This is what I ended up doing with the feather wreath I bought at Pier 1 last year. A can of spray paint, some straggler ornaments and a glue gun. Voila! :-) Kinda odd looking but it makes me smile when I walk out of the downstairs bathroom and there it is on the hallway wall.
SO. Before my hoarding selfish side talks me out of it, for my next installment of December Dollar Days I'm offering this pile o' vintage fabrics for one dollar plus shipping.
If I've learned nothing else from listening to The Secret, it's that you have to give it freely if you want more to come to you. My husband John has been proving that over and over these past couple of months.
I want to tell you a story. {It'll be brief. I'm stingy with words if nothing else.} There's an angel who walks among us here in Eureka and her name is Betty Chin. We hadn't ever met her, but have read and heard about her for the past few years. She came here as a refugee and has quietly been spending every dime and every free hour of hers feeding the homeless and forgotten. The most recent story we heard was through our Melissa who's MOPS group had rec'd a letter from Betty. Thanking them for the previous month's donations of peanut butter, jelly and bread. She had used her entire monthly budget to give a proper burial to a 4 year old homeless child who had died, so the MOPS donations of food were all she had to pass out last month. Shortly after hearing this story John had a pretty significant win playing poker. The very first thing he did was write a check for $5,000 to Betty. He met her for the very first time this past Thursday to give her the check and said, "Use it for a vacation for all I care. God knows you deserve it." He said she just sobbed and sobbed, which of course made him cry, too. She apparently rarely receives donations, certainly not in that amount, as she is not defined as a non-profit, so people can't claim the deduction. Also, feeding homeless people is usually pretty far down the priority list when it comes to taking care of others via donations. Good job John. You've come a LONG way in a short amount of time. I am so proud of you.
Well, I'm not sayin' these vintage fabrics are as valuable as money to feed the homeless, but I'll reveal a level of shallowness by admitting that they are really REALLY important to me. You may remember this post when I shared how I came upon this treasure trove of vintage fabrics. I still have to pinch myself every time I see those three grocery bags full, but I bet there was a test somewhere there in the getting of it, so I best be passin' some on.
Leave a comment on this post between now and Wednesday the 19th and if I draw your name they are yours! (And I guarantee--you will L*O*V*E them)
Love your wreath! Merry Christmas
Posted by: Marianne | December 19, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Ok, I have been trying to resist that fabric for days now.
I cannot. (crossing fingers.)
Posted by: Sarah | December 19, 2007 at 12:05 PM
ooh- love this! Pick me. pick me!!! What a lovely story! So excited about this giveaway!
Merry Christmas blessings,
kari & kijsa
Posted by: kari and kijsa | December 19, 2007 at 06:20 AM
Oh my! They are lovely. Thanks for the chance. :)
Posted by: dana | December 18, 2007 at 02:58 PM
What a great wreath!!! Mighty girly...bet Miss K has that as her favoite!! Kudos to John for his generosity and spirit. I'm sure he feels blessed in so many ways. Love the pretty fabrics!!
Posted by: Barbara | December 18, 2007 at 07:27 AM
oh pick me!!!!! I'd love to make some cute Annie dolls and dress them in your wonderful vintage fabrics!!! I LOVE your blog! You are so inspiring!!! Thanks for offering the giveaway...doesn't it feel great?
Posted by: Nicole | December 17, 2007 at 09:23 PM
OMG! This is like winning the lottery... well playing the lottery and then winning if you win anyway! LOL! And what a beautiful story! I too believe that you get what you give, and kill em with kindness... those are my two favorite phrases! Thanks for the chance!!!
Posted by: MIssy | December 17, 2007 at 09:06 PM
OK so I'm greedy enough to post and say I'd love to win that fabric, but mostly to say BRAVO to John for donating his winnings and helping that dear lady in her mission to feed the homeless - now THAT is a good day's work.
Posted by: Sue McGettigan | December 17, 2007 at 07:37 PM
what a wonderful, touching story. I want to read it again and again!
and of course, I'd love to have more fabric ;)
Posted by: Katie | December 17, 2007 at 02:38 PM
oooo count me in, i love(covet) all things fabric!!!
Posted by: Geri | December 17, 2007 at 12:52 PM
Jen, Wow, that was an amazing story. I don't know John, but I know that he has a big heart, and from reading all that you have written, I know that you do too. Thank you for starting my week with such a positive feeling..and by the way, I am linking you on my blog so that I will remember to visit more often. I have been coming here by way of Suzy's blog. Have a great week. Susan
Posted by: Susan at Black Eyed Susans Kitchen | December 17, 2007 at 06:50 AM
Your wreath ROCKS - it makes me smile too!
Love your fabrics!
Posted by: hoganfe handbags | December 16, 2007 at 08:16 PM
It will definitely return to you tenfold!
The fabric is awesome!
Posted by: Kaye | December 16, 2007 at 06:42 PM
You do know that I reaaaaaaly need more fabric. So, if I win I'll pick them up when I arrive on Friday. And, by the way, I love your pink wreath.
Posted by: Peggy | December 16, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Your story about John is touching. It clearly defines what the "season" is about. It would be delightful if we all could live this "season" each and every day.
Peace to you.
Posted by: Rosemary P. | December 16, 2007 at 07:50 AM
Love your beautiful pink wreath....clever and oh so creative! Those fabrics are just yummy. Hope I win! Merry Christmas and a very prosperous and healthy New Year to you and your family!
Posted by: Shari Garner | December 16, 2007 at 07:28 AM
What a great story. I'm happy for John, happy for Betty and happy for all the people that will feed. xo
Posted by: Pam | December 16, 2007 at 06:41 AM
Your pink wreath is a hoot! Love it. And as for the give away....I think you are incredibly generous in your Christmas spirit. Carol R
Posted by: Carolr | December 16, 2007 at 04:55 AM
What a beautiful story! Giving blesses the giver as much or more than those who receive. And what lovely fabric, thanks for being so generous!
Merry Christmas, Kimberly
Posted by: Kimberly | December 16, 2007 at 04:45 AM
I remember how you got these yummy fabrics! Score of the century! I promise that I would love them! xo, suzy
Posted by: suzy | December 16, 2007 at 04:34 AM
What a wonderful story. God really does bless those who bless others.
The fabric is beautiful! Just think of the things that could be created!
Posted by: Vanessa | December 16, 2007 at 04:28 AM
Please don't enter me into the drawing. Lord knows that gorgeous fabric would be wasted on a non-seamstress like me.
I just wanted to drop by and tell you how much I've been enjoying your posts and that story----WELL, that's just something you don't hear often and it's nice to hear there are some people who exercise genuine kindness.
Michelle
Posted by: michelleinfantino | December 16, 2007 at 04:22 AM
What a beautiful story - so heartwarming - please put my name in the hat for the fabric. Happy holidays.
Posted by: Anne | December 16, 2007 at 03:55 AM
What a nice story. John was so extremely generous. I am glad that you shared that story with us.
I would love some fabric so count me in!
Posted by: Meg | December 15, 2007 at 11:22 PM
John got a new star in his crown, I'm sure. May God bless him for being so unselfish and generous!!
Posted by: Rhonda | December 15, 2007 at 10:27 PM