Pages

Beholden To None

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

ProjectLife365: PL365 Week 8

Happy Sunday! =)

[Ooops, this is a catch-up post that never got published. =]... Be a Doll, and pretend it's Sunday while you read it, would you?! ;oP]

It's Sunday again, and that means a Project Life 365 update.  =)

 Week 8 was spent primarily in New York City, exploring the City and scouting it out for my upcoming move! (Yay!! =) ) ...I got some neat shots...









What a great week it has been!!  =)
Until next time...
May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tithing Tuesday, 022613: Kiva

Happy Tuesday! =)

Welcome back to Tithing Tuesday... Today's post spotlight's a wonderful organization that helps people all over the globe to help themselves in making their entrepreneurial dreams come true: Kiva.org.
The principle mission of Kiva is to provide loans- through local microloan institutions- to people in parts of the world that have the aspirations to build a business and contribute to their local economy, but would otherwise never have the resources to do so.  As their organization motto says: "Loans that change lives."  It is the mission of the Kiva organization to connect people who can lend monies with help people of impoverished nations in need of loans, to build businesses and improve their local economies. 

In essence, someone with the means to be a lender (often in fairly small amounts, even as low as $25.00 to start out)- or many 'someones'- offer their loan contribution on the website, and the money goes to microfinance institutions in the areas where loans have been sought after.  Once a requested loan has been fully financed by contributors to the Kiva organization through their website, it is made to the borrower.  Once the borrower has accomplished what the loan was intended for, and is able to pay the loan back, the lenders are returned their original funds, and the borrower is better for it.  A good deed is done, and a day well lived is on the books, so to speak. =)

You can watch the quick little video below for a better explanation of the process:


The loans provided through the Kiva organization help people in areas where big banking institutions just don't exist, and provide resources that aid those people that might otherwise be destined to remain in poverty without them.  The loans provided, even in the smallest of amounts, are often just the right amount of help people need to become profitably self-employed and able to, in turn, furnish valuable goods and services to their local communities, as well as to provide for and take care of their family.

Providing loans for business is just one of the many ways that Kiva loans help people help themselves.  Learn more about the ways people are empowered through connection at their main website: http://www.kiva.org

OKay~ Think about this... You probably spend $25.00 a week, or a month, on coffee or soda while you are out and about.  What if that $25.00 could help a farmer in Uganda upgrade her piggery and help her maintain her ability to care for her two children while earning her living through the pigs and chickens she raises.  Good karma, right?! =)  ...And what if, after that loans is paid back (Kiva boasts a repayment rate of nearly 99%), since that money is "already spent" in your mind, you simply turn around and put it back into the system, and put it to good use again, helping someone else change their life for the eternal better! =oD ...Talk about GOOD KARMA!! ;)

I believe that small actions can make a BIG impact... and many people all taking small actions together can CHANGE THE WORLD! =)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”   ~Margaret Mead  
 Just something to think think about. =)

May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

Sunday, February 17, 2013

ProjectLife365: PL365 - Week 7

Happy Sunday!! =)

Another week into the year - wOw! 

Here's Week 7 of the ProjectLife365_2013:





Aaaaaaaaaand, that's a wrap!! ;)

More next week...
May your imagination light your way,
~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]



Monday, February 11, 2013

Make Something Monday, 021113: Chinese New Year Edition

Welcome back to Make Something Monday! =)

In honor of Chinese New Year [the year of the Snake begins today], 

today's project is Paper Lanterns! =oD


What you will need for supplies:
  • 2 pieces of contrasting scrapbook paper (I used 8x8) for each lantern
  • Scissors
  • A ruler (and a pencil to mark your measurements)
  • glue or tape
  • ribbon

First step, we'll work on the outside... Take the paper with the pattern you would like to see on the outside of the lantern.  Fold it in half, like so:

Then, cut along the folded side, evenly across the length, to about a 1/2" from the end.

I personally am a visual person, and needed to measure it out, and make light pencil marks at the right intervals. ;)  But if you can eyeball it, go for it! =)

Next unfold the paper, and wrap it into the shape of the lantern, meeting the edges, with the cuts you made showing lengthwise: 

 







 

Now tape or glue the ends together:
Great! =)  We have half our lantern!
YAY! =) ...Oh, before we move on, Miss Sassy has something to contribute... ;)
I think it's beautiful Mumma! Carry on... ;)
Te-hee..OKay...
Next, do the same with the inside sheet, as you did with the outside.


 The one difference here will be the size of your cuts.  You'll want to vary them from the size you did on the outer sheet, so that you get to peek-a-boo at both patterns. =)
 







 









Then when it is ready, slide the inner lantern, into the outer lantern:




 ...Tape them together... 








 Add your ribbon...
And Voila'! =)  Now you have a pretty paper lantern to help you celebrate the Chinese New Year celebration! =)

Was that fun? ..And really easy, right??  Even the kids can get in on this one! =)

Enjoy the week!  Until next time...
May your imagination light your way,
~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower] 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

ProjectLife365: PL365 - Week 6

Happy Sunday! =)

You know what that means... #ProjectLife365 weekly update! =)

So here's what inspiration brought me this week...








I am having SOOO much fun with this project!! =)  

Until next time,
May your imagination light your way,
~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]