Saturday, May 9, 2009

Fantastic Finds (Vol. 3)

I've been scouring etsy finding more fantastic ladies to introduce to you. I have been successful, indeed!

Today I want you to meet Melissa. Melissa's story of selling homemade is so intriguing to me... I wanted you to "hear" her yourself!

So, Melissa, what's your story? My story is that I'm a stay-at-home mom with three boys, Joshua (almost 11), Zachary (almost 9) and Tyler (4). I've been married to my husband Martin for 14 years this summer.
I've always been interested in crafts and art and 4 years ago I started as a Stampin' Up demonstrator. I hold classes at my home for different card classes. My upline gave me a frame with our last name as a gift and I was inspired by that to start my All For Abby business. We are adopting from China and we have been waiting just about 32 months. We have decided to name her Abigail and can't wait to go and bring her home! We are prayerful that we will get her sometime this year, but still don't really know if that will be the case.

Um, 32 months?! How in the world have you waited 32 months without losing your sanity??? Well, thank goodness we believe and trust in God and He has given us the patience for this long wait! When we started the process, it was a 9 month wait. How funny. . .we figured it was just like being pregnant. By the time we got our paperwork done, it was up to 12 months. Never did we dream it would take this long, but I guess God just doesn't have Abby ready for us yet! We know when she's ready, it'll be our turn!
So, to keep me busy in the meantime, I've had so much fun making the frames and such that you see on my Etsy shop. Each Frame-a-name is personalized for that person. The customer gets to pick the colors and theme and frame color and I stamp it, cut it out and mount it all for them. For the Frame-a-family, each person is customized according to the customer and I then again, stamp it all out, color it in and frame it for them. The Frame-the-Grandkids works the same way. Each one is unique and made after the order is placed. I try to get them done within 2-3 weeks, but can be made quicker if I have the time.

How did you decide to pursue adoption? My husband and I didn't feel our family was complete yet and I had gone through 3 miscarriages and didn't want to go through the pain of another loss. So we looked into adoption and pretty much immediately looked into international adoption. We looked at Russia and China and China appealed to us more for various reasons. The cost was a factor. . .the stability of Chinese adoptions. . .the travel time. . .and we just felt a pull towards China. We have now pictured the future with our little Chinese girl and 3 big brothers!

And her name is Abby, of course! The name Abigail has actually been picked out since I was pregnant with son #2! We wanted to find out if it was a boy or a girl and at my first ultrasound, we were told 90% sure it was a girl. Well, my husband didn't believe it and wouldn't let me paint the nursery or anything and we were told we could have another ultrasound in a month. So, a month later we went back and a different ultrasound tech also told us it was a girl! We had picked the name Abigail and told Joshua that he was getting a sister named Abby. Thankfully, 3 weeks before I gave birth, we had one last ultrasound, this time my OB did it. We were then informed it was a boy. . .to our huge shock!! The nursery had already been painted purple and had butterflies stenciled everywhere! I'm thankful we found out before he was born and not AS he was being born! I had time for the shock to wear off. So she'll be named Abigail Rose and then one of her Chinese names.

And look what a darling frame Melissa made for my little boy:

How adorable is that? And it's all for a good great cause! The money Melissa makes from the frames goes towards her daughter's adoption (hence her store name of All for Abby), and $5 from every frame will be donated to her orphanage when they go to pick her up! Ahhhhhhh, I love this kinda stuff!
(I've already decided that Bug's getting a frame-a-name for her birthday this summer-- this one, how appropriate!)

But wait, there's more!

Melissa has kindly offered to make a Frame-A-Name for one of you!!!
*squeals of excitement*

If you'd like to win, please leave a comment either telling me something that inspired you about Melissa's story, or which frame you would choose. (Please make sure you leave a valid email address.) I will select a winner next Friday May 15!

For an extra entry, you can blog about this giveaway and link back to this post!

And hey, go buy a frame-a-name to support a worthy cause! (And cutesy up your walls!)
~~~~~~~
This giveaway is now closed. The winner is #14!

30 comments:

Windot said...

I loved reading about her story! I would love an adorable frame a name! My favorite part was her optimism and faith despite what we see as a "long time" of waiting. God's timing is sovereign.
Cheriwindley@hotmail.com

Leigh said...

We have talked about adopting from China as well. Melissa's story is an encouragement to me and challenges me to TRUST the Lord as we look to adopting in the future! What a great way to save money for the adoption too...her signs are adorable!

Unknown said...

Wonderful inspiring story, and so talented too:)

I would definitely choose a "family" picture.

Anonymous said...

I like the dino or cowboy frame a name. Good luck with you adoption! I hope Abby comes home soon.

Leigh said...

I put a post on my blog too...I hope lots of people will be encouraged by her story (and buy her signs!)...thanks for posting Melissa's story!

KelliAnn Christensen said...

What a great story! I just love the ladybug frame.
kb3388@hotmail.com

Hana said...

What a sweet story! Adoption is such a precious thing and I applaud all who do it. God has blessed us with 3 biological children but I'm so glad that adoption makes it possible for so many to become parents...and allows for so many children to become a part of a loving family!

Love the beautiful sings she makes. I'd love to have a family one made! Thanks for this great giveaway!

luvmybabyblue@yahoo.com

JJ said...

I am definitely inspired by Melissa's patience. She has every reason to be angry, frustrated, and to give up yet she has shown patience in her wait...the frame I would choose would be the Frame-a-name WILD ANIMALS!

Chelsey said...

What a beautiful story and a great cause! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the giveaway...

I love the Pirate or Cowboy name pics.

Jamie said...

I am currently expecting twins and we are decorating with a zoo animal theme. I'd love to win one of these for my little girls!

erin, maker of chimes said...

Love that her little one will also be keeping on of her chinese names, that's wonderful!
My fav is the princess and family frames!

KR said...

I love Melissa's story..plus I have a Zack and a Josh too!! I'd love the alphabet frame for a class photo. I teach kindergarten and I could change the picture every year. My parents would love it (and maybe buy one too!!)

mj.coward@gmail.com

Pam said...

Great, inspiring story. I would choose the green and pink ladybug Frame a Name for my baby girl.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Bad Day Ben Designs said...

What a wonderful story! I'd love to have the dinosaur frame for my toddler.

baddayben (at) gmail (dot) com

The Need 2 Read said...

I loved reading Melissa's story. What a blessed child Abigail will be! I think my favorite is the pirate frame!

jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net

RecoveringCoffeeholic said...

Frame-a-name PRINCESS!!!

My daughter Elena would love it! So would I!

mariadelgado32302 at yahoo dot com

RecoveringCoffeeholic said...

I blogged!

http://mariadelgado32302.blogspot.com/2009/05/win-it_10.html

mariadelgado32302 at yahoo dot com

Jessica said...

What a great story, I hope Abby comes home soon! My favorite sign is the wild animals one!

jessbedard7 at gmail dot com

CJ'SMOMMY*KIMBERLY said...

Melissa's story inspires me not to give up.As an adoptive mother and someone who is waiting to adopt again,the wait is never easy.I always said before our son was born by the time he turns 3 I wanted a little girl,lol@me.Life happens and with adoptions you never know! Our son turns 4 in September and I'm leaving our next adoption wait in God's hands.I just know I was meant to "mother" more children but sometimes only he knows what is best for us.

Alice said...

I love her story. My baby girl is adopted after about a 5 year wait. I would love to get the princess frame for her.

Marla said...

I love Melissa's heart for adoption and the plan to donate $5 of every frame sold to the orphange her new daughter will be coming from. What an inspiration. Thank you for the wonderful interview and the contest.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Jennifer Suarez said...

The wild animals frame is ADORABLE! I'd love the chance to win that. Of course if I do I'll be forced to buy one for my other daughter b/c I have a feeling she'd be jealous!

Thanks for the chance to win.

ladybug_3777(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mrs. Olsen said...

I love the frame-a-name princess. Of course, if this next one's a boy, I'd have to change my mind. ;) rebolsen at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

The Frame a Family frame is my favorite!

Break Pal Giveaway, Dropps Giveaway at Shannon Blogs Here http://palmersf1.blogspot.com

Shanda said...

I would get the Ladybugs for my daughter!
shan_da(at)hotmail(dot)com

Momma Lott said...

What an inspiring story. Praying Abby comes home soon. :-)

I love the princess frame.

jandalott
at
verizon
dot
net

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

What a tallented fabulous woman! very inspiring.

=) melanie
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Erin said...

Sheila!...I just LOVE this find. Such talent and such faith in Melissa's story. I'm so glad you found this to share! I LOVE the frame-a-names. I have to have one for Elijah, so even if I don't win, I'll be heading over to give her some business!

(...And I blogged about your find!)

Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com said...

Oh my goodness, 32 months is a long wait. I hope they get to meet little Abigail soon!

Nancye said...

How cool!! My daughter is from China too! We have a lot in common.