You know how sometimes we turn the internet into a yardstick by which we measure our worth?  This wonderful sewing community that gives and teaches and encourages so freely, if poorly digested, can become a burden instead of a delight.  And this is entirely within our control.  We get to decide not only what we consume, but also what we do with that information.



A poem I read yesterday began "Dare to be Different."  And it brought to mind some things that I hope you always know...

* you don't have to keep a fabric stash

* you don't have to buy designer fabrics

* you don't have to hand sew bindings

* you don't have to press seams open or even to the side

* you don't have to care when your points don't match

* you don't have to have a tidy or pretty sewing space

* you don't have to make anything " original"

* you don't have to blog, Tweet or Instagram

* you don't have to sew clothes or bags or quilt your own quilts

*and you definitely don't have to have a fancy sewing machine to turn out really great quilts




Instead, when it comes to this hobby that's meant to be FUN, dare to be different whenever different suits you.  The poem continued, " Dare to live by your own convictions, not somebody else's." To which I will add:  Dare to sew your own path to joy. 

Dare to be different.
Dare to live by your own convictions, not somebody else's.
Dare to believe that you can and should make a difference in the world, that you have a precious contribution to make which on one else can offer.
Dare to face your fears and live in the strength of the spirit, unfettered by human respect, a free spirit before the face of your God.
Dare to believe that you may really be right, and that even if you're not it is better to have erred in sincerity than never to have dared to live.     - Mary Johnson, An Unquenchable Thirst

At Stitched in Color I don't share much of my faith, in the interests of keeping this space as inclusive and welcoming as possible.  B ut there's something else I ought to dare.  I ought to dare to invite you more often to get involved in helping others, in making a difference in the world.  If I have a platform I want to use it to do some good.  And, I want to be able to share the part of myself that is passionate about it.  Because helping the hurting, the poor, the disadvantaged is something written on my soul.   And I don't doubt it is written on yours as well.



here's how you can {Help Today}

*Take part in the Action Kivu fundraiser to help women who are victims of the conflict in Eastern Congo.
*Fight sexual slavery by donating to Exodus Road (to crackdown on brothels), Somaly.org (to offer shelter, escape and education to prostitutes) or Love146 (to provide survivor-care and preventative education)
*Read Half the Sky or The Road of Lost Innocence to become aware of the problems facing the most vulnerable in our world
*Join do. Good Stitches to use your quilting hobby to love children
*Donate your own finished quilts to an organization like Wrap Them in Love, Threading Hope, Piecing Hope, or My Very Own Blanket. 

Wherever you are in your sewing journey, I'm glad that you're here and I welcome you!  Wherever you are in your life's journey, I invite you to do a little thing with great love.  Because little things do change the world.