Julia the Giraffe

It's been quite the last few weeks. Like I told my mom, I'll have to tell the story bits at a time so it all gets said.

But here's what I most excited about (aside from the fact that I was on air and did NOT mess everything up!)

These little beauties are the first in Dear0ne toy line. (Is it okay if I call something a 'line?' I've been debating over it for awhile now...) Julia was originally designed for my lovely twin nieces while in utero, and were the first toy they held when they entered this world! Because they're so special, they even took the name of one of my darling nieces (see her holding her 'Julia' in the last photo).

You can find them here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/75950013/purple-and-pink-julia-the-giraffe?ref=v1_other_2

and here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/75950440/purple-and-blue-julia-the-giraffe?ref=ss_listing

OR. Just check out my store at dear0ne.etsy.com

Coming To Projects Near You!!

My nieces are turning one in September, and my sister-in-law wants cute fall hats for them. With flowers. I assumed that meant I had four months to learn to crochet. Thus, my newest item was born.

I'm so excited to share these little beauties with you. I've spend a few hours this week learning to crochet, and then doing it over and over again until I finally had a flower I was proud to show off. So, eight hours later, here they are! I'll be attaching little beauties like these to some of my projects, and posting them on my Etsy store (dear0ne.etsy.com). Look for them!

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

One of my greatest fears in life is not getting to know my child/ren. For some reason, there's always been a fear of having to bury my child. And yet I know, there's always something good that comes out of it.


Why do I write about this? I guess I should explain. While looking up quilt stories, I came across this one; The Gracie Jane Project. ( http://thegraciejaneproject.blogspot.com/) Seeing as my nieces' names are Grace and Julia, I had to check it out. What followed was an emotional journey as I learned about one woman's ability to give back while doing something she loved- something I'd been turning over and over in my mind for awhile. Then, I happened to stumble upon this organization- Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS). http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/)



They take professional memory photos to help the parents remember their child and grieve for them, if their child will never have a life outside the hospital. I think of my twin nieces, and how tiny they were when they were born. And I'm so grateful they were perfect (small, but perfect), and only needed to spend a little extra time in the hospital to grow.


Here's a link that describes the organization a bit and the session available for parents/ families.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCnIAzcI7po



I keep thinking about how difficult and emotionally taxing it would be to photograph

someone(s) in a moment of such intense grief. But you know, if it were me, I'd love to have someone be willing to take photos of my child. I'm a photo person- I need one or three of every exciting (or not so exciting) moment. I think the reward of knowing you were able to aid in the overcoming of grief for someone would overcome your own emotions.

On a side note, here's the song that's been calling to me while I write this post. Jesus, Lover of my Soul- Kari Jobe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mJFFrVnczE

Messy eaters prosper

I love my nieces. I really do. And for some odd reason, I think feeding them is fun (I checked with my mom, she can't remember any obsession I had with feeding dolls or stuffies...). But I always manage to get food all over them and myself. Unless I go at a p-a-i-n-f-u-l-l-y slow pace. I've even managed to get baby cereal in my own mouth once. (Thanks, baby girl.) So when I saw this, I fell in love with it. (It also could have something to do with the fact that I always have an apron on hand and should probably wear one even when I do the dishes...)

http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/05/bapron-tutorial.html

I love that the tutorial shows how to make your own bias tape... totally customizable. I'll post my own version when I finally complete one (or two, in my case)!