The last Blooms of Summer--(introcucing my new knitted wrap collection)

'tis the last rose of summer,
        left blooming all alone;
                   All her lovely companions
                                  are faded and gone."
                                                               Thomas Moore

the last of the summer blooms--

fading more every day~

 in the sunlight,

on this last warm day--

their colors are still lovely

pinks, reds, purples, 

vibrant colors in nature's beautiful hues~

fragile stems reaching 

for the warmth of the sun,

not knowing that

tonight comes the frost~

introducing 

my latest knitted wrap collection

"Blooms"

trailing vines

covered with beaded flowers

in a variety of textures and fabrics

exquisite blooms,

each one unique and beautiful~

created from vintage fabrics,lace,crochet pieces, ribbons

 tiny beads

sewn in place to accent

 every bloom

they trail across a beautifully knitted wrap~ 

a remembrance of the last

blooms of summer

knitted from a variety of soft and warm

acrylic threads

~ 

surround yourself with exquisitely

soft luxury 

and beautiful blooms

scattered here and there~

tiny pearl like beads are clustered

to form delicate,tender

 blooms

the wrap measurements are

78" length

24 inches wide

~

the wrap can also be worn as a

 beautiful

 chunky scarf

 tiny knitted leaves,

also intricately beaded,

are blooming on the vines~

this beautiful wrap is the first 

in my new "Blooms" design~

~

over the next few months there are more to come

in this series

this exquisite wrap 

is listed here

in my ETSY shop

Some updates~

My next post will be the official "Grow Your Blog" post -- more info coming in that post along with the party badge!

Do you have any plans for the winter?Do you want to travel with me? The Gardener and I recently returned from a 3 week trip to Canada where we drove the entire Gaspe peninsula.  There are no words to describe the beauty that we experienced.  Truly, it was the trip of a lifetime~

4000 photos later....

Starting in January, travel with us as I take you all along on this photographic journey to a place that National Geographic has described as the "third most beautiful drive in the world".  We will start in beautiful Quebec City and then journey eastward, along the St. Lawrence river and then later, along the coastline of the beautiful Chaleur Bay(known as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.) Scenic vistas, lighthouses, national parks,.... I will share the entire journey with you all.

xoxo,

Vicki

"Josephine's Children" Charitable Project --- an update!

Thank you ~
to the many of you who have contributed to this amazing charitable project for the children of Uganda.  Without a doubt, my blog readers are some of the most kind and generous people in the world~

to date--

 you have donated almost $1400

in a combination of cash and

Walmart gift cards~

 Even the smallest of donations

is such a HUGE gift 

for these needy children~

I've been collecting all the 

one dollar bills that you have sent--

your donations towards the purchase 

of supplies for the children,

and also to help offset the shipping charges

to Uganda~

~~

today I deposited over $250

one dollar bills into my

"Africa account"

 I am so touched by the

beautiful heartfelt messages

that you have sent

along with your gifts.

your amazing donations of craft supplies 

for the children

are taking up all the space

in my bedroom floor!

Craft supplies from your very own

 personal stash--

true gifts of the heart!

these photos represent

"just a small part"

  of your generous crafting donations!

Honestly, I grabbed the supplies 

that were on the top 

of the stash

for these photos~

in addition to beautiful beads and threads~

you've sent embroidery hoops,

cross stitch supplies,

knitting needles,

pattern booklets,

and yarn--

gorgeous yarns!!

 you've sent 

wool threads for crewel embroidery, 

notions for jewelry making,

strings, lace, ribbons~

you've sent

colorful beads in assorted designs~

(amazing treasures from your own stashes!!)

crafting treasures 

that will make the children

dance with delight!

Can you even imagine

the smiles on their faces when they

unwrap all of these

treasures? 

some of you have written

asking me to extend the deadline

so that you can send gifts for the children~

I have done so.

~~

The deadline for donations to the

"Josephine's Children"

charitable project

has been extended to

 December 15.

 You can find the original post

with all of the information for the

"Josephine's Children"

charitable project

here

the goal of this project

is to send supplies-

(clothing, school supplies, health related items)

to desperately needy children

 in Uganda  

the children help to support

their needs by making craft items

that are sold in markets in nearby cities~

~~
your donations of assorted

craft supplies--

(from your own stash)

will provide the children with a world

 of new crafting opportunities

to help support their

 needs. 

 You may mail your

$5 Walmart gift card donations to me.

Additionally, if you wish, you may include a $1

bill to be used for shipping charges.

~

 Please mail the above donations to

"Josephine's Children"

311 West Main Street

Grayson, Ky

41143

 Please mail your craft supplies 

to my dear friend Sue -- in Texas.

She is gathering all the craft supplies,

 as well as doing the shopping

 with the Walmart gift cards~~

~

(I absolutely could NOT do this project without her help--

and without all of you!)

~~

she will fill a huge crate with all the items

and see that it is delivered to the shipping 

port for the long journey to

Uganda. 

~~

You may mail your craft items to:

Sue Kosec

2525 Hwy 360

Apt#1532

Euless, Tx.

76039 

(originally the craft items were sent here to me-- but I never expected such an amazing participation amongst my wonderful blog readers and supporters!  Since, I  will be mailing the craft items to Sue -- it just makes more sense for you to mail them there instead of to me. )

 We hope to be shipping the items to the children

shortly after the first of the year.  The journey will

take several weeks--

later next year, I will post photos 

of the children opening their supplies

and seeing for the first time

all of the amazing crafting treasures 

that you have donated,

as well as the supplies for their school

and clothing needs. 

~~

You can find info about the prizes

(Kindle Fire,Vera Bradley purses, artisan crafted jewelry,...)

 that will be given away as thanks

for your contributions --

by clicking the link 

that will take you to

 the original post

~~

Please remember that your donations

must be to their destinations

(to me or Sue) 

by December 15.

~

If you have any questions about the project or donations -- you may email me at

vboster1@windstream.net

~~

My heartfelt thanks to those of you

who have found a little place in your own hearts

for these special children.

xoxo

Vicki 

Some updates~~

coming up in just a few weeks -- THE OFFICIAL sign up post for the next "Grow Your Blog" party!! Be watching for that!! The date will be next January 25.  You will need to sign up on the OFFICIAL post~~

and -- coming up next -- the last of Autumn's tender blooms,-- in typical Vicki fashion~ (it's beautiful!)

xoxo

"GROW YOUR BLOG" -- the 2015 party!!! THIS IS THE OFFICIAL SIGN UP POST

 January 17, 2015----- Please note that the deadline to sign up for participation

 in this year's GYB party  has now passed. 

Thank you so much for your amazing interest in the party --

 it's going to be a great one!!

To date -- over 400 blogs have signed up to

join us all at the party.

What a wonderful opportunity

to meet new friends and 

Grow Our Blogs!

See you there--

January 25, 2015

xoxo

Vicki

~~~~~~ 

Do you want to "GROW YOUR BLOG" -- make new friends-- increase your blog readership? The opportunity do do all of those things is just around the corner~

 

    

My "GROW YOUR BLOG" event is designed to bring more readers and FOLLOWERS to your blogs. The premise is simple-- just visit as many blogs as you wish and sign up to follow those that interest you. In turn, all the other folks will be doing the same thing~ we will all be growing our blogs!

We need some guidelines for everyone to follow

so here they are~

(the really, really important stuff is highlighted in red!!)

1.Everyone who has a blog is invited -- 

this is an international event.  

Wherever you live~you are invited to party with us. 

Please note -- the deadline for entry is January 17.  This is THE official sign up post -- if you wish to participate - please leave a comment here on this post.  (I can't go back and forth between multiple posts for all the entries -- so please consider that this is the official sign up post.)

In your entry comment -- please tell me how many followers you have.  I will be grouping the participants according to their number of followers.  While you can certainly visit as many blogs as you wish -- those of you with only a few followers may wish to begin your visits by going to those blogs who, like you, only have a few followers -- that way you can support each other and more easily add to your follower lists!

***** in addition to your number of followers - please leave me a live link to your blog in your comment.  Copy the URL of your blog and paste it into your comment.  This will make it easier for me to go directly to your blog when I add you into the blog lists.  If I can't find your blog ---- I won't be able to add it in. 

and---- new this year-----
if you have a particular craft or hobby that your blog is primarily associated with ---
eg.. quilting, embroidery, knitting, cross stitch, photography, painting,... -- leave me a comment about that as well.
if you have multiple hobbies--- you may list up to 3

I'll list your craft choice out from your blog name on the party list -- that may help to bring more folks to your blog who have similar interests.
(if you don't have a hobby, that's fine--)

2.  Please share the beautiful party badge 

(created by my friend Karen Valentine)

with your own blogging friends. 

 Post it on your sidebar and encourage your friends to do the same.  The more blogs that participate - the more chances we all have of growing our blogs.  SPREAD THE WORD!  Perhaps even consider doing a post about this on your own blog. The more people who participate -- the more chances you have to "Grow Your BLOG!!"

3. Prizes --- 

the choice is yours

 to give away prizes or not. 

 Last year it was about half and half.   In the many comments that I received relating to last year's event -- folks seemed to really enjoy the prizes that they won and appreciated the efforts by those who gave them away.  But - the choice is yours and there is no requirement to do so.  If  you do chose to give away a prize - it can be anything you want.  The rules need to be the same for everyone~ anybody can enter, anybody can win.  

PLEASE do not make it a requirement to follow your blog in order to enter. In fact -- you do not have to have a blog to be entered to win a prize.  Blogging has NO boundaries so you need to be willing to ship your prize any where in the world.  Everyone can enter - regardless of where they live.  

**Let's all do the same thing and give the prizes away on February 15.  You can announce the winner of your give away on your blog on that date. **

4.  Please publish your blog post 

late on the evening of January 24 --

 that way it will be ready for those on the other side of the world

 who wake up before us.

As the host blog, I will publish my post with the list on participants

 just after midnight 

on January 25. 

  Please take a moment and read the following

suggestions for making this a great and fun 

experience for us all~

1. Please title your blog post "GROW YOUR BLOG".  Introduce yourself, tell us who you are and why your love to blog.  If your blog pertains to a specific interest or area - tell us all about that. In short - we would all like to know what drives you create your blog. 

2. There is nothing more dreaded than the "no reply blogger" status.  Simply go to your blogger profile page and add your email address. This will allow folks to reply directly back to you from your comment on their blog. We all want to be able to reply directly back to our visitors - especially if they ask a question-- it's so frustrating when that cant be done.

3.  Comment moderation spam filter -- ugh.  Most of us hate it!  Please consider turning it off for this event. This is NOT a requirement - but it will definitely make your visitors more likely to stay longer and leave a comment if they don't have to play with the robot.

4.  VERY IMPORTANT-- if you want more followers - be sure to add your FOLLOWER gadget to your sidebar! Please have it positioned prominently where we can all see it.  (you can find the Follower button in the gadget section of your design page.  Just click on it and position it on your sidebar.)

5.  You might want to consider adding your email address to your public profile and also somewhere on your sidebar.  Mine is listed in 2 places on my sidebar -- I want my readers to easily be able  to reach me. I also often list my email address directly in my post so that folks can find it more easily.

6. Consider telling us your name.  Seriously. Folks want to be able to call you by name and to connect with you when they leave a comment.You might want to also consider posting a photo of yourself somewhere on your blog- that helps your readers to connect with you also.  My name is Vicki. (see photo at bottom of this post) .  See -- that was painless!  

7.  I know that many of you are artists (like me) and that your blogs are often about the things that you create. If your craft is genuinely a part of who you are -- then by all means share with us what you make!  BUT -- this event is not about selling our wares-- this event is to meet people and grow our blogs. Just have your website or ETSY shop listed on your blog sidebar-- if your visitors are interested in making a purchase -- they will go to the trouble to find your shop on the sidebar or to email you. 

8.  Sometimes when you go to a party -- you just feel like getting a new dress or outfit.  So-- if you would like to update the appearance of your blog -- a new blog header --or a whole new layout-- you might want to contact my friend Karen Valentine.  Karen has dedicated her entire blogging career to helping us all with our blogging concerns,questions, and also helping us create beautiful blogs.    Karen is my very own "go to person" when it comes to anything that I need help with relating to my blog. She has practically "adopted" me.  I know that she would be thrilled to help you with updating your blogs in preparation for all the company you will be receiving at this event!  

 SO -- please mark your calendars.  Make a poster - put it in your datebook-- place a reminder on your phone -- a sticky note on your computer--write the date on your bathroom mirror~~~ if you are a reader or follower of my blog, I won't let your forget! 

As I add blogs to the lists, I won't be sending emails to each of you this year telling you that you have been added in.  I just can't-- that takes hours and hours of extra work.  So please, if participating in this event is important to you - please save the date, mark the date -- and refer to this post for all the info that  you need. 

*** please note~
After the party begins, I will wait 24 hours and then begin to delete those blogs that do not have a specific "GROW YOUR BLOG" post.  (I'm so sorry-- but I want this to be fair to everyone.)  So please do remember the date.

~~~~~

Volunteers needed!!!

those who volunteer to help with the party will be listed at the very TOP of the party page (before the regular lists begin)

 -- you will also be listed in your blog grouping based on your number of followers -- so you will have 2 opportunities to have visits from folks at the party!! 

***I'm looking for about 20 volunteers to help me visit the blogs who are participating. If you are someone who is comfortable with the "how-to's" of blogging, and consider that you could answer questions from novice bloggers regarding blogging issues --- then please consider being one of my VALUED volunteers for this year's party.  In addition -- on the day of the party you will visit the short list of blogs that I assign to you and report back to me which ones forgot to do a "Grow Your Blog" post.   If you are available to help me -- just send me an email-- vboster1@windstream.net. 

 This is me --- photo taken on our recent trip to the Gaspe Penninsula, Quebec, Canada.  (I'll be posting this entire trip beginning in January -- taking my readers on an incredible adventure!!)

I want to personally invite you to be a part of my third annual "Grow Your Blog" party for January 2015---  it is truly  a wonderful opportunity for folks to meet new friends.  Last year, the  party started with almost 600 participants.  Because I leave the party post up all year long --- the opportunity is still there even after the party closes -- for folks to continue to visit you -- and for you to visit all the other participants.  My blog continues to get almost 200 visits per week on that party post--- so it lives on, and on, and on!!  I hope to see you there~

If you have questions, please dont hesitate to email me --- vboster1@windstream.net.

Love,

Vicki 

ps --- I want to leave this post up for several weeks so that the info about the party will be easily available to everyone.  I'll be back with my regular posts sometime in mid-December.  xoxo

 

"Letters from Africa" -- A Charitable Opportunity and A Giveaway!

"You have not truly lived
       until you have done something for someone 
                     who can never repay you~"
                               John Bunyon 

The hustle and bustle of my "way too busy" days

 did not include 

a charity project at this time in my life--

but God had other plans~

  Across the miles,

across the waters,

across the winds that blow from 

far away places~

a letter came.

"Dear Vicki,

I have found your name and contact from your blog "2 Bags Full." My name is Josephine from Kampala Uganda.  I am a social worker working with children who are vulnerable and disadvantaged between the ages of 6-18 years.  The children are victims of physical and sexual abuse, children of young mothers and are living or affected with HIV and AIDS."

 

  

"Vicki, I have seen that you have really traveled the world and your love of knitting; I hope that one day you come to Uganda and get to see this other side of the world. This may not be your field but I want to draw your attention to it. The children do knitting as a therapy and income generation to enable facilitation of their welfare and education."

"Our good work needs feasibility, the world needs to know us so that they can know what we do-- but with limited exposure we are not able. I am kindly asking that you become my friend to enable share experiences, ideas and thoughts together.
Hoping to hear from you,"
Josephine

Josephine-

Thank you for your email-- I am intrigued by your work with the children. I took some time this morning to look at the website for your agency and to read about the programs and support that you provide.

Perhaps I might could help--

I have some questions--

What type of items do the children knit?

Are these items sold to raise funds to support your agency?

Where do you get your yarns and knitting supplies?

Let's start with answers to these questions and then go from there--

I have great respect for anyone who devotes their career to trying to make
life better for children-- and I can appreciate the many obstacles that you must overcome.

In my private life-- I also do volunteer work for the court system as an advocate for abused and neglected children- I have been a children's advocate for about 12 years now-- it has truly changed my life.

I look forward to hearing from you--

Vicki

"Dear Vicki,

Thank you so much for appreciating my modest contribution towards addressing the plight of the vulnerable and disadvantaged children. You have greatly inspired me and my work.

I answer the questions:

The children knit scarfs, sweaters, table cloths, table mats and

door mats - are made out of sisal but they also make paper bead jewelry like bracelets, necklaces, and ear rings and do weave baskets.

Yes, the items are sold to support the work of the agency because we do not have any out side funding. Yet we are supposed to provide an education to the children, medical care, feeding, upkeep and welfare to house and keep those that are under going counseling and psycho social support. The child young mothers must have an alternative to formal education in form of vocational skills training has to be given at the same time taking care of their little ones. Its a lot of work that goes around in rehabilitating these children.

We buy yarns from the Indian shops in town and we also use threads for most of our items.

Vicki, I do not complain at all for as long as I am serving to see that children that are not as fortunate are redeemed emotionally, physically and psychologically economically.

Cases of children in the court system isn't safe and private for children here as in many instances a defiler will walk free because a child was not able enough to look into his face and say he was the one and the discrimination and the stigma it brings is unbearable for the child. Without these homes a child will be pushed away by family because she/he reported someone most times a relative who abused. When we avail ourselves children feel safe and secure because protection, care and love is given that has been missing.

Looking forward to hear from you."

Josephine

Josephine-

I'm not sure what would be the best way for me to help-- I'd really love to send supplies for the crafts-- I am including a link to a company that might be able to ship the goods to you.
Vicki

"Vicki-

Yes, I can pick up the goods if they are sent as long as I can pay all the dues related to the goods. For sure everything is welcome inclusive the yarns. Like I said earlier, our organization looks after children and any help be it supplies, yarns, will help a great deal in rejuvenating the children's lives. I have attached the lists of all items that you can purchase and could help the children both at home and at school. I have looked at the link and I think its just perfect.

 I am enclosing a list of supplies that the children need for school and also a list of items that they can use for their crafts.  We have been selling locally in the Juakali markets once every week -- we follow the market wherever it is put."

Josephine 

 

1.       School Bags	12. Rubbers or erasers
2.       Books	13. scissors
3.       Crayons	14. Glue stickers
4.       Pens, pencils	15. Pencil sharpeners
5.       Colored pencils	16. Drawing or art books
6.       Calculators	17. Note Books
7.       Mathematical sets	18. Pencil cases
8.       Rulers	19. Stickers
9.       Reading books  ( 6-12)	20. Art books
10.   Novels	21. art pencils
11.   staplers	22. Self Help books

Other Items:

1.       Clothes	2.       Dolls
3.       shoes	4.       Vaseline
5.       Panties	6.       Roll on
7.       Rain coats	8.       Bras
9.       Soap	10.   Play and fun Items for children
11.   Tooth paste	12.   Sandals
13.   Tooth Brushes	14.   Shoe polish
15.   Stockings	sanitary pads

  

Items Needed for Craft:

Yarns

Materials - lace, buttons, threads

Needles

craft embellishments

Tapestry Book patterns

Embroidery rings

Plain materials

Hooks

Beads ( different colors)

embroidery floss

cross stitch books

Do It Yourself art books

Josephine~

I do have a few questions-- my readers will probably want to know--
1. Do you receive any funds from international support agencies?
2. If not-- why?

I've written to the cargo company and am in the process of working out the details for the transport of goods to you. Nick and Joseph have been most kind to me and will assist me in getting the supplies to you.  I'll get back to you the minute I have all the details finalized-

Vicki

"Dear Vicki,

Thank you very much for the email.

I am happy that you are making all possible effort to find support for our children's project. To answer your question about outside support for our children--

Well, our children's project has never received funding from any organization as such, however, we have been receiving small donations from individuals within and proceeds from sales of crafts. So far the modest support we have received for the children's support has only been able to partially provide for tuition and scholastic needs. However, at the moment the children's project is in dire need of funding to cater for children school requirements and Adolescent reproductive health issues among others.

CHILD has received conditional money (USD 900) for its water and sanitation project from Friendly Water for the World which has enabled us produce BioSand water filters that will be distributed to schools and some households. So far 27 filters have been produced and these are projected to impact close to 1500 persons especially children below five years that are hugely affected by waterborne diseases.

Also --  I wrote to the cargo people and they have replied.  I don't have to pay tax when I receive the things here in Kampala. I think we can go ahead with all the plans."

Regards,

Josephine

 The Organizational website for CHILD 

can be found here

"Vicki,

I didn't write last night because I stayed up late or actually morning! I went for an overnight prayer which starts at 8pm - 6am. Actually I am seeing your email that says say a prayer indeed I am praying for all this to happen. Do you also have over night prayers? I am a believer and a social worker! I am already very excited about the project! I have dedicated it to the Lord and I am saying a prayer everyday."

Josephine

When I read that you had started working on the photos for the blog, I was over joyed.  But I am also equally anxious as I think deeply about the reception that it will receive.  This is so very important for the children and for their needs.  I am happy to hear that your knitted wrap is finished.  I trust that it is very beautiful!"

Josephine  

 "Dear Vicki-

The biggest challenge remains having all children taken and sponsored at school. Children that do not have an opportunity yet get frustrated and develop behavioral problems which if not dealt with cause harm; children throw tantrums or even escape from the center. Also in the intervention package; when we receive the children we carryout Family tracing, do family reintegration and reunification on top of all other programs. In cases where children have no family a foster family is identified and a child is placed. But we are mandated to stay with the children until when we find a family for them. When placed in families, we continue to support them as those very families are poverty stricken. Actually in our research it shows that family empowerment programs are needed.

We add sanitary pads for the girls to the list; this is another area that we are finding difficult in dealing with. The pads are very expensive to buy every month. If we had funds we were thinking of initiating a project that will be engaging the girls themselves in the making of these reusable pads. The outer lining which is normal cloth material is purchased locally. So in a way we pack 8 pieces and include 3 panties, a piece of soap. This lasts a girl for more than 4 months. This is far cheaper than the ones sold in stores.

We haven’t received any church missions as yet and none has helped us; our visibility internationally is very low although we work closely with all the local government and faith authorities on the ground. We would welcome church missions at the project. Please go ahead and include my email address (nssali78@gmail.com) in the post so that people can directly contact me if they so wish."

Regards,

Josephine 

Josephine,

After what seems like such a long time, in actuality, a couple of months, I finally have all the plans in place for a charitable blog project that I hope will bring help to your beautiful children. Soon, I will share this project with my wonderful blog readers. You and I will pray that they will be moved to help us in this most precious charitable cause. Please remember this project in your prayers as we go forward with this mission -- I send love to you and your children -- so very far away-- on the other side of the world. 

Love,

Vicki


Dear Vicki,
"I am getting very excited that the days are getting closer for your blog post. The entire home is both fasting and praying for the success of this project. I can tell you that everybody is so very excited. I have been in the village -- when it starts to rain we go there to plant food. We have been able to plant some cassva and maize, these help a little with feeding the children. 

I cannot stop thanking you for all the effort and time you have given to this project.  May God bless you and your readers abundantly.

Much love!"
Josephine

"The smallest act of kindness 
             is worth more than the grandest intention" ~
                                                                                           Oscar Wilde



You are all invited to join me in sending a little bit of love in the form of supplies to Josephine and her children.  If you would like to touch the life of a child, please consider joining me in this mission. (In doing so you will have the opportunity to win some really great prizes!)

The plan-- 

1. Please consider sending a $5.00 Walmart gift card to my designated address.  The smallest denomination for preloaded cards is $10 -- but you can buy a blank card and ask the cashier to load it in the amount of $5.  The gift cards will be mailed to my friend Sue Kosec.  Sue lives in Texas, not far from the port where the supplies will be loaded and then shipped to Uganda.  Sue and her husband will take your gift cards and purchase the needed supplies --using the list that Josephine sent to me (as is noted above.)

They say it "takes a village" and I absolutely could not do this project without you and without my friend Sue.  Thankfully my dear friend and her husband will purchase the needed supplies at a local level and box them up for delivery to the port. I am so very grateful for their help and support -- xoxo. You can visit Sue at her new blog here

2.  The cost to ship the supplies to Uganda is quite expensive. While I am willing to bear this cost myself, if you would like to consider sending a $1 donation for the purpose of helping with shipping costs, I would be ever so grateful. (xoxo)

You can tuck it into the envelope when you mail the gift card, or you can send it all by itself.  (While I am not comfortable in asking my blog readers to donate large sums of money to any cause, I hope you will allow me to ask for your $1 donations and also the $5 gift cards.)

3.  Using the list of needed craft items (as noted above) you may fill a large envelope or small box with some unwanted or unused items from your own craft supplies.  Extra buttons, threads, small bits of fabric, yarn,.... may be sent to the designated address.  In turn, I will package your items together and send them to Sue.  She will include them with the purchased supplies when being sent to the children.  Please refer to the list above when preparing your craft items for donation.  If you wish -- you may add a $1 donation to your craft envelope (to help with the cost of shipping supplies to Uganda) -- this will earn you an additional entry into the drawing for prizes.

4.  Please consider posting about this charity project on your own blog or  your Facebook page.   **This project will run from today until December 1.**  In the large scheme of things, that is not a long time. Please help me spread the word so that we can maximize this effort to send supplies to the children. After December 15, I will be sending the gift cards and craft items to Sue for packaging and delivery to the port. My goal is that Josephine will receive these needed supplies sometime after the first of the year.

 ~~

Any of the above considerations 

will enter you into the contest to win

the prizes --(listed below).  

~

If your church or ladies group wishes

to participate, please send a list

of all the names when you send your donation.

I will personally add every single name to the drawing for prizes.  

~

This opportunity is open to everyone-
regardless of where you live.
If you would like to make a
$1.00 or $5.00 donation
instead of shipping items or gift cards
 you may do so 
by sending the donation
to my paypal account --
the address is
vboster1@windstream.net
xoxo

~~

You may enter as many ways listed above

as you wish. 

Each donation will earn you an 

entry into the drawing for

 prizes. 

~

If you share this charitable project on your

blog or Facebook page,

please leave me a comment here

that you have done so.
~

I would be SO very grateful if you could share this

with your friends.

xoxo

 Please send your donated gift cards

(and $1 donations) to:

Josephine's Children

311 West Main Street

Grayson, Ky

41143 

Please send your craft supply donations to:
Josephine's Children
c/o Sue Kosec
2525 Hwy 360 #1532
Euless, Tx
76039-8505
~~ 
(all items and donations must be received by December 15, 2014.)

Introducing my

 "Tapestry" 

knitted wrap collection~

my

"Colors of Africa"

Tapestry knitted wrap

this beautiful wrap

was created especially for this 

charitable project.

The proceeds from the sale of this wrap

will be applied towards the 

 cost to send the supplies 

to Uganda. 

this is a
"one of a kind" design
which will not be repeated again.
~
there will be other wraps 
in this beautiful
"Tapestry" series
coming later this year~
~
you can see this wrap here
in my ETSY shop

My gifts to you~  

 this beautiful
"African Dreams" necklace
was created by my talented friend, Marsha
specially for this charitable project.
marsha2010@aol.com

 Kindle Fire 
8GB (wi-fi)
~
(thank you Amazon for your amazing generosity)
and support of this charitable cause!

 this beautiful Vera Bradley "Abby" purse
in the design
"Safari Sunset" 

 this Vera Bradley satchel bag

also in the design

"Safari Sunset" 

~~

Winners will be announced

on December 15, 2014

and will be listed here in this blog post. 
~~~
12/15/14 --- UPDATE 
WINNERS
necklace --- Alice Sheridan
Kindle Fire--- Linda Stepssond
Vera Bradley "Abby" purse---Rose Cluett
Vera Bradley "Satchel" bag--- Sandra Bennett

"I used to pray that God
would feed the hungry, 
or do this or that,
 but now I pray that he will guide me
to do whatever
 I am supposed to do,
 what I can do.

I used to pray for answers,
 but now I'm praying for strength. 
I used to believe that prayer changes things,
but now I know that prayer changes us,
and we change things." 
Mother Teresa

~~

Please join me in supporting Josephine 

and her children 

in this small,

 but powerful mission 

to make a difference~

Love,

Vicki 

ps --

I am going to take a little blog break for a few weeks.  I will be back to you in early October.  I have several projects that I want to finish and also many things that will keep me busy for a little while.  When I return in October, I will have something beautiful to share with you.  Until then, you can find me at my email --

vboster1@windstream.net.  Have a wonderful rest of the summer -- make every day special in some small way. 

xoxo