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When I was invited to participate in a Facebook prayer flag project, of course I said yes! The objective was to promote positive thoughts in today’s stressful environment; thus The Positive Prayer Flag Swap. The basic instructions were to make the traditional 8X5-inch prayer flags from the Prayer Flag Project. We were asked to be non-political and avoid religious statements. The rest was left to our imagination and creativity. So I got out fabric, buttons, burlap, paint and such. I fired up the Silhouette Portrait and printer. And did I ever have fun! I mailed these 12 flags which will be swapped with flags from other crafters/artists throughout the country.

I love using prayer flags as a way to try different techniques and products. (Culling my collection of fabric, buttons, ribbon and lace is a bonus.) Here are my favorites from the batch I mailed.

Applique using Silhouette Portrait

Painted fabric, stamping

Coloring book page scanned and printed, quote printed on fabric

Painted fabric, stamping

I have been making prayer flags for about five years. Sometimes they are for family or friends that are ill or bereaved, sometimes they are for celebrations of new homes, jobs, or babies, and sometimes they are for life changing events like graduations, marriage or retirement. I most often make a card with a photo of the flag which I send to the person for whom I am saying a prayer.

I love watching them sway in the breeze. 

As you can see, some have been hanging in the outdoors for quite a while and some are new additions.

Can’t wait to see the creativity in the flags I receive from the swap! 

Chaos?

Step into my studio and what will you see; chaos, clutter, a mess? To the untrained eye noncrafter, I am sure that would be the case. Actually what I have here is a series of UFOs (unfinished objects.)

I have my current drawing class assignment, which is due to be turned in on Wednesday,

prayer flags for a Positive Prayer Flag swap that will be mailed on Friday

and a jewelry box redo that will probably be finished tomorrow.

So what your eyes see isn’t always true. (But I have to admit, there is quite a bit of clutter, like all those empty boxes I will never use.)

After these projects are completed, a normal person would clean and tidy before starting something new.

Sending a bit of hope

If you folks are like me, you are making the most of the gloomy winter by staying inside a warm house and crafting away. It all seems pretty serene until you turn on the news or check social media and the awareness of the Syrian Refugee Crisis creeps into your serenity.

This was me last week when I received an email from my friend over at Woolythyme with a link to a knitting web site, Hats and More for War-torn Syrian Refugees. Ahh… a way to craft without the guilt; Yes!

There is one little problem, knitting and crocheting are not skills sets of mine. However I checked the site out and was pleased to see one can send purchased items as well. Off I go to buy some fleece blankets, then back to The Underground to stitch some pocket dolls (The grandmother in me says those little children could use something to hug and cuddle.)

I snitched a photo from my friend’s blog, http://www.woolythyme.typepad.com so you can see her beautiful hand knitted socks which she will be sharing with the refugees.

More information on what items are needed as well as the shipping address, hop on over to the Hats and Morefor War-torn Syrian Refugees web site or check out their Facebook page.

This is just one of many ways to use crafting and needle art to show compassion to those that are struggling to stay warm and make it through just one more day. I know many of you sew, knit, crochet and create for good causes; I would be delighted if you would share information about your charity crafting in the comments below.

Please note, political comments will not be published.