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My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

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Bloom Child Bloom for The Sparrow Fund

5.29.11

It’s a big year for Sharon, the owner of Bloom Child Bloom. She and her husband have been married for 7 years, and they are in the process of adopting their 7th child. (That wasn’t a typo.) Jeesh. And, I thought I was tired. I’m thinking she must like coffee as much as I do.

Sharon’s has such a heart for children around the world and the families who are called to adopt. She is an active advocate for orphans in China. She worked with An Orphan’s Wish before branching out to start her own advocacy blog A Family For Everyone.

For as long as she can remember, sewing has been a part of her life as she watched her mama make clothes for her younger brother and herself. And, now, she’s the one sewing and teaching her little ones the value of making things with your own hands.

She’s still growing the business at Bloom Child Bloom and working on adding new designs there as she is able. Go take a look at the ones she has listed there already and the ones listed on her Facebook page (there are more designs there) and consider ordering one (super fast) so that 10% of your purchase goes to The Sparrow Fund. AND, she’s got a Memorial Day sale going on right now as an extra incentive – $20 per shirt with free shipping and a free name added.

I’m partial to this one –

Please go see all the shops supporting The Sparrow Fund this month by clicking on the button below

TSF

Click on these buttons below once a day–

it will bring new viewers and more attention to what we’re doing for adoptive families

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: The Sparrow Fund May drive

The Canvas Heart for The Sparrow Fund

5.28.11

I’ve been writing a lot of posts about businesses–everyday in May, in fact. And, yes, I’ve loved pouring through the stores and picking out my faves. I’ve ordered a few things for ourselves and dreamed about a whole lot more I wish I could order. But, what I’ve enjoyed most of all is hearing from the business owners themselves and learning about the stories behind the businesses. 
And, the story behind The Canvas Heart is a sweet one.

The entire book of Galatians in Amharic with the fruits of the spirit in English highlighted. 

Before they were even married, Crystal and her husband knew God had called them to missions. After lots and lots of prayer, they discerned that that call was specific to Ethiopia. For 2 years, they lived and served there. Crystal told me, “Our time there was rich and fruitful and changed us forever.”

Copies of pages from the Amharic Bible with Africa in the middle with Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth.”  

Back home and now a mommy of two girls, God has grown in her a heart for adoption. She found herself reading the blogs specifically for those families adopting from Ethiopia and hanging on their journeys. And, then it just clicked–she should use her knowledge of Amharic and her artistic gift to do something special. And, that something special is now The Canvas Heart.

“Make Known Among the Nations” – Psalm 105:1-4 in Amharic
Crystal uses canvas, fun papers, and all kinds of embellishments to make mixed media art and cards. She translates names and scriptures into Amharic and creates custom art for adoptive families or those who simply have a heart for Ethiopia. She loves making custom pieces and sells amazing photographs of Ethiopia as well.

Ethiopian countryside
Crystal told me – 

I absolutely love my job! This business has been a blessing in so many ways. I never expected my heart to be so touched by adoption and to meet so many amazing families who are being faithful and obedient to answer this call on their lives. . . . Thank you, The Sparrow Fund, for letting me contribute to your debut!

Please take a few minutes to visit Crystal’s Etsy store and her blog. “Like” her on Facebook (let’s see her fans go over 100!). Consider purchasing one of her pieces or asking her to make something special just for you. And, thank her for answering God’s call to support adoptive families and by doing that specifically through The Sparrow Fund this month. 
Please go see all the shops supporting The Sparrow Fund this month by clicking on the button below

TSF



Click on these buttons below once a day–

it will bring new viewers and more attention to what we’re doing for adoptive families

Visit Top Mommy Blogs To Vote For Me!

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: The Sparrow Fund May drive

Kick-Ass Bows for The Sparrow Fund

5.27.11

That really is the name of the business. Really. You see, Holly’s quite the kick herself. 
Holly’s a native NJ girl married to a guy born and raised in Sicily. Together, they own a pizzeria in NJ where they live with their 5-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son who are both from Guatemala. Can’t you just imagine a bit of kick in their house? 
When their daughter was hairless and called “slugger” more than “princess,” Holly went a little bow crazy. She soon realized she had a knack for making them herself and went even more bow crazy, making them for her daughter and then selling leftovers on ebay. Her bow kick quickly grew to a website and an Etsy store and yet another Etsy store where Holly now has 3 different places for customers to buy bows and clips and headbands and all kinds of girly girl goodness.

Since she started her business 3 years ago, she has been donating between 10%-20% to the orphans and children of Guatemala. She has also donated to causes related to Russian orphans, Kazakhstan orphans, Chinese orphans, and Ethiopian orphans. So, you can see how supporting The Sparrow Fund was something Holly was excited about doing.

Check Holly’s Facebook page out and “like” her. Go check out her website and Kick-Ass Bows and Kick-Ass Clippies. You will notice when you visit that she’s currently on vacation. So, here’s the kicker, Holly is donating 10% of all sales from May and June to The Sparrow Fund. Very cool. Now, that might be just the motivation you need to buy your little princess some special summer hair treats.

Please go see all the shops supporting The Sparrow Fund this month by clicking on the button below

TSF

Click on these buttons below once a day–

it will bring new viewers and more attention to what we’re doing for adoptive families

Visit Top Mommy Blogs To Vote For Me!

No related posts.

Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: The Sparrow Fund May drive

meigui designs for The Sparrow Fund

5.26.11


You may think that I have enough jewelry in my house right now (read this post if you don’t know what I’m talking about) to fill my need for all things pretty. But, a girl can never get enough of appreciating pretty things.
Julie, the owner of meigui designs, has a huge collection of pretty things in her store to dazzle you. And, they aren’t just pretty (as if that weren’t enough), they are truly eclectic and unique. No cookie cutter jewelry here.

This “Hearts Aflutter” bracelet is made of repurposed sari silk and brass. She has a handful of different items made with sari silk. I love the softness to it.
You may notice an Asian influence to some of her work. That’s because Julie is the mother of two girls–11 and 8–from Anhui Province, China. 
Julie told me —

We have been so blessed and know first hand how scary and unpredictable the adoption journey can be. I think what you are doing is so needed and will really help future adoptive parents. 

Visit this adoptive mommy’s store and check out all the pretty things. And, with nothing over $36 in the store, you can probably find just a little something that you can’t live without. And, buy it before May 31st so that The Sparrow Fund will get 10%, okay? 
I seriously need to just break down and buy a bird piece of jewelry. I’m admiring them every time I see one. Wouldn’t this be a neat piece for The Sparrow Fund? It really looks like the logo, doesn’t it? 


Please go see all the shops supporting The Sparrow Fund this month by clicking on the button below

TSF

Click on these buttons below once a day–

it will bring new viewers and more attention to what we’re doing for adoptive families

Visit Top Mommy Blogs To Vote For Me!

No related posts.

Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: The Sparrow Fund May drive

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