Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Aexis of London, Barbara of Kizugawa City (seriously)

News news news - I'm not sure where to start, so I'll start with the photos:






These are hats made by Alexis of London. Alexis, I love the pattern. Care to share??






Barbara, an expat Canadian living in Japan, made 25 of these little numbers for Mongolia. I love the reversibility of them! My boy said he didn't want to take it off, and why can't we keep the stuff that people send?









This is the same hat turned inside out. This is his expression, when I say, "because we can't".




A photo of all 25 numbers together (all reversible, I might add!).

Okay, other bits and pieces:

1. I've got a box waiting for me at the post office. As soon as I pick it up, log it in and take photo's, we'll have the fabulous draw for the fleece artist yarn.

2. Here's the biggest news:

I talked to Lorraine in the biggest of the two Innu communities. Guess what? All the items were distributed and are warming hands, and toes and heads right now! I think the folks up there have been really surprised by your generosity. I asked whether they want us to continue and the answer is a resounding yes. So here are the new requests from Lorraine:

The community gets its first big snow by the end of October, so they are wondering if we can send the stuff in sooner. I think maybe we need to start thinking about split shipments

They asked for (in order of priority):

1. socks

2. mittens

3. baby blankets (all the blankets you made have already gone out to new babies, but they have 35-40 new babies each year, and they'd like to make sure that every child has a blanket).

4. hats

They also need boots for the kids, and that's what we've got to put our brains to next. They need about 100 pairs of boots for kids between the ages of 7 and 11. If anyone knows an organization that can donate boots, pass me the lead, and I'll do something about it.

I just wanted to drop you that little note because I thought it was incredible - each one of you that contributed to that shipment has already had a direct impact on a kid, 'cause they are wearing your stuff already.

Let that thought keep you warm tonight!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Pleased to meet you!

My mother in law (joycejamestours.com) took me to a great book launch the other day, for Mother-Daughter Knits by Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter. The event was fun, and I am excited about the projects in the book as well. For an amateur like me who doesn't like a project that can't be put down a million times to tend to children, and now the puppy, or ignored for weeks during a busy time at work, this book has many great options. And one of my daughters is tackling the headband project.

More to the point, there were many people from the Ottawa Knitters Guild in attendance at the book launch (at the Workshop, but more about that great store another time). It was a pleasure to meet some of the very kind and generous women who have been knitting up a storm for those in need. Thank you again, and again!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Draw is Coming!!!

March 31st is rolling around, and I've managed to keep my hands off the Fleece Artist yarn that we are raffling off.

Can't wait to see who wins!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Great knitting, May

I was at Yarn Forward this afternoon, getting things for my latest knitting swap on Ravelry, and there was a great bag of knitting from May. Thank you! I'll pass the note to Anita.

These items, and a box of things that arrived from Japan (no, I am not kidding - these will be well-travelled items), will be sent to Mongolia.

Our deadline for the next shipment is March 31.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

roadtrip!

So, we got up early, got some coffee and we were off! Air Labrador was just wonderful, everything was ready and they were expecting us, and the boxes went the next day! Yay! Thank you, Morris and the rest of the gang at Air Labrador!

We did listen to some great tunes en route, and it was a nice way to get caught up without children talking at the same time! My CD burner didn't cooperate, but here's the list I wanted to bring. One of these days, I will figure out how to post it on iTunes.

Perfectly Good Guitar - John Hiatt
Light Of A Clear Blue Morning - Allison Moorer
Lipstick Sunset - John Hiatt
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Jeff Healey Band
California Stars - Billy Bragg & Wilco
AngelEyes - The Jeff Healey Band
Have a Little Faith in Me - John Hiatt
Summer Side Of Life - Blue Rodeo
Drive South - John Hiatt
Where Do the Children Play? Cat Stevens
Tracks of My Tears - Billy Bragg
Landslide - Dixie Chicks
My Baby Don't Tolerate - Lyle Lovett
Cute As a Bug - Lyle Lovett
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Better Together - Jack Johnson
You Can Talk To Me- Beatles
Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Holes to Heaven (Acoustic)- Jack Johnson

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

So, what happened to us?!!

Hello, fellow knitters. So, there is still plenty of winter left in Labrador, really! There are waiting hands to recieve and distribute, through the health centre and the Next Generation Guardians. So, thank you again for your great knitting, generosity and kindness in helping these communities be warmer this winter.
All the best, and may your generosity be returned tenfold!
Amy (one of the ABs)

I am going to work out a playlist for the trip to the airport now and will share the list later. Any suggestions? We are both fans of John Hyatt and Lyle Lovett, so those two will be on the list for sure, and lots of other acoustic and singer/songwriter type stuff.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Natuashish

Just wanted to post a quick update: the boxes were packed and ready to go, but unfortunately the communities shut down early for Christmas! The offices are back open this week, so Amy and I are loading up the car and trekking to Montreal.

The CBC had a great story on Natuashish. This is definitely a community working to heal and help itself. Thanks to all of you for showing you care.

Anita