To Give Finale!!

Branching Out Project Complete! Here's what 40 LBVD Blankets look like bundled :)

 

These little elves behind played a HUGE part in creating each of these, from the painting, to the cutting, to the trimming, to the sewing, 

to the bundling!  

I am truly thankful, grateful and blessed :)

Thank you to all who purchased from Little Bird Vintage Designs this year--40 blankets donated to SAMMinistries to given to homeless families this Christmas.   Leo made sure they understood when we were dropping them off with the SAMM staff that "these are for kids without blankets." 

I was so proud of him ;) 

Thank you LBVD supporters! See you in 2012!

To Give Part 2:

Busy, Busy, Busy!!  

For the good though :)  

Getting out last minute custom Christmas orders and finishing up this year's Branching Out Project:  Donating 40 Sports Blankets to SAMMinistries, an organization centered around assisting homeless families.  Could not think of a better give project than to offer a bit of warmth, love and hopefully, happiness through a Little Bird Blanket to a child who may not have a "lovie" of any sort.  As I'm making these, I get the joy of praying over them and enthusing well wishes and spirited vibes throughout the entire batch :)  It has been a sincere joy adding our Branching Out Projects to the 

Little Bird Venture.  

In the middle of work, I have definitely enjoyed the holiday parties and concerts with my kiddo's!  They are all at such fantastic ages and truly are LOVING the season :)  We had a wonderful time at their Christmas Concert last night, Maximus, our Octopus played Santa which was a huge surprise to us, and our other 2 "bigs" were SO BIG as they sang every word and stood so tall and confident!  

2 very proud parents:)

NEW DTG PRINT Tee's and Totes are in--check out my Etsy shop and order yours just in time for Christmas, simply convo me with your animal and size!!  The only Little Bird Product available to ship by the new year. 

To Give!!

It's been a total of 15 months since Little Bird Vintage Designs revamped and took a new fresh look at the future through Etsy, the world of blogging, Facebooking, Tweets, and GIVING ... This company began back in January, 2007 with a desire to make a difference and impact in Eli (The designer of the original Ava Bird's, son) and Ava's world, and now, 5 years later, I'm proud to say that it has--Not only for each of those, but their siblings as well--and hopefully more little birds out there 

throughout the world :)

Since August, 2010, I made a goal to go it solo via my website/blog and Etsy store.  We've had 1 more addition to our nest--Kalliope Jude, or Gecko!  Our loyal fans have been so patient as Little Bird grows both in business, but also within our personal nest ;)  In the 5 years, it's been fun looking back and seeing how for 6 months we'd revamp and grow and strengthen, then I'd have another baby, we'd take a few months off, reintroduce a new animal into our nest and get right back to revamping and growing and strengthening!  That's what I'm most thankful for these days--that I can have a business that I LOVE and adapt it around the natural needs I feel are important in my goals and priorities as a mother and in raising my family.  I am thankful for Little Birds especially because it allows me to oporate in front of my children on a daily basis under the understanding how great it is to make a successful business so that we can, in turn, help others with it and make a positive difference in the world we live ...  And that's exactly what we're celebrating this holiday season in the Berios house--Giving!  

How can we be more elflike?  Making something for someone else and giving it to them, of course ;)  (My kids are wanting to be elves these days).  So they have been helping me in my workshop making blankets to give from each of the blankets sold throughout these past 15 months--40+!   My goal these next few weeks as we're gathering up the blankets and preparing them to be given, is to keep you, the reason we have so much to give in the loop!  I would love to hear how your bird blanket is being loved!  Comment below :)

Wishing you Warmth, LOVE and Happiness from our Nest to yours this Holiday Season :)

grace

Branching Out -- For Japan Part 2

LOVING and appreciating all the fun feedback and support for our 

Branching Out for Japan project!!  

This past week my Little Bird Crew flocked together with fellow Little Bird Fans and Lovers in Austin, Texas 

for a Melville Family Retreat!  

These little birds are the reason 

I LOVE what I do :)

Cooper Eliza Melville, A HUGE Little Bird Fan :)  And my youngest niece.

My niece and Namesake, Gracey Jayne Melville, 9 years old, my oldest niece :)

While we were there, Little Bird received several orders that I get to prepare 

and send out to day :)  

All in support of Japan Relief! 

Currently enjoying a relaxing Saturday morning at home, it's amazing how being away, even on a super fun adventure, can make you appreciate just being at home:) Love!

Wishing you a day full of Warmth, LOVE and Happiness--

Grace 

ON to November!!!

Thank you to all who participated in our 

Spooky Halloween Branching Out Project!!  

We are able to donate $50--the profit from the 5 special for Halloween shirts sold, 2 Lovies and one Sport Blanket from our Blanket Sales (One for One: for every Lovie and/or Sport purchased, one is donated to a little bird in need--old and young--which is an on going donation throughout each month)to SAMMinistries, an organization committed to helping overcome homelessness.

**I would LOVE pictures of your birds wearing the spooky shirts, please email them to me at grace@littlebirdvintagedesigns.com

--I'll post them!!

IN honor of Thanksgiving, we will be continuing along 
the same lines as the Spooky Halloween theme.  

Always the One for One donation is still in affect with the each Lovie and Sport Blanket sold, but also for 

every item sold throughout November, 10% of all profits earned from Little Bird Sales will be donated to SAMMinistries, since this time of year is usually our most thankful time to have and enjoy all of the 
comforts of our Nest surrounding us.   

I look forward to you joining us in making a difference our world one little bird at a time :)

I'm very thankful for each of my many, many blessings in my life, our Little Bird Flock included :)
I'd love to hear what you're thankful for!

Wishing you Warmth, Love, and Happiness~

Grace

Brown Sacking it!

At church this morning we were all given a sack to fill of staple, non-perishable groceries as we hit the market this week.  The sacks will be returned throughout the week and distributed to the Hope Center in San Antonio, TX.   

I love how simple they made it for me to give.  

They gave me a sack with a grocery list of just 10 items to include.  I can now simply add these 10 items to my grocery list, keep this sack of filled goods in the car as I unload and, viola, I'm all set to give back next Sunday.  

As I was thinking about the simplicity and affordability of this "good", a thought came to mind:  Why not do this every time I grocery shop, and make a point to deliver it to a food bank throughout my week?  Or keep in my car ready to give the next panhandler I see--which is many on my route throughout my day...  I'm going to give it a try each time I go to the store from now through Thanksgiving.  

Posted you'll find the grocery list in case it's something you feel the desire to try as well, or better yet--Share another idea!  It's much more exciting of a case study to explore all options :)

Sack of Groceries:

*  Green Beans

*  Canned Tomatoes

*  Macaroni 'n Cheese

*  Canned Vegetables

*  Canned Chili

*  Small bags of Dry Pinto Beans

*  Canned Fruit

*  Peanut Butter and Jelly

*  Small Bags of Rice

*  Pudding Packs

**Any non-perishable food items are welcome!

To simple not to try :)

How will you Branch Out today?

Wishing you Warmth, love and happiness today--and full bellies.

Grace

Seriously Spooky--Just in time for Halloween!!!

Anyone that knows me, my kids, our schedule, our routine, would realize this to be true of me~

Homelessness frightens me, scares me to death, terrifies me, saddens me.  Not only for the obvious reasons I would feel strongly for pre-kids--but now, in kid mode--it stirs all kinds of deeper emotions and haunts.  How would I cope without my "Nest", my home base?  Where my families security  lies, the comforts that every "nest" provides~Warmth,shelter, sense of safety, control, peace.  

As A mother, I have come to the conclusion that one of the greatest gifts you can give a child is just that:  Routine, security, consistency.  I am thankful, at this time and moment, to be able to provide them with that and treasure that freedom it affords me as a mommy.

Little Bird's Second Branching Out Project lies in building and creating "nests"!  We have teamed up with SAMMinistries--a local homeless operation here that provides a safe haven for families who have some how or another lost their "nest".  

**For each Halloween Ava Bird Tee sold, 100% of all profits rendered will go directly to SAMMinistries family program.  For every Little Bird Lovie and/or Little Bird Sport Blanket Sold, one Little Bird Lovie, and/or Little Bird Sport Blanket will be also donated to the family ministry program.** 

To purchase:
www.littlebirdvintagedesigns.com

Could you imagine your little bird without his or her favorite blankie or lovie?   Our Maximus alone has three on hand at all times just to ensure his comfort and sense of security~overkill~I know, but you get my point~they play an important role in their little lives.

 

Please help us to spread the word about this ministry and organization by visiting and becoming a fan of http://www.samm.org/ Know that your purchase will make a difference~something you can be reminded of long after Halloween has passed.

In Warmth, love, and happiness~

Grace Berios

Branching Out ...

Little Bird’s first of many more to come branching out projects:

Bedding for the Wesley Community Center, 

in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Little Birds worked alongside the Shoreline Methodist’s Sunday School Class, Faith Forward in revitalizing and renewing the Nursery of the Wesley Community Center, a daycare facility for homeless to bring their children while they find work and focus on providing for their families. It was such a cold, empty space with all these beautiful little ones occupying it. Together we were inspired to clean, organize and provide a brighter, cozier, safer environment that offered warmth, love and happiness 

through lots of color and bird blankets!

If you’d like to offer your services through, projects, or simply stopping by and offering a story, or free hugs, I’m sure they will be more than welcomed and accepted.

 

Simply contact Wesley Community Center

4015 MacArthur Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78416-1907
(361) 880-8300