My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

My China Treasury

When we left China in April 2010, we left a piece of our hearts there.

And, we can’t seem to forget that.

So, while Mark is actually in China again–this time to teach and love and serve–I’m finding myself drawn to all things Chinese.

Here are a few of my favorites from a few of the partners of The Sparrow Fund this month.

Adoptive mom and grandmother, the heart behind Junk Posse knows what we mommies need to wear and the hands behind Junk Posse forms it. This necklace says in Chinese “A wish come true.” (sigh)
Donna Page‘s image here stops me in my tracks. If you are in the Atlanta area, you are blessed. Get her to take pictures for you.
Carla Blakenship‘s amazing photo of the Great Wall is officially award winning. So obvious why. Can’t believe Mark will be seeing this again in a few days. If you’re Alabama people, you will be in excellent hands if you let Carla photograph you. 
We have Just Children’s Books, an affiliate of Barefoot Books partnering with us this month. We are huge fans of Barefoot Books, one of our sponsors for our May 5th training event for adoptive families. They have many multicultural titles that we really like. Little Leap Forward is one of them. We have a copy, and I cannot wait to read it myself with my children. It’s a great introduction to learning about China’s Cultural Revolution and tells the story of a young boy growing up in the hutongs of China who learns the heartache of loving and letting go when he captures a bird but finds that the bird cannot sing in confinement. 
As the parent of a little girl who lived in a city along the silk road, we’re big fans of We’re Riding on a Caravan. 
And, The Great Race is a fun fable about the Chinese zodiac animals. And, you know I’m all into Chinese New Year books. 
I had no idea that jade wasn’t always, well, jade green until my parents started working in China. This necklace from Mei Faith Studio made out of Chinese yellow jade is absolutely stunning. I’m finding myself so attracted to this color lately. Go check out her other Chinese jewelry and prints. 
Huh? Don’t think this fits in? My husband just hand delivered one in blue to our Chinese godson. So, to me, it totally belongs here. 
Just got this picture emailed to me. Totally love this tee (and the kid wearing it) from Babee Crafts as well as her other creative designs (gotta check out her baby gifts–so stinkin’ clever). 
And, Jiayin Designs, of course. All Chinese. All purposeful. All the time.
Don’t forget to go shopping–Can you believe May is almost over? Support these businesses as they give 10% of their total sales this month to The Sparrow Fund.

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My Tree Treasury

I’ve got a think for birds. And, I’ve got a thing for trees. Put me in a store with a gazillion different eye-catching thingies, and I’ll find the branches and songbirds. 
Here are a few that caught my eye from some of The Sparrow Fund’s 2012 partners.
This print of birch trees from Thirteenth Story. Looks like something my kids would absolutely love to make up a story to go with it. 

Only $6.50 for these 5 Cards from Yes Teacher. If someone sent me this in the mail or hid it in the book I was reading, I would no doubt be having a groovy day. And, everybody needs a few groovy days.

Ooo….This Tree necklace from Peace of Mind is so pretty. Have I shared that I also have a thing for green?
Amylee must have a thing for trees too. This Tree art is one of several different tree designs she has created that are so great. Modern, fun trees with a message. 
This Skirt named “Simplicity Bark” from Red Pajamas with a cute gathered pocket could be just the tree accessory your little one needs. And, for only $15, you may want to get a couple more while you’re on her site. Lynette chooses the most fun fabrics. I love every piece. 
Have I also shared that I can totally be sucked in by marketing? Valerie at Ruffled Feathers just announced her new soft knot dolls–and the first one is named Lydia Love. Seriously? Oh my. Sweet Asian eyes–have you noticed how hard it is to get those right on dolls? Tree fabric. Red with pink polka dots (also have a thing for red and pink together). AND, Lydia Love? 

Get clickin’ and go snag some of these up before someone else does. And, when you do, go share what you purchased HERE so that The Sparrow Fund can get 110% of your total purchase. 
Hard to resist, isn’t it? 

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A challenge I’m doing cartwheels over

I’ve been working hard to promote The Sparrow Fund’s May fundraiser to Build the Nest.

When I asked online for bloggers to help spread the word by sharing their sidebar with us by adding this button (  ——–> see said button), I was not expecting to get this message:

I will personally match shopping made up to 1000.00.

How does that work??

wow.

She went onto to tell me how much she appreciates what The Sparrow Fund is doing and how she wants to encourage the businesses who have made such a big commitment to give 10% of sales to support adoption. She wanted to challenge people to step up and support the work and the businesses too.

And, she posted a blog entry today with that challenge — for everyone who comments there with their first name, the store name where they shopped, and the total amount spent — Leah will MATCH dollar for dollar in a donation directly to The Sparrow Fund up to $1,000.

So, if you make a purchase in the next 2 days from any of those stores, not only will 10% of your purchase go to The Sparrow Fund, you can make that 110% simply by commenting on her blog.

In case you needed an excuse to shop, I think you officially have one.

1. Check out the links to our partners HERE.
2. Purchase something or somethings–anything from jewelry to books to baby gifts to wall art.
3. Go make sure Leah knows you did by commenting on her blog post HERE with your first name, the store name, and the total amount of your purchase. 

We have until the end of the day on the 16th.

I know we can do it.

And, I’m already in awe of how God is multiplying that 10%…just like we knew He would.

(image courtesy of Red Letter Ink, one of our partners. Pretty sweet, huh? Go HERE to purchase it and HERE to see what else is for sale in her store.)

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My bird treasury

In Vol. 1, I showcased a few of my favorites from a few of our partners. But, there is oh-so-much-more to show off to all of you.

And, since I have a thing for birds….

I fell in love with this piece last year from Erin Leigh–so much in love that I bought the original which hangs in our front room so everyone can see it as they enter our home. Such a wonderful reminder to me that God has prepared me for the work He has put in front of me. It still makes me happy every time I look at it. 
Could this little one be any cuter? That dress from Red Pajamas is amazing on her too. Look at that retro, funky colored-print. So stinkin’ cute. You can buy the skirt version for only $15 right now too. 
No girlies to buy for? Check out this Retro bird tie for your little man for only $8 also from Red Pajamas. Oh my goodness, too much. Love it. Wonder if my Drew is too old for this…
Amy Butler prints are so fun. I’d like to open up some real mail on these cards from Yes Teacher. Anyone still get real mail? Hope so. So much nicer than the virtual kind really.
Maybe simple is more your thing? These 12 mini cards are only $2.40 from Yes Teacher. They’d make great little love notes to put under your hubby’s windshield wiper before work or in your kid’s lunch.
So pretty. I’m picturing this Brass necklace from adoptive mama Jessica (home since December with her sweet pea from China) at Wild Poppy with a funky colored top–maybe orange? Might have to buy a top just to go with it.
17″ of sweetness here too. Vintage beads with a Sparrow also from Wild Poppy for only $21. These would go with pretty much everything, don’t you think?
Shannon, mother 6 (3 biological, 1 angel in heaven, 1 little boy from South Korea, and soon to be 1 more as they bring home their son’s biological baby brother from South Korea) has a great little shop called Peace of Mind. Her Peace on Earth hand stamped necklace is so pretty–all hand wired and hand stamped on a double strand of silver chain, with a great message, of course. 
Love this funky Brass on black leather bracelet also from Shannon at Peace of Mind. The brass is hand embossed and polished to give it such a unique look. 
How ’bout this Sweet set from Ruffled Feathers who happens to have this interesting vintage looking bird print with lots of different stripes and patterns that would look adorable with it.

Amylee Weeks creates pieces that are so eyecatching. Her shop is great–go see it if you haven’t already. Aren’t the little birds on her Art blocks the perfect combination of cute and modern?
Here’s a little something for your little bird lovers. A Burp cloth and bib set from Jill Made This made from this great Michael Miller fabric. Babies definitely can be super stylin’ even when they spit up. 
This Remember necklace from Embody Jewelry Designs is a perfect way to remember someone special–maybe the birthday of your little one, maybe an adoption day, a day someone special passed away…Jillian is in the process of bringing home their first child from Russia right now and is selling this sweet necklace for only $21 AND has a coupon code right now to get another 13% off — MAMADAY13.
How can you not have a thing for birds when you see all these?

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