Reflection of Women and Handcrafts

While we knit, crochet, or loom doesn't require a sewing machine, I thought you all would enjoy this little ditty.  Some may have already seen this, as it floating around on facebook a few days ago, but I know many of you aren't on facebook, and if you are...it's sometimes difficult to see all the stuff that gets posted.    This date, 1949 was just 1 year before I was born, if Mom were alive I could as if she could relate to this.

I do know that later in life when I was Junior High School (for you youngins reading, you know call it middle school), and she'd wake me up early on a Saturday morning telling me she might be able to sew me a dress for an up coming dance at school if I'd get up and do the cleaning and laundry.  Yep....that was deal she often floated, and it always worked.  I'd get laundry going, vacuum, and she'd sew.  And yes it was on a Singer.  Initially on one like this, a treadle sewing machine.

The one Mom had had 2 drawers, I think instead of 3 you see here.  Dad traded it in and got her a new fancy one, a portable electric...she was thrilled; but later wished she'd kept her treadle.  But, trading in saved money.  This one sits here in my office and belonged to my Aunt Mary (Dad's sister).  Before Aunt Mary had it, it belonged to her Mother, and we think possibly her Grandmother...but Dad's not sure about that.  It's still partially threaded.  I love having it, even if I don't use it.

What I find the most amusing about this is, she ...the woman of the house was sewing for her family 9 out of l0 times, school clothes, curtains, pillows and other things to help sustain her family.  It was still part of housework, wonder why it was viewed as "extra", like they were being lazy if they did this instead of doing the dishes?

Ladies, do remember to make yourself neat and tidy as you knit, crochet, and loom.  And for heavens sake, don't be Lackadaisical!

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 130
Scarves 50
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's:  3
Cotton Washcloths: 71
Afghans: 2
Socks: 69
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

On Going Generosity Helps the Homeless

Thank  you RoseMarie for your wonderful donation and your on going support of Bridge and Beyond.  Look at the cute round cotton washcloths.  She's also crocheted a matching set of wrists warmers and a hat with her always cute and signature details!

The bright green and orange ghan is perfectly timed for St. Patricks Day.  While this post is scheduled for just after the special day, the donation arrived just before and so is very timely.

As always RoseMarie, keep up the good work!

*Folks, as you can see I'm having some font issues again, hoping things resolve soon.  I don't like having multiple fonts in one post.*

Donations for 2015:

Hats: 118+12=130
Scarves 49+1=50
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's:  3
Cotton Washcloths: 53+18=71
Afghans: 2
Socks: 47+22=69
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

A Head to Toe Donation

Thank you Sarah S for this awesome donation of crocheted goodies.  Sarah's been really busy!  Lots of wonderful, colorful cotton washclothes.  These are always a hit at the various shelters.  

And, she's included lots of socks to keep feet dry and warm, along with personal care items, as well as crocheted hats in varing sizes and colors.

Special thanks too for tagging your hats with sizes, that's truly appreciated.  More hats, more socks, and personal items.  A truly generous donation.  Many thanks for your hard work and support Sarah, please keep up the good work.

Donations for 2015:

Hats: 118+12=130
Scarves 49+1=50
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's:  3
Cotton Washcloths: 53+18=71
Afghans: 2
Socks: 47+22=69
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.


All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Donated Crocheted Scarves Help the Homeless

 Thank you Beth G for this awesome donation of crocheted scarves!  I love all the nice solid colors that are suitable for both men and women.  While this first picture shows scarves folded, you can see in the second picture how nicely sized they are.  The calendar tells us it's almost Spring, and we have had some relief from the snow and freezing temperatures; but make no mistake.....that doesn't mean they is no longer need of wonderful warm items for our Homeless Friends.

It's still quite damp and cool and will be for some time to come.  

Thank you, Beth and please keep up the good work!

*For my friends visiting through A-Z, please remember to leave the url to your blog when you comment, not your profile page so I can return the visit.  Also, please notice the special blog log for all A-Z visitors who leave comments.  Sharing some linky love.

2015 Donations:

Hats: 118
Scarves:33+16=49
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:53
Afghans:2
Socks: 47
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 12
Shawls: 1 
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

You're Never too Small

I spotted this the other day on Facebook and thought I'd share.  It made me think of our motto, The Power Of One

One person can indeed make a difference, and then we multiple that when we team up.  Every knit or crocheted stitch you donate makes a difference.  Those individual stitches add up one row at a time, one person at a time, one team working towards a common goal of helping others.

Thank you all for what you do.  YOU ALL ROCK!!

2015 Donations:

Hats: 118
Scarves:33
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:53
Afghans:2
Socks: 47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 12
Shawls: 1 
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

I Survived The Learning Logs

Well, in the on going story/dilemma that has been associated with the Learning Logs Ghan...I can report progress is being made.  I added a log to the right side of the grey log which helped pull that side out a bit.  Then added the log of bright green and rose to smooth out the bottom a bit.  It was getting closer to being the same size all the way around; but not there yet.  The bright green and rose, like the earlier bright green and blue is such a tight pattern it really pulls so...I added the stripes in garter stitch to the right side.  Bingo...finally that side was smooth, didn't curl, and didn't pull.  I also bumped up my needle size by 1 size.  The good old garter stitch gave it the body it needed I think.  And now the bottom...where you see my toes holding down the yellow log.  That's a pretty heavy log which worked to pull out the green and rose strip on that side.....but still some curling.  However, I think once attached to another square and blocked it will work.  But, the left side, next to the solid tan...needed perhaps one more log to help pull out the ends of the yellow and green striped log.

So, one final log was added.  I used the same stitch pattern as the center square as it laid nicely in the beginning.  I did not start or end rows with slip stitch as the pattern called for, in order to avoid the holes created by doing so previously.  My square has 10 logs plus the center square, the pattern called for the center square and 6 logs, and the logs were only on 2 sides.  I think, though it's been quite a trial, I can consider this square DONE!

I will start the 2nd one, making the changes I learned and NOT follow the pattern next time.  I'm hopeful, things will then go much better and I won't be quite so looney!  There are 9 colors, 8 different stitch patterns.  It measures 23 x 23, so I think making a total of 4 squares to join will make a nice size lapghan.  The pattern called for 6 smaller squares.

2015 Donations:

Hats: 118
Scarves:33
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:53
Afghans:2
Socks: 47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 12
Shawls: 1 
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.