Needlework News » Crafting for a cause

Afghan Hands teaches and supports

Denise Felton — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:51:50 +0000

Please visit Rayela’s Fiber Focus and learn more about Afghan Hands. Its founder, Matin Maulawizada, says,

Afghan Hands teaches skills to help Afghan widows gain independence, literacy, and a livable wages. At our centers in and around Kabul, women learn to create embroidered shawls and scarves, and the exquisite embroidery they make connects them to a wider world.

The centers are places to gather, study, and work. We pay the women to attend classes in the morning and embroider in the afternoon. Without this project, they could not educate themselves. Through Afghan Hands, they leave the walls of their compounds and attend seminars on basic human, legal, and religious rights. They prepare for work as free women do elsewhere in the world. This way, no one will ever imprison them in the name of law, honor, or religion.

Afghan Hands is nominated for a BBC challenge that will award $20,000 plus publicity to a group that shows innovation and economic development at a grassroots level. Please consider supporting this organization in some way.

Learn more from the Fiber Focus post.

Stitching for a cause

Denise Felton — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:03:09 +0000

If you would enjoy stitching for a worthwhile cause but you wonder what organizations need your talent, please stop by Connie G. Barwick’s cross-stitch blog on About.com. Connie has set aside a page of her blog for links to charitable organizations that need your stitchy support. Thanks, Connie! See the list.

Free from UT: Breast-cancer-awareness design

Denise Felton — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:35:43 +0000

Urban Threads is sharing this rockin pattern in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Karline of UT says,

This punchy “Girl Power” design is available in formats for machine embroidery, hand embroidery, and digital stock art, so crafters of all stripes can use it on fundraising creations and supportive gifts.

Get the pattern.

Be a part of Project Night Night

Denise Felton — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:58:35 +0000

Please consider contributing your creative talents, or your cash, or both to Project Night Night, which comforts homeless children.

Many thanks to Diane Gilleland of CraftyPod for sharing this information.

Help Mollie help others

Denise Felton — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:01:39 +0000

Mollie of Wild Olive is repeating the good deed she started last year: funding caregiver kits for World Vision to equip volunteers who care for those affected by AIDS. From now through November 15, Mollie will donate all profits from her Etsy shop to this worthy cause. Get the details from Mollie’s blog. And prepare to shop!

Orbs to Boobie Balls. Who’s in?

Denise Felton — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:06:18 +0000

Tammy Gilley created these funtastic colorful orbs for this year’s Artfiberfest. Just looking at them makes me so happy. But as I studied them again today, it dawned on me: We should adapt this design to be used somehow with the upcoming Race for the Cure. All different skintone combinations. Boobie Balls. Let’s do it!

ArtBras against cancer

Denise Felton — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:47:08 +0000

This art bra, The Days of Wine and Roses and You, was created by Barbara of Roses on the Water blog and selected for inclusion in the 2010 WTWW ArtBra Calendar. Sales of the calendar benefit Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Read more about this creation and the benefit on Barbara’s blog. Or go to the flickr stream to see more of the featured bras. (When you get there, scroll down.)

Stitching “Challenge for a Good Cause”

Denise Felton — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:27:08 +0000

The fall stitching challenge over on Craftster focuses on two causes: Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness. Moderator kittykill says, “To honor both causes stitch up your favorite quote, your favorite role model or even a few cuss words to let us know how you really feel.” The entry period is October 12 to 18, so start stitching now! Get the details.

And many thanks to MrXStitch for pointing out the Challenge for a Good Cause.