Haiti by Hand

I know we are all busy, but please check these links out:

http://www.rebeccasowers.typepad.com/ (check her sidebar to link to etsy)
http://haitibyhand.typepad.com/blog
http://haitibyhand.typepad.com/HBH-supply-listing.pdf (list of simple needs)

Quick History,
Rebecca Sowers is a highly thought of published Artist/Crafter from Tennessee. She actually was in Haiti just days before the earthquake working with women to create crafts to sell to help support low incomes.

Then disaster...now she has established a second Etsy sight, called Haiti by Hand, where 100% of the $$ created goes to these ladies. (Other people are now donating finished goods to sell there). As of late, she has created a list of "craft items" that are most needed so the ladies of Haiti can create and sell. Her thing is "how horrible to see others feed your children because you can not."

I am sending her a fairly large box of 'goodies' next week, nothing fancy or expensive, just went through my craft stash - half skeins of yarn, some fat quarters, a couple packs of sewing needles, etc.. This is my first box to go to her, but it won't be the last. Let's not forget the people of Haiti, time may heal, but let's give them some tools to get back on their feet and feel proud of their accomplishments.

Please contact me if you would like me to send your 'stash' with mine, either this coming week or in a later shipment, or contact Rebecca directly. (See above links for her contact info.)

Seattle Gift Show

Here's a sneak peek at some of my sweet vintage trade cards that I'm preparing for this weekend. Perfectly preserved under glass and soldered. It's a gift show for the trade and is not open to the public. But they offer a great antiques section which is cash and carry. So that's where I will be. I'm excited to offer my vintage creations too !!

I'm the Dishwater Blonde !! (2 legged one)

My Oh My, how I wish I was right there with these gals !!!

We may not be in convertible weather and there sure aren't many Garage Sales lately - but this picture is making me crave a quick winter's end. It's been weird winter weather here for sure! Had to share this pic and I'm lovin' that cat!!

Golden Key Guild

I just received this information from a dear family friend. Her daughter was diagnosed as an infant with a hearing loss. She has loved the progress Ellarie has made these last 3 years with a group through Seattle Children's Hospital called Family Conversations (FC). Below are the details of a fund raiser for a great cause and a great Valentine's evening. Please consider attending, regretfully I will not be attending, I am the DB that night (Designated Babysitter).


......."I am on the board of the Golden Key Guild through Seattle Children's which raises money specifically for FC. The day before Ellarie's 3rd birthday, the Golden Key Guild is holding a fundraiser for this amazing and life changing program. In honor of this beautiful milestone, we would like to invite all of you (and anyone you are inclined to invite) to attend Casino Royale! It will be a Valentine's night party with food, wine, dancing, and gaming! Your entry fee will get you one drink ticket, lots of yummy food, and an armload of chips to play with! Plus, 25% of all wine sales (glasses, bottles, and cases) will go to the guild too! Event details are below. Please note that you must call one of the numbers below to order tickets."....Shauna and Jeremy Higgins


http://goldenkeyguild.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx

Casino Royale!
When: Saturday, February 13, 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Location: Patterson Cellars
19501 144th Ave NE Suite D600
Woodinville, WA 98072
Tickets: $40 buy-in per person if you call by January 31st to order tickets or $50 at the door.
Call 206-371-9249 or 206-850-3858 to order tickets

2010 - HERE WE ARE !!!

I'm lovin' it!

2010 seems so surreal, so distant, so futuristic, yet I am so happy we are here. Though I must admit it will soon mean another year (and another decade) older, this old body is looking forward to all the good things that we cherish in the tradition of the New Year - renew, refresh, and my favorite this year, restart.

I just finished packing up and coming home from my first show of the year. (That's what made me think of mentioning aging - sore body parts!) It sadly was a financial bust. But though it consumed me for 3 show days plus loading and unloading, I am truly glad I went. I spent lots of time 'cajoling' - sharing, learning, planning, laughing - with some of the most special people. In this case, it was other vendors, people I have known for years, but in our busy lives, we have never spent "good, gettin' to know you" time together. I am invigorated and looking forward to a great new decade!!

I need to let you all know my calendar for the year and add some links. I have some great shows and events coming up. My next post (soon!) will give a sneak peek! Right now I'm working on some great new products for the Seattle Gift Show in a couple weeks! OMG, I better get busy !!!

Holiday Greetings !
I know this is not a traditional way of sending Holiday Greetings, and I am sorry I didn't get Christmas Cards out this year...
But I wanted you all to know that we, the Sears, are truly blessed this year.

As most of you know, Randy was diagnosed in April with stage 4 throat (tonsil) cancer. His doctors said if he didn't have extensive treatments, he would not be with us this Christmas. Boy, did we have a grueling 8 months! Treatment devastated him (and me too!). To be honest, there were many times that we didn't know if the treatments were killing the cancer or him! The details, I just won't go into....
But the truly good news is that last Thursday was his final 'scan' - and Randy is right now cancer-free. Yippee !! The doc's say he had only a 20% chance of this happening, the old U.S. Marine Corps Drill Sergeant beat the odds!! He isn't on meds or anything now. He's returned to work, is regaining his strength and weight and is looking forward to a great umpiring season in 2010. He's anxious to again play robustly with grandson Tyler (3 years in April) and to get to know beautiful baby Katelyn (who was only a few months old when he was diagnosed).

Randy does need to be seen every 3 months and the docs say he is "a high risk for re-occurrence" patient - but for now, and as we look forward - we are a bunch of 'happy campers' !!!

So, may your Holiday Season be bright and we all look to a healthy, wonderful New Year.
Love to you all !!

I've been blogged !!

I am flying high !! Check out the absolutely beautiful pictures at http://mimicharmante.blogspot.com/ - what a very talented lady ! I was tickled PINK (the Funky Junk Sisters Show colors) to have her photograph my booth. In reality, this is the 1st time I've been published, I'm a newbie ya know.... well, that's not true...Dear Sweet Deb at http://retreatdesign.blogspot.com/ took a great photo of my obnoxiously (is that a word?) ORANGE feather wreath at Sandpoint last month. It was happily posted on Sandpoints blog.

Any-who, I am now sooo motivated to get some pics up on my blog. But I will have to charge camera batteries first! And am needing lots of time to get ready for :

Excuses, excuses, and even procrastination !!!!