Open request for all,"Giving with your heart ,made from your hands"

One simple idea,one piece of Art,this is where my idea was born.....I saw a beautiful crazy quilted art doll on an online group and couldn't get her out of my head so I ordered one. My pure joy I felt upon receiving her led me to realize the power this beautiful cloth creation could have on a woman. If I felt so happy owning this piece of art,I could imagine what a woman who may never even know such things exist would feel owning one of her own.

There are hundreds of charity groups that Artists of any media can join,many of which I donate crazy quilt blocks or items to. However, I haven't seen art donations going toward battered women.

They may be out there, I just haven't been aware of any. When Crazy Quilting International, an online group decided on their charity causes, I raised my hand to collect cloth "Healing","Spirit","Comfort" dolls to be gathered by the dozen and sent to a shelter we vote on. Jo who is among the moderators of this group has blogged her first comfort doll and her feelings on the subject. Anyone who submits a doll can put in a name of a shelter in their area to receive these dolls.

Unlike Jo, I had a short confrontation with physical abuse in my late teens. I was fortunate to get away without going to jail for self defense (murder), or worse, losing my life. My mother didn't raise no dummy. When things became a pattern, zoom! Out the door I went! Thank goodness I had a supportive family to guide me home without further harm. It was the most frightening time in my life, and as the taxi made it's way to the airport and the miles between fear and freedom widened, I felt myself getting stronger and saw a bright future.I knew I had seen the bottom and the only way to go was up. I thought I was the only one who experienced this trauma. Unfortunately, many women aren't so lucky.
I know some may think making dolls to give to a woman who has just been beaten,raped, or abused in some way is like putting a band-aid on an amputation. Well, I see it as sending a message of hope,love,and encouragement.

Imagine a woman being handed a beautiful cloth doll with a message of hope attached. This doll from a stranger whom she will never meet,yet makes this connection of love and caring from one heart to another. A stranger who can imagine,if not know where she has been and hoping she will have brighter days ahead. The woman carries this doll in her purse,or pocket,knowing someone cared enough to think of her. When she needs strength, she strokes it or admires it and her lips turn up with a smile and her heart warms. Yes, I am a dreamer but I do think this will happen.

If anyone wants to create a "Comfort doll",please email me. I will collect them within the US,and hopefully find someone in each country to collect them because this is a worldwide cause. I won't dwell on details, but in the US, every 15 seconds a woman is abused.

Comfort doll specifications: 6" max size cloth doll. May have face or be plain,any color,lots of embellishing such as beading,sequins,and charms need to be sewn on very securely please. Crazy quilting,Fimo faces, painted,etc is ll wonderful. You may choose any pattern you desire or make your own. There are many free cloth doll patterns online. Look under "goddess "too, they have wonderful simple shapes to embellish easily.

Thank you for spreading a bit of comfort to those in need. This will be an ongoing project. I may write an article on it to encourage more donations. If so, I will need your permission to include your name and photo of your doll.(s)
You may send dolls to: Pat Winter 1010N 350E Chesterton,IN 46304