Donations, storage, and volunteering

This marks the completion of my 15th quilt for veterans within the last five months. I was really struggling with burnout so decided on a simple design for this last one. I am relieved to have these last 6 finished in plenty of time for Veterans Day.

I used a couple of string blocks that came in late from a May workshop and a few made by volunteers who came to my aid at our quilt shop sew in day. I only needed to make about 20 myself to turn them into three quilts. I also had some pieced blocks that were given to me to use. Seems easy enough so, why am I so tired?

By the first of the year I imagine my mojo will have returned and I’m looking forward to participating in a south county guild’s Quilt of Valor program where quilting for the community is a priority and the workload is evenly distributed.

Now the real work begins – trying to reclaim my sewing space. Typically, it’s where I love to be, but can I honestly say that today?
Nope.

My sewing room was the “someday” haven I imagined during the last decade (or two) of my working years, and it’s usually the most organized room in the house. It’s not what you would call “messy” now, but it’s filling up fast with items ready to be donated. I’m having trouble finding what I need, putting things away where they belong, and doing anything that doesn’t require moving something else out of the way first.

The six patriotic quilts will only be here until Veterans Day, in early November, but those little huggables are sticking around until December, and honestly, they seem to be taking over! The little quilts themselves don’t take up much room but when they’re bundled around stuffed animals – it’s surprising how much more space they consume.

The response has been wonderful. People love making and donating them. I’m grateful that often they’re donated with the stuffed animals but it’s a combination of “Oh fantastic!” when they give you several at a time and “Oh crap!” when you unload your car and realize you have no place to store them.

I nearly caved and rented a storage unit for a couple of months. I was checking the prices online (while trying to justify the expense to myself) when my friend suggested in a text that I consider vacuum seal bags. Seems like a cheaper alternative than paying for storage, but will it really work? Guess I’ll have to hit up Amazon and find out.

In the meantime, I have a new appreciation for people who choose not to raise their hand and volunteer for things. You’re often expected to give up much more than your time – you might find you unwittingly gave up a portion of your home too.