the good and the bad

There are a few things that I might, perhaps, admit to being relatively good at. I make an excellent cupcake. I'm a very loyal friend. A hard worker. But there are also several things that I will gladly own up to being rather pathetic at -- anything that involves someone saying "Here--catch!". Singing harmony (although I do so wish I could). And most definitely the ability to organize my possessions. My sister is actually quite amazing at this. I have never had this ability, and instead find myself getting all clammy and suffering from heart palpitations after only a few moments in The Container Store. I just don't know what to DO with all of those things. Don't get me wrong--I love all the little cubbies and drawers. The specially sized things for spices and shoes and everything in between. And I do get a little weak in the knees if it comes in a beautiful color or lovely pattern. But having to pick out just what I need to actually contain my goods--I just can't do it.

But I am very proud to say that I have spent the majority of the weekend getting my closet and other areas in order. And it is looking so lovely. I still have quite a ways to go, but am very pleased with the progress. I am still not a huge fan of the sorting-through bit, but I do so love getting rid of what I know I no longer need. Living in Chicago took such a toll on my shoes--between walking block after block on asphalt and then the addition of a very mischievous puppy--let's just say a lot of shoes had to be thrown out. But the rest of my shoes have such a nice place to stay now. I was at Target on Friday and noticed that their shoe-sized containers were on sale for 99 cents. I love a bargain. So now each pair (or two) has its own little box with a photo on the front so I know what's inside. Love:



My sister has had her shoes organized like this for quite some time (only she uses her favorite little label printer that she ASKED for for Christmas - this is how we are different), and I, admittedly, scoffed at the idea. But I am beginning to understand and appreciate its brilliance. Here's hoping I can maintain it.

I was also able to add a few items to the amelia mae shop:



These little tags would be the perfect staple to keep on hand for all occasions. And this:




A little banner to make decorating for birthday celebrations a snap. I'll be adding more banners in other colors and phrases in the near future.

Hope your weekend was refreshing. Happy Monday.

xo,
amy

give (and buy) a little bit...

I have had one of those weeks where I keep doing things like tripping and falling, and dropping things, and somehow getting caught in the middle of some sort of cycling event and almost (but not really) hitting a man after he fell off of his bicycle in the middle of my lane. But all is well, that week is in the past, and so I can blog about only good news and lovely things.

I have been emailing (through etsy) with the lovely shop owner of lulella who approached me about donating a portion of her earnings to AHOPE. How incredibly generous. Katrina lives in Vermont and is all about reusing goods that already exist and turning them into new and beautiful things. She has really adorable items in her shop--such cute plush items (love this owl), precious clothes for little girls and the sweetest greeting cards. She is donating 20% of her profits from this doll to AHOPE:



So cute. And completely handmade. I would have loved, loved this as a little girl. And part of it is going to a really great cause, so check it out. Thanks Katrina!

Some other exciting Etsy news is that one of my very favorites, Mati Rose McDonough of Suspect Shoppe is having a print sale. It's this week only (July 25-31st) and it's BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! So, should you be looking for my favorite cat-in-boys-underpants-and-tubesocks-robbing-a-bird-of-its-feathers painting, or the beautiful "believe" -- you could get them both for the price of one and then our walls could be doppelgangers (only without the bad-luck part). That would be splendid. She also has some ridiculously adorable zoo animal prints which would be so perfect in a nursery. I would buy them myself for my soon-to-be niece or nephew, but it isn't my child, or my home, and sometimes I have to let my sister and brother-in-law make those kinds of decisions themselves. But only sometimes. (hint, hint katie -- the monkeys and the elephant... )

Be on the lookout this week for some new items in the Project 8256 shop. I think that some more along the lines of this one might be making an appearance:



Be blessed. And thanks for reading. I really do appreciate it.

xo,
Amy

AHOPE Children's Village

Some of the children at AHOPE (Photo found here)



I was perusing the world wide web, and decided to check in on the AHOPE website. And I'm so glad I did, because there was some really exciting news. AHOPE is trying to raise $1.5 million this year for their building fund as they work towards building the AHOPE Children's Village. Here is what they are hoping to build:

"The plans include 16 cottages where children will live family style with house parents, 6 transitional homes designed for older teens and young adults who are being prepared to enter adult society, administrative buildings, library, clinic with isolation rooms, classrooms and an auditorium for events, including community events. We hope to obtain land from the Ethiopian government and will build as the money comes in. This project is a real stretch for our organization but the need is very great and we know how to do what needs to be done. Please spread the word and help us provide a wonderful facility for the HIV orphans of Ethiopia." (AHOPE Children's Village 07/2007 Update)

What a perfect, exciting time to be working towards supporting them financially. I love their vision so, so much. There are so many huge organizations that are working towards fighting HIV and AIDS -- trying to stop this epidemic from spreading, trying to treat those who are already infected -- and I think that is absolutely, unequivocally crucial. But I love so much that AHOPE is taking one area, one need, and seeing what can grow from that. If the children who are sick can become strong, if they can be nurtured and educated and loved, if the community around them can begin to break down stereotypes and the wealth of misinformation that is plaguing the AIDS crisis right now in Africa -- think what can come of that! What changes can be made when children are not merely labeled "orphaned" or "sick" and tossed aside -- but are allowed the freedom to grow and learn and then become leaders in their communities? I feel so blessed to be even the tiniest part of it.

Click here for more information on the AHOPE Children's Village as well other fundraising events. Keep A Child Alive also contributes financially to AHOPE, as well as to the Barlow Clinic which oversees the prescription and administration of ARVs to the children of AHOPE.

May you be blessed.

xo,
Amy

amelia mae

I am really so excited to introduce you all to my new little project: amelia mae

It's really something that I've been trying to do for a very long time, so I'm just so, so excited to finally see it up and running. For the time being, I think that it will be mostly stocked with an assortment of gift tags. But I do hope to include originals, as well as some other little gems I have rolling around in my head right now.

There is currently only a small assortment listed, but be sure to check back throughout the week, because I will be adding more and more and more! So, here is how you can use amelia mae tags to make the perfect present:



Delicious, no? Now, not to worry because I am still working on Project 8256. It is still extremely important to me, and something I am still so passionate about. But I am taking a wee break this week to get everything together.

I hope you are all doing well. Have a lovely Tuesday.

xo,
amy

old and new

I'm not entirely sure how I seem to only blog on Sundays. It isn't intentional. Or planned. Or certainly not written down, because I do so prefer a mental note. But anyhow, it's Sunday. Again. And here I am.

So over the last week or so..I've been toiling away at this:



and this...



The close-up is on the right. There's still a bit more to be done. The shapes were cut from the pages of an old novel--from the blank space that is at the end of each chapter. The book is perfectly musty and water-stained. Or was, rather. It's now been pretty much cut to bits.

AND...this week I got a very exciting parcel in the mail from a very talented (and new) Etsy seller: lucky me beads



It's a pulley. On a necklace. I couldn't resist. And I couldn't be more pleased. So, should you be interested in repurposed vintage jewelry, you should definitely check her out. (Photo from luckymebeads.etsy.com)

So overall, a rather nice little week. And to top it all off, I got to hear little stories of people gifting or receiving my prints for wedding gifts, birthday gifts. That really just warms my heart to near bursting. I take gift giving very seriously--as in focused, on a mission, seriousness. So it means a lot. a lot. to know that someone has selected something I did as a gift. And to know that, on top of that, there are others like my sister and the kids at AHOPE that then benefit from that, well that's pretty much splendid.

I hope you all had a lovely 4th. And a relaxing weekend. I am off to c-l-e-a-n. Much overdue.

xo,
amy

some favorites...

Goodness. It has been quite some time since I have updated this little blog. So sorry for the absence.

I thought I would share a few of the little things that make me smile from time to time:



1. A new favorite t-shirt. Of a very angry bear.
2. My favorite olive green flats. I've had these for a while, but noticed that other colors are available here.
3. I love these bangles. I am quite sure that I wear them too much. I think the entire lot cost about 6 dollars. So I got my money's worth.
4. I'm still not entirely sure why I love this ring so much, but I do. It says "Sheila" -- not my name, nor anyone I know. But I had to have it.

Okay. Back to work. Hope you are having a lovely weekend. And I hope the sun is shining where you live, because it certainly hasn't been shining here.

xo,
Amy