Crypt Stitch

And it goes to...

And the doll goes to...

COBWEBS! Which seems only fitting as she was the first kind soul to comment on this bloggety-blog. Contact me at herbwych [at] gmail [dot] com with your postel details Cobwebs, and your changeling will be on it's way. And Gwendolyn, since you were the only other commenter, contact me with your details and I'll make you a little something to!

Does anyone else love christmas (and blog giveaways) simply for the act of GIVING presents away? Well, call me weird (and who hasn't), but I think the giving is the best bit!

Have a spooktacular Thursday...

Make a loan, change a life...

With the repayment credit so far received from my loan amounts to Theopista and Munakukama I have another $25 to loan to someone else who needs it (that's pretty good me thinks, $75 worth of loans out of $50! Now watch me pull a rabbit out of this hat!).  This is the lovely Glora Vilma from Peru, whose loan will go towards renting land to grow the vegetables she sells at markets. Makes me feel all warm inside!

Yule time gifts...

Trying to start on gifts for Yule, all the while keeping in mind I don't want to spend too many dollars, but I DO want to spend lots of time on each gift - I don't think you can beat a little homemade-with-love goodness (saying that, I surely wouldn't turn down a kitchen-aid artisan mixer or food processor by any means!). Yup, I'm hoping to make the majority. And other than that I am thinking about Kiva gift certificates - what could be more awesome than helping someone else on the other side of the world for christmas? I am in awe of Kiva, I can't tell you how happy being involved makes me. Back to the gift making, huh. This is for a special little boy - I hope it's not too young for him:

I love how he has battle scars. He is made, with a few minor adjustments, form this book, and I also added a little monogramed pocket on his rump for hiding secrets and wishes.

His mum doesn't read my blog, so my secret is safe with you lot, right? That includes you Mumma!

Kiva...

I had some lovely news from Kiva , the amazing micro-lending phenomena, the two groups of women in Mexico I "lent" $25 to (along with a bunch of other gracious persons) to expand their small businesses (in December) have both finished paying off their loans! Fantastic! I truly hope their businesses and lives are prospering as a result. In any case, this meant my $50 was again available for me to either withdraw, or re-lend. Of course, I chose to re-lend, this time to Theopista's group in Tanzania ,

 and Munakukama group in Uganda.

What proud an beautiful women! I can't tell you how happy this small contibution to someone elses life makes me. And to think, all it takes to dramatically help someone else help themselves is a pittance from me and 35 odd other people around the world. Amazing.

I'll leave you with a picture of my fur-baby enjoying the sun - I'm going out now to join her!