rural property on Lake Hughes is 40 miles North of Los Angeles, will be the only multi-disease camp of its kind on the West Coast. The camp will provide a meaningful, medically safe camp experience for children ages 7 to 16 at no cost to the child or his or her family. Over 1,000 children, who are referred to the camp through the California Children's Hospital Network, suffering from a chronic or life threatening illness will enjoy the opportunity have a true camp experience per season. They will be able to swim, fish, make arts and crafts projects, horseback ride, play baseball, basketball, and other sports.

The camp is currently under construction and scheduled to open for the Summer of 2003. For more information you can check out their website on the Internet at www.thepaintedturtle.org .

Why We Need to Help: Through friends I learned that The Lake Hughes Women's Club volunteered to coordinate the making of several thousand turtle pillows, afghans, lap quilts and bed quilts to help outfit the camp. This very small group of women have all ready worked thousands of hours making items they are going to need for camp's opening, however there are none of their members have a great deal of experience in making a quilt or comforter.

Fire up your sewing machines and projects: So this is where we come in and this is what we need to do...

Project: Painted Turtle

1. Twin sized quilts or tied comforters for Beds

Size: 60 x 80 inches (Twin size with overhang)

Material: Brightly colored cotton or cotton-poly blends including batting. Keep in mind the campers are between the age of 7-16 years old, so try to keep the patterns and designs bright and cheerful. All bedding must be able to be washed repeatedly. No fridge or hanging ornaments or buttons.

The camp needs between 300-400 quilts in constant rotation to they must be washable.

2. Afghans, Lap-Quilts or comforters, or Fleece Blankets for wheel chairs and Snuggly Blankets

Size: 40-45 " wide x 50-60" long

Crocheted or knitted: Solid technique only. No open lacework or fringe as they catch. Must be washable.

Lap-quilts and comforters: Brightly colored quilts and lap-quilts or comforters made of cotton or cotton-poly blends only. Design can be anything of your choice, but no buttons or hanging fringe. Must be washable.

Snuggly Blankets: These blankets are made of polar fleece and range from 40-45 "x 58-60" wide. No fringe because it can catch in the wheelchairs or in any IV lines. Must be bound or blanket stitched. Use your imagination! You can applique fleece designs to front, but must be sewn down as these must be washable. The camp needs at least 1000 in the first season. Campers will be given one of these blankets of their choice to go home, so these will always be needed.

Mary Lu's Words of Wisdom:

Having worked with kids in these situations I've learned a few things that may help--

As a general rule the kids aren't picky. However they love blankets and quilts that are bright, cheerful, and feel good in the hand. (Think: Nummy and Cheerful.)

Most kids with life-threatening diseases are normally susceptible to infections. In order to protect them the quilts and comforters must be washable and hypo-allergenic. These kids are normally very sensitive to dust and allergens in the air. So in an effort to reduce problem which may make them ill, their bedding has to be constantly washed. Use materials and construction techniques that can take the beating of the washing machine and dryer.

Be creative. Remember the kids are boys and girls are between the ages of 7-16 years old. The older boys are normally the hardest to find quilts and blankets that appeal to them, so don't forget them. But feel free to make anything that would make a kid happy to sleep with or snuggle under.

Feel free to sign your work: While you may never meet the kids who receive your creation, feel free to sign it with a waterproof marker or label on the back. Also know these quilts and blankets will bring a personal cheery reminder of their time at camp, long after they have gone home.

The Camp is a Tax Deductable Charity (501c). We can assist you in getting whatever information is necessary to make the write off. Email us for more information.

Once you've finished making your quilts and blankets, they need to be washed and dried prior to shipping. We advise storing them in plastic bags in order to seal out dust. Once you're ready to part with your donations of love contact me via email for more information.

If you are in the Southern California Area, we can arrange for pickup. If you're out of the area, I will send you the address and contact information for sending your quilts directly to the Lake Hughes Women's Club and/or the Camp.

And thank you for helping the kids.

Taking a Little Time Offline For The Painted Turtle Ranch

Taking a Little Time Offline For The Painted Turtle Ranch

I made a commitment a while ago to help out some friends on a massive project. And now, after several months I finally got all the information sitting on my desk... Oh hell! Why be so cryptic!

Here's what's up-- A friends of mine belongs to the Lake Hughes Women's Club. The ladies were asked to make over 400 quilts and 1000 afghans or lapquilts, along with over 1000 Turtle Pillows for the kids at the new Painted Turtle Ranch Camp for children with life-threatening diseases.

The camp which is being built as we speak in Lake Hughes, California (40 miles North of LA,) is being sponsored by none other than Actor and Gourmet Food mogul, Paul Newman. The money Newman is giving to built the multi-million dollar camp comes from 100% of the after tax profits of his Newman's Own Food Products, like the salad dressing, lemonade, pasta sauce, salsa and popcorn. So buy something next time you're at the store.

While anyone who can sew or help out is welcome to participate. Email me if you can help!

Anyway, I'm in the process of writing up the information and directions for the many quilting and sewing groups throughout Southern California. I need the time to write up instructions and pattern suggestions for the groups who will make and donate the quilts and afghans to the camp prior to their opening in less than a year. I may even post some of the information here for anyone who may be interested. Feel free to comment and make suggestions.

So because of all this responsibility and my need to be able to think straight, I'll be offline for the next few days. Carry on without me-- I should be back in the saddle by the middle of the week. If you really need me: email me! And... Wish me luck!

Mary Wehmeier: Mary Wehmeier Quilting

Painted Turtle Ranch Quilts

Taking a Little Time Offline For The Painted Turtle Ranch