Handmade Especially For You

JUNE NEWSLETTER

June 28, 2009

Today’s topics:

• Domestic violence occurs in every neighborhood, even yours.
• We distributed more than 1500 scarves this year and received “thank you” notes from many shelters.
• All our shelters want summer scarves.
• Handmade’s members make valuable suggestions.  We couldn’t make and distribute so many scarves without everyone’s creativity.

And now for the details.

One evening, while knitting with a lovely group of women at a very nice yarn shop, I  commented aloud that we all are knitting in a fairy tale, far from where domestic violence occurs.  I expressed how lucky we all are.  One of the women replied that her daughter actually had been in a local shelter.  The shock of the women around the table was considerable.  We didn’t know what to say.  Yes, we are lucky that we personally have not experienced domestic violence, but we realized how close to all of us it is.  No matter what neighborhood we live in, someone is or knows someone who has been a victim.  Incredible isn’t it.  Statistics show that abusers come from all walks of life, including families of doctors, law enforcement, and others in the helping professions.  No group is exempt.

The mother of the abused daughter went on to tell us that when her daughter left the shelter, she took her comfort scarf with her, because it meant so much to her.  Another shock.  We have been making and distributing comfort scarves for not even a year.  And an abused woman has already received one, gone through counseling to help her overcome the experience of her abuse, and graduated from the shelter.  And took her comfort scarf with her.  We have an important responsibility.  Making and donating comfort scarves does help change the lives of women who have been abused.

We distributed just over 200 scarves this month, and over 1500 so far this year!  The wrapping and delivery processes seem more routine now that we have been doing this for 9 months, but the value of the donation is just as important as when we started.  All the shelters seem surprised and GRATEFUL at our continued involvement.  They have sent us numerous thank you cards and letters to express their appreciation.  One shelter even sent cards from the recipients addressed to the actual maker of the scarf she received.  The notes were very moving.  You can see a few of them in the photo above.  The thank you cards complete the circle.  We donate the scarf, the woman receives it, writes the card, the scarf maker receives the thank you.  I know you don’t need personal thank you notes to motivate you to stay involved, but they are very nice to receive when we get them.

I have forwarded the cards to the appropriate scarf makers.  If you did not receive one, please understand that we gave that shelter only 20 comfort scarves (at their request).  They hope for 20 again next month.  And the month after.  Etc.  Your card may be coming in the future.

The shelters want summer scarves.  The directors acknowledge the value of receiving comfort scarves in breaking the cycle of low self-esteem/acceptance of domestic violence.  So it doesn’t matter that it is summer and the weather is hot.  What is important is the giving and receiving of the scarf.  If I were in business, I’d call it the “cash flow,” but since our “cash” is comfort scarves, let’s call it the “scarf flow.”  Summer or winter, the shelters want them.  The point isn’t style or warmth; the purpose is showing the abused woman that she is worthy of receiving a beautiful, handmade scarf, that we, and rest of the world, haven’t forgotten about her.

I have posted several patterns for summer scarves on our website, www.handmadeespecially.org.  I have also posted a pattern I think you will like for adding a ruffle to a scarf that.  Somehow I feel ruffles are more summer appropriate than fringe, but whatever works for you is fine with me.  I have a lot of pieces of yarn that are too small to make into one scarf.  I have been grouping them by color and knitting them horizontally.  The resulting scarf is very nice.  I use big needles so even though I make the scarf in garter stitch, it looks very lacy.  I bet you have a lot of yarn in your stash that you could use the same way.  For really too short pieces, you can make scarves with only 10 or 12 stitches, and just change yarns frequently to use up the pieces until the scarf is 60 inches long.  Don’t bother weaving in the ends.  Tie them on the outside so that they become part of the design.  No pattern to this kind of scarf.  Use your creativity and see what happens.

Shirley contributed a “ruffle scarf” pattern that is very pretty and very popular.  It needs a lot of yarn, size 101/2 needles, and a lot of time to make.  It is worth the effort.  You can find the pattern on the website.

To our group of OVER THE TOP KNITTERS (Annie, Beverly P, Auntie “D”, Cindy H., Diane, Janet, Kathy, Leslye, Lisa, Sharon, Tammy, Vicki, Wednesday Night Knitters at Concepts in Yarn) and the women from the Meyler Family Literacy Program, we welcome Betty W. (who sent us 10 scarves and a donation to cover the shipping, etc.).  Even though summer school has been cancelled in Los Angeles, the women from Meyler Family Literacy want to continue making scarves over the summer.  I hope all of you can fit scarf making into your summer plans.  Keep up the good work, everyone.

Karen continues to wind big skeins of yarn into smaller balls.  Kit making still is a big job, but it’s a lot easier when I have so many pre-measured balls to work with.  This is a great contribution.  If anyone would like to join Karen in making balls of yarn for kits, let me know.  As our organization grows, we need more and more kits.  Many thanks to Karen. 

Betty W., one of our new participants, checked the websites of several of the shelters to which we donate scarves.  She noticed one of them had laundry baskets on their wish list.  She suggested we deliver our comfort scarves in a laundry basket so the shelter can give the laundry basket to someone who needs it.  A great idea.  I wish I had thought of it myself.  Betty made a donation to cover the cost of buying some laundry baskets for next month’s deliveries.  I hope others will do the same.

We depend on each one of you for Handmade’s continued growth and success.  We couldn’t donate scarves to so many shelters if you didn’t contribute.  Whatever you do, adds to the total.  Whatever you do, whether you knitted or crocheted a scarf, created a pattern, donated yarn, money, equipment, spent time winding or wrapping, all is important.   Many, many thanks.

If you want to donate scarves or yarn or if you want to send a check, please mail to:

Handmade Especially for You c/o Leslye Borden

30065 Grandpoint Lane

Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275

Leslye

MAY NEWSLETTER

May 31, 2009

 

Here’s a brief outline of today’s topics.

 

I had an amazing experience visiting one of the shelters.  This reinforced my determination to broaden the scope of Handmade Especially for You.

We distributed more than 200 scarves and received donations from two more yarn companies.

We’re busy researching and trying out patterns for summer scarves, which are much in demand.

Thinking ahead to how many scarves we will need for Thanksgiving and Christmas donations.

The number of people who participate in every aspect of Handmade continues to grow.  We couldn’t make and distribute so many scarves without everyone’s contributions.

 

And now for the details.

 

When I delivered scarves to one of our new shelters (we donate to 11 shelters now), the director wanted to show me the remodeling going on there.  In the kitchen, I saw a woman eating an ice cream.  She almost jumped out of her skin when she saw us.  She tried to hide the ice cream.  She looked down when we tried to acknowledge her presence.  I was truly shocked.  She didn’t feel worthy of having that ice cream.  I wanted to reach out to her and tell her that it was OK to enjoy the treat but it was clearly inappropriate for me to do so.  I saw the woman a few more times as we toured the shelter.  She always seemed like a deer caught in headlights. 

 

I thought about her for a long time afterwards.  Suddenly I understood what other directors had been telling me about the impact of our scarves.  They say the women are amazed that anyone would make anything so beautiful for them.  They feel they are not worthy of receiving such a gift (like the woman felt she wasn’t worthy of enjoying the ice cream).  Yet receiving it starts to break their cycle of low self esteem that allows them to accept abuse.  For the first time, I understood what the directors were saying.  We must keep on with our project and distribute scarves to as many abused women as we can.  It is one important way to stop abuse and domestic violence.

 

We distributed just over 200 scarves this month, 50 each to two shelters who needed more for Mother’s Day after our initial donations in April.  We received inspiring thank you letters from several shelters.  “Everyone” at Laura’s House sent us a colorfully decorated handmade card with many signatures thanking us for the “beautiful” and “gorgeous” scarf the woman received.

Robert Armstrong, President of the Board of Directors of Interval House, wrote:  “Dearest Friends, We can’t begin to put into words how very appreciative the women in our shelters were to receive your fabulous scarves.  It is very obvious that a lot of love went into making them and all the women felt very special.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts…” 

 

Sherelle Robertson, Project Director at Jenesse Center, also wrote a lovely letter.  She said:  “Thank you so much for the donation of the handmade scarves.  We were very excited to share them with the ladies in our shelters.  We gave the scarves to the transitional shelter residents for Mother’s Day.  They loved them so much.  The shelter staff reported that they were wearing them the next day.”

 

Judy Hessick, Director of Development at Rainbow Services, signed into our website and sent this note of appreciation.  “A GIANT THANK YOU to you and all the volunteers involved with Handmade Especially for You.  The scarves you have given Rainbow Services are truly “comfort” scarves to our clients.  When the women come to our emergency shelter, they come with very little.  We try to provide the basic necessities to get them started ….. But when we are able to give them one of the scarves, their eyes brighten and smiles come forth.  They are really moved by the kindness, thoughtfulness and caring of your organization.  Your scarves are like “hugs.”  They wrap around each woman just like out-stretched arms…. Knowing someone cares about them helps to build their self-esteem.  Your support and kindness are very very important.  Thank you for all you do for Rainbow.”

Yarn companies are still sending donations.  In addition to the yarn companies mentioned in previous newsletters, we received new donations from Blue Heron Yarns and Knitting Fever.  When Trendsetter Yarns read our April Newsletter and saw that we distributed 464 scarves in one month, they sent another donation!   These contributions allow us to make exceptionally beautiful scarves for abused women, many of whom have never before received a personal gift, much less a handmade one.  We appreciate the tremendous support of these companies.

To our group of OVER THE TOP KNITTERS (Annie, Auntie “D”, Cindy H., Diane, Janet, Kathy, Leslye, Lisa, Sharon, Tammy, Vicki, Wednesday Night Knitters at Concepts in Yarn) and the women from the Meyler Family Literacy Program, we welcome Beverly P. (who sent us 15 scarves).  Keep up the good work, everyone. 

This month, Concepts in Yarn and Needlepoint, our wonderful sponsor, donated 15 scarves the staff made as store samples.  They are exceptionally beautiful, showing off both the quality and variety of yarns Concepts in Yarn offers as well as the skill and talent of the staff in knitting them.   Many thanks.

Chris wrapped all the scarves this month—a tremendous effort.  The scarves look colorful and special when she finishes wrapping them.  We have a good system going.  Every time I have 20+ scarves, I take them to her for wrapping and pick up what she has finished so we don’t get behind.  Plus it’s very 1950s to have a little chat as we make the exchange.  Many thanks.

Karen continues to wind big skeins of yarn into smaller balls.  She uses the yarn winder my son Mitch donated.  Kit making still is a big job, but it’s a lot easier when I have so many pre-measured balls to work with.  This is a great contribution.  Many thanks.

As the Handmade Especially for You website plays a greater role in our work recruiting participants, I must say a special “thank you” to my husband, Phil.  He smoothed out and refined the appearance of the website, got everything into the right type, and made a page filled with good keywords so people searching the web can find Handmade if they’re looking for an organization like ours.  In addition, he built a yarn table in my office (really the yarn room), which holds my swift, yarn meter, and yarn winder so I could remove kit making from the dining room.  He still makes all the tags that personalize each scarf.  What would I do without him.  Many, many, many thanks!!!!!

Summer is upon us although you wouldn’t be able to tell if you looked out the window at my house today.  The sky is grey, there is so much fog in the air that the patio looks as if it has just been raining, and it is only 64 degrees outside.  I want to knit for winter but I know in just one month it will be so hot that just the idea of wearing a scarf will cause me to turn on the air conditioning.  So we need to make lighter weight, more open scarves.  I have been experimenting with knitting lace and have come up with a pattern or two we can use.  Even continuing with your regular patterns will work if you use bigger needles or hooks and lighter weight yarn.  If you have suggestions for lighter weight scarves, please share.  I will post all the suggestions on the Handmade Especially for You website, www.handmadeespecially.org

I surveyed the shelters asking them all to anticipate their needs, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Their response has been overwhelming, so we must plan ahead.  Adding up, I expect we will need at least 1000 scarves for November distribution and 2000 for December.  Monthly, we will need about 200-250, especially during hot weather.   I have been setting aside (all wrapped) the heavier scarves for cooler weather.  So don’t think you cannot contribute if you cannot make lightweight scarves.  We need every scarf you make, light or heavy weight, as you can see from the numbers above. 

We depend on each one of you for Handmade’s continued growth and success.  We couldn’t donate scarves to 11 shelters if you didn’t make your contribution.  We understand not everyone can make 10 scarves a week, as many of our over the top knitters do.  But whatever you contribute adds to the total.  And whether you have knitted or crocheted a scarf, donated money, equipment, time winding or wrapping, it all is important.   Many, many thanks.

If you want to donate scarves or yarn or if you want to send a check, please mail to:

Handmade Especially for You c/o Leslye Borden

30065 Grandpoint Lane

Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275

Leslye

APRIL NEWSLETTER

April

Lots of news to share.  Here’s a brief outline.

In April we distributed 468 scarves.  We donated to 4 shelters new to us, in addition to the 6 already on our list.  The responses have been particularly heartwarming.

The Handmade Especially for You website (www.handmadeespecially.org) is up and running.

We bought a swift, a yarn meter, and a yarn winder, which makes kit making easier (not easy).

The number of people who participate in every aspect of Handmade continues to grow.  We couldn’t make so many scarves without everyone’s contributions.

And now for the details.

We distributed 209 scarves at the end of March (in addition to the 200 at the beginning of the March reported in the March Newsletter), and 64 at beginning of April, in time for Easter.  Today we delivered another 195 in time for Mother’s Day.  Richstone Family Center plans to photograph each of their women (wearing one of our scarves) with her children for a meaningful Mother’s Day gift.  Really!  What more can we hope for! 

Sr. Anne Kelley from Good Shepherd Shelter wrote a very moving note to us after receiving her second shipment of “comfort scarves”:  “What a thoughtful gesture from you and your group to make such beautiful and personal comfort scarves for the courageous women here at our Shelter.  Each scarf was so unique and obviously made with love.  The mothers had so much fun trying them on and choosing the one they liked the best……You have done a fabulous service to the women by giving them permission to think of themselves, care for themselves and feel the love, support and comfort of others who care about them…..You have given them great hope to continue in their efforts on their difficult journey.  Know that you are being remembered daily in our grateful hearts…..”  This is a tremendous appreciation.  I hope it inspires you as it did me. 

Piero Berlonghi, VP of Advancement at Laura’s House (www.laurashouse.org) expressed his excitement about receiving 50 of our scarves:  “Thank you for creating some beauty and love for the women and children affected by domestic violence in time for Mother’s Day. That’s an incredibly wonderful gift, at just the right time. Who can measure the effect of these scarves?  It’s priceless.

Janine Limas, Community Education Director of Interval House (www.intervalhouse.org) was similarly enthusiastic.  When I offered to donate scarves to Interval House, she replied:  “We would LOVE to receive scarves from your organization.  They sound absolutely wonderful and I know that the women in our shelters would be thrilled to receive such lovely gift.”   I delivered 20 scarves today.  When she saw them, she told me they have 7 shelters and could use 100 scarves.  I told her I would do what I could to deliver more next week.

We delivered 35 scarves to Layla Abdul at Human Options (www.humanoptions.org) and 30 to Karen Earl at Jenesse Center (www.jenesse.org).  I hope to have comments from them in our next newsletter.

In addition to the women from Woodland Hills Community Church and Temple Menorah in Redondo Beach (mentioned in prior newsletters), I’d like to acknowledge the women in the knitting/crochet classes at Rolling Hills Covenant Church.  They meet every week to make prayer shawls but several in the group were so moved by what we do, they have made scarves for us as well. 

Yarn companies are still sending donations.  In addition to the yarns companies mentioned in previous newsletters, we received two huge boxes from Kollage Yarns and more modest contributions from Kertzer Yarns and Muench Yarns .  These contributions allow us to make exceptionally beautiful scarves for abused women, many of whom have never before received a personal gift, much less a handmade one.  We appreciate the tremendous support of these companies.

To our group of OVER THE TOP KNITTERS (Annie, Auntie “D”, Leslye, Lisa, Sharon, Tammy, Vicki, Wednesday Night Knitters at Concepts in Yarn), we welcome Cindy H., Diane, Janet (who shipped us 80 scarves!!!!), Kathy and the women from the Meyler Family Literacy Program.  Keep up the good work, everyone.  We need every scarf, as you can see from the number of shelters we supply.

www.handmadeespecially.org is up and running.  We have received a lot of nice comments about it and I have shared them with Keith, the designer.  He has taught me (and Phil) how to add to and change the site, which we will do, starting with this newsletter.  We’d like to add PayPal as an easy method for donating instantly.  We’d also like to add a chat room where we can share knitting and crocheting tips.  If you’d like to find anything more or different on the website, let me know.  We’ll do what we can to incorporate your suggestions.

We have received a few cash donations, which enabled us to buy the (pre-industrial) swift, yarn meter, and yarn winder.  Mitch, my son, donated a second yarn winder, which I hope to put to use soon.  Beth and Karen still measure yarn on the tool Beth devised.  I put the skeins Beth creates on the swift and wind them into balls.  Kit making has become much faster, but then again, there are so many more kits to make.

Chris, Beth, Bette, and Ellenore wrapped all the scarves—a tremendous effort.  The scarves looked so beautiful and colorful and special when they were individually ribboned and ready for delivery to really special recipients.

Handmade’s future looks very exciting.  We have made connections with a few more yarn shops.  Giselle saw a flyer at one of them, contacted me, and took a box of 30 scarves to Jenesse Center the next day.  If you know a shelter that needs “comfort scarves,” let me know.   We’ll get scarves to that shelter as fast as all of you knit and crochet them.

We depend on each one of you for Handmade’s continued growth and success.  We couldn’t have delivered 400 scarves in one month if you didn’t make your contribution.  We understand not everyone can make 80 scarves, as Janet did.  Whatever you do counts and adds to the total.  Whether you have knitted or crocheted a scarf, donated money, equipment, time winding or wrapping, it all is important.   Many, many thanks.

If you want to donate scarves or yarn or if you want to send a check, please mail to:

Handmade Especially for You c/o Leslye Borden

30065 Grandpoint Lane

Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275

Maybe we’ll have some news about the 501(c)3 in the next newsletter.

March 2009

So much news to share this month I hardly know where to start.  First and foremost, last week, thanks to all of your energy and creativity, we distributed 200 scarves! 

Because we had so many scarves, we were able to add two new shelters:  Haven Hills in the Valley and Good Shepherd Shelter in downtown Los Angeles.  I hope we will be able to keep the numbers up so we can continue to add more shelters.

Our scarves are still in demand at our original three shelters.  Judy Hessick, Director of Development at Rainbow Services (www.rainbowservicesdv.org), tells me their clients really love the scarves.  When I brought scarves to her this past week, she immediately started dividing them to have some for both their shelters.  Allison Tanaka, Volunteer Coordinator, at Richstone Family Center (www.richstonefamily.org) plans to put the scarves in the Easter baskets she distributes as does Shelly Ross, Outreach Coordinator at 1736 Family Crisis Center (www.1736familycrisiscenter.org).  Shelly says she distributes at minimum 70 baskets.  Right now she has only 40 scarves, so we have to get busy!

Vicki has helped organize a Valley chapter of Handmade.  She has collected scarves from several Valley donors and delivered them to Haven Hills.  She took her 5-year old granddaughter with her when she went to Haven Hills which made the trip even more meaningful for her.   Valley knitters and crocheters should contact Vicki (VickiRinger@aol.com when you have scarves/and or yarn to contribute.

As I said in the previous newsletter, I feel women’s groups at churches and synagogues are a good resource for finding knitters and crocheters.  Elaine, at Temple Menorah in Redondo Beach, invited me to participate in Mitzvah Day (in honor of her son who died 4 years ago while hiking in Spain).  Handmade joined many groups which provide services to the community.  A small group of women joined me in knitting scarves on the spot—in only two to three hours, enjoying fun conversation all the while.  Elaine still has scarf kits to give to volunteers who didn’t attend Mitzvah Day or want to make more scarves.  I feel Temple Menorah will be an ongoing supplier of scarves.

Yarn companies are still sending donations.  In addition to those who contributed last month, we received huge boxes from:  ArtYarns. Berroco, Classic Elite Yarns, Claudia Hand Painted Yarns, Karabella Yarns, Mountain Colors, and Plymouth Yarns.  These contributions allow women who can’t afford to purchase yarn themselves to participate in our project.   These beautiful yarns have made our scarves even more lovely than they were previously, if that is possible.   Many thanks.

  To our growing group of OVER THE TOP KNITTERS, (Annie, Arline, Auntie “D”, Leslye, Sharon, and Tammy) we add Vicki, Lisa and the Wednesday Night Knitters at Concepts in Yarn.  Keep up the good work, everyone.  We need every scarf, as you can see from our growing number of shelters who want them.

Keith has designed our website, www.handmadeespecially.org.  It is still in progress but closer to completion than it was last month.  It will have knitting and crochet patterns, some new photos, a place where we can share tips, lists of donors, participants, and shelters.  Any suggestions of what more you’d like to find?

I actually have opened the bank account.  The balance still is small, but was enriched this month by donations from Elaine P. and Susan M.  Once the website is up and running (we paid in advance for an entire year) we’ll apply for the 501(c)3.  Everything takes time and money.  We need whatever you can donate of either, or both. 

If you do want to donate scarves or yarn or if you need to send a check, please mail to:

Handmade Especially for You c/o Leslye Borden

30065 Grandpoint Lane

Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275

We did set another record for scarf delivery in March   Hope we can do it again in April.  Thanks to all of you, I think we will. 

Leslye

30065  Grandpoint  Lane, Rancho  Palos Verdes, CA  90275

310.547-3673

Handmade.leslye@gmail.com