Olivia's Blankets

On November 23, 2011 my niece Olivia Madilynn was stillborn. Her parents, my brother & sister-in-law, allowed me to be with them on her still birthday and to hold their precious daughter. Their strength and this experience changed me in many ways. Olivia's life with us was too short, but she has made such an impact on my heart. This project is about remembering Olivia, letting her know how very special and loved she is, & sending love to other families who experience this devastating loss. 
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If you feel moved to make blankets... First, Thank You! This project is about taking care of those in our community who have experienced an unimaginable loss and it is about a small gesture to let parents know they are not alone and that their baby is special, important, recognized, and remembered. There is no minimum number of blankets worth making. Every single blanket is important & will be in the hands of parents, holding their most precious child, in a time of great need. You can help in many ways. You can make a sample blanket using the tutorial & printables below and reach out to your local hospital's donation coordinator or to local bereavement not-for-profits who already have established relationships with hospitals. (Sawyer's Heart is an example of a group in my area in Illinois. Hospitals & Facebook are great resources for finding bereavement box groups.)
Note: This project was designed to meet most hospital's guidelines, but nearly all hospitals also require pre-approval & a sample (to ensure safety, quality, etc.) before accepting donations. Each detail of the Olivia's Blanket project has been revised many times, with the guidance of many wonderful donation coordinators, to use wording & materials that were appropriate for as many people & programs as possible. I would recommend not making significant changes to the wording of the Olivia's Blankets post card (which is a necessary & important part of every finished blanket-options on how to get these cards below) to avoid wasted donations. Many parents have found this project therapeutic in their grieving process & have added their own child's name to the back of the cards with the phrase "In Loving Memory of ____" and in our experience this has been a fine change to make and has been accepted by all of our hospitals and appreciated by parents who often feel very alone during the time they're using the blankets. 
I would like to share this project freely & encourage individuals & groups to make blankets to donate to as many hospitals or groups worldwide. 
But... I do NOT give my consent for this project, my work, printables or anything on this page to be used FOR PROFIT.
(In plain terms, do not sell blankets to grieving parents. Donate or cover costs ONLY! This is a NOT FOR PROFIT project only!)

how to: TUTORIAL & PRINTABLES

  • The JPG can be uploaded to Vistaprint or other similar postcard printing services & ordered or the JPG can be downloaded & printed on your home printer.
  • The PDF can be printed at home or sent to a print shop. There are two PDF files--one with a single postcard & one with 2 postcards per page.
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scanned_postcard_2014_1_pdf.pdf
File Size: 2134 kb
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scanned_postcard_2014_2_pdf.pdf
File Size: 4573 kb
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​how to: INstructions
(video, basic, & detailed tutorials & printables below)

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS: A short visual aide walking you through the process start to finish. Show at blanket making gatherings or share across social media. This is also a great resource if you'd like to get Olivia's Blankets into your hospital & want to give your coordinator or boss an idea of exactly what these blankets are. (And if you go to this video on youtube, you'll find every link you'll need in this video's description. Very helpful!  https://youtu.be/EUpNMGzJusw )
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS: Print the image below & hand it out to those making blankets. (It looks like multiple pictures, but is all one & will print as one page.)  Right click anywhere on the image below,  Save Image As, Open & Print.  If you need help, email me sissydec@gmail.com
​DETATILED INSTRUCTIONS:  Print th Below you'll find a slideshow. Each picture, when clicked on, has a helpful caption with detailed explanations & links for supplies. Click the very first picture below, then continue to use the right > arrow to go through each picture. Read the captions, helpful hints, & links on each slide/image.
​This is a great resource to use to read through yourself or to show on a large screen for blanket making gatherings--you can go at your group's pace.

supply links:

Plastic Bags: Amazon- Search keywords "8x10 clear resealable cello bags" or click on any of these links.  Receiving Blankets: Target or Amazon Search "Receiving Blankets" or use the links below (Target usually has best prices.) You'll also need ribbon or yarn & scissors. Here is a link to my personal amazon list w/ the items I use as examples.
You can also order blankets off this wishlist & they'll be sent to us & turned into Olivia's Blankets & donated to hospitals.
  • https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1IGF9S9M0TL1Q?ref_=wl_share​

Official Olivia's Blankets Post Cards to include w/ each blanket:
  1. We use Vistaprint & print our cards in very large quantities. You can save/download & use the images at the top of this page to have your own cards made at Vistaprint, Kinko's, any print shop, or print on your own printer. 
  2. If you'd like the official cards, just send me at an email at SissyDec@gmail.com & I'll send you the # of cards you'll need. (We order them in such large quantities & are very happy to share. This can sometimes be the only challenging part. We're happy to take this off your plate & want your blanket making experience to be great!)
If you aren't able to make blankets at this time, but would like to help, please visit Jen, The President of The Little Birds Foundation & Olivia's Momma's Amazon List to order supplies that will be sent to us, made into blankets, & delivered to hospitals. If you'd like them made in your child's name, include that in the note & we will definitely do that for you!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2IU9R5I2SZ8CR/ref=cm_go_nav_hz

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If you have any questions, contact me through Instagram or EMail anytime SissyDec@gmail.com 

please visit olivia's mom's sites dear olivia madilynn and 
https://www.littlebirdsfoundation.org/

Olivia's mom, Jen, is an advocate in the baby loss community. She shares her story & the really beautiful ways she honors her angel babies--Olivia & Asher. If you're ready to be inspired, visit her site!

blanket count

With this being a community-share style project we aren't able to keep an exact record of how many blankets have been made and donated. But from the start this project has never been about the big numbers. Every single blanket holds a precious life and soul that, to that family, is the whole world. In that spirit, thank you for each and every single blanket that has been made with the most love and care for the most precious among us. To honor them, to hold them, to love them, to remember them. 
If you've made/donated blankets I would love to add a note to this page to recognize & honor your loved one & your special gift in their memory. EMAIL ME at Sissydec@gmail.com. 
I will only use basic information so that you & your family's privacy will be respected & protected.
Olivia's Blankets have been donated to:
  1. Sawyer's Heart provides support & comfort to bereaved parents through Memory Boxes. Sawyer's Heart relies on donations. Please visit them on facebook to learn more about their beautiful mission. Want to help? Here's their wishlist! 
  2. Mended Little Hearts of Chicago's Angel Boxes for parents whose children have passed due to a Congenital Heart Defect.
  3. Directly to community hospitals, hospices & bereavement groups.