HOPE

Through the wonderful world of blogland, I have "met"  people who are sharing their talents, love, and hope with others----  all through hand~made goodness!  Here are 4 of them:


ONE
Early on in my blogging life (late January this year), I met Sinclair through her blog Nature With Me, a wonderful blog about nature, homesteading, family life, crafts, and green living.  Now Sinclair has begun a new blog, Sharing Our Gifts:

"I am so excited to finally launch the real purpose of this blog... I want to help at least one charity in each of the 50 states. I want to offer quality handmade goods to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to purchase or have handmade. I want to help charitable organizations and people at the same time."

Project #2 is about to begin!  Go to Sinclair's blog to find out more!
LINK


Project # 1 was hats and slippers for Veterans at the Southern Oregon White City Rehabilitation Center. 

(Sinclair's hat on left/hat made by my friend Virginia below.)

                                     

TWO

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." --Gandhi

So reads a quote on the next website:

Craft Hope is currently working on project #5 (deadline November 15)--quilts for homeless children.  HERE is the organization being benefited.   
"This project is easy.  We are calling this quilt pattern HOPE SQUARED.  Make a quilt out of squares.  Any size, any number, any color.  If you are new to quilting and don’t know how to finish and bind a quilt or if you have limited time, you can construct the top of the quilt (the squares) and send that to them and they will gladly finish the rest for you."   
more information and 2 quilt patterns are  provided on the website. 
Here are some photos from past projects:

 sock monkeys for Little Heroes Burn Camp







blankets, booties, and beanies for NEWBORNS in India




Oh, there is more!  To find out and see some wonderful photos, go to the website!

THREE

Scrap, Stamp, and Be Merry is "raising cards for my 13 year old neighbor who recently had her arm amputated after a boating accident."

LINKS:
♥ news article   
Here it says they've run out of room for flowers and stuffed animals, but cards are welcome.  Erin says, "Well my family and I really want to do  something and I thought amazing cards from all you wonderful ladies would be just what would cheer Paige up.  She is one of those girls who ALWAYS wears a smile." 

♥ read about the card drive HERE and HERE. 
♥ There is also a link to a digital stamp that was created by Denise just for Paige.  Proceeds  will go right to Paige's medical fund!!

♥ UPDATE from Paige's mom
♥ email Erin @ stampingrocks@yahoo.com for the address to which to send the cards.

 Here is the card Erin made using Denise's stamp.








FOUR

Stamp Something...for Jaimie is a new blog begun by Erin and Denise, dedicated to sending support to Jamie and her family.

"Four local teenagers armed with knives, broke into their  (Jaimie's) home and brutally murdered Kim Cates and seriously injured 11 year old Jaimie. They chose the home for no other reason than its location and for no other purpose than to bring harm to the occupants. It was a senseless, random crime that shook the small town and much of the state (of New Hampshire)."

"After receiving a grief filled email from my friend asking for help for the family, I knew I needed to help however I could. I asked my fellow stamper, New Hampshire gal, and long time friend Denise Lynn for ideas. Together, and with the artistic talents of Ann Vento, we came up with the idea of an international blog hop and this blog to raise awareness of the crime. We are hoping to shower Jaimie with wishes of love and hope from around the world to help her recover some of what was lost."

"The hop starts at 10am ET on Monday, November 2nd and will include over 60 talented stampers, donations from fabulous stamp companies and lots of love. We are asking everyone to make and send a card to Jaimie as quickly as possible. If you are unable to make a card or wish to do more, please visit our sidebar and click on the donations link." ~Erin

"There will be prizes but most of all...appreciation for anyone who can help to brighten a little girl's day...even for just a second :o)" ~Kim from Paper in the Works
"I hope the many, many cards she receives puts a smile back on her face, and that she can at least peek at the future ahead of her as she its going to take a long time to recover and will forever morn her Mum!" ~Kimmi from Poppy Petal designs
♥ For more information, and an address to which to send the cards, go HERE.
♥ Start the blog HOP HERE.
♥ news article  
♥ Denise helped organize the Spread the Love blog Hop along with Erin.  See her website Stamping With Denise  HERE.

photos © 2009 by the above entities  all rights reserved.

Neno's Award

The aim of

NENO'S AWARD is

1) a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

2) to seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

This stellar award was presented to me by AlpHa Buttonpusher at INduCed MEtaMoRphOsis. See her post about the award here. And go check out her other blog Push the Button Alpha. Her posts are just incredible. See for yourself! (NOTE: Sqirrel Queen gave AlpHa this award. And that just re-iterates why blogging is rewarding--new discoveries around every bloggy bend.)

REASON: When I started blogging , I had no idea it would lead down such wonderful paths. Sharing a bit of my world is such fun, but interacting with others is a joy. I have met some amazing people, read funny and sad stories, and been inspired through blogland. Here are just a few...

I present this award to:

Dorset Hill Beads (Her Themes For Thursday are awesome!)

Sweet Romance

Sophism Press

Mishcat

Nature With Me

Gardens of a Golden Afternoon a blog I referred to in my post here Hermes writes other wonderful blogs, but you will have to go to this one to find out.

Sharing is the key word here, and the above blogs do just that! They are a joy to read. I am itching to write something about each one, but I will leave the joy of discovery to you.

When you receive this award~
1) Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it, explaining the aim of the award.
2) Don't forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
3) Answer the award's question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
4) Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
5) Don't forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.
(or make up your own rules!)

(NOTE: html was NOT being cooperative, so the above blogs are in different colors & sizes. Even the placement is crazy--not at all what it looks like as I sit here composing this. sigh....)

Sisterhood Award

Elizabeth of Softpencil has given me the Sisterhood Award! What a lovely honor! Thank you so much! Do visit her etsy shop where you can find lovely soft drawings of images from nature. Elizabeth is an artist form Buenos Aires. On her website you will see a gallery of her drawings including her logo, a beautiful pink cymbidium eikoh orchid.
I love the idea of "sisterhood," because this implies a connection of giving and sharing. So in that spirit, I will now pass this award to

NatureWithMe
Namaste
SophismPress
PushtheButtonAlpha
Theresa J


This is how it works:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 5 blogs which show great ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.

Now DO go read these wonderful blogs which have heart and soul!