Project Rudolph

For anyone who actually reads any of my posts, I just want to say right now, I TOLD YOU SO!! I don't keep my blog updated because I have so much other stuff going on. However, I wanted to take a minute or five and write about a charity that my family runs. It's called Project Rudolph. Ever heard of it? I didn't think so. That's kida why I wanted to post about it. Not that many people will see it, but one cal always try, right?
So what is Project Rudolph all about you ask? We make gift bags/care packages and send them to deployed service members during the Christmas season. Each bag is a decorated brown paper lunch bag, usually decorated by school children, which we then fill with letters of thanks and appreciation, goodies, a really nead poem about a soldiers Christmas, and an unbreakable ornament, preferably homemade. We just finished up our 6th year, and we were able to either hand out or ship out over 14,000 bags. Pretty crazy, huh? We have been getting TONS of feedback from recipients of the bags. It's the neatest thing in the work to get a letter from someone halfway across the world who got your letter.
In fact, my son, who turned 10 yesterday, received a letter in the mail from Australia from a woman who received a bag with a letter from him in it. He would never say it out loud, but I know he felt some warm fuzzies when I helped him read it (the handwriting was kinda hard to read). I've received a couple of letters back, but the greatest thing is just knowing that you have helped to make someones day brighter. A lot of these men and women are away from their families for the first time, and it's hard! Some of them have missed more than a few holidays away from their homes and families, and it's still hard! What better way to help make it easier than by letting them know that people back home really do appreciate their sacrifice.
If you would like more information about Project Rudolph, please go to www.projectrudolph.org. And don't be confused by the main page. Just click on the Project Rudolph picture and it will take you to the right place. And if you're interested in what else we - mainly my sister - does, check out Project Portrait and Operation Angel as well. Both very worth causes.

This and that

So, for quite a while now I've debated on actually using this blog. Most of the time I figure it's just one more thing to do, so I don't do anything. A friend of mine asked me about my blog today and I was kinda embarassed because I haven't posted anything in AGES. So maybe I'll try to be better.

Things really are crazy around here though, and not enough time is almost a valid excuse. In January I was called to be the Primary President. I seriously giggled when they asked. I was completely caught off guard with that one. Mainly because I realy (and I do mean REALLY) dislike being in charge. I'd much rather be a sheep than a shepherd. Oh well, someone must want to change a weakness into a strength. I have awesome coulselors and a great secretary who help keep me in line though, so I'm learning and growing, albeit slowly.

I'm also getting more and more involved with the PTO. If I'm not careful I might actually become more than just a member. This year we have a tired and work out (and pregnant and awesome) PTO president, but no VP, treasurer or secretary. We're trying to recruit more people, but in a community that doesn't like to get involved, who knows what will happen.

And on top of it all, I am still doing a small craft business out of my home. Nothing official or anything, but it keeps me busy. I actually have my things in a small antiques/craft shop in Kimberly called the Laughind Daisy. Well, my stuff was there. I took it all out for a craft show and haven't gotten my inventory back to her yet. Oops. And if you're wondering what I do, the answe is ANYTHING! I have friends who find projects they think I could do, or I run across a blog that has great ideas, or I see something in a craft show, and I always think, "Wow, I could make that for a whole lot less." So I do! I do not, however, do plastic canvas, or cross stitch. But I dabble in pretty much anything else. It's always nice to have an outlet to get rid of all my experaments though. And my girls love it! They always get new hair things, or items of clothes. My next project is to make twirly skirts out of bandanas and a T shirt. I'll have to post pictures.

So anyway, that's a quick overview of how insane my life is right now. Kids, church, crafts, cooking and cleaning.

Boutique burp clothes

These burp clothes are made from soft cloth diapers, with added ribbon to make them a little more "chic" and finished. $2.00 each, or $5.00 for all 3.

Newborn flower hat

This hat is adorable, and made just for newborns. It is perfect for those tiny heads. And for those of you who don't care for pink, it's made of light blue, but the flower design makes it girly enough for your little princess.

Family silhouette

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Another "Up-cycled" Handbag

This one was pretty fun to do. It's made of a little bit of a few pairs of corduroy pants and a sheet. It's amazing what you can do with a little bit of nothing!

Yet another "Up-cycled" Handbag

This bag was made out of just about the ugliest par of pants I've ever seen. MAtched up with an old brown suitcoat. They paired up well and turned into comething I'm quite proud of!

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