The Farrier's Daughter Gives Back~Toadally Tutus

Have you ever read the book Languages of Love?

Ok, well neither have I...but from what I hear, the author points out that there are five basics forms of love. Once you have figured out your style, and that of your spouses, you are supposed to have a better understanding of each other. Someone once gave me a quiz out of the book (I'm a sucker for quizzes! I don't really believe in them, but let's face it, they are fun. You remember taking the quizzes in the Teen Bob Magazines in Junior High...I miss those days). Any who, I didn't think the results were super accurate for me, but I've never really been all that successful at fitting into a box :-) 

Wanna take it yourself?

Check it out here.

I give love via gifts.

Not materialistic things. I like to find, or make meaningful gifts (the quiz didn't tell me this-I just know me).

Which makes perfectly good sense since I've become so enthusiastic about Toadally Tutus.

 I like to get love via quality time.

Which is also great, because my daughters and I have spent many hours working together on this Children's Charity.

We just wrapped up our first season of giving and I am so excited to share!

(That's my oldest in the pictures above...she is such a great helper! The youngest helped by providing entertainment-you can see for yourself in the videos below)

At the Tutu Making Clinics, we hand out tags to all of the participants, and invite them to write messages for the little girls receiving the donated tutus. The sweet, scribbled notes are enough to melt your heart.

We (my hubby, kids and I), loaded up 20 tutus today in a variety of sizes and colors and headed up to Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital.

We were greeted at the door with a very warm welcome, and rolled our loot inside.

The amount of fluff and vibrant hues were stopping men and women alike. 

So many thanks were given, and while we didn't get to actually see the little girls receive them, I know in my heart it will bring some smiles this Christmas!

It meant so much to me that the hospital worker we were in contact with took the time to tell my daughter thank you, and explain what a good thing she was doing. 

Ok, now for the entertainment...the future class clown will demonstrate an alternate activity with a tutu waistband (aka- undy wear).

And a little more silliness for your viewing pleasure...

Toadally Tutus Children's Charity

Wowzers, there is A LOT that goes into starting a charity!

I suppose this is in part because I am a "one-woman show". The other part could very possibly be that I am a perfectionist, and when I get a vision, my brain automatically starts thinking about all of the ways to better that vision. My husband is always reminding me to slow down. In fact, as a little side note, there is an artist by the name of Katie Daisy who has a beautiful painting that says...SLOW DOWN. I need it! I would hang it by my coffee maker, since that is the only daily definite :-) Yes, you are probably thinking, "What about the medicine cabinet, or shower?" Good question. See, as a stay at home mom who is not a morning person, when I drag myself out of bed, I head directly for the coffee pot. My girls have learned that while I may look awake, until the caffeine enters my body I am nothing more than a walking zombie :-)

Ok, back on track...

Tutus!

I have finally decided on a name and logo...

(with the help of a quick Facebook vote)

Another side note: The Farrier's Daughter is now on FB

www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Farriers-Daughter/56876937703722

Toadally Tutus!

I'm happy with it. It may change down the road, but for now, it's a start. I have already started receiving orders and needed a tag to attach. Here's where the stress of being a one-woman show comes into play. On top of ordering, cutting, and making the tutus, there is so much to be done before a tutu goes out in the mail.

Ideally, I would have a very pretty web site and/or blog in place with a handy-dandy counter so that visitors can see our progress. In the last few days I have found myself needing to wear many hats...graphic designer, printing service, web designer.

The plan is to have a website (blog for now), where people and/or businesses that donate their services (ie-graphic designer, web designer, printing, building for clinics, boutiques that sell commission free) can be linked to in the side bar as an incentive for helping!

Until then, I am slowly working on the Barn Babies blog. Where updates about the charity will be posted.

Tutu Marathon

Last fall, I took my girls to the park for a little photo shoot. I wanted to soak up what last bit of sun we would have here in the Great Northwest for months to come. As I started looking through my photo files for some tutu pics, I came across these and they made me smile.....

See, half way through the "shoot", the girls lost interest. Ok, let's be honest, they were never really interested. There were toys in sight and they wanted to play! Luckily I had come prepared with lollipops! Bribery? Why not?

(this actually backfired on me as it only took minutes before Reese had blue sticky goop all over her face)

Here is where it gets funny. Note how in the photo above Raegen is distracted...

Little sister is no dummy, she goes in for the lick!

Annnnnnnd:

What? I didn't do anything!

Ok, show and tell is now over and I move on to bigger and better things.

I received another shipment of tulle today and am ready to start cutting. It is going to be a one woman Tutu Marathon around here!

I have also been working like crazy trying to get the new site

(where these charity tutu's will be available for purchase)

up and running and should have a link to share very soon!

Tutus for Tots

A while ago I mentioned some big news for the New Year...

Tutus for Tots (or maybe a different name-not sure about this part yet)

Just before Christmas, my husband and I had to take our youngest daughter to Doernbecher Children's Hospital for some testing. After one of our appointments, we sat chatting while we let the girls play for bit. Looking at all of the Christmas decorations, I started thinking about just how lucky we were to be taking our child home, and how many families weren't as fortunate. It made me sad, and I told my husband that I wished we were rich so that I could go on a shopping spree and deliver gifts to all of the little ones in the hospital.

Far from rich, I put the desire in the back of my mind.
Later in the week, my sister (who works at a hospital), was telling me that some co-workers were interested in buying some of my tutus as Christmas gifts.
Wheels started turning, and before long, I came up with a plan that I am super excited to share!

I have just put in an order for over 1,000' of tulle!

Having two girls of my own, I know the power of a tutu.
I know that when they wear them, their faces light up and with every twist and turn there is a giggle just waiting to spill out. What better gift to give little girls in the hospital this year?

My goal (along with my super supportive family) is to sell tutus online and at Tutu Workshops (details to follow). For every tutu sold, we will donate one to a child in a Pediatric Unit this Christmas Season. Because we also want to include the little boys, I will be including superhero capes as well.

Updates will be made on this blog along with a link to my new online store!