Be Still My Heart!!

This is a "be still my  heart" video from Haiti... we were at the end of our trip and as always, we get to feed the children at the school. It quickly came to our attention, however, that some of the older children were stealing food from the younger ones... you can't really blame them I guess as when you are that hungry, you resort to a bit of a "survival of the fittest". 

But once we were aware, we became the PROTECTORS of the younger and more vulnerable and amidst the utter chaos of 200+ students trying to eat and run around on the playground, I pointed my camera at my husband... this precious little girl was so utterly contentedly letting him feed her!! Each time she wanted a drink, she would just look at him and give a gentle nod...

One of the greatest needs this community has is food... and I've been brainstorming how we can help provide that for them. They had a kitchen generously donated to the school so that is now there and ready to go, but they need a source of food... and in Haiti, that is a huge challenge!!! But not impossible...

So even though we raised enough funds to build them the ART ROOM (which is AWESOME!!!!), I don't think I can stop there knowing that even their basic needs of food and water are still going unmet.. here is where we stand today on our fundraising...

I still believe that TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Haiti in July

 

It's hard to know where to begin!!  This was my third trip to Haiti to help build the school and teach art and it was probably one of the best yet hardest experiences... the children were again so very happy to see visitors and especially excited about getting to do more ART!!!

Below you see how they prepared for our arrival and on top of that rooftop is where we began building the new ART ROOM or ART DECK that will have a beautiful view overlooking the city of Cap Haitien below. 

I got to personally deliver the hundreds of ART banners that Canadian crafters all made to help decorate the new art room!!! I took photos of each one with one of the students holding it so watch for those still coming if YOU are one of the generous souls that donated one!!  We will still have to sew them together and deliver the final banner someday, but it's exciting to see them all!!

I also had the privilege of delivering this extra special piece of ART from the Seven Person's School in Alberta to the principal (it's now hanging in the "teachers room"!! Together this tiny little class of grade 5/6 students raised over $3000 for the school in Haiti AND sent sport supplies for them!!! The principal said he was going to pray many blessings come back to those who gave so much :)

So... guess how old this little boy in red is?!?!?!

Our team member standing with him is 16... this little boy is 15...

He comes from a family with a single mom and her 5 boys (the youngest 4 attend the school) and we had the privilege of helping build them a new home!!!! But it was so very hard to see how malnourished they all were... just utterly gut wrenching :(  So many of the kids there are in similar situations and it is so very hard to know what to do... but long ago I learned that we help by helping one person, one family, one community, one school... and if everyone does a small part, it can make such a HUGE difference.

So much more to still share!!!

Crops for Haiti Across Canada

Check it out!!! 

If you haven't already seen this visual... here are all the locations that held similar Crop for Haiti events across Canada!!

I have to say it has been overwhelming for me to see how even complete strangers have joined in our project and I can't say thank you enough!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

A special thank you to Creative Scrapbooker magazine for partnering with me to help make this happen and for their constant support and encouragement of my big hairy audacious ideas!!

Here are a few group photos from some of the events with more to come!

TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT!!!

Crop For Haiti - Calgary results!!

Before I even begin, I need to say a

HUGE THANK YOU 

to everyone who made this event a success...

My team (Jennifer Reynard, Brenda Bedard, Marlene McCook) who so willingly jumped in to help out in so very many ways (and especially in the kitchen which is NOT my forte!). Michelle King, Heather Rambow and Jennifer Reynard for designing and teaching, and ALL my volunteers that helped out during the day including the "carriers", my hubby, sister-in-law Cindy and 84 year old parents!! And to all who donated Raffle Prizes, items for the Spin to Win, food and more!! And then of course, all our 54 attendees!!!

Our motto for the Hope for Haiti project to raise $20,000 for the school in Haiti with Creative Scrapbooker magazine and Live Different is

"Together we can do this!"

Although there are still some final receipts, etc. trickling in, TOGETHER we were able to raise

$5,779 

We spoke with Live Different this week and found out there are some immediate needs at the school they are currently working on (finishing the kitchen, obtaining a water supply, etc.) that might be part of the building project in July when Brad and I are planning to go (we also might start the art room too!!). So we will donate the majority ($4000) from our crop specifically to the Art Room fund and will reserve the remainder ($1779) for the immediate needs and building projects at the school during our trip in July (hopefully including some more ART supplies to teach ART again while there!!).

They also sent me a couple photos showing an update on the school and it was so very exciting to see and hear about some amazing progress since I was there last year... 

On top of the roof of the first classroom (on the front left of the photo) is where the new "Art room/open area classroom" will eventually be built. The unfinished building on the right of the photo is the new kitchen/feeding area where they plan on feeding the children at least one meal each day so that they are better prepared to learn :)

This is the view of the school from behind over looking the ocean and the city of Cap Haitien below. As you can see, there is still a LOT of work to be done, but such progress is so great to see!!

And one of my favourite photos of Cole who works for Live Different and lives in Haiti... sitting inside one of the finished classrooms surrounded by the students captivated by something on his computer :)

And finally, I leave you with a shorter version of the video we showed at the crop...

Again, from the bottom of my heart and overflowing out my eyes...

Thank you.

Crop for Haiti - Calgary

Click HERE to register!!

Join us for this year's annual "Crop for Haiti" event in Calgary on Saturday, January 30, 2016!!

Cost is $75 and includes a light breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks, a Crop and Cruise Tote Bag with special gift ($25+ value), "Hope for Haiti" flag to decorate including techniques ($35 value), volunteers to carry your supplies to and from your cars, start and sweep snow off your car (priceless!), raffle prizes, games and more!!

Event will take place in the gymnasium at Grace Baptist Church located at 2670 Radcliffe Drive SE from 9am-9pm with plenty of space to crop! This crop is part of the "Crop for Haiti" events taking place across Canada to raise funds for the school in Haiti we are helping to build! Space is limited so register soon!!

So much HOPE!!

I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face because I am just so full of HOPE right now.

HOPE is something that I don't always feel… I watch the news and lose hope. I see so many of my friends suffering struggling and I lose hope. I see disease taking away loved ones and I lose hope. I walk into my laundry room and see mountains of clothing and lose hope (yup some days it is sadly just that simple).

But this week I am full of HOPE.

Live Different is the organization that I use to go to Mexico, Dominican and Haiti to build with and help change lives. I love them. They are Canadian. They are determined to help meet the most basic needs of some of the neediest in our world. WestJet is one of their biggest sponsors and this week a video has been flying around the internet… WestJet's "Blue Santa" went to the Dominican to the same community I was there building with and I recognize so many of the children!!!

And WestJet has definitely built a LOT of homes in this community and now a playground I plan on playing on in February when I go back to visit… but I need to give a special call-out to Live Different and the people who have dedicated their lives to helping those in our world struggling to even have the basics in life… they along with companies like WestJet give me hope.

So I am heading back to Haiti in February (we fly into Dominican so that is why we get to visit the above community again). And because I am NOT a large organization like WestJet, my "offerings" are smaller, but having been there and seen first hand, I fully understand the difference even $1 makes…. sadly it is shocking… but seeing how many are willing to get involved gives me hope :)

There are 3 ways you can help me "multiply my offerings"…

1. My good friend Jennifer Reynard (who has a heart of gold), is hosting one of her infamous crops here in Calgary and donating the proceeds to the trip in February where we will continue to help build a school there. This fills me with hope as this crop fills up. There are limited spots available so register ASAP if you would like to join us Jan. 24.

2. I am also doing an ONLINE AUCTION of mostly scrapbooking and crafting items, but also a few other goodies thrown in!! It started this past week and will pretty much run until it is either all gone or the Jan. 24 crop… whichever comes first!! 100% of all proceeds will go towards the Haiti trip and school so build generously and please SHARE!!!  It is on Facebook HERE.

 

3. If you would just like to donate money, you can do that too!!! Anything over $20 is tax receiptable and the link to do that is HERE.

And one more thing that just put a smile on my face this week and HOPE in my heart… I photographed a special lady… she wants to give her children the gift of a legacy portrait this Christmas… her and her husband have been married over 55 years… she understands that one day these photos will be precious… we had so much fun!! We added eyelashes and lip gloss and dressed her up in beautiful lace and sparkly jewels and we talked for hours about everything from marriage and how she met her husband to her favourite perogy recipe and fashion. I know her children will see the beauty of this portrait and now I just pray that she will also see it as she is truly a beautiful lady inside and out.

In case it isn't already obvious… I love what I do.

And because my heart for photography and helping others go hand in hand, I have another way you can help support the school in Haiti… 100% of proceeds from my photography this Christmas is going towards the funds for this trip AND I created a Christmas Special...

So with the purchase of a Deluxe Photo Session ($175), you receive a BONUS GIFT worth over $175 ($350+ value for only $175). And it all goes towards the Haiti school building trip in February. But HURRY as there are only 5 left!!!

Oh my and ONE more way to help with Haiti… I am now a Mary Kay consultant and am also donating all my proceeds towards the trip from now until I leave in February so if you would like a catalogue or would like to put in an order, please let me know!!

And the WINNER IS...

And the WINNER IS...

The Children in Haiti!!!!!

This past weekend we did our Crop For Haiti scrapbooking and crafting event and it just always makes me giddy that that we can have THAT MUCH FUN and raise THAT MUCH MONEY that is going to change THAT MANY LIVES!!!!

So our total raised was (insert drum roll here)...

$7607.25

During the event, I had a "moment"... 

I looked across the room at all the women laughing, crafting, eating and chatting away...

and I just had such a heart full of gratitude (my word of the year)...

I am still in awe how a few posts on facebook and my blog results in this event each year...

with the absolute BEST women ever!!!!!

And the best instructors EVER (seriously talented ones that give so generously of their heart, soul and creative giftedness without hesitation)...

and the best team of helpers (who take control of everything non-crafty for me!!)

and a church that enables all of it...

and an organization Live Different who is changing our world!!!!

We don't yet know exactly how much building the school in Haiti is going to cost or how much building a home in Dominican will be... but it is ALL GOOD!!!  I will keep you posted once I know, but in the meantime...

My heartfelt THANK YOU to those who joined in.  

I have no more words... just gratitude for you.

Crop For Haiti this Saturday, Feb. 1!!!!!

Woooo hooooo!!!  This Saturday, February 1, 2014 is the BEST event EVER for a great cause!!!  And I can hardly wait!!!  We still have about 5 spots left should you still wish to join us for the entire day, but note:

EVERYONE IS WELCOME 

to come shop our onsite Crafting Garage Sale 

(from 10am-4pm) 

or even sign up for one of the below classes.  

And once you see these amazing classes, you might want to rearrange your schedule!!!

"Enjoy the Journey" layout by Christy Riopel (10:30am - $30)  Let Christy guide you through the creation of a lusciously layered layout designed to showcase a special photo of someone enjoying this journey called "life" (hopefully it's YOU!!)

"Flutterbies and Friendship" cards designed by Jennifer Reynard and taught by Sharon Reinhart (1:30pm - $20)  Any day is a great day to give a special card, but with Valentine's Day just around the corner these beauties will give you 4 great reasons to share some loving words with someone special!!

"Creative Canvas Play" mixed media canvas with Christy Riopel (4pm - $30)  We don't call her the "Queen of Mixed Media" for nothing!!!  Learn how to play with sprays, stencils and simple drawing to create your very own unique masterpiece!!

Now that you've seen the awesome classes, let me introduce our talented instructors...

Sharon Reinhart

Sharon is a multi-media designer, teacher, consultant and author who has been widely published and has taught at countless events including CHA.  We are so very fortunate to have this local Calgary girl join us for this event for a cause.

Christy Riopel

Christy is our local "Queen of Mixed Media" and teaches us great new techniques each and every time she blesses us with her projects!!  She writes for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and has also taught around the world including at CHA and Crop and Cruise and at countless other events.

I cannot wait for Saturday!!!  And most importantly, I cannot wait for May when I will get to go to Haiti to help build a school and a home in Dominican for some very deserving families and children!!!  I couldn't do it without you!!!!

Crop For Haiti!!!!

Wooooo hoooooooo!!!!  As many of you know, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to travel the world on assorted humanitarian trips and this next year has me sooo excited!!!!

I am going to Haiti and the Dominican Republic in May 2014 with a wonderful team of family and friends to help build another home (this one made of heavy bricks!!!) and it sounds like we might also be helping to build a school?!?!?!?!

Be still my teacher's heart!!!!!

And as always, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to also extend the invitation for YOU my family and friends to partner with us!!  I do not yet know what the exact costs will be for the building projects, but I'm guessing it will be similar to past years (about $6000 per home) and because I love to party while partnering, we are again doing a "Crop For Haiti" event on Saturday, February 1, 2014 where 100% of the $100 cost PLUS all money spent at the event will go towards our projects!!!!

AND YES... we are bringing back the infamous "Garage Sale" of crafting goodness!!!

AND YES... as always, we will provide delicious homemade meals and strong helpful men to carry all your supplies to and from your cars (and if needed, clear the snow for you and start your vehicles so they are toasty warm!!)

And seeing as this trip seems to be all about the kids... all my promo is showing assorted beautiful children from past trips to Haiti/Dominican with Live Different!!!

Be still my photographer's heart!!!!!

So if you are able to join us either for the day or even part of the day, we would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have you!!!!

Click HERE to register starting Friday, November 28, 2013!!!