Small update

Ok, so I'm still working on the Lover's Knot blanket for my friend, J.  It's about halfway done, I hope to finish by July, we'll see.  I'm also working on my charity project, winter wear for the homeless of MTL.  So far I have 3 mittens.  It's not going to clothe everyone, obviously, but I'm hoping next year, I'll have a few volunteers and helpers to make these things, it's hard to get very many on one set of needles!!

That's my update!!!!  Enjoy the summer breeze, everyone!!!

My bad

I just reviewed my "about me" page, and apparently, I promised to update 3x a week.  It hasn't worked out that way, has it?  To tell you the truth, it's been tough going.  I need to make knitting more of a priority in my life.  I would like to put in 40 hours/week, which is... we'll say 5.5 hours/day.  Yeah... that's a lot of knitting for anyone, especially when this particular knitter has 2 boys, one of whom is starting school next year, but has a bunch of meetings this month, to get USED TO school next year.

I have to suck it up, though!  Eventually, I'd like to have an etsy store... It costs 25$ to get a place!  I don't work, and haven't made any money yet for myself through knitting.  When I'm finished the Lover's Knot blanket for my friend, and she pays me, I will be getting my space, though.  Then it's going to be really real.  Until then, I have to keep working, and keep from going crazy!

They gave my son HOMEWORK!  Can you believe it?  He hasn't started school yet, but we already have a craft project to do... for tomorrow.  We had a week to do it, but since it was my hubby who went to the meeting and not me, I had no idea what needed to be done.  Apparently, he just has to make something recognizable and talk to the class about what he made. The project is taking some of that silk paper, tearing it and making balls of different colors, gluing it to a piece of paper. We're doing it today, after my 2.5 year old goes for his nap.

Hmmmm... that last part wasn't about knitting, was it?  Bah, it all comes back to things that are taking up my time instead of knitting.

Cheers!

Update on charities

I called 4 places on my list - Logifem, Passages and Auberge Transition (Old Brewery did not call me back yet) and I have started knitting for Auberge.  I have decided to allocate 2 months to each charity, hopefully having enough mittens, scarves and slippers to help out with each.  It take me 1 day to make 1 mitten.  I know I could make a full pair if I devoted more time to it, but lets face it, I'm a stay-at-home mom who's husband works on average 3 jobs at a time (minimum).  So... yeah.  I am enjoying knitting for a good cause, though.  And Supernatural is helping me out quite a bit!  Next, I will watch Buffy, the Xena, then some others I can't think of right now.  It'll be good, though.

Charitable organizations

As many already know, I've been involved with Love Drop since January (I know, forever, right!?)  I'm still planning on sending some knits over when I can, but it's actually really expensive (to the tune of 25-30$) just to send something over to the states, where they are based.  They have, however, given me the encouragement I need to look into some charities closer to home to give to.  After extensive research, I have called 6 organizations, and am looking forward to making donations to them :)

Without further ado, here are my picks:

- St-Willibrord's church (I'm expecting a call back from them, but I'm hoping to participate in their arts and crafts bazaar in the fall, with donations and raffles and fun times!)

- Old Brewery mission  (homeless shelters)

- Auberge Transition  (a women and children center)

- Logifem (for women in difficulty)

- Passages (for girls who are runaways, prostitutes, or considered at-risk for becoming prostitutes)

- Dans la Rue (for homeless kids and young adults (ages 15-25)

I'm not sure exactly how often I will donate to each charity, or if I can even MAKE donations to each one, and keep up with knitting something for Love Drop every now and again, and knitting the blanket I was commissioned to do (I'm a 1/3 of the way done, btw)

Oh, and if anyone thinks - like me - that these are worthwhile charities, you can always look them up and see if your community has anything similar, and by all means, go for it!  I'm off to get patterns, and choose wool.

February love drop, and intro to March!

Last month the Love Drop Team raised over $13,000 (and 3 iPads!) to help two little boys with autism receive a service dog. They were beyond touched, and we did this in only 1 month - that's it. Everyone came together and gave a few bucks each to impact one family's life. If you were a part of it, THANK YOU!  You can check out the final video of us showing up to their house here - it's pretty cool.

 

This month we start all over again and rally behind Katie, a single mom out in Dallas battling not only two brain tumors so far (she's knocked out one, and currently working on the other), but who's also dealing with hydrocephalus. We'd love to bring the community her way, and make a huge dent in her medical bills.

 

Wanna help?  Here are 3 ways we could use you:

1. Give $1.00 - This is the best way to help out and join our team at the same time.
2. Join our blogger network - Blog about our Love Drops each month like I am :) It's easy, it's rewarding, and it REALLY helps spread the word (which in turn helps our families). Love Drop will give you all the content you need.
3. Give a gift or provide a service - Gift cards are always helpful. Places like Target, Safeway, gas stations, etc would definitely help them out.
    
    
   It's seriously a great organization to get behind.  While the blanket I was sending didn't quite work out, I'm going to look up some small knits I could do for Katie.  I'll be (please God) sending it early this time, and hopefully avoid the 25$ delivery cost!!!!!  Geez, Canada Post is trying to bleed me dry!
    

Blanket for Feb

I'm about 3/4 of the way done with the blanket I'm making for February's love drop recipients.  I'll be posting a picture later today, tomorrow at the latest.  I assume I will have to send it out soon, I haven't checked the LoveDrop website lately, so I'm not sure when the drop is going to be... should really do that, huh?  Off I go... *sigh*

Love Drop no. 2, and recap!

Last month the Love Drop Team raised over $2,500 and boxes after boxes of goods and items to help Jill and her family get through a hard time in their lives (homelessness & financial worries). We did this in 1 month. All 400+ people came together and gave a few bucks each to impact one family's life. If you participated in this, THANK YOU. The final presentation can be seen here. (It's pretty cool!)

 

This month we start all over again and circle around 2 beautiful kids with severe autism -- Ethan & Alex. Our goal is to raise $13,000 so we can get them a highly trained service dog. And if possible, two iPads so they can speak again (they can't even say "I love you" to their mom -- these iPads allow them to get their voice back).

 

Here are 3 ways you can help:

1. Join the team - This is the best way to help out, and all it takes is $1.00.
2. Join our blogger network - Blog about our Love Drops each month like I am :) It's easy, it's rewarding, and it REALLY helps spread the word (which in turn helps our families). Love Drop will give you all the content you need.
3. Give a gift or provide a service - Gift cards (iTunes would be great!), two iPads (so we can help the boys speak again!), and anything else you think could help out.
    
   Last month, I made a little something for each family member... all 4.  This time, there are 5.  It may be a bit more difficult to make something this time around, but I will go do my research on autism, I seem to remember some importance on touch, which is right up my alley!  I think, at the very least, I'll make something for the 3 kids, I wouldn't want the little girl to be left out!!!!!!!!  I'll write again soon, once I get a bit more info on what to make.