Ravelry Swap - Knitting

Hey! I am excited. First, I joined a knitting group on the web called Ravelry. It is a HUGE international community of knitters. There are currently over 110,000 individuals in this virtual community of knitters and crocheters. This is their logo: After becoming a Raveler, I then signed up to chat in nine different groups, each associated with various types of interests. One of the groups I joined is termed "This American Life" for Ira Glass groupies. Another group I joined yesterday was a SWAP group that celebrates any holiday imaginable by sending a box of goodies to your swapmate. A SWAP is just what it says: I give you something and you give me something back, all tied in to knitting or special interests. A SWAP occurs about every 6-8 weeks.

The next celebrated Holiday in Ravelry SWAP is WORLDWIDE Knit in Public Day on June 14, 2008.

This is what I will gather up for my soon-to-meet friend as specified on the Swap:
"The SWAP box should include:At least one skein of yarn (one as some skeins are more $ than other skeins)A pattern that could easily be knit in public by the average knitter. Knitting accessories: this includes tools, bag, magazine, book, etcetera. Anything else of your choosing. Other Rules: a. The value of the package contents should total at least $30. b. Stash raiding is allowed on tools only* as long as you do not send junk. c. Packages are to be mailed by May 31 (a week earlier if international).* "

Check out the website Ravelry and search for SWAP in the group listing if you are intriqued by the prospect of fun; it is a certain way to make a new knitting friend who might hale from anywhere in the world!

Christian Women's Connection Luncheon

There is a fun connection happening all over the United States and Canada every month geared towards women. It is called the Christian Women’s Connection, sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries.

Lunch is served, door prizes awarded, a special feature on a topical subject is presented, music is provided by a talented individual, and a delicious luncheon is served. As a boon, FREE childcare is provided! (Plus, you know your children are treated kindly and cared for safely.)

Yesterday, the Connection here in Grand Junction was a dynamic happening at Two Rivers Convention Center at noon.

When my children were small, I was involved in this organization (then called Christian Women’s Club) while living in Montana. Some of my closest friendships were formed during those years. It was a time to connect with women of all ages, and I looked forward to it for weeks ahead. On the Stonecroft website here is a quote:

...a variety of brunch, luncheon, and dinner events for women and couples. These groups range from our Women's Connections and Christian Women's Clubs to the relaxed After 5 events when the workday is done. Each event includes an entertaining feature and an inspirational speaker who gives personal insight on coming to know God.

Busy mothers get a welcome break with our Moms on the Run groups. Kids play under supervision nearby as these get-togethers work as much to stabilize mom's sanity as they do to provide a Christian message.Thankfully, the two go hand-in-hand!

Close to 100 women attend every month here at Two Rivers Convention Center on the third Thursday of each month. In May, Cynthia Liebrock will speak on "Finding Your Purpose."

Phone Marilyn at 970-245-9799 to make a reservation for the May 15, 2008 luncheon. You might just be glad you did.

Elephant Painting

Snopes verifies this is a true video, and that elephants can be "taught" to paint. This video is validated in the sense that it represents the real phenomenon of elephants who

have learned to paint — with the caveats that "painting" in this sense means the animals outline and color specific drawings they've been taught to replicate (rather than abstractly making free-form portraits of whatever tickles their pachydermic fancies at the moment), they work under the direction of trainers, they don't all exhibit the same level of proficiency, and the quality of their output can be highly variable.

Elephantart has this to say:

The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project (AEACP) promotes and distributes the work of elephant artists to raise funds for elephant conservation. By exhibiting and marketing the paintings internationally, the AEACP aims to increase public awareness of the plight of Asian elephants whose numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate. In recent years, the number of domesticated elephants in Thailand alone has rapidly diminished from 11,000 to only 3,000. Deforestation of the Thai countryside has led to a ban on the logging of teak, an industry that once employed thousands of elephants. Although much needed, the logging ban left these elephants and their life-long owners (mahouts) without a livelihood.

For $500, you could buy this picture and many more painted by elephants:

My paintings sell for less. If you want to gander at my artistic attempts, they are displayed here at Nancy's art-google.