AfricanKelli

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Sorrow’s amazing addition to the sew-along. Love the Brazilian babe!

A while back I emailed a handful of crafty friends and asked if they’d be interested in a very special project. And then, after a deluge of positive email responses, I completely forgot about this little crafty event.

Apologies!

And so, I am now inviting the Internets to join along too. My friend Jessica, who has done amazing work in Brazil for years, recently brought toys to the children living in impoverished communities. The photos struck me; there were many gorgeous little Brazilian girls and boys carrying around very anglo baby dolls. They were tickled to have their own toy. But it got me thinking.

My favorite doll when I was a child was an African American Cabbage Patch doll named Elizabeth. (Second only to Aggie, the red-headed Irish version.) These two dolls were with me everywhere as a young girl. I adored them. Like little girls in countries around the world, my dolls were special. They had a tiny suitcase full of clothes and regularly were seat-belted into the car next to me. Thinking about it now, Elizabeth was a precursor to a life in love with Africa.

I want to provide the children Jessica is working with in Brazil with dolls that look like they do. Specifically, these Brazilian babies would provide a bit of handmade love to little girls living in poverty. Call me sentimental, but it makes me smile to think of a handful of girls growing up with a handmade item, knowing a woman they’ve never met thought of them, saw their potential, wanted to know they were special and wanted to encourage them to be amazing.

This is what a doll — a tiny piece of folk art — can do. Do not underestimate the power of focused women, especially when they are artists.

Duda wrapped her sweet doll in a homemade quilt.

Care to join this sew along? The rules are simple:

Make a handmade doll — knit, sew, whittle — in the spirit of Brazil. Include details in the doll that encourage your village girl. Photograph your creation and place it in the Flickr pool. Then, mail the doll, with a note if you’d like, to Jessica in New York by September 1.

It should also be said that I don’t know a thing about sewing dolls. I am going into this blind and simply hoping good fortune and patience will see this idea through.

Please leave a comment if you want to play along. I’ll email details to those who participate. This is an easy way for women internationally to provide a bit of handmade love to girls in a Brazilian village. It is simple, sincere and sweet. I hope you’ll join us!

-K

We are all our own worst critics, right? Because when I see these photos from my recent adventures on the East Coast, all I can see are end-of-the-day sweaty bangs:

Mama mia, do I need a haircut. Then again, perhaps I should be focused on the lovely friends I had a chance to spend time with instead of my own vanity?

Such luck I have! I emailed my three sets of friends in the DC area with less than 24 hours of notice to say I was coming to town unexpectedly and could they meet for dinner? Thanks to the metro and the ease of getting around a bunch of states near the Capitol, I was able to see all three. I mentioned my lovely time with Emily and John. The next night I was able to meet Mike (without his wife Sam, sadly) for sushi near Fairfax. I adore Mike, who I call Tuck. Tuck and I have been close friends for a decade, after going to church and church camps together for a decade prior and not paying any attention to each other. Once upon a time, we dated best friends and ended up on many double dates. The dates ended. Our friendship continued. I am so thankful he is in my life.

Sunday night I got to see my friend Bunny. Bunny and I worked together years ago in publishing; she just had her first child two months ago. I had a chance to meet Lucia and spend a bit of time with her husband too. Over Vietnamese, we talked fancy handbags, Filipino politics and family. It is funny how each friendship fills such a distinct and different need. When Bun moved from Phoenix 7 years ago, I knew our special friendship would never be replaced.

Again, a sign of true friendship is simply picking up where you left off. No remorse or guilt about missed birthdays or major events. Hugs, laughter, jokes about the past and promises of when you’ll meet again — I am so fortunate to have this with these lovely people. And you know they love me back. Not a single one said, “What’s with the sweaty bangs?”

-k

Remember these two? My college roomie and her lovely husband?

I hadn’t seen them since we were in Costa Rica for Thanksgiving a few years ago. Thankfully and quite unexpectedly, I am in Washington DC this weekend for work. Em + John and a handful of other friends live close by. I grabbed these two for dinner and a lot of chatter last night.

(The food was delicious. Blacks of Bethesda? Bravo. A+! So very, very good.)

Friendships that withstand decades? The best.

-K

I’m making the most of summer by enjoying quite a few of these:

and maybe a few of these, by the handful.

Blueberry coffee cake in the board room for breakfast meetings. A sign of a June well lived.

-K

This weekend, on my way home from the San Diego wedding, I was able to yet again meet another fabulous blog friend — Sue. She and her very sweet son Tau kept me company over poached eggs and cafe au lait. It was a delightful morning — cool Pacific weather, waves of interesting people waking up with caffeine and great baked goods, and a friendship falling into place like two girls who grew up together.

Internets, I know I’ve applauded you before for your magical powers of bringing like-minded folk together, but again, bravo! Sue and I asked each other a dozen questions about lives we’ve learned about via our blogs. We “know” family members, about recent trips and we share many passions — including creativity and Africa.

Plus, my God. How adorable is that child? He is a doll! He sat quietly and methodically putting together a Lego creation that he couldn’t wait to show once completed. Such a sweet little man.

I very much look forward to spending time with them again soon. And internets? Keep up the awesome work. You’ve blessed me with amazing girlfriends in a handful of cities around the world who I truly adore. Thank you, again.

-K