Time to take a good look at yourself and say, “Oh my God, where do I begin?”
You didn’t get to living, feeling or looking the way you do now overnight. No, darling. You indulged, splurged, luxuriated and procrastinated your way to today. And all of that takes up a lot of your time.
But you know what? I have a wonderful secret to share with you since I, too, need to do something besides write those silly New Year resolutions.
All of us have a list of big life transforming goals like – learn Portuguese, read all of Charles Dickens, lose twenty pounds forever. These are things that will take a long time to do. Hours, days, years. Chunks of time that are not so easy to find.
But you can change the world in five minutes. How?
Look at your list of small things that make a big difference
take a picture of the sunrise and send it to a friend (too early for you? how about a sunset?)
put every pair of your favorite shoes that need some TLC in a bag for the shoemaker
research a new foundation
do two simple yoga stretches
call your mom
look in your medicine cabinet and toss out anything that is expired
pair up your knitting needles
sew on a button
put coupons in your wallet
eat a crunchy apple
All of the above and more can be done in five minutes and give you a spark of accomplishment throughout your day.
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– Forward the link to someone you think would be interested
– Link to a post on Twitter (follow me @hylkrakauer)
– Put a link to the blog in your Facebook status update
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help.
Word of mouth is the best way to share, don’t you agree?
Sky walked into the kitchen where he knew there was always something to eat. However, if you had to open a jar or take something out a bag, Remy would probably starve. Food had to appear on a plate ready to eat and right under his nose. Sky made himself a bowl of cereal with milk and tossed some strawberries on top. He hesitated slightly before sitting down at the dining table.
I thought it best to make a little video for you. Well, what are you waiting for? Grab your needles and find a baby.
Oh, if any of you want to knit a pair of booties and donate them to a charity, please let me know. Frances and I will be collecting donations up to December 1st and if any of you out there have been more naughty than nice – And You Know Who You Are! – this is an excellent way to position yourself higher in the gift food chain.
Email me.
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If you want style notes and more for people who change the world, please check out:
Beware ofwomen roaming the streets of Chicago carrying pointy needles and a reckless desire to knit booties.
The rumors are true. Two cabloads of needle clicking women left the Westin Hotel, site of the Grantmakers in the Arts 2010 Conference, pulled up to Loopy Yarns on West Polk street and invaded the premises shrieking with delight over the wonderland of cashmere, silk, wool, buttons, notions and every tchotchka(Yiddish for thing. Usually means more dusting and who needs that?) you could ever imagine invented for knitters and crocheters.
Thanks to my dear friend and nonprofit knitting ninja, Frances, we gathered a small group together for a Monday night Dine-Around/Knitting Circle.
“I can transfer all the money I have in the world into my checking account and spend it all on crochet hooks which I know is a bad idea but I’ll do it. Someone please take me out of here quick!” Beatrice’s eyes were glazed and her voice robotic as she added more and more tchotchkas into her basket.
Janice and Seth
Frances nudged all of us out of harm’s way and into Bar Louie which was thankfully right next door.
Rose Ann’s hands
Over drinks and food, we sat around a table knitting and doing way more laughing than knitting. I think Janice must have ripped out and started her first bootie over at least three times. Of course, I gave everyone my cell phone number should they need knitting 911 during the conference.
Something magical happens when you are happycrazy making something with your hands and your heart. A little bit of knitting, a small group of nonprofit knitters, a tremendous amount of fun creates great energy among good good friends.
display of knit altar pieces at the National Museum of Mexican Art
Is it me or are there a lot of babies being born? Nicole from the office across the hall just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Mikki, my daughter who is in love with Pierre, told me a friend of hers is expecting a baby girl very soon. Seth’s friend, Nakeba, is due any day with – what else? a baby girl.
Later this month I am going to be hosting
GIA Knitting Circle: Rockaway Beach Booties for a Cause
Frances liked the idea because we could finish one during the session and complete a pair by the end of the conference. We could be furiously knitting grantmakers, baby booty buddies and check up on each other’s progress in between sessions and workshops.
“Ooh, your booty came out so cute! Let’s cast on the next one together.”
“Do you think its rude to knit during a panel?”
“So, who’s pregnant in your life?”
She also said the project was perfect because she has a lot of pregnant friends. And if a knitter in our group doesn’t have someone to give the booties to, we can find a local Chicago charity to donate them to.
I just so happen to have a pair to donate. They are the sample booties I made in a steely baby blue for the knitting circle which, of course, I wouldn’t dream of giving a baby girl. I am actually dreaming of something uber fabulous for their precious feet.
OK, OK, I know, but don’t you just love them?
Rockaway Beach Booties are simple to knit and simply adorable. Grab your needles, here’s the pattern.
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If you want style notes and more for people who change the world, please check out:
These are a pair of booties with a little cuff knit in a bouncy bright red microfiber that are easy, quick and so Wow! that I just had to share them with you. My friend Frances at the Walter and Elise Haas Fund and I are going to present this project at our knitting circle in Chicago for the upcoming Grantmakers in the Arts Conference.
Now I have to tell you that I really have no use for directions that make me do all kinds of extra verkcockte (Yiddish for stupidcrazy) steps that can be done more simply and elegantly executed. I am absolutely insulted by poor design that lacks thoughtfulness in the details.
What do I mean by that? Listen, now I’m on a roll. The original design for these booties had no cuff to keep them on a baby’s feet and as any new parent will tell you, “Who needs another thing to keep track of?” I cut down the number of steps, simplified the process and creating a set of little videos to accompany a slide presentation so anyone can follow along whether you are in a knitting circle or knitting on the beach.
I want all you nonprofit and ninja knitters to be able to knock out a pair of these booties whereever and whenever you find some spare time. They will keep a baby’s feet warm and bring a smile to new mommies and daddies.
Frances happens to have a lot of pregnant friends. If you are like me and do not, maybe there is a charity you can donate them to. Let me know if you find one.
Stay tuned! More to come.
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If you want style notes and more for people who change the world, please check out:
sunrise at Rockaway Beach
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