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You remember this little teaser don't you?
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Of course you do! So set your eyes on this Heavenly Giveaway from Heavenly Hostess. This halter apron, made from my Summer Soiree is stunningly fashionable, retro modern and so well made that it feels more like a party dress. It's REVERSIBLE! Flattering and fabulous...AND it can be yours!
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Cynthia Wadell, creator of Heavenly Hostess aprons has an fierce passion for encouraging others to serve. I know many of you are so gifted and use those gifts to bless others, while some of you may wonder or not even realize what talents you do possess. We would love to hear your thoughts on how;
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*you use your gifts everyday to impact others
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*you would love to bless someone in your life
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*you would love to bless someone in your life
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*possibly someone in your life has blessed you in a way that might have seemed small at the time, but actually made a huge impact in your life
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*what holds you back from reaching out in a positive way to others.
Cynthia and I will pick one story to win this beautiful halter apron, a retail value of $85.00. Keep in mind, your story does not have to be related to serving food. There are many gifts and many ways to bless others.
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"God has given each of us special abilities, be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10
I believe hospitality starts with an attitude of the heart. It's an act of doing something to help another, whether it's just stopping to really listen, an encouraging word or the ability to make someone feel comfortable.
Hospitality shouldn't become an artform or it loses it's true meaning.
With that said, I know some of us creative types would rather bestow our blessings while looking our best whenever possible, right? So please share your thoughts and be sure to go over to Heavenly Hostess to see the abundance of other aprons and beautiful gifts they offer. And speaking of gifts, this giveaway will make a great Mother's Day gift as well. I'll keep the comments open for a couple of weeks to give you plenty of time to put fingers to the keypad (instead of pen to paper, get it?) Oh, and sorry to those of you that were coveting those awesome potholders. Those are mine, but I know where you can get some just like those.
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On another note, I hope your Easter or Passover was full of color and love. We broke the mold this year and celebrated Easter at Jennifer's new house.
Wow, us girls sure were workin the pattern overload, weren't we?
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As usual, I had so many other things to share with you, but not today. I've got to get back to painting for my next fabric line. Yup, lots of hand painting!
In 2003, our region was hit by wildfires, destroying many homes whose owners were unprepared and uninsured. At the time, I was in school, working towards my degree in Interior Design. I was taking CAD classes with a very talented and compassionate instructor. In the wake of the wildfire destruction, together, we created a student club, where students of architecture, engineering, design, etc., could volunteer to help design and assist in the permitting process. I ran the program, through it's entire duration of 2 years, organizing teams of volunteers, and matching owners with students to rebuild their "dream home". In the time that I ran the program, I met so many amazing people, both victims AND volunteers. I truly felt at home in my position, but soon, homes were permitted and in the building process, and the need dwindled. Shortly after I graduated, I turned over files to the instructor, and began classes towards my degree in Architecture.
ReplyDeleteOver that summer, my husband and I had given up our dream of having children, after 8 years of TTC. Less than a month into my classes, I began to show symptoms of fatigue, and dropped my classes at my doctor's request. Shortly after that, I found out I was pregnant with my son!
I have not returned to school, and at this point...I am not sure that I will return to Architecture at all. I have realized that it wasn't the AREA I was working in that I loved so much. It was the act of HELPING OTHERS. It comes naturally to me, and is what truly makes me feel happy.
Luckily, I was able to have one more child before my reproductive system shut down on me permanently, and now, I focus all of my time and attention trying to teach my children the quality of helping others, and giving to others.
My son will be 4 this May, and at this point, has never had a haircut. It began as a personal preference, and turned into so much more than that, as I realized what a waste it would be to just chop his hair and throw it in the trash. We now have a set goal in mind with growing his hair longer. We talk about it regularly, and he understands that when the time comes, we will BOTH be donating our hair to Locks of Love, for wigs to be made for those who've lost their hair due to cancer and chemo.
It is harder to give my TIME to others, now, because I am busy raising and teaching my children, but it is easy to teach them the values of giving, both of time AND of gifts. We clean out our toys and clothes regularly, and pass them along to other families with children, or who are expecting...we do this as a family, and sometimes, I will find a bag of toys sitting at the top of our stairs. When I ask what it is doing there, my son will tell me "it's for the babies who don't have any toys". Upon inspection, I find that all of the toys he has bagged up belong to his little sister...guess our next lesson will be on giving only what belongs to us! :)
Ali, thank you SO much for taking the time to share with us. Sounds like this is not just an instance but a lifesyle of gracious living.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [12 Apr 02:00pm GMT]. Thanks, Maria
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful mother, daughter and grandchild. Hope you guys are doing fantastic. Love the design and color. Com see me at the Open House. I am in a new studio...B300.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful aprons, Love reading your blog posts.
ReplyDeleteI have been a semi work a home mom for years now and I "work" through my creativity. My abilities to sew a few stitches and make something pretty has literally helped put food on our table and gas in our cars during our hardest time. I absolutely love getting an e-mail or letter from a reader of my blog or someone that has been inspired by what I do. I think that must be how you feel Paula? The reason I am so proud is because every single time someone has reached out to me to tell me they appreciate my work, it's because I inspired them to step out and make something; which leads to those creative people, helping put food on their tables and gas in their cars as well. Having 3 little ones depend on husband and yourself for everything can be scary when times are hard and those little ones must never know just how bad things can be. I don't have anything dramatic to tell you but I do think that by reaching out to others like myself who have a desire to be creative and inspiring them to express themselves results in many more stay at home moms who find ways to provide for their families when they need it most. I have friends who are in the place now that I was in a few years ago and could use some encouragement. Can you imagine how a pretty apron would make a mom of 3 little ones under the age of 3 feel? I imagine it would make her feel pretty, useful, spoiled, and pulled together and so much more. That's something that us moms don't feel often enough. Thank you Paula for this opportunity...I just love your style and generosity! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an apron! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI don't view myself as a very talented person but I do try to give what I have. I can make jam and loafs of bread, i make cards and I'm learning to sew. These things I like to shear with others. But beyond that, I like give of my time to be with those around me. I love to serve my children, to love them and to help them fell loved.
ReplyDeletePaula, What a wonderful give-away and a wonderful concept that Heavenly Hostess as developed.
ReplyDeleteGod has placed a desire to see that all children feel loved and hugged. I have been blessed to partner with some amazing women at my church to make quilts for children in crisis situations. Some of these women didn't know how to quilt prior to joining us. We pair the quilts with a stuffed animal and give them to the local fire department. They then give them to children they encounter, be it through a fire, accident or the children being removed from the home. We have gotten wonderful feedback from the fire fighters, especially fathers, who see the delight and comfort in the kids faces.
We receive wonderful support from our church members who donate fabric consistently. Our biggest struggle right now is having batting and time to get enough quilts done to fill the needs.
Take care and God bless, Cory
I want to share an experience where something that seemed really small to the person giving the service turned into something very special to me (the one receiving it)
ReplyDeleteA few years back I had a major falling out with a good friend. She and I both reacted badly to a situation and it resulted in a nine month estrangement (luckily we have been able to recover from the situation and are again very good friends). Right in the middle of all of the drama and stress I received a sweet card in the mail from another friend. It simply stated things that she liked about me and a wish that I was doing well.
The timing of this card could not have been better. I was really struggling with the situation with my other friend. What probably seemed like such a small thing to the sender was huge to me. The card was a bright spot in a dark time.
kissyjensen at gmail dot com
After growing up with a mom who has always been a teacher, I realized that I had something in me wanting to educate others. I was introduced a while ago to Pure Romance, a home-party company that sells lotions, lingerie, and romance aids. We not only sell products, but we educate and empower women to feel comfortable with their own sexuality. Learning things about themselves and their own body they may have never known, figuring out what makes them happy, and being able to communicate better with their partner.
ReplyDeleteI know many people have a preconceived notion of us being just a company that sells, but there is so much research and education that our CEO/Founder has put into these products. We have a health department and research development team that develop products not only with women in mind, but that are safe for all women to use.
I love the comments and calls I get from women both at the parties and after in how I have helped to change their lives and their relationships with their partners!
Always,
Katy
starboundstudios(at)charter(dot)net
"Giving"...what a perfect word to describe my mom...She has inspired me in so many ways...she is such a "giver" and among numerous things what she gives the most is love...
ReplyDeleteI got to my moms arms almost 44 years ago... She was 41 I was a month old... When I was old enough to know where when and how I came to be her daughter ...her words were burned to my heart ...
She could've had babies of her own but my daddy couldn't...when he asked her to marry him he told her that and she said " I love you and that's all I need to know"...to be that loving ...giving ...and to sacrifice something that big...is so huge...you have to be a very special person...This super special person is my mom ...she has touch my life and my heart like no one else...God blessed my life with her...and I'm trying my best to be at least half of what she is to me ...to my own kids...
Thanks for the opportunity to share a little bit of my hero with you...
Hugs and God Bless,
^A^ngel♥
Paula, your fabric has given me lots of joy in my life! I love all of your stuff. I like to give back by making quilts for kids that I know and putting their names on the backs. They love to have something that is theirs alone. I also make toys for the Toy Society. We make them and then leave them out in public for random strangers to find. Great giveaway, great blog, great designer.
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Esther and I am a nineteen year old college freshman. Being so young I have a great deal of free time in comparison to those who have children and homes to care for. Right now all I have to worry about is myself because of this I have some extra time to volunteer at the LA Dream Center in California. Every Saturday my friend and I drive to downtown LA and then we head over to some inner city government housing. These neighborhoods are full of gangs, drugs, and people constantly cursing. My heart literally aches for the poor babies and children who are born into the neighborhoods like these. I don't know if any of you have seen the movie The Blind Side but if you have their is a scene when Leigh Anne takes Michael to his old neighborhood to get clothes and you can see the government housing. That is how the place I go to looks. Oh it is just horrible.
ReplyDeleteSo let me tell you what we do there. When we get there we unload food that has been donated to the organization and distribute amongst the family. After that we just hang out and love on the people. We shower the kids with hugs and kisses. I have become particularly close with one family. They are a bunch a sweet people the family consists of a single mother and 5 kids ranging from nine to nine months. http://esthermcarrera.blogspot.com/2010/03/south-central.html
The little girl in the second picture is one of her daughters. I can't tell you how much I enjoy serving the people in these poor communities.
I believe that many of us think that there is no way to help people. Or maybe some of us just don’t know to go about it. I mean just a simple smile to a stranger can brighten someone’s day. Or you see a homeless person and you have no money to spare. Why not give him that water bottle that is sitting in your car? Sometimes you really have to step out of your comfort zone to lend a helping hand. That was one thing I really struggled with.
My first day in these inner city cites was not only physically exhausting but emotionally too. I was a bit scared when I got to the site and noticed bullet holes on many of the doors there. I looked at all the children and thought to myself if this is what they live in everyday I can at least spend three or four hours here. These days I am fearless when I go there. God has given me comfort at these dangerous places. I want to share a quick verse.
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward those of your people who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 5:11
This verse really shows me that I need to be serving people and I have no excuse not to. I am so glad the Lord has made me so passionate about serving others because I have made some lifelong friends in doing so. I love to bake sew and create all stuff of fun things for others and I think that it another wonderful way to serve others. There so many ways to serve you just have to found out which ones you are most passionate about!
Thank you for letting me share with you!! This is such a great way to enter a giveaway. I loved reading all the inspiring comments people have already left.
Hi my name is Esther and I am a nineteen year old college freshman. Being so young I have a great deal of free time in comparison to those who have children and homes to care for. Right now all I have to worry about is myself because of this I have some extra time to volunteer at the LA Dream Center in California. Every Saturday my friend and I drive to downtown LA and then we head over to some inner city government housing. These neighborhoods are full of gangs, drugs, and people constantly cursing. My heart literally aches for the poor babies and children who are born into the neighborhoods like these. I don't know if any of you have seen the movie The Blind Side but if you have their is a scene when Leigh Anne takes Michael to his old neighborhood to get clothes and you can see the government housing. That is how the place I go to looks. Oh it is just horrible.
ReplyDeleteSo let me tell you what we do there. When we get there we unload food that has been donated to the organization and distribute amongst the family. After that we just hang out and love on the people. We shower the kids with hugs and kisses. I have become particularly close with one family. They are a bunch a sweet people the family consists of a single mother and 5 kids ranging from nine to nine months. http://esthermcarrera.blogspot.com/2010/03/south-central.html
The little girl in the second picture is one of her daughters. I can't tell you how much I enjoy serving the people in these poor communities.
I believe that many of us think that there is no way to help people. Or maybe some of us just don’t know to go about it. I mean just a simple smile to a stranger can brighten someone’s day. Or you see a homeless person and you have no money to spare. Why not give him that water bottle that is sitting in your car? Sometimes you really have to step out of your comfort zone to lend a helping hand. That was one thing I really struggled with.
My first day in these inner city cites was not only physically exhausting but emotionally too. I was a bit scared when I got to the site and noticed bullet holes on many of the doors there. I looked at all the children and thought to myself if this is what they live in everyday I can at least spend three or four hours here. These days I am fearless when I go there. God has given me comfort at these dangerous places. I want to share a quick verse.
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward those of your people who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 5:11
This verse really shows me that I need to be serving people and I have no excuse not to. I am so glad the Lord has made me so passionate about serving others because I have made some lifelong friends in doing so. I love to bake sew and create all stuff of fun things for others and I think that it another wonderful way to serve others. There so many ways to serve you just have to found out which ones you are most passionate about!
Thank you for letting me share with you!! This is such a great way to enter a giveaway. I loved reading all the inspiring comments people have already left.
Paula,
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking. Love the mits and apron, reversable, too! WOW! Well My answers got LONG, so here is the link to my BLOG post of the FULL Answers.
http://jackiesue.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/asked-a-few-questions-for-a-giveaway/
Below, see the greatly shorter version!
*HUGS*
Jackie (at) jackiesue.com
PP: How you use your gifts everyday to impact others?
JS: All in all, loving others as they are and where they are at in life, goes a long way.
PP: How you would love to bless someone in your life?
JS: I would love to bless my friend Wendy with this apron you are giving away!
PP: How has someone in your life has blessed you in a way that might have seemed small at the time, but actually made a huge impact in your life?
JS: This blessing was living by example and not in a 'thing'.
PP: What holds you back from reaching out in a positive way to others?
JS: Lack of resources.
Hi Paula - thanks for your comments on my photography - lead me to see your beautiful work as well! I enjoyed perusing your blog as well. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for this opportunity to be blessed by your give away! I was asking myself this question the past week after seeing the movie "carrying the cross by Arthur Blessit" What impact has my life had on others and what do I leave behind? I have sewn countless chior robes, costumes for church. Given quilts to childrens home, st. Judes, downy.....friends and family. But what impact has that held? I am a RN and have touched many peoples lives. But has that had an impact?? I guess only in the end will I ever know how I touched peoples lives.
ReplyDeleteI just love your fabric and the items you have displayed on the blog!! What an inspiration!
Sometimes the most meaningful way to show God's love is through small daily gestures. Wearing a warm smile, sharing conversation with strangers, or even dropping off fresh baked goods or a meal to an elderly neighbour allows God's light to shine & blesses those around you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea for a giveaway!
It's funny you should ask. Just last week I sent an email to a amazing friend telling her how God has made her such a blessing in my life. Just maybe a year and half ago a tennis nut like myself kept saying how he would love for his wife to join. I called and left her a message about how I would be happy to help her along and make her feel comfortable and how good it would be for her to get out and enjoy meeting some other women. I just had a strong feeling about having to encourage her. We met and became instantly connected, weirdly I knew it was going to happen. I've know her the least amount of time as a friend and have shared something I have never told anyone that burdened me and have the most intense trust in her. I'm truly blessed to have her in my life and can't thank God enough.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing such inspiration and optimism. Everything I make I try to really think about the person, and create for them. It helps me reach out of my comfort zone, and reach into others. I have been blessed with a really giving mother as well. Most things mad in this house live in a different home. If I had the $ to establish more resources I would love to run a charity making quilts for cancer victims. My sister and good friend both cancer this last year and it opened my eyes to the unbelievable compassion others have. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI heard a saying many years ago. "God gave us two ears and one mouth. Seems to me that we are suppose to listen twice as much as we speak." That dear gal who said that has no idea how powerful her words have been in my life.
ReplyDeleteEver since then, I have learned to just be there when someone is hurting. For example, when a good friend of mine husband passed away suddenly, I went to sit with her. I just listened to her. We cried together, & laughed as she shared her memories of her dear beloved husband. That was over 10 yrs. ago. Recently she told me that I was the only one who let her freely talk of her deceased husband. Others were uncomfortable whe she spoke of him.
Another good friend of mine is very ill. She has been for many years. She plods along each day acting like all it well, but it is not. Under that tough exterior lies a precious soul that is hurting for her children who will most likely not have a mom much longer. That wieghs very heavy on her. A few times a month I make a point to go to lunch or have coffee with her. It is then I look into her eyes and ask her "How are you doing...really doing?" It is then the tears that are so close to the surface come streaming down and she shares her heart. She knows her deepest pains are safe with me as I know mine are with her.
My dad was terminally ill for many years. At the end of his life, he was sent home to die. We assumed that hospice would come in the home and care for him, that was not the case. My mom was left to "nurse" my father as he passed away. I packed a bag, gave my husband and kids a kiss good bye and went to be by my mom and dads side. It was the hardest thing I ever did. We moved his bed into the living room and there the three of us were until he passed away 4 days later. He slipped into a coma on the second day. He awoke in the arms of his and my Savior and Lord two days later. I know I will see him again! =)
Hurting souls don't need us to try and "fix" them, they just want to know someone is there who genuinely cares.
In my everyday life I smile at all who cross my path. It may be the clerk at the store, the mailman, or my neighbor. It matters little to me what they look like or mood they may be in. I smile and say hello! You'd be amazed how such a simple gesture can brighten ones countenance.
I don't know how interesting my story is. :)
ReplyDeleteThree years ago, my daughters and I joined a charity sewing circle, because I felt it was important for us to actively work to do something outside of ourselves for the betterment of others (i.e., the Provers 31 woman, Dorcas).
Our sewing circle, with a small handful of women and mostly donated fabrics, has created over 15,000 articles to help those in need in our community, since our inception in May of 2006. Our blog details this http://SewinSistersSowing.blogspot.com.
what an amazing women you are I always try to help others but I am a kind of a wall flower I once helped a neighbour who had there car stuck in the snow I pushed it up a steep hill and with a wave he drove off but to my amazement he brought round a box of chocs (yumm) and told me in all the years no one had ever tried to help him before it really made my day thanks for the chance take care
ReplyDeleteI'm a retired nurse and served my patients for many years....now I am happy to sit behind my sewing machine and create quilts for friends, family and my granddaughter. I also donate many quilts to QOV...(Quilts of Valor)...for returning injured soldiers.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for a chance to win
I think you are the prettiest grandma I have ever seen :0)!
Happy sewing and designing!
You are all so amazing. When I started this giveaway I really couldn't even imagine the depth of the stories I would read and the time you took to share. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you to everyone who has so generously shared their stories. You have all inspired me and touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your families.
Your sister in Christ,
Cynthia
LOVE that apron! WOW!
ReplyDelete-Sierra
sierra.keaster@gmail.com
Love the apron. I have been meaning to make a Christmas one like that forever now...fabric is still untouched =/.
ReplyDeleteGreat combination, glam and saturated sophisticated color. PICK ME lol
ReplyDelete