did you hear julie's great idea? (click)
julie has a tender heart for mommies who have lost their babies much too soon.
she has never even met jess and joel.
but she took action…followed her heart.
after selling MANY of her messy flower headbands for cora paige
realizing how much we all want to give
she decided to ask us for help.
she came up with a super duper plan.
there are lots of crafty ladies are out here in blogland.
many have Etsy shops already…
we can do our own cora paige items and each give to the playground.
what do you think?
i am ready!
i want to craft my heart out for cora, jess and joel.
i want to open an etsy shop for cora, jess and joel.
sooooooo……what should i make?
what do YOU want to see in my brand new etsy shop?!
i need your help.
speak up blog readers.
(can you tell i am excited?!)
*************************************************************************************
if you'd like to hear cora's service you can find it on our church's website. (click)
it was such a beautiful and emotional service.
everyone loved cora so much…and those chubby cheeks.
the entire family is such a gentle example of faith.
Patty - I too admire all you’re doing. Your designs that everyone loves so much on t-shirts and pillows: how about flat and framed with a painted frame? Aqua or hot pink frame on the cupcake design?
And if you put together a book of photo tips (maybe your photos with the settings posted and some general tips)- I’m sure people would buy like crazy. And once you put it together, it would be easy to make more if the demand was high.
I wish you luck- and lots of stamina!!
Kate Eschbach - Anything, anything you make will be so beautiful.
I am in. I am going to go brainstorm for my CORE page… for etsy.
Juliann - I would love to see you make some cute t-shirts, like the ones you made at christmastime. Maybe some with playground equipment sewn on; like a swing, or teeter-totter….
sarah - I think anything you would decide to make would be wonderful, and would most likely sell it within hours!
I tried to listen to Cora’s service, but was already losing it about a minute in. I’m still in constant prayer and I remember them daily. (it’s hard not to remember them when I look at my little family)
I wanted to just let you know that i may send a card to you to deliver to Joel and Jessica. I had been struggling with what kind of ‘gift’ to send. And was so happy to see what Julie is doing. i got one of her adorable flower pins in memory of Cora, and hope to find some supplies to make some jewelry to see for Cora’s playground.
I look forward to see what you add. And thank you for your updates, and all the love I’m sure you have given to Cora’s parents.
katie - I am excited to see what you make!! I am already selling things on my etsy to help baby Cora!! I am so excited to see people really care & are purchasing things!!
Alyssa - I love the idea….i think you should make whatever you like the most…..I love your playroom so go look around there for ideas…
I love it all.
I like the “Whatever Bundle” where you make a collection of items and we buy it all.
As far as the t-shirt….I personally would like to see the t shirt in LARGER sizes….it is so difficult to find cute t-shirts for girls past the age of 6….I like to dress my 8 yr cute still but she tall like me and it almost impossible.
I also would buy your decorating services, you could be like the NESTER and charge us for your decorting help….She does it through photos and such.
Aubrey - Sheesh, apparently I’m a little slow to add my two cents.
I’m with everybody else–I like your personalized t-shirts with cupcakes and letters and numbers and your aprons are so cute and the bottle caps are dang cute and the crayon letters are awesome and I bet people would like the felt houses. Seriously, why haven’t you opened an etsy shop before? Oh yeah, I guess some of this stuff you got the ideas from other people’s shops so I guess that’s like plagiarizing, but WHATEVER–this is for Cora, right?
Patti - i think anything you make will sell out very quickly – so i recommend you make something that is easy for mass production. i like the bottle caps – seems like you might be able to get an assembly line going.
what about artwork from your kids? they are very talented as well and it would be great to get them involved in the cause as well. if their drawings on paper look anything close to the stuff on the bathroom walls, i’d totally buy it! 🙂
it warms my heart to see the blogging community come together like this!
carly - I vote for the girls initial shirts that your girls have worn, also, the cupcake one too! as well as the bottle caps…
meg…you are such a nice friend to do all of this and in turn your “fans” (us readers of your blog) get to help out in ways that we wouldnt be able to…if i lived closer to you (i am in OHIO), i would love to help out with your laundry (as i know you hate it), while you are making up all of these goodies!
my prayers are with cora’s family! thanks meg!
carly
Regina (QueenieBee) - BIG QUESTION: Once we make the money, where would Jess & Joel request that we send it? Directly to the church at the address already given? (I think I saw that on their blog somewhere?)
Regina (QueenieBee) - I think you need to auction off a week-long stay at your house! 😉 We’d all LOVE to come hang out with you and your fun crew and be able to LIVE your blog! 🙂
Seriously though…I’d love to see some pillows or sewn items coming to your new shop!
I think I’ll open a shop myself. I’ve thought about it for a while now, and this is the perfect time (and reason!) to get my fanny in gear.
Thanks so much for giving me the nudge. We need a way of honoring the life of this precious little girl and her family…parents, grandparents, everybody!
To GOd be the glory!
Susan - I was seriously thinking just a couple of days ago… I wonder if meg would make a super cute t-shirt that I could buy for a birthday gift.
Great idea Julie!
Great heart Meg!
Alyssa - just thought of another. your polka dot camera strap!!! i would definitely buy one.
kasey - i’m in.
I would even be willing to have a piece of Jewlery made and put in in my shop and name it “remember Cora” and have the proceeds go directly to the playground.
xoxo
Brooke - Oh my goodness…you are truly great! I would love to see anything…the skirts you make for your girls..I would love to buy for my ladies..the shirts..the bottlecap magnets..anything! I can’t wait to shop!
Staci - OH YAY!!! I want some of those little shirts you made for Annie and Talby…but the male gender kind!!!! Oh I’m doin’ a little dance right now…at home, by myself because Meg is opening an Etsy shop AND I get to help Joel and Jess 🙂 Oh heck Meg, I’d buy anything you made 🙂
Christine - Things that I’m always looking for on Etsy are cute older kids clothes (size 4-8), maybe i’m not looking in the right areas but they are hard for me to find.
So I think it would be wonderful if you could make cute/simple t-shirts for girls and boys,
or even things like aprons, sundresses…I really like your style and your fabric choices for your home and kids. I’d buy your stuff.
Along the sewing line, I’d also buy curtains (I desperately need cafe’ ones but don’t like the store bought ones), I LOVE the red ones you made for your mud room/entrance.Beautiful.
Side note: (Is it evident that I can’t sew?? So far I’ve been o.k. b/c I grew up in a small mennonite town in Manitoba and there were SO many “grandmas” willing to help me out!!)
I also noticed that you use Letters for decorating(eat, read,girls room), i do that too-so maybe even selling painted letters in different colors and sizes? That wouldn’t be too time consuming for you,plus you’d probably have a lot of interest?!
I lost a baby too early as well and have recently been supporting and praying for a dear
friend whose beautiful chubby boy Jay was born silently.I have a special heart for this project…
I’m grieving for the parents of little Cora and how even though I never met them, I
feel a connection through God’s family (isn’t that bizzare and great at the same time/?)
Geesh-I always talk too much. sorry!
God bless you Megan as you pour your heart into this, I’ll be praying for you and your fam.
lisa - The super craft shirts you make for the girls!!
4JJM - You are doing God’s work here Meg…I would love to see anything made from fabric from you…maybe little pillows, girly t-shirts. I also love:
http://megduerksen.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c469c53ef0105369e70da970b-pi
and these
http://megduerksen.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c469c53ef0105365a4e71970b-pi
Wendy - I love your crayons and bottle cap magnets too!
But I would also buy some sort of tutorial on photography. It could be an email full of your tips and tricks or a phone conversation or something in writing, a pamphlet perhaps. Or maybe your top photo tricks on a series of videos. The pictures you took of Cora are gorgeous. I love your pictures and would love to know how you do it. And I don’t have time to take a class and have been unable to find such a thing anywhere close here, so I’m looking for a quick tutorial. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Think about it…
Cindy - What if you picked a few things to put in your shop, like the pillows, bottle caps and crayons, but took orders to make them personalized? That way you wouldn’t have to invest too much in something that doesn’t end up selling well. I have a friend who makes stitch markers, she has a couple of samples in her shop but will custom make whatever you want (within reason, of course.)
Christy - Meg, Anything you come up with would be awesome, seriously. I love all of the ideas folks have already suggested, the crayons, tees, magents & the cute notebooks! Love them all. Oh & your photography (as someone sugegsted) is amazing, I bet some stills of things you shoot would totally sell!
patricia - Just a few ideas of what you might sell-
1. Bottle yourself up and sell “whatever” – I would buy it.
2. Your photos are glorious.
3. A book of ideas –
4. Your bathroom wallpaper – on a roll.
5. Pieces of your life, in a book.
6. whatever….
pve
adrienneK - the neat shirts with sewn on fabrics(cupcakes,flowers etc)
ps do you have an open id? i would like to add you to my friends list on livejournal:)
Kristin - Any of your prints on colorful objects. They are all beautiful and I’d love to frame some in my house 🙂
Susan - This is such a great idea.
I would love to see the ribbon notebooks.
Susan
elisa - Count me in- how can I help?
Brittany - well, after attempting to make your cool letter crayons and failing miserably (they all turned out one yucky color) I would buy those. or your bottle cap magnets! I love them and don’t have the patience to make them!
Sheryl - I would love to have some of the adorable pillows you designed around Christmas time. The ones that look like little houses. I would love to be your neighbor in one of those little houses.
Diana G - Bottle cap magnets – I would buy hundreds of ’em!!! How about bottle cap necklaces – the tweens (and their moms) seem to love them.
Teresa - you can make EVERYTHING. Your work is amazing! maybe scrapbook how-tos, actual scrap books that people can just put pix in. Curtains!! I looooove the red ones you made.
Those yummy cookie/brownies you make, heck I’d buy them. The look delicious! 🙂
You are a wonderful person for helping Cora’s family.
<3!
lee ann - I’d purchase just about anything from you! 🙂 But….I would special order two little, short sleeved t’s. Size 3 and 6 please! I keep meaning to give them a try, but would love to support the Cora playground at the same time.
Erin - I vote for the embellished tees. But from what everyone else is posting, it sounds like you could fill a store with all of your crafty-ness!
Laura Moffat - Thank you Megan for all you have been willing to do for Jess & Joel. I’m Jessica’s friend from Colorado…I spoke with you the other day about the pics for the slideshow that we made for the service. Your pictures are beautiful and sooo treasured by the family. I think whatever you make it should be bright green and pink since those were Jess’ favorite colors on Cora 🙂 ….I’m thinking cute bags or purses?? Nothing too hard or time consuming but something we could carry each day. Lot of great ideas on here! God bless you.
Laura Moffat
http://www.themoffats.blogspot.com
Kate - oh gosh, great idea!
hm, well, you basically can make anything out of anything, sooo…
i’d suggest:
pillows
curtains (maybe?)
lamp shades
those great crayons
t-shirts (like the ones you made for your girls for their b-days)
maybe scrap books that are pre-formatted? like that have the decorations and everything so all the person has to do is write in the allotted spots and put the pictures where they want to? i’ve seen these at wal-mart, and you’d surely do a better job than them. this is for the ridiculous procrastinators, obviously.
maybe some mini-mosaic-mirrors like the one in your bathroom?
and basically anything that your imaginative brain can whip up.
if you make it, i’m highly likely to buy it.
-kate
Leah - I think others have mentioned it…but I really like you bottle cap magnets!
Abby - The abc crayons – maybe in Cora’s initials and favorite colors? I am going to start making some doll quilts tomorrow to sell in my etsy shop (need to start an etsy shop too 🙂
Anna - I would definitely like to see some of those bottle cap magnets. Pillows…like everyone is saying. Your hand towels are a must. Oh and anything else you might have up your sleeve.
I just opened an Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5969195
I will touch base with Julie!
Thank you for spreading the word! God bless!
Alyssa - pillows! like the ones in your playroom. anything you make out of all of that beautiful material would be great! i would also take 5 of your christmas stockings!!!!
pam - lamp shades. 🙂
and a chore chart like the one in your kitchen (and can you assign the chores too so I don’t take the heat?)
and i want one of those verse posters in your kitchen too.
and…
you’re going to be very busy. 😉
Alyssa - pillows! like the ones in your playroom. anything you make out of all of that beautiful material would be great! i would also take 5 of your christmas stockings!!!!
maribeth - what a great idea! i have been wanting to start an etsy shop. i have a six week old, but if i can get my act together, i would love to contribute. as for you, i definitely think you could sell anything you sew and the magnets that you had so much fun making at christmas. i can’t wait to see what you come up with!
traci - This idea excites me and Im thrilled you are doing it!!!!! Im miss this baby and I dont even know her…I just KNOW I would have loved her and her family looks precous. You are very talented…whatever you make will be a HIT and ALL FOR CORA!!!!
Shannan - Definitely the t-shirts! And hand towels! What about some note cards of your photographs?
And at the very top of my list: A batch of crayon “M”s and “S”s. The sooner the better. Thanks a million. 🙂
jennifer - Definitely pillows and magnets! What a great idea, Meg.
Thank you for choosing that day to share with all of us what was going on with Cora, and Jess and Joel. It has truly been humbling to read their posts, how they have handled this with such grace. All glory to God!
ang - Megan,
I don’t know you, Jess, Joel and unfortunately never met baby Cora. But, I have been reading updates on Jess’ blog for a few weeks and have also read yours. I love your style-in fact, I’m sure I would buy most anything you could whip up. I’d be glad to pass the info along to others in Nebraska!!!
Molly - I have been considering opening an etsy shop for some time now. I have never met Jess or Joel but was so moved by their story like so many! I would love to make a few special dresses in honor of precious Cora’s life! I believe I have some pics somewhere on my blog of my designs!
traci - what a great idea!!! i loved those bottlecap magnets you made. and the cute little tshirts you made for your girls. heck meg, everything you create is awesome!!!
Allikayes Mama - Oh boy…I have wanted you to create an Etsy shop for awhile! And now for little Cora…perfect! There are so many things you have made – your etsy could just be a bunch of different things…pillows…bottlecap things…lots of fun stuff!
courtney - I would love to have some of your fun and bright pillow cases!! Anything with fun and funky fabric for my home, I will purchase!
Carrie - I loved your tshirts and hand towels (that you showed off at Christmas). I think my FAVE are the bottle cap magnets though. I would purchase any (or all) of those.
amie - i would love to help support cora’s playground! i’m a big fan of your pillows so i request those! and aprons! i love the idea of a playground in her memory, what an awesome way to honor such a strong little spirit that touched so many people who never even met her or her family…
Sara - I think the t-shirts you made were adorable, but I also think your duvets, curtains and pillows, etc. are adorable! You could maybe even customize and offer various fabric choices?
OK, now I’m offering up my own etsy fantasy, but since I can’t sew, thought I’d throw it out there… 🙂
BTW, thanks for sharing the link the Cora’s story. I can’t get Cora and her parents out of my mind, so I would surely love to purchase something to help!!
Carly - oooh, those adorable notebooks with the fabric fringe. i can’t stop thinking about those and would buy one for sure! or two or ten.
Kelli Linkis - The t-shirts! YES! Do you do girls hair bows? They are hard to find that are super cute!
callie grayson - i love being crafty but I am in the middle of moving, so when you all get more your items posted on etsy, please make postings on your blog so I can SHOP!!! I am always looking for homemade gifts to buy.
I liked yo ABC crayons too! I am with Darby on those and your aprons were pretty awesome to
callie
Chrissie Grace - I would love to donate some pieces from my shop:
http://www.mixedmediamama.etsy.com
or proceeds?…
Dana D @BoysMyJoys - I’d love a chance to buy one of the cute aprons you made last year at Christmas- and I’m sure others would, too!
Lauren - I’d buy anything to help Cora, and also anything you make (you’re so crafty) – so this is a GREAT IDEA!!!!
robyn Beckley Vining - sounds smart.
are they in need of making up costs for medical care?
i can’t imagine what they’ve accrued.
We’re non-profit workers slashing staff and budgets, but I could help with spreading the word about fundraising…
robyn Beckley Vining - sounds smart.
are they in need of making up costs for medical care?
i can’t imagine what they’ve accrued.
We’re non-profit workers slashing staff and budgets, but I could help with spreading the word about fundraising…
amy - Hi Meg!
Please make t-shirts like you made for your girls! And pillows…lots and lots of pillows! In your favorite funky colors and trims! I can’t sew very well, but I would love to contribute fabric and supplies to your stash! For real! Just say the word!
hugs,
amy
Tamra - you have made so many cute things. but I would love to see some of your photos (prints) up for sale. you take such vibrant beautiful photos.
pam - Oh and I’d love to see your adorable bottle cap magnets in YOUR etsy shop!!! they are too cute! xo
pam - I posted on my blog earlier today…I’ve come up with a Cora Paige tee! http://www.iloveplum.etsy.com xoxox
danyele - great idea!!! btw, there will be an honorary gift bag donation of 100 goody bags to Sam Ministries (Homeless Shelter)
on Thursday, February 19, 2009 in honor of baby Cora…in addition to the donations yet to come at my local NICU and children’s hospital. awesome! just awesome.
Darby - Am I really the first to comment? Wow… I think should you sell your ABC crayons… they’re so fun and since it doesn’t require a sewing maching you could even get the kids in on it!!