No visit to Cincinnati would be complete without a visit to the famous Cincinnati Zoo (say ‘Hi’ to Fiona the Hippo). An underwater world is waiting for you to explore at the Newport Aquarium just a short drive across the Taylor Southgate Bridge on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. Then top off your day back in Cincy with a bowl of Cincinnati-style chili at literally any chili joint in town. There is one on every corner. Popular spots are Blue Ash Chili, Empress Chili, Skyline Chili, and Camp Washington Chili but you may have a favorite not on our list. Don’t miss Oktoberfest! Locals race Dachshunds in the fall while chowing down on authentic German pretzels. What, you don't?

When the members of the Queen City Charis Crafters are not devouring the cheesy Cincinnati chili or racing dachshunds, you will find them busy making purses and notecards for Sew Powerful. Crafters from Cincinnati, Woodlawn, Fairfield, Colerain and other surrounding towns gather to for fun and friendship, making a difference in the lives of the women and girls in Zambia Africa. Seams Sew Easy in Fairfield has been a great supporter of the Chapter. They serve as a Sew Powerful purse drop-off location and encourage chapter members to share their purse making experiences with customers.

If you are looking for a Sew Powerful chapter in the Cincy area, know that the Queen City Charis Crafters welcome people of all talents and skill levels to share their love for the young women of Zambia! Do you love scrapbooking? Painting? Do you have super neat handwriting? You can help us make stunning notecards! Can you work a sewing machine without stitching down your finger? Are you an artist with a rotary cutter? Purse making it is! Are you a rabid thrift shopper? Coolio! All this fabric and card stock has to come from somewhere! Is baking your forte? SWEET! You're in charge of snacks! Plug in now and find a way for your love to shine!

The purses you make will be gifted to schoolgirls in the African country of Zambia. The purses will be filled with reusable feminine hygiene supplies, soap, and underwear so the girl can attend school all month. Sew Powerful hires adults in Zambia living in extreme poverty. They are trained and paid a living wage to make the contents of the purses. The result is a triple benefit:

• Schoolgirls have a chance to excel in their studies and complete their education.
• Adults earn wages to feed, clothe, and house their families, giving them dignity and hope.
• Volunteers use their talents to make purses bringing them immeasurable joy knowing their efforts have changed lives.

Sew Powerful exhibits in many Quilting and Sewing expos throughout the United States and internationally. We would love to meet you in person at one of these events!

Until then, follow the links below to get started right away.

• Get the FREE Sew Powerful Purse Patterns HERE
• Join our Sew Powerful Purse Project Facebook group HERE
• Stay up to date on on-line and in person events HERE.