A Happy Heart
"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect
to sit." ~Nelson Henderson
When I read this quote, I couldn't help but think of all the Crafty Angels out there. You may not be planting trees, but you are out there spending hours stitching together love gifts for people you most likely will never meet. Your gifts help to keep others warm in the cold of winter. Your gifts bring comfort to "the least of these". Your gifts let your light shine through to those who need desperately to know that someone cares about them. And the title of this blog, A Happy Heart, is exactly what I felt at our September 15th gathering.
We had an incredible turn-out of Angels at this meeting...some new faces and some who hadn't been with us for a while. Sandy and I were overwhelmed by the attendance (20 in all) and the beautiful yarny goodness that was on display that day. It was energizing, to say the least! In addition to "the regulars," we were joined by mother and daughter, Marcy and Evelyn Stowe. Evelyn is a freshman in high school and is going to be crocheting for charity (i.e., Crafty Angels recipients) to earn service hours. What an incredible idea! We were also joined, for the first time, by Nancy Byron, a friend and neighbor of Sandy Rice's. Nancy does both knitting and crocheting and has been spending time lately working on projects for her new grandson. In the past, we have received lots of yarny goodness from Lynette Ackman, but this time she came in person and had a chance to meet other Angels. As always, her contributions were lovely. Yunji Kim, a young woman who recently graduated from nursing school and is now job-hunting, joined us again this month (she was also at our May meeting). Joyce Dattalo drove in again - all the way from Oswego, IL (Joyce was also at our St. Patrick's Day meeting earlier this year). It was great to have Doris Ahlstedt and Peg Kingsley back with us again, too!
So, on to the show! Take a look at the fabulous love gifts we received since our last meeting.
First up, were two large boxes filled with all of these lovely items provided by Helen Watson - designated knitter for Chris Pokorny.
In addition, Helen also donated yarn for the Crafty Angels bins.
Here's what I brought for this gathering. I have to admit, I felt like a real sluff when I saw the mounds of goodies that others brought or sent, but felt good that I finally tackled my first baby afghan and my first star-shaped spa cloths (thank you, Carol Flowers, for the pattern). Woo! Hoo!
Next up, Mary Grotz. Mary is our resident expert when it comes to baby onsies. Just look at how many she was able to work up since our last meeting! Whew! And that big box at the far end is filled with spa bag "innards". Thanks, Mary!
Heather Groh was with us for this meeting and brought along a whole slew of beautifully colored spa cloths as well as a couple of toasty headbands.
Penny Sawczak is a regular attender. She always comes early, helps with set-up, and brings a lot of yarny goodness. Here's her latest installment...
Pam Gantzer brought some lovely knitted hats and a scarf. The folks at A Just Harvest will be the lucky recipients.
Doris Ahlstedt brought these sweet things for the newborns at Swedish Covenant Hospital. So cute!
Charlotte Hurwitz, a friend of Maureen Martin's, was not able to be with us, but sent along all of these adorable baby/toddler hats. Thanks, Charlotte!
We were crazy about the gorgeous baby sweaters that Maureen Martin brought with her to this meeting. Just look at these lovelies! She also brought some adult-size hats and scarves, but I'm afraid these sweaters were what got all the attention.
Debbie Kreusch, not surprisingly, came with LOADS of love gifts - of every ilk and variety. We always look forward to the unveiling of her latest toy creations. In addition to her amazing baby sweaters, afghans, scarves, baby blankets, etc., here are some of her adorable toys...
Lori Nienke worked up these sweet little girl purses and baby hat.
The perfection of Jeannine Patt's handiwork is amazing! Take a look at the baby sweaters, baby hats, baby afghans, as well as the adult-size afghan and purses.
Karen Gwynne of Schererville, IN sent us this adorable green and yellow baby afghan.
Cathy Falkenstein of Loomis, CA sent us these baby hats and spa cloths. Thanks, Cathy!
We were so happy that Lynette Ackman was able to join us for this meeting. Lynette makes adorable animal hats for kids (the penguin variety is included here), along with lots of other love gifts.
Another of our regular contributors, Margie Chan, made this adorable baby afghan and colorful spa cloths.
Last, but certainly not least, Sarah Propps from Texarkana, AR, sent us a box of her scarves. The ladies at Cornerstone Community Outreach and/or Northpark Friendship Center will be blessed by her handiwork.
That's a wrap! As you can see, we received lots of yarny goodness. So much in fact, that we have decided to have a Crafty Angel table at an upcoming craft fair that will be part of Edgebrook Covenant Church's Fall Fest on October 20th. Edgebrook Covenant is located at 6355 N. Spokane Avenue in Chicago. The Fall Fest will include a petting zoo for kids, games, food, and a bake sale in addition to the craft fair. Please come and check us out!
Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 17th, 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at Edgebrook Covenant. At this meeting we will be assembling the spa bags that are distributed by Crafty Angels each holiday season to Lydia House and Cornerstone Community Outreach. We will also be bundling dark hat and scarf sets to deliver to A Just Harvest in East Rogers Park. A light luncheon will be served at this meeting and we would love for you to join us. Please let us know if you can attend so we can plan accordingly.
Finally, we will also be holding a Crafty Angel sale this year. It will take place on December 2nd in Fellowship Hall at Edgebrook Covenant following church services (approximately 11 a.m.). Money raised at this sale, as well as at the craft fair in October, will be used to purchase yarn and to cover shipping expenses.
Once again, Angels, thank you for all you do to bless others with your gifts.
When I read this quote, I couldn't help but think of all the Crafty Angels out there. You may not be planting trees, but you are out there spending hours stitching together love gifts for people you most likely will never meet. Your gifts help to keep others warm in the cold of winter. Your gifts bring comfort to "the least of these". Your gifts let your light shine through to those who need desperately to know that someone cares about them. And the title of this blog, A Happy Heart, is exactly what I felt at our September 15th gathering.
We had an incredible turn-out of Angels at this meeting...some new faces and some who hadn't been with us for a while. Sandy and I were overwhelmed by the attendance (20 in all) and the beautiful yarny goodness that was on display that day. It was energizing, to say the least! In addition to "the regulars," we were joined by mother and daughter, Marcy and Evelyn Stowe. Evelyn is a freshman in high school and is going to be crocheting for charity (i.e., Crafty Angels recipients) to earn service hours. What an incredible idea! We were also joined, for the first time, by Nancy Byron, a friend and neighbor of Sandy Rice's. Nancy does both knitting and crocheting and has been spending time lately working on projects for her new grandson. In the past, we have received lots of yarny goodness from Lynette Ackman, but this time she came in person and had a chance to meet other Angels. As always, her contributions were lovely. Yunji Kim, a young woman who recently graduated from nursing school and is now job-hunting, joined us again this month (she was also at our May meeting). Joyce Dattalo drove in again - all the way from Oswego, IL (Joyce was also at our St. Patrick's Day meeting earlier this year). It was great to have Doris Ahlstedt and Peg Kingsley back with us again, too!
So, on to the show! Take a look at the fabulous love gifts we received since our last meeting.
First up, were two large boxes filled with all of these lovely items provided by Helen Watson - designated knitter for Chris Pokorny.
In addition, Helen also donated yarn for the Crafty Angels bins.
Here's what I brought for this gathering. I have to admit, I felt like a real sluff when I saw the mounds of goodies that others brought or sent, but felt good that I finally tackled my first baby afghan and my first star-shaped spa cloths (thank you, Carol Flowers, for the pattern). Woo! Hoo!
And then there was our latest installment from "The Klickers", our Angels on the ground in Loogootee, IN. As you can see, The Klickers are also prolific crafters!
Next up, Mary Grotz. Mary is our resident expert when it comes to baby onsies. Just look at how many she was able to work up since our last meeting! Whew! And that big box at the far end is filled with spa bag "innards". Thanks, Mary!
Heather Groh was with us for this meeting and brought along a whole slew of beautifully colored spa cloths as well as a couple of toasty headbands.
Penny Sawczak is a regular attender. She always comes early, helps with set-up, and brings a lot of yarny goodness. Here's her latest installment...
Pam Gantzer brought some lovely knitted hats and a scarf. The folks at A Just Harvest will be the lucky recipients.
Doris Ahlstedt brought these sweet things for the newborns at Swedish Covenant Hospital. So cute!
Charlotte Hurwitz, a friend of Maureen Martin's, was not able to be with us, but sent along all of these adorable baby/toddler hats. Thanks, Charlotte!
We were crazy about the gorgeous baby sweaters that Maureen Martin brought with her to this meeting. Just look at these lovelies! She also brought some adult-size hats and scarves, but I'm afraid these sweaters were what got all the attention.
Debbie Kreusch, not surprisingly, came with LOADS of love gifts - of every ilk and variety. We always look forward to the unveiling of her latest toy creations. In addition to her amazing baby sweaters, afghans, scarves, baby blankets, etc., here are some of her adorable toys...
Lori Nienke worked up these sweet little girl purses and baby hat.
The perfection of Jeannine Patt's handiwork is amazing! Take a look at the baby sweaters, baby hats, baby afghans, as well as the adult-size afghan and purses.
Carol Flowers is another prolific producer of picture perfect presents (Sorry! I couldn't resist!) . Here is her latest batch of baby hats, spa cloths, and adult-size hats and scarves.
Yunji Kim always brings an amazing assortment of yarny goodness. We particularly liked this beautiful market bag she worked up.
Looked at the fabulous, sweet baby things made by Joyce Dattalo! Joyce also brought scarves and hats that we will send to Cornerstone Community Outreach and more baby items that will go to Swedish Covenant Hospital.
Janeece Lewis of Adel, GA shipped us the following goodies. Thanks for your generosity, Janeece!
Here's Evelyn Stowe's first contribution to Crafty Angels. Isn't this hat adorable? A teen served by The Northpark Friendship Center will love having this hat this cold winter season.
Karen Gwynne of Schererville, IN sent us this adorable green and yellow baby afghan.
Cathy Falkenstein of Loomis, CA sent us these baby hats and spa cloths. Thanks, Cathy!
We were so happy that Lynette Ackman was able to join us for this meeting. Lynette makes adorable animal hats for kids (the penguin variety is included here), along with lots of other love gifts.
Another of our regular contributors, Margie Chan, made this adorable baby afghan and colorful spa cloths.
Last, but certainly not least, Sarah Propps from Texarkana, AR, sent us a box of her scarves. The ladies at Cornerstone Community Outreach and/or Northpark Friendship Center will be blessed by her handiwork.
That's a wrap! As you can see, we received lots of yarny goodness. So much in fact, that we have decided to have a Crafty Angel table at an upcoming craft fair that will be part of Edgebrook Covenant Church's Fall Fest on October 20th. Edgebrook Covenant is located at 6355 N. Spokane Avenue in Chicago. The Fall Fest will include a petting zoo for kids, games, food, and a bake sale in addition to the craft fair. Please come and check us out!
Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 17th, 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at Edgebrook Covenant. At this meeting we will be assembling the spa bags that are distributed by Crafty Angels each holiday season to Lydia House and Cornerstone Community Outreach. We will also be bundling dark hat and scarf sets to deliver to A Just Harvest in East Rogers Park. A light luncheon will be served at this meeting and we would love for you to join us. Please let us know if you can attend so we can plan accordingly.
Finally, we will also be holding a Crafty Angel sale this year. It will take place on December 2nd in Fellowship Hall at Edgebrook Covenant following church services (approximately 11 a.m.). Money raised at this sale, as well as at the craft fair in October, will be used to purchase yarn and to cover shipping expenses.
Once again, Angels, thank you for all you do to bless others with your gifts.
posted by Anita and Sandy at 5:55 PM
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