"Hearts For Haiti" New Etsy Shop Benefitting Doctors Without Borders

In August of 2005 life as we knew it changed, at least for a while, with the arrival of Hurricane Katrina. In a 12 hour time span, my family and I went from a comfortable, routine lifestyle to a world of chaos. We came to appreciate the luxury of a hot meal, a toilet that flushed, transportation, air conditioning, and clean water. Charitable organizations poured in from across the country, bringing food, water, and ice. They left their jobs for us, cooked for us, cleared our driveways, and patched our roofs. The kindness and generosity of strangers touched our hearts in a way that I hope never to forget. Although it is not possible to repay those kindnesses, I plan to never again miss an opportunity to "pay it forward".

I've been riveted to the television and internet since last Tuesday afternoon, when word came of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. The images coming from Haiti have taken me back to those frightening post-Katrina days. These are the times when we feel the most helpless, but each and every one of us can make a difference, especially if we pool our efforts.

A new shop, "Hearts For Haiti", has been opened at Etsy.com.
Organized by Victoria of ExlibrisHandmade, Hearts For Haiti is stocked with a variety of items donated by hundreds of Etsy shop owners. Proceeds from all sales (less etsy and paypal fees) will be donated to "Doctors Without Borders"

The shop opened yesterday (Friday,January 14th)and is already doing a booming business! Click on this link and stock up on treasures for a cause at "Hearts For Haiti"!

"The Lights Are On, but Nobody's Home" ...or Annual Goals Part Two

Okay, I'll fess up. Part Two of my annual goals really has nothing to do with the rest of the title to this post. I just was trying to think of a way to connect my annual goals with this latest design. BUT...I've got nothing. Oh well, since this is my blog, I'm just going to show it to you anyway.

This is a coaster design that I created in response to a challenge by my Melange buddies to create a collage based on the theme, "illumination". This will become a coaster as soon as the weather warms up a little bit. (I've found that frigid weather and sealant just don't go hand in hand!)



Now that I've gotten that out of my system, it's on to part two of my annual goals:

I really would like to get my house in order. I downsized several years ago, and have to be very careful in order to keep from being overrun by stuff. Closets are going to be cleaned out, cabinets will be purged, and many trips to Salvation Army will be made. Problem is, I have a cabinet set aside for my art supplies, and those are the things I have the most trouble letting go of. The cabinet is already full to overflowing though, so some of that is going to have to go. Rats. Well, maybe I can find those things a good home. Might be time for an Etsy destash sale.