A Gift in Your Honor

December 1 is this blog's two-year anniversary. Despite all of my uncertainty about where to go with this blog, or how to find time to properly grow it, and my frustration with the way my life choices have turned out this year, this blog remains a source of great satisfaction and purpose for me, because of my wonderful readers. I am continually grateful that people from near and very far come by and visit and return.

I haven't been very good about responding to comments, but I truly love to receive them. Thank you to everyone who has written and shared thoughts and ideas. Thanks to everyone who has linked to this blog and honored best practices of giving credit for the thoughts conceived and expressed here. And despite my ambivalence about Facebook in general, I also love the growing circle of friends there interested in art, textiles, culture, and sustainability. On good days, it's a great source of lively conversation that keeps me connected to an inspiring circle of creative minds and hearts amidst the everyday chaos.

So, in honor of all my readers and two years of writing this blog, I've made a donation to Women for Women International through their Gifts That Give Back option. I gave US$75 to help purchase a sewing machine for a woman in a war-torn country. According to the organization, "For women in Afghanistan, Congo and Kosovo, the path to economic self-sufficiency often begins with a small home tailoring business." Donations of this kind are not always completely specific, and the money may go toward other purposes, and that's okay. But I like the thought of a woman in need not only receiving this tool that will help her thrive, but that she may also enjoy, and that might open doors of creativity as well as sufficiency. I'm reading Half the Sky, as I've mentioned, and it presents a very convincing argument that saving women and girls can save the world, and its authors support Women for Women International.

Another project I'd like to remind you of, as we kick off the holiday season, is The Sewing Machine Project. They'll accept your donations of used machines and send them to people in need in Louisiana and Mississippi, where families are still struggling to get back on their feet after Hurricane Katrina. I think they're still active, and what a great service.

If you know of other textile- and art-related giving projects, let me know. I have to give a shout-out to my mother, who knit hundreds of baby hats this year for premature and ill infants along with some friends of hers; they just received an award from the city of Richardson, Texas, for the project. While we grew up in my family with a strong sense of justice, it was often tied to a have-not mentality that I work to overcome, and we didn't ever practice service that I  can recall, so it's wonderful to see her so engaged in this project and giving her time and energy and talent.

That's all for now -- I'll be back later this weekend with a Full Moon post, links, and more. I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Blue skies and thanks to all of you, many times over, for visiting.

Comments

[Lainie]

Laurie,
It is so nice to hear from you, and this makes my day in the most beautiful way. I am so glad I could play a small part in your generous gift. It makes me feel less useless in the world, and grateful for this lovely community. Have a wonderful holiday -- and thanks so much for coming by. Im feeling very far behind on blogging, but my vacation starts today so Ill have time to write new posts and respond to comments!

[Laurie]

I'm catching up on my blog reading. Congratulations on our blogiversary! Because of you, I decided to donate a sewing machine to Women for Women International to honor my friends and family also, as well as teaching a woman to read for the faculty of my department. Merry Christmas!

[john hopper]

Congratulations on your second blogiversary. Important blogs like your own need to continue and flourish, so I look forward to the coming year ahead and then to your third blogiversary!

[Susan Elliott]

As one of your regular readers, thank you for the gift. It is absolutely beautiful.

[caro]

The two year mark. I can't imagine it since I've only just started myself. It has to feel like a real accomplishment. And what a wonderful way to celebrate it. You are generous, and you have a real effect in this world. I think of your blog as filled with many drops that spread in circles out and out to far beyond where you can see.

[Julia Moore]

I do know of a woman artist who spends some months of each year in Mazatlan. Her blog is DyeMetotheMoon.blogspot.com She just wrote about giving 13 sewing machines to the local women in her community. She didn't bother going through an organization, just set it up herself. Might be interesting to talk to. Her email is Maryruzich@hotmail.com
Very glad you are committed to keeping this blog going. It fulfills an essential ingredient in my artistic appetite, sort of a mineral I can't get naturally or something!

[jude]

time flies.

[Sara, Tasmania,]

Elaine, I cannot believe it is only 2 years! I feel I have been reading your blog so much longer. Your words of wisdom about life and culture are so inspiring - I have bought books and magazines recommended by you, have tried stitching ideas and am always so very very inspired. Your articles really make me look so far in the world, not just in our own culture. It must be sometimes difficult to keep going on such a quality blog, but I hope you do for many more years. Sara.

[Heather]

Congrats! I continue to find your writing inspiring - I have pared down my blog browsing time in the last few months, but always make sure to visit you regularly.

[debraann]

Congratulations on your blogiversary and I'm thankful I found you. I think it's great that you are using your blog to promote the needlearts as a means to improving your life. It certainly has done that for me.