Wool and new rugs

We have exciting news about transporting wool to San Miguel. There is going to be a race in central Mexico and many people will be bringing their race cars to San Miguel. We have a connection through Mujeres en Cambio to one of the organizers. They have agreed to bring wool down in the cars. Race cars and wool, what a concept!! They will be coming through Austin, where I am, around Oct 11. If any of you would like to donate this would be an excellent time. Please only wool and if clothing it must be deconstructed with linings out. Pack the wool in strong plastic garbage bags and send to:
Charlotte Bell
1403 Kenwood Ave
Austin, TX 78704

New website:

I have created a new site which is easier for me to edit. The other site will still work but this will have the most updated information. It now has all the new rugs that are in the USA.

http://rughookproject.zenfolio.com/

Check it out and do some Christmas shopping.

Also we are still $300 short for the raffle. Perhaps this could also be something you could consider for gifts. We will have the drawing Jan 24th at the grand opening of the store. 

 

Painting the Store

It has been a very busy and productive summer. Las Rancheritas have meet two times for paint parties. The first time they arrived with all their kids from 3 to 16. It was wild. Everyone wanted to paint. My husband brought 30 tennis balls donated by a friend in Austin. He passed out all the balls and while some painted other kids played ball.

More progress on store

I wish you all could have been with me yesterday at the village. We had a meeting of everyone to distribute money from rugs sales in the US. They were so happy to have this cash. There was around $1000 divided up between 16 people. I want to put this into perspective. When they make a large amount at a sale it has varied impact. Some women only make 25 to 50 dollars others may make as much as $500. So the impact on each family varies. However they are grateful for every dollar and their optimism is refreshing. 
After the distribution we all walked from Boni's house to the store. They are all so excited about the progress and the possibility it symbolizes. It was 6:00 PM and the light was magic. As we approached we could see the lovely new color on the outside. They choose a shade of melon.

Mujeres en Cambio visit the store.

Last week our parent organization, Mujeres en Cambio, traveled to the store to check on the progress. Mujeres gave us the seed money in Jan. to start the process of remodeling. They saw all the improvements and were delighted by the location. They gave us some new ideas on details that will improve the area and provide access to the public. We also discussed the grand opening party on Jan. 17th. One of the ways mujeres does fundraising is through luncheons. Tickets are sold to the public and the proceeds go towards providing scholarships for girls living in rural villages. Many of Las Rancheritas daughters have received these scholarships. They support around 150 girls each year in junior high, high school and university. Please check out their website for details on this well run and important organization. the luncheon will be at the store and the women of Las Rancheritas will be the guest chef's. This will also be the date when we will hold the raffle. So you still have time to purchase tickets and win a silver heart or a rug of your choice.
In addition to this event the promotional committee met and planned a second event. We need to get the word out so we have visitors. San Miguel has 15 tour guides and they are looking for new and interesting places to bring their tour groups. The village is on the road to the local Otomi pyramid so this can be an addition to groups visiting this site. It also provides a great place to stop for horse riding or hiking tours. So we are excited and hopeful about the future. "Build it and they will come". However advertising is essential. 
I stopped off at Boni's house after the visit and got treated to a snack,  fresh tortillas filled with tomatoes and chilies. There is nothing like a tortilla fresh off the fire.

email change

Progress on the store is moving along and I will be sending an update soon. However I need to communicate with everyone that my email was hacked. I will change the contact here but if any of you have me in their address book please change the email to:

char@charlottebell.com

My yahoo address is completely none functional. Note: frequently your address box will automatically fill in an old address so please check to make sure emails are not going to yahoo. 

Sorry about the mess.

Fun scenes from San Miguel (near Las Rancheritas)

This is the main plaza in San Miguel. Watch til the end to see the mojigangas.

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Here is a 4th of July celebration in a village. This village is near Agustin Gonzales

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And some dancers young and younger

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They know how to have a good time.

Remember if you want to purchase a raffle ticket using paypal go to:

charwolf100@yahoo.com

Good luck.

Amazing progress on the store

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I just returned from a visit to Agustin Gonzales and Las Rancheritas. I am blown away. Here is the list of what has been done since April with about $1000 US dollars. 

1. A functioning water line has been run to the site. Distence about 4 blocks.

2, A water storage tank has been installed with interior pipes.

3. A septic tank has been dug and bricks are being layed.

4. Two toilets and a sink are installed.

5. The main interior is competely finished including smooth concrete walls and a beautiful smooth floor.

6. A window has been installed with the fabulous view of the valley and San Miguel.

7. The road has been repaired so the entire distence from the asphalt highway to the building is a smooth gravel drive about 1/2 mile. 

Please check the amount that has been spent. $1000 US dollars. 
When you look at the photos parts may look crude. Remember everything is made from cement in Mexico so finish walls will be smooth and lovely and forever when they are complete.
You will also see the notebook where Isabel Cazares has keep every receipt and notated all costs. We are going to work on a little bookeeping system. Since this is an entirely new idea to them.  

Photos on a blog link

Rebecca Brooks is working hard to help us raise money to finish the store.

http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/2012/06/las-rancheritas-dreams-big-in-the-shadow-of-a-pyramid.html

 I know many of you have already given us generous donations. Thank you.
If you have not helped yet you many want to consider a ticket or two in the raffle. There are not that many people yet so your chances of getting the silver heart or a rug are pretty good.

Using paypal for raffle

If you would like to use paypal for your raffle ticket. Use the following address:

charwolf100@yahoo.com

Once I receive the notice of your payment I will email you the number.
We will make a video of the drawing in front of the building. One of the women will do the honors. Stay tuned for update on the building. I head to MX June 28th.

Thanks to all of you that are participating.

Be a part of a dream: a store, a restaurant, a viable future

rebecca brooks of "recuerda mo corazon" has created this method for raising funds for our store/restaurant. She has created a raffle using this beautiful silver piece as a fund raiser for Las Rancheritas. Please visit her blog for details. What a win win. This is a chance for you to receive a wonderful piece and everyone gets to help raise funds for the group. Tickets are only $10.00!!

http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/2012/06/for-the-women-of-las-rancheritas.html 

As a plus we are also encluding 2 rugs from Las Rancheritas so you have more chances to win!!

 

 

Working Hands

Rebecca Brooks, artist and creator of amazing cultural trips is helping us fund raise for the store. Please check our her blog for the beginning of details. More will be coming 

http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/2012/06/postcards-from-paradise-hands-and-hearts.html

A Birthday Party for the person who has everything

Little by little we are receiving donations for the new store/restaurant. If you would like to help here is a fun way to raise money. Have a party!!  This suggestion is from Judy Christoffersen.

A Birthday Party for the person who has everything

Need to plan a party?  Last summer was my brother's 50 th and we knew a big party was called for.  But like so many of us, he needs nothing.  So in the birthday invitations we asked the guests to NOT buy a gag gift, or even a four dollar birthday card.  Instead, we told them we would like to make a donation in my brother's name; to the store the women of the Rug Hook Project are working on.  After the group gathered to sing happy birthday, I talked a little about the women's group and explained the store project.  Friends and family came through like troopers and we were able to raise $500 for the project.  I am telling this story to encourage others to do the same.  
It made all the people at the party feel good about giving, and my brother was especially pleased!

The picture is of the display we set up with information, pictures and postcards about the Rug Hook Project.  The basket was for contributions.

We had a Mexican theme and this is my brother Scott in the sombrero.

I'm turning 65 this year and thinking what a great way to celebrate. 

PS. Work is continuing on the building. I'll be headed to MX at the end of June and give you the updates.[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

The origin of Mothers Day

Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation - 1870

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Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

 

Letters from Children to Rancheritas

In 2011 I sent the rugs to Ginny Hamilton in Boston Mass. She sold a bunch of rugs which was great. And her sister, an elementary school teacher, brought the rug she purchased to her class. These letters are their responses. Enjoy their sweet responses.

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