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Friday, September 3, 2010

My Father's Hands

Ever since I was little, I always wished that I was more like my father.

When it comes to our family, we seem to be split down the middle: I look and am a lot like my mom, and my sister looks and is a lot like my father. As a kid, my sister Maddie had his blonde hair, his beautiful blue eyes, and, as it has been brought to my attention since my father passed away, his hands.

"You have your fathers hands" my grandparents often tell my sister during our get-together dinners. "The fingers, the soft pads of the fingertips, just like Doug's!" They beam smiles at my sister, and I look down at my plate, playing with my food with my fork, but really, it's just an excuse to look at my hands.

Why am I so envious of my sister? I'm sure there are plenty of other traits that siblings can be jealous of, but why hands?

I remember his hands. I remember holding his hand as we crossed the street when I was a kid. I remember grasping onto them, giggling, as he sunk underwater at the pool so I could clamber up and stand on his shoulders, then dive off, the "human diving board". Being the kid of an orthodonist (who do you know who has braces put on them by their dad?) I have memories of him working on my teeth, always with a gentle touch, skilled hands, even the parts that would usually be hard to get through, like tightening wires, or securing an expander, his voice reassuring me when I looked nervous that it wouldn't hurt, his pale eyes sparkling with a smile behind his mask, and those nimble, soft-padded fingertips orchestrating a perfect smile, those parts were a breeze, I trusted my father's skilled hands with my smile and well-being. They did not only give me a beautiful smile, but they worked hard so that my sister and I were well cared for, and lived wonderful, blessed lives. I missed holding those hands, I missed them cupped around the side of my face, looking at him, and seeing his eyes full of love and pride for his little girl. I miss him.

I don't remember what day it was, or what year, though I do think it was in the car, riding with my mother to get from one place to another. We were talking about my jewelry business, and she said "Mallory, I'm proud of you, you are so creative and talented, and I know your dad would be proud too. You know, you have skilled hands like your dad, he would laugh to know that you were good at working with wire, the only difference is you use it to make jewelry!"

I laughed, and I felt a swelling, rapid warmth of joy and pride, I was my father's daughter. I may not use my hands in all the ways he did, but we are the same in that our hands are both giving to those we love and to others, helping to those in need, and providing: as he provided for me, I can in turn provide for my children, all because he gave me life, and a blessed one at that.

I love you, Dad

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What shall we name the earrings? Week 4



I'd love some help naming these lovelies! And if I like the names you suggest, you will win a 50% off coupon, good toward any lovely!

Leave a comment here, or send your suggestions via Facebook or e-mail (mjeversoll@yahoo.com)


Winning Names for What Shall We Name the Earrings?

Chicago Pride!

Aspen Gold!

Thanks to Mary and Jessica for offering the winning names, and to all my other readers who offered suggestions!

I apologize for not posting sooner, I have been sick with a bad cold, and went to bed early last night. I will be posting new earrings to name soon!

<3>

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

What shall we name the earrings? Week 3



Cute little no-names, I need your help picking out great titles for these lovelies!


If I like your name suggestions, you can win a 50% off coupon, good toward any one lovely in my store! So get to naming, this contest ends Tuesday at Midnight!

Post your suggestions here, via Facebook, or e-mail (mjeversoll@yahoo.com)

P.S. If you really want to up your chances to win, I recommend giving names for BOTH pairs of earrings, you might even win 2 coupons!


Giveaway of the week...



Aren't these cute? Little itty bitty cakes in sunny yellow with "LOVE" iced on them, made into darling studlies! Know what's even better? They can be yours! It's easy, just do one of the following!

1. Follow my blog, and your name gets entered twice!
2. Favorite my shop on Etsy, and your name is entered once
3. Check out my shop on Etsy (www.lennonsleadinglady.etsy.com) and tell me a few of your favorites and WHY you like them, and your name is entered once
4. Send a friend a picture of an item from my shop, writing a little message to promote it. Send me a copy of your message : ) Your name is entered twice!

I'm starting this giveaway a little late this week, so you will have until next Tuesday at midnight to claim this pair! Tell your besties!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Winning Names for What Shall We Name the Earrings?

Rainbow of Love!

Cotton Candy Blossom!

I was delighted to learn that my friend's little girl (well, not so little, she's turning 9 soon!) wanted to name my earrings, and she had some AWESOME ideas! It was tough to choose which names I liked the best, but I'm so happy to have some help :) Thank you, Kelsie Jo!

Kelsie has the option of two items for 50% off, or 1 FREE item. If it's ok with her mom, she can pick out a pair of earrings that I will turn into clip-ons. OR, she can get a custom-made crocheted headband, purse, or hat! :) And I'd like to give her mom a coupon as well for helping her out, of course! :)

Thank you guys!

<3 Mallory

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Crochet Marathon

Slowly and steadily, I am adding to my collection for the Crochet for a Cause drive. Almost done with my second hat...



And here is one I made earlier today!


I'm thinking I will make more solid beanies for little boys, and flowery, stripey hats for little girls. I have to admit that the little girl hats are a little more fun to make, athough sometimes, I just want to crochet without having to switch colors. Either way, I am happy to be contributing to this drive.

I sometimes worry about making enough hats and scarves to donate before it gets too cold, especially since I will be pretty busy with school. But thankfully, my boyfriend's mother, who taught me how to crochet, is helping me out! She already has a box half full of donations, what a sweet lady! :) Her patience and dedication is inspiring, especially when I have difficulty in gathering up enough motivation to start or finish a project.

I got a new quilted crochet bag from my sister to tote all my yarn in, it's ADORABLE! Like some people who never leave the house without a book, in case they get stuck somewhere and need something to do, I have this bizarre need to carry lots and lots of different yarn with me. This is what I brought, just for the weekend!



I will be taking different kinds of donations for this cause until mid November (this might change, depending on how many items Mary and I can make).

Yarn is much appreciated! Any worsted weight, colorful variety, preferably not Red Heart (it's a little too scratchy) or other scratchy varieties (like wool). Cotton and acrylic work just fine, nothing too kinky, oober fuzzy, or stringy. I know, I know, VERY picky, but I have to be able to work with it easily and quickly, so it can't be too hard to work with, and it has to be soft!

Do you crochet or knit? If so, I'd love any donations of hats/scarves/mittens/gloves or other warm winter clothing. No donation is too small, if you can only spare a hat or a scarf, I will thank you over and over!

Don't crochet or knit? Can't afford much? I will also take gently used child-size winter clothing that you would like to put towards a good cause. Contact me at mjeversoll@yahoo.com, and we will work something out!

Ok, back to crochet, thanks for reading everyone!

<3>