Trend Setter-A great way to help animals

I love animals and taking care of them, but I can only have so many pets. I realized a while back that I really enjoy watching the wildlife in my yard from my big sewing room windows. I decided to have my backyard certified as a wildlife habitat. It was fun and really easy. Visit www.nwf.org/backyard for more info. After we got our backyard certified, then my Mom and her husband got theirs certified and my niece earned her certification (she is 9). Just think if people all over did this. Our neighborhoods would be so much more animal and plant friendly!

How To: Make a Pet Pillow

A great way to use scraps, discarded and unwearable clothing is to make pet pillows! I keep a container on my sewing table and I fill it with threads and bits of fabric. When it's full, I start stuffing a pillow. My pillows vary, around 14"x14" to 20"x20". The yellow one above is an old shirt (you can see the placket). I'm still stuffing that one. When I have several finished, I deliver them to my local SPCA. It is fun to see animals enjoying them. Knowing that I'm keeping fabric out of the landfill is nice too!

End World Hunger and Sew

In addition to sewing and teaching sewing, I believe in leaving the world a better place than when I arrived here. At the very least, I believe in helping our fellow Earthlings. When I teach sewing, I hope I am giving my students a hobby to enjoy, hopefully increase their self esteem, give them a way to help others through their new sewing talent, and sometimes a way to make money too. These websites, in their own way, help our fellow Earthlings by improving their situation. http://www.heifer.org/ http://www.wfp.org/ http://www.freerice.org/ Free Rice is great for school kids because you answer questions and donate rice at no cost to you! Great for adults too because the questions can be challenging depending on your level. World hunger is unacceptable. We can help.

Why I donate to Heifer International

This is actually related to sewing. I donate to Heifer International for several reasons. One, I've always wanted chickens and goats but realize, in my area, thats not going to happen. Two, I needed a gift for my 90+ year old grandmother, and she used to own chickens. Three, I believe in making the Earth a better place whenever possible and helping out my neighbors on the planet. Four, as with teaching sewing, a gift from Heifer International keeps on benefitting the recipients with increased self esteem, and a way of helping to support their families. H.I. focuses on community and education, ending hunger and poverty. Mental poverty ends. H.I. is improving women's status in their families and laying the ground work for self-impowerment. And lastly, yes I am 90 percent vegetarian, but I realize not everyone in the world is. I give trees, chicks (for eggs), and goats (for milk, cheese). Go to http://www.heifer.org/ for more information.