Heartbroken for Haiti

My heart hurts for the people of Haiti.

I have been wanting to write this post for over a week. But every time I tried, the words just didn't come. It was too overwhelming to think through and type out. I want this blog to be a happy place but life I can't leave out the reality of life. And if we were all silent when something hurt, healing might never come.

I'm sure by now, you've all read countless articles, seen dozens of pictures, cried tears and whispered desperate prayers. The news of devastation coming from Haiti continues after the strongest earthquake in more than 200 years. The quake measured 7.4 on the Richter scale, and was centered 10 miles from Port-Au-Prince, the nation’s largest city. In the days following even the aftershocks were large enough to cause significant damage and terrify the people trying to find their loved ones. A country that was already struggling, is in absolute chaos.

This is personal to me. My heart became attached to Haiti several years ago. When I decided to sponsor my beautiful Idson Etienne through Compassion International. I'm still not sure if he and his family are okay. Pictured below are the Compassion centers in the vicinity of the earthquakes, Idson is in center HA254 which I highlighted with the white circle and arrow. The dot with the red triangle is the center of the first quake.

While I pray and worry and wonder, I so easily feel completely depressed and despairing of the situation. The grief and pain for the people of Haiti is overwhelming. But as we know, great trials and suffering brings out the true character of human beings. People from many different countries are donating supplies, money, services and their very selves to helping the people of Haiti at this time. Bloggers are blogging, believers are praying, artists are using their talents and governments are acting on the behalf of those who cannot help themselves. Although my heart is broken for my little Idson's country, for his people, and how much they have suffered. I see a glimmer of hope. I have hope that those who have been tirelessly working for the orphaned and the impoverished before the earthquake might now be in the spotlight, making our world aware. I have hope that people who have never been interested in adoption, yet see the devastation of children who have fallen victim to circumstances might follow their heart and open their home. I have hope that while the Haitian people and all of the workers poring into their country work together, the unity of the human spirit will forge friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime... and change the world. I have hope that God can make beauty from ashes. I don't know how.... but I have hope.

Keep hoping and keep praying for miracles. Idson and his family and thousands of others need them.

For information on how to help, visit these organizations' websites:

American Red Cross
Food for the Hungry
Samaritan's Purse
Hands & Feet Project
World Vision
World Concern
Compassion International
YELE (send money with a simple text, set up by Haitian singer Wyclef Jean)

And for a really comprehensive list check out this article.

Merry Belated Christmas!

Hello friends! I got a little too busy and forgot to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Hope you all spent time with family and friends, stayed warm, kept or made new traditions and felt the love of God this Christmas.

I was quite busy with custom orders....personalized room art....special ornaments.....Christmas presents made with special ones in mind....and family!!!! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to this new year!

A baby surprise!

Well, I kept a fun little secret from you for a little while....and now I'm ready to share. Elena's Easel is in a local baby boutique!!! It was very exciting and fun to meet Heather of Ulabu Baby Boutique in Niantic. She was very enthusiastic about putting my artwork up in her store. The store is geared towards kids ages 0-5. Everything there is so cute, cuddly, snuggly and beautiful! I could spend hours talking to Heather about her kids and ooh-ing and ah-ing over the adorable baby things.


Heather loves to showcase local artists and crafters so if you're looking for a local find that was handcreated by someone in the New England area, go check it out!

For more info you can visit Ulabu on the web:

http://www.ulabu.com/

http://www.ulabu.blogspot.com/

or in person:

Ulabu Baby Boutique
Niantic, CT 06357

Packing it up

Mom and I did our last craft fair of the season this past weekend. Phew! What a crazy crafty world it is out there. Usually Christmas seems to sneak up on me every year. But this year I knew it was coming. At the craft fairs I was already hearing Christmas music, watching people shop for Christmas presents and it really helped me appreciate the hustle and bustle I usually avoid.

Here are some pics of our booths from the last show. We've learned a lot and have some new ideas for the way to find success at craft fairs in the future. Thanks to our "muscle" (or husbands) who helped us lug all of our stuff, pack and unpack every weekend and to our friends and co-workers who came out to support us.

And that's it for holiday craft fairs this year! We're packing it up....see you in 2010!

IF: Entangled

When I saw the IF topic this week an older turtle illustration came to mind. This little guy (I like to think he was a firstborn overachiever) got quite zealous about decorating his spruce and found himself entangled in the lights. I'm sure a turtle friend came along and helped him out in the spirit of Christmas cheer.

You can see this turtle and other designs in my Etsy shop. I'm also offering FREE SHIPPING on all of my prints throughout the month of December....because I'm always merrier when I get something free!

We set up our tree, nativity scene and minimal decorations already and I've enjoyed listening to Christmas music while trying out new recipes in the kitchen. The Christmas season is definitely upon us! Happy Holidays and remember the reason for the season!