“Cancer takes away our lives and fills us with fear and anger and so many other emotions. So, when someone allows us a choice like the simplest thing of what we can choose to wear…it is tremendously empowering.” Paula, (cancer patient and oncology nurse) on choosing a hat, while you have lost your hair, you haven’t lost your sense of style.

“I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...”

Lyrics from “For Good” - Wicked, the Musical

I think most people know that Halos of Hope functions as an all-volunteer organization. Even yours-truly works ‘the-job-that-pays-the-bills’ from 8-5 (and then some) during the week. And yes sometimes we get a little behind. If we don’t get back to you right away, or you sent in hats and you haven’t seen your thank-you card, or you’ve asked for hats and they aren’t quite there yet, bear with us! So many of you want to help, and so many of us want to help and thank you!

This Ribbed Hat, designed by Becky Stevens, appears in Chemo Caps and Wraps recently released by Annie's Attic.  (page 42)

Guild:  An association of craftsmen in a particular trade ¹

Or craftswomen.  When I posted to my Facebook page that I was going to the Windy City Knitting Guild meeting this past Tuesday night, my son commented that the event sounded ‘epic.’  I was puzzled by this comment, but at the time it may have been my fuzzy brain, given it had taken me an hour and 45 minutes to get to the meeting, thanks to rush-hour traffic, tornado-like weather conditions and a Cubs game.  But, of course, my child waxes historic, because guilds have existed to support tradesmen, handcrafters, and journeymen since the early Middle Ages. 

Are you like me?  I see something knitted or crocheted, and I think - wow, I'd love to make that!  I think my interest in something knitted is peaked more often that for something crocheted, but there are a lot more knitted samples out there to drool over!  Crochet designers unite! We need to see more of your work, up close, in person and public!

 Finished!  The Shark Journey Begins… Actually, I am a little pensive as I write this. I think those of us who knit, crochet or sew, have a project that push our skills a little, is something that we dedicate a lot of time to, or somewhere along the way become a favorite. I found myself wanting to name the shark hat, but didn’t because I think the gender and name should come from those on the dive. As we learned last time, “the sharks have different and very discernable personalities.” So, Nikki – it’s up to you and your diving company to choose our shark’s name, based on his/her personality in Guadalupe! Or maybe before you get there!

 Now many of you just thought to yourselves…wait, this was a shark saga, what’s going on here, now with a ‘tale’?  No, the Shark Tail builds!  The body of the shark is finished, and I’m now working on the tail.  Oh, of course, you say – that makes perfect sense.  

“Sharks have a PR problem. Encourage more positive shark media….”Show of hands. You see a great white shark, or any other kind, circling the cameras, and immediately your brain switches to “Da-dum…Da-dum” and your heartbeat increases, because you can already hear John Williams’ penned theme pick up speed and the next thing you know Chief Brody, Matt Hooper and Quint are back on the hunt. That is not positive shark media, but it’s one of the iconic images we all have of sharks, especially great whites.

Thank you!!! We collected 92 hats and $80 to be used toward shipping of our hats to the over 300 cancer centers we are supporting nationwide!
It took a bit longer to pen my final comments about Halos’ inaugural participation in a Stitches event. My cool Keen Keds seemed logical when I put them on yesterday morning, because we were breaking down the booth at 4 pm. But they weren’t great for standing all day. I should know better, having done many trade shows and events in the past!

Midwest Stitches – Two down, one to go

 

Wow! All I can say is “Wow!” The outpouring of support is just amazing! The Expo doors no sooner opened at 10 am and we were meeting people from all over the country asking what Halos of Hope was all about! Charity knitting and crocheting is alive and well at Stitches Midwest!

The camera was working again, much to the chagrin of a few of our volunteers, who also donated at Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair last month, and thought they would escape, unphotographed!

Stitches Midwest – Day 2
As we sit here resting our feet and backs from a nearly 8 hour day standing and talking about Halos of Hope to hundreds of people who stopped by, a lovely 90 minute fashion show and hour-long dinner, we realized that all the photos that were taken today of those who donated hats did not come out!  Not sure what happened, but how disappointing is this!!! So we’ll talk about the day, but won’t be able to include the photos we hoped to have!  Expo opened at 10 am, and it wasn’t long before Michelle stopped by with hats to donate.  By 10:30, we were talking to so many people about how Halos of Hope helps cancer centers across the country, and how we always need hats,  I wondered  whether I’d screwed up my days, and was it really Saturday??  The crowds were behaving like Saturday crowds, and yet, it was only Friday morning!