Coffee, anyone?

I know most of you aren't coffee drinkers. Maybe your parents are, or friends, or co-workers are- so you can spread the word to them. Well, I am a big coffee drinker. I love the idea of fair trade. I don't know why I haven't been doing this, but I'm going to start now. When I went to Guatemala I got to see first hand the whole coffee process. And it's a lot of work.
Please take a few minutes to look at this slide show to see more. So here is a little more info. about this coffee in their words:
For over ten years the Mission has been selling the best coffee in Guatemala and exporting it throughout the United States. Working with a cooperative of small growers, the Mission ensures that these workers receive better than fair trade prices for their harvest, over triple the national average. The street price for 100 pounds of coffee is Q 60.00. This gives very little income to families. We buy coffee at Q 200.00 per 100 pounds. We ensure the finest beans and closely monitor the quality of the coffee. We are also involved in every level of coffee production: from picking the coffee fruit to drying it, from sorting and roasting the beans to grinding them. Our coffee is packaged in colorful cloth bags created by the residents of San Lucas. The entire coffee program, from the cultivation of the beans to the sewing of the bags, is entirely geared to supporting the local economy, providing just wages for the people of San Lucas, and producing the finest coffee Guatemala has to offer.
Click here to buy the coffee:

It comes in those cute cloth bags. The coffee is fabulous. It's only $7.00/ lb. Cheaper than in the store. Yes, you have to pay for shipping, but it ships out of MN, so you might even be able to pick it up yourself if you live near the area.
I can back it up 100%. I have seen it with my own two eyes. And that trip is when I became a coffee drinker. Please spread the word.

Here are all the families you are helping. In addition to the local farm (where I got to pick beans at) they buy it from other local families to help them:
In addition to the coffee harvested on the farm, the project buys coffee produced by selected families in the community on their own land to help them obtain a just market price at the time of harvest.
The following list shows the number of families from whom the project buys coffee:
115 families from the village of Chitulul
175 families from San Lucas Tolimán
9 families from San Juan La Laguna
11 families from Pampojilá
2 families from the village of San Martín
1 family from the village of Panimaquip
2 families from the village of San Gabriel

My next post will show what I'm going to do with the money!

a place for your pins to call home

Ta da! My rendition of Posie's lovely little felted sweater pin cushion. I so should not have posted hers, my inspiration first. Mine is a humble (at best!) comparison...But I still love it. Things I learned: This was surprisingly pretty easy to make without a pattern. The only tricky part is getting all of the corner seams to line up. Err, you can tell it's pretty flawed. Also, I underestimated the amount of strrettcchhing that the fabric would do once I stuffed it. It's definitely a super-sized pin cushion! Now to find some pretty pastel pins to decorate it!

Christ Follower...easier said than done

Hey Girls,
I walked away from church (Blackhawk) yesterday thinking...Pastor Chris must read our blog! His message was the perfect way to wrap up my month. His message spoke of how we need to have a Christ like attitude that puts others first. Phil. 2:5 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." If you get a chance enjoy this weeks sermon "Religion vs. The Gospel."

an update from little miss slacker

I just found this oh-so-inspiring sweater pin cushion over at Posie Gets Cozy. She amazes me. I'm thinkin' that this is what I need to make with my sweater. Now for a free day to get crafty. I promise, I'm getting there. :) Oh, and for my {week 3} challenge sharing the gift of relaxation...I just sent a massage gift certificate to my dear, dear friend Gretchen. I can't be there in person to give her hugs, so I figured a massage could be the next best thing. She really needs one. Even more than a massage this week, she really needs our prayers. She is crumbling right now. Pray for her to find strength+wisdom+healing.

Lets Play a little game...

Guess Who?




She's a cute little lady with a growing belly!





You guessed it! It's our friend Kimmy who is now 7 months along!

Our ages may be similar...




but what were going through at this very moment in life makes us totally different people!


This has been a wonderful mid-week get away, I made the lovely little road trip from Madison, WI to Mankato, MN to see our high school friends Kim and Kyle (and the little one on the way). I knew I just had to get over here to see Kimmy before it was to late. Out of all my friends Kim is one that has wanted to be a mommy since high school I couldn't miss out on seeing her with an adorable belly! We've had a great day seeing the cute little shops of Mankato, and I have gotten plenty of time to enjoy rubbing her belly!

4 weeks of giving: week 3

Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love. –Lao Tza

This week show someone you love them through the gift of relaxation by surprising them with a back rub, foot soak, manicure or some other type of physical compassion gift you think of.

pay to the order of: ilc building fund

Yesterday at church I opened up the bulletin and was completely wowed by the new building plans for our Alma Mater. I'd been seriously doubting that this project would ever actually come to fruition. {We all know each other's true opinions about the way our dear school is run, so I'll leave it at that!} I'm seriously excited about the architect's rendering and the floor plans for the new building. It looks great you guys! The special music & art rooms are my favorite part. Imagine that! I especially love that the building's design is in keeping with the other historic buildings on campus. I'm feeling optimistic and enthusiastic about supporting this project. There is hope. It'll be a huge blessing to Immanuel!

Pay to the order of: World Vision

I was able to tour World Visions "Step in to Africa" yesterday night. "The interactive experience takes the participant on a deeply personal journey into the life of a young person living in Africa, where more than 12 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. The 2500 square foot exhibit features a stirring audio tour combined with captivating photography that will transport the viewer into the heart of Africa." It was a moving and eye opening experience. You should all check out on line when they are coming to your neck of the woods its something you don't want to miss. After the tour I decided that I needed to finally act on my desire to support an African child who I may one day be able to meet. So here she is the adorable Franny.

Twenty First Time

Hey Ladies I just have to share what has to be my favorite song at the moment.
Sorry the only way I know how to share it with you is to send you to YouTube.
This song is called "Twenty First Time" and its by Monk and Neagle. Their words help remind us of what our purpose her on earth includes. Enjoy (And yes Becca this song repeats itself many times over and over at my house...I haven't changed a bit!)

My greatest find yet!

So I was perusing the new Goodwill that just came to State St. her in Madison and happened upon a black leather bag. I have been thinking about purchasing such an item for after graduation to have to carry around a laptop or hall all my stuff to work in. The bag looked like it was made of real leather, so I thought what the heck it may be the cheapest leather bag I will find at $15. When I got home curiosity got the best of me and I had to look up the bag on line to see if it was truly leather. Not only was it leather but according to the Monsac web page my bag was priced around $350! YIKES...what crazy person would pay that much for a bag!!! Well I'm luck they did and that they got sick of it before it was all beat up!

Nicks favorite sweater found a new purpose!

After a disaster of a shrinkage (my brother Nick didn't realize wool would shrink if you put it in the dryer) Nick was devastated that his favorite sweater (made by his Aunt Niki) would no longer fit him. But now after a craftacular transformation...he can carry it with him wherever he goes...its his new laptop case!

Since Nick and I have matching laptops, I decided I'd better make a lovely wool case for myself as well!

Mittens in April?

Well, who wants to wear these now? And I wish that the project for this month didn't involve sewing simply because we're giving this away. I'm pretty sure no one else will want my lame attempt at mittens here. I do love the pattern of that sweater though. Also- I updated the purse pictures!

Bottle Cap Cozy

So here is a quicky. I simply pulled the sleeve over this plastic folgers jar and cut it. I use it to hold bottle caps. I was inspired by the planter cozy idea. The beauty of a felted sweater is that it can be a no sew project since it doesn't fray.

Pay to the order of…

I don’t know about you, but whenever I get my tax return back I usually end up telling myself that part of this money is mine to spend however I see fit. I may blow some of it on a new outfit, dinner out, scrapbook stuff…basically frivolous stuff. So I decided that this year I need to put some of that money to good use. So…I am giving you the task of finding, and researching a little bit about some great charity, organization, or local group that is helping others.

Thirty One (There's only 30 this month) days of giving back...

I was searching for great charities for you to make your check out to when I stumbled upon on an old issue of Glamour (Dec issue) It had exactly what I wanted. A few were more geared for the holidays but may of them are great for year round giving.

Here are a few that I think sound great:

1. Support the troops with warm socks, deodorant, cheezeIts: find their wish list at anysoldier.com

2. Donate New blankets to kids in homeless shelters at projectnightnight.org

3.Buy funky gifts at thrift shops that give back, such as Out of the Closet sales support AIDs healthcare foundation, or a Hospice thrift store sales support Hospice families.

4. Before you shop online, go to goodshop.com. Then buy from participating retailers and the site donates a portion of your purchase to the charity of your choice.

5. Give manicures at a local nursing home.

6. Spend an hour or 2 a week helping a immigrant learn English (check out literacyvolunteers.org)

7. Help protect half an acre of rain forest in South and Central America with a $25 donation at rainforestalliance.org

8. Donate old cell phones to victims of domestic violence for emergencies (go to ncadv.org and click "donate")

9.Vaccinate 50 people around the world against deadly diseases such as meningitis, measles or polio with a $50 donation at http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

10. Provide a month of care for a woman or child rescued from sexual slavery for just $30 at sharedhope.org

11. Clean out your closet! Then donate old glasses (neweyesfortheneedy.org), shoes (shareyoursoles.org) and even wedding gowns (makingmemories.org)

12. Find projects that help people in your very own zip code at dosomething.org

13. Make a $10 donation to freethechildren.org and a special matching-funds program will turn it into a $100 worth of medical supplies for kids around the world.

14. Mentor a at risk teen online at icouldbe.org

15. Help an aspiring student pay for college at scholarshipamerica.org

16. Staying home for the holidays? Donate frequent-flier miles to injured soldiers' families at heromiles.org

17. Loan money to a budding entrepreneur in the developing world at kiva.org

18. Sell gifts you don't need through eBay's Giving Works program (givingworks.ebay.com)

19. Give blood (to find where go to givelife.org). What better reason to stop and lie down for 10 min?

{These are just a few great org's to give to...So make out that check and let us know who/what you are helping out.}

{The only gift is a portion of thy self. –Emerson}

*So recently my mom has fallen in love with youtube. Some one will forward her an email and it will take her to the youtube page...and she will be lost there for hours looking at "all the great videos". This is one of her fav's it fits well with this months them of giving...enjoy! (but don't get stuck on youtube too long)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

How about a purse

Well here it is! I figured I just wouldn't procrastinate and get right to it while I was excited about it! I tend to put off sewing projects because they intimidate me.

So I used the bottom of the sweater for this. I am still excited to use the cute part of the sweater. I have a lot left so I will have more projects to come!

My sewing machine didn't even give me any problems today. I was able to run this thick sweater through my machine. I was afraid it was going to catch on my feed dogs, and I would have to free motion stitch it, but it did just fine. I used one of my pillow cases to line it. I made a little pocket. Now I do have to attach the handles. I only found one, how lame! The cool thing about this handle is that it unscrews and you can put beads on it if you want. I kinda like it just plain though. I also need to make a closure to go over this button. I was contemplating embroidering something on the front, or adding a pocket. But I like it just plain red, what do you think?

Ideas, ideas, ideas

So what can you do with an old wool sweater you ask?


Here are just a few clever ideas I have found and think are just charming.

Pillow, Purse, Journal, Booties, Basket, Cupcake pin cushion, Mittens, Hats, Coasters, Drink Sleeve (my mom is determined to make this one...who knows it may just replace her sock sleeve that she currently uses).


*http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/felting/
*http://frugalliving.about.com/od/craftsgifts/ss/Sweater_Bag.htm
*http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_needle_arts/article/0,2025,DIY_13768_5180288,00.html
*http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=4d4fed7957d42110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD

Now that you have the ideas flowing, start thinking about who you can give this lovely gift to. Do you know anyone who is having a baby? Do they need your adorable booties? Anyone with a new home? Would your handsome pillow look great in someone’s new house or apartment? I think you get the point. So put your thinking caps on and start crafting!

Contents….

*1 full 100% wool sweater
*Scraps from a 100% wool sweater

Becca's sweater

Karen's sweater

Jessica's sweater

Jenny's sweater

*A $25 check….instructions to come.

Four Weeks of Giving

1. This week do something unexpected…make a meal for someone in need, go around your block and pick up all that trash that has been buried by the winter snow, give a call to someone you have lost touch with and let them know you are thinking of them. Then Tell us what you did, or describe how that someone reacted.

While your waiting….

This month I would like us to focus on giving, whether it is our time, money, love, or even advice. I have been reading the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I had been hearing good things and not so good things about the book so; I thought I would find out for myself. I am not too far in yet but I already agree with his belief that, we are not living on this earth to live for ourselves; we are here to live for others as Christ did for us!
So lets commit these next 4 weeks to giving …I will challenge you each week to give in a different way!

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Hopefully your packages are well on their way…man postage prices have really gone up! Jenny and Karen it only cost me 10 cents more to send your package priority, but as for Bek and Jess sorry it was like $3 more…you’ll have to wait the 3-4 extra days.
The contest will need some explanation and that will happen once everyone has let me know they have received their packages.