The Help

I've joined a book club organized by some ladies at work. Thankfully, we meet during our lunch hour, so I don't have to try to juggle another evening committment. The first book I am reading as a part of the group is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It is so good I'm having a hard time putting it down. Since I spent most of my time this weekend reading it, I've come upon two realizations (which, unsurprisingly, have nothing at all to do with the book in particular):
1. The snuggie commercial that complains that blankets are hard to use while reading because your arms are outside the blanket and get cold is right on the money! As you know, my house is chilly. When I'm laying down reading, I am usually covered with a blanket and usually have on a hood or hat, but my arms get so cold! So, although I tease my sister and my friend, Sarah, for their Snuggie usage, I am going to make myself one and you can, too, by clicking here!

2. Although I sell and am giving away lots of bookmarks and they are totally fun and easy to make, when I need to mark my place in a book, I tear a corner off of whatever paper is laying around. That's a shame, so I decided that in addition to the snuggie, I will make myself 5 bookmarks (I need 5 because I can never read just one book at a time!)

Have a Heart for Haiti

By now we all know at least a part of the enormity of the tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti. My mother had a church friend who hadn't heard from her family, but, after calling out the prayer warriors, she finally heard from them and they are well. There are many joyful stories and many that bring me to tears. Michele and I, like so many of you, have dug into our bank accounts and given what we can. When Michele comes home next she'll take the time to go donate blood - they are in such desperate need, so if you can donate, please do. Many of us are using the simple text message to send $10 to the American Red Cross - Verizon has already given $3 million dollars on behalf of Verizon users simply texting HAITI to 90999. We're all doing our part worldwide. In church this morning, Rev. Jim said that if you feel like you're alone doing just a little, it is very difficult to feel hopeful. I want to let everyone know that no one is alone in this effort. And I want to personally thank everyone who has done even a little something in the wake of this tragedy. And to that end, it's nice to get a little something as a "thank you!" for doing what you can. It would give me great joy to send each person reading this blog a little "Thank YOU!!" in the form of a quilted bookmark. So, for the rest of January, if you've given to the relief efforts in Haiti, go to my profile and email me your name and address so that I may personally thank you.

Charity In Stitches

By avoiding shoveling the snow, I've been having a lot of fun the past few weeks. I've been relaxing and playing in my craft room. I gave myself a few weeks off from making things for the shop and have been enjoying working on my pay-it-forwards (yes, they were due by the end of the year, but good things come to those who wait.) I've also been working on a flannel quilt for the bed in Michele's truck. It's so cute and I can't wait to finish it to show you all.  Another fun project is one that sort of benefits the shop, by getting the shop name out there, but really is all about the animals (not squirrels, rabbits, or ground hogs, though!)

Back in November, I found this Etsy shop, Vegan Craft Samples, that sells bags with 17-20 vegan craft samples and donates all the money from sales to an animal santuary or rescue program. I thought it'd be very cool to participate, so during my break I sewed up some very pretty bookmarks to be included in the Valentine's Day bags (on sale February 1st!) I had so much fun making them, but had even more fun wrapping them up! Oh, how exciting to send out 25 little gifts! The proceeds of the current bags and the Valentine's Day bags all go to the Pigs Peace Sanctuary, which rescues abandoned pigs from pounds and other shelters - most were abandoned after the pot bellied pig pet fad fell out of fashion (wow, try saying that 10 times fast!)

Flossing update: still on track, morning and night (even Friday night at 3 am!)