Spread the news! The next CHA social will be July 13th. Again, it will be open house style. Any projects will go to the Hand'n Hand Pregnancy Center and the "Granny Up For Oklahoma" project. Please email craftedheartsalliance@gmail.com to RSVP.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Join The CHA Email List!
One of the many things I've loved about the Granny Square project is getting to see people from all over the country participate. I've alway pictured this group becoming nationwide, but I figured the progression to this would be a much slower process. At this time, I want to take advantage of this opportunity by starting an (drumroll please) EMAIL LIST!
Okay, so that was a lot of build-up for something so lame, right? Well, just keep reading! It gets better, i promise!
Recently, I was made aware of a pregnancy crisis center in Barnhart, Missouri that flooded. I contacted the administrator, and she said that at this time, they're collecting burp cloths, changing pads and blankets. Local needs like this rise up frequently, and I want us to be able to assist however possible.
That's why I'm unveiling this list. Say a family in Pennsylvania, for example, was to lose everything in a house fire. In St. Louis, I'm unable to do very little, but people surrounding that family could organize a get-together and craft like crazy to bless that family. And that's really what Crafted Hearts Alliance is about - establishing a crafting community to help those around them.
Starting today, I'll start emailing out needs. You may receive an email that looks like this:
If it's in your area and you're able to assist, please email me back (but for the sanity of all, do not reply to all UNLESS you're willing to host a crafting day for the need), and we can work out the details. I'll mention it on the blog and include helpful patterns, but it's a much more personal way of reaching out to all members. Also, if a need arises in your area, let me know so I can pass it on to the group.
In order to be added, simply email craftedheartsalliance@gmail.com, and I'll add you.
I'm so excited to start on this and see how we can reach out to our communities through it!
Sincerely,
Friday, May 24, 2013
Granny Up For Oklahoma (Updated!)
Oh, my goodness. I honestly cannot believe the response I've had for this project! It makes me so excited to hear everyone's kind remarks. Thank you so much!
I know there have been a few questions, so let me answer a few here:
- Please feel free to make the insides as colorful as you chose. The only thing I'm really particular about is that the fourth round is white. Again, the only reason I do ask for the white border is because it will help to add some control.
- While it may be best to gauge the yarn according to the label, just try to make sure it's around 4x4. I personally gauge a little looser, and I know everyone is different.
- *Update: I understand that some are having their squares come out to be 5x5. You can still submit these at this size. I'll be making both afghans and baby blankets and can group the similar sizes together.
- At this point, there's no set time limit. When this changes, I'll post it here. I am working to get the finished afghans in a trailer already heading down, but if I need to make the drive myself, I absolutely will.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I'll be making a flyer for those who want to download and share, but it may be later on this weekend. Be on the lookout!
Also, please feel free to share any progress on Twitter/Instagram with the hashtag of #grannyupforoklahoma. I'm pretty excited to creep on these! And you can always upload pictures to the Facebook page.
Thank you so much!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Oklahoma
Last night, I sat on the couch constantly checking the radar. Summer storms were starting to bear down on St. Louis, and my stomach was in knots. I watched as the red and pink masses headed straight towards Belleville, veering off at the last second. We only received thunder and lightning. Others were not so lucky.
We're all keeping our eyes peeled on Oklahoma. The damage done is heart-breaking. A town is leveled, and people are still missing. Others are forever lost.
But with tragedy, there is always a great hope. We'll watch as the nation pulls together. People with hardly anything will give what they have. Strangers will lend hands, and Moore, Oklahoma will rise back up from the devastating rubble, but it will take time, and it will take work.
At this time, I want CHA to be involved in the healing process. We'll have a crafting day within the next few weeks and start on projects for those who lost everything. In the meantime, I want to start up a crochet project, and I want all the help I can get.
In order to get as many afghans completed as possible, I'll be collecting granny squares to stitch together. It's an easy task for even novice crocheters, and it's a great way to get rid of the excess yarn you have sitting around. You can get the pattern here.
To keep the afghans a little structure, I will have just a few suggestions:
1) The ideal yarn would be acrylic, size 4 yarn (I highly advise Hobby Lobby's brand, I Love This Yarn).
2) Please gauge yarn according to package directions.
3) Please make each granny square with four rounds.
4) Please use white for the outside border (That one is a little picky, but otherwise, it would look really chaotic).
Please mail completed squares to:
1100 Prairie Ave
Belleville, IL 62220.
Also, please consider sharing this post. The awesome thing about this project is that you don't have to be in the St. Louis area to participate.
Thank you,
Lindsay Fickas
We're all keeping our eyes peeled on Oklahoma. The damage done is heart-breaking. A town is leveled, and people are still missing. Others are forever lost.
But with tragedy, there is always a great hope. We'll watch as the nation pulls together. People with hardly anything will give what they have. Strangers will lend hands, and Moore, Oklahoma will rise back up from the devastating rubble, but it will take time, and it will take work.
At this time, I want CHA to be involved in the healing process. We'll have a crafting day within the next few weeks and start on projects for those who lost everything. In the meantime, I want to start up a crochet project, and I want all the help I can get.
In order to get as many afghans completed as possible, I'll be collecting granny squares to stitch together. It's an easy task for even novice crocheters, and it's a great way to get rid of the excess yarn you have sitting around. You can get the pattern here.
To keep the afghans a little structure, I will have just a few suggestions:
1) The ideal yarn would be acrylic, size 4 yarn (I highly advise Hobby Lobby's brand, I Love This Yarn).
2) Please gauge yarn according to package directions.
3) Please make each granny square with four rounds.
4) Please use white for the outside border (That one is a little picky, but otherwise, it would look really chaotic).
Please mail completed squares to:
1100 Prairie Ave
Belleville, IL 62220.
Also, please consider sharing this post. The awesome thing about this project is that you don't have to be in the St. Louis area to participate.
Thank you,
Lindsay Fickas
Sunday, April 7, 2013
May 4th Schedule of Events
The aim of the CHA socials is to allow an open house for fellowship with kindred souls and to create products for those most in need. We will have designated teachers to answer any questions you may have about your craft. Even if you have never picked up a needle or a hook, come along! We'll be more than happy to help you out!
The following will be the basic layout. Please note that in the future, any discussion time will be far more condensed.
11:00 - Arrival and fellowship.
11:30 - 12:30 - CHA Q&A
12:30-4:00 - Open house crafting
Friday, April 5, 2013
A Few Updates
Well, Day 1 into this project, and I couldn't be anymore excited. I can't believe all of the page views generated through Facebook, and I'm so grateful for all who shared it. Just a few updates:
1) My lovely sister, Stacy, has opened up her house for the May 4th gathering. It's located in Arnold, Missouri, and I know this will be more convenient for most of those coming. It's also more spacious and lacks my crazy dog, so win win win.
2) A Facebook page has been created. Please go here and be generous with that "like" button. Ever try out the "share" button? Click it...it's awesome:)
3) For those who absolutely hate any sort of crafting yet still want to lend supprort, you can help us by donating any sort of supplies from those Pinterest projects you may have started. Yarn, fabric and thread will be much appreciated. I will warn you, however, that the standard Red Heart yarn can be incredibly harsh when working with it for extended periods of time. Any giftcards to craft stores would also be wonderful. Please email me at lfickas@gmail.com regarding any donations.
Thank you!
1) My lovely sister, Stacy, has opened up her house for the May 4th gathering. It's located in Arnold, Missouri, and I know this will be more convenient for most of those coming. It's also more spacious and lacks my crazy dog, so win win win.
2) A Facebook page has been created. Please go here and be generous with that "like" button. Ever try out the "share" button? Click it...it's awesome:)
3) For those who absolutely hate any sort of crafting yet still want to lend supprort, you can help us by donating any sort of supplies from those Pinterest projects you may have started. Yarn, fabric and thread will be much appreciated. I will warn you, however, that the standard Red Heart yarn can be incredibly harsh when working with it for extended periods of time. Any giftcards to craft stores would also be wonderful. Please email me at lfickas@gmail.com regarding any donations.
Thank you!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
CHA Q&A
Q. So, what is CHA?
CHA (or Crafted Hearts Alliance) is a group started for those who want to "Craft for good." Our mission is to use our creativity to reach out to the community.
Q. What kind of crafts will this consist of?
Whatever! A few of the mediums would be sewing, knitting and crocheting. These are some of the easiest to utilize to help meet a need.
Q. So, what would we make?
Hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, whatever. Can you sew clothes? Awesome! Come along, we need you!
Q. What if I can't do any of the crafts listed above?
Come anyway! There will be food, friends and coffee. And more importantly, we'll teach you!
Q. Why would we start this now? In Spring?
Crazy, right? Well, there are actually a few reasons for this. One, I'm antsy, and I couldn't wait much longer to get this rolling, and two, think of all the projects we'll have done by this fall. Also, if you're a beginner, that's plenty of time to become a crafting wizard.
Q. Where will the first meeting be held?
It will be held at my humble abode (and I do mean humble). In time, I'd love to move this to a larger area, but for now, it'll be just fine. Please message me at lfickas@gmail.com for directions.
Q. What can I bring?
Aww, you're so sweet for offering. A plate of goodies would be wonderful! Also, please bring your own materials.
Q. Well, that sounds fantastic!
Totally! So, I hope to see you on May 4th. It starts at 11, but please feel free to come at anytime through 4:00.
I'm incredibly excited to start on this project and would love for you to join me. Please feel free to ask any additional questions either in this comment thread or via email. Thank you!
CHA (or Crafted Hearts Alliance) is a group started for those who want to "Craft for good." Our mission is to use our creativity to reach out to the community.
Q. What kind of crafts will this consist of?
Whatever! A few of the mediums would be sewing, knitting and crocheting. These are some of the easiest to utilize to help meet a need.
Q. So, what would we make?
Hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, whatever. Can you sew clothes? Awesome! Come along, we need you!
Q. What if I can't do any of the crafts listed above?
Come anyway! There will be food, friends and coffee. And more importantly, we'll teach you!
Q. Why would we start this now? In Spring?
Crazy, right? Well, there are actually a few reasons for this. One, I'm antsy, and I couldn't wait much longer to get this rolling, and two, think of all the projects we'll have done by this fall. Also, if you're a beginner, that's plenty of time to become a crafting wizard.
Q. Where will the first meeting be held?
It will be held at my humble abode (and I do mean humble). In time, I'd love to move this to a larger area, but for now, it'll be just fine. Please message me at lfickas@gmail.com for directions.
Q. What can I bring?
Aww, you're so sweet for offering. A plate of goodies would be wonderful! Also, please bring your own materials.
Q. Well, that sounds fantastic!
Totally! So, I hope to see you on May 4th. It starts at 11, but please feel free to come at anytime through 4:00.
I'm incredibly excited to start on this project and would love for you to join me. Please feel free to ask any additional questions either in this comment thread or via email. Thank you!
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