Post 193: My life belongs to MONSTERS!

I can say that this last month has been completely OVERWHELMING! The word overwhelming doesn't even begin to paint the picture...

As I had mentioned last month, with Regretsy's help, we started a fundraiser for my nephew and his family.

(Aidan and Little Brother Amry)

My nephew, Aidan, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia September 13th. You can read about it here. Since the fundraiser kicked off October 19th, we have raised over $50,000. How you might ask?? By selling his adorable monster drawings on Etsy. I have no idea what happend but the stars aligned and the world fell in love with Aidan and NOW I have a garage full of thousands of picture mailers, photo paper, printer ink, and lables. We are nearing the sale of 5,000 drawings in a little less than a month. THAT IS NUTS!

His art has gone to Austrailia, UK, Russia...just about anywhere you could think of and it completely blows my mind and still seems completely unreal. It doesent make Aidan well again but it makes us feel like we all have the world in our corner. And that, my friends, is an amazing and uplifting feeling.

So that explains the lack of crafting and blogging these days. :)

Post 192: Procrastinator...

Hello, my name is Mandi and I am a habitual procrastinator. sigh.

SO way back on July 10th some beautiful women threw the most fabulous baby shower at a tea room for me and Lucas. It was adorable and it could not have been more perfect. I suck for not getting these out sooner. I just got around to mailing their thank yous out today. These things have been sitting on my desk for over two months now!

I could have sent out the cards right away but I really wanted to send something more. And being pregnant at the time I had to keep it quick and easy...but I still managed to fail at getting them out at a decent time! Dangit!

Anyway, I guess now is better than never. I hope I do not seem ungrateful :(

If a friend was this terribly slow at getting her thank you to you what would you think of it??

Post 191: Aidan's Monsters!

We have opened up a new Etsy shop, Aidan's Monsters, to sell some prints of Aidan's artwork! 100% of the sales goes directly to help pay for Aidan's Leukemia treatments.

(Scary Guy by Aidan 8x10 - $12.00)

(Red Monster by Aidan 8x10 - $12.00)

Psst...You can even find this one on a tote here. PERFECT for a Halloween treat bag :)

If you do not know already Aidan is my 5 year old nephew who was diagnosed with leukemia one month ago. You can read more about his story at AidforAidan.wordpress.com

All of your thoughts and prayers are very appreciated.

Post 190: Pink Elephant!

Hey, its Friday! Annd to make my Friday even better I just received this beautiful ring in the mail! I won it from a fantastic give away over at Wichita Handmade! The ring is made by the one and only Pink Elephant Embellishments.

I must say the ring is even more adorable in person and very sturdy (and when you are me that is VERY important). The cuteness does not stop here! Swing by Pink Elephant Embellishments and check out some of her other cute jewelery!

Oh, and a cute baby update for good measure!

Lucas is now 2 months old and weighing it at 13 lbs 12 oz. He is a big ol boy and getting bigger every day. One of these days I will learn to balance Red Planet and a baby but it does not look like I will be opening the shop any time soon.

Post 189: Heartbreaking News

Earlier this month my family and I recieved some terrible, heartbreaking news. We were told that my 5 year old nephew, Aidan, has Leukemia. You may remember me mentioning him here a while back. Aidan will be facing two to three years of chemo. The doctors say it is 97% cureable which is great, we are just heartbroken at what Aidan will have to go through to get better.

Along with dealing with this terrible news my brother and his wife also had a baby this weekend and Wylie, my brother, is out of work for a month. Times are definitely tough for them. Instead of crafting I have been filling my time with ways to help out Aidan and his family. You can learn more about it at AidforAidan.wordpress.com

Post 188: Remember me?

So it has been brought it to my attention that I have not posted in a whole month! I cannot believe it has been so long. As you all can imagine I am adjusting to Mommyhood and it is a hectic, sleepless, exhausting time but I would not change it for the world! I live my days covered in baby spit up and up to my knees in dirty diapers and anything to do with crafting or the like is so far on the back burner I have no idea when I will get back to it. One hobby I have picked up is taking pictures of my beautiful baby Lucas. I am absolutely no professional and neither is my camera (hint hint, Husband!) but you can see our Project 365 here.

Post 187: Welcome Home Lucas!!

Lucas William was born August 1st at 10:16 am and weighed in at 8lbs and 15 oz!

My water broke at a chinese buffet of all places...embarassing huh? After 20 hours with no progress, including 10 hours of pitocin Luke arrived via c-section. He is the sweetest baby and my heart is so full of love. I am on cloud nine.