Stitching Hearts for Hospice

Hearts for Hospice began as a service project for the Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild.

Do you know about Hearts for Hospice?

Well, my friend, pour yourself a cup of tea and let me share a little about it with you…

When I first heard about Hearts for Hospice, I was blown away. How so? I’m glad you ask – because it’s the thoughtfulness and generosity of the stitchers who graciously share their love of needlepoint that touches my heart the most.

Let me explain…

About five years ago, the members of the Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild…

began a project to meet a need at one of the local hospice centers. You see, when a patient passes at the facility, the staff places a heart on the door to remind passersby to be respectful of those in mourning. That kind gesture becomes even more meaningful when the needlepoint heart is given to a family member in remembrance of their loved one.

If you’ve never had a loved one receive hospice care at an in-patient facility, you might not understand why this project is so touching. But if you have (and, yes, I have) then you’ll immediately recognize the significance a small needlepoint heart can have.

Saying good-bye is never easy.

It’s not something that any of us ever wants to do. But it’s part of life here on this big blue ball we call home. And knowing that someone cares enough to spend their time and talent to help heal your heart in its brokenness – well, that’s the kind of thing that touches me to my core.

Stitchers donate their time and talent to needlepoint these Hearts for Hospice.

To date, more than 2000 have been distributed. The hearts reflect the personalities of their creators, with different colors, stitches, and embellishments making each of them a one-of-a-kind treasure. And when it’s time to place a heart on the door of a patient, the staff carefully selects one from their collection that conveys a little about the life of that person. For example, red, white, and blue hearts go onto the doors of veterans. Flowery hearts go onto the doors of those for whom gardening was a lifelong hobby. And there are even hearts in pastel and primary colors for children. (I know – it breaks my heart to think about that, too.)

Madonna Lewis' support of Hearts for Hospice in Charleston, SC is where I first heard about the project.

But instead of dwelling on the losses, the stitchers focus on how their handiwork can help with the healing process.

And that’s just one reason I’m such a staunch supporter of this project. It goes without saying that I embrace Hearts for Hospice because I’m a stitcher. But it’s also because I know how much it would’ve meant to me to receive a hand-stitched heart when my Daddy died. Sue Hart, the project coordinator, says that recipients continually comment about the thoughtful gesture and the peace it provides.

Hearts for Hospice continues to grow and thrive.

In fact, there are now stitchers across the globe creating needlepoint hearts for hospice facilities across the US. If you’d like to participate, click here to get more information from the Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild.

We’re all put on this earth to care for one another…

and this project is just one way that I, as a stitcher, can do that. My friend, Alice, donated the very first heart to the Hearts for Hospice project here in Tuscaloosa. She donated it in memory of my Daddy. And even though he’s been in heaven for 10 years, it meant the world to me. It always will. Thank you, Alice!

So, a little bit later today, I’m going to show you how to get your canvas ready to make a heart. I hope you’ll join me for this week’s episode of Needlepoint TV. We’ll gather at 2:00 p.m. Central time over on the Serendipity Needleworks Facebook page.

And if you’d like to get my weekly emails, so you don’t miss out on any of the other fun things I have in store for this year, click here and complete the form.
Alrighty – that’s all for now, my friend. Until next time, happy stitching!

XOXO!
Stitch with a smile!

4 thoughts on “Stitching Hearts for Hospice”

  1. Enjoying your weekly newsletter. Made your shrimp scampi recipe from a few weeks ago. Delicious! Misplaced the recipe. Will you send it to me again. Thank-you. Love all your needlepoint newsletters and blog.

    Reply
    • Hi Jeanne!
      Thank you so much for taking the time to write. It’s so nice to hear from you. I’m delighted to read that you liked my recipe – and that you enjoy my weekly emails. You just made my day!

      I’ll pop over to the Facebook page and post it there for you. 🙂

      Have a terrific rest of your day and happy stitching!
      XOXO!
      Ellen

      Reply
  2. I have made a few Hearts, and this project is amazing. and makes me feel good.
    thanks you the the members of the Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild, for starting this project.

    Reply
    • I agree… it’s such a worthwhile project! Thank you for your contributions, sweet Leanne!
      XOXO!
      Ellen

      Reply

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Serendipity Needleworks

Hi, I’m Ellen. A needlepoint teacher and author dedicated to helping motivated but overwhelmed stitchers at every stage find exactly what they need to stitch with confidence. Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the needlepoint world or you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, I’ve fine-tuned a learning experience just for you.

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