Needle and ThREAD

2011 Bookmark Challenge

Stitching for Literacy: Monkey Read, Monkey Do cross stitch bookmark pattern from Funk & Weber DesignsFor collections being presented for Children’s Book Week, the 2011 Bookmark Challenge ends this week, April 28. The good news is, we’re stitching year round now for all sorts of programs.

So here’s my new goal for the Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy program: have someone—or some group—somewhere Stitching for Literacy every month of the year.

I suspect we’re pretty close to that now; I just need to do a better job of finding out what’s going on. The new Stitching for Literacy website (which you all doubt is ever coming—I know) will have an event calendar so we can post all our doings, month by month.

Here are some ideas for the summer months:

  • Teach kids to stitch at a summer camp (vacation Bible school, Girl Scouts, Campfire Boys and Girls, YWCA, etc.).
  • Contact your library to see what summer events they have scheduled where you might be able to demonstrate or teach embroidery.
  • Assemble some extra supplies and go stitch at a playground. Make a sign that says “Stitch with me!”

There is a summer camp facility very close to where I live, here in the middle of nowhere. I’ve been meaning to make contact and see what I might offer.

There. I’ve said it publicly. Now see that I do it, okay?

What can you do to encourage reading and stitching this summer? Who will you contact?

And don’t forget to let me know so I can put it on the calendar! Send your info to mail AT funkandweber DOT com. Our email address is in the sidebar, you know.

Categories: Needle and ThREAD

3 replies »

  1. Yeah 🙂 I have 2 bookmarks completely finished but I might not get by my LNS to send them off right away.

    I think I may talk to my library about doing a program 😉 They do a summer reading program and I wonder if I could do a stitching afternoon so people could donate bookmarks to some of the kids who participate in the program.

  2. Woot, Ziggy!

    First, if you can take pics of your bookmarks, we’d love to see them. Send them to mail AT funkandweber DOT com if you’re able and willing to share.

    Second, yes-yes-yes, go talk to your local library about offering something for their summer reading program! If you set up an outreach program, I can help you get materials for it. The Gentle Art (love them!) is always willing to donate fiber to Stitching for Literacy outreach programs held at libraries.

    Go, Ziggy!

  3. I meet with my local librarian and did a bookmark demo for her summer teen reading program. I just happen to bring some of the 100+ bookmarks I did this year with me. The kids went nuts over them. They texted her and each other about them. I had her stitching one as we discussed it. So I am teaching 25 kids at the end of July.