Monday, October 22, 2012

Colorful, Meaningful

Colorful morning skies are a true sign that the season is changing in Kuwait.
 Sure wish I didn't have rooftop water tanks and satellites blocking my view.
 It's still hot during the day and has been very humid for the past week.
 But at least temperatures are coming down with highs of 100 during the day and 80 (or less) at night.
 For the record, I did not teach the girls at the shelter to crochet. Those who gathered already knew how to do that and are very skillful at watching and learning.  
I taught them how to make the Christmas wreath and stocking so they can sell them for pocket money at upcoming holiday bazaars.
These two wreaths were the first ones finished.
They did such a wonderful job.
And every time another girl would finish one, we would all clap and cheer.
All that clapping would send Tula, the shelter's little pomeranian mascot, into a tizzy.
She's the cutest little thing, very lively and loves to steal yarn.
 I bought this tote from the girls that is crocheted with plarn.
 And this basket which is made using their traditional method of weaving. 
They also make lovely rag rugs.
And are sewing other small items, too.
These girls have been through a lot, so while they wait to be repatriated to their country, they are given an opportunity to create and to have a purpose for each day.
Make each day a day of purpose.
Make it meaningful.
Make it count.

I hope you are having a great day!

37 comments:

Deborah said...

Thanks so much for the uplifting blog post. Their work is beautiful!

crafty cat corner said...

Hi Tammy
'Make each day a day of purpose' . what a great saying, I should put it up on my workroom wall. You are so right, if you have something worth while to do it makes so much difference.
I love the traditional woven baskets, beautiful.
I don't know how you cope with the heat, I would wilt every day, but I expect you get used to it.
Lovely skies.
Briony
x

Elna said...

Colorful sky and what a lovely basket the girls made.

Hugs

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Wow, I don't think I could deal with that weather! I guess you get used to it after a while, but it would take me a long while to adjust.

Teresa Kasner said...

I think what you're doing is great, and buying their products to support them is AWESOME! You rock!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Unknown said...

Pretty skies where you live :)

... and such a wonderful report back of your time spent with the women in need of shelter. It sounds like you received from them as much as they received from you. That seems to be the way things often turn out :)

Susan said...

Hi Tammy....The girls really do lovely work. The Christmas wreaths are darling! Great job, one and all. Susan

Mereknits said...

Tammy I am just getting caught up with blogs and I have to say you truly amaze me. You have changed these girls lives and in turn I be they have changed yours. So much to be thankful for, you giving your time and care to such wonderful girls.
You are a blessing.
Meredith

vintage grey said...

So wonderful to be able to teach and be with these girls!! Beautiful sky!! Have a wonderful week! xo Heather

val said...

great post! I love that you shared some of their other work....it is all great and that small rug is lovely!

Heather - The Good Life said...

Sounds like a rewarding time. I really like the traditional basket; very pretty. I'm sure the women appreciate the time you spent with them. Take care, Heather

Linda said...

Your area seems like many warm places, where there is never a direct change of seasons like here, but it's nice that you notice the subtle changes in the sky. :) All of that hot weather is long gone here in central Illinois, but we are enjoying some unseasonably warm temperatures this week (upper 70s) - this after at least 2 hard frosts and lows in the 30s. The weather forecaster says that more normal (in the 40s) temps will return by the weekend. In the meantime, we enjoy the present.

The glorious autumn color here is fading fast since the winds have blown most of the leaves off. By Halloween, 98% of the color will be gone and the season of brown will begin.

Hope you enjoy the remainder of your week.
Blessings,
Linda

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,

As a crocheter myself I could tell from the photos that they knew the ins and outs about it! But they will be delighted with such great ideas you brought to them. That is giving and sharing in a very meaningful way. Working with plarn must be hard I guess. You got a nice purse of it.
Great sky photos and those water tanks are a necessity too. Many countries have them on the rooftops.
Hugs to you,
Mariette

Mrs. Micawber said...

What lovely work they do. I would like one of those rugs! Gorgeous skies too, and I'm glad your temps are coming down into the bearable range. :)

Kit said...

Having a wonderful day! We had our first snow storm! Made me smile. Oh how I remember many snowy Halloweens. :) Kit

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Tammy,

I love the beautiful photos of the sky, such gorgeous colours.
The tote you bought from the girls is fabulous and the Christmas wreaths are so lovely. Great that you were able to teach them to make the wreaths and stockings.

Happy week
hugs
Carolyn

Createology said...

Wonderful progress. These girls are making beautiful little wreaths for sale. Your items you bought are lovely. Beautiful sunrise and hope the cooler weather comes soon for you. We finally have rain...lots of rain! Blessings dear...

Diane said...

I hope all the best for these girls Tammy. The beautiful sun cannot be hidden by those things - still a beautiful sunrise. And I think the little pomeranian is just darling. Diane

Wanda said...

What a wonderful ministry you have with these girls. I so enjoyed reading your post, and seeing the pictures. You are a very special person...and they are finding purpose.

Hindustanka said...

nice post, Tammy.it's a wonderful thought about making every day meaningful.i wish I could do this.i am trying at least.
so you also have water tanks in Kuwait? Same in India :)
Have a great day!

Catherine said...

Such a beautiful post Tammy! Everyone does need a purpose to get up each day don't they?
I wish you could send me some of your warm weather and I could send you some of my snow. I'm not ready for it but down it comes this morning. Oh well.
Wishing you a beautiful week!
xo Catherine

Journeyin' Lady... said...

Beautiful photos - the colors seem to almost reflect the heat! The purpose to each day quote is so true - you are following it! Ejoyed your blog today.

Lori ann said...

tula reminds me of my puppy, so fun (except the yarn stealing part, mine too!) i'm glad you all had a good time together, it sounds like a successful day. i'm glad to hear about your not quite so hot weather too tammy, i'm sending you some cool ocean breezes!

~*~Patty S said...

Such an uplifting and lovely post dear Tammy...but all of your posts touch me that way

Thank you for sharing your beautiful skies and caring heart and so much more
oxo

Rostrose said...

Thats a real great work, dearest Tammy!
And Tula is so sweet! And I love your colorful morning-sky-photos!!!
Lots of hugs and CU after my trip, Traude (having a giveaway on Rostrose-Blog NOW :o)))

K @ Aurora Blythe said...

What a wonderful way to share your love of crochet! Great sky pictures, too :-)

Melanie said...

Lovely and uplifting post. That little Pom is so cute. My mom has a Pom (a beige one) and she looks like a little teddy bear and is so sweet! Sorry to hear it's still so hot and humid where you are.

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi Tammy, It's wonderful that you taught the girls how to crochet the wreaths and stockings. They did a great job and they make beautiful totes and baskets.
I'm happy for you that the temperatures at least came down a little bit.
Have a lovely day!
xoxo,
Julia

Phyllis said...

Hi Tammy,

How rewarding it is to help others - whether human or animal.

The little wreathes are perfect and I can only imagine how much joy it brings to those girls to create pretty things.

Little Tula is precious. Dogs bring comfort and lower stress in people so I think it's terrific that Tula is a resident.

I've been meaning to ask you how you crochet the little jackets for stones. I want to make some for myself and don't have a clue how to go about it. Could you give me some guidance?

Have a great day and week.

Claudia said...

You are to applauded for your work in the shelter, Tammy. You are an inspiration.

How cold does it get there as the seasons start to change?

xo
Claudia

Hearts Turned said...

What a beautiful thing to be involved in, Tammy--what a difference you're making in those girls lives...I'm sure you've taught them much, much more than crochet...

Wishing you the most wonderful day, dear friend!

Julie

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

I'd never make it in that heat! I don't do well when I'm hot.

The puppy is adorable!

podso said...

It is interesting how in the climate where you live you can notice subtle changes in the seasons.

The little wreaths are just lovely, Wondering what you use as a base for them. I've done that recycling the ring from an old window shade pull, but I'm guessing you got rings somewhere else!

Cheryl said...

What a giving heart you have.... you rock :-)
big hugs,
Cheryl

Serena Lewis said...

What lovely wares the woman at the shelter make. Tula is adorable!

Good that the temps are getting a little cooler although that's still very hot to me.

Have a fabulous weekend! xo

Wildflowerhouse said...

Tammy this is a wonderful post. The girls are very precious and oh so talented. I love everything they have created. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

Anonymous said...

What wonderful colour sky. Loving the projects from the shelter to.

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