And Now For Something Entirely Different.

I can't stop.
Sewing.
And I hate injustice.

I hate knowing how comfortable I am, how complacent, how responsible; while people all around me but not within my range of vision are suffering intolerably.

Through the years of the Darfur Project, I've wished for more time. Time to advocate and educate. To go into local schools and encourage some innovative fundraising. To raise the eyes of the youth from their navels and cell phones and into the eyes of another.


So, imagine my excitement and joy upon learning that Neelin high school in Brandon MB decided to use the oppurtunity of dramatic presentation in their annual major theatrical production to raise awareness and funds for the people of Darfur!

An original production showcasing the talents of over 50 Neelin students, 28 community children and women, and 24 musicians, as they act, dance, play, sing and paint for Darfur. All proceeds will go to support the work of the Canadian Red Cross in Darfur.

(Neelin theatre events, italics mine)

Further to that, a friend from back in the day contacted me to ask whether I was interested in being involved in some capacity!

(does a bear poop in the woods? Does a toddler pee in a freshly laundered bed? Does the world need more love?)

So, although I knew it was impossible, I agreed.

This seems like a good time to remind myself and others that I don't actually have stock. I pretty much go day to day around here- stealing a few minutes here and there, getting up early, sewing while kids throw beanie babies at the basement ductwork above me. I'm like the closet alcoholic who hides bottles in the laundry, trash, and pantry. Except around here it's notions and sewing machines. ( My upstairs bernina; my downstairs bernina; my precious pinkie, and then the turquoise machine in my dining room- just for looks.)

Well, I couldn't very well show up in Brandon with a pink sewing machine and a smile, so I had to get busy and find a few extra minutes. Like early Saturday and Sunday mornings. And most of their afternoons. Maybe parts of their evenings. Plus some stolen time in between.

And I've managed to get a small selection stored up.
*

But all the while, I've felt like an adultress, cheating on my faithful and patient stalkers, droolers, and buyers right here at Bags 4 Darfur. So, I got wondering. Do you want to come along for the ride? I have to keep hoarding stock, since no matter how hard I work, I'll never get enough bags made before April 9. (even after strategically shipping half my family off to a foreign land....)
Since I know many of you enjoy the daily fix of checking up on what's been whipped up by the night time shoemaker's elves... I wondered if it would be enough to keep you following that juicy carrot if I shared bags with you along the way?

So, until after the weekend of April 10 (yay! my kids come home that day!!) I'll be posting some eye candy. After that, it's back to our regularly scheduled programming of bag auctions and sales.

Meanwhile, plan to be in Brandon MB on April 9 or 10 for an amazing production. Besides. I'd like to meet more of you.

I'll be the lady behind the bags- handing out website addresses, and encouraging people to use their passions to try and make a difference in this world.

I might even be the lady behind a sewing machine, trying to pound out a few extras while I'm there...