Fidget Books

Fidget Books – OVWC Board members Judy Murphy and Carina Solecki displayed one of the recently created books at our last meeting, Judy Murphy gave an update on the project and showed some of the completed books. We were approached by the Community Memorial Hospital-San Buenaventura and Ojai Valley Community Hospital to create these books for their patients under severe stress.
Kits were assembled by a large group of volunteers at the last Hand Stitching Group meeting, with items that were purchased and donated and volunteers took the kits home to assemble them. It was a successful start to an ongoing project, and Judy will be seeking feedback from the Hospital for this first stage. Many members volunteered and will be making the Fidget Books and blankets led by Judy Murphy with assistance from Suzanne Shaffer.

March 21, 2026

Fidget Book Update

As I told the Ojal Valley Community Memorial Hospital OVCMH and the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club OVWC Board, our initial goal is to deliver 10 fidget books per month. I suspect their need is much greater, but I do not want to over promise and under deliver! Our first delivery took place this week and we sent them our first 12 books. Yay!  I expect feedback about what works best etc. which I will pass on to you.

Some of you open your machine and whip a couple out at once (well, maybe not “whip”).  Others take a bit longer, but I am told the second one is much easier than the first.  I would like to know if each of you can commit to making at least one/month?

We just picked up a ton of new fabric from Teresa’s quilting club so we have supplies to last!  And she took 5 kits to give to her seamstresses!!  (We are searching for more seamstresses so please let me know if you have any suggestions.)  It is so cool to know that one distressed patient, their caretaker and the medical personnel all benefit from your effort. And I am told that fidget books often become like security blankets for these patients.

Sincerely, Judy Murphy