Community Sewing

Do you hoard fabric? Are you waiting for that special project to create from the fabric you purchased ~ or acquired one way or another ~ one, five, or ten years ago? Are you overwhelmed with it all?

In addition to my personal hoarding tendencies over the years, within the last three months I’ve received SEVERAL generous sacks and boxes of fabric from lovely family members and friends. Each one told me the story of how they acquired the stash. They all shared that I immediately came to mind when they received the fabric – to pass along to me, knowing I would create something worthwhile.

Again, a heartfelt and humble Thank You to all of you for thinking of me!

What should I do with this wonderful donated stash of fabric? It’s a no-brainer – community sewing projects! But then, I thought: who, what and where? So, I went – you guessed it if you’ve been following my blog – to the Internet.

Quilts of Valor Foundation – I like to piece quilt tops, but have issues with hand quilting. I learned from this site, they match up folks like me with long arm quilters who also donate their time and expertise! 

CyberSeams created a list of charities. Although some are knit or crochet projects, many include sewing projects that the charities need. I’ve pulled out a few that especially touched my heart:

• Blankets of Hope has a no-sew blanket, too! Perfect for those who want to contribute, but don’t know how to sew!
  
  
  
• Heads up family and friends… no more wrapping paper! I wonder if I could make a Green Grocery bag for every soul living in my little town? Will you meet the green grocery bag challenge?
• 
  
• 

The Green Grocery Bag lady explains how and why she started this project –

And, she created a video to show how to make one! Easy! Simple! Quick!

• Care Wear is nationwide and in Canada and in Italy!!! They have a list of items needed, and a link to sewing patterns. I clicked on “Hospital” and entered the information I wanted to see. For example, I was pleasantly surprised with the many different locations around Texas!

• On the All PeopleQuilt website you’ll see where American Patchwork & Quilting is sponsoring the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge. Their motto:

Make a Pillowcase. Make a Difference.

• Are you in Colorado? Check out the Warm Hearts ~ Warm Babies website and see how you can help. 

I hope I’ve given you the inspiration to do a few community sewing projects! And, I hope I’ve given you some resources for the who, what and where!

Nothing for Granted

It’s Halloween and we’ve already had a small “trick” played on us: we lost power about two o’clock this morning. Electricity didn’t return until almost five. Although I slept during most of the outage, it was odd not being able to check the time, or even see where I was going once I did get out of bed! It’s dark out here in the country! Low level lighting throughout the house and outside normally lights my path, but not today!

As I slowly woke ~ knowing there was no power ~ I thought, what could I do to continue with projects I’ve started and really need to get finished? I briefly put myself back in the day when there wasn’t electricity, but stopped my wandering mind knowing the women of yesteryear were already set up with lanterns, pedal sewing machines, etc.

Ah! A part of me would love to go back in time, to capture that experience (without knowing what I would be missing)!

Losing electricity, if for a little while, reminds me not to take anything for granted. And, I don’t have time to daydream. Thankfully ~ as I’m always grateful for the technology age I live in now ~ power is back on and I can get things done!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Half over!

Yes! The struggle through the Hot Hot days and Warm nights are numbered! Positive thinking, I'm thinking! It's 9:30 p.m. and temps have dropped to a cool 95. "Experts" predict a slight chance of rain tomorrow and Sunday... we'll see. A bit ago I was outside walking around the yard with my girls. It was then I realized the now dried out, burnt, dead grass sounds like I'm stepping on/breaking ice. The poor yard's condition is absolutely pitiful. We're doing the best we can keeping the shade and pecan trees watered and that's about it. When living with only access to a well, and with the lack of rain, water is extremely precious.

I found a picture of our girls last year about this time... what a difference...

I don't have a picture from this year near the same weed-filled iris & garlic bed! But, I did take a picture a few days ago of my new hiking/walking boots...

Seriously, this is not a black & white photo!

Anyhoo... while staying inside with the air conditioner running full blast, I finished a project, several others are almost done, and I'm about ready to begin a totally new craft never before attempted! I'll share the secret, process, and result when done!

Custom order Chef Apron & 2 matching dinner napkins - Done! (Picture after gift is given!)
Custom Apron - 90% done
Custom Bag - 90% done
Custom Doll Dress - 95% done

How are you handling the heat? Whatever you're doing, don't forget to drink water!