And Now For Something Completely Different

So now that my blood pressure has finally come down from yesterday's post, I can post about something nice. Something that doesn't have anything to do with child rape.

The 2009 Nordic Needle Bookmark Challenge is starting up again. Last year I sent in four bookmarks (pictured) and this year I hope to double that.

Full information is here, about half way down the page. The bookmarks go to the Stitching for Literacy Project.

Bookmarks in any type of needlework are welcome. As the newsletter says last year the techniques varied widely: "The techniques included Cross stitch, Hardanger, embroidery on paper, Blackwork, canvas work, needlepoint, pulled and drawn thread, Bobbin lace, tatting, crochet, knitting, machine embroidery, peyote beading, Bargello, Schwalm, and crewel embroidery. There were bookmarks from at least 29 states and 6 countries. "

I am quite proud that my bookmarks were among the over 450 donated.

Last year I only managed four bookmarks because I started late and decided on using some of the varigated floss that I had never had a chance to use. You see when using varigated floss you have to make each individual cross stitch instead of making a row and then going back over them to cross them so it takes twice as long to stitch an area. I enjoyed using the floss, but the time it took was a little much for me. (This was prior to the sleep disorder diagnosis.)

This year I have a different plan. I spent Inauguration Day out of work because of the snow. As I celebrated Hope and Change and tried not to be blinded by Aretha Franklin's hat (seriously, I think her hat was signaling to the aliens or something) I reorganized my cross stitch supplies. I gathered all the floss from kits I had finished and kept the strands that were mostly or completely intact and tossed the short lengths. I felt like a pack rat keeping the things, but I really didn't want to throw them out. So not knowing what I was going to do with them I put them in zipper bag.

Now my plan is to use very simple patterns and sayings, and rather than use the colors specified, use the left over floss. This way I won't have to pull five different colors of floss for each bookmark and will hopefully make stitching them faster. Faster means I can make more of them.

I'm really excited about this. I get to use up old floss, scraps of fabric and some of the free designs i've found on the internet. And i'm encouraging people to read. This would be win-win if my damn tendonitis wasn't acting up. Of course that gives me an excuse to take drugs that make me feel gooooood. So I guess it's win-win-win!

I'm getting verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.

This story was on Jezebel today and I had to share it. Nothing like badass bikers rescuing sweet little kittehs to make me tear up.

There are good people in the world. Sometimes those good people look like what we're told are bad people. You just never know.

ETA: Link to the story the NY Times did on these guys.

New! Improved! Asking for money!

No, not for me silly! For the fine organizations linked to on the left. I defy you to not give to St. Judes. Come on! Little kids with cancer! CANCER! And they turn no child away because of inability to pay.

The American Cancer Society needs help finding tests, treatments and cures for cancers like Pancreatic Cancer that killed my mother in law. Cancers that they don't find until it's stage four and game over.

If cancer isn't your thing then try lupus. Josh has lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where your body attacks it's soft tissues. Tissues like your joints, kidneys, skin, eyes, and brain. It can make a 16 year old walk with a cane. (*cough*Josh*cough*)

Defenders of Wildlife is a great organization and I and my mother both give to them. The ASPCA is also well known and does much good for animals.

Planned parenthood is another great organization and one that does need a lot of help. I am passionate about access to birth control for everyone and non-biased sexual education and Planned Parenthood does both of those things. They have taken a big hit in funding in the last eight years so show them some love.

Finally, if you're a big dorky history geek like me, historic preservation is close to your heart. Of course we can't fix old buildings with wishes and faerie dust so any amount you can share will help the places where history was made stand into the future.

And if you don't like any of these fine, be that way! No really, help your charity of choice. There is a lot of need out there but together we can make things better.

One of my favorite quotes is from Franklin D. Roosevelt:

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.