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February 17, 2016 by: Janelle Jones

Friendship & Caring: Adorable Ape “Nico” Shares His Stash

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Hoarding and I go way back.

When I was a kid I recall hearing about the dangers of red food coloring and that soon red M&Ms would be discontinued.  I reasoned, “One day red M&Ms will be worth something.” So I accumulated a large zip-loc bag of 100% red M&Ms. I stowed it away on the top shelf of my bedroom cupboard.

My friends thought I was daft. Rightfully so.

My hoarding affliction may be genetic, or a simple case of nurture.

Nico Hoarding

My dad used to save things too, lots of things in outbuildings: used tires. old furniture. folding knives. matchbooks. He had an abundance of cowboy boots and hats. My mom saved things; styrofoam meat packaging trays from the grocery store, Nucoa margarine tubs (tupperware was a rarity in our home), condiment packages from KFC take-out.

Perhaps my most humorous hoarding adventure is hoarding copies of “NICO” …  a book about hoarding.

Hoarding Nico

It’s true. I have multiple copies of the classic children’s tale “Nico” by Paul Borovsky (1993).  It’s a book I enjoyed reading aloud with my kids, so when I began this blog it became a top contender as a give-away book.  I took to the internet to snap up affordable (read: used) copies for gifting (also, not gonna lie, I’m hoarding).

“Nico” is now out of print.

Though I doubt my red M&Ms truly appreciated over time, as of today new copies (mint condition) of “Nico” will set you back as much as $149.46.  

So what’s the appeal of “Nico”?

I love the illustrations; simplistic, humorous and for young attention spans, captivating. More so, the moral imperatives are cleverly and simplistically expressed. Kids and adults will find them applicable.  I’ve read a few relatively recent reviews of the book, which are, well … totally lame. One stated the book is a “Heavy-handed message about the importance of friendship and the dangers of selfishness.” Psychobabble.

Results of Hoarding

If teaching friendship and sharing is “heavy handed” … then I hope we’ll all raise our heavy hands and shout out  “Count me in!”

Nico & Friends: No longer Hoarding

Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly has to say about “Nico”

” … this alluring tale set in a tropical forest …  presents a timeless and worthy moral. Nico is an ape who scours the forest daily for nuts, berries and fruit, filling his basket with far more food than he can use. When storms destroy the dwellings of several animals, the others pitch in to help them rebuild. But not Nico: he’s too busy greedily gathering food. One day the selfish ape collects one mango too many, and his treehouse collapses under the weight of his hoard. When his neighbors offer assistance, a puzzled Nico replies, ‘I never helped any of you when you needed me. Why would you help me?’ The toucan’s simple response captures the essence of Borovsky’s message: ‘Because you need us now.'”

“Nico, of course, is never again too preoccupied to lend a hand–and from then on he shares his bounty. Featuring the variegated greens and browns of the rain forest, Borovsky’s finely rendered art stars animals whose personalities will grow on youngsters with repeated encounters. Among the many winning nuggets of humor are scenes of Nico fastidiously taking his daily food inventory, and toasting his friends at a feast celebrating his new home…”  

Nico BasketAs is becoming tradition, I’ll be giving away a copy of “Nico” to a Sew God community member or two.
Enter to win your copy to share with the young ones in your life by leaving a comment [below] about your own hoarding adventures (fabric? yarn? clothing? something else?). Or comment about how you’re sharing some of your things to benefit those near and far [i.e. LORNA: Sew Fresh Quilts].
Receive extra entries for SHARING our SEW GOD newsletter using the share buttons on your emailed newsletter. The more shares (email, Facebook, Pintrest), the more entries.  Winner (or may a few) selected 3/4/16.  Not yet a subscriber? Do so using the subscriber box located in the right column.
 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and appeal with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil: 4:6-7

 

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October 7, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

The Quiltmaker’s Gift: Just what is it?

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Maker’s Tale Encourages Creativity and Giving

Must Read: Must Hear. A Tale for all ages.

Must Read, Must Hear: Tale for all ages.

UPDATE 11.03.15: Subscriber awarded free copy of this title in First Ever Sew God Children’s Literature Drawing!

Congrats to Jerry Janet Cook of Hazelwood, MO! Enjoy!

The story. The illustration. STORY. ILLUSTRATION. Those who’ve read The Quiltmaker’s Gift (TQG) written by Jeff Brumbeau and illustrated by Gail de Marken understand this pondering:

“Is it the story or the illustration that creates such a beautiful, insightful experience?”

In real life, imagery and creativity is supposed to come wrapped around our stories. And, without our words, pictures and illustrations don’t always tell our tale. No matter what we attempt to convey on our personal social media.

In the midst of our to-dos, events, obligations, deadlines, schedules, bills, laundry, sad times and joy-filled times our creativity with it’s lovely rippling effects gets lost. IMG_1239Without our nurturing our creative souls with its precious byproducts mingled in, we miss life as intended.

[Read more…]
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About Sew God and Me

Welcome! I’m Janelle. Sew God is a faith-filled place dedicated to encouraging people to live creative lives in relationship with one another and our Maker. We share how-to’s and nurture creative hearts with stories of inspirational people, quilting and needle arts, craft projects, recipes, book reviews and products. A recovering hoarder, I’m obsessed with fabric and piecing. I love vintage and modern, sock monkeys, high school musicals, morning work-outs, kitchen table conversations, sewing, gluten-free [Read More...]

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Recipe Share: Make. Eat. Enjoy.

Shari Kimmey’s Heartwarming Minestrone

Shari Kimmey’s Heartwarming Minestrone

October 27, 2015 By Janelle Jones Leave a Comment

“This minestrone recipe can be loosely interpreted. The beauty is you can use what you have in the fridge and pantry! It’s a great, hearty soup for this time of year, especially,” Shari Kimmey.

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Giving thanks for family ... and Onesies. Last weekend we had a good time hosting a Baby Shower Tailgater Potluck on behalf of my Denver Bronco Fan-ATIC niece MacKenzie. Her new little fan is due in January and we wanted to create something special to commemorate the celebration. Years ago my dear friend, Laura Fielding Aspegren, fashioned the most adorable children’s “line” to sell at our … [Read More...]

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