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Mercy Shop {GIVEAWAY}

Mercy Shop {GIVEAWAY}

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House Lovelies, I have something really special to share with you today – have you heard of Mercy House? If you haven’t, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to browse their website and learn about what they do – such a wonderful ministry to women in need!

They provide a safe haven for mamas {and their babies} in Kenya, as well as education, counseling and life-skills training, all the while in a nurturing and loving environment. So far, “more than a dozen girls have been rescued from the slums of Kenya and shown the love of God, and a dozen babies have been born, healthy and thriving” – isn’t that amazing?!

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House From their site:

The Issue:

          • Annually, 21,000 women are hospitalized from having an illegal, unsafe abortion in Kenya. (Center for Reproductive Rights)
          • Abortion is a volatile topic in Kenya.
          • 13,000 Kenyan girls are kicked out of school for being pregnant. (Center for Reproductive Rights)
          • 25% of pregnant women in Kenya are HIV positive (ObGyn in Kenya)
          • Every 30 minutes, a woman is raped in Kenya. (Nairobi Women’s Hospital)
          • Mothers often force their daughters into trading sex for food in the slums (CNN)
          • More than 20,000 children are sex trafficked in Kenya (Human Trafficking)
          • 1500 women die in childbirth every day across Africa (WHO)

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House

“The Vision of Rehema House (supported by Mercy House):

  • Provide a safe place-a guarded home with at least 12 maternity beds
  • Partner with local churches
  • Prenatal Care- checkups, medical assistance for healthy deliveries
  • Proper Nutrition-protein and regular healthy meals
  • Counseling-post abortion/prostitution, rape recovery
  • Ministry-prayer, Biblical teaching, regular devotions
  • Education-help catch girls up in school thru 8th grade, then continue on to high school, or vocational tract
  • Livelihood Skills-cooking, jewelry-making, art, sewing, etc
  • A nurturing environment in-which to give birth and breastfeed babies
  • A safe place to stay and learn and heal until they graduate
  • An account to start small business or go to school (from products they make and sell)

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House

“The Plan:

    Our residents are invited to stay in the program for a minimum of two to four years, but our desire is to support each mom and baby throughout their lives. Each girl earns money through our Sustainable Skills Program and it will be dispersed over a long-term period to continue their education and even start a business as a part of our Graduate Program. Since our residents are at-risk- abused and even orphaned, we will assist them for as long as needed. We want to be their forever family and will tailor our help to each girl’s situation. Our goal is quality, not quantity and total discipleship.

It is the desire of The Mercy House team to fulfill Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy, to walk humbly with your God.”

Their blog about the House has wonderful updates about the ministry, the mamas and babies, and ways that you and I can help. Also, you can follow along with Kristin Welch’s {the founder} blog here.

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House

So now I have a lovely set of prizes for someone to win – the Large Red Funky Paper Bead Necklace pictured (a $25 value!) and a $20 e-gift card to the Mercy House shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

– All prizes are supplied by myself, and the photos and text are used by permission from Mercy House. One winner will be selected to win the giveaway bundle listed above. This giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on Sunday, March 1st at midnight PST. The winner will be emailed on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2014.

a last-minute Christmas Gift DIY roundup

a last-minute Christmas Gift DIY roundup

Well, hello again! This past {almost} month since I posted last has really flown by! You all have blown me away with your support of our shop {from the bottom of our hearts, thank you, to each and every one of you} and you’ve also been keeping me busier than ever before. :)

If you’re like me, chances are very good that you’re looking for a few quick, cheap *eh hem* inexpensive Christmas gifts that you can whip up before Christmas morning {tell me I’m not the only one!}. Today I’m rounding up a few of my favorite tutorials I’ve posted here over the years –  most of them can be made from materials {or ingredients!} you already have, and all of them are quick, simple, and sure to be loved by your nearest and dearest. :D

These fabric posy pins are quick to whip up, and are a huge hit as stocking stuffers {or could double as package toppers!}!

Or how about some handmade tea-towels {always a lovely gift, and endlessly customizable to suit any personality and home!}

Or perhaps an cute ironing board cover for the newly-weds in your life {or maybe your mom who has had hers for 20+ years}?

Or maybe you need a special something for the foodie in your life? In that case, homemade Lemon Curd is delightful!

For the newest additions to the family circle, these embellished onesies here

and here are beyond adorable,

and cute-ified burp cloths are always appreciated!

Up-cycled crayons are perfect for your junior artist,

and if you have more than one little girl in your life, little matching skirts are quick, adorable, and might even start a tradition!

As I said, these are just a few of my favorites from the peat few years – have you made any of them? Or do you have a favorite {or two!} of your own to share?

Hugs to you all <3

THE 36TH AVENUE
a lacey heritage

a lacey heritage

My great-aunt sent me a package that was almost overflowing with wonderful handmade lace pieces.
The best thing about this lace? It was made by my great-grandma and great-great-grandma.

Isn’t it just amazing?

Aunt Noelle sent it for me to use, and I will. : )
Maybe to edge some dresses and tops for Emma Grace, maybe on some decorative pillows too. Even though I almost want to wrap these pieces in tissue and preserve them, this lace was meant be to be seen and enjoyed!
Aunt Noelle, thank you so much for the package. It was an honor to receive!

By the way, I’m sharing this post by linking up on a few of these blogs – you might enjoy checking them out. :)

Handmade Christmas, part II

Handmade Christmas, part II

This project was actually a Christmas present for me. :)
A while ago I saw this tutorial for sewing your own ironing board cover and saved it in my “ideas” folder. It looked so easy, and my ironing board definitely needed a face-lift! Then a few days later I found some really cute material on the remnants table at the fabric store. And now, several months later, I finally took the time to make it into this:
It turns out that the hardest part was getting everything together and taking the time to make it – so glad I did! :)
The ironing board cover takes 2 yards of fabric and about an hour to complete (or longer if you get interrupted;)). Basically, if you have a sewing machine, iron and ironing board and some basic sewing skills, you can make this!

Hmm, maybe I’ll make a few more as Mother’s Day gifts?
I’m posting a link to this on a few of these blogs.
Celebrate Dad

Celebrate Dad

Father’s Day is June 20th this year. How are you planning to celebrate?

My family usually tried to get up ahead of Dad and make breakfast to serve to him in bed before we all headed out the door for church. Then we’d come home, BBQ a late lunch and take naps in the hammocks afterwards. Or some variation on that theme!
The celebration always included BBQ and an afternoon nap. :)

The BBQ apron in my shop would make a great gift for Dad this year. I’m still looking for something for Emma and Baby#2 to give to John, though (we already have plenty of aprons on hands, since I make them :-).
Have any of you found something for your Dad, or your husband? I’m looking for ideas!

Mother’s Day Silhoutte

Mother’s Day Silhoutte




I saw this idea a while ago over on Prudent Baby and tucked it away in the back of my head to use for Mother’s Day.
The ladies over on Prudent Baby used the idea to make artwork from pics of Zoo animals, but I thought it might be a fun and different way to do the silhouette of Emma that I am trying to give to my mom each Mother’s Day. It turned out to be pretty easy (and fun! I haven’t messed around with water colors in a while!).
The hardest part was getting a clear profile photo of Emma. She was sooooooo busy that morning. :) I finally just turned on the TV and sat next to her with the camera, waiting for her to stop “telling” me about everything she saw and just “zone”.
Also, I didn’t have any watercolor paper on hand so I just used some heavyweight textured scrapbooking paper. It worked fine, but I think watercolor paper might have been just a little nicer. I’m sure Mom – Grammie – will love it anyway!
If you’d like one yourself, I have a listing for custom silhouettes over on Etsy.


I was about to toss out the scrap that I had used for the template and then decided to tape it up instead. Pretty cute! And I get to keep and enjoy it, too. :)