Banner of Hope: You are a blessing.

A simple message of hope created for everyone who sees this banner “You are a blessing.”

You are a blessing. Banner of Hope by Cherish Flieder of Something to Cherish

You are a blessing. Banner of Hope by Cherish Flieder of Something to Cherish

I sewed and painted this 8″x12″ Banner of Hope on New Year’s Day as a response to an invitation to the professional Designer Members of the Craft & Hobby Association and the non-profit art program called Charity Wings. It will hang at the upcoming 2014 CHA Winter Show and after that Charity Wings will work to coordinate a traveling exhibit of the Banners of Hope to be displayed in public locations to benefit those in challenging circumstances. The project will provide a message of hope at hospitals, veteran, children’s and senior homes/centers across the country.

Charity Wings Non-Profit Art Center

Anyone who knows my story knows that I am no stranger to “challenging circumstances.” Practically every month since childhood, I have spent time in hospitals and doctor offices… more time than I can ever possibly recount for close family members, my husband and even myself. (In fact my husband was admitted to the hospital with an unusual pneumonia the day after I completed this project! That’s no way to start out a new year, trust me. Poor guy, we got him back out and he is feeling better on a lot of antibiotics.)

At the end of the day, through all of life’s pain, it is important to remember that you are filled with life, a life that is a gift and a blessing. What you do with that gift is up to you, but it is my prayer that you will use whatever energy and resources you have to reach out and encourage others. The secret to happiness is unlocked when you can use your gifts to bring joy or relief to another human and when that happens you know for sure that you are a blessing!

“Banners of Hope” Project at Craft & Hobby Association Winter Show 2014

My Banner of Hope on its way to the CHA SHOW in Anaheim, CaliforniaThe first project of the Fabric Arts Council, the “Banners of Hope” Project, will be launched at the Craft and Hobby Association Mega Show (CHA 2014), held in Anaheim, January 10-15, 2014.  The “Banners of Hope” Project features fabrics-based banners in a 10′ x 30’ display. All the banners are created by CHA Designer Members, Charity Wings Volunteers and by attendees during the CHA Show to express messages of hope and encouragement in a subtle artistic format.  There will be a construction zone at the CHA Show to make banners and offer advice on how to replicate the inspirational Charity Wings program in cities across the U.S. and internationally.

At the close of CHA, the Banners of Hope project will move to the Charity Wings Art Center located in San Diego, CA. A second event will take place on January 15th and 16th, over a 24-hour period involving the coordination of 48 crafting demonstrations based on the Banners of Hope project and a myriad of crafting techniques. This event will be broadcast over the internet in the Charity Wings Art Center to an international audience.

charity wings hope-a-thon

 

About Cherish Flieder

Cherish Flieder is an internationally-featured artist, designer, creative entrepreneur, and award-winning children’s book illustrator. Cherish’s designs have been seen in fashion apparel, books, magazines, greeting cards, gifts, crafts and more. She is the creator of Something to Cherish®, an artistic brand that joyfully connects with the hearts of women through her original watercolor mixed-media artwork on pre-treasured gifts, home decor, fashion accessories, and keepsakes. Cherish is also the founder of the art licensing community ArtLicensingShow.com. She regularly teaches marketing, illustration, design, and technology at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. Connect with Cherish on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Google + and LinkedIn.