Giving it Away

We had an excellent time at Arts in the Alley last night.  I'm thrilled that my little town is full of creative people who developed an Arts Commission that is so active.  It's fun to find new crafts people and musicians in your own town.  And, can I just say, that giving away stuff at a craft fair is exponentially better than selling.  The little word "FREE" on my table let me interact with so many more people and immediately made people smile.  Which speaks to me on a level beyond simple consumerism.

And a shout out to my mom - who sent me a package of 30 crowns that she and a friend made.  I had about 20 of my own, making a slew of crowns, as mom would say.  We gave away 31 last night (so I've got some ready to mail if you want one!). It was a blast seeing all the kids running around wearing crowns, for me and L both.

No matter how much love you give, you never have less. In fact you discover you have more — one ruble becomes two, two becomes ten. - Mother Maria Skobtsova




All of the diverse facets of my life, including the crown project, seem to be criss-crossing in surprising ways, causing me to decompartmentalize.  That feels good.  It is helping me give up some of the unhelpful ways I define myself.   Specifically, I realize I am not defined by what my friends believe and do, rather who I am a friend to.  That also feels really good.  And it is a lesson I needed to learn.

Apparently, I also need to learn to iron my tablecloth. :)

Love in Stereo, Whip Up and, Arts in the Alley

I'm so late in telling you about my guest blog post at Whip Up last week.  I interviewed my college friend Brad Montague about Love In Stereo: a movement of artists, fans and friends united together to make a global impact.  I've been so moved/impressed/amazed/excited by all that I've seen Brad and his friends accomplish this year through Love In Stereo, so I'm thrilled to get to help spread the word about this great organization.

I was especially eager to interview Brad because I've been wondering "what can I do?"  I don't have any superhuman skills or a vast fund raising network, but I'd like to help impact people for good, too.  And I knew Brad would point me in the right direction.  Since I've been working on my Nicholas Crown Project, I've begun to understand the truth of what Brad said:

It’s about addressing a need and building a community around that need.

Real impact happens when artists do more than giving and raising money for an immediate need.  It's about building a community that will continue to support that need over time. 

I reached out to all of you, my online crafty friends, first because you are the community I interact with most as a Work at Home Parent.   I treasure the connection (sanity) and inspiration (motivation) I get from all of you.  But, I realize that I need to push myself to be more a part of my real world community, too.  My compassion for children shouldn't be limited to the abstract and distant, but also for my own children, my friends' children, and the children in our community.  Especially in such small acts of compassion, like reminding a child that they're special.

As the number requests for crowns have been declining (you can still request one for a child you know!) I've been looking for more children to reach out to, and I realized perhaps I should start at home, you know?  Next Thursday, March 17, is Arts in the Alley, hosted by the Henderson Arts Commission, and I'll be there with a basketful of crowns to give away.  If you're in town, come by and pick up crowns for your kids, or take one to give to a child you know.  

Compasio

Have you seen the updated crown gallery?  Maybe you noticed a pair of pictures of crowns that are headed to an orphanage in Thailand.  Watch this video to learn about Compasio, an organization that's reaching out to the women and children who are living on the streets in Thailand.  Be sure to check out ways you can get involved.

"Seeing a need, feeling compassion and acting with practical love on behalf of those who are poor, needy and at risk -- this is the heart of Compasio."

A Few Items

1.  I updated the crown gallery to show all 49 of the crowns I've put in the mail.  It's a fun scroll, so check it out!  The last crown I made came from my orange curtain fabric, and paired with blue bobble trim - it just made me so happy on many levels. 

2.  I'm anxiously awaiting Whip Up's new mini-mag, which I think could be a great homeschooling resource.  It's loaded with crafts, cooking, and outdoor activities for kids, with busy parents in mind.  It sounds lovely, and it will be available to download on March 1.  Don't forget to get yours.

3.  I've added one more little thing to my crown project:  A coloring page for the kids!  If you're making crowns (to send to me or give away on your own) - get your kids involved!  I was having L color each child a whole picture, but after awhile she lost interest (49!  you can imagine).  So remembering the wild success of Inchmark's valentines, I created a similar template of a head and crown that she can doodle a face and hair and other goofy details onto (like a goldfish).  There's also a note and a space for her to write her name (plus space to add a more personal note from the adults).  I'm adding the link to the main Nicholas Crown page, but you can also download it here.

4.  And I made a new twitter account to separate my craft tweets from my local tweets.  So if you do twitter, join me @wewilsons.

Call for Compassionate Crafters

I've been thinking about what I can do to make my Nicholas Crown Project more impactful.  The connections I've made have been such blessings, and I want you to share in that experience.  I've come up with three ways to make this better.  I need you to join me! 
 
1.  Spread the word.  I caught myself hesitating to share my link, worrying that I might get too many requests.  But this is the opposite of what I'm hoping to learn.  Compassion is a muscle that gets better with use.  I want to share as much joy as possible: Help me spread the word!  Feel free to use any of the pictures in the gallery, and link to the Nicholas Crown Project. 

2.  Learn about children's ministries.   I also want to share some of the good works I've learned about through those of you who have contacted me.  Several people who have submitted names have introduced me to organizations serving children in very big ways.  Their stories are so moving, and I want to share them with you.  I'd also love to find ways to work together with these organizations.  I'll be posting about some of these groups in the next few weeks. 

3.  Join me!  For me, the most amazing part is the way that people are letting me be a part of their lives, their struggles, and their healing.  I want to share that opportunity with you!  I promised some friends and family that if I got overwhelmed, I'd send out a call for help.  But now I realize that with more people we can reach more children, and more of you get to exercise your compassion muscles. 

So you want to help make crowns?  Here's what you can do:

1. make crowns. 
2. email me at wilsonlauralynn {at} gmail {dot} com for my mailing address.
3. send me crowns. 

I'll photograph your crowns and add them to the gallery.  And as I receive requests, I'll send the crowns.   I'll also create a linky list of compassionate crafters as my way of thanks. You don't have to use my tutorial, the only thing I ask is that you make each crown unique as a way to remember each child is unique.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or ideas.  This is a work in progress - so help me progress!

Postal

John took some packages to the post office in town for me today.  They told us the postage we'd been putting on our domestic Nicholas Crown packages (the amount our local country post office said we needed) wasn't sufficient, and the recipients might be charged when they received the packages.  I'm so frustrated and heartbroken about this.  It shouldn't be more than 70 cents, but still. 

We're correcting the postage immediately, and international and larger packages shouldn't have been affected.  But if you received a package and had to pay for it, I'm so sorry!  

Handmade Olympics

I love the handmade olympics!  Partly because it give me a chance to be an olympiad.  But also because it's a fun way to learn about all the creative awesomeness happening in the handmade world.  Voting is open now!  Click on the badge to go vote in all 8 events - but especially be sure to vote in events 5 & 7 where you'll find my Nicholas Crown project and punny bookmarks.  ;)

And while you're at it - help me out with the Nicholas Crown Project!

Vegan Valentines

 I've been trying out a some vegan fudge recipes like this incredible one, meaning to give them as gifts this year.  Unfortunately, they all turned out too soft for giving away (or is that fortunate since I get to eat them?), so I ended up making this Peanut Buttercup Caramel Popcorn at the last minute.  I think I used all the pots in my kitchen twice today, and I was very grateful for my candy thermometer.  But I ended up with a nice valentine basket.

eta: I had to update to add a picture of my fudge that did eventually set after 24 hours.  It turned out great, maybe a little gritty from the raw sugar.   I've never made fudge before, so I think it will only get better from here. 

I also printed these adorable Valentines to make with L.  I wasn't sure how into it she'd be, but she loved it.  And I love it.  I recreated the idea with a red crayon for the little tags on my popcorn bags.  They're designed by Brooke Reynolds at Inchmark.  I just love all of her simple and beautiful designs.  Her Valentines for this year are even more wonderful, and I'm just giddy with love for it.  Go, love her, too.

Nicholas Crowns

Give a crown, share some joy.

Whenever I sew, L always asks, "What are you making for me?"  It always makes me smile, because this is how a three year old thinks.  So this weekend, when I was sewing some dress-up crowns, I told her, "I'm making crowns like yours.  But these are for some other kids.  Other kids who don't have crowns."

"They don't have crowns!?"
"Nope." 

And then I realized maybe this was a chance to teach her about something bigger than sharing.  Maybe it was a chance to teach her compassion.

L likes to dress up in her crown (and tutu and mittens) and pretend she is a princess, because it makes her feel special.  I wondered if there were other kids who might need to be reminded that they are special too.  So I asked you guys if you knew any kids who might need a crown.

By the end of the day, you introduced me to three beautiful families with children who might like a crown.  Two children who are very sick, and one little boy whose mommy is very sick. It reminded me that life hits us hard sometimes, and it doesn't show favoritism.  Children suffer and grieve like the rest of us, and this is harder to bear.

As we packaged our crowns to put in the mail, I was telling L about the children.  She asked about one girl, "why is she sick?"
I told her, "I don't know."
"But this crown will make her feel better."
My heart sank.  Will this crown really make any difference for that very sick little girl?

I don't know.  But I am learning that compassion is the beginning of love, and without love we are nothing.  Will it make a difference?  Let's find out together.

For the next three months, you can submit the name of a child who has an extra need to feel special, and I will send them a crown. (Now closed, thank you everyone!) That's it.  A silly, simple, dress-up crown, that they can put on and become a Princess or King, Victor or Olympiad, Superhero or Fairy, or whatever special person they imagine.

Read the details below.

_______________________________

About the Nicholas Crown project:

1.  What is the goal of the Nicholas Crown project? 

(a) With your help, to give away as many crowns as I can to special children,  (b) spreading a little bit of joy to those who most need it; and in the process, (c) to learn about compassion together with my children. 

2. How can I participate?

I need your help!  Here's what you can do: (the project has now ended.  Thanks so much to everyone who participated.  You can still make crowns yourself to spread a little joy.  The free tutorial is here. Or if you know someone who still reeeally needs a crown, send me an email.)  

3. Who can receive a crown?

No one will be turned down. 

4.  What information do you need?
All I must have is the child's name and a mailing address.  You can give me the parent's email address and I will contact them for permission, or your own address and you can deliver it.

5.  Who has received a crown already?

I'll be keeping the recipients anonymous. However, I've assembled a gallery of crowns.  This way, we can all enjoy the cheerful crowns, and remember that each represents a special child.

6.  How long will it take to get the crown?

I will try to mail the crowns within a week.  We'll see how it goes.

7. Why is the deadline on May 4?

May 4th is my 30th birthday!  Help me celebrate by spreading joy and compassion.

8.  Who is Nicholas?

I learned this year about the Kindness Project.  The idea is to perform acts of kindness in the name of a loved one who was lost too soon.  In this way you create a legacy for them.  This is for my Nicholas.

Home Preschool

We're doing a little preschool at home, and I thought I'd share what we're doing.  I'm a complete novice at homeschooling, so maybe you guys can help me figure it out as I go.

We have our formal school time in the morning right after breakfast because the girls are both willingly sitting at the table, and we're all still in good moods.  It's a great way to start the day, and always puts me in a productive mood.  It usually lasts 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how much fun they're having.  Each week we focus on a letter and most of our projects relate to the letter.  Every day, I hang their coloring projects on the wall next to the table, so we can talk about them at dinner when John gets home.  I also try to make sure I work in other activities during the day, which I guess is more like unschooling.  But it helps me to remember to do them if I make it part of our pre-school goal.

Some of our resources and activities:

• my Phonics Coloring Book, and the full size sheets 
• listen to a weekly bible reading and a corresponding Bible coloring page 
• Letter Virtue coloring pages (sweet drawings by another homeschooling mom)
• free coloring pages from here or here
• painting letters on large scale, and just paint for fun.  This is how I taught L to write her name, she's really into black.
• read together for about 30 minutes
• constructive play (legos, play dough, or playing outside)
• pickup toys and put away plates at meal times

I also love the ideas I've read in The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Soule.  Since reading this lovely book, we've found more ways to incorporate the arts and learning into our home.  I especially enjoy our ever growing dress up basket and our art center.  Plus, it made me realize the immense value of the time we spend playing outside.