The Crafty Christians are a group of women from around the area, primarily members of the First United Methodist and Liberty United Methodist churches of Quitman.

Meeting for the past 18 years, they make blankets and quilts for the Linus Project.

Project Linus is a national charitable organization established in 1995.

Its mission is helping children in need. Its namesake is the popular Peanuts character who always has his blanket handy.

The Project Linus mission statement: “At Project Linus, a non-profit organization, we provide homemade blankets to children in need. Our blankets are lovingly made by adults and children from all walks of life and many different sources.”

Recently the group was given a medium-arm quilting machine by Missy Duke who owns Calico Junction in Winnsboro.

This quilting machine will enable the group to produce blankets and quilts more quickly and easily.

Having joined Project Linus just two months ago, the group is already responsible for 65 donated quilts.

They have done that by working from home, as they have been unable to meet since February due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The group began as two ladies who made small items to take to hospitals. Over the years that progressed to layettes and other items for the maternity ward at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

They have also assisted with hand-made items for children who are clients of the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center in Winnsboro.

They joined Project Linus last year and began to ramp up their efforts in recent months,  communicating through calls and emails.

They take the blankets to a project coordinator in Tyler, who helps distribute them to local organizations.

It’s a worthwhile project, and the ladies also have fun, said Donna Benge.