Thursday, November 30, 2006

Giving Back



I have a lot on my mind these days. Some of it craft related, some of it kid related, some of it life in general, making ends meet---age old story I think we all know. Usually when I'm troubled I find myself crocheting a lot of items for people I don't know—Charity work. I do so dislike that word---Charity. I prefer to think of it as giving back to the community at large. A way to repay that sweet old man who helped me with getting my groceries in the car, in the pouring rain; I didn't ask, he just helped me. It's not even about me personally….There's a kid in my hometown who goes to visit many of our elderly just because he wants to. Or how about the work Habitat for Humanity does? Neither of those situations have a direct impact on my life, but they do touch my heart. So in return, I make baby booties and hats for newborns or preemies in the county hospital. I send them along anonymously, no need for anyone to know. It's just something to do. Eases my mind, helps mend whatever is broken at the moment and gives me some perspective about my worries and woes. I'm not alone, everyone has something to deal with, their own cross to bear. Crocheting is my therapy.

So why bring this up here? Simply because I was really surprised to learn how many people are completely unaware of community organizations in need of handmade gift items. A pair of preemie baby booties takes about 30 minutes from start to finish for me to make. They are small…less than two inches in length, tiny little ribbons ties on them, I use a small hook and soft cotton crochet thread most of time. To most folks they're just a pair of baby booties, but to the mother of a child fighting for its life, it's the comfort of knowing someone is thinking about her child and praying with her.


Okay in fairness, 30 minutes is pretty darn quick, times may vary….I've been crocheting since I was six and I'm 46 now, so I've got 40 years of honing my hooking technique behind me!—Doesn't change the mission though…Anyone can help! Maybe making baby clothing isn't your thing. There are many other organizations, everything from teddy bears to animals….Prayer shawls are made and given to people who are terminally ill or going through some sort of personal crisis. The gift of the shawl reminds the recipient someone is praying for them, and encourages them to pray as well. Nursing homes are often looking for lapghans or slippers for their residents. Heartmade Blessings puts together donated squares to make afghans for people facing disaster or illness; they also make baby items and a number of different pins meant to serve as a reminder that no one is alone. One organization makes butterflies and angels for hope. Caps To The Capitol is sponsored by Red Heart yarn. The company wants crocheters and knitters alike to make baby caps to be sent all over the world---In a number of third world countries, many babies don't live through their first month of life, some don't make it through the first 24 hours---something as simple a cap for warmth can make a life or death difference for a child.

This is not about me and what I do….I tend to try to live by the scripture of doing good for others in secret…However to the avid crocheter and knitter. To the beginner and to the once in a while crafter, I ask that you consider this: Others will benefit from your skill…no matter what level you're at. Free patterns are all over the internet—A few places like Wal-Mart have been known to donate the yarn if you have letter head from the organization you're making items for. You don't have to invest in expensive yarn in order to make a gift that will lift spirits and provide comfort to those in need. You can make a difference by spreading hope one stitch at a time.


PS....
A few more resources :
Crocheters Guild Of America

Charity Crafting

More Free Patterns

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Ready Or Not Here Come The Holidays

On my list of things to be thankful for--The holiday frenzy and madness comes but once a year. Thanksgiving down, Christmas and New Year's to go. It's not that I'm a Scrooge, I love the holidays, love being with my family, love our little traditions---all of that is the stuff warm fuzzies are made of. No...it's the false hype, unrealistic expectations, the push for the perfect holiday season created by merchants and corporations worried about their bottom lines, and traffic from hell--That's the part I don't like. But like everyone else, you'll see me trudging on, determined to survive another year.

I do a lot of spinning during the holiday season--on a drop spindle, not a spinning wheel. There's something about focusing on the drafting triangle and watching fibers twist into a strand of yarn that is akin to type of Zen...chicken soup for the fiber artist's soul. The transcending moment is short lived, but any moment of peace within during the holidays is a welcome respite--at least for me!

Tada! The dresses for the nieces!

I finished them a long time ago...But alas, took forever to mail them. I am truly working on getting things mailed off on time.The dresses are worked in size 10 crochet thread, DMC Traditions . The bedazzled effect is created by doubling thread--using a solid and a variegated thread. I like the "energized" look of the color combination. It's a a little harder to work with doubled threads, but I think the final product is well worth the effort!
*Side note---In keeping with the high hopes of overcoming the tyranny of the postal troll (of course there's a postal troll, that wicked beastie is the reason I can't mail things off on time--what? you thought it was me???) Anyway, where was I...oh yeah, in keeping with hopes of getting things mailed off in time. The snowflakes for this year are done, the cards have been bought, addressed and stamped, I'm just waiting for the first week in December to mail them out. This is a first for me! After the snowflakes are mailed, I'll post a picture of this year's offering along with the pattern.

So, in the works right now---a number of scarves--yes I'm still on that kick, a couple of new patterns for little girls' dresses, a few ideas for a vest done in tapestry crochet, some new texture combinations, always fun!, a few new yarns to try out, and as always, that tablecloth in size 30 crochet thread...One day I'll finish that project...and...a new idea for a crochet tote--I've been a busy bee in the pattern drafting department!
Plenty to keep my hook hard at work...but as someone near and dear to my heart is fond of saying...busy is a good problem to have...

Friday, November 10, 2006

Snowflakes And Other Assorted Odds and Ends

Tis the season to be making snowflakes! Yup...I do it every year. I make upwards of 100+ snowflakes, slide them into Christmas cards and then send them out to family and friends. My grandmother started the tradition when I was a little girl. When she died there were a number of years we didn't have a new snowflake on our family tree...But quite a while back, I decided to revive the tradition. Now I'm the family snowflake maker, I create a different design every year as no two snowflakes are ever alike! Makes sense it would be me to take over the snowflake job, I was the only one who learned how to crochet! I'm hoping my niece Sarah will take it up when I'm no longer able to make the Christmas snowflakes....So far she's like me in so many ways, and she has the "gift" for picking up whatever medium she wants to express herself in and making it happen....Beautiful girl both inside and out and I love her dearly.

Aside from son Bryce making the honor roll once again...(Amen! third grade is really tough!) There's not a lot going on here. I've been working and chasing this project and that project. Bryce has his karate classes and trips to the tennis courts. Yes, tennis courts...I'm not sure if I've shared that with my family, but yes, he enjoys tennis and he's pretty good at it. I've considered lessons for him, but with school being so challenging this year, I'm hesitant to put more on his plate. I think for right now we'll just leave it as is and just let him knock the ball against the backboard for a while. Brian is in his senior year--with all the twists and turns that go with that...Mercy busy time! I will add I've failed miserably in the "My Mom can drive" catagory....My kids don't say "my Mom can drive"....My kids say.."My Mom can make, can bake, can sew etc..."! Such faith in my abilities...I suppose I should be grateful for that faith....I'm working on it-- in between making pies for bake sales and crocheting skull caps for auctions!
I'm sincerely hoping to get some pictures of my projects on here this weekend--And then get said projects in the mail FINALLY. I don't know what the heck happens to me in that last step--I liken my postal habits to my laundry habits...I'm really good about washing, drying, and folding up the laundry, but something happens in that "put it away" step...It's like there's a complete breakdown. Perhaps I have some sort of traumatic childhood experience with laundry I can't recall---Hmmm..Maybe that's why I can't make it to the post office--I have postal depression! I know I know...Bad, really bad!

I have a number of patterns headed to various publications in the next few months...Yes I'm excited...Having had two of my designs picked up, I'm eager to get more of them down in writing--The toughest part is finding testers! Though I did find a site a while back with willing testers...Which made for an ever so happy Stitch Witch! Crochetville is the site...I can't get enough of it! There's SO much info and such friendly exchanges among the forum members. I love being there. If you're ever talking to me online and I get quiet, it's pretty well a safe bet I'm on that site soaking up my crochet junkie fix....Great site, great people!(Well, I'm either on that site or playing Scrabble--yes I'm a wordfreak, I wear it loud and proud!)

Ta Dearies...Back to stitchin.....

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Once Upon A Time There Was This Hooker.....

Minds out of the gutter people...Not THAT kind of hooker-- A crochet hook! For those of us addicted to hooks and yarns, wishing one another Happy Hooking is not taboo, in fact it's almost expected!
Where to begin.....

So...I've been busy...I found a luscious yarn and I just can't get enough...It's called Symphony and it's made by Red Heart...Now I'll admit, I'm a yarn snob from time to time....Let's be honest here, like a lot people I make the jump to Red Heart being Walmart standard issue...Truth is Red Heart produces some beautiful designer yarns..(I discovered Tiki yarn over the summer, yet something else for another time!)...This Symphony stuff...oooh so nice. I would not recommend it to the beginning crocheter or knitter...It's somewhat temperamental and has a tendency to knot up easily...However it does produce an absolutely gorgeous halo effect for whatever garment in the making. I've been on a scarf kick as of late...I don't know why...I just have...Scarves and baby clothes...Anyway...back to the Symphony yarn...It's lightweight and is spun with a thin black thread throughout the fibers creating a sort of speckled look when it's worked up. The speckled look combined with the halo effect leads me to believe this yarn could easily be made over into crocheted haute couture....So there you have it...How I'm spending my evenings at present...Crocheting....and quilting...We'll talk about the quilts later...Coming along nicely, but not as fast I would like...I've lost my quilting stitch zip speed...Man getting old mega sucks!