Wednesday, September 27, 2006

The First Annual International Fiber Arts Bee

Join fiber artists and artisans from around the world for an afternoon
of fiber, fashion, food, and fun in our nation's capital.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

2 P.M. STITCH-IN
Bring your latest fiber arts project (or problem) to show and share.
Limited catered food and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for
purchase.

4 P.M. MYSTIC MAYHEM PIECE JAM
Bring a drum or other musical instrument, a story, or song to
celebrate crafting and creativity.

THE POTTER'S HOUSE
1658 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.232.5483

Metro: Exit at Dupont Circle on the north side. Walk 20 minutes to
event or transfer to a northbound No. 42 Metrobus (35-cents with
transfer from the originating station).

Cash donations in 2006 benefit urban fiber arts advocacy
in Washington, DC.

Presented by The Electric Shaman and Friends

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Caps to the Capital: Warm the Head of a Baby in Need

Caps to the Capital is a project designed to raise awareness about the plight of newborns in poor and developing nations.

"After Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers 2006 report highlighted simple, low-cost practices that could save newborn lives — like warming their heads with a knit or crochet cap — Save the Children received numerous calls and e-mails from Americans around the country wanting to organize their friends and family to knit and crochet caps for newborns in developing countries.

People also asked what more they could do to help newborns in need. As a result of their enthusiasm, Save the Children has partnered with the Warm Up America! Foundation to launch Knitters and Crocheters for Newborns: Caps to the Capital.

Four million newborns die each year within the first month of life — half within the first 24 hours of life. The United States can lead the way in saving these young lives by increasing funding for critical health programs for mothers and newborns.

These babies need more than caps — they need your voice, too.

We are asking knitters and crocheters around the country to take three simple steps to let America’s leaders know they care about saving newborn lives around the world:

* Make a cap
* Write the President
* Unite for newborns
What do these three steps mean? For more details and a full explanation go to the Save the Children web site and download the Caps to the Capital Action Kit."

This web site also gives tips on how to advocate for these babies and their mothers by writing to editors and elected officials. So beyond knitting or crocheting some caps to warm these babies heads, you can give them a voice and let the world know that we care about what happens to our little bothers and sisters.