Back On Track

My Bot is finally back home where it belongs.  It has a Bios problem....a problem with this particular model....and now it is up and running again.  I felt like someone had removed my heart and my mind when my computer was visiting with the Geek Squad. 

As you can imagine I have so much work to do to catch up on my posts I don't even know where to start.  So I'll be working on those posts the next few days.  I have been extremely stressed lately with a number of things that are beyond my control, including the USPS.  Did you know that if you use Click and Ship and take your packages to the Post Office they don't scan them so there is no "proof" that they have possession of your package?  I have had 4 people not receive their EQ Software.  All shipped on the same day from the same Post Office and all with Delivery Confirmation.  When the mail carrier delivers your package with delivery confirmation they scan it as they leave it at your address or box.  Prior to that there is no record of the shipment!!!  I had no idea whatsoever that they did not scan it into their system upon receipt of the package.  Essentially I am out quite a bit of money and postage too.  If I were to purchase insurance on each package then I would have been able to file a claim.  Interesting isn't it? 

On to WONDERFUL Package news.  I arrived home today to this incredible package.  When I opened it tears welled up in my eyes.  Can you believe how charming this pin cushion is?  I love pin cushions and one of my customers, Rosemary from CA, sent this to me along with a payment for an order.  Can you believe it?  I wonder how many businesses get gifts with payment? I am floating on cloud 9 right now.  Thank you Rosemary!!!  I'm thrilled to be so lucky to receive such a beautiful gift :)

If you thought this is the cherry topper....wait there was more!!!  Another customer sent a check for 150.00 and a Thank You note.  The money was not payment for an order.....it was a contribution for the Amani Ya Juu Foundation.  Incredible isn't it?  I get a Thank You card for her generosity.....dang I'm waiting for Oprah to knock at the door next.....I can hardly believe such wonderfulment coming my way today!!!

Speaking of the Amani Ya Juu Foundation, we raised over the 2800.00 necessary for the Mid-Arm to be purchased and taken tomorrow to Africa.  I asked Rosemary to send me a photo of the Mid-Arm so I could post about it on my blog.  As soon as she gets me the pix I'll be sure to write a post.  I am so incredibly glad that I found the wherewithal to put together that post when I was so exhausted and really did not want one more thing on my plate.  Just that one more thing has made a huge difference because of all of you who contributed.  Thank you all for trusting me, I'm so honored. 

Smiles,

Kelly

Africa - My Bucket List - My Dream - Our Opportunity

Imagine my thrill when I met a woman at Quilt Market, Rosemary Wissink, who will be leaving for Africa at the end of this month.  I was standing at the Cedar Canyon Textiles Booth talking with Shelly Stokes and she introduced me to Rosemary.  I had read about Shelly and Rosemary's trip to Africa while reading her blog awhile back. 

I told Rosemary that going to Africa is on my bucket list. I can not think of anything more incredible than to go and share the joy I find in sewing and quilting with other women who live there. She asked about my camera strap and I told her I whipped it up the night before I left because I needed one.  Rosemary asked if I would write a pattern so the women at Amni Ya Juu could make them to sell.   I was honored to think someone would want a pattern for something I made.....how cool is that?

I received a call from Rosemary one night while I was shopping for groceries. She told me she is leaving for Africa at the end of the month and the women at Amani Ya Juu need a Mid-Arm Quilt Machine.  They use the one they have there daily and it requires repairs that can not be done there.  She is working on getting the funding to purchase, at cost, a Nolting Mid-Arm Machine to take with her and she needs to raise 2800.00.

I asked her to send me an e-mail and this is an excerpt of that e-mail

I have been traveling to Kenya since 2000 after my daughter challenged me to live out a mission statement on my quilt patterns, I basically started the business to connect with other women and encourage them. After my partner left I decided to continue the business to be able to help other women especially my stitchin sisters in Africa. Having made 4 trips there I have seen incredible changes in the women by empowering them with skills and teaching them not only to sew and make products but to market their goods and learn life skills. Most of theses women are the sole providers and support extended family members, sending their children to school and helping each other through the tough times. They have overcome so much in their lives,poverty, war, ethnic cleansing,abuse and neglect. I wondered when I went what ever would I have in common with them. It was amazing to to me to see more commonalities than differences. We all long to be loved, have families, desire the best for our children, to have strong friendships , to help others and the list goes on and on. I have learned so much form them about what really is important. Even though I have helped them by providing tools and skills it is my presence and the fact that I care that makes our relationship so special. My desire to make a difference has truly been lived out through my experience, however they have given me so much more than I could give.

        

About 3 years ago another women from Ohio, Sandi Stolzfus who had lived in Kenya previously asked if I would help get a long arm frame and sewing machine to Kenya. I almost laughed thinking that is impossible! However we did get the frame shipped over in a crate of airplane parts and I brought the Nolting fun quilter inside my suit case. Having little experience with long arm quilting God provided a quilting instructor and she taught 3 women over a 2 week period. They have developed their skills and are sewing and quilting doing amazing work . The machine has been sewed on daily by and variety of women and they have literally worn it out. We tried to get parts sent and to have it fixed but to no avail. I asked the dealer if he had another used or refurbished machine he could sell me to bring and then I would bring the other home for rebuilding. The Nolting machine has been set aside for me and I can pick it up a week before I leave for Africa. The cost is 2800.00
Asante sana, Thank you so very much! Sincerely, Rosemary Wissink

Here are some samples of the women's work in Africa and is available for sale on their website. 

I had the choice at that point to say "sorry I can't help I'm too busy" which would be more than true....or to do what I can in the short amount of time we have to help.  I'm going to contribute to the price of the Mid-Arm Quilting Machine for those women in Africa as an act of gratitude for all that I have here in Ohio.   I have contacted several other women whom I trust who have been involved with this project and they tell me 100% of the money goes directly to the source....there is no "administrative costs."  Why not join me in helping too?  Lets see if we can make a difference.....perhaps you will be going to a guild meeting this week....can you pass the hat? Ask your family to donate in honor of your birthday instead of giving you a gift? Put three items back on the grocery store shelf and donate that amount?  Sell an old sewing machine that you don't use and donate the profit? 

Me, I'm going to go door to door and tell each of my neighbors that if they don't donate....I'm going to drive my lawn mower down the middle of the street nude each day for a month.....I bet that alone makes their wallets fly open!!! (fiction)

Lets Have A Notion to Make A Difference for The Women of Amani Ya Juu......please send me an e-mail to IHaveANotion@yahoo.com with Africa in the subject line with the amount of your donation and contact information.....lets see what we can do to get that Mid-Arm Machine to those women in Africa....what do you say?  I thought that is what you would say :)

Smiles,
Kelly