Fighting The Dirty C!

Today is World Cancer Day. It's the dirty C-word that everyone thinks about, but doesn't really want to talk about. I don't think there is a single family I know who hasn't been affected by it. So what can you do about it? Plenty!

Support is the best thing one person can do for another. Supporting a cause that has a personal effect on so many people everyday... what more could anyone ask for?! There are many different organizations that fund and support research for cures of all types of cancers. Pick one, or pick them all, just be supportive. Most organizations have several huge fundraising events that are fun and rewarding to get involved in. The one nearest and dearest to my heart is St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Here are just a few "did you know?" facts about St. Jude's from their website:

No Place Like St. Jude

• Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
• Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened in 1962.
• St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
• St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
• Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.
• St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that “No child should die in the dawn of life.”

St. Jude's was there for my family, and continues to help many others while always maintaining the positive atmosphere of HOPE! There are so many ways throughout the year to help support St. Jude's. There is the St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk.

Our Team DOMinator at the St. Jude's Give Thanks Walk 2011

The walk kicks off the St. Jude's Thanks and Giving fundraising campaign during the holiday season, so shoppers can make a donation at local stores while purchasing gifts. Every September Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurants picks a day of "More Hope" and donates 100% of their net profits to St. Jude's. 

Each summer people from all over the country participate in the Warrior Dash for St. Jude's. And many people make personal contributions for someone they know.

Showing your support for cancer research is so much bigger than I can ever articulate in writing. It's not about one more organization begging for money. It's not about seeing who can raise the most. It's about each and every dollar giving HOPE! It's about giving a child one more day filled with love and laughter. It's about giving your friend, co-worker, or family member a fighting chance. It's about showing support for LIFE! 

What is your favorite cause? How do you support your favorite cause?

2013: My Year of Changes

Upon review of my life over the past year, I have found it to be a year filled with lots of firsts, lasts, hellos, goodbyes, and forevers. This is my 2013... My year of changes:

Started 2013 visiting Chicago for the first time.

Celebrated my 5th Wedding Anniversary.

One of the photo's I had done for my husband's anniversary gift.

Celebrated the high school graduation of the eldest son of one of my oldest and bestest with all of my oldest and bestest.

Spent my summer preparing to open my very first Etsy shop.

My first 4th of July at Greenfield Village for a patriotic concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that included live cannon fire and an amazing fireworks show.

My first trip to Mackinaw City, and the UP.

                             

Planned my first themed baby shower.

Joyfully welcomed a new member to the family.

Finally got to say "Hello" to my first Niece/Goddaughter.

Delighted to see the first picture of my first nephew.

I said goodbye to my job of 3 1/2 years, and I had my first table at a craft show.

                             

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In a year that was filled with ups and downs, lots of firsts, many celebrations, laughs and great memories shared with family and friends, it is also a year that will never be forgotten. It is with very heavy hearts, we had to say a painful goodbye to our loving, funny, smiley, amazing "Dominator".

                                

             

It is with tears in our eyes, and love in our hearts that you are greatly missed. 

You will be in our hearts forever! 

Dominick Paul Curley-Keck

September 28th, 2005 - December 18th, 2013

Craft Show Crafting Part 2

Last night my mother-in-law asked me if I'm reading any good books for Advent. Hmmm... Considering that I have been spending 12-14 hours a day making bows and flowers

In all different styles

Brainstorming and designing creative ways to display all my product

 For the Craft Show that is this Saturday

        

And I haven't even taken down my Thanksgiving decorations, or put up my Christmas decorations... As lovely as it sounds to sit down and read a good book, I just haven't been able to fit it in. ;) 

As the big day gets closer, I am getting more excited! If you are in the area, stop by and see us!

St. Mary's Christmas Bazaar

December 7th

10am until 4pm

At

St. Mary Catholic Church

10601 Dexter-Pinckney Rd.

Pinckney, MI  48169

Ready To POP!

It amazes me that I have a 20 year old daughter, yet I have never been an Aunt... Well, not until now that is! I was absolutely delighted when I found out my sister-in-law was pregnant, and immediately offered to help host her Baby Shower. This, of course, is the second large project (that I mentioned in last week's post) that I have been working on all summer.

Having a slight addiction to Pinterest does occasionally pay off, especially when looking for party/event planning idea's. After teaming up with my sister-in-law Regina, the theme we chose for this Baby Shower was "Ready To POP!"

Photos are courtesy of my dear friend Jacqueline! 

I eagerly put my new Cricut Expression 2 to work and, with my friend Megan graciously loaning me 2 of her Cricut Cartridges, made all the Baby Shower decorations myself. 

I designed each table centerpiece to be decorative, and ultimately become the prize of the main game.

We kept the guests entertained with our "Conversational Diapers" table:

                 

 

Ken quizzing his sister with answers pre-given by her husband. Really fun!

And wish cards for the baby:

Continuing with "Ready To POP!" we made sure all of our food fit the theme too! We served "POPable Meatballs", "Caprese POPS", "Fruit POPS", "Cake POPS", "POPcorn", "POPular Cheeseballs", and "POP & Water". 

The guests loved the theme, and everyone had a wonderful time! It was definitely worth every minute of planning, and a lot of fun to see it all come together! 

Me with all 3 of my sisters-in-law, and my new niece!

Have you ever hosted a theme party? What is your favorite Baby Shower memory?

Not Enough Hours In A Day!

Many of you may have been wondering why my blog posts have been a bit more sporadic this past few months. The simple answer is: There just isn't enough hours in a day!

Two huge projects have been occupying every free minute of every day. One I will talk about today, and the other you will have to wait to hear about next week. So, what is the first big project that has consumed my life? Preparing to open my very own Etsy Shop! Welcome to Cinderley Designs & Boutique!

I came up with the name combining three elements: My first name, Cindy, my favorite princess, Cinderella, and my maternal family name, Curley. Cindy + Cinderella + Curley = Cinderley! Plus, I think it sounds pretty fantastic too! My whimsical logo/banner was designed by my very talented daughter, Corinne!

I decided to put my love of making pretty things out of ribbon to good use, and began avidly designing, sewing, gluing, and crafting my supply of ribbons into lovely hair bows.

                            

 

                           

 


I then began to play around with some simple fabric flower idea's, officially called "French Poufs"

                                 

 

                                 

 

I love the adorable simplicity of the french poufs, but I wanted to try my hand with a more elegant style of fabric flower hair clip. After two days (with the help of my sister-in-law Regina) I had enough fabric petals cut out to make several large and small "Shabby Chic" fabric flowers that I absolutely love!

                              

 

                              

 

I have also made lots of little bows for babies/toddlers, but I haven't had enough hours in my day to list them on my Etsy shop just yet. But, very soon they will be there!

I love craft making, and decorating, and event planning. It makes me so happy that I can do what I love and find a way to share it with the world! I would love to hear what you think, or let me know if you have any special requests! I still have one more big project underway, but after this coming weekend I will have much more "hours in my day" to make custom orders or requests! And just in case you missed the link at the top you can check out Cinderley Designs & Boutique here!

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?