A shiny new piece of flair just for you. Always thinking, planning, scheming we’ve decided to launch Craft Hope for the Earth for natural disasters and man-made disasters that affect our environment. You can find the embed code for you website on the Craft Hope page in the sidebar.

Sometimes I read a blog post about Craft Hope and think EXACTLY! Jessica described what we try to do so beautifully… “What I love about Craft Hope is the acknowledgment that there are many sides to healing. As artists and as citizens, we need opportunities to create solutions, not just support them. Taking the time to cut and hem rags from old sheets, or crochet hand towels, makes us feel connected to the problem and to each other. Even more, it empowers us to use our collective talents to engage in new situations we might not otherwise take responsibility for.” Thanks Jessica!

We have also redesigned the Craft Hope website to make it easier to find pertinent information. I would LOVE your feedback on the site as our needs are always changing and we are growing.

Now go sign up and cut up some rags! Little things make a big difference. Get yer kids involved. Please.

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” — Dr. Seuss

I don’t have the words for this post. I’m still in a bit of shock. This community really is amazing. Because of you we have Craft Hope. Because of you we have a Craft Hope book. Without you, it would still be a dream in my head. Without your generosity, your love, YOUR hope, none of this would be here. I am forever grateful to the love I witness day in and out through Craft Hope.

So here is THE BOOK, published by Lark Crafts! You can preorder the book now, it will be available in stores in August. Aaack! I can hardly believe my eyes. The book is chock full of patterns by incredibly talented designers/bloggers that you all know and LOVE. Plus, each pattern has charities linked with it. So you can continue to CRAFT HOPE on your own terms. And don’t you think for one minute I’m going anywhere. The Craft Hope site will continue to reach the far corners of the world and your very own backyard.

I got a call that it was online and just about freaked out. Okay, in all honesty I freaked out. Craft Hope was started just over a year ago, with 27 dresses. And today, we reach around the world. We heal broken hearts, we step up when called upon, we give of our time, ourselves. We sacrifice, for others. Goodness, what an amazing community. You guys rock my world, you really do.

The crafters that contribute their skills, the shoppers that stepped up to support Haiti, the bloggers that spread the word, the designers that donated patterns to this book, the charities that welcome us with open arms. Alone we are just one person, but together we are an amazing force!

Twenty-ten is going to be a GREAT year.

Believe that, be that, live that.

Spread hope!

Talking to my hubby last night, all of the emotions were swelling within me like when Katrina hit New Orleans. I was a new mama, home in the evening with my 9 month old baby girl. I sat on the couch and cried. Wanting to help. Then a local news station broke in that the evacuees were heading to Austin. That they would be arriving at the Convention Center and the Red Cross needs donations. I loaded up my car with things Makena had outgrown or did not use anymore. The car was packed. Infant car seats, a bassinet, clothes, diapers… I knew women were arriving with babies and had nothing. And boy were those thoughts correct.

I jumped into my loaded car in my pajamas. I kid you not. Showed up at the Convention Center where bus loads of evacuees were arriving. Began unloading my car with items to help those mama’s make it through the night with their babies. And realized pretty quickly that the NEED was greater than reported. There was no one there to accept the donations. Simply people unloading. As I walked around I noticed hundreds of people, disoriented, trying to come to terms with what they had just been through. This group came straight from bus and airplane to Austin. I hurried over to the first Red Cross worker I could find and volunteered my time.

I worked through the night. In my pajamas. Welcoming people to Austin and listening to their stories. Helping them get into the proper lines to get a shower. Noticing that all of them arrived with NOTHING. Not a bag in their hands. They had come from devastation. They had to leave everything behind.

I worked the next four days, specifically evening times with a couple of friends from my church. One I happened to reunite with here in this blog space that I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. Crazy, small world. Stefani and I spent countless hours there. Sitting with the evacuees, listening to their stories, offering them a shoulder to cry on. It was truly the first lesson in my adult life in how to just BE with a person. Nothing else was expected.

I spent the daylight hours as a case worker for the Red Cross processing the evacuees and getting them money. Helping them figure out whats next.

Through all of my work on Craft Hope the past couple of days I have come across countless organizations and their multitude of needs. Honestly though, the stories that really break my heart are the stories of the children in the schools and in the orphanages.

I found this organization called The Hands & Feet Project, don’t even ask me how at this point, and have been following them on Facebook. They are updating their site regularly. It is an orphanage in Haiti. I look at the pictures of the children and I want to reach through the computer screen and make it all better.

This is a picture that they posted on their site earlier this evening. The children and organizers at the orphanage sleeping under the stars since their building is damaged. This is day two for them of no help. But there they are, each tiny body sleeping peacefully under God’s grace. Alive and well. This picture gives me hope. Hope that Haiti will overcome this devastation and the next generation will grow and thrive. It will take years, but for these precious souls it MUST be worth it.

Please do what you can and support Haiti. There are many outlets in which you can donate. You can text “haiti” to the Red Cross at 90999 and they will simply charge you $10 on your next telephone bill. What a great way to donate $10. You can also see what Craft Hope is doing with Giving Children Hope and also calling all crafters for donations for an Etsy shop to benefit Doctors Without Borders.

Please say a prayer tonight for those sweet souls in Haiti. They need our prayers more than ever.

This just in… Craft Hope Project 5 benefiting Margaret’s Hope Chest, to provide quilts to homeless children. Go the the Craft Hope site to sign up!

I just updated the Craft Hope site! We’ve got pictures to share of the children with their dolls at the Casa Bernabe Orphanage in Nicaragua. Eren is home from her travels and she wrote a beautiful piece on her blog about them. She delivered 405 handmade dolls to the Casa Bernabe Orphanage.

All of the blankets, beanies, booties, pillowcases and hankies I’ve been collecting for project 3 have exploded all over the house. We now have over 1,700 items! The Miracle Foundation is coming to pick everything up on Sunday and it heads to India next week. Next week it will be with the babies!

Now go on, don’t dilly dally… check the Nicaragua pictures out. They will leave you speechless and in tears.

Halloween?  Seriously???

So I went on a not so proud mama tangent about all of the things that will happen between now and Halloween.  The Craft Hope book.  Daddy’s birthday.  Craft Hope project 3 deadline.  The Craft Hope book.  Needing to launch Craft Hope project 4.  The beach trip.  The Craft Hope book.  Maintain the Chik Austin blog.  Maintain the Craft Hope blog.  The Craft Hope book.  The Craft Hope book.  Keegan’s birthday.  My birthday.  The Craft Hope book.  The baby’s birth.  Pfew.

All the while I have a strong desire to nest.  Get ready for the baby.  And spend some quiet time alone writing the book.

So in true Jade ignores life when it gets too busy fashion, I’ve fluffed up my bedroom nest this week.  It’s my way of coping and controlling something around me (heck, I have no problem admitting to this).  Changing out linens.  Finding a great deal on this lamp, who has a mate on the other side of the bed.  Hanging my grandmother’s antique plates on the wall.  And actually using some of the vintage embroidered pillowcases I’ve found thrifting.  The baby will spend a lot of time with me in this space for the first few months so I wanted to get it ready.  And as you know, my craft space is in the corner of this room so I’m not far from connecting with all of you.

All of this to tell you, like you didn’t already know, my plate is full.  I’m doing my best to manage every aspect of my life.  And I really appreciate the support that I get from my friends in the blogosphere.  You are my rock.  You have changed my life.  And for that, I will be forever grateful.

I’m going to post on Craft Hope today some pictures of the beautiful items I’ve been receiving for the babies in India.  If you get a chance, go to the site and glance at the sidebar with the numbers count.  I am amazed and utterly grateful.

This morning, in this space, I will be your air traffic controller.  Directing you here and there.

I spent most of the day yesterday working on Craft Hope Project 3.  Trying to find the words to express how much these little angels need you.  For this project, Craft Hope has partnered with the Miracle Foundation to provide blankets, booties and beanies for three childrens homes in India.  Go on over, sign up.  There is something for everyone in this project.

For the last project I was so blessed to be able to work with Eren.  She has the biggest heart.  Her strength, guidance and support has definitely made an impact on Craft Hope and myself.

The final doll count is 387!!!

And since I couldn’t say it any better myself, go read what she had to say about the doll project.  Well said my friend.