A great idea for those of us who make things.....

This evening as the TV is being used by Mr. Pear for NFL playoff games, I am browsing your blogs!

At Colette's[A Bird in the Hand], I came across this charming badge (above) and link to Rebecca who has been helping sell handmade items from Haiti. With the current chaos Haitian artisans cannot produce many items for sale. The idea is that we can "take up the slack", so to speak and donate handmade things to raise money for this cottage industry.

I will be sending some of my ETSY listings to Rebecca and hope this will inspire others to donate to or purchase from the "Haiti by Hand", Etsy shop.

Please stop by and visit Rebecca and perhaps purchase one of the delightful creations donated to help her with the Haitian craft development program!

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Wednesday update: I have been seeing Dr. Allen Roberds, chiropractor. I am amazed at how much better I am feeling, and without the aid of drugs!!!!

I am doing a small bit of knitting and sewing. Also reading. [Dr. Roberds even detected that I was a little bit dyslexic and has helped with that! ---I thought it was just ADD...going to a chiropractic doctor is an interesting journey!]

I've been back at work for short periods and today will be a full day. Our area is bracing for a winter storm, due tomorrow evening. I'm pretty sure I will be home (not at work) on Friday as everything will be shut down awaiting a thaw. We are praying that it is not a severe ice storm like last January when we lost power for a week!

Saturday, I am scheduled to teach a block of the month. I am designing the quilt blocks myself this year! They are whimiscal applique blocks. The first one is a snowman. I will post him later!

Saturday, UPDATE:

Experiencing intense muscle spasms the last few days, (and having visited both a walk-in-clinic and then a chiropractor) I stayed off the Rx's and just tried to let my body heal itself. I rested and read 3 books...but relaxing was hard for me. Feeling guilty for missing work...etc..

Doing things became more and more difficult and painful. Finally last night, when I hurt so bad (both arms now) and couldn't even hold the telephone while talking to daughter Laura, I decided to go back on all the Rx's including the methylprednisolone. Today, I am just resting and hoping.....not able to "DO" anything, watch movies and sleep. I know that being able to relax is a big part of healing...and that has included a few gentle yoga stretches.
Now, I must quit typing too! [although, doing this "creative" blog post has probably relaxed me more than anything else for days! Blogging to relieve tension...like journaling it IS good for us!]

Tokyo Milk Products (something lovely!)


As you have probably noticed, birds are "in"....they are appearing everywhere and I love seeing them! This week, I discovered bath products by Tokyo Milk. The graphics of the labels are so beautiful (one is a sparrow), and the bar soaps even have fine glitter on the art work to add to the charm. I will save the labels for collage and enjoy the wonderful soaps and perfumes! Great stocking stuffers or hostess gifts!

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Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread

I am feeling much better after a day of total rest and medications. Soon, I plan to make this shortbread cookie, recipe .

It is from the JOY of BAKING web page....I will have to read more of the recipes there!

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One thing I have "enjoyed" while healing from this pinched nerve is my microwavable neck "pillow" or tube, which is filled with rice and lavender. BTW we had made these comforting neck pillows a few weeks back....I did NOT sew it while my neck was hurting! So warm and relaxing! Easy to sew too! ( The pattern is from http://www.allfreecrafts.com/ , I tried and tried to put the direct link to these instructions, but ended up writing her directions below.)

Directions for the Original Rice Hot Pack: For those who would like to stick with the traditional rice pack project, which produces a 3' x 4.5" tube, divided into rice filled segments, here are the full directions:
Supplies: scrap of cotton fabric ( be sure to use 100% cotton!), 37"x 10"; thread; chalk; sewing machine; one cup measure; measuring tape; scissors; 6 cups of white rice (not instant).
Skills:This is an easy to make beginner's sewing project. Ability to measure, cut, and sew rectangles with half inch seams.
What You Do:Fold fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the bottom and length using half inch seams. Turn tube right side out. Measure and mark with chalk, from bottom seam, every 6" along the length, ending a half inch from end. Pour one cup of rice (mixed with dried lavender it you can find it, our local health food store stocks it) into tube and sew across width at the first 6" mark, enclosing rice in a 6" x 4.5" rectangle. Repeat for remaining 5 cups of rice. Turn in a half inch from end, and sew very near the edge to close tube.
Include these instructions with your gift: "Rice Buddy Hot Pack/Cold Pack. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, until hot, and use as you would a hot water bottle. Great for easing aches and pains. For cold pack, store in the freezer."