Logo

After developing a rough draft of my image for a logo, I have turned the project over to a pro. Nick Autrey will be looking at my sketches, contributing his ideas, and hopefully will soon be able to bring all ideas together to complete the design. This will then be handed over to our amazing web developer who will use it to roll out the site he is working evenings and weekends to finish for us!

:)

Another first!

Today, out of the blue I received my first monetary contribution!!! Books will be purchased to go directly in the hands of children who need them.

Thank you for your compassion and know that this gift will ripple out far beyond those who initially receive their books.

:)

Mission, vision completed

After working through some mental block and challenges of working solo, I have brought together language that I am proud of and feel represents this organization.

I am forever grateful for those who have provided feedback and a compassionate ear to help me see outside of my box. They are very smart and very very busy people who continually show how much they care about me and the children around the world...

:)

Nonprofit Bootcamp

Just finished a whirlwind weekend in New York where I attended Craigslist Nonprofit Bootcamp! So many wonderful ideas, so many wonderful people.

It seems like there were 2 clear lines of thinking, while talking with individuals and also among presenters. Those that were very positive and placed their energy in helping you plan your next steps...realizing that they were YOUR steps, this was YOUR journey, and the decisions were YOURS. And then those, who probably needed a vacation...bless their hearts, who gave a bleak message. I think I would like to record them and then play it back for them and ask them if that is really what they needed to hear in order to be successful when they were first starting out? I know it was probably coming from good intentions, but, honestly, "Forget the idea and spend your time volunteering somewhere?"

Thanks to those who were interested and engaged, who encouraged and supported. For those who were quick to say, "Scrap the idea and go volunteer" maybe you should rethink the message that you are sending.

Thanks a million to Louis Miceli who was a cheerleader and gave me the strong shot in the arm that I needed after a morning of the "other types" of messages.

I have a lot of information to sort through, and I will be nibbling away at this in formation and implementing it over the next year, I am sure of that. I took great notes and cannot wait until the podcasts are up and I can revisit the sessions I was in and hear new insight from those I was not able to attend.

Thanks Craigslist for a dynamite experience and opportunity!

:)

A week of increible gifts and gratitude...

I received tremendous support and lots of great advice and ideas by meeting with Amy, Manager of St. Theresa's Textile Trove. Thanks, Amy! She has offered to help advertise my business through her store and mailing list....HUGE!

I have hit-the-wall with the words that have been swirling around my head to create mission, vision, mantra statements. I have put all of my brainstorming ideas into Google Docs and sent them off to my dearest friends who have encouraged and supported me in this venture. I am hopeful that they will be able to look at it with some fresh eyes and be able to pick up on some common threads. Thanks so much for you guidance, support, ideas Shelley, Sue, and Scott!

My sister Karen has also sent out my very first Call-to-Action by sending out an email to a longtime friends' mom, inquiring if she and the ladies at her church would be interested in sewing blankets or bags! YEAH! Thanks, big sis!

And finally, none of this would be happening at all if I did not have the unbelievable, unwavering, completely committed support of Ed. He listens to endless hours of ideas, helps weeds through the mental clutter of my tangled thoughts, provides amazing technical support, talks about these ideas with friends who might be able to lend some free expert advice, and knows when I am about to fry my brain thinking about all of this and like a super-hero, whisks me away to dinner, or a movie, or continually changes the subject so I can let down.... (how's that for the queen of run-on sentences!) You are my prince! Thank you...

Here's to next week...

:)

Designs...

I can sew a straight line, but am not designer but ANY stretch of the imagination. Sue and I have been working on creating a basic design and prototype for the bags, lovies, and blankets.

We have had great conversations about what should be in them. We have also had conversations about how to recruit volunteers, raise funds, and use the gorgeous fabric.

I have been listening to podcasts from Craigslist Foundation from their past boot camps on creating and sustaining non-profit businesses.

Always remaining joyful. Loving every minute of planning and creating this path. Trying hard not to get too overwhelmed. Remembering, "We make the road by walking."

:)

Logos...

Ed's friend, Rob, who is an artist and a business man, has generously offer to work on plans for the logo.

Incorporation of the major themes of sharing books, building community, and creating opportunity.

As soon as the logo is designed, you will see a new face to the website and I can order business cards,

And the generosity keeps going, and going, and going...

And I am am forever grateful!

:)