Weekend Report

Whilst I was away scrapbooking amidst the pine trees, my family and our home-group from CCV had a garage sale to help raise funds for our adoption.  They are SOOOO awesome!  I did sell some of the bigger items on Craigslist too… and there are four or five more things to sell, but we made over $1,200 so far!  My teenage daughter and I pulled out all the like-new designer kids clothing from the piles and piles that were donated and plan to consign them next week.  That should be another couple hundred dollars.  Whoooo HOooooo!

The best story from the entire weekend was from Saturday morning at the garage sale.  For those who don’t know, we live in Phoenix, AZ…. home to MANY illegal aliens…. who ALL shop at garage sales.  AZ is also the home to the infamous SB1070 bill that enables officers of the law to ask for identification from anyone they pull over, who happens to look like they could be an illegal alien.  (I would love it if Obama came to AZ and got pulled over and asked for proof of citizenship…. but I digress.)

Anyway, there is a man in our home-group who is a policeman who works nights.  He arrived home from his beat and dropped by the garage sale to see his wife and offer his support to our family.  Well, his presence in his uniform didn’t go over so well with the shoppers.  In fact, many dropped piles of chosen articles where they stood, slouched to their vehicles in the cul-de-sac and escaped without showing proof of citizenship.  When everyone figured out what was going on, Mr. Policeman’s wife sent him home to change his clothes… and to stop hampering business.  As soon as he left the cul-de-sac, six cars came right in and the shoppers resumed shopping.  It was hilarious!

Blessed by a Stranger!

A friend of ours called me and said they would like to donate a washer, an antique desk and a water heater to our “adoption” garage sale.  We gratefully accepted and I went over to take pictures so I could put the items on Craigslist to sell.  I used my husband’s cell number because I didn’t want the calls and he would have to meet them over at the other house.  In a few hours from me posting them, he had calls on all three items and set up meeting times last night.  So I went with him…. kind of like a date night, but totally not counting as a date night. 

Long story short, I wrote in the ads that these were donated items for our adoption and I didn’t have background info on them, only descriptions.  The guy that showed up for the washing machine didn’t even look inside the washer!  He looked at the knobs, looked at the hoses and cord and said he’d take it.  My husband and the man loaded it into his truck and then he reached for the cash in his pocket.  He paid exactly what we asked and then handed my husband another $20 “for the cause.”  It brought tears to my eyes.  He asked how old our daughter is “God blessed” us and drove away.  I love when strangers “get it.”  I wonder if he even needed a washing machine?  I needed that little boost of encouragement!  Thanks, God.

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a Bag for Zaza!

Yes, sewing has been slow lately, but there is a hum-dinger of a bag up for auction at www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com, thanks to my mother and her wonder machine.  Go look at the fancy-shmancy stitching on this bag.  She was showing off, fo sho!  Silk and velvet fuzzy dots, to boot!  Thanks Mom, and Jennie!

Other exciting adoption fundraising news:  We started a media drive and have made over $250 so far!  whoooo hoooooo.  Friends donated videos, CDs, DVDs, books, and video games that we have been selling at a 2nd hand store and on ebay.  (I’ve been highly amused at the beer and enima boxes that the media arrived in!)  Here’s a link to 6 VHS VeggieTale videos:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320412671256&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT  (No, I still can’t get the link thing working….)  Then click on ‘see other items’ to view our 19 current auctions!  Something for everyone…. and something very special for that tribulation-loving person.  Thanks friends!

AND, if having books and videos stacked all over my family room is not exciting enough, a friend of Larisa’s is doing his version of Take Home Chef and donating 75% to bringing Zaza home!  M3: Matt’s Meals on a Mission.  Matt has been in drama with Larisa for quite a few years and is in his senior year.  He is taking culinary courses at a Scottsdale college.  So if you live in the Phoenix area and eat food, check out his blog and have him over to cook and clean up!  http://mattanvik.blogspot.com/  He’s also very entertaining.  Thanks Matt!

Three Bags Up at BFZ!

Yes, come one, come all.  There are three bags up for auction at Bags For Zaza this week.  We’ve been on summer holidays for a bit, but we’re back up and running, well, sewing.  There is something for everyone this week!  All the proceeds of this eco-friendly fundraiser go toward the adoption of our little Zaza from Colombia.  We have been impatiently waiting for her for over 2 1/2 years now, but with each day that passes, we’re one day closer to hugging and kissing her.

Without further ado, may I present THE BAGS:

#1 is a saucy little lavender number for a little girl or a lady who likes to pretend she’s a little girl.

#2 is a more sophisticated carrier bag that is fashioned after a “birding bag” with lots of pockets and a handy shoulder strap.

#3 is a handbag in the stylish colors of black & white with a splash of lime green thrown in there too.

So, if you please, go have a look at WAY more photos of each bag, make a bid or two, and PLEASE tell a few folks about our cause.  We are nearing the end of our wait… the thus our sewing time too, unfortunately. 

www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com.  THANKS SO MUCH!

One-of-a-Kind Handmade Purse!

This bag is called Mia’s Story after a beautifully illustrated tale of a little girl who lives in a South American village.  All of the Bags for Zaza are hand made of  up-cycled fabrics that have been donated for the cause.  What’s the cause?  The adoption of our little South American princess. 

The straps on the bag have bits and pieces of a remnant for a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt that was pieced by my great grandmother and her sisters.

Inside the bag is a little Asian surprise… two little men embroidered for your viewing pleasure.  They were once the front of a little Oriental shirt and the red frog closure is still there too!  There are more photos on the Bags for Zaza page.

To bid on a bag, please go to  www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com  and help bring an orphan home!  Thanks for looking and for telling others!

Blankets of Love

 

Another adoptive family that we know has started an auction site for Blankets of Love to raise funds for their adoption of siblings.  Here is Kristy’s description of her blankets:  “These blankets are made from Anti-pill fleece print with a coordinating fleece on the back. The back fleece is most often a furry fleece that can be short hair or long hair but VERY soft and cozy! There will be some that are from “ultra cuddle” fleece or with that on the back. However, rest assured that they ARE warm!”  I would add that she only uses the expensivefleece that is fabulously snugly and durable and the blankets are HUGE!  Check out the sizes and pictures at her site:  http://blanketsoflove.blogspot.com/ and help bring a set of siblings to their forever home.

I truly wish that international adoption wasn’t so expensive, but alas, it is.  However, when God places a dream in your heart for an orphan He provides the needs in His time and in His way.  It is such a blessing to see where He has the adoption funds “hidden” for each family.  What a privilege to share the joy of adoption with others and give them an opportunity to participate in bringing a child HOME.

Christmas blankets will be a sure hit all year round!  Check ’em out!

Good Morning!

It’s Saturday… the day for sleepin’ in!  Woooo HOooo!  That was quickly followed up with French Toast and sausage.  Does it get any better than this?  The boys (all 3) are playing floor hockey upstairs.  I just de-collated my coupons and I’m ready to go get free TP and food at Fry’s.  I’m relieved that there’s not much on the calendar today…  just my nephew’s fourth birthday party.  That’s always entertaining!  Have a great weekend.

OH!  Bags end tonight at 9:00. www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com   Help bring an orphan home!  :o)

The Chips are Down, but the Bags are UP!

www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com has some real beauties up this week, if I do say so myself.  In fact, I just did.  There is something for every gal on your Christmas list, young and old.  For those new to MSJ, this is an adoption fundraiser to bring our daughter home from Colombia.  It started as a family project and has blossomed as we found more people to call family. :o)

The bags and/or purses go up for auction on Tuesday and the highest bidder on Saturday night at 9:00 pm has a little bit more of their Christmas shopping completed.  Purses are the rage, in case you haven’t been out of the house lately.  Big bags, handy bags, cutesy bags and just plain versatile bags are IN.

BFZ has also become an addiction for many, but especially my mother.  I truly don’t know what she used to do all day long before she was designing award-winning bags… and checking the comments for every single bag dozens of times each day.  She took a sewing break last week, which we have all done in turn, but she had a difficult time knowing that she wouldn’t have as many comments to read.  Dad even put a computer in her sewing room, right next to the Singer, for easy access while stitching and ripping out and stitching the beautiful bags.  Such dedication. 

Seriously, how easy are we making your Christmas shopping for you?  It couldn’t get any easier.  You don’t even have to stay up on the auctions, if you choose not to.  Just pick out a dazzling Bag for Zaza for that special someone on your list, bid $175, and you will read your name up in lights on Saturday night.  It’s that easy.  (The bidding starts at $25….. shhhhhh!)

Thanks to all those who have donated fabric, trim and buttons.  Thanks to all who have bid and bid and bid, and STILL don’t have a bag.  Thanks to all of our models across North America for showcasing BFZ when you wear your bag.  Thanks to those special women who are spending their not-so-free-time sewing for Zaza.  Blessings upon you ALL!    (Only 72 shopping days until Christmas!  Don’t get caught in the MALL on the 24th!)

Zaza’s Bags are Back!

After a week of holidays, we’re back in full force.  Here’s a sampling of the gems up on the auction block.

There’s something for everyone… little ladies…. farm girls…. cool teenagers…  www.bagsforzaza.blogspot.com.

This 70s charmer is a peak for next week.

I’ve been busy sewing this week.  It’s because Scrapping in the Pines is in four more sleeps… a four day scrapbooking retreat in the coolness of Prescott, AZ.  Ahhhhhh.  So I’ll be busy scrapping, not sewing this coming week.  Trying to stay on top of it all. 

Keeve is much better today.  I’m amazed at how wounds inside the mouth heal so quickly.  Yesterday was pudding and jello.  Today was corn-on-the-cob and birthday cake.  (Happy 71st Birthday, Dad!)

www.LindaCrosby.com

Zaza’s Bags ~ Check ‘Em Out!

As you may or may not know, I was at kid’s camp this week having my patience tested by children ages 8 – 12.  It was a rewarding experience, bar none.  <smirk>  I only made one bag ahead of time for the Bags for Zaza adoption auction, so I can almost humbly say, “The bags are AWESOME this week!”  Go check them out here:  www.bagsforzaza.blogspot.com

Chic.  Cool.  Contemporary.  And laptops fit in these beauties.  The top distressed denim bag was a source of releasing frustrations for my sister-in-law as she razor cut, bleached, sanded and randomly sewed this uber-cool bag.  My cutie-pie niece is modelling the Fox and Hound bag above.  This one is designed for the modern woman of the oh-eights.  (That’s hip talk for 2008….. FYI.)

Grace for the Moment(above) was my mom’s first contribution for BFZ.  It is a design wonder with numerous fabrics and textures and her name is Grace.  (ahhh) Lime green is so cool with brown.  These bags inspire me to shop for new outfits to match them even if I don’t have the bag….. sorry, Hon.

www.bagsforzaza.blogspot.com

For those moms with boys, here is a list of items that fit in any of the Bags for Zaza:  Lego ships, size 3 emergency underwear, HotWheels, pirate eye patches, silly putty (only in it’s egg), slinkies, rocks, sticks, rubberbands, necklaces made out of the twist ties from the produce section, key rings, homemade crystals, Heelys wheels, the entire skateboard helmet (but this is not recommended for long time storage), skate laces, magnifying glass, gum wrappers, magnets, dice, marbles, cap guns, etc.

Come on.  Bid on a bag.  Help bring an orphan home to her family.  :o)  THANKS!