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
I want to be able to see my quilting friends and enjoy quilt guild again!
What a lovely story and mission. I so appreciate your integrity and concern for the block as well as a willingness to get involved in a mission to share our skills. I’m a beginner and just finishing my first quilt of Valor so I think I can do this. I’ll touch bases wiith her about delivering quilts. Thanks for sharing a light during the darkest of times at the end of this year.
This year has been like no other and I am grateful we live where we do in New Zealand. I finished a couple of projects during our lockdown (oh the beauty of not feeling guilty sloping off to my sewing room) but we have been very lucky since the end of May and our lives are as close to normal as they can be. I am only too aware that this isn’t so in many places in the world. Taking a moment each morning, to think about the things we have with gratitude is something I will carry into the future.
Thanks for sharing that great story. Quilters are awesome!! =:). Haven’t thought much about goals for 2021. Praying that we’ll be able to get together with family again. Especially my 88 year old mother who lives by herself. So looking forward to visiting her and giving her numerous hugs!! =:)
Thank you for sharing this story. My goal is to keep my kids & myself healthy! Also start earlier on Christmas gifts for next year so I’m not rushed in December!
Thank you for sharing a wonderful story and for the opportunity to win beautiful fabric. My goal for 2021 is to keep myself and my family healthy.
SO thankful that I could retire this year. I have so many unfinished quilts. At 73, I am not getting any younger. My plan for 2021 is to finish at least 12 before I start anything else, but my fabric collection is extensive, and cries out to be used. I love Jessica’s story, so when I do start something new this year, I will include a quilt for Jessica’s mission.
My goal for 2021 is to make more lap quilts for the nursing home in my town, especially more patriotic ones for the men. Thank you for the inspiration, Lissa, and for the giveaway!
Thanks for introducing Jessica and her cause. My goal for 2021 is to finish my Blockheads 3 quilt and some unfinished, well loved projects and start some new ones!!
Hoping for health and happiness for everyone in the new year.
What a moving story! Love your block version 🙂 I really want to get organized for 2021 and do a major purging. I feel I didn’t even make a dent this year so plan on getting rid of projects I no longer love, making ones I do, and donating as much as I can. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you so much for sharing about this selfless act! I am really struggling to make it through these last days of 2020 and have no energy or interest in doing any of the crafts that I usually switch between (spinning, knitting, quilting, baking and pottery), so I’m hoping that some of my interest in any of these things comes back in 2021. Thank you for asking this question; just typing my answer gives me hope that things are looking up!
This story is inspiring me to do more for my community in 2021. I have one son in law enforcement and another son scheduled to go to academy next year. I will do my best to plug in to their departments to support all officers.
I hope to make projects for others throughout 2021 and finish some WIP. I want to continue making baby books for newborns, dolly quilts and quilts for those that are sick. I’m also going to try to stay positive by taking an hour everyday in 2021 to work on Christmas projects to hold onto JOY, LOVE, HOPE, PEACE and FAITH throughout the challenges ahead.
My goal is to get my husband healthy again.
My immediate goals for 2021 with regard to quilting is to make 4-5 quilts for my local Chapter for Quilts For Kids that I have been volunteering with since 2012 and absolutely love it; and for myself, I plan to make a quilt using a quilt pattern designed by Lorna McMahon with “Sew Fresh Quilts” by the name of “Ostrich Stretch”. If you haven’t seen this pattern, check it out! It is delightful!
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My plan for next year is to be more kind to my family, my friends and those with whom I interact. There had been so much hatred and division in our country this year that perhaps more daily kindness can start to bring us together.
Thank you for sharing Jessica’s story, I needed the reminder that my present difficulty is very temporary (right arm in cast following wrist fusion and bone repair). I won’t be able to do so many of the things I enjoy for another 6 weeks or more, but I can make some plans, and her story and comments have helped with that!
Wonderful post! We recently lost a 26 year old police officer in Charlotte, NC -Anthony Nobles, My daughter is his age. I can’t image his family’s pain.
I never make New Year’s resolutions, I always set goals! So, this year one of my goals is to revive my workout program.
Hi. Love the story. My goal for next year is remain healthy so I can see my family and friends also to get more UFOs completed. Thanks for the inspiration and block.
Beautiful story thank you for sharing.
As a former Police Officer, a wife of a deceased retired Police Officer and a sister of a retired Police Officer, this story really touched my heart. It’s been an extremely difficult year with the Covid-19 outbreak and the many violet demonstrations. It has broken my heart to see Police Officers killed, injured and disabled for simply doing their job. I know there are two sides to every story so I will not go further; however, take a walk in any Police Officer’s shoes any day and see just how difficult their jobs are.
My hope for 2021 is the end of Covid-19 outbreaks, workers can go back to their jobs, and families can get that much needed “together” time. Merry Christmas to you all!
we all need to stay healthy! i have not seen 3 of my 6 grandchildren for a whole year as they live in Canada! hopefully we will have hugs in 2021! i support the local police and have 2 very special friends who have retired from the police force. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for all you and the other designers have generously given to this quilting community. It’s the third Blockheads I have worked on. Thank you for sharing about Jessica and her project. My goal is to complete my quilt tops and give them to my family, we will have our 9th grandchild in 2021. So, there’s lot of quilts to make and finish, and six need to be for grandsons. Again, thanks for all you do.
Thanks for sharing that story. Love the block!
My goal for 2021 is to spend more time with my family. This year has taught me not to take time for granted. Hoping for lots of hugs1
I hope to get my sewing area better organized. Thanks for a great block.
Hello, thanks for sharing and for all you do and did to make the blocks we have had to make ourselves, its like putting a little of all of you into out blocks we make. Thanks again, and have a wonderful Holiday season of 2020.
Thanks so much for sharing the story! Such a wonderful cause. Love both blocks!!
This has been a challenging year for everyone. Right now, I am trying to decide on my plans for Christmas. I live far from my family and am missing them. I also have gifts to finish. My goals for next year are to quilt more and organize/clean out my home (that would hopefully help with the first goal). Thank you for the wonderful story about Jessica and her important mission. She rocks!
Thank you for sharing the background for your block. I’m hoping that next year will be kinder to us all.
Lissa, thanks for sharing. Great block. I’m looking forward to completing my first Blockheads quilt with Zen Chic’s layout and modern look. 2021 will be a good year to reconnect with others.
Thank you for sharing Jessica’s inspiring story! Given all the sadness this year, it’s so heartwarming to hear stories like this. My goal for 2021 is to make sure my mother has one of the best years of her life.
Thank you for sharing the dedicated and amazing work that Jessica is doing. My goal for 2021 is to continue to be vigilant against contracting the Corona virus and to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
It has been a joy to do BH3, thank you for being there every week. With little hope for the coming years, stitching may be my sanity. I’m trying to collect fabric now♡
I’m hoping for a much less stressful 2021 for myself, my family and my country. So many people having to endure life changing situations. I plan to do what I can to make life easier and more pleasant for my family and friends.
I’m planning on teaching two more grandsons to quilt, but we will start with pillow cases; we are all so excited!
I have a Pinterest board of quilts I plan to complete in 2021. My more important goal is to be a more conscience mom. We used to love weekend outings and since that’s not been a wise option most of this year, I’ve tried to do more fun crafts, painting, & gardening things with the kids (1, 3, & 5 years old), which has been tough while working full time. So, I’m trying to have a special activity planned each weekend for the kids and I to enjoy while staying safe.
Angela,
I am a mother of 5 that are all 2 years apart. While it was always mass chaos, I would not have traded it for the world. Merry Christmas to you and those sweet kids.
Thanking you for sharing such a great story! My goal for 2021 is to see and spend time with friends and family again and finish all my unfinished quilting projects and probably to start some new ones, too! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Great story! There are ways we can touch people with our talents and abilities. I’m planning on doing that more in the coming year.
Thank you for sharing Jessica’s story along with your block. My goal for 2021 is to turn my many flimsies into finished quilts. Merry Christmas!
Jessica is such a blessing to many. Next year I hope to finish some of my quilt tops. I have a bad habit of starting so many projects but machine quilting is my least favorite part. I hope to retire next year so quilting will help the time pass faster!
Bonjour
oui c’est une belle histoire qui doit durée dans le temps
En France des quilts sont faits pour des maternités qui reçoivent des prématurés, ceux sont des groupes de patchworks .
Pour les policiers ,pompiers , militaires cela est inexistant, pas la même culture, c’est plutôt un système de “caisse ” qui revient aux familles et surtout aux enfants . Mais je pense que c’est une excellente idée, les meurs peuvent changer.
Merci
I am so thankful we’ve not had anything like this in our area. My heart breaks for all the families that have been affected. I would definitely like to have our gals make some blocks to contribute to such a great cause. Hoping for a better 2021
2020 has been an interesting year. I plan to bring more joy to my life and others around me in 2021.
I will continue to work on my list of projects. Try a new technique to see if I like it or not. Try and stay healthy and keep pushing onward.
Thank you for sharing this story. Quilts are a comfort to so many, those who make them and those who receive them. I am currently finishing a T-shirt quilt for a family who lost a son to suicide a year ago.
My goal for 2021?? To FINISH the Blockheads I didn’t get done in 2020! I hit a snag in Sept. when I spent a month moving my parents 1200 miles to be closer to us and haven’t had time or energy to resume my cutting and piecing. I faithfully print each block each week! It’s been a wild year!
I have three quilts for each of my daughters that I would like to get completed in 2021. If those are the only quilts I make I will be happy but hope to squeeze in many more too!
Such a sweet story that leaves us in tears. I can’t comprehend how the families of fallen officers are affected. All I can think of is “Thank You”. Not only did your loved one dedicate his life to the service of others, but you and the rest of your family did too.
God Bless you Jessica for all you do and my “Thank You” is heartfelt and forever on my Heart and in my Prayers.
I would love to visit and hug my mom. She lives in memory care (late stage Alzheimer’s) and they are not allowing visitors due to the covid surge. They are all covid free and want to keep it that way.