For Japan

I'm sure everyone is well aware of the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan. And the resulting humanitarian crisis that has left untold thousands of people without shelter and other basic necessities in the wake of this tragedy. The images on the news are chilling and heartbreaking. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, I think, when a huge disaster like this happens. Like the problem is so huge that whatever little help I could throw at the situation wouldn't amount to much and would ultimately be useless. I believe that's a lie that Satan loves to feed us. I think he loves to see well meaning people like me throw up our hands and say "there's nothing I can do to help". But, I think there is something everyone can do to help, we just have to actually do it.

With that in mind, I am participating in a fundraising effort that will benefit disaster relief in Japan. I am selling off some "destash" fabrics in my Etsy Shop for super low prices. If you have any reason to buy fabrics, now's a good time....I've got some great stuff, some of it designer, for bargain prices, and I will likely be adding to my listings over the next few days as I pick out more to sell. I will be donating 50% off all proceeds collected from this effort to the American Red Cross earmarked for Japan Relief.

This fundraising effort was organized by Sabrina of Noodles and Milk, and she also has LOTS of great fabrics for super low prices, and she'll be donating a portion of proceeds to the same charity. You can also search "destash for japan" on Etsy to find other vendors who might be taking part as well.

Above all else, whether you're able to help finacially or not, pray for this country. Pray that God will show Himself to this hurting nation. Pray that hearts will be stirred for Him. Pray that people who are hurting, whether emotionally or physically, will find their relief in the Great Comforter and Physician.

Featured

I am very excited to announce that Monkey Style Boutique is the featured shop on the Noodles and Milk blog today. I think it's a great spotlight of my shop, and you can check it out here:
www.noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com

I'm hosting a fun giveaway there, and also offering a coupon code to be used for 10% off in my shop for the next week. Head over there to find out how to enter the giveaway and to get the coupon code.

I am working fast and furious to get some Christmas designs put together to list in my shop. I have some VERY cute holiday fabrics I'm very excited about, and a new dress pattern I'm itching to try out, so stay tuned for that!

Check it Out

Monkey Style Boutique is on Facebook now. I would looooooove it if you would check out my page and "like" it. My plan is to provide shop updates, post new listings there, share new fabrics and design ideas, and get feedback, etc. Like I said, I would loooooooove it if you'd like it : ) The page name is "Monkey Style Boutique".

Also, I'm advertising here with my etsy mini (like the small little etsy link on my right hand sidebar). You can see it at the bottom of her right hand sidebar. I love this blog and am so proud to be advertising on it. If you like crafty things, you should check out the Noodles & Milk blog. It won't disappoint. I have learned lots of new tricks and techniques from the very talented Sabrina.

The Sweat Shop

With the exception of church and the grocery store, my entire weekend was spent at home. Kinda rare for us, as we're usually on the go. I cleaned some places in my home that haven't been cleaned in sometime. I ironed three huge baskets of laundry, and put them away (and swore to myself I would never get that far behind again). And I sewed and sewed and sewed. I tried out a couple new projects that I'm planning to list later this week, and finished up some cute things, including this set, which I have listed in my shop today:

It is so cute in person, and can be made in any fabric combo. This set can be made in sizes 6mos to 10yr. I'm loving the fabric!

I have a new pattern for a peasant style dress that can be made with short or long sleeves that I'm wanting to try out. It will be great for fall, I think, with tights or leggings, or with a pair of ruffle pants like in the picture above. I'm anxious to try it out and hope to list it soon.

Finally, I am very excited about some new fabrics I have coming. Some I ordered online, and some I ordered my sister to go and buy for me in her much larger town. I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival and will post pics soon.

Announcing

For a while now I have toyed with the idea of opening a shop online. I have found something I really love to do, which is sewing and creating, and I am past the point of making things for my girls. Believe it or not, little girls CAN have too many clothes. After some encouragement in the direction of selling the things I make, I have finally got this shop up and going.

Introducing:


I have opened an Etsy shop that you can find here:
http://www.monkeystyleboutique.etsy.com/
Please understand this is still in the infancy stages, and I will be fine tuning and adding to it in the coming weeks.

Why the name? I don't know about your kids, but mine are monkeys. I call them monkeys, they act like monkeys, they hang on me like monkeys, they are LOUD like monkeys, and so that kind of became my jumping off point...boutique style for my monkeys. My goal is to make clothes and gifts that you would find in boutique stores, for a fraction of the price. Right now, I've only got dresses and skirts listed, but I have lots and lots of ideas for the future. Mainly some boy stuff...although I'm not a mama to any, I've got some precious boys in my life that need cute stuff too. Also, I hope to add more "gift" type items (burp cloths, bibs, blankets, etc) soon.

Let me just say that I am waaaaaaaay outside my comfort zone here. Me? I'm right here. My comfort zone? Miles away from here. I have second guessed myself a hundred times on doing this, talked myself out of it dozens of times, and finally decided to just go for it. I may fall flat on my face and never sell one thing, but at least I will have tried. Self promotion is not my thing. Marketing is not my thing. But sewing? I think that's my thing. We'll see how this goes.

As Beth Moore says, you would not waste a prayer on me right now. In fact, I would covet your prayers as I try to get this going. Pray that God would bless it, that I will find a balance between this, full time work, and family life. Pray that my talent and skill will develop. And pray I don't lose my mind.