Brandy does it again!

I know I've mentioned "my friend" Brandy to you before. Okay, so we're not really friends, but I am certain we would be had we ever officially met. She is one of my blogging friends (there I go again,) and makes the most wonderful things with that sewing machine of hers. Well, now she is willing to give away the most favorite thing she's ever made. Isn't she thoughtful? I mean she could just keep her favorite things for herself!

There is such a great story behind this fabric, and you can visit Brandy's blog at http://sewcuteshop.typepad.com/sewcuteshop/2009/07/the-cutest-thing-i-have-ever-made.html#comments to check it out. While you're over there, you might just fall in love with other things she's made (like I have!) Anyway, she's giving this little girls dress (can also be made into a women's top) away. Wouldn't this be quite cute on my niece? I am sure my sister would agree with me.

I hope you all have a great week. I've survived only one night of VBS with four more to go. I am most certainly going to need a vacation after this week...thank goodness for me we have one planned!

Perry sure can paint!

(photo compliments of Perry McCrackin)

My friend, Perry McCrackin, participates in our local art show each November. I have several of his pieces, but I must say that this one is my (our!) new favorite! Meet Trigger...the newest addition to our family. Contact me if you're interested in Perry's work. I'd be happy to connect you with him.

Oh, and did you happen to notice the button on the right side bar? I'm on facebook now! Why don't you head on over there and become a fan. Once I get the "magic number" of fans (no, I have no idea what that number is yet - just sounds good), I'm planning to have my first ever facebook giveaway. So, why are you waiting!

giving back

I have met a very sweet and talented person through the world of blogging. At this point in time, she is giving back like nothing I've ever seen. When, through her blog, she offered the option to be a part of a silent auction at the end of this month, I jumped at the chance. You see, her dear friend's son was diagnosed with a brain disease called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in March of this year. Riley, who is the same age as my oldest (6), and his parents are away from the comforts of home while at Duke University Hospital. Riley is there to receive bone marrow transplants. Brandy at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7017318 is donating all proceeds from the sale of items listed in SewCute Shop to teamgreene until their return to Chattanooga. I thought about this last night and found myself hoping that I would have friends like that surrounding me during a time of need - AMAZING!

Now, did I mention that Brandy was talented? I actually entered a giveaway to receive a gift certificate to her Etsy shop (link above.) I could not wait for the end of the giveaway before buying three things! Her work is absolutely wonderful - most wonderful fabrics and craftsmanship. Now, if there is one thing (actually there are MANY) I cannot do and that scares me to death, it is sewing. I can always count on Brandy for those kinds of things now! Please go visit her at her shop. You can know that your dollars are going to a wonderful cause.

You can visit teamgreene's journey by clickingwww.carepages.com/carepages/teamgreene

I have donated this piece to be a part of a basket in the silent auction giveaway - so very little for me to do, but jewelry is what I know! If you are in the Chattanooga area, please look for details about this auction/dinner. I believe the date is July 21.

We're pulling for you teamgreene!

overdue

as in my gift...not the mother/baby! My goal is to have this necklace in hand before this child turns 16 - okay maybe I'd like to make my goal to have it in the mail by the end of this week. Reasonable goal? I think so. Anyway, this piece is a new one to my collection, similar to ten tiny toes. A small stamped disc is soldered to a sterling oval and is perfect for the names of a couple of children or the full name of a new baby. I am offering this piece for $40. It will be the hit of the baby shower...I promise!

seeing stars

As those of you who read my blog well know, my boys are the "stars" in my life. With that in mind, I've designed a new piece. Let me introduce you to it...

The base of this necklace is a 3/4" square stamped with two names and a star soldered on top. The necklace comes with a freshwater pearl dangle and will be strung on your choice of a 16" or 18" chain. If you happen to have a couple of "little stars" in your world, I can customize this piece for you for $54. I finished mine just last night, and I'm loving it already!

food.fun.family.friends.fireworks

The boys spent Friday night with Bibbie and Poppy (my parents) in Washington. They had a ball. Poppy grilled his famous hotdogs - Walker is convinced no one makes hot dogs like Poppy.

To finish off the perfect meal, they made s'mores. Who doesn't love s'mores? Fireworks on the square, a walk home afterwards, camping out on the floor with Bibbie - the makings of a perfect summer night. Walker took my camera to document the visit, and these are some of the photos he took.

We spent the 4th in Atlanta with our dear friends. We visited with them before taking MARTA to Lenox. Burke's Atlanta office is next to Lenox Mall, and his firm has a 4th of July celebration complete with a catered dinner and the best fireworks view I've ever seen. We were practically on top of the fireworks as they were set off - amazing! Again, Walker was in charge of photography...

MARTA - a HUGE hit with the kids!

the crowd descending upon Lenox - we had the best view, no crowds and air conditioning, too!

Hope everyone enjoyed a fantastic 4th!