Crafting the Nation Reminder

Hi All,

Just a reminder...I'm still looking for causes in many states for my "crafting the nation" goal. I thought I had a good contact for Alabama but I have not yet confirmed that they definitely will accept hand-made items. I found a few good charities on lionbrand.com but I like making things for causes that people in the crafting community care about :)

If you have any ideas, if you want to follow my progress, or if you want to join me in the fun, visit my blog -- ladybugnotes.blogspot.com.

Thanks, and you all do beautiful work!!!

Youth Socks

This afternoon I finished a second pair of socks for the afghans for Afghans Youth Campaign.

The socks knit up fairly quickly using worsted weight yarn and size 5 needles. I have some more yarn suitable for this project, so I hope to complete at least two more pair before the campaign deadline.

Neck Coolers

Thirty neck coolers will be sent to troops serving in Iraq. I found nearly four yards of unbleached muslin at a thrift shop for 25 cents. I tea-dyed it, and made the coolers.

These flat tubes of muslin will swell with a cooling gel when they are soaked in water for about an hour. They will cool the wearer and bring the body temperature down.

It is hard to believe that these ties only use 1/2 tsp. of the Watersorb crystals. The cooler pattern that I use, requires "medium" crystals. If you decide to make some neck coolers, make sure the crystals that you use do not have fertilizer on them.

I know that these neck coolers (cool ties) will be appreciated by those serving so far away from home in sweltering temperatures.

Nest: Bringing Warmth Home

Looking for a place to send you hand crafted hats, scarves, and mittens? How about Nest:

We are asking interested knitters and crocheters to contribute hats, mittens, fingerless mitts, cowls, and scarves to be distributed in northern Maine before autumn. The sky is the limit in terms of patterns and design. Some of these items will be worn indoors, where it is becoming increasingly common to keep temperatures below 60 degrees.

The deadline is September 1, 2008. Click here for more information.

Anyone Need Scrap Fabric?

It's been a long time since I posted here. I love to see what you all are doing. It's been ages since I crafted anything for charity. Got busy sending stuff to soldiers, but not homemade.

I am trying to dejunk my house and something I have a good bit of is fabric. The longer I look at it, the guiltier I feel. If you would use it craft for charity and are willing to pay the shipping, just let me know. (I have a postal scale and can figure out rates for you when you leave your zip code.) If you want specific colors, let me know that as well. Please just click on this link to my blog and leave me a comment on my latest post.

3rd Annual Remembering Emma Grace Donation Drive

Hi Everyone,

I'm a bit late, but I wanted to invite you to be a part of the 3rd Annual Remembering Emma Grace Donation Drive. Shortly after the premature birth and death of my second daughter, Emma Grace, I began making preemie bereavement gowns. For her first birthday, many friends and family joined my efforts. Soon after that, the Emmazing Grace Foundation was founded. Each year, I coordinate a donation drive in conjunction with her birthday and the anniversary of her death. Here is all the info for this year's drive, which ends Aug 15th.

I do realize that many find it emotionally challenging to make bereavement gowns for precious angels that are taken too soon. I probably would have never known the need if Emma had not been born so soon. If you find that you are one of these people, how about make a blanket? :-) We are in need of blankets to match with some of the gowns that we have on hand. It can be fleece with crocheted edges or sewn from flannel. Any pastel color will come in handy.

Thanks so much!
Candy

Preemie Bereavement Items

It's been FOREVER since I've posted anything here. Life has it's way of keeping me busy, most of the time in a good way, though. :-)

Here are a few preemie bereavement items that I have made these the last several months. I have donated them on behalf of Emmazing Grace to Teresa, a Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep volunteer photographer.

New Member

It has been awhile since someone new entered our group. Welcome to Jen B.

Afghans for Afghans Shawl

Hello everyone! I have been enjoying all the posts lately. Amazing work!

I have finished a shawl for Afghans for Afghans - Rectangular Shawl for Mothers Campaign. I have been diligently working on this since mid-May. I am so happy that I was able to complete it on time.

Ships Project

My crafting for the month of June was focused on the Ships Project. I knit three pair of slipper sox (I have another pair on the needles) for hospitalized soldiers, but the most rewarding project was making cool ties for the troops stationed in areas of extreme temperatures.

I found some unbleached muslin in my fabric stash and tea dyed it until it was the color of desert sand. Then my sister Marilyn and I set up an assembly line. She cut the fabric strips: I sewed the tubes. I turned the tubes; she pressed. She marked the tubes, and I sewed the center seams. I filled the pouches with the crystals, and she sewed them shut. In no time, we had finished 40 cool ties. These cool ties are truly life-savers for the troops, and I encourage anyone who has a sewing machine to make some.

The Ships Project accepts knit, crochet, and sewn items, but please make sure you check the guidelines before beginning. A list of approved patterns ensures that the items meet the needs of the troops.