Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Without you....all this wouldn't be possible.

Good morning everyone!  Wasn't that a great season?  It went by so fast for us (but I am sure the designers who were in the thick of it would question that statement) and I was so inspired by their creations and those in the flickr pool too.  My sewing list for the summer has officially grown tenfold----which is exciting and daunting all at the same time!

One more thank you today....before the big project reveal for the summer.  And that is to our lovely sponsors.  Without all of our sponsors, Project Run and Play just wouldn't be as fun.  And that is the truth.  So a HUGE thanks to each and every one of our sponsors. Most of them have been with us since the beginning and really took a chance on us which is so appreciated.

So, if any of you have any fabric, patterns, notions, trims, or other sewing needs----they are the ladies (and gents) to see!  (And let's face it, who doesn't need more sewing supplies?)

All of their links on the right-hand side bar go directly to their shops, so please visit them.  It would mean a lot.


AND NOW......for the big summer project reveal!

We (the Simple Simon girls) have been wanting for a long time to do something to give back through blogging this summer.  We started looking into it this last January and researched and brainstormed a while to come up with a perfect fit for Project Run and Play and Simple Simon.  AND WE FINALLY FOUND IT!   With so many readers from all over the world, we really felt the need that everyone could donate something locally, that it be a well-established and well-run organization....and that it be an easy and doable project.

So starting in July, both Project Run and Play and Simple Simon and Co will be hosting an event called "Skirting the Issue."  Our project will be to make (or refashion) skirts for the Foster Care Alliance.  These skirts will then directly go to girls of all ages who are currently in the foster care system.  And we are so excited!

Let me tell you that both Liz and I were both teary-eyed when the pieces came together----because it is such a perfect fit.  We can just imagine moms (or girls, or grandmas, or aunts!) sewing all over the world to give girls of all ages a handmade skirt, that was made with extra love.  Especially for girls who need a little extra love right now.  Wouldn't it be fun to include a note that told of that "skirt love" too?

We are working with our local Foster Care Alliance, but have been assured that there are local Foster Care agencies all over the country (and world) that are willing to take each and every skirt donated.  We know that in some areas there are stores (kind of like thrift stores) that take clothes especially for foster care children....and in some areas donations are taken through the agency's themselves.  If any of you are willing to research where to donate in your local area, would you please email us.  Throughout the months of June and July we can collect the information and let you know of resources in your area.  We will also provide an address to mail them to if you prefer that.

A bit more about the project.....

Starting July 1st we are lining up some awesome sewing bloggers to share skirt tutorials with you both on Project Run and Play as well as Simple Simon and Co (you will have oodles of tutorials to choose from---how exciting is that?).  After you have made (or refashioned ) your handmade skirt, we just ask that you upload a photo to the new flickr group that we have set up....and then donate it!  For every skirt that is photographed and entered into the flickr group....you are eligible to win some fantastic prizes that our sponsors have again donated (and there are amazing ones in there! We can't wait to tell you about them!)  And you have from now until August 10th to make and donate skirts....so you have plenty of time!

And that is it. (Sorry for the longest post on earth.....thanks for sticking with it.)


OH, I forgot one more thing.....we have set a pretty lofty goal and we are nervous that we can't do it, but we are certainly going to try.

With your help, we want to make and donate 100 skirts throughout this project!

And we are so hoping that you will help us to meet or maybe even exceed our goal.

So what do you say.....Are you in?

Related Posts

40 comments :

  1. I am SO in!!!! What a great idea! I was getting a bit teary-eyed just thinking about doing this. I want my little 2.5 year old to get involved too (maybe she can pick the fabrics and/or the style) and write up a little story to go along with the skirt (along with a little handmade artwork too). I will have to look in to where I would donate here.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Add a zero to the end of that, my guess is you will get more like 1,000 through your efforts!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is such a great idea! I am so excited to get sewing! This will be such a great opportunity to show love and teach my own children about helping others.Thanks for all the work you put into PR&P, it was so fun to sew along with!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm in. :) I will be surprised if you don't surpass that goal by a LOT. With everyone that has been watching and voting in PR. Come on ladies, let's blow that goal out of the water!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome Idea! I am "sew" in! :) Thanks for all your hard work you ladies do! We enjoy it and appreciate it more than you know!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a great idea. I bet we end up doing may more then 100 though.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm with Jessica. Only a 100? We're going to surprise you!
    And I'm getting my girls involved, too.
    Thanks for doing this awesome thing, ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful idea, ladies! I'm in! As others have said, I will be very surprised if we don't surpass 100 by a LOT!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Liz and I were afraid we would each be sewing 50 ourselves....we are so excited to see all of you are in!

    ReplyDelete
  10. sounds fantastic! I am so excited! you guys are awesome

    ReplyDelete
  11. I agree with Jessica! What a great idea! :) I'm in. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great idea! I've already got skirt ideas and have emailed our local foster care folks to get contact info. Will pass along to as many folks as possible!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm with the others - we should be able to blow that 100 skirts goal out of the park. And I'm really excited to take part in this awesome effort. Thanks for creating the opportunity, girls!

    ReplyDelete
  14. "Liz and I were afraid we would each be sewing 50 ourselves."

    Tsk tsk. Such little faith.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so excited! We could TOTALLY do 1000 skirts, are you kidding me? I'm going to organize a party with my sewing friends! Woohoo!

    ReplyDelete
  16. i'm in!
    i will look for some foster home organizations in lisbon and some sewers to join in.
    great ideia!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Absolutely I'm in. A really beautiful idea.

    ReplyDelete
  18. SO in!! I'll start sussing out some east Australian foster care places this week.

    ReplyDelete
  19. only 100, easy! I'm in Australia and have some connections I'll get on to. Very excited!

    ReplyDelete
  20. as others have said... 100 will be no problem at all and I suspect there will be 5 or 10x that amount.
    by the way, I'm in too!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm definitely in, although I'm in England and I'm not sure where I would donate to. Looking forward to perhaps an English address I can send skirts to?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sooooo in!!!! LOVE this idea!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I really think we should make a new goal! This is great! I am going to do one per each of my children, 4. I want my boys to help too. They will help pick for a skirt and each write something that shows great respect and honor for these sweet girls. Looking for foster cares to donate to in Phoenix and Cincinnati. Will keep you posted. Love this!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ok - this is totally near and dear to my heart, as my 2 1/2 year old daughter is actually adopted through Los Angeles County foster care. We know too well about "the system" and the throw-away kids. I'm 100% in!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What an amazing thing you're doing. Both your blogs are so amazing. I think it is just beyond beautiful that you are using your platform to promote giving back with our talents. I'm in! I'll have to see where in DFW I can donate them too.

    I can't wait to see the tutorials come July!

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a wonderful thing. I'm in!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is perfect! I am totally getting my kids involved in this as well. Thanks for the wonderful idea!

    ReplyDelete
  28. How fabulous!! This is such a great idea. I am in!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Ok, this is going to sound wierd but I've been making little girl skirts for no reason...anyway,I have about 20 already in a box and I'm sure I can make some more myself but I'd like to get some more people involved so I'm scheduling an open sewing day at the public library where I work on July 24 and will set up the two sewing machines the library has (yep, we have 2 BabyLock Audreys that we use with kids) and 2 of my machines and see how many we can make. If nothing else, I'll get each staff member to make one.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.