con-tain-it

Today ONLY: One Way To Make Your Creative Purchases Count

 

Team Up with North Light and Support Disaster Relief in Japan

Today I received this email and wanted to share it with everyone so that you could also take advantage of this one day opportunity to buy those books that you've been thinking about and to do some good for others at the same time.  It's a win-win situtuation for everyone!

Fondly, Roberta

Dear Friends of F+W Media, Just one month ago none of us could have envisioned the tragedy, horror, and devastation now impacting the people of Japan. Watching the frightening images from half a world away left us feeling powerless to help, but compelled to action. Much like in your own community, school, or place of work, the employees at F+W Media, parent company of North Light, wanted to do something - anything - to help. While the people of Japan are relocated to temporary housing, as supplying food and potable water becomes critical, the need for support in the coming weeks is even greater. Wednesday March 30th we will join with the American Red Cross to lend our support. And, we hope you will too. F+W Media will donate 50% of all profits received Wednesday from the sale of products and services via all of our 24 eCommerce stores. By choosing to make a purchase on this day, you will directly contribute to the ongoing efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance to the people of Japan. Whether you're a writer, artist, graphic designer, genealogist, or outdoors enthusiast, we are all part of the global community and every one of us can help. I want to take this moment to thank you, too, for your support of F+W Media. We strive daily to ensure we are providing you with the quality content, creative inspiration, and community engagement you seek. Thank you, David Nussbaum, Chairman & CEO F+W Media, Inc.

Together with the American Red Cross each of our stores below will be helping the people of Japan

Adams Media Store KrauseBooks.com RuCraft Shop Family Tree DigitalBookWorldStore MyCraftivityStore Shop Woodworking ShopNumisMaster F+W Magazine Store MyDesignShop ShopBlade Shop Old Cars Weekly F+W Media Bookstore North Light Shop Shop Collect The Hobby Warehouse Gardener's Hub Painters-Books Shop Deer Hunting Writer's Digest Shop Gun Digest Store RuBooks Shop Everything

It's an aftershock of silence...

 

Just like the date and numbers 9'11 (2001)...Now 3'11 (2011) will always be significant.

AND since Friday (3'11) I have become numb and frozen in time and space as I sit here glued to the television watching the devastation from the earthquake and it's resulting tsunami.  All of this is just so unimaginable to me yet the images and videos keep revealing more horrible, heartbreaking stories.

 

It makes me want to do something (anything) to help the many who will struggle to survive the cold and harsh conditions with very limited food, water and shelter.  TWO amazing ladies, Lydia {Ever Ours} & Lucy {Utterly Engaged} have teamed up and organized {For Japan with Love}, a fundraiser for the earthquake and tsunami relief.

 

All the donations {For Japan, With Love} will go to ShelterBox, which provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.  ShelterBox was handpicked as the organization to donate to because their volunteers are already there in Japan helping. 

Please join us this Friday, March 18th, in the Bloggers’ Day of Silence!

My blog will (continue to) be silent, which means no posts (this entire week) to honor and respect what has happened in Japan.  Blogger friends if you are interested in participating, please contact either, [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

 

Fondly, Roberta

Everything is blooming...

Photo Credit

Went out yesterday to run some errands (and to deliver some Bags of Hope to a man named Sid ;) and was surprised to see that the Bradford Pear Trees were all in BLOOM.  It was like overnight...I swear...one day they were bare tree trunks and the next...POW...covered in white looking like spring snowballs.

Now my allergies are ALL blooming as well...so today I'm staying in and playing in my art journal.

Seems like the groundhog had it right this year...are there signs of Spring popping up where you live?  Do share. 

Fondly, Roberta

If you are just starting a blog, or you want to take your blog to the next level, check out The Art of Blog Seduction: How to Draw Subscribers to Your Awesome Blog.  It is the next A-List blogging bootcamp starting March 6th.  Last year I joined the A-List Blogger Club when I first heard about it through Leo Babauta, Zen Habits (especially when I learned that Leo was one of the founders of the A-List Blogger Club).  Since then I have participated in some of their previous Bootcamps and I've learned how to improve my About Page, how to write better blog posts and headlines and much, much more.  Check out The Art of Blog Seduction here.

There is more to the story about a man named Sid...over here ;)

Mosaic Monday: More Bags of Hope

Message of HOPE for Roger...

Yesterday, while DH was watching Nascar I decided to go out and take advantage of the beautiful weather that we were having and to run some errands.  ONE of those errands was giving out my LAST Bag of Hope that I had put together.  I found Roger standing at Wal-Mart parking lot and when I first pulled up and rolled down my window he didn't want to make eye-contact.  SO when I handed him the bag I asked him for his name and he looked rather stunned and SO I asked him again and he finally looked at me and answered.  I responded with my usual...Bless You Roger, my name is Roberta...and I actually got to look him in the eyes and he SMILED!

You can see that I was able to capture him {in my side mirror ;} peeking into his bag....happy dance!!!

How do you demonstrate LOVING one another?

LOVE is a verb!  I brake for the homeless.

 

“Come on people now, smile on your brother. Everybody get together try to love one another right now.“  The Youngbloods, 1967

Today it was for Steve...he is a homeless vet who stands here at the entrance of the Walmart near my home.  He is shy {or ashamed :} and did not want me to take a close-up photo of him.

AND Then There Were Twelve...

Little Dresses for Africa!

So sorry for the poor lighting...it is overcast here today and so very dark and gray...worst conditions for trying to capture these Little Dresses ;)

Now There are Three...

Little Dresses for Africa!

 
Just love these bright colors and can just imagine them on the little girls with their beautiful dark skin ;)  There are nine more in the works and I'm almost done...

The only thing left to do is to pin/sew the seam binding onto the arm holes...which also creates the shoulder ties.  BUT I have run out of the RED seam binding so I have to make a run to the store today to find this same color RED seam binding.  I have enough to finish four of the dresses...but alas...I have six dresses with the red necks already done!  SO I only need two packages...wish me luck ;) 

Linking up with TidyMom's I'M LOVIN' IT FRIDAYS! 

Fondly, Roberta

WFMW: Green Bag Lady

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristen, of We Are THAT Family blogspot, is looking for Valentine's ideas this week for Works-for-Me WEDNESDAY so be sure to hop on over and share all of your great ideas.  Around here at the Love Shack we are are thinking GREEN...as in the Green Bag Lady ;)  This month I was the lucky WINNER of Bag No. 14,000 from the Green Bag Lady and it has inspired me to make some manly bags for the men in my life.  Huh?  A Man Bag...you are all asking yourselves and scratching your heads...I know!  Well...I went to the fabric store and found some wonderful buffalo-check flannel fabrics in red n'black and green'  n'black so they are manly ;) 

Mosaic Monday: Little Dresses in the Works

Last week I told you all about my participation in another Little Dresses for Africa drive and today for Mosaic Monday I just wanted to give you all some visual updates on my progress ;)

Devon4Africa & Little Dresses For Africa

 
Last fall I was contacted by Devon after she read by blog post about how I was making Little Dresses for Africa.  She had loads of questions about the organization Little Dresses for Africa and how I got involved in a drive to make these dresses; how we were able to ship the dresses; who dispursed the dresses; AND who actually got the dresses.  I quickly explained that it was not I who coordinated this huge drive for the organization Little Dresses for Africa...that it was actually Kristen, from We Are THAT Family  blogspot and, her local church organization that was coordinating the entire drive. ME...well I just volunteered by sewing some dresses here at the Love Shack...and then I sent them onto Kristen for distribution to the organization, etc.

Photo from here: Little Dresses for Africa

Next thing I know, Devon was coordinating her own drive and she contacted me to see if I was still interested in making some more Little Dresses for Africa to help out her little girls in the Casa Emanuel Orphange in Guinea Bissau, Africa.  Once I learned that Devon was holding her two functions in January (yah...after the holidays ;) I was more than happy to make the commitment to sew another 10-12 dresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this past weekend, both groups got together, Devon's group in Oakland, CA and Toni's group in Plover, WI and they were a great start.   NOW...you know what this means...I've got a lot of catching up to do!  AND that I'll be busy sewing for the next couple of weeks so don't worry if you see fewer blog posts...just poke me here and say hello! 

If you'd like to help in any way, please contact Devon directly to see what she needs in the way of donations for fabrics, sewing and/or funds to reach her goal of 80 Little Dresses for Africa.  Thank you so much and be sure to tell her that Roberta sentcha ;)

WFMW: Green Gift Wrapping This Holiday Season

 

Back in November, Sew,Mama,Sew!teamed up with one of my favorite ladies Teresa Van Hatten, The Green Bag Lady. Teresa has been making and giving away cloth grocery bags for several years and at the last count there were nearly 14,000 Green Bag Lady Bags. In fact I have been the lucky recipient of three Green Bag Lady bags and was lucky enough to share one of the Holiday Bags with my niece Cortney in California ;)   This year, Sew,Mama,Sew! and Teresa have combined their by organizing a holiday sewing project and they have asked all of us bloggers and readers to join in:

The Green Grocery Bag Challenge: A Holiday Sewing Project Benefiting Mother Earth

Fact 1: US consumers generate 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bag waste during the holiday season alone.

Fact 2: The US goes through 100 billion single-use plastic grocery bags every year.

Fact 3: This year, you can make a difference!

A Little Help From My Friends...

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, Gonna try with a little help from my friends
Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends,
with a little help from my friends

Full lyrics here from The Beatles - A Little Help From My Friends

Just can't get this song out of my head because that is what I keep thinking about when I tally up all the funds that we collected during my recent Rubber Stamp PURGE.  I want to thank everyone who participated and made this experience so worth it...ladies you are all the best! 

• Donnie of New Blessing Everyday
• Sherry of Country Wings in Phoenix 
• Barb of Designs by Dogmom Diva
• Cortney of Living & Loving in LA
• Cynthia (no blog ;) 
• Kathleen (no blog ;)
• and Joy (no blog ;) 

Together they all raised over $125.00 dollars of which every dollar is being donated to The Mercy House!  That's alot of rubber ladies...woo hoo!  That is one check that I was happy to write today and to mail out ;)

Ladies...I am wishing you all the best and...singing a little out of tune!

What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm,I get high with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.

Full lyrics here from The Beatles - A Little Help From My Friends

Fondly, Roberta

 

Brrrr....humbug! The Grinch lives here...

That's because we got SNOW here on Saturday and now it's turned very cold... 

AND anyone who knows me...knows that I get very grouchy when it's cold outside.

It makes me feel trapped inside...and stuck...which is so absurd because I can sit inside all day long (and have ;) when the sun is shinning and never even think about going outside.  Absurd...maybe...but the reality is that I KNOW that I can go out anytime I want to AND not freeze my face off ;)   Sorry...but I don't get all excited about wearing gloves, boots, scarves and hats which make my hair a static mess.

SNAP OUT OF IT...I tell myself (and I mentally assume the Mary Engleibreit pose ;)

Fabulous Friday...Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Wow!  What a day...with the mail man, the UPS driver, the Federal Express driver and the post office I have had!  It has been a Fabulous Fridayhere at the Love Shack with all sorts of deliveries...for which I have been the lucky recipient for...as well as a full day of wrapping rubber stamps to ship to all the lovely ladies who participated in the first Rubber Sale ;)  So quickly, before it gets really busy again...I'm taking the time the demonstrate how much I appreciate all the fantastic bloggers who keep on giving! 

First I want to thank all the lovely ladies who participated on Day 20 and Day 21, of my MASSIVE rubber stamp liquidation sale.  Collectively they raised $66.00 for one of my favorite charities, The Mercy House.  Now this might not seem like a huge amount but it is a great start for sure.  There are still plenty of great deals left...over 40 sets of rubber stamps for next to nothing! AND all of the profits will still be going to The Mercy House.  Kristen posted today about how a $3.00 donation...Spare Change to us...can really make a BIG difference so please hop on over and put your bids in NOW ;)  

• Donnie of New Blessing Everyday
• Sherry of Country Wings in Phoenix 
• Barb of Designs by Dogmom Diva
• Cortney of Living & Loving in LA
• and Cynthia (sorry I don't have a blog ;) 

There is STILL time...to get your rubbers!

Rubber stamps that is! I just completed The {21} Purge in which I de-cluttered and organized my home. On Day 20 and Day 21, I worked on clearing out my MASSIVE rubber stamp collection. Now here is where the deal is...I am selling over 50 sets of rubber stamps for next to nothing! AND all the profits will be going to one of my favorite charities, The Mercy House.  Every one of the sets has a minimum of 2 (very large stamps) but the average set has 4-5 wood mounted rubber stamps and they are priced between $3 and $6 per set (plus shipping). You could not buy ONE of these stamps for these prices in any retail store and MANY of these stamps have NEVER been used! There are dozens of Holiday stamps sets to choose from if you need to make a few last minute Christmas cards. OR give a set of stamps...they are a perfect gift for a special someone.  Today, I'm opening up the sale again and adding more stamps that I found in my STORAGE...yikes!!!  There are over 40 sets of stamps (still available) BIDS CLOSE, Monday., December  6th at MIDNIGHT {EST} 

 

WFMW: Simple Stuffed Pork Chops & Get Your Rubbers Here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did the title get your attention? I hope it did because I have this amazing deal to share with you!  I just completed The {21} Purge in which I de-cluttered and organized my home. On Day 20 and Day 21, I worked on clearing out my MASSIVE rubber stamp collection. Now here is where the deal is...I am selling over 50 sets of rubber stamps for next to nothing! AND all the profits will be going to one of my favorite charities, The Mercy House.  Every one of the sets has a minimum of 2 (very large stamps) but the average set has 4-5 wood mounted rubber stamps and they are priced between $3 and $6 per set (plus shipping). You could not buy ONE of these stamps for these prices in any retail store and MANY of these stamps have NEVER been used! There are dozens of Holiday stamps sets to choose from if you need to make a few last minute Christmas cards. OR give a set of stamps...they are a perfect gift for a special someone.  SO hurry on over and bid on your favorite stamp sets because the BIDS CLOSE tonight, Wed., December 1st at 7pm EST! 

Follow the links to see what's available... 

Day 20 Stamp Sets

Day 21 Stamp Sets

 

The {21] Purge: Day 21...You've Come A Long Way Baby!!!

 

Today is Day 21 of The {21} Purge!  Woo Hoo!  Today we cross the finish line and  Rhonna's FINAL message is:  "ok. now that we are at the end of the game....I get a little emotional!  Isn't it crazy how you look back & it seemed like we started just yesterday?  see? Now, each time you do another 21 Challenge, it will get easier. With each step...you will become even more amazing! You will become the kind of person you want to be."

 

Wow...there were some days that I didn't think this day would ever come ;)  Looking back over this {21} Challenge and the past three weeks...all's I can say to myself is...You've Come A Long Way Baby!!!

Today was my final day of PURGING and I plowed through the process of expelling all my RUBBER.  After sorting and bagging up all the sets that will be added to yesterday's sale, I found myself with all these EMPTY kit cases...woo hoo!

The (21) Purge: Day 20...Keep going...and give back!!

 Today is Day 20 of The {21} Purge and Rhonna's message today is:  "lest you think you can give up today...take a rest..or even get lazy...think again.  It's when we get lazy & think it's OK to 'rest'...that we slip back.  yes.  even one day. i tell ya!  I've had it happen to me!  so, don't let it happen to you!  On our road to success, we go forward or backward...we don't stay still.  Even when you take a day off, you are going backward...not forward.  If you've learned anything from this  I hope it's that when you take it one step at a time, and you are consistent...you will move forward & reach the destination you have been headed toward.  Keep going..."

OMG a day of rest...I wish!  I thought purging my clothes and getting out from under my bed and out of my closet was tough...oh boy...I'm at the end of my {21} Day Purge and asking myself again...WHY DID I START THIS???  Well...BECAUSE I just can't keep putting it off!  I just have to DEAL WITH IT...sorting and purging my MASSIVE Rubber Stamp Collection that is ;) 

Samaritan's Feet: Shoes of Hope!

 
Samaritan's Feet South Africa is a charitable organization based just outside Cape Town, and has grown out of a bigger organization called Samaritan’s Feet, based in the USA. 

Samaritan’s Feet is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives through Shoes of Hope distributions around the world. 300 million people wake up each morning without a pair of shoes to protect their feet from injury and disease. 

Thanks to You...Another Miracle! AND the winner is...

Thanks to You...Together we made a difference by leaving comments and support and raising over $2,000.00 for another Miracle Makeover! 

Each comment is cherished. Each comment or thought has value. That is the premise behind the concept of the "comments fundraiser" we just completed. The founder of Guideposts, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, said "If you can change your thinking you can change your world." With all of these positive, uplifting, and powerful thoughts-- as comments you have donated-- we are changing our world. Guideposts Magazine, Colette Gauthier, and I, thank you friends and bloggers that put so much love into this endeavor.

 Kelee's organization,

Pink Saturday: MIRACLE MAKEOVER & GIVEAWAYS PARTY!

 
This week for Pink Saturday please join us in celebrating life' miracles with Guideposts Magazine's MAGNIFICENT MIRACLE PARTY: August 27-31 with Kelee Katillac and Colette Gauthier!

Colette Gauthier was suffering with cancer.  She had moved into a tiny and dismal rental home.  Recently divorced and alone, she was almost out of hope.

That is when inspiring designer, Kelee Katillac, and Guideposts Magazine stepped up to the challenge of creating a peaceful, healing space for Colette.  The story is featured in the September issue of Guideposts Magazine.

Pink Saturday: Doing It For Others...DIFO Pillow Case Project Update

   

Happy Pink Saturday!

Hope everyone is enjoying themselves today visiting everyone's Pink...

Big Thank You! once again to Beverly of, How Sweet The Sound, for all her hard work every week to put this blog party together.

Please be sure so show your support by checking out Beverly's big announcement today for an upcoming Pink Saturday event that will be life changing for someone in need.

That is what is so fabulous about all the Pink Saturdays...that we can reach out to so many people and make some great things happen for everyone all over the world! 

 

Today for my Pink Saturday post I am going to take this opportunity to tell you about another wonderful organization:

Samaritan's Feet South Africa is a charitable organization based just outside Cape Town, and has grown out of a bigger organization called Samaritan’s Feet, based in the USA. 

Samaritan’s Feet is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives through Shoes of Hope distributions around the world. 300 million people wake up each morning without a pair of shoes to protect their feet from injury and disease.