Spring Break Cruise and Africa

Lauren and Teri and I had a wonderful cruise for Spring Break this year. On the boat Teri and I had lots of time to croquet, which was very relaxing. We used up every bit of yarn that we brought with us. I started by making pot holders - and then was inspired by Teri who was making bags and stuffed characters.  Here are some of the things we made.

Some of the characters were shared with a couple of children we met on the ship and I took the rest to Africa where everyone loved them.

My friend Germaine’s daugther, Ramatou (age 7), was immediately attached to both the bag and the small doll. She took the bag to school and her friends were all envious of it. When Germaine and I asked her to show us what she put in the bag she pulled out her pencils. She has been sleeping with the doll. You can see in the picture that she took one of her hair elastics and used it on the doll. 

Margo is one of the women who has tirelessly done interviews with the women street food vendors (in very hot and dusty conditions) for our research over the years. She also is an entrepreneur herself, making and selling food and juice items. Germaine thought that it would be good for her to have the bag as she could use it when she is selling (for her cell phone and money). She was thrilled with both the bag and the pot holders.

Haoua is another one of the women who has worked tirelessly interviewing the women street food vendors. She has always been very careful with the data collection and then entering the data into the computer. You can see how pleased she is with the pot holder.

Germaine Ibro, who I have worked with for many years is on the left. The woman on the right is a scientist working with vegetables (you can see the onions on the floor in her office). They are both very pleased with the pot holders.