in light of the previous post...

Obviously there are many ways to help in crises like the one in Haiti. These are a few of the options that I have heard about:

Through a CHURCH - our church is taking donations for MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), an organization some members are working with in Haiti.

Through a large ORGANIZATION - like The Salvation Army or the Red Cross or Compassion International

Through an ART SHOP - the Craft Hope shop on Etsy is selling donated items from the crafting community in order to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. As of Monday, they had raised over $27,000!!

Through an INDIVIDUAL - a friend of a friend is raising funds to go to Haiti this Spring. She is uniquely situated to go as she's been there before and she is a nurse. Check out her blog!

Most of all, let's pray for all the mommies & daddies, grandpas & grandmas, aunts & uncles, boys & girls, and friends who are hurting in Haiti - and for all those who helping & serving them.

the honest truth

I'll admit it. Since the earthquake hit Haiti, my reaction has been merely a passing thought here or a twinge of compassion there. I think I have subconsciously steered myself away from the news and pictures, kept myself busy enough to not think about the effect of such a disaster on that country. The past few days, though, things have been changing, opening in my heart. Heath & I were talking about Haiti and our reactions this weekend. As we asked ourselves, "What do you do when disaster hits one place after another?", the answer came loud & clear.

You help. You help however you can. And you keep helping.
How can I turn my back on those who are crying out for help?

For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. Psalm 22:24

Valentine's Day Cards

I can't believe Valentine's Day is just around the corner! I just listed two new sets of cards for Valentine's Day on my Etsy site - The Littlest Daisy. They are quite different from what I have done before, but I really, really like them!

I think if it were up to my husband, Valentine's Day would go unnoticed around here. Not because he doesn't love me or want to show me so - just because it's such a commercial holiday (what holiday isn't these days??). The roses are astronomically priced, the boxes of chocolates and the teddy bears seem cliche, but the kicker is that it feels mandatory.

Now, I can't just let a holiday pass us by...so I think I'll continue what my mom started and what I've heard quite a few women talk about. We'll have a Family Valentine's Celebration! You know - finger jello shaped like hearts, heart shaped cake, Hershey's kisses, and hand made cards to say how much we love each other!

the longest lasting roses - EVER!

Heath brought home the prettiest pink roses last Wednesday (more than a week ago!) when I was sick...and they are STILL GORGEOUS!! Every morning I half expect to see them wilting in their vase, but every morning they surprise me with their beauty. Thanks, Heath, for the thoughtful gift. I love them!

Christmas Projects

Well now that Christmas has passed, I can post about the projects which became gifts. It was so hard to keep them a secret before Christmas! I know you are all DYING to know what I was making after I posted a picture of the fabrics. Haha! My brother was disappointed that he didn't get a spelling bee blankie!

I found the cutest pattern for a Toddler Backpack on Made by Rae's website. I can't remember how I got there, now, but it was well worth it! I think I bought the pattern nearly as soon as I saw it! I decided to make one for Ainsley and one for her cousin Drew for Christmas. Here's Ainsley's, but I don't have any pictures of Drew's. Silly me, I forgot to take pictures before packaging it up!

The pattern was pretty simple to follow, although I am glad that I made Ainsley's first. I always do better on the second try than the first. I did discover that she's right when she said that you should use a medium to heavyweight fabric or it won't hold its shape. I only used a lightweight fabric for Ainsley's and it sure doesn't stand up on its own very well. For Drew's I used interfacing to give it some structure and that helped immensely! And even though I don't have pictures of it, I have to show you the fabric I found because it is just TOO cute! I saw it on Whipstitch Fabrics, my new favorite place to find fun fabrics.

Alexander Henry: Traffic Jam in Blue (from Whipstitch Fabrics)

My second project was to make matching child aprons for Ainsley and her friend Sanaa. Also on Whipstitch Fabrics, I found the perfect apron material - Metro Market Apples in Red. I was SO excited when my package of material arrived in the mail! I made up my own pattern for the aprons and I think they turned out pretty well. I think the neck strap may be a little long on Sanaa's and I think both have too long of a torso section. But overall, I'm happy with the finished product.


My third project for Christmas was a purse for my sister Kendra. Of course I had to make a practice one for myself (and I LOVE it!). I found the FREE pattern for this purse on Made by Rae's site, too. She calls it the Buttercup Bag. Here are some pictures of Kendra's I thought it would be the perfect little purse to take to her sorority formals and other dressy affairs.

Darling Blouse Giveaway

I love this blog that I've been keeping up with for awhile now; it's called Grosgrain and she posts the neatest things. I am always a bit jealous of her skill, but more often, I am challenged and inspired to do something creative on my own. Her latest giveaway is this cute Estate Sale Blue Blouse - here's the link - Estate Sale Blue Blouse GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

Check it out and be inspired!!

a cute new purse?!?

I have been eyeing the purses that are in this store for a long time and now a blog that I read is having a giveaway! Oh I hope I win! Check out Charm Design's store and see all her stylish bags!!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!