Day 17

Today has been absolutely crazy! Today, I met with Anne Swayze to work out a method for boarding students to sign out of their dorms and come to my overnight event. Turns out, Swayze needs a list of those who are definitely and possibly coming. So of course, I made a Facebook event and sent out a mass email. As of right now, I have 30 people who are definitely coming (including myself, but not faculty) and 14 people who are still on the fence. I couldn't be happier with this! But, I want more! I want people to learn a new skill, be around people they aren't usually around, have a good time, and help a great cause! Tomorrow is major crunch time. I need to pull everything together. I need to make an announcement and get everyone interested in coming on my final list to Swayze. I need to gather up all of my supplies and get volunteers to help set up. I need to make TONS of food and knit. I'm going to need some caffeine tomorrow!

13 WOOOOO!

10 PEOPLE COMING!

Facebook Group

Just created one for my Knit-A-Thon event! So far 4 people are coming! YAY!

Day 16

Today was full of running around! I started off my day by going into Proctor and setting up a display case with all of the hats I have so far. I think it came out really great and if you are around Proctor head into Maxwell Savage and head up to the rotunda and you will see my lovely display case to your right! From there I headed over to AEMS to sell some more t-shirts. As of right now, I only have a medium and an extra large left. If you want one let me know! I might be ordering more! From there I headed to Goldencrest for my second visit with the older ladies and I had an awesome time! I picked up a few more hats and talked with some very nice ladies for about 2 hours! I love the ladies over there and I hope that I can visit with them beyond senior project and into the summer!

Upon my return home, my mom and I spent about an hour designing tags to attach to all the hats so that the people receiving them know where they came from and the story behind them. They came out great! Plus, it's great for people who just can't get the hang out knitting. They can help by pinning the tags on the hats.

I also did a lot of planning today. I nailed down a chaperone for the entire night which is a huge weight off my shoulders. My WONDERFUL advisory, Jen Fleming, will be staying with us all night! I can't wait! I already have so much interest in the Knit-A-Thon, I just need to get everything under control and announce it in assembly. I can't wait!

Day 15

Today was a great day for knitting. People are starting to get upset that it just keeps raining, but I must say, it is great knitting weather. I almost completed another hat today and FINALLY found hats I had made months ago for my "Knit-A-Thon," so I added those to my "Box-O-Hats." There was a bit of a communication issue with Patrice, the woman with the key for the display case I will be displaying my hats in, so I couldn't set up the exhibit on Saturday like I had wanted. My plan is to set it up tomorrow and hopefully that will happen. Also, I found out that Edna will be able to come to the morning after the "Knit-A-Thon" to make waffles for all of the hungry knitters! I cannot wait! Everyone loves Edna so she is actually really helping my cause. Now I can say, "Who wants Edna waffles?" and follow it up with, "Then come to my 'Knit-A-Thon' on Friday!"

I also reached out to the Andover community today by making a connection to members of the Andover Service Club. Many of them are knitters so hopefully I can get a few hats or some supplies from them. I am still so surprised by how willing people are to help me. I'm obviously grateful that they are helping me, but it is still surprising just the same.

Week 2

As the second week comes to an end, I am a mix of emotions. I am proud of the work I have done, but I am also very nervous about the work I still have to do. I’ve started to make the connections I need with the companies and people to make the “Knit-A-Thon” go smoothly. I am also proud of the work I have done making the hats and engaging others in the whole knitting process. Though I am proud of the work I’ve done, I am starting to get a little anxious.

Yes, I have over 30 beautiful and finely made hats,  but that number is far from 100. And though I am starting to make the right connections to the right people, I am still worried about everything that still needs to be planned, coordinated, and executed. The best thing I can do now is take everything one step at a time and stay VERY organized. I’ve been to plenty of “organized” events, and nothing is worse than a lack of organization. If I’m not careful, simple details can slip through the cracks and that is not okay. I need to make sure that the food, entertainment, timing, venue, chaperones, decorations, supplies, and the participants are all accounted for; and that is a lot to juggle. I need more sponsors for food, more sponsors for knitting supplies, more knitters willing to knit before the event, I need more interest in the event itself, I need chaperones, and not to mention, I NEED HATS! 

I am still totally confident in my abilities and I am very excited about my cause, I guess I’m just a little stressed. I know that everything will be okay, I just need to reach out to the right people if I need help. I should be hearing back from Hannaford’s soon about a possible donation, and if I just keep chipping away at my “To Do” list then hopefully I can get a little peace of mind and get everything completed in time. I’m really excited about my project so I want everything to be perfect! (Or as close to perfect as I can get!)