Why I donate my work

Today I saw a post on a Facebook makers' group about a fundraiser for a family that has experienced a recent tragedy in a nearby town. I don't know the family, or the fundraiser organizers, but I instantly knew that I would contribute a piece for their silent auction or raffle. 

Then I sat down at my frame to hook this afternoon, for the first time in a long time, and realized that the piece I'm working on is also a donation. But a very different one. This one will be one of many donated to an organization to mark a special anniversary. I have no ties to the organization, and it's not in my town or even my province. 

That got me to thinking about why I like to donate my work, and reasons for doing so. I thought I'd share those thoughts. 

1. If 10, twenty or a hundred people donate an item that can be auctioned or raffled, just think of the potential! Yet for each individual, it's not too much to ask. 

2. Sometimes you don't have the financial capacity to provide a cash donation, but you might have a finished piece in stock that you can offer, or the materials in-hand to make a custom item. 

3. It warms your heart to know that you've done something to help someone you don't even know. 

4. The recipient, whether it be the organization or person for whom the group has fundraised, or just the lucky winner of the auction or raffle, may be introduced to a new fibre art that they've not seen before. They may fall in love! They may find themselves hooked! Or at the very least, they will hopefully enjoy the piece for some time to come. 

5. It gives the fundraisers something to put on display, or use as an image for getting the word out about their project. 

6. You might inspire other artists and makers to donate their work as well. 

7. Custom making a piece gives you the joy of thinking about the cause with every stitch made or hoop pulled. You can put a bit of love into everything you do. 

8. You give back to your community, no matter how large, and by doing so, encourage others to do so too. 

We never know when we might be the ones to need help. Tragedy strikes every day, and it's heartbreaking to see and hear what some people have to endure. If I can take one tiny part of their grief away, then I've done my part. 

In the case of an organization marking a special occasion, well isn't it nice to give a nod to a great event even if it's not directly part of your own world? It's certainly an opportunity to get to know new people and expand your horizons. 

No pics today as the rug on my frame is still in progress. I'll be sure to share it with you when it's done! 

Mistakes, I've made a few

You haven't heard from me in a while, my apologies. Life's been busy, but who's isn't? I have been slowly working away on a few fibre projects. Seemingly with no finish line in sight.... until today.

I knit a cowl. Twice. Still not right. Long painful story. It'll be done but not for this post, as planned. 

Still, I persisted with another project. I'm counting this as part of my #18in2018 because the 50s replica fabrics were purchased in the 90s. I loved them at the time, but had no plan for how they'd be used. When I was looking through my stash for projects suitable for #18in2018, I recognized that these fabrics really needed to be used up and a nice summer quilt would be the perfect plan for them. 

So I found a pattern online that I could use as inspiration, and that would be flexible with the many fat quarters I had. I pressed, and I cut. Then I figured out how I could use those fat quarters in some semblance of order. 

I think I started in January or February. Not bad for a quilt turnaround. Not bad for me, that is. 

You may have seen some of these in progress shots. 

Quilting finished today, and photographed on the deck. This quilt will be a snuggly addition to the cottage for cool summer nights. 

By no means is it perfect, there are a lot of mistakes. I'm okay at piecing, but really sub-par at quilting on my machine. But I'm a lover of "done". That's what this is.... done! 

The shortest UFO

Is that correct to say? The "shortest" UFO? In other words, this has been a UFO for less time than the others. Which is more correct, but awkward as heck. 

I hooked this elephant for the Smidge, and left the background for her to choose. As a result, it's quite busy and loud with colour. So much for the background taking a backseat to let the main image shine! No, not for this girl.

My upholstering skills are lacking, so I don't look too closely at the edges. No, I said not to look at them. Geez. 

Alas, it is done and Smidge is happily enjoying her new stool in her room. Though it's not being used where and how I thought it might be, that's totally up to her. 

What number am I at? Lots to do before completing #18in2018, that much I do know! Onwards....

Time to Bloom

January isn't normally the time to bloom, at least in this area! Though considering it was above zero on the weekend, that's practically blooming weather compared to what it had been a week or so before. I've made progress on several projects lately. Yes, that means I have many on the go at once. Plus my daughter's science fair project is taking up half my space. Hopefully that will be finished soon!

I do love cross-stitching but haven't done any for years. Though a small project, this took a while because even with reading glasses, I could not see the dang holes! So ya, I've been feeling pretty old trying to stitch this. 

Did I share this "before" pic?

This wee project completion counts as #5 of #18in2018. I've always wanted to cross-stitch this design, and now I finally have. Bonus: MIL's mother's day gift is made. 

I have to admit I didn't use many of the called-for threads, but hobbled together what I thought could work with what I had around. The Watercolours thread was actually too thick for the linen count, but I still used it because I'm stubborn. After stitching it, I made it into a doorknob pillow. Don't ask me why, but I do love a little doorknob pillow. I braided some of the Watercolours thread for the handle, and used a scrap of quilting fabric for the back, and ta-da!

 As I say, a wee project, but done nonetheless. Methinks it will be a while before I have anything else completed, so I'll drop by with an in-progress report in a while.