I am absolutely loving showing off my creative pals to y’all.  I feel like the little girl who has a closet full of the pinkest, fluffiest, frilliest tutus on the planet and you’ve all come over to see them.  I really am a fortunate woman to be surrounded by such creatively wonderful women.

No exception to this is Ginger Nixon.

Ginger with her family (including one foreign exchange student!)

I owe a lot to Ginger.  She’s been an amazing friend ever since the first night she showed up at our doorstep as a stranger from Phoenix, Az.  I knew instantly that she was a fun, festive type – and I l.o.v.e fun festive types!  It only took a wee bit longer to realize that she is also a fun CREATIVE type!  In addition to countless hours of babysitting, car-loaning, food baking, dream dreaming, and more baby sitting, I owe Ginger a mountain for introducing me to Etsy!  Ginger was in one of my sewing classes where I was no doubt rambling on and on about a ruffle.  From the back row she shouted, “Why don’t you open an Etsy shop???”  And the rest is history.  Thank you Ginger – I’m grateful!

I’m proud to introduce you to her because I’m proud to know her.  In terms of creativity, Ginger is constantly at work creating something – anything! – to give it away.  Which is why I’m not at all surprised that when asked to write about what she celebrates most about sewing….she said this….

I So Celebrate Giving

I love all crafty things.  No, I am not one of those creepy perfect crafty girls with a new matching outfit for me and my kids at every event.  (You know the ones…)  But I sure do love makin’ cute things.   Key word: things. I love making stuff.  Tote bags, stuffed animals… you get the idea.  But sewing a dress – I have no interest in that.

The closest thing I come to sewing clothes is my love for embellishing them.   My daughter is so sick of little felt monsters and hearts and flowers on her clothes.  But she smiles politely every time I present something of hers that I have ruined.  She is a sweetie.

I sew because I love to give.  For example: around these parts, we have a crazy ton of babies on the way.  Which is awesome for me because I can’t get enough of sewing cute things on onesies, burp clothes and kid clothes.  I love creating a onesie that signifies the parents-to-be in a unique and personal way.

Here I embellished a onesie with a Stratocaster guitar that my husband designed for me.   The dad is a guitar player.

One of my favorites is my little monster guy on a onesie.

And no Austin-born baby is complete without a mustache onesie!!

Here is an A-DOR-ABLE owl stuffed animals that are my current favorite.  I purchased the pattern from Retro-Mama.  Y’all need to buy everything she puts out.  She is awesome.

I make things to give away.   I love putting thought, heart and prayer into a gift. It’s the best feeling to pour care into something and hand it over in hopes that it blesses the person.  I guess if you think about it – it’s all quite selfish on my part.

Ok, but seriously – it truly honors someone when you put that much care into a gift.  It brings a special sense of kindness and love when you give handmade gifts.  Try it. It’s harder work, and really time consuming – but I have learned that my time is not my own.  I am drawn to the care of others.  And one way I can care for the people in my life – is by sewing for them.

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I can attest the Ginger practice what she’s preaching.  I have been the recipient of some her fabulous gift – most recently she made my 4 year old daughter a complete “mommy bag” for her dolls.  There was a diaper bag, burp cloths, layette, and a SLING for her babies!  She gave this to her just before Rosamund was born so that Ellie could take care of babies too.  It was awesome!

Ginger lives here in Austin with her husband Patrick, 3 of 4 children – Jonathan, Vivian, and Ethan.  Her eldest son, Stephen, is serving our country overseas in the Army.  She is awesome.  Move to Austin so you can meet her!!!

more later today – I’m behind again!!!