passion and balance

As I was watching the 'Oceans Most Deadliest' and tribute to Steve Irwin tonight, I listened to Steve talk about how being an animal conservationist was his passion. I thought of all he has done to educate people about wildlife and what an amazing man he was. One person who achieved so much because he was passionate.

He spoke of how each of us needs to find what we are passionate about and just do the best we can with that. (or words to that effect... I'd like to find his exact words because they were inspired.)

It occured to me that my earthly passion is currently 'humanitarian crafting' and teaching others to use their talents to help warm and help lift the spirits of others. Maybe someday when I die, people will say of me, that with my Savior's help, I made a difference in encouraging people to knit or crochet things for those in need all over the world. Christ really is my inspiration and I am so grateful to the good health He has blessed me with currently so I can do this type of work.


And speaking of 'all over the world'-- our soldier Steve in Afghanistan sent me some more photos of their delivering items to a Korean Hospital. They even had some hats left over for the refugees too. You just can't make enough of those warm hats to send to climates like they have over there.



I will share a couple of photos with you here on my blog, and the others you can see on this page http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/baby-project.html

Steve has already sent me the name of his replacement there, as he is being deployed soon, but I won't post that soldier's info till I need to. Meanwhile please keep sending over those warm hats, mittens, scarves, gently used children's shoes etc. over to Steve and he will make sure they are delivered by our soldiers.


Bringing the needles and hooks a little closer to home, I have posted some more patterns for making those little wildlife nests needed to help rehabilitate tiny baby critters who would die without some people-help.

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/nest.html

I sat down here tonight, while watching the Steve Irwin special, and created a knitting loom nest. Here is a photo for all of you who have been anxious to help but only knit with a loom.

I made it with 2 strands of leftover grey and green Red Heart Yarn (4 ply worsted weight). After I took it off the loom and gathered it, I took some leftover fuzzy yarn, used a sewing needle, and then randomly sewed a running stitch back and forth. When you make them on the loom, be sure to let the top roll a little and flatten the nest down a tad.

If you want to make one of these little nests it's easy.

I used the blue newborn Knifty Knitter, but any newborn sized loom should work. Use 2 strands of worsted weight yarn. Wrap it 3 times and then knit 1 wrap over 2 throughout... this is the double stitch. I made the next 3.25 inches from the beginning since the top rolls a bit. Remove with a gathering stitch, pull tightly and weave the yarn back and forth a few times to anchor it. Then you can use needle and yarn to add some furry features if you wish. The nests need to be tightly woven, no gaping holes. Nice and cozy!

For more loom knitted patterns just go to this page:
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/how-to-loom-knit.html

Well, it's getting late and I am really tired.

HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!!

BevQ