A Teddy For Keeps

Famous & True Poem

2010-06-20T14:02:00.002-04:00

Children Learn What They Live
by Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

He learns to find love in the world.

Child Abuse Prevention Month

2010-04-02T09:39:00.002-04:00

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (though it should be every month!)

This was posted by The Society Against Child Abuse:

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

This Thursday, April 1, marks the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month when organizations and communities across the country will promote the importance of healthy child development and child abuse prevention. As one of the more than 3.5 million people who have chosen to support this mission and our organization, Prevent Child Abuse America and our flagship program, Healthy Families America, we offer our most sincere thanks for your commitment; we could not do our work without you. With April around the corner, we would like to share the following preview of messages to come over the next six weeks, highlighting the various ways you can get involved.

Tomorrow (April 1) – Launch of an exciting new month-long fundraising challenge to help make an impact on families and children in communities nationwide.

Week of April 5 – Next fundraising challenge message.

Week of April 12 – Next installment of the fundraising campaign as well as re-introduction of the pinwheel-themed Facebook gift benefiting Prevent Child Abuse America, born from our national campaign, Pinwheels for Prevention^®. These are great to give as virtual birthday gifts or gifts at any time of year!

Week of April 19 – Introduction of a new signature line of handcrafted pinwheel-themed sterling silver jewelry as well as the next installment of the national fundraising challenge.

Week of April 26 – Final fundraising challenge message to make sure we end the campaign strong!

Week of May 3 – Recap of all the great achievements you made possible in April!

Week of May 10 – Launch of a new groundbreaking survey polling why members chose to join the Society Against Child Abuse, ways you may have supported our mission and your thoughts on how social media can positively impact real world social causes.

For Those of You With Small Children

2010-03-06T11:17:00.005-05:00

For those of you with small children, our friend, Mark Wisher has written a new book called Don't Kiss The Prince.

Mark has been writing stories since he was 12-years-old. He was recently published in August 2009 and most of his work can be found on lulu.com, an online publishing site. In the future, he hopes to produce his own books and others. He runs under the publishing name MWI3. He started out writing at school, short stories to start with. Marks first story was about a worm from space, in which a lovely teacher gave him the chance to read to the whole class...and they loved it. After years of learning the doo's and donts of writing, he wrote another story called Sammy The Spider Travels The World. Mark has always been a keen reader of childrens books, and is a huge admirer of Rhald Dahl.

Find out if the curse of the mean witch Grizelda can ever be broken in Don't Kiss The Prince. Read it with your little ones! http://wisherponastar.webs.com/

Thanks Mark!

'Attach A Patch' Tutorial

2010-02-16T12:59:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Jeanne showed us how to make patches for our teddy tees. Today, she has put together Part II to show us how to attach our patches. I'm so excited to have these tutorials to share with you! Thanks again Jeanne!! Here is Part II - http://sites.google.com/site/wyrdbyrdsnest/attaching-patches

Enjoy All!

'Making A Patch' Tutorial

2010-02-15T10:42:00.004-05:00

Hurray for Jeanne!!!

Jeanne is one of our Star Stitchers. She resides in sunny CA and frequently sends us ziplock bags full of beautiful patches she designs herself & stitches up. In the past, our designs were stitched directly onto the teddy tees with waste canvas (and if you've ever used it... you know it's not wonderful to work with). But recently, Jeanne has come up with a way that saves time by cutting out the waste canvas. Now we no longer have to baste edges, strain our eyes to find unevenly weaved holes, or fumble with 4" hoops, or the waste paper, in our tiny little work space. This allows us to get more patches done in less time so that we can stitch for more children! It is much more comfortable to do the stitching this way. And I believe it looks even nicer!

So, if you are interested in stitching with us or would like to learn how to make these patches, please visit Jeannes site and view her tutorial: http://sites.google.com/site/wyrdbyrdsnest/quirky-quistmas-twee/Home/making-patches While you're there, you can also check out her many designs and unique blackwork.

Thanks Je! Love, Me

The Passing Months

2009-10-08T19:00:00.005-04:00

Forgive me friends, but it's been many months since my last post. We ARE still here though!

For those of you who don't know, my attention has been on my baby girl, Yvette, who is now almost 3. Sick with high fevers and seizures for the past year and a half, I think we are now close to a diagnosis. We're working with wonderful doctors (who have just run a gamut of tests) and we're patiently awaiting results. We should have the answers, and a plan, by her next apt Nov 3rd. I'll keep you posted.

We've had a few hospital stays. And on them, she was donated a couple of stuffed toys and a hand made, child-sized quilt. It made me think about what we are trying to do here. It also felt wonderful receiving something someone had put so much time and love into. I want to be a part of creating & giving that special personalized gift to another child as well.

I also saw how sad and scared she was, and how hugging her dolls from home gave her comfort. This comfort is needed by so many children out there and I wish we could share so much more.

HELP NEEDED

2009-06-04T21:42:00.018-04:00

Among us are many children that are in desperate need of comfort and emotional support. Children who need to know someone has been thinking of them, and that someone has taken time out - especially for them. Our little stitching group would like to give these children something to hold onto through difficult times. So far, we have already been able to give new teddy bears to 50 loving & deserving kids (the pictures are also in my fb photo page - have a look!)

Currently we are working with a fabulous company that has very generously given us 50% OFF OF THE WHOLESALE PRICE for BEAUTIFUL 13" - GREAT QUALITY BEARS!!! Because of the awesome low price, we need to order a minimum of 50 bears at a time. So, in short, $4.20 is what is needed to make one child smile. If you are able, and would like to support our cause, any donation in any amount is very much appreciated.

We are a very strong group, but alone this has taken us much longer to do. Please help us to reach many more children, more quickly.

Thanks so much from our little flickr group (link and address are to the right!)

Love To All,
<3 donna

Stitches In The Snow

2008-12-10T12:06:00.003-05:00

Now that winter has really arrived (it is freezing here in NY), my stitchy projects will be reflecting the snowy season that I Love so Much. I am currently working a couple of snowmen tees. I've been lucky lately at finding the perfect sized patterns!

Projects which I can't find the time to fit in now but REALLY want to do are also of this season - winter birds, a large poinsettia pillow (I have many of these patterns, as I collect the poinsettias), and a challenge for myself one day ~ a Currier and Ives winter wonderland scene.

Can't you just imagine sitting under a nice warm blanket, by a window, watching the snow fall heaviliy outside, the birds at the feeders, and a cup of hot marshmallowy chocolate nearby? Picturing yourself in one of those Currier & Ives prints??

I hope you are all feeling the holiday cheer, and I also hope I helped to get you motivated. : )

With Love & 'Till Next Time...

donna

Teddy Bear Updates!

2008-11-21T22:16:00.007-05:00

Hello All!

This is just a quick catch-up for all of you out there.

Thanks to the help of Jennifer Spinks (our much loved NJ member) new teddy bear t-shirts have been purchased and distributed - Thanks Jen!!! Our modest little group is now back to work stitching for the children we think about so much. The plan is to have this next batch of bears out in early '09. That should give us plenty of stitching & packaging time.

My Christmas stitching projects are nearly finished, and I am searching for my next tee designs too. Jeanne D (in sunny CA) has been busy designing her own patterns for these teddies, and they look truly Wonderful (I know, I still need to figure out how to add pics here - I'm working on it, but don't forget to scroll down to the very bottom ; )

Thanks again everyone for chipping in, working so hard, and keeping ATFK alive!

Luvs ya All! And can't wait to see the completed works!

<3 me

Visit us again soon for more news...

2008-11-03T11:40:00.002-05:00

Here is a brief introduction to everyone who stitches for our cause. Some have their own blogs linked to us so that you can get to know them better. Have a visit to see what they are up to and what projects they are working on.

Diane Abatuno, RI - A native of North Providence, Rhode Island, Diane has returned to the house in which she grew up. She lives with her two teens, Matthew and Maria; she has one other son, Joshua, who serves proudly in the Rhode Island National Guard. The family is rounded out by Matthew's chinchillas, Magellen and Balboa, 4 cats, and one housemate.
Diane is employed by the Providence Public Library where she works in the Reference Department as a clerk. She learned cross stitch and other needlecrafts beginning at age 10, from her mother. Cross stitch quickly became her favorite hobby and remains so today. She also paints in acrylics, and devours 8-10 books a month, as reading is a passion for her.

Kim Coleman, NY - Kim is my 19-yr-old daughter. She studies Foreign Language at Stony Brook University; she speaks French, Italian, Russain, and is now studying Hindi too! Kim also competes in ballroom dance. She's a sensitive kid with a Big Heart!!!

Mary Harrison, ME - My name is Mary. I am currently a student at Husson College, working toward my teaching degree. I have a daughter named Titania Lynn, and a husband named Josh. We live in Stephen King's neighborhood - Bangor. My husband and I are both avid readers. We are both editors with the company RedBrick Limited, located in New Zealand. I love to play games, computer, console, table top role-playing games, board games, or puzzlegames. I spend any free time I can find stitching for family.

Vicki Miller, KY - My name is Vicki, I'm 46, married and love to xstitch. This is the first time I have stitched anything for a charity but think it is a great idea. The kids who receive these bears really need our love and support. I do not have any kids of my own so this also gives me a chance to stitch something for someone who needs it.

Margaret Noble, UK - Hello, my name is Margaret. I am nearly 70-yrs-old and live in the UK. I love being part of the Keepsake Exchange. My interests are xstitching and reading.

Michelle Parsons, MA - Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm 26 and an avid reader, cross stitcher, volunteer and cook. I enjoy spending time with friends, and starting new projects. I started a book club about a year ago and its really taken off. Next step on the highway of life is going back to school for my Masters.

Donna Quinones, NY - That's me. Loving mom of three, cross-stitcher, former recreational counselor, and an advocate for mental health.

Elise Reilly, MT - Hi! My name is Elise. I am a stay at home mom of 3 wonderful kids. My husband and I live on a cattle ranch and that keeps me busy too. I love to cross stitch and read.

Jennifer Spinks, NJ - I live in north-western NJ with my husband and two step-children. I manage the office of a tractor-trailer repair shop. Cross-stitching has been a hobby of mine since I was about 10 years old when I taught myself how to stitch. I've stitched off and on throughout the years and have really gotten back into stitching over the last five years or so. I'm excited to be helping out with a charity that involves two of my favorite things - teddies and stitching!

Diane Stabeler, UK - Hello, My name is Diane. I am 44-years-old and as I work away from home, doing 12 hour days, I need to relax. I love xstitching for this, and I adore to help kids when I can.

How We Began

2008-11-02T01:31:00.006-04:00

Welcome from All Of Us at A Teddy for Keeps!!! We’re happy to have you join us!

Currently, we are a group of 11 cross-stitchers who all met randomly through a message board on the DMC cross-stitching mentor site. We broke off to start our own little stitching group on flickr (a great photo sharing site, I may add), though we still stay active with DMC. From flickr we were inspired to start an organization that would help to bring a smile to the life of a child who has been abandoned, abused, or exposed to any myriad of conditions that has them pulled from the life they know and into wonderful places like Girls and Boys Town USA. There they receive the help they need to live their lives as best as they can. We proposed this idea of giving bears to the children on our forum, and then to the wonderful people who run these centers. All being in agreement, A Teddy for Keeps was born Oct 23rd '07!

We are now just over 1 Year Old! Everyone has pulled together and worked so hard to get this mission working! I'm happy to say we have also just delivered our second shipment of bears to the Pederson-Krag Center in NY, where they plan to give them out for Christmas to the children who need them most. To this date, we have stitched and donated 50 teddies! More t-shirts have been ordered and we are still going strong. I am so proud of All of You who have helped, and who keep us going.

Special Thanks To:

Thank You to All my Wonderful, Creative, and Talented Stitching Friends. You are all so caring and so generous! I am grateful and proud everyday for knowing each one of you.

Thank You to The Mascot Factory for giving us soft, beautiful bears at a very generous price. It allows us to give to many more children.

Thank You to The Pederson-Krag Center for ALL the services they offer to families in crisis.

Thank You to Boys Town for reaching out to more than 1.4 million boys & girls each year through their youth and health care programs.
Saving Children, Healing Families

Thank You to The DMC Corporation, without their web-site and message board, we never would have met and this project never begun. We also thank you for your free designs at www.dmc-usa.com, one is featured on the top right corner of this blog.

Sincere Thank Yous for your
Monetary Contributions & Support

Veena D & Girish B of Westford, MA
Cristin G of Placentia, CA
Diane S of Bransholme Hull, UK
Margaret N of East Yorkshire, UK
Elise & Ben R of Rosebud, MT
Terry & Fred V of Cimarron, KS
Stella S of Elmont, NY
Alisa B of Harrah, OK

- Michelle & Donna

Please continue to help us Grow!!
We NEED your support to reach as many hurting children as possible.