(Not So) Silly Habits Mean A Lot...

I haven't reported on my decluttering efforts lately, but I have been busy. Yesterday I took 8 boxes, three rolls of vinyl fabric and a few furniture pieces to St. Vinny's. Using the standard for allowable deductions, it amounted to nearly $1200 value in donations! 

It sure made a difference in the amount of "stuff" I've been looking at, but more importantly, it can make a big difference to people in need.

I've also filled a large tote with packaged fabric that will soon be on its way to my friend in Arizona who owns a 501(c)(3) who will make sure it goes where it will have the greatest impact. I have a bit more of that to package and then it will be mailed out.

Lastly, I have one more box that's filled with crafty things that I'll take with me next time I go to Portage, so that my dear creative friends might be able to use the contents for items they make for craft shows and sales. More things away from here.

So, even though I haven't mentioned it lately, I have been a busy bee, and it sure feels good. While there's still much to do, taking a few minutes each day amounts to huge changes by the end of a week. This is a small habit that can make a big difference. I like this plan, so I'll definitely be more consistent with this in the future. 

(Note: Silly Habits Mean A Lot is another song title. I couldn't resist. )

Counting Sheep...

Two More Sheep.

Someone asked me how many French knots I stitch to create each of my little sheep. Well, yesterday I counted, and I can now tell you that there are at least 130 (sometimes more) in each one.

The pendant measures approximately 1 1/2" x 1 1/4", and the sheep measure roughly 3/4" x 1/4", so that's a lot of knots fit into a small space.

These will be finished into their pendants today, and the necklaces will be listed in my shop this afternoon. (I have a hair appointment at 10 this morning, so they'll have to wait until I get back home.) So, if you're a knitter, love wools, love sheep, or even have a herding dog like Tag's breed, you may like wearing one of these.

Oh, and next week, I'm going to debut more items that will be labeled "For The Love of a Corgi". Every time I tell you they're in this category, a portion of the sale will be donated in Tag's name to CorgiAid. It's a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping corgis and corgi mixes get the medical care they need, and also providing carts to corgis with mobility issues. If you'd like to learn more about CorgiAid, HERE is a link to their website.

Watch for the sheep to land in my shop this afternoon. I'd love to send these two to new homes and will definitely make more in the coming weeks. They're for a good cause.

I'm Still At It...

This is something I need to remind myself. I've been pulling, purging and packing. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. There will be a lot leaving by the end of this month. How are you doing?

January DeClutter Goal Reached...

January Accomplished!

 

Goal: 22 Items • Actual: 53 Items

Last year, I pulled a number of bolts of fabric that were coming out of my studio - one way or the other. They were first previewed by a friend for trade and/or donations. These were bolts that weren't chosen. 

My second option was to list them for sale, but after stumbling over them in my fabric studio for nearly three months, I decided to give them to another worthy cause. My younger sister has taken to quilting! Just before Thanksgiving, she came to visit me so that I could give her some pointers. She ended up creating seven beautiful quilts for her grandchildren. Now she has the "bug", and I want to help fuel her new interest.

Before she left the farmhouse yesterday, we loaded 45 bolts of fabric into the back of her vehicle. She was thrilled to have all that fabric, and she said her head was just swimming with ideas for new creations...from napkins to quilts. She couldn't have been more grateful, and I was happy to regain the floor space.

I also pulled a few items from my closet (with more planned for February), and some duplicate kitchen tools are now in a donation box that I'll add to until the box is full. Then, I'll be taking that to St. Vincent de Paul to benefit others.

I'm feeling pretty good about now. My fabric studio is pure chaos, so I'm going to continue pulling fabrics for preview, sale, and donation. I'm going to pull notions, as well. I think February is going to be busy, but I'm excited to think about how fabulous my creative spaces will be once this is done.

Needle Dancing For A Friend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion Detail

 

My paperwork is done and was mailed out yesterday. Yay!! I have two commissions to make, plus three special pieces (including a new Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion like this one). 

A friend's husband recently passed away from ALS, and a fundraiser was created to cover his final expenses. She is a member of "Corgi Nation" on Facebook, as she, too, has one of these lowrider dogs. 

I wanted to contribute, so I offered two clutches with corgi embroideries, plus one of these pincushion/sachets. (It will be up to the winning bidder to choose the filling.) They are paying for the item, plus postage. I'm donating the full amount of all bids, less postage, to the fundraiser as my donation.

I'm going to get this piece embroidered today, and then assemble it, minus the filling, until I hear from the bidder. Then, all I'll have left to do is stuff it, stitch it closed, and mail it off. It will be a true labor of love, knowing that the proceeds are going to help a friend as she grieves the loss of her dear husband. It's one small thing I can do to help ease her stress. 

 

I'm very grateful that the bidders have paid more than what I would have charged in my shop. (The high bidder - with more time to auction end - has pledged $75 so far for the pincushion!) The clutches are also bid over retail value. 

So, today, I shall needle dance for my friend. Tomorrow, I'll be celebrating a Brynwood milestone. I'll tell you all about it, and about a special giveaway I'll be having to celebrate.

I'm Not In Charge...

 I keep saying it, but apparently, no one believes me.

Tammy was the original organizer for our Tuesday night Paneras knitting/

crocheting/stitching/quilting group. She and her husband moved to Virginia

last spring and all the rest of the girls told me that I would be "in charge" of

our group from now on. I emphatically told them that I didn't want the job.

Fast forward..."Hey, guys. We still have to make all the washcloths for our

Backpack Angels charitable cause." (Not my leader voice.) Everyone, including

me, jumped onboard and produced over sixty five washcloths to be assembled

with mini soaps, shampoos, and toothpastes for our chosen local charity. Guess who

became responsible for collecting all those precious goodies? Yup. Yours truly.

 These crocheted and knitted washcloths are beautiful and colorful. I know

they're going to be cherished by the homeless or needy children in our city.

If you're interested in learning about the Backpack Angels, here is their link.

I'll be contacting their group in the next day or so to find out to whom I 

should deliver our precious cargo. But, let me make one thing perfectly clear...

"I'm not in charge!"

There. I've said it again. Do you think they'll believe me? Yeah. Me, either.

Something Warm For Charity...

Our Books A Million yarny group has been creating scarves, hats and mittens for less fortunate kids in Appalachia. This is my first piece to donate to this cause.

I completed my scarf Monday so that I could add it to the rest of the creations on Tuesday night. Then I grabbed my current work in progress, some yarn to share with the gals for the project, and ran out the door - without my scarf! Aaaarrrggghhh!

I knit it in Rio de la Plata hand spun 100% wool. I love how the pattern just revealed itself as I knit back and forth. I know it t will help keep someone warm this winter, but first I have to get it to the gal who's collecting all our donations for that to happen. Man, I can't believe I left it behind tonight!

I'll be taking it out to her tomorrow to be added to the rest for our first shipment North, and then my plan is to make a few pairs of mittens and a couple of hats during the next few weeks to contribute, too.

If you're interested in donating a cap, pair of mittens or a scarf, please email me. I'll let you know how you can send your contribution to me so we can add it to our upcoming shipments. They can be knit, crocheted or sewn (polar fleece is perfect for sewing). Anything to keep the kids warm!