a quick post

First I want to say, I am so excited to have 4 followers! I'm so happy that people are supporting this idea, even though I haven't worked everything out yet...which leads me to repeat, if you have any input, comments, questions, or ideas for projects or places that accept donations to help families, please leave a comment or email me- from1mother@hotmail.com.

Anyway, my mom printed out a really cute knitting pattern tonight & I saw it & was like "wow, that doesn't look so hard, I want to make it! Well, it took me my entire pregnancy to make my baby's blanket, so I know it would take me years to make a whole item, but I thought I could make little squares & piece them all together like a quilt. So that's my project idea for today. My mom referred me to this great site that has free patterns- bevscountrycottage.com. Check it out, there's some great stuff (and not just knitting, sewing patterns too). Maybe some of the patterns could be done in small squares to be pieced together.

I know I promised some how to's & pictures, but I'm still at my mom's house. I'll have something posted sometime this week.

a project idea

I'm still really busy finishing some Christmas presents, but I wanted to share this idea in case there is anyone out there who isn't completely overwhelmed right now! I will come back later with pictures, but here is an idea...

Fleece scarves- so simple- no sewing required! Just cut a long piece & cut into each end to create fringe. Polar fleece doesn't fray, so that's all you need to do. You can make matching mittens & hats too. I'd like to make up hat & mittens patterns, but I don't know when I can get it done. It will eventually be up here. (I also know of a really great no-sew fleece blanket project that I'll do a tutorial for if I can't find one)

Also, check the link list on the side for some donation sites I've already listed. No Mother Left Behind is an organization that distributes slings & other baby wearing items to moms, and Miracle Diapers distributes cloth diapers. There are even links on their sites to tutorials for slings, diapers, and other baby items.

If you know of any organizations that accept donations, or a great site with crafty tutorials or patterns, please email from1mother@hotmail.com so I can add them to the link list!

Happy Crafting!
Mandy

so i had this great idea...

A missionary family came to our church on Sunday to tell us about their work in Congo. The wife was talking about how breastfeeding has really increased the survival rate of the children there, but because the women have to work, they can't stay home to nurse. (A topic very close to my heart since I still nurse my toddler.) I immediately heard God telling me to make some slings & send them back with this family. I made up a little gift tag that says "from one mother to another" with a picture of my little guy in his sling, and I thought that would be a great name for a charity group. I could connect with other crafty moms, and we could make baby items & donate them to mothers in need. I have friends who can help me find organizations to donate to, and my mother already does this with her knitting group- chicks with sticks (see her blog in my link list).

So I started out with baby slings, because it's something I already make, but I have a ton more ideas- quilts, fleece blankets, hats, scarves...just look at my sewing room:



(That's just one side of the room!) Anyway, I will post ideas, patterns, links, and tutorials here so anyone who wants to can join in making donations in their own community.

Here are the slings: