Category Archives: Causes

A Stitch of Hope


Posted by tlcinspirations

With Valentines Day around the corner, what better way to share love than to use your creativity to help some special children feel  l❤ved and supported?

 

Put Your Passion to Work!

If you are interested in putting your sewing, knitting, or crocheting talents to work for the good of others, I invite you to join the current “Littlest Warriors” (Project 16) at Craft Hope. We have participated in past projects and found it to be a great way to give back something creatively.  If you haven’t heard of them, please learn more about Craft Hope on their website. Jade Sims is the founder of Craft Hope, and continues to bring crafters and causes together to create items that are needed during crisis. Haiti, Birds rescued from the Oil spill, dresses for little girls in a Mexico shelter, and sock monkeys for the littlest burn victims, are just some of the successful projects at Craft Hope.

 

Cancer Breeds Warriors

The Littlest Warriors is their most current project, and they are asking for handmade beanies and bags for children that are facing a challenging journey with cancer. The children can carry their bags, filled with all their favorite things for their hospital visits, or treatments. You have the option to fill the bag with items that would delight any child (please use good sense, and keep safety in mind). Cute, unique, funky beanies are also desired (all sizes from babies to teens). And, don’t forget they need items for both boys and girls. It’s a great opportunity to create “stitches that count.” It doesn’t matter if you make one item, or 20, they are all needed, and wanted.

 

I hope that you will consider creating a special beanie or bag for a child that is so brave, and so appreciative.  The deadline is March 12, so there is still plenty of time. You can find all the information you need at Craft Hope.

 

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ~ Dalai Lama


Cotton: 8 Reasons Why Organic Matters


Posted by tlcinspirations

Organic products have become increasingly important in today’s eco friendly world. Did you know that The Organic Trade Association considers conventional cotton the dirtiest crop, and that 16-25% of the world’s insecticides are used on conventional cotton crops? I was shocked to learn that fact. Can you imagine the impact on surrounding eco-systems? Conventional cotton utilizes large land masses, methods that deplete the soil, so that crops can’t be replanted, and uses frequent crop dusting methods to control weeds (herbicides), which harms surrounding eco systems. Conventional cotton requires more irrigation, since soil is depleted to the point that it can’t retain moisture that rain provides. At harvest, defoliation of the crop is chemically induced. Sounds to me like conventional cotton growing is a “dirty business” for all of us.

Cotton: 8 Reasons Why Organic Matters:

  • NO Insecticides are used / Use of beneficial insects and luring or trapping methods
  • NO Soil Depletion / use of crop rotation
  • NO Herbicides /Weeds are physically removed
  • NO chemically induced defoliation at harvest time/ Defoliation occurs from natural, seasonal freezing.
  • No Fertilizers
  • No GMO
  • Uses untreated seeds
  • Organic growing methods allow for healthy strong soil, which holds moisture more effectively, requires less irrigation.

Organic cotton is grown in 22 countries, India is the leading producer at 51%,  the US at 1.9%

Consumer demand for organic cotton continues to rise, due to unhealthy farming methods with conventional cotton. As the demand for organic cotton grows, prices will become more competitive, and lower. Farmers in the US  have increased their organic cotton production by 26% during 2008-09 (Ref: OTA) and the sales of organic cotton fiber increased by 10.4% during the same period of time. Retailers consume 50-60% percent of the Organic cotton market. Organic cotton plays a significant role in our health and well being, and I hope that you will make “organic cotton” a standard of your life. We welcome your thoughts and comments on this subject.

References:
OTA
Earth Talk

Note:  Just a reminder about our YouTube Channel, where you can view our tutorials.  Rachel just added a new tutorial for beginning crochet, if that is something you have been wanting to try.  Once we get the basic tutorials up, we will be adding some project tutorials.  Stay tuned, and thanks for following us!

 

Warmly,

 

 


Crafters Unite for Project 8 {Gulf Coast oil spill}


Posted by tlcinspirations

I can’t imagine what it must be like to be right there, faced with the catastrophic Gulf Coast oil spill. What it must feel like to watch it take over your beaches and devastate the marine life, environment, and habitat you hold so dear…to watch it steal away the livelihood of friends, neighbors, and family. I can’t imagine and I’m so sorry for the loss you must feel, that all of us feel, even though we are not standing next to you. Feeling Helpless is common, but I was recently told about a project, where we, as a craft community, could help.

The marine mammals (like dolphins & sea turtles) need us. If you can sew, knit, crochet, recycle old t-shirts, or even tie knots, you can help. Wash cloths and hand towels (made from absorbent, soft materials, like cotton) are desperately needed to help clean the animals affected by this disaster. The deadline is July 3rd, so there’s still time. Please visit Craft Hope to learn more! We are all in this together, so please pass this on.

And, if you prefer to donate something from your shop, please visit Help the Gulf Coast – a collective shop on Etsy, where 50% of the proceeds go to the National Audobon Society and the other 50% goes to Oxfam America, both of whom strongly support relief efforts on the Gulf Coast.