Saturday, January 11, 2020

All things come to an end...

After almost 10 years, much joy and many smiles, I have decided that Craft 4 Change has completed its mission. The decision was not made quickly or without tears. But, after much thought, prayer and contemplation, it's time to move on.

From it's first project, "Wrap them in Love" to our last, "Remember me", it has been pure joy to bring people together to create and provide beautiful, handmade items to those in need. Blankets, scarves, jewelry, backpacks and cooling scarves are just a few of the things have been able to bless those with, who might have otherwise been forgotten. YOU made this happen. YOU cared. YOU are appreciated so much.

We were able to provide 19 Fidget Quilts to seniors that are facing the deliberating disease of Alzheimer's or Dementia.  The organization was so blown away and appreciative of our donation. Tears of joy!

Many of you may not have known, but a local family contacted me several years ago and donated a LARGE amount of fabric, yarn, ribbons, etc. from their mother's estate.  This is one way we were able to provide materials for YOU to use, if so needed.  Here is the story of her life...

Josephine C. Nunn

The quilt topper finished by the Folsom Quilters’ Guild was created by Josephine (Josie) C. Nunn (1927-2010) in the 1980’s.  The topper was found in a Josie’s huge collection of fabric, yarn, and notions donated from her estate to the organization, Crafts 4 Change.  The organizations director reports that “We are continuing to use these supplies to help others We have been able to provide beautiful items to local organizations using these supplies.  Some of these are:  blankets for babies, scarves and hats for needy and homeless families, beanbags and drawstring backpacks to children reporting abuse and others.  What a blessing is has been. We are continuing to use these supplies to help others.”

In 1948, Josie married Bert Nunn, a geologist.  They had 7 children, and evnetually17 grandchildren.  In addition to caring for her large, busy family, she was a talented craftsperson whose work was impeccable.  She sewed couture garments. Tailored suits and coats for herself and her daughters were beautiful.  She crocheted bedspreads and tablecloths that looked like fine lace.  She started knitting in the 1960’s and it is estimated that she knitted about 800 garments in her lifetime.  She took up quilting in the 1980’s and made quilts and jackets with intricate quilted patterns.  In addition, she began making dolls for her grandchildren which started with cloth dolls and developed into porcelain dolls created from raw clay into beautiful detailed works of art.  She made needlepoint pillows and tapestries which graced her house.  The largest needlepoint tapestries measured 2.5 feet by 4 feet. 

She was a quiet person who was continually busy with her hands and creating. In the 1940’s and  50’s her mother worked as a sample sewer for Fritzi, a San Francisco based clothing company and Josie had an early interest in fashion.  She began sewing for her children and she said she began knitting and needlework to keep her busy while waiting for her children at their many practises and events.  She excelled at every craft she took up.  The talent and attention to detail runs in her family.  One of her older brothers was a national ”best of show” winner in “scratch-made” model airplanes. 

These miniature replicas of old planes are one of a kind and handmade completely by the builder.  Two of his planes are on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. 

Bert, her husband, was also talented and created innovative mobile labs to monitor oil and gas wells.  Their talented and creative genes have surfaced in their grandchildren: an architect, a graphic designer, a fashion designer, a video designer, an industrial designer, a restaurant designer, teachers, an engineer, and 3 dimensional artist, a cellist, and a ballet instructor.

The Nunn family is delighted that the materials Josie treasured to create her works of art are being used to help others.




I never had the pleasure of meeting Josephine, but I can only imagine how much she would have been pleased with our work. Thank you to the Nunn family for reaching out as her spirit lives on in Craft 4 Change.

I love you all for your support and friendship over the last several years. Keep helping, keep doing good. I will post from time to time when I see something interesting or that touches my heart. For now it's just "see you later".

~~~Robyne~~~







Saturday, May 18, 2019

Remember Me: Project 22

Fidget quilts, activity blankets and sensory mats are designed to help people with Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, and other cognitive challenges such as those who have had a stroke or illness. They help keep fingers busy and minds focused. They can be soothing or exhilarating just by the touch of the material or the items attached. They might help someone remember how to tie a bow, close a button or buckle a belt. 

For this project we are partnering with Artisan Mind, a non-profit *that seeks to create a world where a diagnosis does not define a person, but instead provides a path for unconditional acceptance, opportunity and hope. **Artisan Mind is an organization that connects art, creativity and cultural institutions to people living with Alzheimer's disease and their care partners. Their purpose is to bring happiness and social connection to individuals living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia by engaging their creative abilities.

Artisan Mind is in partnership with Sage Eldercare Solutions, more specifically a program called, The Hummingbird Project.***

Many legends hold that hummingbirds possess magical qualities. It is believed that hummingbirds hover timelessly, bringing hope and harmony to all who see them. Just as the hummingbird passes from flower to flower drinking nectar, we too must relish the sweetness that life brings day to day.


The hummingbird’s elegance reflects the splendor that is everywhere in everything and in everyone. We must recognize this brilliance of daily life and open ourselves to all of life’s gifts, while also embracing our own sense of self.

The Hummingbird Therapeutic Activity Program seeks to bring happiness and delight to our clients by ensuring a fullness of life. It is our hope that clients will not only recognize the beauty in the world around them, but also the beauty within themselves.
Artisan Mind, The Hummingbird Project and Craft 4 Change will be collecting and delivering YOUR handmade blankets/quilts/mats to seniors living in the Eskaton Memory Care unit, in Carmichael, California.
So, let's get started (if you haven't already!). Ideas and patterns can be found in our earlier post, NO JOKE. 

Local people...if you need fabric, buttons, ribbons, etc. please send me an email or message on Facebook and I will hook you up!
DEADLINE:  August 20th


* Artisan Mind Brochure
** Artisan Mind Website
*** Hummingbird Project Website

Monday, April 1, 2019

No Joke!

It's April already?  Yep...no joke! The trees and flowers are blooming,(my allergies can attest to that!) the birds are scurrying about, the weather is getting warmer and I am getting Spring Fever!

 It's time to start thinking about a new project for Craft 4 Change.

I would LOVE for us to make Fidget Quilts (otherwise know as Activity Blankets/Mats) for people with Alzheimer's or dementia or those with manual dexterity difficulties such as those who have had a stroke or other illness that could benefit from this type of therapy. I am still locating that perfect place to donate them to, so if you want to get started, by all means, DO!

HERE, HERE and HERE are a few ideas to get your creativity flowing.

More details to come ~~Robyne

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

New Year, New Look

Happy New Year to all of YOU, our life changers! We appreciate all of your creativity and dedication to our little group for over 10 years! YES, you are reading correctly!

  Craft 4 Change was started over 10 years ago. 

Since our original style and logo was, well...crafty, we thought it was time for a change! So, here is our new blog style, colors and logo. We hope it feels a little more "grown up" and appealing. Not to worry, our mission and message are still the same, just our look has changed. We will be having 2-4 projects a year, based on needs and where our heart leads us.

So, enjoy our little break from making things and be ready for a new project in the next couple of months.

Thank you all so much for your continued love and support.
Many blessings,

~~Robyne~~

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Warm hats, warm hearts

A whole lot of love!

Hello life changers! Guess what?  YOU did it...again! We put out the call for hats, scarves and gloves for our homeless friends living in Sacramento,  and YOU generously provided:

149 Scarves
23 Hats
7 pairs of gloves

Warm gloves

Beautiful hats

Everything was delivered to Let Hope Arise, a local non-profit that assists homeless men and women in and around the deepest hiding places of Sacramento. They are following God's call to seek out those living on and around the levees of our rivers, parks and streets. I love this family so much and admire everything they do, without question or hesitation.

The (beautiful) Smith family

A little fun in a pile of love!

This beautiful woman is all smiles after receiving her scarf and hat. 

This last picture is worth a 1000 words...that is what Craft 4 Change is all about.

We will be taking a break for the Christmas season, but look for another project in the Spring.

Thank you once again for helping those less fortunate than yourselves...my heart is full. I love you all! 
~~ Robyne ~~



Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Winter Warmth : Project 21

Hello life changers!

This year got away from me, so this is our ONLY project for the year. It is always my favorite, besides its the perfect way to end the year. Are you ready?  (I'm pretty sure you already know!)

Scarves and Hats for our homeless friends!

This year we are partnering with a new non-profit called, "Let Hope Arise". This amazing group of people go into the deepest places in the Sacramento homeless camps and intentionally seek out and minister to the people living there. They have put their faith in God above everything else and started this non-profit after some personal challenges and changes to their lives.  They didn't know exactly what that looked like, but with God's direction they have created this amazing organization. They not only provide food, water, toiletries, supplies and such, they provide spiritual support and help connect them with social services.

I love these friends and all that they do, and I am honored to be partnering Craft 4 Change with them.

So, let's get started!  Crochet, knitted, sewn, and no-sew fleece scarves and hats are what we are looking for. If you don't do any of this...you can still help by providing us with gloves and socks (adult sizes) to include.

Deadline:  COMPLETED

Friday, January 12, 2018

The Best Part

I love what I do!  Because of YOU I get to spread love and hope to those in need. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity and generosity of our projects and this time is no different.  I asked (rather late, I might add) and YOU came through again.  Two ministries were blessed with your gifts. Mercy Pedalers and Father's Heart, both are street ministries that reach out to our homeless friends in the Sacramento area. Ready for the totals?

Scarves: 241
Hats: 52
Gloves: 17


Included in that bundle of love were 3 blankets and several hat/scarf and scarf/glove sets! There were  several kids hats and scarves so we shared them with The Mustard Seed School, (part of Loaves and Fishes) an elementary school for homeless kids.

 

My friend Sherril Hogue from The Fathers Heart


Robyne and Sister Libby




Coffee & supplies trailer

Inside view!

I am always blown away by your support for those organizations and causes that are near and dear to my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We will take a little break and have a new project in a few months.  In the meantime, please continue to follow us on Facebook, as I will keep you updated on other things.

Blessings,

Robyne