Merry Christmas

Christmas Card

Today we received a Christmas card from Winchester Medical Center NICU. Inside the note reads as follows:

"Dear HeartFelt Angels,

Thank you for all the handmade items you provide our NICU babies for each holiday! You will never know how much these mean to our families at such a critical time in their lives. We don the infants in your garments and take photos that will be treasured always! Keep up your awesome work! Happy Holidays!

WMC NICU

***Included was a picture of preemie twins wearing their Santa hats!!!

Items for babies to share...

These are just a few things that member, Shelby from TX, made for the babies!

Remembering Little Angels...Everywhere

"I am always with you
there is never a moment that we are apart..
I tell you,I am in every flower,every rainbow
every star in the heavens,
I am always a part of you -
we are one."

This little Angel was handmade by Amanda from H.A.N.D.

A Holiday Wish....

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To family and friends, members, hospital staff, Mom's and Dad's and babies too - May you have a wonderful and Blessed Thanksgiving!

November 2009 Meeting Pictures

We received alot of beautiful items for the babies at our November meeting! Many beautiful afghans, hats, quilts, dresses and bonnets, and items for the Christmas stockings! The winner of the monthly drawing was Barbara K. She received a skein of Pound of Love yarn and a tote bags with wheels. The winner of the Sweater Fest Contest was Peggy with 56 sweaters and hats for the babies! Congrats to both winners! Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest!

Our next meeting will be out Holiday Social on December 8th.

Letter of Recognition

Today I received a letter from Virginia State Senator, Jill Holtzman Vogel, of the 27th District. I want to share this with all the members, families, and hospitals we serve:

Dear Elizabeth:

I wanted to send you a note to commend you for all of efforts to help families that are in need. Also, I wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful article about you in the Northern Virginia Daily. I know that this is my second note to you, but you are a great inspiration and you are very deserving of the continued recognition!

HeartFelt Angels is a great project and I applaud all of the selfless acts you and others who support local families in need of infant clothing.

Congratulations again and please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of help in any way.

Sincerely,

Jill H. Vogel

(Side notation) Congrats again!!

HeartFelt Angels September Meeting

The meeting for tomorrow, Sept. 8th at Winchester Medical Center from 7pm to 8:30pm, is being canceled.

My apologies - but I have poison ivy ALL over me and it has not dried up yet. So to be on the safe side for everyone, I decided to cancel the meeting.

Also, the Sweater Fest will continue to October 15th. This is for both online and for the ladies that attend the meetings at Winchester Medical Center. I had several people ask if I could extend it into October and this just worked out to the better!

Meeting Pictures and Info

We had a really nice meeting and received alot of beautiful items for the babies! We started out with 19 afghans and quilts for Christmas from Christmas in July. By the end of the meeting, we added 37 more blankets. We still need more newborn size Christmas afghans to meet the number needed for the 2 NICU's. Chris D. donated the drawing for the evening. It was a basket with a clown doll, made by a family member, homemade jelly, bread, candy and of course YARN! Barbara N. made a beautiful baby afghan from the yarn she won at the 10th Anniversary party. Barbara N. was the winner of the drawing for the August meeting.

Sweater-Fest 2009!!!

It's that time of year again! Time to think about warming up the babies with sweaters and hats this Fall.

So Sweater-Fest 2009 starts TODAY and runs until September 8th. We will be having 2 contests with prizes!

First: Person who makes the most sweaters!

and

Second: The most unique sweater for a boy and a girl! I will take pictures and post them and you will vote for your favorite sweater. The winner of the boy and girl sweater will receive a prize! PLEASE label the sweater you send for the contest, so I won't over look it!

Just a reminder: When making sweaters for the babies, please remember to make them for Newborns. Sweaters for Preemies must fit 4-5 pound babies. Anything smaller, and the nurses can not use them.

So get those hooks flying and may the best knitter or crocheter win!

August HeartFelt Angels Meeting Reminder

HeartFelt Angels will be meeting at Winchester Medical Center from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the meeting room next to Subway on the Mall Level.

HeartFelt Angels in the Newspaper!

Winchester Star HeartFelt Angels article

We celebrated our 10 year celebration this past Saturday! We had alot of great food, great music, and fun! I can't believe the photographer, from the newspaper, put that silly hat picture in the paper! He said "Let's do something silly!" So I said ok! hahaha Will post the pictures for all to see.

I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the best 10 years. It has been a wonderful journey and I look forward to many more years! If it wasn't for all the talented ladies and gentlemen that crafted items for the babies over the years, we wouldn't have made it this far! We have touched many hearts through our knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, etc. The hospital staff truly appreciate all that we have done for them over the years.

Thank you again so much for helping HeartFelt Angels!

HeartFelt Angels 10th Anniversary Celebration

Please join us as we celebrate

HeartFelt Angels
10th Anniversary

Saturday, July 18, 2009
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The Lakeside Bistro located in the Services Support Building, North side of the parking garage of Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, VA.

Refreshments, activities, music, and drawings on the hour are planned.

Please RSVP Elizabeth by July 15, 2009 at 540/723-4984.

Christmas in July

The past two years, we had "Christmas in July". This is the time for all members to make and send in all Christmas related items (red/green/white and white and blue for the Jewish babies). By working on these items in July, we are able to enjoy the holidays more with our families and not be rushed or pushed to make last minute items for the babies at Christmas. We need a total of 66 blankets for the babies. Any other items like, hats, booties, outfits, etc. are greatly appreciated!

Also, we are collecting small items for the stockings again this year. One of our members has graciously made stockings for the babies again this year and we need to fill them with. Christmas ornaments, bib's, booties would be some ideas for the stockings. Any questions, please feel free to ask!

A special thank you to everyone for helping the babies. It brings a very special feeling to the parents and staff of the hospitals we serve! Thank you!!!

July 4th Items Needed

Just a reminder that we are in need of July 4th afghans for the two NICU's we serve. We are short and need 45 more afghans. You can also send in hats, booties, and outfits if you like. But we would love to have a blanket for all the babies in the two NICU's we serve. Thank you!!!

June Meeting Reminder

This is a reminder of our meeting on Tuesday, June 9th, at Winchester Medical Center from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Mall level meeting room next to Subway.

A Double Loss

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(Chris and her Mom, Virginia, taken at the 5th Year Anniversary party for HeartFelt Angels)

May 20, 2009

A friend of mine I met thru HeartFelt Angels 6 years ago, Chris, has been with her Mom in the hospital for 2 weeks now. So much going on with her Mom. She's hardly eating enough to keep a bird alive. They made the decision for her to become a DNR and now calling in Hospice. I've called quite a bit and the past few days, I've gone to see Chris and her Mom more. She always gives me a kiss on the cheek and tells me she loves me when I leave. She crocheted ALOT for HeartFelt Angels and made such beautiful things for the babies. She was always very supportive of my charity. When I sit with them, Chris and I just crochet up a storm and her Mom just watches us in between resting. These are a pair of booties I learned how to make while sitting with Chris and her Mom yesterday - they are so cute! Don't you think???



May 23, 2009

On Thursday evening, Virginia passed away. She was transferred from the hospital to a nursing home. I went over to visit after my trip to UVA (Charlottesville, VA). Chris had stepped out of the room to talk to her sister. I took over her spot on the bed, to hold her hand and talk to her. She looked at me, smiled, and closed her eyes. She was gone. I ran to get Chris. We thought we would have more time with her. I'm going to miss her so much!

Early today, my daughter-in-law lost her baby. She had been having problems with her pregnancy. My son called and told me the news. I am so heartbroken - they lost their daughter....I lost my grand-daughter. I always wanted a daughter and it wasn't meant to be. And today, I lost my grand-daughter.

My heart just aches - too much to handle in one week.

May Meeting Reminder

This is a reminder of our meeting on Tuesday, May 12th, at Winchester Medical Center from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Mall level meeting room next to Subway.

Apple Blossom Deliveries

Here are a few pictures of items received and delivered to Winchester Medical Center's NICU for Apple Blossom!


The nurse that spoke to us as we made the delivery, told us how much they appreciate all that we do for them, especially on holidays. The families and staff truly appreciate all the beautiful items that are made for them. It really brings a smile to the parents!

Easter Pictures

Here are just a few of the items we received for Easter!

These Bunny hats were made two different ways. The traditional hat with the ears inserted through the first round. Then a crocheted headband with the ears sewed onto the sides for babies that may have IV's in their head.

These blankets were made from fleece! Oh so soft and cute!

These little outfits fit preemies! So adorable!


These crocheted sets were a wonderful Easter gift for the babies!

Thanks to everyone for making Easter just alittle more special for those babies and families that had to celebrate Easter in the hospital!

April Meeting Reminder

This is a reminder of our meeting on Tuesday, April 14th, at Winchester Medical Center from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Mall level meeting room next to Subway.

Happy Easter to Everyone!

Wishing everyone a very Happy and Blessed Easter Sunday!

I delivered the Easter items to the NICU's (Winchester and UVA) and the nurses and staff were so excited to see all the beautiful items made by all the wonderful volunteers! Thank you so much for bringing a smile to those in the NICU's on Easter!

March Meeting Reminder

This is a reminder of our meeting on Tuesday, March 10th, at Winchester Medical Center from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Mall level meeting room next to Subway.

HeartFelt Angels on Ravelry

If you are a member of Ravelry, we are now listed as a group there! This is the badge for our group. An awesome lady named Mel made these for me and they are just what I wanted! Thank you so much Mel!

So stop in on Ravelry and join our group there! If not a member, just request an invitation. May take a few days to get accepted, but it is worth the wait! This is another way to get our name out to the world so they can see who we are and what we do for the babies and families!

Valentine Delivery

These are just a few of the items that were delivered to Winchester Medical Center - NICU for Valentine's Day. The nurses were excited to see our holiday delivery! Sadly to say, we did not have enough Valentine's Day afghans for the babies at UVA NICU.

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day! Chuck and I are going away and not sure where we are going at this time! He likes to take me away and surprise me when we get there....so I'll check back with everyone later! Have a great weekend! (Yes, got my yarn packed already!!! :) Crochet Hugs to everyone!!!

February Meeting Reminder

This is a reminder of our meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, at Winchester Medical Center from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Mall level meeting room next to Subway.

HeartFelt Angels Pictures on Picasa

To see what we have been up to over the years, please check out the pictures that have been posted on Picasa. I still have more to upload, so please check back!

Picasa Pictures of HeartFelt Angels

My Preemie, Steven

This is one of the reasons I started Afghans for Angels - VA Chapter, now HeartFelt Angels. My son, Steven, was born 3 months early. He weighed 2 pounds 3 ounces. The next day he weighed 1 pound 13 ounces. He was a preemie in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at UVA in Charlottesville, VA. He was there for 2 months and came home weighing 4 pounds. While we were there, I saw several babies that passed away. It broke my heart to see the parents holding their baby with the pink, blue, and white receiving blanket. They were not prepared for a loss and had nothing special to hold their little angel in their arms with. Just that cotton receiving blanket that returned to the hospital wash. It was a blessing to find the AFA Charity to begin makings afghans for parents. Because these handmade afghans and quilts would be used by the parents for the begining process of healing. But it was also a blessing and a miracle to have my preemie home with me.

Steven graduated from Millbrook High School in 2007 and today he is taller than me! He has gone with me in past years on deliveries to UVA. They always love to see graduates from the NICU. He has also helped me with my meetings at the hospital...looking cute and carrying things to the car for me!

2008 Christmas Stockings

This is a picture of just two out of the 210 stockings I delivered to the hospitals. The red and white stockings were sewn by member Tina K. The pink/blue and white stockings were donated by members Barbara and Charles.

The nurses ooo'd and aaah'd over the items given to the units. They were so surprised over the stockings too! I really felt like Santa's helper with all the stockings, blankets, hats, booties, and outfits in the back and front of my car! We brought a lot of smiles to the nurses and to the families that received our holiday items! I got home at 1:30 am...Santa was still working!

Ticker Information

What are the tickers for?

For the past several years, we have made Christmas afghans for the NICU babies. That is Winchester NICU and UVA NICU. We make 22 for Winchester and 44 for UVA. Sometimes they have more babies and sometimes they have less. That is a number we work with. Deliveries are made by Beth (Founder of HeartFelt Angels) on Christmas Eve. It is the groups goal to provide Christmas afghans for all the babies in those two NICU's. We also make Jewish color afghans for those who do not celebrate Christmas. Those afghans are not counted into the original count, they are extras for the units.


In 2007, we started making Christmas stockings for the babies/parents. They are filled with items for the babies (bibs, small teddy bears, socks, handmade ornaments, baby toys, etc.). We had enough for those two NICU's. In 2008, the group wanted to expand our Stocking count to help another hospital. Much to my surprise, we ended up with at total of 210 stockings! We were able to give stockings to 5 more units!

So, the tickers are for the Christmas afghans and stockings collected during the year. This will show how many we have and what is needed to reach our goal. Anything received over our goal will be delivered to other units.

We also have "Christmas in July" for the group to make and send in items for Christmas. If we can get all the items needed by the end of November, we can all enjoy the holiday and not be rushed to make last minute items needed.

Other tickers will be added to show the counts for the afghans needed for the holidays (Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, etc.) The dates next to the Holidays are dates all items need to be received by to make the deliveries.

January Meeting Reminder

This is a reminder of our meeting on Tuesday, January 13th, at Winchester Medical Center from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Mall level meeting room next to Subway.

Welcome to the HeartFelt Angels Blog

HeartFelt Angels is a non-profit organization of volunteers that make handmade baby items for area hospitals to give to parents in need. Whether it be from a loss of a child resulting from miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, to an illness of a child or even parents who are financially challenged and may not have an afghan or a handmade outfit to take their baby home in.

Over the years, the hospitals needs have grown. Therefore, we have grown to help these hospitals with their needs to help families. Not only do we make afghans, but we make many other much needed items such as gowns, hats, booties - preemie and newborn; angel ornaments, burial items, sweater sets, bibs, etc. We also make items for holidays (Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, July 4th, etc.) to brighten up the units during a sad time for the parents. These items are either knitted, crocheted, sewn, quilted, etc. If you would like to volunteer your talents to help these babies and families, we would love for you to join!

This blog was created for members, family, and friends to keep up with us to see what we are up to, what our needs are, and what we are working on for the hospitals.

Thank you for your interest in HeartFelt Angels!