Welcome everyone and thank you for taking a break in your Holiday shopping and planning to visit my blog for my last block installment in the BLOCKHEADS 3 series. I have a story to tell and if you make it all the way to the end there is also a chance to win a Layer Cake, so here goes.
Back in October of 2019 when we were planning Blockheads each of the designers all sent in their sketches. I am a big fan of anything plus mark and so I included a sketch. Then came 2020 and it has gone by so fast I had forgotten to add my inspiration to the block. It was in the midst of the election I was making my block and that is when I decided to name it X marks the spot embracing the power of making an X to cast your vote. Making an X is certainly old school but that is my story to tell.
If you would like to download my BLOCKHEADS pattern, please click here. But keep reading for the giveaway.
About the same time I was making my block and I had the most gut wrenching feeling.
I am a big fan of Jessica Bloomberg – @CraftyCop and what all she does to support families of police officers that have been killed in the line of duty.
Did I subconsciously copy the block that she uses for these quilts?
Was it too late to change my block?
I did my research and my block was different but I couldn’t stop thinking about her mission. I contacted Jessica and asked if I could share her story. On one of her profile I found this
…crafty cop who likes to read, garden, cook & craft all after the shift is over. That really doesn’t tell it all but does anyone’s profile tell the whole story?
Jessica is a police officer in Stamford Connecticut. She started making quilts for families of police officers killed in the line of duty and word has spread. When Jessica first reached out to fellow quilters to make blocks, the outpouring was incredible. She received hundreds of blocks and was able to make quilt with little to no cost. Individuals jumped in to help quilt, people donated fabric for backs and batting.
This is an example of one of the quilts that was made. Each quilt also gets a label for the front. If you are making a quilt, let Jessica know and she will send you a label to use.
These pictures are used with permission from Jessica. I highly encourage you to follow Jessica @craftycop to read some of the stories.
I asked Jessica what she needs and she said the hardest thing is getting the quilts to the families. Here is the rest of her reply.
If you want to learn more about this or get involved follow the hashtag #bluerkblocks. If YOU know of a police officer killed in the line of duty, I hope you’ll send me a DM so we can give that family a quilt too.
Anytime there is a need quilters come together. That is our jive, that is our community, that is what we do.
So, I made a new version of my block to use in my quilt so I will have a little representation of Jessica and the BlueRKblock program.
I started out this post worried that my block was the exact block, so I can’t end this post with out giving you the link to the actual block pattern supplied by Jen of RasberryStitches.
The block goes fast and as I cut into any thing blue I am making 12.5 BlueRKblocks.
I cannot end this post without sharing this cute picture of Jessica and service dog, Knox. Please share this with your friends and if you know of a family that needs a quilt, let Jessica know. More importantly if you are able to deliver a quilt to a family, let her know also. 
I can’t believe this is my last block to post for Blockheads. It has been quite a year and I have enjoyed the journey with so many new online friends, and yes they do count as real friends. Moda has been generous to donate a Sanctuary Layer Cake by 3 sisters as my giveaway this week.
DO you have a goal for 2021? What are you thinking about as we end this year and hope for a safe 2021? Let me know, leave a comment for a chance to win this layer cake. The winner will be announce Tuesday night, Dec. 23rd.
Until then Merry Christmas,
-Lissa
What a Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing this and your talent!
What a Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing this and your talent! Love the block
I love this story! I will go follow her right now. Thanks for sharing this and thanks for all of your block designs. I too can’t believe we are coming to a close. What fun and what a great skill builder.
Hopefully to finish some ufo’s
Love this block
Thank you for sharing. I love this block. Can’t wait to see how my BH3 comes together.
Thank you for sharing a KIND story. I belong to a quilt group that makes QOV so I’m going to share this story with them and it may be a knew project for us. The holidays are hard for me emotionally but now I have 2 grandkids to have fun with. Merry Christmas and Prayers for the world ❤️
I enjoyed your patterns altho I was unable to make the blocks. In late March our home flooded; we were in a hotel 3 months with no machine nor fabric. While there a son had 2 heart attacks and was diagnosed with PTSD. Our home was not properly repaired and we are still working on that, and trying to save fabric. Limited income so no fabric purchased this year. 2021 will be a new start with new projects, more scraps from friends, and new quilts for our 3 beds by fall.
The blocks is very nice. Jessica is doing a great service to fallen policemen. For 2021, I’m going to keep on making quilts, there are so many people who need them. Happy stitching!
Right now, I am thinking about what I can do to finalize my family’s Zoom Christmas Eve party, but overall, sometimes I just feel heavy. There is so much to worry about, but, I know there is hope in 2021, and I do look forward to the vaccine and new leadership. Things will be better. Wishing you and your family the best for the remainder of 2020 and all of 2021!
2021, already! This year has gone fast, but one most of us don’t want to relive. My goal for 2021 is to love more and be aware of my neighbors and their needs.
Thanks for your blocks in BH3
My goals for 2021 are to make life simpler and spend more time WITH my family (not virtually!) Thanks for sharing a wonderful story! ❤️
Thanks for the X Marks the spot pattern and your story. One of my goals for 2021 is to stay healthy and help my loved ones do the same.
Thank you for sharing about this x block. I pray for a healthy new year. A prosperous new year.
Thank you so much for sharing. Many of us donate our time and skill to local causes. My quilting guild donates quilts to law enforcement and fire department to give to families.
My goal for 2021 is to hug every one of my family and friends. I have missed that so much!
A great story, my goal is to stay healthy
My goal is to grow spirituals and give more of what I can to those in need!
We need more people like this young women. I know people can care for one another. The goodness of the human kind is out there and present.
What a great story! I am going to look up Jessica today- my son is part of the blue line too….. I’m hoping for a healthier,happier 2021. I lost my brother last January so my year was really tough. I made lots of masks and did lots of sewing and reading. I’m hoping to travel and visit my 85 yo mother. Even going to lunch with friends would be wonderful.
Thanks for sharing and have a lovely holiday!
It has been a crazy 2020, with the silver lining of being able to sew more. I plan to start on a modern wedding ring quilt which is a goal I have had for a long time. I am beginning to feel able to handle the curves, and piecing with accuracy. To make the goal attainable, I wrote it down, and placed a picture of the quilt in my sewing book. Now when I open the book I am reminded of my objective.
I also have been watching quilting shows looking at various methods to conquer the curve. I am looking forward to 20221!
LOL,
I am looking forward to 2022 also, but a year at a time, That should be 2021! Oops
What an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing Jessica’s story! If 2020 showed me anything it’s that you need to live your dreams. I don’t know if it will happen, but I’m currently looking for a space to live and open a quilting retreat center. Only time will tell, but I had to start the process. Happy Holidays yo you and yours!
What a beautiful post. No big goals for 2021. I think I just need a year of quiet plans and rolling with things as they come. I will, however, make sure I celebrate big somehow, someway when I turn 50 in the spring!
Beautiful story. I am happy my son in law who had covid and was in the
hospital is ok. Looking forward to when my whole family can be together again. Merry Christmas stay safe
What a great cause! I am so glad Jessica allowed you to share her story. Very inspiring! I love the simplicity of this block, yet when it is combined with others it gives a really neat pattern. Thank you for this! Wishing you a merry Christmas.
Thank you for the touching story. What a fabulous story your block has! My only goal for this year, and it is out of my hands, is for some kind of normalcy by mid-2021, and that sufficient vaccines are available that I will be able to visit my parents, who are both in their mid-80s and who I haven’t seen since Aug 2019. Keep my family happy and healthy and get out from the pile of work I have, and that I have been procrastinating about.
As I read this inspiring story of a very committed police officer, the health department is vaccinating local health workers against the Covid 19 virus. my goal is to continue healthy practices to keep my family and friends safe until the cure is accomplished!
My goal is to appreciate any return to normal that we may get, any tiny thing!
Thank you for sharing about Jessica’s ongoing quilt projects. It’s a wonderful mission to provide comfort and care. I’m hoping for an effective vaccine and less Covid suffering and death worldwide. Merry Christmas, Lissa!
At this point right now I’m hoping 2020 ends soon. I’m grateful for a few things that 2020 brought me the first under grandson the second my nursing license the third a job at a nursing home and lastly a passion for quilting. I still cannot wish hard enough the 2020 would end it has been a very difficult year especially in the past month and a half when the coronavirus reared its ugly head and my workplace. Thankfully quilting gave me an outlet so I didn’t go totally crazy. I want to thank you for your time and effort put in to blockheads. I want to wish you a happy holiday.
Thank you for the inspiration. Both in Quilting and your story. I am grateful that my family has stayed safe and healthy in 2020 and I hope it continues in 2021. Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much for sharing about the fallen officers quilts! I’d never heard of it before. I LOVE quilts of valor in part bc my husband was in the Marines, but anything that shows love, support and appreciation to our front lines people is so important and close to my heart. I love the picture of her with her dog Knox. I also have a Knox, he’s my youngest and he is 5.
2021 will be a year for finishing things. I have a ton of UFO’s to finish and also a bunch of tops that need to be quilted. I also hope to keep the slower pace of 2020 and remember the lessons learned from this year. Here’s to good health and happiness in 2021 everyone! Cheers
About 3/4 of the way into 2020, I heard about an organization that gave free ultrasounds to pregnant women, hoping to help them make the decision to have their babies. Each mom got to pick out their own baby blanket. My goal was to make a dozen. They were delivered right before Thanksgiving. My goal for 2021 is to continue what my friend’s mom started before she passed away – knitting beanies for the homeless. My goal is to make a beanie a week.
Thank you for sharing this story. Enjoyed starting my day with such encouraging words. Goals for this next year would be to be a blessing to those around me.
I am thankful for the new vaccine that is being given to our frontline workers who have sacrificed so much during this year, praying for those who have the COVID-19 that they have a speedy recovery and for those who have lost family members from the virus know that one day they will see them again, my mother passed away last Saturday and I had not been able to see her since March, so I am externally grateful for the love and care she received. I am also very thankful for my friend who got me started on this years BOW, it has kept me sane doing all the challenging block, she has a granddaughter who is in the front line blue with a dog like Jessica, so I pray a safe year in 2021 for her and all the front line workers in our country and throughout the world.
My husband is a retired police officer. I love that she makes or gives a quilt for the family of a fallen officer.
My plan for 2021 is to sew more and have more quilts ready to gift for Christmas . Life gets hectic but if not nOW then when? Life is short so seize the moment.
I love your block! My goal for 2021 is to keep my family healthy and safe as I have been this year. Thank you for the chance to win this beautiful layer cake! Merry Christmas!
My goal is to put pray more often for those in need.
I am so moved and inspired by @craftycop! As a blessed member of the Police community in our town, we have been on the receiving end of just how much this family watches out for their own, and others, time and time again. My husband is actually an “IT guy” who’s job is to directly support our officers and police staff. We are the luckiest family in the world to have been adopted into this community, this brotherhood and sisterhood. They are the FIRST to help, to love and support, to supply meals and funds and manpower for any need. I make quilts as a therapy. I definitely don’t make money from them. Our department supports a children’s “foster” center, a place where children can go when their home lives are filled with abuse, turmoil and everything that a home should NOT be filled with. I am making quilts this year to donate to these kids, as well as in support of our officers and their families who may be suffering, struggling, or, most recently, injured in the line of duty. What an amazing group quilters are!!!!
Thank you for sharing this. I hope to be more appreciative of the things we missed in 2020.
What a beautiful story! We do not hear enough about the good that people do in this country. My guild makes honor quilts for our local first responders, fallen police and military. I am going to pass along this story. Thank you for sharing!
I am thinking about how much we will appreciate even the simple things in our life again as we hopefully are near the end of this pandemic. I enjoyed reading about your inspiration. What a nice tribute.
Thanks for sharing the story and the block.
What a great project! Heartwarming story. I sew for a charity called Firehouse quilts in the Denver area. We give over 1000 quilts a year to firehouses, police stations and hospitals in Colorado. also to families of fallen police officers.
I love this post. What a wonderful human being Jessica is.
My plan for 2021 is to turn the “crappiness of 2020 into happiness” 🙂 I’m also going to try to implement some of the changes I’ve made during quarantine, lock down etc… into my new lifestyle; not because I have to or I’ve been ordered to, but because perhaps, they’re better for me anyway 🙂
What a wonderful story! I will certainly follow her blog! Thanks to you as well for your time and energy keeping us entertained and busy this year!
Lisa, I loved reading Jessica’s story. I’ve shared her name & # with a friend of mine whose husband is a retired police officer & her son is an active cop. I’m sure she’ll love it especially since the police are so disrespected nowadays. I certainly hope for more peace for all along with better health. 2021 MUST be better than 2020 for all! My personal goals are always quilt-related & the same each year—finish UFOs & tried to stay focused on them. Merry Christmas to you & your family!
What a wonderful story you posted today. I love the added history of each block. Our church donates patriotic quilts to the wounded warriors along with CPS. My goal this year is to make more quilts than last year for my church. I LOVE 2sisters and can spot it from a mile away.
Blessings to you in the new year.
Mitzie
So many goals but I’ll list just three. Stay healthy. Stay positive. Finish my quilt.
Loved the story. I would love to do one of those quilts. I gave a friend whose husband is a police officer. She is a teacher. She helps plan a fundraiser to help families who have lost a loved in the line of duty. I would love to make a quilt and donate to their auction.
Thanks for sharing Jessica’s wonderful story!
One of my goals for 2021 is to quilt every day, at least 15 minutes.
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing! My goal for 2021 is to finally finish my giant dahlia quilt I started 17 years ago. I think it is time to get it done! I also have some curtain projects to complete as soon as I can. I am certainly hopeful that 2021 will be more back to normal with less chaos and negativity.
I have started 3 different quilts during 2020, My goal is to finish them all. Thank you to all of the Moda designers, I’m in awe of such talent.
Goals for 2021? No worrying. Keep going. Spend more time with family. Paint my house.
Thanks for sharing about Jessica’s & letting us know about it. it so wonderful that she does that. My niece’s husband is policeman and my hope is that he & the others all stay safe.
As the year ends, I am struggling with my annual holiday depression. I lost my mother 43 years ago on Christmas Day, and while I miss her all the time, the holidays are always the worst. I generally don’t feel like doing anything, but find if I force myself out of my chair and do something I feel better. I have been sewing, but having trouble focusing on that as well. I didn’t even attempt last week’s block as I found it overwhelming. Right now, I am looking for the holidays to be over and hoping 2021 will be better for everyone.