Garage Giveaway

 
 

This give-away will resemble an enormous garage sale, but there’s a catch: Everything is FREE!

  God has called us as Missionaries to our own community. We get the privilege of reaching out and meeting needs in Jesus name, for His glory, to show the world that there is a God in heaven who is good, who cares for the hurting, the down trodden, the poor and those who struggle to make ends meet.

 

Jesus in Luke 12:33 says, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”

 

First Baptist Church McKinney will be hosting this Garage Giveaway.  Donations will be accepted at Old Settlers Recreation Center, 1201 E. Louisiana St, McKinney TX. 75069

Friday, April 1, South Gym & Sports Pavilion -10am - 9pm

                        North Gym - 6-9pm

Saturday, April 2, 7am - 6pm

  Volunteer at the Giveaway April 3 - 6am-3pm

  We need 1,000’s of donated items. It’s NOT about the STUFF, it’s about the HEARTS of those we get to touch through this exciting ministry. We get to provide “Blessings From One Person to Another.”

 

Along with the huge Garage Give-away, we’ll be providing free eyecare/glasses and other health screenings, children’s crafts and activities, personal care services and food to all who come.

 

That means we’ll have HUNDREDS of VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES beginning Friday, April 1 to the event day Sunday April 3, for you to be involved. Although online registration is closed, you can still show up to volunteer on Sunday, April 3 at 6:00 am.

  Everyone can donate items to the Garage Giveaway! Downsize, thin out, clean out, give away any of the following GENTLY used items:

•   household items
•   gently used clothing for any age
•  small appliances in working condition
•  toys
•  books
•  usable computers and electronics
•  kitchen ware
•  small furniture
•  usable linens

Please pre-sort your donated items

Again.... Donations will only be accepted on

Friday, April 1, South Gym & Sports Pavilion -10am - 9pm

                        North Gym - 6-9pm

Saturday, April 2, 7am - 6pm

 

They will NOT take the following items:



 

 

 

• car seats
• baby wash tubs
• cribs
• playpens
• highchairs
• any shoes
• gas grills
• any form of flammable liquid

 The most important thing to remember is it’s not about the Stuff, it’s about the hearts of those that are touched through this exciting ministry. This is an incredible opportunity to provide “Blessings From One Person to Another.” Free stuff always gets peoples attention, and 1,000's of donated items are needed.

Event Host Location:
Old Settlers Recreation Center
1201 E. Louisiana St, McKinney, TX 75069

For questions, please contact: Stephanie Tyson - smtyson99@sbcglobal.net

 

 

 

"Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?"

Isaiah 58:7

Till tomorrow...
debi

 

Sunday Thoughts

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

- Isaiah 45:3

Bridal Portraits

Emily, her sisters and I spent the day taking Bridal Portraits.  Stephanie has been taking pictures for awhile and is perfecting her technique.  Of course I can't really show you any of the pictures she took today...13 more days, but I can show you a few of the locations and some of the pictures I took of the "process".

Ashley did a lot of fluffing and straightening of the dress.  She was always trying to get out of the shot.

Lots of hurry up and wait.  I had to photo shop Emily out of this picture. 

We spent some time at White Rock Lake.

Kinda scary when she climbed up on top of that little box!

Emily's "slippers" for the wedding.

When we finished taking all the picture at White Rock Lake the "police" came by to tell us we couldn't take pictures on the back side of the building (where we were.)  Oh well...too late!

The azalea's are in full bloom right now. If nothing else we saw a lot of great flowers today!

Stephanie loves giving directions to all of us.

There were a lot of little children at Turtle Creek having their Easter Pictures taken.

We picked a random house in Turtle Creek...we loved the stairs out front and all their flowers.  We knocked on the door...no answer, so we took pictures on the front stairs.

The flowers were wonderful and just being outside in the sunshine was spectacular!

This church had beautiful arches and Stephanie got some really pretty shots of Emily in her dress.

I know...no real peeks at the bride, but only 13 days remain until D-day!

All will be revealed.

Till tomorrow...

debi

Wedding Count Down

Emily and I holed up in my sewing room over the weekend.  We were immersed in ribbon, lace, buttons and all manner of trim.

We completed all the pinwheels that will be worn by the wedding party.  These two are a sneak peek at the "Father's" pinwheels.  I'll remember to posts pictures after the wedding of the different buttons Emily picked for each group of pinwheels. The trip to the button store paid off!

The next big task to tackle was creating her garter.  She wanted it to be in her colors, which is not easily found...so we opted to make one.

She also does not want to "toss" her garter away, so I designed a "manly" garter that Jared will throw to the unmarried guys. NO bows for the men...but I did add a little heart to her special garter.

One of the great things about Emily is her sheer determination to have her personality shine through everything she does.  She has very definite ideas of what she wants her wedding to be...and is not easily deterred by "convention" or protocol.

She determined from the very beginning that she wanted silk flowers...so that's what she has!

The good thing about that decision is that all the flowers are done!

We used the same "pattern" from her sash to make the wraps for the bridesmaid's flowers and

wrapped her flowers with the red and turquoise she loves!

Once those big projects were completed we moved on to something more fun..embellishing the skirt she wants to wear for the rehearsal and the dinner.

I started by sewing some vintage lace around the bottom of the skirt I had dyed brown.

Emily then ran pearled embroidery thread through the holes to add more color.

At each of the points where the skirt is tied up underneath we sewed on either a small pinwheel or ribbon streamers.

I also used the leftover gingham ribbon to create some roses

and I sewed them on top of the streamers.



SO...remember what we started with...a plain white cotton skirt...

died it brown...

then embellished it to create a one of a kind skirt!

AND...last but not least I finished Emily's messenger bag that she wants to take with her on her honeymoon.

I'm sure you're surprised it has a "western" theme!  She wants a Kindle cover to match it...but I'll have to see where it fits in with the other projects I have on my list!

Still a few more things to do...but I think we achieved a BIG chunk of our "TO DO" list this weekend!

Till tomorrow...

debi

All About You Texas

How would you like to clone yourself and take care of all your "TO DO" items without sacrificing time from your busy day?  How would you like to sign for that delivery, and never leave your desk?  How about waiting in line at the post office without giving up your lunch hour?   That's exactly what All About You Texas offers you!  They give you back your TIME!


The owners of All About You Texas are long time friends Tom and Linda Fish.  We ran into them last night and  after catching up about the family and our grandkids, they told us about their new business (about 18 months old) and how it's been growing over the last few months.  They were pretty excited! 

In the past I've pointed you to other businesses here in McKinney where you can shop or eat, so I thought I'd let you know about All About You Texas in case you have need of their services during the busy months of summer!

Tom and Linda's mission is to help you reclaim time lost trying to balance work, family and home. All About You Texas will simplify your life by handling those tasks during the day so you can live your life more fully with family and friends.

They offer a variety of services (errands, waiting {in lines or on repairmen}, security checks and a traveling notary service!  They'll do exchanges and even do your grocery shopping for you!

If you're a small business owner or are employed in Dallas and needs things to happen in and around the McKinney area during the day...they're the ones to call to handle your "business" and give you your time back!

I would recommend them in a heartbeat.  I've worked many a project with these two and you couldn't ask for more professional workers.  You can check them out by clicking their link on my side bar or go here.
They're the best and will give you excellent service!  If you call, tell them I sent you! (That will make them smile!)

Well, little break from all the wedding activities (they are still happening) so tomorrow I'll have some new pictures of more finished projects.

Till then...
debi

Button Store

 Saturday was a trip to the button store.  It meant a drive to Dallas...but it was worth the trip.  The store is called Benno's Buttons, so if you come to Dallas you can look it up!

I think they have just about anything you might ever think you will need!

We were able to find the buttons we needed to finish all the pinwheels that will be worn or carried by the wedding party. 

We also found all the trim we needed to make the garter and we bought enough extra to make a garter that Jared will toss...it will be more "manly" for the guy who catches it!

There was so much choice...

We did not go home empty handed...although we did not buy anything with feathers!



Till tomorrow...

debi

Wedding Count Down

The count down has begun...The wedding is in 22 more days!

I've purchased my boots...yes it is going to be casual and western.

In keeping with Emily's red and teal color scheme - I went with the teal colored boots.

Of course the boots were based on a skirt I saw back in January.  While on a walk about the square I saw a skirt in the window that I just knew I had to have.  BUT, upon further inspection I found it cost $469.  (CHOKE!)  Not in my budget! 

OHHHH...but I LOVED the skirt.

It was tiered and the fabric was embroidered....and they could have it made in ANY color! (and...it was 20% off!)

The line of clothing is called Cinderella Cowgirl and each skirt I saw seemed more perfect than the last.  I visited it often and studied it's construction.  I went to Ft. Worth to see if I could find one there. There were several I found that were similar but, again, the price was out of my range.  When I finally tried it on I was told it was "one size fits all"!  REALLY?  Well, I'm here to say "one size NEVER fits all".

I didn't like how the waist fit or the was it fit at the top.  SOOOOO...that's when I began my "deconstruction" project.  I studied the skirt and began re-constructing one from scraps at home.

I created a pattern and went to work with the thought I would buy some pretty embroidered linen to create the final skirt.  Even if I bought really expensive fabric it would never add up to almost $500!  I also created a top panel that fit perfectly and laid nicely at the waist.

Of course I also had a Plan B (and Plan C) in mind.  My friend brought me this skirt and I thought I could dye it turquoise and embellish it...but as soon as Emily saw it she "confiscated" it for herself.  She decided it would be the perfect skirt to wear to the rehearsal dinner...and, of course, she did not want it to be white! (of course!)

So...off to Hobby Lobby...

add some hot water and dye...(this looks gross!)

And now she has a brown skirt...which of course still needs to be "embellished"!

That left me with either continuing with my skirt sewing project, or finding another skirt.

The project has continued on, but I've continued looking for a skirt that would work.

(With so much other sewing for the wedding...I just don't want to be cut short on time or pressed - translate to stressed - to finish my own skirt at the last minute.)

In my quest for a skirt I've looked everywhere, but I NEVER  thought to look in my own closet.

While cleaning out "stuff" for our church's upcoming Garage Giveaway I found a skirt I bought awhile back that I don't think I ever wore.  I bought it on sale...but when I got it home it did not fit...(there was no dressing room at the sidewalk sale.)

But, having dropped quite a few pounds I tried it on and it fit perfectly!

Emily "heartily" approves and it is the perfect solution! 

No sewing, no embellishing...nothing to be done but pressing!

I found the perfect top to finish off my "wedding attire"...so I'm all set!

(HA! HA! no sneak peek...you'll see all at the wedding!)

Today the girls and I are off to purchase some pots to hold our center pieces (which are all painted and ready to finish) and get some cute buttons for the groomsmen's pinwheels! (I'm sure they don't like me using the "cute" word!)

We're down to the wire...but I'm hoping all will be finished by next weekend, then we can "coast"!!

Till tomorrow...

debi

Sunday Thoughts

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love

so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

Psalm 90:14 (NLT)

Chalkware

Soooooo, the "crud" I had last week has turned into full blown bronchitis!  I have spent way too much time on the couch trying to feel better! 

Emily did come by for a dress fitting this week.  I'll finish putting the sash on, stitching up the zipper and hemming up the front of the dress.  With that...it will be complete!

While spending "quality time" on the couch this week catching up on some reading and resting I've noticed the small things that make me smile.

I know we each fill our homes with things that make us happy...those things that just make us smile when we catch a glimpse of them. 

My "smile" items this past week seem to be my chalkware girls!

I have picked up chalkware figurines for many years.  There are so many sizes, shapes and variety.  They also vary wildly in price.  You can still find many chalkware pieces for less than $5.00.

I love to collect the small childlike chalkware figures, especially the ones that resemble Hummels, (but are not near as expensive.)

This is a prime example...this little girl reading her book is a chalkware figurine.

But, this little girl reading her book is a Hummel. She has the Hummel markings on her base, whereas the chalkware girl has no marking on her base.  (This little Hummel girl has the top of her bow broken off, which is why I paid very little for her.)

The chalkware pieces do not always have the fine features of the Hummel figures, but their faces are just as sweet.  Sometimes the naive look of the chalkware piece is what draws me to them. Because of the cost of Hummel's (very expensive) as opposed to chalkware...I feel I can use the chalkware to decorate without having to put them behind glass to preserve them.

This little girl with her basket of flowers and letter appears to be a handmade piece.  Perhaps she is some one's first attempt at an arts and craft class.  She may have been abandoned by her "creator" as not being "good enough"!  I love her little round face. (My grandson holds his finger to his cheek like this when he's thinking to tell me something! TOO CUTE!)

This lovely lady is my most sophisticated chalkware piece.  She is more grown up than my usual "children" I pick up, but again...just something about her called me to take her home.

I have several small pieces I keep in my office.  I can glance up from my desk and see them and they just make me smile.

My grand kids have confiscated these two to store their toothbrushes in.

Austin loves that his "boy is reading a book."

I love this little girl hanging up the laundry.

Doesn't she look like she's pulling away her petals and saying, "He loves me...he loves me not..."

I have several girls that are reading, but they are different sizes...so I guess they don't count as the "same one"? (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

I love that she sings while she works.  She sits on my sewing table reminding me to sing away my time at the sewing machine.

These two are also in my sewing room...if my girlfriend in Florida sees them she may try to nab them while she's here next month! (She collects chalkware also, but she only buys the ones singing or playing an instrument.)  Guess I better put these two in a drawer while she's here!

I'll end with this little girl that sits on a table next to the couch.  I can see her each time I put my cup of tea down or pick up my book. 

She is a Hummel and I received her just recently.  My sweet mother bought her for me!  

She said when she saw her she was reminded of a picture of me as a child taken with Santa.  She said the coat, the hat, the mittens...all the same!

I love my new Hummel! 

So, keep your eyes open, you can find chalkware hidden among those items no one is digging through.  You may just find a treasure!

Here's hoping the antibiotics will kick in and I'll feel up to working on wedding stuff this weekend!

Till tomorrow..

debi