she who blogs

She Who Blogs

Hi everyone,

Frances & Carrie here just wanting to let you know that after the holiday season we will be unveiling a NEW & IMPROVED She Who Blogs!

Exciting right?!

It's been 4 1/2 years since She Who Blog's inception and we're going to be giving the site a well deserved, major overhaul. Not just the design, but the content, submissions and overall feel of the site will be new & improved.

We'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas as well. Feel free to leave a comment below or send us a tweet, an email, whatever you've got handy... we're all ears.

Lots of love and Happy Holidays!

xoxo

New SWB Member!

Callista gave birth to baby Liam on March 29 at 4:19 PM at 9lbs 1oz, 19 inches long.

He came in a scheduled C-section.

Everything went fine and we are taking it easy at home.

Visit Callista at Callista's Ramblings and SMS Book Reviews.

LGBTQ Spirit Day: Wear Purple and Say No to Hate

Today, October 20th has been designated as LGBTQ Spirit Day in remembrance of the six young boys who committed suicide in recent weeks because of gay bullying. There are several Facebook groups related to the event including Wear Purple Day and R.I.P.: In memory of the recent suicides due to gay abuse, wear purple, but even if you don't wear purple or join any FB groups, please watch this video:

 

This. Must. Stop.

From the Human Rights Campaign:

In just the last few weeks since school started again, too many teenagers have taken their own lives following bullying and harassment because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. How many more young lives will be lost before schools act? Ask Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: Include gender identity and sexual orientation in anti-bullying programs. Sign the petition now.

Also consider becoming involved with The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

1. embrace the purple, 2. I Heart Flickr Pink Purple Nail Polish in Heart Bottle Creative Commons, 3. Purple Fabric, 4. Purple Aster Macro, 5. Purple Rose, 6. A Purple Spring Flower, 7. Purple Hole, 8. Purple Saran, 9. Purple Daisy Supper Cropped, 10. purple lippie, 11. Purple Field, 12. Australian purple agapanthus Canberra, 13. Purple Peace Seamless Tile, 14. Purple door, 15. Purple Flowers, 16. purple base, 17. macro green eye with purple m.a.c. and ben nye eyeshadow, 18. Purple Grove, 19. Purple Flowers, 20. Free Purple Lilac Flowers and Converse All Stars Creative Commons

Many Thanks Michelle for This Beautiful Post.
Visit Bleeding Espresso

Please Support Share A Square

She Who Blogs member Shelly and other volunteers are working to blanket 150 children with cancer in love next summer. If you click either of the logos below you will get a behind the scenes look, and find out ways you can help out, even if you can't crochet a bit - like me.

Where I Have Been...

 

Those of you who know me pretty well know I tend to keep my charitable work to myself. However, in helping a friend who is desperately in need of a vehicle, I have been spending a fair amount of time on the Free Charity Cars website, voting for folks who are seriously in need of transportation.

While all of us have suffered effects of the economy one way or another, it is a repetitive pattern of either illness, job loss, or other catastrophic life situation that has taken purely productive individuals and left them in grave need of what we take for granted; transportation. Some have lost everything, some are in the process, some just need a way to get to work.

This is a legitimate charity organization and depends upon the generosity of businesses and goodwill of individuals to function. 

Have I been ignoring my blog a bit?
Yes.

 

Have I been busy with studio work? (a.k.a. my church commission)
Yes?

Do I regret the people I have met at FCC?
Not at all.

If you chose to spend a half hour a day on your computer, enjoying coffee, you can mouse click votes to people who would appreciate it beyond words.
I'm doing a little shout-out here.....and you don't have to answer me. BUT. If you have ever been slightly down on your luck, know someone who has, helped someone in that condition or have the desire to do a little extra but don't know where or how to start, this is a good place.
You may find me by searching for amhl and if you take the time to set up a profile, you can vote for me. All my votes are donated each day.
It is amazing what the press of a finger can do.
I bid you all...

Pax....

Visit Anne at El Milagro Studio

Share a Square 2010 Begins

She Who Blogs member Shelly is always up to good.  You can visit her at This Eclectic Life, Spin Me A Yarn &  over at Posterous.

Shelly also has a weekly meme called Only The Good - it's on vacation right now -  but do check back there in the fall.

If you crochet, chances are good that you have a handful of tiny balls of yarn. Though they aren’t big enough to create a project, you can’t bring yourself to throw them away!

Here is your opportunity to use that yarn for a good cause. It’s called “Share A Square” Our mission is simple:

We are going to blanket some children who are
battling cancer with afghans filled with our love!

• Over the next year, we will create 150 afghans to give to children at Camp Discovery cancer camp in South Texas (in July of 2011).
• Each afghan will contain 80 crocheted squares (each 6″ x6″) made by 80 different people
• Each square will have a laminated card attached with the name and location of the creator of the square (business card size — 3 1/2″ x 2″)
• Each child will receive the afghan and a binder ring (probably attached to a necklace of some kind) for holding the collection of tags.

I tried to answer any questions on the FAQ page AND I have set up a Facebook group (although I’m still not sure what to do with it). Why don’t you go join (or send your mother, if you don’t crochet)? It will make me feel less foolish.

Am I a bit nervous about the enormity of this task? Oh, yes, indeed! I have butterflies in my stomach, but as Dr. Rob Gilbert says:

“It’s all right to have
butterflies in your stomach.
Just get them to fly
in formation!”

 

 

Out of Print

The other day while perusing Modcloth’s blog, ModLife, I discovered this bookish enterprise. Out of Print makes Tees displaying out of print book covers and for each shirt sold they donate a book to Books for Africa. The shirts are fun conversation starters and you’re giving back! I just love the whole idea and had to share with all of you.

Click here to visit Out of Print and check out the interview with the owners by clicking the above link to ModLife.

Visit Lovely Lissie at Vintage Joy

140 sweets

140Sweets: Sugar, positivity, and philanthropy

I think this is the longest I’ve been silent on here in a while! I’ve got so much content to post and not enough time to get it all down. I just got back last Tuesday from a week in Costa Rica, so there’s some to share on that as well. First and most importantly though, I wanted to share a little information on a charity event I’m baking for tomorrow to benefit Autism Speaks. It’s called 140Sweets (formerly Cupcakes4Charity if you attended last year’s event). Last year’s event supported the American Cancer Society raising $1,100. It’s an organization founded by three of my good friends – Anna O’Brien, Joey Pasion, and Sarah Wingert.

This year’s event will be at Connolly’s Pub (121 West 45th Street – 3rd Floor, between 6th Avenue and Broadway) from 6-10 pm. No charge for entrance, just for the delicious baked goods donated by various bakers in the city. Rumored cupcake contributions include maple bacon, s’mores, cinnamon cream cheese, and PB&J (yours truly). There will also be drink specials, great music, and what promises to be a fun crowd. If you’re in the area, hope you’ll stop by at least for a bit to support this great cause and to say hello! Information on the event and for RSVPs, please visit http://140sweets.eventbrite.com/.

A little teaser of some of what’s in progress for you to enjoy…

PB&J Cupcakes - Next up, a grape jelly injection!

If you are not in NYC but would still like to support the cause, please visit http://givenow.autismspeaks.org/140sweets. Thanks in advance for your generousity.

Visit LJ at City Grits

I'm Still Here...

Today is World AIDS Day, and I am still here. But many of my brothers and sisters are not. Am I thankful? Yes and No. Thankful that I am here another year, in relatively good health (still undetectable) and able to lead a somewhat productive life. But I am not thankful because there are so many others who are not afforded the same “comforts” I have: the monthly doctor visits, the blood work, the resources…and most important of all: the right to speak out freely without fear of being thrown out of my community.

The members of my congregation embrace me fully, and I am thankful for that….

But there is so much more work that needs to be done…and we need to start raising our voices as we did, when this virus was just coming out. There were protests all over the place, ALL the time. Now, I think because medications are enabling folks to live longer, and this disease is seen as one that can be managed, people are kinda complacent. And that is sad. Because it still is a killer. And contrary to belief, in spite of all the education that is out there, people are still being diagnosed!!!

I am hoping that you have gotten tested, that you are receiving treatment if needed….and that you practice safe sex…

Info:

http://www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/hivaids/world-aids-day/

Visit Andrena

Voice for the Victims: LOVE is not abuse...

Did you know that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month? Every year, men and women are recognized for their survival or remembered for losing their life to domestic violence. I AM one of those individuals.

For almost 4 years as an adult I was abused both physically and verbally. I was punched, kicked, choked, slapped, thrown across furniture and into walls…all resulting in not just bruises, but a broken foot, fractured right skull, and a crushed ear. And although I am now away from my abuser, I still suffer physically from old wounds.

Because of my abuser's continual threats to harm my life as well as my family, I have had to literally change my entire identity and relocate for protection. Life has not been easy, but I do my best to move forward and press on. Time does heal, but the memories will forever be there. It is what I do with those memories and experiences that help continually to heal my heart and my life.

I have taken extreme risks to share my own personal story by speaking out at live press conferences, participating in radio interviews, and even sharing my story with local and national newspapers and magazines (e.g. Washington Post, executive magazines, etc). Why? Because if my survival story can save the life of one man or woman, then it was well worth it.

It only took one person to stand up and say something to me, and that was a manager where I worked. He literally stepped in and saved my life. Since then, I have dedicated a large portion of my time speaking out against violence in hopes to help save lives of other men, women, and children who have suffered or are still going through, domestic violence.



Below is information and statistics on domestic violence. Current statistics show that domestic violence is not only continually on the rise every year, but violence against men (from women) is on the rise as well.

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, there is hope! People do care! (Not everyone will continually turn a blind eye for their own sake and reasons.)

STATISTICS:

• Men AND women are victims of domestic violence.
• Every year, domestic violence shelters turn away thousands of individuals and parents with children, because there is no capacity to house them.
• Almost 5.3 million intimate partner victimizations occur every year.
• Almost 2 million of those result in injuries and nearly 1300 deaths.
• Domestic violence is verbal and/or physical.

SIGNS OF ABUSE:

• Criticize or put down
• Ignore or put down your opinions and/or accomplishments
• Controlling
• Blames you and everyone else for their abusive behavior
• Accepts no fault
• Has unrealistic expectations
• Physically harms you and/or your children (hit, punch, kick, slap, etc)
• Calls you names and/or curses you and/or your children
• Extremely moody - Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-9474

Visit Blue Chair Diary