Handmade Hope

2011 update

2011-11-19T11:31:00.008-05:00

Well, 2011 has been a productive year for Handmade Hope! The tally is in, and as of 11/18/2011, we have made and distributed 1778 hats, 12 fleece blankets, 48 lap robes, and 5 prayer shawls to local cancer centers, hospitals, and nursing homes.

We've gotten countless emails and notes from patients and providers thanking us for what we do. It is truly heartwarming; however, it's a bittersweet experience, as many of our own group members and/or close family members are currently battling cancer as well.

This may sound like a cliche but I know it's true for all of us: We hold every one of these patients; friends, family, and strangers alike; close to our hearts and send them love. I personally count my blessings every day that I am healthy and happy, and also that we have found a way provide some love and comfort to those who are not as fortunate right now.

On a lighter note - I found a few super fun cute patterns to share:

For some fun right in time for Thanksgiving, check out this link: http://goingcrafty.com/?p=86
How cute is that little turkey hat?!?

Or maybe some adorable elf hats for Christmas? http://www.polarknitpatterns.com/Elf-Hats.pdf

Thanks again to everyone who has made this such an amazing year. I am so proud and so thankful for every single person that has taken up the call to help.

Have a blessed holiday season everyone...and keep crafting!

--Kristie <3

New Mailing Address

2011-02-10T13:28:00.001-05:00

There is a new mailing address for those wishing to send their submissions through the mail. As I have moved out of Western PA and am now residing in Nashville, my mother will be taking over collection and distribution for Handmade Hope. (Yay Mom!!)

The new submission address is:
Handmade Hope of Western PA
150 Leasureville Road
Sarver, PA 16055

Again, thank you all so much for your participation! I continue to be touched and inspired by everyone's love and generosity.

Thanks,
Kristie
<3

Facebook

2010-10-30T10:44:00.000-04:00

There is now a Facebook page for Handmade Hope of Western PA.
For those of you who are on Facebook, come join us!

Handmade Hope of Western PA Facebook page

The Tally So Far....

2010-10-30T09:29:00.000-04:00

I'll be honest...when I started this project I wasn't so sure it was actually going to take off. I have been proven wrong. Last night's Handmade Hope meeting brought out some big numbers!!

For ONE MONTH we collected 175 adult hats, 77 kid hats, 9 lap robes, and 3 prayer shawls!

The grand total collected and distributed so far is:
347 adult hats
139 kid hats
16 lap robes
3 prayer shawls

The thank you notes and email are pouring in...both from the treatment providers and the patients themselves.

We are also beginning to receive out-of-state donations via postal mail -- most recently from New York State, with the farthest distance so far being from Idaho!

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has participated. You are all so special and it truly warms my heart to see such a wonderful response.

<3

Kristie

Wow!

2010-08-16T10:05:00.000-04:00

Wow, the response to this project has been absolutely amazing. I am so pleased and touched by the response.

We have received close to 60 hats in the last 30 days -- we will be making our first big distribution in the next week or so!! We've gotten lots of childrens hats but not as many adult items...we're looking for a good mix of both.

Also some news: We have expanded our efforts a bit -- A local hospice worker relayed that they see a real need for items for their patients as well; therefore, in addition to hats, we are also going to be accepting and donating lap robes. My husband knows how to make them (crafty little sweetheart), but I'm trying to find patterns to put up for these for everyone to be able to look over.

Big thanks to everyone who has taken the time to participate.

I will try to keep updating as the project progresses!

Thanks for all the love,
Kristie <3

About Handmade Hope

2010-06-22T14:30:00.000-04:00

ABOUT US: Handmade Hope is group for all those in western PA and beyond with crafty hands and warm hearts!

We are a local chapter of 2 larger groups: HeadHuggers, which makes and provides hats for those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, brain surgery, or burns, and Miracles Happen, which provides baby supplies to women's shelters and crisis pregnancy centers.

HOW IT ALL HAPPENED: A few years ago, my dad had cancer and lost his hair during chemotherapy. I knitted him a hat to keep his head warm. Since that time, I've made hats and delivered them to the local cancer center where my dad was treated. There was such a great response that I began looking into ways to expand the effort and get more people involved.

When I did some research, I located the main HeadHuggers group, which was founded by an absolutely awesome lady named Sue Thompson. Sue also has a group named Miracles Happen, and I chose to affiliate with both of those groups.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Get crafty! Any handmade items are acceptable with just a few guidelines.

For hats:
Hats must be handmade, must be new (never worn), and should preferably be washable. Due to the fact that some people have allergies to wool, we ask that you make a note of any items that contain wool so it can be appropriately tagged.

For baby supplies:
The sky is the limit. Blankets, quilts, hats, bibs, burp cloths, cloth diapers, it's all wonderful! Items should preferably be handmade and new, although gently used baby items will be accepted and distributed. As above, please make a notation of anything containing wool since some babies are allergic.

HOW TO SUBMIT:
Items can be submitted to:
Handmade Hope
c/o Kristie Hynniman
118 Sanderson Drive
Slippery Rock, PA 16057

You can also contact me directly at handmade.hope.wpa@gmail.com to make other arrangements.

For submissions, please include a note with the following information:

Your name, address, phone number, email (if applicable).
Whether or not the fiber contains wool.
The yarn or fiber content (if known).

Please also include a piece of the yarn you used (approximately 15 inches), which will be used to attach a handmade tag to your item.

**Your contact information will absolutely NOT be used for any mailing lists, it is just for record keeping**

Visit www.headhuggers.org or www.miracleshappen.us for more information, patterns, yarn suggestions, and other ideas about how you can help.

THANK YOU!

Kristie <3