Great Granny Squares Round 1 via swap-bot Are Starting to Arrive

I am participating in some Granny Square swaps over on Swap-bot.com to get more squares for my friendship-ghan. I'm mailing my squares out today[2/27] and so far I've received squares from two of my partners.

The first squares I received is from user Rattissia. She made them in lavender and light green.

The second squares I received from Jillgiff. She made them in a lime, deep purple, and aqua.

Should be interesting to see the outcome of this blanket. I'm hoping it will be big enough for a Full size bed. I might even sew a backing to it so it's nice and soft as these squares are made using acrylic yarn and can get a bit scratchy.


Are you joining the March Granny Exchange in March? 


Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

Received a Letter from Ravi Today

Today I received a letter from Ravi. He shared about a field trip his class took and all the wonderful things he saw. He got to play on in the water at the shore and I'm glad he took the time to share this moment with me.

Thank you for journeying with me this month during my Compassion Fundraiser. I appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers and am looking forward to another great year of conversing with Sara and Ravi through letters.




Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

Homeschooling with Compassion

Did you know that Compassion International has a homeschooling lesson plan?

When I first became a sponsor it was through following the story of a friends sponsorship journey. She homeschools her children and integrated the sponsorship into the lessons she taught her children.

Compassion has lessons which include Evangelism, Stewards of God's Earth, Giving and Tithing, Prayer and Helping Others in Need.

The ones I've decided to integrate into our own homeschool this year is

• Evangelism - Burkino Faso 
• Stewards of God's Earth - Brazil 
• Giving and Titing - Prayer - Helping Others in Need - India 

All three countries are dear to my heart and I want my son to learn about the country that our sponsor children come from. Right now we aren't sponsoring a child in Brazil but one day I hope to.

I know now from pressure from family that I'll need to let this little project rest a while in order to bring my own family out from the unemployment trenches - but  I will still pray for little Sara and Ravi and hopefully for a child who will one day join our extended family from Brazil.

Here's the Fundraising Begging: 
Remember it only takes a little over a dollar a day to sponsor a child - $38/month. Could you recycle some cans for us? It doesn't have to be for our sponsored children - you can sponsor your own child - believe me you will be blessed beyond your wildest expectations. It has shaken my world and I'm sure it will do the same to you. 


Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

Spotted Crochet Blogs 2/23/2012

http://momwithahook.blogspot.com

Time for the weekly Spotted Blog post. I missed this last week but I'll make up for it in this post.

JJCrochet - I came across Jayna's blog when I found the Men's hat pattern that I crocheted a couple of weeks ago. Jayna is a designer and has a number of lovely patterns both for sale and for free. She's been an Etsy seller for 6 years now and has seen great success. She also has a cool Blogger Love program. The blog link will take you to that page.

Maude and Me - Trudi shares her love of all things crafty and lately it's been crochet and spinning yarn. Check out her latest blanket pattern and be sure to follow her on Pinterest and Ravelry.

GillianHamilton - I started following Eclectic me when I found her Wool Eater photo on flickr. She's participating in the Crochet a long hosted by Sarah London.

LemonDedesucrette - I neglected to notate why I selected this blog but from viewing it today it was most likely the color squares in the granny afghan she is making. I love color work [maybe not working it but view it].

Disfrutandoconelcrochet - I believe I found this blog over on Pinterest. I pinned someones photo of a piece and it led me to this lovely designer blog. She works a lot of appliques into her pieces. Check out the little skirt she made with flowers.

Crochetnuts-place - Another very colorful crochet blogger who loves all things crochet. Check out her amazing wool eater blanket in a rainbow of colors.

Do you have a Crochet blog to share? 
Leave it in the comments below and I'll include it in the next spotted blogs post. 

Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

Update on Granny Square a Day challenge

Remember at the beginning of the year when I said I would participate in CrochetAddicts Granny Square a Day challenge? It's almost the third month into the year and I am way behind. No worries though because I joined a number of granny square swaps over on Swap-bot to encourage me to hook up a few squares.

Below are the Spring Grannies in Yellow and White. We had to use 2 different colors in a basic granny square.  The yarn used is Red Heart Super Saver in white and yellow.

 The next squares are made using Vanna's Choice Green and Purple. The larger squares are both 10" square and the smaller ones are 4" square. I'll be making these sporadically throughout the year and making an afghan for my husband and I.

 March is coming in less than two weeks and I only have 7 blogs signed up for the Granny Square Exchange. You can still sign up either on Swap-bot or via this site using this form.

Why or Why aren't you participating? I'd like to know for future exchanges and Crochet a longs.


Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

Compassion Sunday April 22, 2012

This year Compassion Sunday is on April 22, 2012. This is a time that together around the world churches agree to share the Compassion story with their members. I haven't participated in one of these events because up until the first of this year I haven't attended church.

One of my 2012 Goals was to be more social and one of the ways I am doing that is by attending church. The church I decided to attend happens to have a great Compassion Sponsorship program and I'm looking forward to sharing Compassion Sunday with them.

Once again I'm asking that if you can spare a dollar or two [more would be most appreciated] for Sara and Ravi's sponsorship. I realized when I started this fundraiser that $960 was a lofty goal. I don't have a large readership but the readers I do have love helping others out just as much as I do.

I realize there are many organizations that you can give your money to - if you choose Compassion - Sara and Ravi in particular - I just want to thank you with a great big hug. If you need a hat let me know and I'll send you one.



Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

So Crafty on Squidoo

I didn't get to post this yesterday but I am excited about Squidoo's latest eMagazine 'So Crafty'. It features all Crafty Squidoo lenses. From crochet to sewing to jewelry to basic crafts. They even have a section for special occasions like holidays and birthdays.

If you've been on the fence about writing an article for Squidoo now is the time to jump on over. I have a simple eBook tutorial as well as a 7 day ecourse that takes you step by step while making your first article.

Squidoo has a new mentoring program too. It started January 31 and it guides new squidoo article writers into making quality articles that bring traffic and revenue to the author. I'm a mentor so stop on by - I would love to help you write your first article.

For those who choose to write on Squidoo they have a Featured Crafter section where they showcase your work - this could be very useful for those who want to get free publicity for their blog or shop.

Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

Fresh Off Tha Hook Wednesday

 It's Fresh Off Tha Hook Wednesday and I'm sorry to say I don't have many finished objects to share today. I've been crocheting a bunch of granny squares for swaps and working on an afghan for my mom [yes, I'm still trying to finish this thing] so haven't had much time to hook anything else.

I did manage to crochet a Cable hat pattern that I purchased from Crochet Dad a couple of years ago. I love this pattern and always receive complements on the hat when I wear it outside. So far I've given away all five of the hats I made. I'll probably end up giving this one away as well. My sister has her eye on it already.

Thank you to everyone who voted in the little survey I had up last week. It was very useful to me. Hope you are all enjoying your Daffodil Garden pattern. If you need any help you can always ask me.

I uploaded some of my free patterns to Ravelry so now they are instant downloads. I'll eventually get all of my patterns on there so keep an eye out for new ones each week.

Fundraiser Update:
I just paid Sarah's monthly sponsorship fee and will be paying Ravi's soon. I haven't been pushing this fundraiser at all - I've had other things push there way into first place this past week but I still wanted to let you know I am still raising funds for them and if you could spare a dollar or two I would really appreciate it.

I know many are struggling as I am to find funds to support their own family let alone another child - but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.

Closed:Hooking for Cash Survey plus a Free Crochet Pattern

For some reason the Submit button is not showing up so Please use the following Link: http://momwithahook.wufoo.com/forms/hooking-for-cash-pricing-query/

Compassion Fundraiser - Added some items to my Etsy shop Take a look

 I know you all are probably getting tired of me mentioning Compassion but I chose the month of February because most people see it as the love month. Compassion is an all consuming love - a love that brings people to action. This is my action for Sara and Ravi.

I want you to get to know this organization - Last year when I was not earning enough in royalties to cover the cost of their sponsorship I regretfully called Compassion to halt my sponsorship. Compassion said they don't do that but that they would cover my sponsorship for 3 months. Tears and emotion overwhelmed me and I was blessed for those three months with twice the amount of letters from Sara and Ravi.

This is my effort to get their sponsorship paid upfront and in full but if I don't raise anything this month, I will still have faith that each month I will be able to provide for them. My extended family thinks it is a bit irresponsible for me to be sponsoring these children and I fight with myself at times about my motives behind sponsorship.

Yes, sponsorship makes me feel good. Yes, I enjoy getting to know Sara and Ravi. It also makes me keening aware of what I have vs what they don't have. My family is struggling in the finances department - we live with family - and so in my head and on paper it really doesn't make sense to give the little I do earn to charity. But really, how much would my family benefit for the $150/month? Maybe I should giving this money to my family for letting us stay at their place? Maybe I'm being selfish - I don't know.

I'm praying for this month of sponsorship fundraising and will come to a final decision at the end of the month. I sure hope God blesses these children with finances needed to sponsor them for the year - if not, I pray that God prepares financially able sponsors to take over sponsorship of these two precious children.

Keep praying and Thank You.



Sara - Momwithahook - writes on squidoo.com and enjoys sharing all things related to crochet. Don't miss out on updates subscribe to Momwithahook Crochet Newsletter.