Getting Crafty

Go read about my adventures putting up my hope notes!

I took some time during this weekend to make the first five messages of hope that I will distribute around my city. We’ve been deluged with snow so I’m hoping these very bright notes will make someone’s day. I was tempted to add a little “take me” on the messages to encourage people to bring them in out of the cold and onto their desktops or fridges but I guess I’ll let the people who see the messages decide what they want to do with them.

Here are the little notes I made:

I bought the printed vellum that is layered on top of this yellow sheet of cardstock years ago. What I really need are some colourful markers thicker than the pink pen I used to write the message.

One of my favourite artists, India.Arie, has the following quote by Gandhi in her song Better People: Be the change you want to see in the world. (Incidentally, I keep misquoting this as “Be the change you want to be in this world.” I guess both are close enough in meaning that it’s not such a big mistake.) I love the quote so much because it speaks to the fact that change doesn’t have to have a huge campaign, or be started by powerful people: all it takes is someone who is willing to work for the change and it will grow from there. You can be the good (peace, beauty, love) you want to see the world.

I love bright orange and pink together and these next two simple messages used those colours primarily. I like the idea of sharing that the individual is special and important and even though they might feel like they’re insignificant or unimportant, they aren’t. We’re all important all have a place and role in this world.

Sunny yellow rules this last message. I know I often feel like a failure, like I can’t do anything right so I’m hoping someone who’s feeling the same will be cheered by the colours and the message.

Is anyone else doing this project?

I’m still trying to get my hands on some knitting needles and what I’ve discovered is the cost of a tiny bit of metal or bamboo is really far more than I expected. Thrifty crafter that I am, I’m seeing cheap circular needles and double pointed needles. There’s a store I need to check this week. If I’m out of luck there, I’ll have to cave in and pay through my nose for needles that I may only use once.

The wool prices are also making me catch my breath a little.

• I have a new project! I would love to get started on it this week but this is a busy week in the world of Jummy.
• My attempts to find the tools that I need to make the beret have been in vain at Michaels. I think I will have to find an honest to goodness knitting shop and go there. One was recommended to me that I must check it out.
• I’ve decided that my life will not be complete unless I make these slippers for my best friend’s soon to be born wee one.