Asante sana = thank you very much in Swahili. Neither Nicaraguans nor Mozambicans speak Swahili, but I’m pretty sure they’d also find this new vocab word of the day more interesting than the Gracias! or Obrigado! they’ll be sending you when they receive these amazing t-shirts.

My guest room is packed with packages. I’ve received a suitcase full of tees from my parent’s church in Texas. A Brazilian mother’s group in Phoenix created a beautiful box of little shirts with Portuguese sayings. In fact, shirts have arrived from half a dozen countries with some of the most touching notes. It is hard not to get a bit overwhelmed by your generosity.

Thank you. I don’t know how else to tell you how much you rock.
Thank you. Gracias. Obrigado. Asante sana!

~Kelli

P.S. If you are looking for an excellent book about Africa, I am savoring “What is the What.” It is the tale of one of the Sudanese Lost Boys. I’ve known very little about the Sudanese conflict and am enjoying this story so much. Also, I am really excited to see this movie. Africa, here I come! 9 days until Nicaragua; three weeks until Malawi!

Just for a second, I wish I could turn of my conscience. I’m not talking about the Holy Spirit or my mother’s voice — which schizophrenically I also hear on occasion. Or even my internal critic who has been piping up way to often lately. (As Annie Lamott would say, it is time stop listening to KFUCKED and turn on something more pleasant, such as KROCKS.)
If I could just temporarily walk away from what is right and wrong for a second, do you know what I’d let myself do? Steal this shirt.

Meegan sent it as part of the Peace T-Shirt project and it is handmade, includes fabric that looks quite African, is soft and I’m pretty sure would fit me perfectly. It is wrong to steal and quadruply wrong to do so when charity is involved. So, I won’t steal, but I will covet. I will hand it out in Nicaragua or Mozambique with a smile and meekly remember I have an entire closet of clothes and I shouldn’t be such a selfish little t-shirt grub.

On a more positive note: my goodness, the t-shirts are rolling in. Stacks of them are arriving at my mailbox and the mailman has joked with me more than once that I certainly receive a suspicious amount of foreign mail. Hopefully he doesn’t have a Bat phone to this crazy administration we are under or you never know — I could be locked up Rovian-style without any rights. Then again, you know what would look pretty appropriate behind bars? This cute stripy t-shirt.

Thanks to all who are sending in shirts. I’m going to have more than I can take, more than likely. It is certainly one of those weeks where I pinch myself because I’m blessed beyond belief.

Peace. Love. Pink onsies. Theft. Hmm…

~K

I got home this week to a FedEx package on my door full of yarn from my best friend’s husband. Truly. He was out shopping when she was here visiting recently and noticed a yarn store in Seattle the three of us had walked by years prior. Thinking of Emily and me in Phoenix, he went inside and “picked out the softest yarn I could find. I figured you’d like it.”

Like it. I nearly sat down in tears. I swear John and Emily’s generosity knows no bounds. These are the same pair that took me to Costa Rica for Thanksgiving. I’m not sure what I did to earn their friendship, but I am blessed beyond belief.

I’m not sure what this yarn will be used for, but I can tell you distinctly what it will not be used for: nudu caps. Alas, the last two I made (for the same man who claimed he didn’t receive the first) were never paid for. I actually managed to lose money in the deal thanks to taking his word that he’d pay the remaining fee. Instead, this minister from Joliet, IL refuses to return my email now and it makes me cranky. I hate being taken advantage of more than anything else. I considered posting his email address or the photo he emailed me of himself “to best match my skintone,” but it is just too petty. Instead, no more nudu for anyone who doesn’t pay the entire fee beforehand.

Now, back to the crafting table with my new baggie of supplies…
Happy Friday indeed!
~K

Tiffany and I went to grad school together; she is one of those girlfriends who I can go months without connecting with and yet pick right back up where we left off. She is the proud mother of a precious nearly-two year old girl who I just love. Rory is a sweet little thing and it breaks my heart I don’t get to see them more often — they now live in Michigan.

Anyway, Tiffany thinks my sewing abilities are up there with Martha’s and will occasionally send me patterns and suggestions. (Ha! I’m about as close to Martha’s sewing as I am Julia’s cooking, but the thought is kind.) Wouldn’t this shift be cute in plaid? Wouldn’t this skirt be nice in a summer cotton? Did I mention I have a cute little daughter who is perfectly sized for a game of dress up?

Okay, she doesn’t really say that kind of stuff, but it is a conversation we occasionally have in my head. I’ve been wanting to make them matching skirts for months and finally got around to it a couple weeks ago. Rory also received one of those pillowcase dresses.
I used this wrap skirt tutorial and sent along several long pieces of ribbon with the skirt too. I didn’t care for the thickness of the tie I originally created, but it was out of the same fabric as Rory’s sweet little elastic skirt, so it needed to stay. The package arrived and the girls love their new wardrobe. This was simple enough I really should make them another set. Perhaps in plaid.

~K

Last summer when I traveled to Africa I was lucky enough to deliver hundreds of goody bags bloggers put together for orphans in need. It was a wonderful and yet exceptionally frustrating experience. The customs officials in Mozambique were none too pleased I was bringing in “commercial goods” without a formal tax letter, etc. It took quite a bit of arguing and promising I wasn’t going to sell toothbrushes on the black market for the goods to finally leave the airport and make there way to the orphanage.

So, this summer I thought I’d go about things a bit differently. What could be put in my suitcase and not seem out of place? T-shirts. The Nicaraguans and Mozambicans I work with live on less than $1 per day — the World Bank marker for extreme poverty. They get their clothing through a complicated route and it has been my experience that regardless of color, fit or style, folks are tickled pink to receive a new (to them) piece of clothing. I save my clothes during the year that would otherwise go to Goodwill and instead take them on my trips. When I’m done wearing them, I hand-wash the best I can and pass them on to someone else. I try to do this in a respectful way, fully recognizing that hand-me-downs can be a rude pat on the head. The friends I’ve made through international travels have always been pleased.

If you are interested in participating, I’ll be taking as many T-shirts as I can to Nicaragua in May and Mozambique in June. A T-shirt provides a creative canvas for those who want to decorate, and the opportunity for the non-crafty folk who want to play along by sending one they want to share. I’ve got a couple ideas for onesies (orphanages in both locales) and for adults. I would like to give that freezer paper technique a whirl.

The details:
1. Please send only two things: a new T-shirt of any size (I’ll be working with newborns to the elderly) and a 3×5 card with a note on why you wanted to participate. If you want to include a photo/prayer/quote on your card, great! No card? That’s fine too. The card motivation is to let the recipient know there is someone in the world who wants a better life for them, even if all we can do in this moment is share a shirt and perhaps some peace in the process.
If you want your shirt to go to Nicaragua, please write the note in Spanish on one side. If you want it to go to Mozambique, please write the note in Portuguese. Here is a good translation program.

2. In return I’ll send you a thank you along with photos of those the T-shirt project benefited. I’ll provide a more detailed story of the typical Nicaraguan and Mozambican who benefited from your kindness. I’ll be forever indebted.

3. Shirts must be to me in Arizona by May 25th.

4. Email me for shipping details: africankelli at gmail dot com

I’ve received great support from bloggers, friends and family in the past and I don’t have any doubts the mailman is going to be crazy busy once again. I am so thankful for your participation. {And if you are new around here thanks to Craft, welcome! Nice to meet you!}

~K

Take one $.99 Ikea bag, a bit of canvas for the lining, a square of cotton for the front key pocket, some yellow thread and voila: le Chevroleg, 2.0.

For Salty. Next sewing project: girl’s dresses made from pillowcases. Have you heard of this?

~K

P.S. I’m doing my first Splash and Dash tonight. I’m a bit nervous. You’d think by now I’d be comfortable swimming in Tempe Town Lake, but it still panics me a little. I did a 2.4 mile open water a couple weeks ago and once again I was one of two idiots without a wetsuit. I was so cold, I couldn’t get my breath under control for 1000 meters. Thankfully, tonight the race is just 1000 meters and then some running (hence the dash). And no, this idiot still doesn’t have a wetsuit. Oy. Full algae and hyperventilation report tomorrow.

My friends have started having wee-ones at a lapinian rate. Hip hop. In turn, I’m enjoying trying to keep up with the gifts and celebrations. Scratching my head last weekend and going through my stash of fabric, I realized I had four sweet Gocco squares Lynn sent me quite a while ago. I could certainly put these to use with a few onesies ($8, pack of five) and some embroidery thread. I went through my yarn basket and found one giant spool of kitchen cotton white and spent an additional $4 on two other skeins of Peaches and Cream. Washcloths and new onesies — both fairly easy to create and from my observations, both regularly needed.

Voila — one week later, a series of baby gifts that I dropped in the mail. Being a pseudo-auntie is such a delight. I love watching my friends with their children and seeing who we are becoming. One of my girlfriends somehow manages to balance a successful realty career and three small boys. And she doesn’t just muddle through. She loves it and to watch her with these kids — it is incredible. I ask her regularly after watching her praise/scold/teach one of boys, “How did you know how to do that?” And she just brushes it off and smiles, either too busy or too tired to explain. Amazing, this motherhood thing.

When I think of my dreams for the future, one is crystal clear: I know I’ll adopt a little girl from Africa. I can see myself in the orphanage. I’ve got a running list of names. I’ve been putting money away for years to prepare for the fees and flights and craziness of becoming an international adoptive parent. One day I’ll be making these onesies for my little girl. Just the thought gives me goosebumps.
There is something about having all these little ones in my life that makes me want to be better and make me more hopeful than ever.
~K

Which makes me happier:
A. Robert Mugabe, murderous dictactor of Zimbabwe, is on his way out after a record-breaking election? Or,
B. The fact I finally figured out the Anna Tunic?

From disaster — where this yoke is obviously sewn incorrectly…

to success!

Not really a tough call. It’s Mugabe in a round one KO. However, I am pretty happy to have this project conquered. {It’s a CAOK gift for Bekah, who I’m quite fond of. Thanks again to Stephanie for all of her help walking me through this pattern. Needless to say, I’ll be making several more of these this Spring.}
Now, back to that dictactor. Robert, call up your buddy Fidel. You two and ancient Mr. North Korea have a date with the Maker pretty soon and you boys better get your stories straight. As Ricky Ricardo would say, “You’ve got lots of ’splainin’ to do!”

~K

More gratuitous shots of the tunic:

I made a couple more loaves of no-knead bread this weekend to take to Easter dinners. There is something about the smell of bread baking (especially these loaves; I added rosemary and parmesan cheese) that makes me ravenous. I wanted to pull them out of the oven, pour myself a big glass of milk, and eat the whole thing. Thankfully, I did not.

Instead, I sewed. I have a bunch of CAOK gifts I’m behind schedule in sending. Two African fabric jewelry wraps are being mailed out today. Thankfully Stephanie is helping me sort out the tunic mess. Fingers crossed that project will be back on track by the end of the week.

Also, I hope to be back on track soon too. I’m going through a rough patch professionally that has me uncharacteristically blue, cranky and anxious. Ultimately, I need to find a new job and I may not be able to go back to Africa this summer as I’d planned. I am not just bummed out, I’m heartbroken. I can’t discuss the details, but I am so thankful for my faith. I know that from challenge comes greatness. I’m just not sure what that is quite yet and in the in between uncertainty is eating my happiness for breakfast.

Thanks for your well wishes.

~K