JoAnn contest again

I went back to look again at the rules for the contest and the submission portion of the actual rules is different from what they have abbreviated on the blog - which is fine as the essentials are the same. The rules give more information.

All entries MUST include all of the following to be eligible:
1. Completed official entry form, available online at www.joann.com/craftforacause, including entrantʼs contact information and
a short description of how the hand-made item meets a specific need of the selected charitable organization or otherwise assists that organization.

2. Scanned image of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store or Joann.com receipt(s) showing proof of purchase of materials used to make the item.

3. Three color photographs (one of entire item and one each of the front and back showing detail) of the item. Digital photographs should be in .jpg format; however, .tif, .gif and .png formats are also acceptable. Files should be no larger than 2MB. No professional photography allowed.

4. Each entrant must sign the Liability and Publicity Release and Consent (“Release”) at the bottom of the entry form and, if the entrant is a minor, the entrantʼs parent or guardian must also sign. Online signatures must be typed between / marks (example: /Jane Smith/) and have the same binding effect as handwritten signatures.

5. After completing all required portions of the entry form and properly uploading the images of the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store or Joann.com receipt(s) and photographs, click the “Submit” button to enter. Any other method of entry is void. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or garbled
electronic transmissions.

Also, the entrant form says it must be a "nonprofit organization" which I assume means it must be a 501(c)(3) organization.  IOW the Bridge and Beyond would not qualify but Crafting for a Cause would because it is legally a nonprofit.
http://craftforacause2010.joann-mail.com/EntrantInformation.aspx

There is a list of charities from which you can choose, but you can also write in a different one. I have a few tax exempt organizations in my Charity section, but that is but a very small sampling.

I will keep you posted as I learn more about this.

Happy crocheting!

Craft for a Cause

Jo-Ann Fabric store is having a contest. If you have a physical store near you, you're ahead. If not, you'll have to order your materials as you have to have a receipt from the store.

You can read about it at the blog and also at the web site. Note that this Craft for a Cause if NOT the same as Crafting for a Cause, the organization I belong to and for which I have been making the double yo-yos. This is a separate, limited effort.

The basics - make an item using the majority of your materials from JoAnn's (for example, use purchased yarn, but your own hook) and send it to your favorite charity before October 30.

Complete the entry form and send 3 photos of the item and a scanned copy of the receipt. This is all done online.

The top 5 contestants will win $1500. You will be "judged on creativity, quality & functionality for the charitable organization receiving item."

DO NOT send donations to Jo-Ann's. You send them to your favorite charity. They will judge your work based on the photos.

Three charities will be chosen as finalists and the public will then vote. The three charities will all receive substantial donations - $50,000, $25,000 and $15,000 so make sure your charity accepts monetary donations.

If you're under 14, from Maryland or Vermont, or you or a relative works for JoAnn or its affiliates, you are ineligible to participate. Only one entry per person.

 Don't forget to take three photos of the project per the rules:

   1. Complete Official Entry Form including signed Liability and Publicity Release and Consent portion at bottom of entry form.
   2. Three (3) color photographs with one photograph showing a full view of the entire item and two showing details such as a close-up view and the back or inside of the item, as appropriate. No professional photography permitted.
   3. A scanned image of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store or Joann.com receipt(s) showing the purchase of the materials used to make the project.

The entry form is here http://craftforacause2010.joann-mail.com/ . Your photos will be attached. There is no physical entry. It is all done online.

I did not see anywhere that gave the definition of a charity but I have written to ask. [Edit: It says nonprofit on the entry form.]

Here is the kicker:

All entries [Sandie: that means your photos] become the property of Sponsor . By submitting an entry with photographs of your hand-made item, you hereby grant to Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. irrevocable rights to use, edit, post, publish, reproduce, display and create derivative works from your submission, or to choose not to use, edit, post, publish or create derivative works from your submission, in any media and for any purpose, including but not limited to project ideas, how-to sheets, magazines, patterns, internet website use,
social media, and more, without limitation and without further obligation to you, in its sole discretion.

Since there is no requirement that your project must be your own design, how can they make derivative works or patterns from your submission? I could not see the entrance form itself so maybe they ask this question there. I am always a little cautious about entering things where you lose control of your entry. This might just be legalese to protect themselves. [edit: Your PHOTO is your own creation. So they may mean photo?]

If the winner is notified and does not accept, that prize may not be awarded.

Moving on ...

I don't think I mentioned the filet tutorial at Crochet Cabana in the post about the Saggy Baggy elephant. So here it is. http://www.crochetcabana.com/specialty/filet_crochet.htm  . I found a couple of errors in it which I have now corrected. I am STILL a beginner at filet, so if you are more experienced and find an error, do let me know.

Happy crocheting!

Saggy Baggy Elephant

I had forgotten how many children's stories there are about elephants. The Saggy, Baggy Elephant was one of my favorites to read to my kids. There was also, of course, Horton Hears a Who and Babar and many others. THIS elephant is none of those, but I couldn't resist a trip down memory lane.

After I finished the other post, I sat down with the filet book and was excited to show you my first "picture" which is ... you guessed it - an elephant. It even looks like an elephant. I haven't bordered this piece but plan to. I wanted to have a photo of it before edging.

I had some trouble following the chart which tells me I should enlarge the next one for these senior eyes.

The number of squares listed is 11, but it is actually 12 (added note: the pattern is worked from tail to trunk, not as shown). Then I found a green highlighter and marked off the rows as I worked. That worked much better.

Now I can continue the elephants or I can stop here and do some other pattern. The author shows a picture of the elephants reversed as well. Cute!

Well, that is my elephant story. Maybe I'll have another for you later. I'd like to do the rooster. Do I dare? LOL

Happy crocheting!