What's good about Kiva?

People have asked me, What's so good about Kiva? And what is Kiva anyway, a brand of coffee?
Kiva is an organization that arranges for loans to those in other countries who want to better their business. The person asks for a loan through one of the loan organizations in his or her own country. This request is then put up on the Kiva website and people like you and me lend a small amount ($25 and up) toward that person's loan. When the total amount is raised, the person begins repaying their local representative. When the loan is repaid, you receive your investment back.
I have sponsored two different loans, to two different women in different countries. One wants a special sewing machine for her business. The other one wants to increase her inventory of goods. There are many to choose from, where your money can go.
What is the personal part of this whole thing? It's funny how much better I feel by lending out $25. If you have ever sent money to your local radio or public tv station, you already know. It's a feeling that you have done something to help someone along life's path. Whether it's by the tv shows, the radio station, or a small business in another country, it's a great feeling.
The Kiva link is at the bottom of my blog, but let me list it here, http://www.kiva.org
If you decide to join, please make me your source. kmurcot@comcast.net
Thanks, and enjoy your sponsorship. Leave a comment about your journey.
Kathygirl

Josh does it again!

My grandson Josh has done it again. You will remember that last year he performed at his high school's talent show? Well, he has done it again. This time it's an improv appearance. It is showing on You Tube, thanks to my daughter. Enjoy! Josh is on the right.



Seems that the girls all luv him. What do you think?
Kathygirl

The Remarkable Pfaff (again)

Well, I did it. I sort of did it. I nearly did it. No wait, I did something.

You know, I forgot the most important thing when I decided I wanted that big Pfaff. I forgot to pray. In my life, prayer is a big thing. It's the way I know what to do and what not to do. And I didn't pray about this Pfaff.

So confused, I didn't even think about praying. I didn't know I didn't pray. I just kept waiting for the money to come, so I could go get that big Pfaff. The yummy one. And one day it hit me... I didn't pray about it!

And so I did. I felt that the big Pfaff was not for me. Well, not right now anyway. I took a look at the previous top of the line machine, the 2170. This top machine also embroiders, but a much smaller field of course. Re-hooping is a must. Those of you who embroider know exactly what I mean. For those who don't, it means that part of the design embroiders, and then you take the fabric out of the hoop and "re-hoop" and start the machine again. This is scary because maybe you didn't quite line it up right, and everyone will see that it doesn't go together right. But if you did it correctly, no one will know!

Once I prayed about the whole thing and decided to get the 2170--the money was there within a few days. I found a good deal on eBay and got it with a $2000 savings over my top notch sewing store.

I can hear you now... ah yes, but NOT a new one... Wrong! It's new! And my friend bought my Janome (goodby old friend) so we are two happy people. My new Pfaff is just great, does good embroidery, has the same spiffy stitches as the current new model.

Yep, in a couple of years I'll be looking (and praying) about the new Creative Vision, or its replacement, I already know that. But for now.... yep, I'm a Pfaffie, and proud of it!

ever,
Kathygirl

Woot!

Call me a proud grandmaw, but that's what I am. My grandson Josh appeared in public for the first time as a guitarist. I have to say he gave a Woot performance!

But here, see for yourself, as appearing on You Tube: (he's the one in the center, white guitar, cool Peace shirt...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICAfAas3zuw

I wanted to put the video here, but I just couldn't figure out how. sigh.

Merry Christmas to all,
Kathygirl

Another quilt festival put to bed

Oh boy, that old song is coming true. You know, the one that goes:

The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,
Ain't what she used to be,
Ain't what she used to be!

The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,
Many long years ago!

Yep. I'm that old gray mare. I can't seem to get my oomph back after my trek across the George R. Brown Convention Center a bazillion times in two days. New shoes please, since the soles on my iron shoes are onionskin thin.

Oh but yes, it was worth it! The colors, the quilts, the fabrics and the people! What sensory overload we had. The hit of the festival seems to have been this new felting craze, plus lots of glitz and embellishments! A close second was the emphasis of getting your quilt done fast. This makes sense, since so many women work full time, where is that precious time to make a nice quilt anyway? Today you can make a quilt that looks like it took just forever, in a very short time.

Long arm quilting machines had quite a focus this year too. They are always present at festival, but it seemed that this year the booths were bigger and there was more attention paid to them.

Lyn and Christine from Kenny's Kreation had a booth this year, coming all the way from Queensland Australia.

Here you see me on the left and Lyn Kenny on the right. Behind us is her Antique Rose quilt. If you would like information about her machine embroidery designs, go to http://www.KennyKreations.com You won't regret it.

Well, did you get to go to festival? If you did, you got to see the new Pfaff, the one with the gigantic hoop, the one with all the breathtaking projects, the one we all want! Yes, there are other wonderful brands and machines, and we all love our machines, it's true. But it just seems that my heart is set on the Pfaff.

Keep sewing,

Kathygirl