Upcycled Recycled Repurposed Sweaters - A Wonderful way to Care and Create

Lately, it seems that I have been spending more of my time promoting items of other artists and craftspersons than I have my own. Frankly, I find it much more fun. There are so many gifted people out there, and I love seeing what they create! This is an edited post I did for our HandmadeMN blog.

The Etsy sellers featured above are doing marvelous things with upcycled, recycled, and repurposed sweaters. To me, it is a wonderful way to care for God's creation. It also reminds me of the Bible verse "Behold, I make all things new."

Here is a listing of the featured Etsy shops:

Column 1

Brendaabdullah - Spicy Pink and Orange Sweater Coat

greenleafgoods - Prism EcoFriendly Scarf

MountainGirlClothing - Pink Hearts Upcycled Sweater Cowl

dreaminggiggles - Recycled Wool Christmas Wreath Ornament

bonjourteaspoon - Chartruce and Grey Sweater Scarf

Column 2

jill2day - Color2day recycled sweater coat

blackbirdfashion - Sweater Owl

enchantedcreations2u - The Tara Small Altered Sweater

ModDogCanada - Large Multicolored Dogpatch Sweater

thegreengriffin - Blue and Black Small Pouch

TheLavendarTree - Circles of the Season Recycled Felted Wool Pillow

Column 3

handmadepretties - Christmas Tree Recycled Sweater Skirt

looploft - Christmas Stocking custom personalized repurposed

newgreenmama - Upcycled Coffee Cozt Felted Wool Sweater Sleeve

handmadepretties - Pinky Recycled Sweater Skirt

ChiChiBean - Green Journet Recycled Wool Blanket

heartfeltbaby - Tamika Felted Baby Girl Hoodie

RagingWool - Recycled Sweater Tote Bag fabulous reds

RagingWool - Recycled Sweater Keychain

fiveFeetTall - Striped Yellow Mittens

Column 4

consciousclothing - Upcycled Wool Stripey Cardigan

petitelibellule - red headed hat

tallulahssatchels - Kris Cashmere Blue Flower Pillow

Songmaker - Upcycled Recycled Red Rainbow Retro Sweater Hoodie

fairiesnest - Recycled Sweater Wallet

SnugglePants - Scrappy Skirt Upcycled Twirly Sweater Skirt

Spread Some Handmade Love Throughout the Streets of the World This Christmas

One of the members of our Etsy Rosary Guild Team--Heart of Mary--brought this neat organization to my attention. The Toy Society began in Australia, but has spread to countries all over the world.

The idea is to leave handmade toys wrapped in plastic bags at various locations for someone to find. You add a tag to the package that says, "Please take me home." It looks like an email address for The Toy Society is also enclosed, so people can respond about finding their package. The following is a quote from their blog:

The Toy Society spreads the love throughout the streets of the world. Nothing to it really just a bunch of handmade toys looking for a nice home.

What started as a small street art project in Australia is slowly spreading around the world.

They also suggest t-shirts or a book if you are not a crafter or a toy person. When I read this, I thought it could be anything. One thing that came to mind to me is a candle. (Afterall, Christmas is not just for kids.)

There is a place on the website to pledge drops, as well as a place to post pictures of the item and where you left it. Here is the link: http://thetoysociety.blogspot.com/2009/10/world-wide-christmas-toy-drop-2009.html

What is Purgatory?

I have recently set up Goggle Reader to read all the great blogs I follow. Reading all the wonderful posts, I have felt like I have little to offer. There are so many great writers and thinkers out there!

Tonight I have just a small thought to offer. At our parish All Souls Mass this evening, our priest was talking about the Catholic Church's concept of purgatory. He mentioned that because of the pull between the two worlds--heaven and earth, we might need a little time in between. As I really struggle with the idea of purgatory, my defenses were a little up. I believe that the miracle of God's grace can miraculously bring us into divine union when we die. No, we cannot ever be ready or "good enough" to go to heaven. It is only through the Blood of Christ's death on the cross that we are cleansed, sanctified, and given the gift of eternal life.

But, my ears perked up when he started talking about how long purgatory lasted. He said it might only last a moment. Okay, I thought. I can live with that. If it is simply a time when we are offered a choice--another opportunity to say, "Yes, Lord"--that changes my idea of the concept of purgatory.

It seems that purgatory is so often thought of as a place where we "pay" for our sins. That makes it a punishment of sorts. However, if we look at purgatory as another opportunity to say yes to God, purgatory can be seen as a gift. I believe in a God is always willing to give us a second chance.

Jesus in Ikea?

I ran across this blog post today and decided I would share it with you. Okay, I admit I am a fan of Ikea as well as Jesus! =)

http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2009/10/not-jesus-in-ikea.html

We Cry Justice!

A link to this video was posted on Twitter, and I was mesmerized. So, I decided I would share it with you.

There is more information about this project on www.wecryjustice.org

The music in the video is on an album by Sal Solo titled "We Cry Justice!" It can be downloaded from the site above or through iTunes. I have to say that my favorites are: "I Choose Life", and "If You Wanna See Peace Work for Justice."

Here is a link to an interview with Sal Solo: Sal Solo talks about "We Cry Justice!"

Suitcases

Today I had a wonderful visit with my dear friend, Linda. She told me that her daughter was encouraging her to write in her journal. When she showed me this poem that she had written, I asked her permission to post it on my blog.

Many of us are given "suitcases" in life that we neither asked for or want. Yet, if we dare to open them, they can be filled with many blessings.

The Unexpected trip

written by Linda Cloud - October 2009

One day a suitcase arrived at my door;

I tried to wave the delivery man down

before he left.

This was confusing.

It was not my suitcase,

but the name on the tag clearly said "Linda Cloud."

Setting the suitcase in the corner of the room,

I tried to ignore it.

It would not feel quite right opening it

since it was not mine.

I left it for a few days, shaking and kicking it

to get a hint of what could be inside.

Finally, one day I decided to open it.

The contents were not what I would have

anticipated or even prepared for--cancer was

in the main compartment.

I stared in disbelief.

The suitcase must have

been meant for someone else.

After some time, I moved the cancer to the side

and found a note underneath:

"I'm sorry you have to go through this, I am here

and will always be, Love, God"

I then noticed an abundance of

other compartments around the suitcase.

One by one,

I opened them.

And through the tears, I took

each of the gifts out.

In the first pouch was

the unconditional love and acceptance of

my husband and children.

The next was

love kindness and encouragement of

family and friends.

Next, was

a wonderful medical team from the Mayo Clinic.

There were so many,

some I did not understand

but realized they were there to help me

on this trip.

The last compartment was

the largest and I opened it last.

It was the gift of grace.

I knew this one was important,

and all I had to do was take it out.

The trip I did not want to go on

nor was I prepared for was

laid out in front of me.

There was not a choice,

but God gave so many blessings to

prepare me for this trip.

Jacob Wetterling Abduction 20 Year Ago

On the evening of October 22, 1989, 11 year old Jacob Wetterling was abducted on a country road near his home in St. Joseph, Minnesota. He was on his way to a local mini-market with his brother and a friend when a man with a gun took him. Jacob was never seen again.

I remember this vividly. Our daughter, Maura, was going through cancer treatment at that time. Though I did not think I could deal with the death of one of my children, neither could I imagine having my child taken and not knowing where they were. It is strange to say it, but I knew that if Maura died from the disease we were fighting, she would be safe. She would be safe at home in heaven.

Maura did die from cancer, and I am grateful for a God that rescues us all when it is our time to die. For many of us, it seems that time comes too early.

On this 20th anniversary of Jacob's abduction, my heart and prayers go out to the Wetterling family and all those who knew Jacob, especially Jacob's parents. And Jacob, if you are still alive out there somewhere, know that you are not forgotten.

This is a link to a beautiful and poignant article and video from the Minneapolis Star and Tribune website posted today.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/64490377.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU