This is going to be a testimonial diary.
We talk a lot at this site about the importance of community. Talk is one thing; it's a lot harder to live it. Harder still when faced with growing medical and other issues and shrinking finances.
But Sara R and Ann (winglion) manage to live it every day.
Yesterday evening, smileycreek posted a tribute diary, showing photos and video from the Quilt Flash Mob at Netroots Nation a few weeks ago. her diary also told the story of how the Community Quilt Project at Daily Kos came to be, and the Project's healing effects are evident in the faces in photo. If you haven't read it yet, do so.
Bring a Kleenex or two.
Photo stolen (STOLEN! AGAIN!) shamelessly from smileycreek.
Sara and Ann recently passed a milestone: They finished their 100th community quilt, which went to shanikka. Since then, they've begun new community quilts; you can leave a message for or contribute to the most recent one, for FloridaSNMOM, here.
But stop and think about this for a moment. More than 100 quilts have now been designed; messages collected, laid out, and transcribed; and hope, healing, and love stitched together into something tangible for people most in need of such blessings.
And still, they manage to do more. Whether it's creating quilts to raise funds for political candidates or causes, such as INDN's List, or producing a quilt for especially for this community to hang in Daily Kos headquarters, helping to provide quilts to comfort the Sandy Hook victims, or coordinating the production and delivery of more than 40 wheelchair quilts to the Palo Alto VA Hospital during NN13, these two women never stint on their service to this community. And that's just the beginning; on top of all of this, Sara managed to take over administration of the Kos Katalogue, and added new projects, introducing Gallery Kos and its Community Art Project. And in the face of serious health and medical issues, to say nothing of financial setbacks due to this economy, they still manage to serve as an example to all of us of what it means to be a dedicated community member.
You can see the entire list of community quilt recipients, as well as those that are currently planned, in this diary. But just for a moment, I'm going to bring this down to a very personal level.
Image copyright Wings, 2013.
As you can see, Cree approves of the Community Quilt Project. So do our dogs, as you'll learn over the jump.
Almost two years ago, the late ulookarmless and Nurse Kelley hatched a plan to create a "virtual quilt" as a thank-you to Sara and Ann. I had received my quilt from this community, the one pictured below, a few months before. When asked to contribute a message about what my quilt meant to me, I didn't even need to think about it. It meant my very life:
It is not an exaggeration to say that Sara's quilts save lives. Literally.
By now, I imagine everyone knows about both our current living situation and my health problems, so there's no point talking about them in detail here. Because of the financial and family stresses over the past year, which have exceeded anything I've ever experienced (and that's saying a lot), and because I no longer have access to the meds that kept the worst of my symptoms under at least minimal control, this year has been a killer in more ways than one. I went through a period of months earlier this year where I got virtually no REM sleep whatsoever. And for an autoimmune patient, REM is, quite literally, everything. And then Sara's quilt arrived. And when I slept with it directly over me, I began to dream again. For months, the only REM sleep I got was under that quilt. Nothing else worked. And had I not gotten that little bit of sleep through the summer months, I would not be here today.
Because what I haven't really told anyone, except obliquely, is that I spent most of this year battling the urge to end it all. Literally. Oh, I tried; too many times. But I could never seem to make it work. Stupid obstacles that prevented me from carrying it out, every single time. But I know two things: 1) On a purely physical level, had I not been able to begin sleeping again, I would have made it work, eventually. 2) All these months when everything has seemed utterly hopeless, I think the one thing that has kept me going is that quilt: the magic woven into its very threads by Sara and Ann; the messages on it from people who gave enough of a damn to write them when it felt like no one cared if I lived or died; and the blessing my "cousin" (Ojibwa) bestowed upon it from within our tradition, that keeps my soul connected even when mind and body are not. We rebuilt our lodge, and the quilt is the blanket I wear into it. Wings sleeps on top of it when he needs a respite. Even the dogs sneak up onto it and burrow into its magic whenever they can.
Sara: I owe you my life. I love you more than words can ever express. ~ Aji
At the time that I wrote that, in late 2011, I still was not thinking clearly. But everything I said applies to Ann, as well.
This was not a message I wanted to revisit. I didn't want to remember the depths of my despair from that year. I didn't want to feel that pain, even a fraction of it, again.
But you know what? Two years later, the quilt is a daily part of my life - it's only removed from its place on top of the bed for washing, or for purposes like the one you see above.
That's me - wrapped in my quilt like a blanket - just last week.
Life is difficult. Every day is a battle. But I can smile again, laugh again, enjoy sitting on the back of a horse again. And it's due in no small part to the magic and spirit of that quilt, and the love that went into it.
These women deserve our support - and our business. Over the jump, you can find out how to do that.
WINGLION QUILTS
The Community Quilt Project and Winglion Quilts have their own independent Web site. From there, Sara and Ann coordinate their business, making available beautiful fiber art in the form of quilts, throws, pootie pads, and pootie pads for pooches (and now, pootie pads for humans, too!). They also use it to coordinate and track the Community Quilt Project efforts here at Daily Kos, and the other offline projects such as the wheelchair quilts made for and delivered to the Palo Alto VA Hospital.
For a brief time yet, they also have an online etsy shop with a few items remaining. Samples of these items appear near the end, and there's not much time left; the etsy store is closing, and now's your chance to snap up a few remaining quilts and throws at some really great prices.
We begin, though, with some of the items currently available on their Web site. And, yes, I'm cribbing shamelessly from my diary of ten days ago. While I'm at it, please note: There is an option, discussed in that diary, for folks to make a recurring monthly donation to Sara and Ann to help them continue to serve the community as they so ably do. The relevant PayPal addresses to do so appear the bottom of this diary.
NINE-PATCH LAP THROWS
These throws are a traditional nine-patch version of the smaller lap throws that were delivered to the Palo Alto VA Hospital during Netroots Nation. They're perfect for your lap, around your shoulders, snuggling on the couch, or accenting your bed. The one on the left is done in espresso; the one on the right, in navy.
Each nine-patch lap throw is $250, plus $12.35 shipping and handling. You can place your order here.
LAVENDER LAP THROWS
Over the course of the last year, Sara and Ann have begun making lavender quilts and throws. These grew out of the success of the Pootie Pads (shown below), which were such a huge hit with the feline overlords that their human servants began agitating for a version all their own.
Lavender is known for having a relaxing effect; it's one reason why some indigenous cultures use it regularly. Several Kossacks have them already, and can no doubt testify to the efficacy in the comments. At the moment, one is immediately available, but custom versions can be ordered. At right is a "Stained Glass" lavender throw, available for immediate purchase.
A lavender throw is $175, plus $12.35 shipping and handling. You can place your order here.
POOTIE PADS
These are Sara and Ann's famous invention: quilted cat-sized fabric pads filled with top-grade organic catnip. I'm not sure how many Kossack pooties are now in possession of such decadence - dozens, at least, perhaps more. I do know that they are popular in the extreme, with both the pootie overlords and their piddling human servants.
I will try to snag some photos of pooties on their pads to add to this; please feel free to add yours in the comments. In the meantime, specs are as follows:
Approximately 17″ x 23″, these little quilts quickly become favorite toys and/or sleeping mats. In fact, if yours is a multi-cat household, you may want more than one because these are so good the kitties do not like to share …..
You can see fabric samples and place your order
here.
POOTIE PADS FOR POOCHES
After . . . what? more than a year? . . . of Kossack woozles barking, "Discrimination!" they now have equal access to heavenly bedding. They're dog-sized quilted pads - now available in three sizes! - filled with a blend of organic lavender and thyme.
I can also vouch personally for their effectiveness: Two people were kind enough to buy them for our dogs, and the four-leggeds love them. We actually like them a lot, too; we put them on top of their dog beds at night, and they make the dogs beds - and therefore the whole place - smell lovely (and distinctly un-doggish). Here's Griffin, our alpha, first sleeping on his large-sized one and then after he reverted to puppyhood and turned it into a pillow fort (bless you, MB). We've just discovered in the last couple of days that Griffin has suffered rapid and drastic hearing loss. Last night, he slept all night with his pads bunched up under his ears, and I can't help but believe that they comfort him.
The pooch pads have an added benefit, so if you have an elder dog, or one that's injured, ill, or suffers from anxiety or other conditions, your might consider this. Here's my sister's dog, Bitty (her pet humans are Kitsap River and Charles CurtisStanley). Bitty is an elder dog, a 12-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. She needs a comfortable place to sleep, and she's earned one that will make her feel good both physically and psychologically. Her pad matches her brother Griffin's pad, and as you can see, it's working.
One of our dogs, Lilith, is terminal. We know that it's only a matter of time (it's tumors from pyrethrin toxicity from topical flea treatment, the same thing that killed her little sister more than two years ago). In the last two years, we have nearly lost her on eight separate occasions (most recently, just last week), but so far, her will to live has won out over the attacks on her body. Previously, when she was feeling terrible, she would often climb silently to our bed, where my own community quilt rests atop it; she'd lie right in the middle, on top of the "corn and beans" pattern Sara and Ann placed at its center. After a few hours, she'd come down on her own, and invariably, she'd be renewed. So we starting putting her up there whenever she had an episode. And now, she has her own quilt, and she uses it.
In fact, last week, as she was slipping away from us while we tried everything we could think of, we wrapped her in several of them.
Today, she's running around to the extent her body will let her, and counter-surfing at every opportunity.
If you'd like one of these magical doggie quilts for your woozle, you can order here. Fabric samples are available at the link, and specs are as follows:
Available in Petite (13.5 x 9), Medium (23 x 17), and Large (35 x 24). Choose a focus fabric for Petite or Medium sizes or let us choose for you.
NEW!!! POOTIE PADS FOR TWO-LEGGEDS (HUMANS)!
This is something brand new and fabulous, and I believe I snagged the very first one! Or, more accurately, Wings snagged it: He wanted one for himself and was bogarting Raven's. So, since his birthday was on the first, I asked Sara if it was possible to make him one for himself as my birthday gift to him. I even put in a special request for horse fabric, and lo and behold:
It's a quilted pad, approximately 17" by 23", filled with organic lavender. It can be put under the head and neck, on top of one's pillow, or inside the pillowcase. He tends to sleep with it directly beneath his head, on top of his pillow. Price is currently estimated at $40 + shipping and insurance.
UPDATE: And now we have pre-order information! Here:
Petite (9.5" x 13") - $20 plus $5.60 shipping
https://www.paypal.com/...
Medium (17" x 23") - $40 plus $5.60 shipping
https://www.paypal.com/...
Large (lap throw size) - $175 plus $12.35 shipping
https://www.paypal.com/...
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS AND COMMISSIONS
Sara and Ann also have a few items still available via their old etsy shop. They include a beautiful selection of child and adult quilts, ranging in price from $85 to $275 plus shipping and handling. The etsy site will be closed soon, so take advantage of these while you still can. Below are a few examples:
"Magic Chain" Irish chain wall hanging; 43" by 43"; $275 + shipping and insurance.
"Petals and Ponds" children's quilt; 42" by 42"; $165 + shipping and insurance.
"Pansy and Sun" children's quilt; 38" by 38"; $125 + shipping and insurance.
"Harlequin - Green and Pink" children's quilt; 38" by 38"; $125 + shipping and insurance. The "Harlequin" quilt is made from 65 different fabrics, and the backing is a teaching tool: It includes words for numbers and colors in both English and Spanish!
And last by by no means least, they do commissions - custom quilts. Samples of previous custom quilts are available at the link. Prices vary according to size, fabric, and the amount of labor involved.
As I said ten days ago:
The one thing that's not reflected in the price of these quilts (and every other item) is the vast amount of love and spirit that is put into every stitch. But how do you put a price on that?
And how do you put a price on what these two women have done, and continue to do, for this community and so many others? I couldn't begin to calculate the good they've done for others. So let's help magnify that good by helping them continue to do what they do.
They do it for all of us.
If you can't afford to buy one of these items, but would like to kick in a few dollars to help out, you can do so via PayPal at rainwoman [at] mac [dot] com. To donate toward a quilt for someone else, or to purchase an item, you can do so at hairbraider33 [at] yahoo [dot] com.
For any help you can give, you have my personal thanks.
Chi miigwech.
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Building Community. Creating Jobs. Donating Art to Community Organizations.
Kos Katalogue Blogathon: July 10-July 12, 2013
Daily Kos is the best progressive website for a good reason: it has, by far, the most vibrant, dynamic, and supportive online community. While policy and political issues dominate everyday debates and conversations, it is the participation, dedication, and caring attitudes exhibited by the blog's members that has made this place unique among online communities. In short, you are responsible for its success over the past eleven years since 2002.
When you decide to buy online gifts for friends and family members or for your own personal use, please consider buying an item or two from Kos Katalogue. By supporting the Daily Kos Community small businesses, you encourage job creation. With millions of average Americans struggling in this fragile economy, sensible economic proposals emanating from Washington, DC and the corporate sector are non-existent and, thus far, unable to stimulate sufficient job growth.
Kos Katalogue consists of dozens of online stores, encompassing the talents of hundreds of brilliant, creative people and featuring unique items for sale. It also connects our online community with towns and cities across the United States. For example, with generous financial support from our community members, the Gallery Kos Community Art Project has donated artwork to community organizations around the country. Such initiatives by members of Kos Katalogue facilitate networking in the real world and strengthen community ties.
A Personal Request from Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse, Aji, and JekyllnHyde
Both sisters have been an integral part of Daily Kos for a long time. In years past, the three of us have worked with them on several occasions in many blogathons and other special projects. For as long as we can remember, they have selflessly comforted others in need and helped to foster a strong sense of community. Now, they need our help.
Sara (Sara R) and Ann (winglion) are facing some hefty medical bills, vet bills for their beloved pooties, and a host of other economic issues. If you can help, please go to PayPal.com and make a contribution to rainwoman AT mac DOT com.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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Kos Katalogue is easy, consumer-friendly shopping – just let your mouse do the clicking! If you hotlist this diary by Sara R, you will always be two clicks from Kossack-owned stores, covering everything from artwork to quilts to jewelry to scarves to personal services.
A complete list of Kos Katalogue online businesses can be found in this diary posted by Sara R on Tuesday, July 9th - Kos Katalogue Mothership - HOTLIST THIS!!!
Please support members of the Kos Katalogue Community, as your help is needed. For those of you on Facebook and Twitter, please help to spread the word by hitting the FB and Tweet links at the top of this diary. Use hashtag #KosKatalogue to tweet all diaries posted during this blogathon. Our Daily Kos community organizers are Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse, Sara R, Aji, and JekyllnHyde.
Diary Schedule - All Times Pacific
If you would like to be added to our email list used for email notifications once Kos Katalogue diaries are posted, or for our blogathons, please Kosmail Aji, Sara R, or Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse. Emails are always sent bcc to ensure privacy.
11:00 am: Kos.
1:00 pm: Aji.
2:00 pm: michelewln.
3:00 pm: peregrine kate.
9:00 am: belinda ridgewood.
11:00 am: Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse.
1:00 pm: remembrance.
3:00 pm: rb137.
5:00 pm: One Pissed Off Liberal.
7:00 pm: JekyllnHyde.
9:00 am: rserven.
11:00 am: ZenTrainer.
1:00 pm: Yasuragi.
3:00 pm: Kitsap River.
5:00 pm: smileycreek.
Please remember to republish these diaries to your Daily Kos Groups. You can also follow all postings by clicking this link for the Kos Katalogue Group. Then, click 'Follow' and that will make all postings show up in 'My Stream' of your Daily Kos page.
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