Comfort Doll Project: Three Comfort Dolls from Annie Bernstein of MD

Why a Comfort Doll Project?

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 .

Linda Feuge was the creator of this beauty which you see in the background. 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 many charity groups that Artists of any medium can join,many of which I donate crazy quilt blocks or items to. However, I haven't seen art donations going toward battered women shelters.

They may be out there, I just haven't been aware of any. When Crazy Quilting International, an online group asked about projects for charity causes, I raised my hand to collect cloth "Healing","Spirit","Comfort" dolls to be gathered by the dozen and sent to Women's shelter's. Not going over too well, I took this project on myself. I believe there is a need to be filled.

Jo Newsham is a dear friend from New Zealand who collected several dolls to distribute there. If anyone wants to collect and send to their country and would like the tags I attach to each doll just email me and I would be happy to share it with you.

Please know that anyone who donates a doll can submit a name of a shelter in their town/state/country, to receive a dozen Comfort Dolls when available.If your state has already received a dozen dolls, I will put it on a list fora future shipment.

Inspiration behind project:
Unlike Jo, I had a short confrontation with physical abuse in my late teens. 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.I was young , inexperienced, and naive. Embarrassment kept me from revealing my horrid mistake. Unknowingly, just like myself, many women are taken down this path daily. This experience can leave you with low self esteem and the feeling of failure.Fortunately I have found my Prince Charming and life is good.
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. A gentle hug,a smile,a nudge to go forward and see there is sunshine behind the mountain.

Imagine a woman being handed a beautiful handmade 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 firsthand where she has been and hoping she will have brighter days ahead. The woman carries this doll in her purse, pocket, or perhaps pinned to her lapel, 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. Actually I KNOW this will happen. Won't you join me?

If anyone wants to create a "Comfort doll", please email me or send them to the address at the end of this post. 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. With our current poor economy, the statistics for abuse increase.

Comfort doll specifications: 6" max size (smaller preferred) doll of any medium. It may have a face or be plain,any color,any shape, embellishing such as beading,sequins,and charms need to be sewn on very securely please. Crazy quilting, Fimo faces, painted,cross stitch,felted,etc is all wonderful and welcome. You may choose any pattern you desire or make your own.I add a message to each doll, but feel free to add a sentiment of 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.

You may email for address to send dolls.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Three Comfort Dolls from Annie Bernstein of MD

Annie Bernstein of Maryland wanted to contribute to the Comfort Doll Project and wasn't sure if her needlework would qualify. Well, you be the judge! Annie made three cross stitch dolls and they are fabulous. What treasures these will be in the hands of their lucky recipients. Annie wished to share the names of the designers of the patterns she used for her dolls.
The designers are : Chinese doll-DMC, Orange doll-Le Petit Monde de Vavi, and the fairy doll is from Pine Glen Designs .

Annie contacted Lorrie Ramsay of Pine Glen designs for permission to share the doll she used Lorrie's pattern for. Lorrie took interest in the project and contacted me to submit a story on the Comfort Doll Project.

You can read the article in her Newsletter, just click on Newsletter and "New". It starts on page one and continues on page four. Thank you Lorrie for helping us spread the word, and to let anyone interested know that they do not have to be a doll maker to contribute.

It is such a pleasure to meet and work with such wonderful people. Thank you all for spreading the word and for all you do.