The Sling Drive for No Mother Left Behind

Update Feed:
11/08: For the last month, we have had all the fabric and rings at the various volunteer seamstresses, and they have been getting done one by one.

I am wrapping up the Sling Drive this month, so this is a last call for anyone who would like to donate money or slings to this noble cause! If you are sewing, please let me know if you need more time. If you are shipping, please let me know if you need my address. I specifically could use any financial donations y...ou can spare to cover the shipping of the completed slings to NMLB. Thank you all so much for helping spread the love of babywearing!!!

PS. I promise pics of the completed collection once all the slings are in! :)

10/02: Check out these two donations from Christy A.F. They are beautiful batiks!



10/01: Last night, I passed out the last of the fabric and sling rings. So, now we just wait for the itch to stich to pass! I cannot wait to start getting some of these back in the mail! :)

09/25: Well, I think this drive is on the closing end of things. All the fabric and rings have been disbursed, and I am just awaiting the arrival of the finished slings. Don't worry- I will take pics before they all get sent off to grace the shoulders of a mama in need!

09/19: Yesterday, I conferred with one of the mamas sewing the slings over the fabric I had on hand. Two of the fabric samples will be able to produce ten slings. I had thought it was sufficient for only two or three slings. The rest of the fabric was sufficient only for double-layered slings, so it will only go half as far. If you have fabric to donate, we are now seeking it! Specifically, I am looking for 2.5 yards to 3 yards to double up with the fabric on hand to make slings. Please also let me know if you are able to sew some slings. We are still in need of seamstresses. As of now, we have seven completed slings, and the fabric for fourteen slings out to sewing mamas. That totals 21, so we are doing really well so far! Keep it up!

Oh, and to report on impact, this week I have had mamas approach me regarding buying up to seven slings! (I, of course, referred them to WAHMs, like Jan and Amanda). They are giving them out at babyshowers, to pregnant friends, and more! This drive is really helping to spread the love of babywearing! :) Hip-hip horray!!!

09/16: No new news yet, still the same: trying to get rings and fabric out to willing mamas! However, I just wanted to gush for a moment about how excited I am about the impact this drive is having on the community. So many mamas are learning about babywearing, about the benefits of it, who normally would not have been interested- I have taught three how to wear a ring sling just this week! I am hearing stories from them about mamas who are asking them to pass the knowledge on, where to get slings, how to use them. I can see the ripples throughout the area, and it is just amazing to watch. This drive is about more than just getting some slings to a charity organization. It is about community, being part of a common goal, and about watching how God uses secular issues to demonstrate his love and influence. It has really been amazing to watch the entire thing unfold, like a flower. We are smack-dab in the middle of this, too, so who knows what good will happen before the end?

Some FAQ's I am encountering lately:

If I volunteer to sew some slings, when would you need them done by?
Well, the drive has no end date in sight. I am hoping that it will be done before Christmas, of course, but if it takes you a few weeks, I totally understand.

I have fabric and rings already- can I use that, or must I use the materials you provide?
By all means, use your own. After all, it saves on shipping and/or gas! Please make sure that the fabric is wide enough for a carrier, at least 2.5-3 yards long, strong and sturdy, and that the rings used have been manufactured specifically as sling rings for baby carriers.

I don't have fabric or rings, do you?
Yes. Just let me know how many slings you are interested in sewing and I can provide all the materials except thread.

I know how to sew, but have never sewn a sling. What do I need to know?
Check out Jan's site- she has a great review of the safety guidelines. http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/sling.html


09/14: I have two seamstresses lined up, delivering their fabric and rings this week. I need more volunteers! :) We have all the materials, now we just need the labor! Just keep sewing... just keep sewing...

Again, if you wish to participate, I have everything and will get it to you. The directions can be found on http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/.

09/12: CALLING ALL SEAMSTRESSES! The rings are in! We got a wonderfully abundant donation of 32 ring sets from slingrings! :) This means we have more rings than fabric, so if you have any fabric in 2.5-3 yard lengths that you want to donate, please let me know! Just email me and let me know how many slings you want to sew, and I will get you the fabric and the rings for those slings. Yeah! Here we go!!!

09/10: I finally got a chance to post the pics of the first batch of slings! They turned out gorgeous. Great work, Amanda! (You see the sling on the bottom right? It is so buttery soft, I seriously am going to have a hard time not petting it until it gets shipped!!)

Plus, look at this detail work she put onto the plain slings to add character and beauty! What amazing work!!!

Ok, so the bulk of the rings are on their way. Dawn, you are getting the next batch! When I get the majority of the rings, just let me know how many you are willing to do, and I will get the rings and fabric to you pronto! :)

08/12: I heard back from NMLB! :) The slings have a destination, finally!

Kristi!
Thank you so much for your efforts :) We here at NMLB really appreciate it. I know that most all the Zone Coordinators are overrun with slings at the moment but my inventory is currently very low. While I strive to reach mamas throughout the entire country, I get slings into many mama's hands via local WIC organizations. It's very rewarding!
Thanks again and we look forward to your donation :) Please send me a banner you would like me to link on the site in exchange for you generosity. We get nearly 800 views a month!
Cheers,
Ashley Hopkins

So, this begs the question: who should have the available advertising space on the NMLB website? I know that Amanda sells cheap slings, so that those who don't qualify for a free carrier may have access at least to an affordable one... but Rachele is donating all the rings... perhaps it should go to slingrings.com. I am really new to this aspect of it- I really think it should be fair...any suggestions?




08/12: The first six slings are in! They are GORGEOUS! I will post pics as soon as I get the chance. They were done by Amanda, and if you like her work, she makes and sells very affordable slings here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5792286.

We are now waiting for more rings to come in the mail. I got a package that had a note in it about rings, but the package had been cut open and the rings stolen... so we will have to wait a little longer. :(

Anyway, pics to come!

08/06: Got the first six pairs of rings in the mail- they are going to Amanda. Who would like to get the next batch? :) Finally, for all the prepping and collecting, we move into the sewing phase! <3>
08/04: I am wondering if we will need to start collecting fabric donations in 2.5-3 yard lengths? Hmmm... will find out by next week. On todays agenda: Contacting NMLB about donation procedure. Due to concerns about liabilities and stuff, just to help protect everyone who is donating and sewing, the slings will go to NMLB instead of the local CPC. It is in our best interest. Will keep updating as we get more information.

08/03: WOW! BIG UPDATE!!
I just got the following email from Rochelle, the owner of Slingrings.com:

Kristi,We would be more than happy to donate the rings. Just send me an email to http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rochelle%40slingrings.com and we will get you all setup.Rochellewww.SlingRings. com

I am in tears over here- HOW AMAZING!!!

08/03: I just went through all the messages to actually organize everything (write it down), and here are our stats:
*We have six volunteer seamstresses.
*We have 10 donated ring pairs committed, with a possibility of more.
*I just bought 5 pairs of rings.
*We have 4 donated slings.
So, that makes 19 slings so far!!
I am going to give out the rings and fabric as they come in, and will try to spread it around so no one has too much sewing to do! Thanks!

08/03: We are getting 3 or 4 MORE sets of donated nylon sling rings, which means we have enough slings for 14 slings, plus four donated slings, which is 18 total! This drive is off to a good start!

08/02: I will be handing out fabric and rings as they come in to our volunteer seamstresses.
Also, HURRAY for two donated slings!!!


***
The project:

I am hosting a sling drive to make slings for mamas in need, who could not otherwise have the wonderful world of babywearing and attachment parenting opened to them.

The slings, once sewn, will go to either the local crisis pregnancy center or to No Mother Left Behind.

Each sling takes between 2-2.5 yards. If you have fabric to donate, let me know. That way, we can see how many rings we need.

*I have 23 sling's worth of fabric! :) We just need the rings!

If you would like to help:

As with any project, money is always helpful. It will help to buy rings, extra thread and fabric, and possibly shipping.

Fabric and ring donations also welcome! :) I ask, though, that if you are going to donate rings please ensure that they are rings especially made for babywearing.

Sewing is helpful, if you posses that particular set of talents! I have access to two extra machines, if you don't have one.

-NOTE: If you are going to donate time sewing, please see this link to familiarize yourself with safety features that will need to be included in the slings.
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/

Updates:

I will be posting updates on both facebook and on here, so feel free to respond in either forum.

Thanks, everyone! Happy slinging!

three months

logan was officially three months old on monday!

he loves to smile, coo, and blow out his diapers.

more laid back than his brother, logan is generally content to ride on my back or play in his bouncy chair when he is awake.

he weighs just over 17 pounds now, i think, and is wearing a size 6-9 months.

in fact, i suspect he will only be in that size for another few weeks.

logan is the friendliest, most social baby i have ever known.

he has a great smile.

but is not immune to those "serious" expressions that daegan is famous for.

he is absolutely infatuated with his brother...

despite the fact that daegan often seems homicidal with his affection.

he loves coo'ing while i say my prayers at bedtime

and is just too smart, too sweet for his own good!

august

These shots were taken by Dawnielle, someone with a rather artistic eye and a giant heart. We chased Daegan around in the August mid-morning sun for about an hour, until the heat and exertion got the best of him. I have to give Dawnielle some serious respect for being able to get some clean shots when it is so very easy to overexpose in such bright sunlight. She has such talent!

This first pic is my favorite. It shows my little man in all his complexity. A beautiful portrait.

sustainable thought?

Greenpeace has come under fire lately by environmentalists, who argue that the organization actually does very little to actively improve environmental conditions. They spend their monies raised on calenders, public awareness campaigns, etc.

However, I have to argue that although it is an indirect impact, it is an impact. Let's say that there are five hard-core, actively participating environmentalists in a city. They spend their time fighting environmental crimes, but not on educating the public or raising public awareness of issues. In ten years, the only good done will be done by those five people.

Now, let's say that there are three activists and two public-awareness people. Then, at the end of the ten years, who knows how many activists will be working on the issues? It will have grown. It is important to raise awareness, even if each calendar sold does not directly impact the living conditions of Artic Blue Whales.

To that end, I can justify to myself a recent Target indulgence. I bought Daegan three super-soft t-shirts with pro-environment messages on them. (To which he said, "Thank you, mama! I save the Earth!" I have a super-awesome kiddo!)

As I was driving away from Target, I realized the glaring hypocrisy and irony in having purchased those shirts. They were likely mass-produced, using unsustainable materials and resources, resulting in a large footprint.

However, then I remembered Greenpeace. Sure, those three shirts won't help the environment. However, things like that are a cheap way of ingraining a particular value-set into my children. Small details like that which help contribute to a budding world-view. I could not have bought him so many if they were $30 each.

As I mentioned in a previous post, such things are expensive. By offering these types of shirts, Target may actually be providing a service (even if they are only intentionally capitalizing on a market trend.) Children who grow up hearing messages about the three R's, due to trends or genuine concern, will likely incorporate some of that message into their adult life choices.

Ok. So, that is a self-serving rationalization. The shirts are really cute, though!

Read this.

http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2009/08/terrible-bargain-we-have-regretfully.html

Every woman, every man, every child needs to read this. Especially the comments. I would quote the parts which resonated with me the most strongly, but I would end up quoting the whole post. So, read it.

my bubbles

sunday's adventure

Below: Pics of the Taylor Fire, south of Flagstaff, 3000 acres 10% contained. The smoke cloud was seen for hundreds of miles and made really interesting patterns in the sky. All the northern cities were hazy from the fire.

Below: Hiking the West Fork in Sedona, exploring the creek and the ruins.

Blackberries were ripening on low-laying bushes on the ground. These are not quite ready for eating yet, but are still neat to see growing wild.

Below: Although I was unable to get any good pictures of them, these grassy meadows were full of butterflies- mostly orange, brown and yellow. We must have seen 30 or so just on the trail alone. This is a good time of year to go see butterflies.

Below: Before the day started, breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Grits and eggs- Yummmm...

Problem of Green Marketing

Problem: eco-savviness and sustainable living is often thought of as an upper-middle class indulgence. Why? Because "Green" products are expensive.

Case in point? These super-cool lunch boxes. As one mama said, it would take a whopping $335 plus shipping to get these for her kids, and they would have to be replaced after a year or two of use.

The problem is that sustainable products are more expensive to produce, pushing the price up.

They are of limited supply, and in high demand, pushing the price up.

Their target audience is willing to pay higher prices- pushing the price up.

Ironically, "Green" product marketing may actually present a barrier to improving consumer decision-making and overall environmental protection.

"Green" products are extensively marketed as an upper-middle class product. The product-marketers WANT this to be the case, because it makes "green" products a status symbol.

These green products are, after all, a business. They may or may not genuinely be interested in saving the environment. That is an added bonus to making big bucks- not the primary objective to the venture.

This poses a problem in the case of this product because they failed to discriminate between

WHAT they were selling and WHO they were selling it to. They sized the stupid product so it would only fit the models selling it! Dumb move. Pregnant women ALREADY feel a little fluffy, they don't need products making them feeling even MORE so.

So, the problem is furthered by not only being limited to the fact that eco-savvy products are expensive, but they are also limited to being sold to those who can support their market-image of being a thin, yoga-doing, polished, white, upper-middle class green housewife.

According to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the largest market for "green" products are young females (typically women make consumer decisions for their male counterparts) with money to burn.

If we really hope to change our world to a place where a majority of consumer options are environmentally "healthy", we need these products to fit the broader market- larger sizes, lower prices, mass-availability and mass-production. However, as consumers, how do we demand these changes?

If we buy the green alternatives available, we are not demanding change. If we don't buy them, then the trend dies before any real environmental impact is made... so how do we do this? I don't know.

I am hoping someone does, though, because this is a real problem. As long as "Green" living is seen as a pursuit of indulgence, it will not be practically applied to the average household.

(Of course, this is just addressing the products we buy- a small part of the whole "changing the world" puzzle. Much larger, and debatably larger problems such as major polluters and environmental classism and racism, could have more immediate and measurable impacts if solved. However, in the larger course of things, I believe it is the accessibility of small changes each of us can do which will save our world, thus my focus on green products.)

Part 1 of 3. Next topics: Materializing AP and Environmental Crisis: Leading Change. Which are you more interested in reading first?

Continuing Drama at the Maricopa Library.

Well, after my last blog post on the Maricopa Public Library issue, a friend of mine contacted several people who oversee the library in some capacity. Their responses were overwhelmingly positive and open, and I was encouraged to hear that they are wanting to adapt the library to fill the needs of the community.

Then, this afternoon, I heard a story that broke my heart all over again. I have her permission to repost this story, but will omit names for privacy sake.

From Facebook Status Post: just got kicked out of the library because of a crying, sleepy (baby). was very upset because the 3 GROWN UPS across from us were being just as loud. and yet, they are still in the library! >:-

Me: The Maricopa Library? If so, do you mind if I ask exactly what happened? I will likely be meeting with some people regarding my disappointment in the library.

Friend: yeah the maricopa library. she was crying off and on. and the one time no one was talking she started crying and the older lady came up to me at the computer i was sitting at and said a few people have made complaints about her. why dont you try coming back tomorrow or later today when she calms down. i got up my husband had to finish on his computer what i was doing on mine, and i went to the front, she was still off and on crying. i went outside to wait for my husband. but its to hot and humid, so after a few minutes, which felt like longer, went back in and instead of being offered a study room or the meeting room the older librarian asked me to go over to where the mafazines are. i got some looks, but im not going to put my life on hold because of a sleepy baby. if they had an infant/ nursing room, it could have worked. you know? well, if you need any thing else let me know. and the three adults across from me didnt even get looked at while talking and laughing...

Me: that makes me angry. really angry. I am so sorry that happened to you. I will absolutely be putting this on my "report." Do you mind if I add this info to my blog post about that stupid library?

Friend: yeah, im glad my husband was with me cause i was so mad i started crying on the way home.

Ugh. I am beginning to think that the problem lies with the staff not the library itself. I will be addressing this once I have time to compile my response to the powers that be.

I want to include research on library standards, preliteracy and community building, as well as an overall idea of what the community is looking for.

That means research, time, data gathering and proposal-writing. It may have to wait until the class I am in is over so I will have a few spare hours to collect it.

In the meantime, my dear Maricopa friends, please comment on this post what you are looking for, specifically, in the library- in terms of stock, services, spaces, etc. I would love to include everyone's opinion on this, since we are all a part of this community.

Disappointment in the Maricopa Public Library

Ok, I have delayed in telling this story until my chagrin faded a bit.

The City of Maricopa just spent millions of dollars building a new 88,000 square foot library. Since it was being built less than a mile from my house, I eagerly and anxiously awaited the grand opening, imagining a beautiful state-of-the-art library with a well-developed children's section, story times, and the various activities usually offered through the library systems (creative writing, sign language classes, story times, etc.)

Well, it opened. I walk in and was disappointed to see this beautiful, large, open space with very, very few books in there. I own more books in my personal collection than I found in this library. Shelf upon shelf stood bare, each with three or four books huddled together on one end.

The children's section looked like it held promise, but beyond one section for pre-k children, there was absolutely nothing in there to appeal to children. No colorful decoration, no imagination toys, no wonder-inducing play section. Nothing except a small collection of badly-battered books, half of which were in Spanish.

I reason that it is still a work-in-progress and find the librarian to discuss the future of the establishment.

Here is the discussion, to the best of my recollection:

"Hi! The library is really starting to come together. When are the rest of the books going to come in?"

"We are not going to be buying any more books. If there is a specific title you need, we can try to order it from an inter-library loan. It should only take about a week."

"No more books? The shelves are bare! What is the point of all this space if you are not going to make it a library?"

"The extra space is so we can grow if we ever decide to add to our stock."

"Ok, well, I don't use the adult section much anyway. What about the children's section? When are you going to complete that?"

"It is complete."

"Aren't there any plans to add pre-literacy learning games, puzzles, and a comfortable place to sit and read with the children?"

"No."

"Well, if I started a petition to have that added, to demonstrate that that is what the community wants, how many signatures would I have to aim for and who would I address it to?"

"It is not about what the community wants."

"Well, if it is about money I am sure I can organize that the space be filled with the necessary items on a donation basis. We can absolutely come together as a community and make this work."

"It isn't about the money."

"Well, then what is it about?"

"This is a library. If we encourage children to stay and play here, it will become too noisy for the adult learners. Libraries are supposed to be quiet, and we cannot manage to maintain that in a space this large if we encourage the presence of children. This is not a play space, if you want that, go to McDonald's."

"Maybe you don't understand. Libraries are like a central community tool for mothers, particularly stay-at-home mothers and homeschooling families. They are the place where children are supposed to be excited to visit- Libraries are supposed to inspire wonder, creativity, imagination, and a desire to read and learn. For the older children, that means reading books. For the younger children, that means engaging in pre-literacy learning games, such as puzzles, sorting, etc. The more rich an environement this is, the more developed the children of the community will become!"

"That would be too noisy. You can do those things at home. It is not our responsibility to do anything but stock the books."

"But you don't stock the books. Your shelves are empty."

"Is there anything else I can help you with? If not, I am busy."

I left, angry and disappointed. As a child, I remember being so excited to spend time in the library. It was a place where dreams were inspired. I could delve into book after book, following adventures without leaving the children's section. My heart broke to know that an entire community of children are going to be denied that because it is, gasp, too noisy.

The idea of a library as quiet is archaic. What a waste of taxpayers dollars! :( The previous library was in a tiny mobile home. Maybe it should have stayed there.

***
The Darien Statements on the Library and Librarians
Written and endorsed by John Blyberg, Kathryn Greenhill, and Cindi Trainor

The Purpose of the LibraryThe purpose of the Library is to preserve the integrity of civilization.

The Library has a moral obligation to adhere to its purpose despite social, economic, environmental, or political influences.

The purpose of the Library will never change.

The Library is infinite in its capacity to contain, connect and disseminate knowledge; librarians are human and ephemeral, therefore we must work together to ensure the Library’s permanence.

Individual libraries serve the mission of their parent institution or governing body, but the purpose of the Library overrides that mission when the two come into conflict.

Why we do things will not change, but how we do them will.

A clear understanding of the Library’s purpose, its role, and the role of librarians is essential to the preservation of the Library.

The Role of the Library

The Library:
* Provides the opportunity for personal enlightenment.
* Encourages the love of learning.
* Empowers people to fulfill their civic duty.
* Facilitates human connections.
* Preserves and provides materials.
* Expands capacity for creative expression.
* Inspires and perpetuates hope.

The Role of LibrariansLibrarians:
* Are stewards of the Library.
* Connect people with accurate information.
* Assist people in the creation of their human and information networks.
* Select, organize and facilitate creation of content.
* Protect access to content and preserve freedom of information and expression.
* Anticipate, identify and meet the needs of the Library’s community.

The Preservation of the Library

Our methods need to rapidly change to address the profound impact of information technology on the nature of human connection and the transmission and consumption of knowledge.

If the Library is to fulfill its purpose in the future, librarians must commit to a culture of continuous operational change, accept risk and uncertainty as key properties of the profession, and uphold service to the user as our most valuable directive.

As librarians, we must:
* Promote openness, kindness, and transparency among libraries and users.
* Eliminate barriers to cooperation between the Library and any person, institution, or entity within or outside the Library.
* Choose wisely what to stop doing.
* Preserve and foster the connections between users and the Library.
* Harness distributed expertise to serve the needs of the local and global community.
* Help individuals to learn and to use new tools to create a more robust path to knowledge.
* Engage in activism on behalf of the Library if its integrity is externally threatened.
* Endorse procedures only if they guide librarians or users to excellence.
* Identify and implement the most humane and efficient methods, tools, standards and practices.
* Adopt technology that keeps data open and free, abandon technology that does not.
* Be willing and have the expertise to make frequent radical changes.
* Hire the best people and let them do their job; remove staff who cannot or will not.
* Trust each other and trust the users.We have faith that the citizens of our communities will continue to fulfill their civic responsibility by preserving the Library.

Baking: Carrot & Zucchini Bread

Carrots, zucchini, honey, raisins, walnuts, brown sugar, veggie oil and flour. Pretty basic.

Daegan helped pour the honey, and just happened to get it all over his hands. And tongue.

Seriously, he loved this recipe. I don't even think he noticed it was, ahem, healthy.


Oh, honey.

What happens when you eat a ton of honey, play like a psycho-cave-child and then refuse a nap? This.