AfricanKelli

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I’ll admit I take most of my sewing inspiration from craft blogs. I see others trying new projects and think, “Oooh… I should so do that!” This all started several years ago when I made the fateful discovery of Craftster. The rest is history.
This zakka patchwork mat follows a similar story. I saw it first on LittleBirds and then found another great version made by Autum. I am a scrap saver — mainly because my mom is this incredible quilter and always appreciates when I give her the extras. I pulled out a bag of scraps I’d intended to give her and realized that some of these colors would look so cute in a kitchen mat…

Slowly but surely I used my Quilting 101 book and my rotary cutter and pieced together these strips. It was easier than I thought it would be, even though it was quite time consuming. I love these color combinations and it isn’t as glaringly bright in person. Pink, orange and lime are another favorite of a certain someone I know. I’m thinking she needs a new Fall kitchen mat, don’t you?

And don’t worry Mama, there are plenty of scraps left!

{Funny tangent, my mom finds it all too strange that I took up quilting, sewing and a love of crafts about two seconds after their moving van pulled away from their house in Arizona, headed to the new casa in Texas. My mom has been sewing as long as I can remember. There are some clothes she sewed me in elementary school I’d actually rather not remember. Regardless, the woman is darn crafty. I don’t find my new hobbies strange in the least. I’m missing my family + crafty mama = me sewing to feel like a piece of her is still here. Easy math.}

~K

[Thank you for your kind response to yesterday's post. I am thrilled that so many of you also sent the letter to your congressperson. Hopefully we will give them motivation to act!]

I came home yesterday to a tiny parcel on the doorstep from a girlfriend in California. I do not know this friend very well, so I was particularly touched by her thoughtfulness. Laura is a quilter and is also a bridesmaid in Emily’s upcoming wedding. I’d sent her a wristlet several weeks back and she in turn sent me the cutest little pumpkins!

Aren’t they sweet? I think these could be used for decoration or for pin cushions. Even sweeter, she sent the directions to make them. I hope she doesn’t mind that I’m sharing these:

Mini sewn pumpkins:
Cut your fabric into different size rectangles
8″ x 17″ – 9″ x 18″ – 9″ x 22″ – 7″x 17″ – 11″ x 22″
3″ x 7″ – 4″ x 9″ – 5″ x 10″
Sew down the short side of the rectangle with the right sides together. Thread a needle and double the thread. Run a basting stitch along one edge and pull tight. Turn right side out and run a basting stitch along the other edge. Don’t pull this side tight until you stuff your pumpkin. Stuff your pumpkin, but not too full. Pull your basting stitch and put your finger in the opening, pull tight and knit. That leaves an opening for the stem. Put glue in the hole and push your stem in the top. Twist your pipe cleaner and wrap it around the stem. Glue 2 leaves and add raffia.

Voila — sweet little pumpkins.
~K

Call me an optimist, but I’m hoping you’ll each take a second to send this letter to your congressperson about ending the genocide in Darfur. The truth is, together we can make a difference. Does it sound corny? Absolutely. Is it possible? Yes. Without a doubt, history has changed by small groups of dedicated people. We can be that group. As a woman, an American, a Christian, a public health worker — I do not accept what is happening in Darfur. Will you please join me in sending this to your senator?

Dear Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain,
As you know, there are more than 2.5 million people living in refugee camps in the Darfur region of Sudan. These people have been forced into refugee camps after fleeing for their lives during ethnic cleansing. The latest statistics show 65% of Sudanese men have died in this conflict — a conflict our own President has called genocide. The women and children who have survived are often victim of rape and have witnessed the worst of humanity.
I do not accept this situation and I want the United States to act. As my representative, as my voice in Congress, I hope you will today take my concerns (and those of my community) to the floor of the Senate and ask for action.
There is absolutely no excuse for us allowing 2.5 million people to die in refugee camps. And they will die. Infectious disease, attacks from the Janjaweed militias and exposure are frequent causes of death in these camps. To put this in perspective, there are an estimated 2.5 million people who live in Phoenix. Something must be done today.
You are my voice within the most powerful government in the world. There is simply no excuse for our inaction. Let’s right this wrong as quickly as possible and help those most in need — our brothers and sisters in Sudan.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Africankelli

I’ve been spending a fair bit of time lately thinking about Darfur and how I feel hopeless. Rarely do I feel hopeless. I’ve written my congressmen. I’ve talked about this with anyone who will listen and a fair number of kind friends who don’t want to listen. I’ve watched the news reports, I’ve read the books, I’ve sat on my hands and done nothing more than pray for the last three years. Now, there are 2 million people living in refugee camps and the Janjaweed are firing on neutral forces — including the medics. I watched a 60 Minutes special on Darfur yesterday and cried for an hour, shaking in anger. Hitler similarly closed the borders and killed in destructive swaths. Where is the international force when we need it? They need it. Please, may someone hear my little voice and do something about this tragedy. I don’t know what else to do, and yet, I know I cannot live with myself if we don’t work to do something.
Do you have any ideas?

We are home from Mexico and darn it if I wish we weren’t lounging on the beach again this morning. Seven of us rented a condo in Rocky Point for the weekend; we spent the better part of four days reveling in gluttony. We ate, we drank, we baked in the sun, we danced, we played Taboo until we were in tears and we even managed to ride a mechanical bull or two. It was a weekend to remember and one of little moderation — making Monday all that more sobering. Ay.

So far, 27 is treating me nicely.
~K