Ellie Inspired

I am pretty disconnected most of the time about current events and the news.  I hardly ever watch the news because it is so depressing most of the time and because I really don't watch much tv at all.  I usually depend on my husband to tell me what I need to know and then I can filter out all the really depressing stuff.

But, when I checked in on facebook this morning, my stomach just dropped as I read post after post by my friends in the South, Samantha Caffee and Cindy Johnson.  I immediately called both of them and were relieved to hear that they were all right but the devastation is huge. 

I know most of you probably know Cindy and Sam but in case you don't...Cindy is first my friend and fellow designer, but also my editor.  She is amazing and I told her that I already put in my request to God that if we never meet on this earth, that I want my mansion very close to hers so we can visit with each other for eternity!  (She may put in her own request for a new neighborhood when she finds out how much I can talk!)  We've spent hours on the phone with each other and she is truly the sweetest person you would ever meet.  She spent the storm, huddled with her four children in their bathtub while they watched the terrifying storm pass by outside the window.   I can not even imagine...She said that they were spared from too much damage but the streets on either side of her did not fare as well.

Samantha was the very first designer I ever met.  She was the one who got me started creating patterns and she has been so helpful and kind to me ever since.  Sam makes everyone feel like they are her best friend.  She has a big heart and everyone loves her.  I was so looking forward to finally meeting her in person when I went to Creative Needlework Market in January but was not able to go.  She also was spared much damage but her husband who is an EMT has been working round the clock to save others.  Their communtiy was the hardest hit.  Some immediate members of their family lost everything...house, cars, etc and in the midst of all that, her sister-in-law went into labor and delivered their baby girl.  But, they have no home to bring her home to.

The pictures from the area are heartbreaking, aren't they?  So, how can we help??  I offered to overnight food to Cindy but there's no way to get it to her.  No post office is open and roads are closed.  Stores are closed and power is out.  Samantha has been communicating via facebook but all landlines and cellphones are out now.  Some who are close to the area offered to drive in supplies but that also is impossible.  Really the only way we can help besides praying for those affected, is to send money to help where it is needed most.

Terri, at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops, as well as all of the designers who have e-patterns through her are donating 100% of e-pattern sales this weekend to help wherever needed.  We are going to send it to Samantha so that she can help her community as best as she can.  I suspect most of you who are reading have known Samantha and been a fan of hers for a long time...so if you can help, you can purchase my patterns at Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops, or any other designer's pattens like my friends: Sivje, Sara, Dawn, and Laurie  or many others and the money will be sent immediately to help wherever needed.  The sewing community is close-knit family and we long to help in any way that we can.

If you purchase any e-patterns on my site this weekend, I also will donate those sales and combine them with Terri's to send to Samantha.  Thanks so much for your generosity.

 "Praise be to the LORD,  for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.  In my alarm I said,   “I am cut off from your sight!”  Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.  Love the LORD, all his faithful people!  The LORD preserves those who are true to him...be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."

Psalm 31:21-24