Caps for Good

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Jenni Elyse

Life has a way of getting away from me sometimes. I meant to post something about this a lot sooner than today, but I’ve been so busy. I guess it’s just good that I got around to it.

Anyway, my cousin Ashley posted about the Newborn and Child Survival campaign hosted by the Save the Children foundation on her blog. This campaign focuses on teaching and providing simple child survival methods in third-world countries, such as vaccinations, antibiotics, and basic child care (breastfeeding help, keeping babies warm and clean, etc.). According to their flier, “Nearly 4 million babies die each year in their first month of life–half within their first 24 hours–mostly from preventable or treatable causes.”

The Caps for Good campaign is a way for people to help in keeping babies warm. Save the Children asked for those who crochet and/or knit to make a cap for at least one baby and then spread the word about it to increase awareness of this serious problem. These caps will be sent to mothers in need in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

As I read Ashley’s post, I thought about all the things I’ve crocheted. I know the people I’ve given my crocheted items to have really appreciated these hand-made gifts, and I thought this would be a good way to help someone in need, so I decided to contribute my talents to this worthy cause.

The foundation provided simple patterns for caps made for low-birthweight babies–one knitted and one crocheted. I decided to make two caps and I chose to follow the crocheted pattern they provided, with one small change–I made an eyelet row in round 9 to allow for a ribbon. (Obviously, tying bows isn’t one of my talents.)

This campaign ends on February 28, 2011. (I’m not sure if this means that they won’t take any more caps after February 28 or if the caps just have to be mailed by then.) I know this doesn’t give you much time to join this cause if you want to, but one of the things the foundation suggested is to do something similar to this and donate them to local charities or hospitals.

Festival of Trees

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Jenni Elyse

My friend Hannah and I went to the Festival of Trees on Saturday. We were going to go horseback riding, but we decided it would be too late and too cold when both of us could go, and Saturday was the last day the Festival of Trees was open.

For those of you who don’t know what the Festival of Trees is, it’s a fund-raising event that earns money for the Primary Children’s Hospital. It costs a small fee to enter the festival and the trees, gingerbread houses, and other items are auctioned off to local businesses and families. Every penny raised from the event is donated to the hospital.

This is the first year I’ve ever gone to the Festival of Trees. (My friends and I donated and decorated a tree a couple of years ago, but I didn’t get the chance to go check it out.) I had a lot of fun with Hannah. The trees and gingerbread houses were amazing. I’d love to participate in the event again some time. If I did, I think I’d make a The Nightmare Before Christmas tree. (I missed the one at the festival this year because we didn’t get a chance to see the smaller trees.)

Most of the gingerbread houses were fantastic. But, for me, a few outshined the others.

I took a few pictures of the trees themselves. But, I mostly took pictures of the ornaments or the items surrounding the tree. I guess when I go again, I’ll know not to just look for artistic shots.

Here are some of the ornaments and decorations I liked:

My friend Hannah kept asking me if I’d buy this tree or that. My most common response was, “For the kids.” Translation: “I don’t really like the style of this tree, but I’d buy it if I had the money because it goes to help the Primary Children’s Hospital.” I really liked a lot of the trees, but some of them were too over-the-top to be considered as a tree I’d put in my home. Or, they just weren’t my style, like the overly country-decorating-style type of trees and the Santa-themed trees. (I had enough Santa-themed decorations growing up–because my mother is obsessed with him–that I don’t think I’ll ever decorate with Santa. I’ll focus on snowmen or nativities or something else.) I really liked the tree on the left, though. I loved everything about it–the ornaments, the color, the style, etc. It was simple yet elegant. The only thing I’d possibly change is adding some purple bulbs because I really like purple, green, and blue together and I might also have varied the bulb sizes.

My favorite thing about the entire night was when the bagpipes were played. I love bagpipes. I love everything about them. I could hear them far off and I kept craning my head over the trees and people to find them. Then, I realized the group was doing a march through the expo center. I made my way to the front of the line so I could get a picture. It was so cool to be that close to the sound.

Book Charity Event

Posted on August 22, 2010 by Jenni Elyse

Yesterday, I had the chance to attend the evening portion of the A Book for Every Child charity event. Before the event, my friends, Debbie and Emily, and I went to dinner at the Olive Garden. It was so much fun to spend a little bit of time before hand with my friends. I have to say that I haven’t had a craving for sweets since I started boot camp. But, once those breadsticks came out, I really wanted one. I knew if I ate one, I’d start and not stop. I abstained and I’m very proud of myself for doing it. ;)

At the charity event, we got to mingle with authors and see some more of our friends from other events we’ve been to. I made a fool of myself in front of Brandon Mull and I even got to speak a little Spanish with Shannon Hale. (My friend Brodi will post about how I made a fool of myself because I’m sure she’ll tell it best. Look for it on her blog tomorrow or in the next week.) The evening was full of comedy both by the authors and Divine Comedy. There also was an author panel in which the audience got to ask the authors questions about their favorite books, authors, the writing and publishing process, etc.

The auction was a great success. There were so many things donated by the different authors and local businesses. Many of them went over their retailed value. Bree Despain donated her book The Dark Divine as well as an ARC of her new book The Lost Saint. It went for $101. Ally Condie donated an ARC of her new book Matched, and it went for $80. I wanted to bid for both of those, but they were already too rich for my blood. Someone even paid $500 to be killed fictionally. :D I think that’d be cool.

After the event, Debbie, Emily, and I went to Spoon Me to get some frozen yogurt. (I actually just ate my banana so I didn’t begin eating sugar again.) We were joined by Tess Hilmo, Bree Despain, and Valynne Maetani. We had a lot of fun making spooning jokes. (We were helped out by the different advertising methods in the store–napkins, cups, etc.)

A Book for Every Child

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Jenni Elyse

National selling children’s authors in Utah are putting this fabulous event together to help low-income children get books of their own! Read more about it on their website where you can also register and/or donate. (Show your support on Facebook .)

There will be a day event featuring authors teaching classes and an author panel, and an evening event with comedians, bands, and an auction. Some of my friends and I will be there helping with the auction so come say hi if you’re there. ;)

Workshop Authors: Anne Bowen, Laura Card (aka Dene Low), Kristen Chandler, Kristyn Crow, James Dashner, Bree Despain, Ann Dee Ellis, Jessica Day George, Sharlee Glenn, Christine Graham, Mette Ivie Harrison, Matthew J. Kirby, Mike Knudson, Kristen Landon, Sheila A. Nielson, Sydney Salter, J. Scott Savage, Emily Wing Smith, Wendy Toliver, Rick Walton, Dan Wells

Author Panel: Ally Condie, James Dashner, Bree Despain, Jessica Day George, Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, Brandon Sanderson, Sara Zarr

Date/Place: Saturday August 21, 2010 at Waterford School

Donating Blood

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Jenni Elyse

Blood drives are regular occurrences at my work. Normally, I’m fairly gung ho about participating in the events hosted at work, but I’ve always shied away from donating blood. I’ve always been afraid it would hurt and I was worried about passing out. I seemed to never feel well whenever the blood drives came around either, but I think that was psychological more than anything. Most importantly, I hate getting stuck by needles. Needles and I are definitely not on speaking terms. I get very lightheaded and nauseated if I watch the needle go in so I have to turn away when the actual poking occurs. (That didn’t bother me until I saw my older sister Caryn get an epidural. 8O )

On Friday, my work held another blood drive. For most of the day, I ignored it, didn’t give it a second thought. However, right after lunch, one of the executive secretaries started to encourage people to give blood because there was only one person in the chair at that moment. After a lot of internal debate and some external debate with some of my co-workers, I finally decided to donate blood.

Fortunately, my phlebotomist was very skilled. I didn’t feel the needle going in at all. I only felt a little bit of pressure, which I was extremely grateful for because I’ve had some pretty awful experiences when I’ve had to have my blood drawn.

Apparently, I’m a slow bleeder. Federal regulation stipulates that you can only have a needle in your arm, while donating blood, for 20 minutes. This helps prevent infection and irritation to your vein. Most people can donate an entire unit (one pint) of blood in no more than 10 minutes. It took me a little over 18 minutes to donate an entire unit. At one point, I had three phlebotomists working on me trying to get my blood to drain faster. I guess if I ever get in a bad car wreck, there’s a good chance I don’t have to worry about bleeding to death. ;)

I was very nervous at first, but donating blood wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I think it depends on the phlebotomist you get. I should’ve done it a long time ago. I’m fairly certain I’ll donate blood again, even though I have a bruise the size of a small kiwi on my arm. (I followed the directions precisely and didn’t take my bandage off until 4 hours later. Corey thinks it has to do with the phlebotomists moving the needle around trying to get me to bleed faster.)

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