gift idea

Our family will probably exchange names and make each other gifts like we did last year.... but if we were buying gifts, this is what each of us would be getting (and giving... because with Toms, for every pair you buy, they send a pair to a child in need). A fabulous gift for anyone.

I'm thankful.

Yesterday my post was dedicated to our wedding anniversary, which happened to fall on Thanksgiving this year. It was a wonderful day filled with family and friends. I decided to share my list of thankfuls today, a day after Thanksgiving, because everyday is a day to be thankful, not just one Thursday in November. Last year I made a banner for our home reminding us to "choose thankfulness". I have a lot to be thankful for this year. My heart swells just thinking about it. And thinking about it is good, because when you list all the things you have to be thankful for, it shines a light on the shadowy struggles of the present.

So here's my list. In no particular order, and far from complete, because it would take much more space and time to list every single thing.

my husband and four kids.

our extended family, church family and technically non-related family (extraordinary friends).

the amazing friends and memories made during our short time in Minnesota.

having the chance to spend more time with family there.

being back with friends and family here. (wishing somehow we could have everyone at once.. but this is a thankful list, not a wishful list.)

our Father God who always provides. times are tough, but we still have a roof over our heads and we haven't missed a meal yet.

public assistance and the generosity of others. and knowing that we WILL be on the giving end again.

a job that I enjoy. I truly love Starbucks, and connecting with the customers and my co-workers makes it something I can look forward to each morning.

online ways of keeping in touch with friends and family near and far.

the new friends I've made online and the sense of community among them all.

scoring an internship with amazing artist Mati Rose McDonough. I'm not only learning a lot and being inspired, but also enjoying a friendship that I suspect will be long lasting.

the Retrieval Project, which was such a great experience for Joe and I.

having our things back in our home. we were fine without them and would be fine if we never had them back, but it's nice to have things that bring familiar touches and coziness to our home.

the sales I've had this year on my etsy site. It took a lot of courage for me to put my art and handmade items out there for the world to see, but I've been blessed and encouraged by the response, and I'm excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

memories of loved ones who are no longer with us and stories that help them live on in our hearts.

the unconditional love of God, and His mercies, which are new every morning.

peace, joy, and the beauty of nature.

hope.

15 years.

Lots to be thankful for today. 15 years married to Joe. I've determined that these are the days. It's fun to look back at the early years, and the fluttery courtship, and dreamy to look ahead to the future, but these are the days. Right now, in the crazy, sweet, fun, hard, exhausting times that we're in. I don't want to wish these days away. I want to savor and enjoy them. Celebrate little victories and miracles that happen every day. The past was great and the future will be wonderful, but these are the days that can make or break us.

This was us then. November 26, 1994

This is us today. November 26, 2009

We've come a long way. And we're still on a journey. Lots of days ahead. Looking forward to traveling many more roads with this guy.

Retrieval Project update... it's here!

Read more on the Retrieval Project blog. We're getting things organized and settled. Soon I'll take you on a photo tour of our home. Stay tuned!

shop, swap, blog: Polly Danger

I had two partners for shop, swap, blog.  The second was Polly Danger.  Take a look at what she sent me:

I love, love, love this pouch.  I've already put it to good use.  It's currently holding a pair of sewing scissors, my pins and needles book (I'll have some of these in my shop soon!), some thread, and a few coffee sleeves that need the handstitching done.  I really love this pouch!  The mini wallet is super cute, too.  I'm thinking maybe library cards so that they're all handy and in one spot.

I also received this super cute tin:

Look how adorable these thumbtacks are!  I can't wait to put up a bulletin board and use these!  I love that she used vintage and repurposed fabrics.  What a great way to use up tiny bits leftover from other projects!

And that's not all!  There were also a few of these sweet little birdie patches included!  

More about Polly (in her own words):

shops:  PollyDanger and PollyDangerNotions

blog:  pollydanger

about:  My name is Ixchel P. Lechuga and I run Polly Danger, a sewn goods and notions shop for those who need cute like they need air.  I've been crafting just about as long as I've been called "Polly", so basically since birth.

I live in sunny Southern California in a small cottage with my favorite person, Eric, Grandma, and three ridiculously awesome dogs, who I like to feature on my blog as often as possible.

I started Polly Danger out of a desire to make cute things, but it has evolved into a desire to help others make cute things as well!  I now carry a line of really beautiful handmade bias tapes, sewing notions, kits and patterns and I hope to make these my sole focus in the years to come.

The best thing about owning my own business is the constant flow of creative energy in my life.  When I had a "real" job I had to reserve the truly "Polly" part of myself for weekends and the occasional craft show.  Now I get to spend my days playing with whatever ideas pop into my head!  My husband and I have made lots of sacrifices so that we can both work from home, and that we get to spend our days making things and feeding off of each other's creativity is unbelievably wonderful.

My favorite independently owned online shop is definitely McMaster and Storm.  It's like shopping in granny's attic, minus the dust, multiply the wonderment x 10.  So lovely.

Thanks Polly!  So fun swapping with both you and Jasemin!  I may get addicted to this swapping thing!

xo

shop, swap, blog: Jasemin

I recently participated in shop, swap, blog. The idea was for partners to send each other something from their personal shops and then blog about it. This was a fun project to participate in, and I love the things I received.

The first package that came to me was from Jasemin. She makes lovely jewelry and sells them in her etsy shop. We emailed each other and decided to choose which items we'd like to receive in the swap. She chose my "hello" art print, and I threw in a coffee sleeve for fun. She posted about it here on her blog.

I received this. Sweet packaging, which always makes a good impression of a shop and the effort spent by the seller.

And inside, this lovely necklace.

She uses lace pieces in her jewelry and I think it's adorable. She has lots of other beautiful things in her shop too.

Here is a little more about Jasemin:

· Online Shop Address: jasemin.etsy.com

· Blog Address: myjasemin.blogspot.com

· A bit about yourself: I’m an accountant by day, a part-time MBA student by night, and a jewelry designer/maker on the weekends. I figure that accounting and finance will come in handy when I have my own business someday, but I just can’t wait to be done with school now, so then I can focus more time and energy on my shop.

I love jewelry. Period. Either making it or buying it. Whenever I go shopping, the first place I usually look at is the accessories/jewelry section. I think a piece of jewelry or accessory can totally change an outfit! I don’t have a particular favorite brand; just anything unusual and pretty, I’ll like.

What made you start your business I’ve been making and enjoyed making jewelry as gifts for friends since high school. Regrettably, I stopped awhile when I started my current job and school. And that’s why I want to start my own etsy shop now as a way to keep myself creative. At the end of the week, after the long hours of number-crunching from my job, it’s nice to do something enjoyable.

And I have always wanted to have my own business someday. With friends’ encouragement and the discovery of etsy.com (which makes it easier to have my own shop), I decided that I shouldn’t wait and just launched my etsy shop this summer.

· What you plan to accomplish with your business I don’t have particularly big plans yet for my business; I like to take small steps at a time. So far, I’ve been making most sales to friends and eventually, planning to sell in an upcoming craft fair in the city.

· What you get most out of having your own business people’s comments- either compliments or suggestions on my designs. They’ve been very supportive and encouraging. And I got to meet some awesome, talented and crafty friends along the way.

· Your favorite independently owned online shop

nice package.

Online shop billet in japan

leptitpapillon’s shop

yellowgoat

ruche