Crafting for a Cause

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">My Oldest son Nio, goes to Catholic school.<br />And every year the school does different fund-raisers to subsidize the school funds for all sorts of activities, updates and just the daily grind of running a private school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This year, I decided to join the <b><span style="color: #38761d;">Mardi Gras Committee</span></b>. And with a fund-raiser like Mardi Gras, there's always a lot of work to be done  for all the different booths for the carnival. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the booths is a <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b><i>Doll Raffle Booth</i></b> </span></span>- I gladly obliged to help this area although honestly, I really wasn't sure what I could do to help until they gave me this box...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l9iMjd86AGComBVnlNJuOQObPRfK8biP7lE6vPVAxT7lsHIar0uEALFNd2CUEftidyY7k70br7eJesHgcoJPBWAwQ6GAqcklgMMsCuf4S-uquNOS5JjMvK2dsZKPgDbxFQlAFc_1wnk/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l9iMjd86AGComBVnlNJuOQObPRfK8biP7lE6vPVAxT7lsHIar0uEALFNd2CUEftidyY7k70br7eJesHgcoJPBWAwQ6GAqcklgMMsCuf4S-uquNOS5JjMvK2dsZKPgDbxFQlAFc_1wnk/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much to work with- a few scraps of fabric, some beads and flowers and of course, the dolls</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The leader of this group just told me to dress up these dolls<i><b> like Princesses </b></i>and make them look more attractive than their current state. I was up for the challenge, even though I never worked with dolls before, and so here they are…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56crefMu63hVbZl1c5VcXNwtBPp3O4vwIFm8EUn-RCdRDcLL_XKoOLvewFuis9MXFRZb-cyKrA2sKza3gvDY3z74fgy2QibxKtk0cRXZtTRqGccEaIQ_kohj8B195m7UXDbBmXEhdSW4/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56crefMu63hVbZl1c5VcXNwtBPp3O4vwIFm8EUn-RCdRDcLL_XKoOLvewFuis9MXFRZb-cyKrA2sKza3gvDY3z74fgy2QibxKtk0cRXZtTRqGccEaIQ_kohj8B195m7UXDbBmXEhdSW4/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-da! All dressed up and ready to raffle!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, you don't think I won't brag about each and everyone right? After all, they were all a <b>'labor of love'</b>… and<b> glue gun</b> ( you know I can't sew!)!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrxqHqhJ4Ot8EDMlU9V61vxODvT47qSKYsjx4V4NjlYIAnjSJ_43lAXcoTHwv36LUewX_GjdkPtr3W_B2ncBzezsyoln2Qe5N-iXxpkG1FpFiFxA85Xfxx0OBceM1CP7ZM8DRlC1pus/s1600/DSC_0024_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrxqHqhJ4Ot8EDMlU9V61vxODvT47qSKYsjx4V4NjlYIAnjSJ_43lAXcoTHwv36LUewX_GjdkPtr3W_B2ncBzezsyoln2Qe5N-iXxpkG1FpFiFxA85Xfxx0OBceM1CP7ZM8DRlC1pus/s1600/DSC_0024_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the prettiest I suppose but my favorite since she was the first!<br />I added glitter glue on her sash, flower and hair cut up a bead strand for earring and sequence head dress. I also put rhinestones for her ring and bracelet.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS6F2BZ6H8BPAy0sXS-nRmJlQnJXIQ8GQXSkaKieKnjCzmy8amoJ-GJ6CN7eKlaTWo8Hq8pKqsAldTGBYb2vz1iOcejaz4ciQHEMULi-4IBO6UwvXo3HyXRY8YCLv0Ulz5g4Y8tRbtZw/s1600/DSC_0024_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS6F2BZ6H8BPAy0sXS-nRmJlQnJXIQ8GQXSkaKieKnjCzmy8amoJ-GJ6CN7eKlaTWo8Hq8pKqsAldTGBYb2vz1iOcejaz4ciQHEMULi-4IBO6UwvXo3HyXRY8YCLv0Ulz5g4Y8tRbtZw/s1600/DSC_0024_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Difficult fabric to work with, I think it's an upholstery fabric, but still turned out pretty I think.<br />Made the hat from an empty ribbon spool!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjHbStj6G7HA-NmwdQTLzSsxt5RTHBBUf-sm4_tnX3C8PkUZxRTMlFCcJmTtVSttqks8rtr1Bu4QApHCkv4-LJ4XiMHAhUtaznTuvLO31E5kPLfLRWen3iQGCMwWX8SuAt0fCYxB5ROc/s1600/DSC_0024_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjHbStj6G7HA-NmwdQTLzSsxt5RTHBBUf-sm4_tnX3C8PkUZxRTMlFCcJmTtVSttqks8rtr1Bu4QApHCkv4-LJ4XiMHAhUtaznTuvLO31E5kPLfLRWen3iQGCMwWX8SuAt0fCYxB5ROc/s1600/DSC_0024_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another difficult fabric to work with, very stiff, but still with draping and the ruffles, I think she turned out pretty too.<br />I added a left over ruffle for her head dress.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Teigi-361K3vRgOeOfnfi6oBsYKr19vZvXT-ZZY4uUsXugW8Plcb2lA7LWYpPYla_b3KMq7hzhW7demZlPrnh4gSlb1x6NVye_IeXKkl9XMK7luyCYfRI27zbXkfb2VerO_Fd2ZZuo/s1600/DSC_00240_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Teigi-361K3vRgOeOfnfi6oBsYKr19vZvXT-ZZY4uUsXugW8Plcb2lA7LWYpPYla_b3KMq7hzhW7demZlPrnh4gSlb1x6NVye_IeXKkl9XMK7luyCYfRI27zbXkfb2VerO_Fd2ZZuo/s1600/DSC_00240_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think she looks so modern and simple I only accented her with a ribbon hat and red flower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhBiwrd92yN7EDvSnZ_1kCYu93kOJiAqK-itXKmOt8IVWV17k3ufLPoEgRzVi9-85Pxjc2AF2tzUe5zen4HmDwW3vXoo-xpkCVHJrDZicDoJP-N6dlPlmiZlcywR2maw1roxP9AM4fRU/s1600/DSC_0024012_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhBiwrd92yN7EDvSnZ_1kCYu93kOJiAqK-itXKmOt8IVWV17k3ufLPoEgRzVi9-85Pxjc2AF2tzUe5zen4HmDwW3vXoo-xpkCVHJrDZicDoJP-N6dlPlmiZlcywR2maw1roxP9AM4fRU/s1600/DSC_0024012_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love how the purple fushcia ribbon added to the ends of the fabric made the white stand out.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUVwjL7dkECwPp5JdrZsheuvDNiIieB8jWhFJDS1emL8jM-DU_mYeFFGMeeGDsqUwI1ToTpglqFCycDp3iJ3T3hyphenhyphenguZiLjh_543_ogpCGgp5tt2o0GM5iKxs5a1dwNDTPKVUR95KjQKY/s1600/DSC_0024012345_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUVwjL7dkECwPp5JdrZsheuvDNiIieB8jWhFJDS1emL8jM-DU_mYeFFGMeeGDsqUwI1ToTpglqFCycDp3iJ3T3hyphenhyphenguZiLjh_543_ogpCGgp5tt2o0GM5iKxs5a1dwNDTPKVUR95KjQKY/s1600/DSC_0024012345_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is flannel fabric I actually bought at Joann's clearance for $1.50 for 1/2 yard. I love the fish scale pattern and mixed with the greys, pastel elegance!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIVD42LqTMyvLQWdqiygoBkG3g2Mmzff8OBLumcFK60dPerxkkSeV6-GtxLZ0htwmeqmavt4yf4-ZUAIA7zvRDXXxE6khHwKwdakDYpon9xxcF39TVdZDO1wh_cSzj_Y9TBlcOhPn8us/s1600/DSC_002401234_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIVD42LqTMyvLQWdqiygoBkG3g2Mmzff8OBLumcFK60dPerxkkSeV6-GtxLZ0htwmeqmavt4yf4-ZUAIA7zvRDXXxE6khHwKwdakDYpon9xxcF39TVdZDO1wh_cSzj_Y9TBlcOhPn8us/s1600/DSC_002401234_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2nd brown fabric I had to work with, I added glitter glue to the dots for some bling and gave her lots of ribbons</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiIk9pkRjGF6zkJM4m1P0wfY8cYmXpc2Q7xl_Sos4Xo2yj59jrmAS1YwKgZqAFpMZpZfuzSlZB7E4PAYBMWoJc7YFFdxduDRWyGhDfY2sgP-oSvSZdwbYOQYUIupt0mhNH_8Ym4md-r8/s1600/DSC_00240123_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiIk9pkRjGF6zkJM4m1P0wfY8cYmXpc2Q7xl_Sos4Xo2yj59jrmAS1YwKgZqAFpMZpZfuzSlZB7E4PAYBMWoJc7YFFdxduDRWyGhDfY2sgP-oSvSZdwbYOQYUIupt0mhNH_8Ym4md-r8/s1600/DSC_00240123_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2nd white fabric but this time I used blue ribbon as accent and shawl</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8ggK2sSqlEVKOVAS4BVUXD1q7CzVLi1BBFTQQNlvi69zgQnjBk419iv7XYQ8moXAZyMQ8-XS4rNc1W08YVdiWpRFAhTt0sBSMq0oLcOGbp7qJXzAWWtLx9M9KU1jwt6acIQm-ok3VxU/s1600/DSC_00240123456_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8ggK2sSqlEVKOVAS4BVUXD1q7CzVLi1BBFTQQNlvi69zgQnjBk419iv7XYQ8moXAZyMQ8-XS4rNc1W08YVdiWpRFAhTt0sBSMq0oLcOGbp7qJXzAWWtLx9M9KU1jwt6acIQm-ok3VxU/s1600/DSC_00240123456_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the ribbon when  properly cut eventually looked like a crown. I also bought that black tulle with glitters from Joann's clearance for $1.50.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TmCX64Rkj6OMSWD6uFiVH_-iMaZS-AZ4JLmtMVEWGNKxv5Iw3lOfZs02eAu625n5tflXzx4QlAvavsIdyGAw4XeVddJTgGXcCbfHyhdr2tfdgeEqGd1cZ9ZQb7trTryxBHbbdDNci_I/s1600/DSC_002401234567_fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TmCX64Rkj6OMSWD6uFiVH_-iMaZS-AZ4JLmtMVEWGNKxv5Iw3lOfZs02eAu625n5tflXzx4QlAvavsIdyGAw4XeVddJTgGXcCbfHyhdr2tfdgeEqGd1cZ9ZQb7trTryxBHbbdDNci_I/s1600/DSC_002401234567_fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuschia and black looks so elegant combined, I added rhinestones on her neck too!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I really enjoyed making these and never realized how fun it was to drape and mix fabrics up on these little models. I hope they sell well during the <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Mardi Gras</span></b>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkSMLHo92Q8xl-_KyBzB6aJgKQ-oXlVhMkmGUKvKFr8mZHcwCtfWn5P9yrg3KdwJfkVdkPMN088EUjcbSUdWGAIx5aHKLr530tdzoYyggIRNZtHo_Yyi2TubXquKet19hyphenhyphenqufCpiHhVU/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkSMLHo92Q8xl-_KyBzB6aJgKQ-oXlVhMkmGUKvKFr8mZHcwCtfWn5P9yrg3KdwJfkVdkPMN088EUjcbSUdWGAIx5aHKLr530tdzoYyggIRNZtHo_Yyi2TubXquKet19hyphenhyphenqufCpiHhVU/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Which one is your favorite?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Have a Great Weekend! </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">VEL </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...<br /><br />Linking back to...<br /><br /><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-174/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a>, <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2014/03/206th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">A Stroll Thru Life</a>, <a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2014/03/tuesdays-at-our-home-50.html">Our Home Away from Home</a>, <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2014/03/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no-202.html">Linda's Coastal Charm</a>, <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-diyers-52.html">The DIYers</a>, <a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2014/03/make-it-pretty-monday-week-91.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDedicatedHouse+%28The+Dedicated+House%29">The Dedicated House</a>, <a href="http://thehappyhousie.com/work-it-wednesday-march-5/">Work It Wednesday</a>, <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style</a></div>

Crafting for a Cause

My Oldest son Nio, goes to Catholic school. And every year the school does different fund-raisers to subsidize the school funds for all sort...

Read more »

Doing Small Things with Great Love

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite quotes come from Mother Teresa of Calcutta…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOvoq7Bm2ySNXh0-FVhHZcQZxaLpfXtOl-UGdFZg1RZCgGpkZGwBhWAf-Dg5nBAdmcf5XXD0OA7DpSjj9ezzvzohQh-r_-SQ1h75Zg4bNtpdLst1A_cjSpZKZq5Bsd18GB8Be_vxPD0k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.02.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOvoq7Bm2ySNXh0-FVhHZcQZxaLpfXtOl-UGdFZg1RZCgGpkZGwBhWAf-Dg5nBAdmcf5XXD0OA7DpSjj9ezzvzohQh-r_-SQ1h75Zg4bNtpdLst1A_cjSpZKZq5Bsd18GB8Be_vxPD0k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.02.29+PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://doblelol.com/2/mother-teresa-famous-quotes-sayings-life-wise-inspirational-funny.htm">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When the strongest typhoon to ever hit land came to my home country the Philippines, I was expecting the worse. My fears were realized with the aftermath…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhUlGtwO4Zmm6-Xi9bp7KKQQKeW8oZfCrv2ut65WQnxrT6102brr046Nh5DZpBRcPQUTIl6dkz5bfPGL-ep5lqXDVyH88ku8076Jz8x0DU5ucnoT0gCUbaJa8KpGcrehEGqkF78-ZmhA/s1600/144428-131115-tacloban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhUlGtwO4Zmm6-Xi9bp7KKQQKeW8oZfCrv2ut65WQnxrT6102brr046Nh5DZpBRcPQUTIl6dkz5bfPGL-ep5lqXDVyH88ku8076Jz8x0DU5ucnoT0gCUbaJa8KpGcrehEGqkF78-ZmhA/s1600/144428-131115-tacloban.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/tacloban-looters-mum-and-her-sick-kids/story-fnb64oi6-1226760145525">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were very fortunate to have our families and friends spared from the storms wrath, but we still knew we <i style="font-weight: bold;">wanted  & needed </i>to help, not just with the little monetary means we could offer but  with something more.<br /><br />Living 18,000 miles away,  it wasn't easy to do something more than just send money. Again, the world of blogging and social media came to my aid…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Chef & Blogger friend, <a href="http://www.skiptomalou.net/"><b><i>Malou Perez-Nievera</i></b> from <b><span style="color: #741b47;">Skip to Malou</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></b>came up with the idea to use her talent in cooking to raise money for our fellow countrymen affected by the storm. She called this<br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">"One with Tacloban"</span></b>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAvQqo3jf-NP4CBRSdOLmorwltsLDqRvsiyqRZkNaK-Iwv3mZEosWAqWcZojR8hJg8LqPn7jkuzYKPhG1C6GoEre1cVXJy0JCiDqn46HW-DomXS96Pox0pWPK_qPaHHdgyt3juG26n5g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.20.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAvQqo3jf-NP4CBRSdOLmorwltsLDqRvsiyqRZkNaK-Iwv3mZEosWAqWcZojR8hJg8LqPn7jkuzYKPhG1C6GoEre1cVXJy0JCiDqn46HW-DomXS96Pox0pWPK_qPaHHdgyt3juG26n5g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.20.59+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skiptomalou.net/">Check out her BLOG here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieXxoZt9V6gF7Gywk3zBOFI8dbk9irLA2fsUwr6LtKCaIgvPMDeVcb_s-fHRwm8N9OAF08od11Ieye5SkIba279NaZ_GpCRAzAp5AHbEKZ9TxkVIVJXqffYtI2ak-CflIns2kf7JbfjA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.21.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieXxoZt9V6gF7Gywk3zBOFI8dbk9irLA2fsUwr6LtKCaIgvPMDeVcb_s-fHRwm8N9OAF08od11Ieye5SkIba279NaZ_GpCRAzAp5AHbEKZ9TxkVIVJXqffYtI2ak-CflIns2kf7JbfjA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.21.31+PM.png" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky to call her my friend</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, she needed people who were willing to host these fund-raising dinners.<br />She eventually had 5 total planned, and I along with our other friend , Vivian Deloso, became one of the 5 to host this dinner  at my home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was more than willing to share my home because hosting a dinner party was actually something </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>we could do, something I could do!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I sent the invites..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJ3E7qTM-47qsqImy5Au5p-lpbkcBZ4rBEDs59tx8132j0M2_2qpRou9E6nyPaKKr4zyhV2gEJmoROO8LgdFrD4Nt5-5V_2GUNNdAFrr25qD-3h0whKVFLqYVoHjeOyX-8Gklx88PM6s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.26.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJ3E7qTM-47qsqImy5Au5p-lpbkcBZ4rBEDs59tx8132j0M2_2qpRou9E6nyPaKKr4zyhV2gEJmoROO8LgdFrD4Nt5-5V_2GUNNdAFrr25qD-3h0whKVFLqYVoHjeOyX-8Gklx88PM6s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.26.06+PM.png" width="314" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Malou planned our simple sit-down dinner Menu…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHrBpoFG8XuCDaV_z41iXKf2O1EKcASmj_dOmW_TbqlmxTcLIzj9O5B8UjHU04jf5typdrai3gy58QqE8bpfR32DuOM20t9Je8hAYvH_FJmCPUKaFZxYcu-wcCS5MBUPuEoafy0h6oCA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.25.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHrBpoFG8XuCDaV_z41iXKf2O1EKcASmj_dOmW_TbqlmxTcLIzj9O5B8UjHU04jf5typdrai3gy58QqE8bpfR32DuOM20t9Je8hAYvH_FJmCPUKaFZxYcu-wcCS5MBUPuEoafy0h6oCA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-01+at+11.25.08+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And got ready to set up the tables the day after Thanksgiving…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9tBEBuN8IMx574JyLisc6nS3S11e1f1cRJNcwBwBoVzyozKBxOnBICi86NOdw5UwOG9rDefwBgCa23wUvXpqVy6qCg-g4rUjcHfuxlz8WdQtifw3Z-qxIGchYhm_D0t92lCFGYDJhb8/s1600/DSC_0413-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9tBEBuN8IMx574JyLisc6nS3S11e1f1cRJNcwBwBoVzyozKBxOnBICi86NOdw5UwOG9rDefwBgCa23wUvXpqVy6qCg-g4rUjcHfuxlz8WdQtifw3Z-qxIGchYhm_D0t92lCFGYDJhb8/s1600/DSC_0413-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCYlo74IYh8X_mmhAWXGhMjwr5nlh3wq_0958-y2HmpNZ2kAwbwhCoXIwbI4N4-1uqEVzZiffIS3tg60pvHIYQX5gRsoMYpbS8nuaarSn0xqLu1cTNYgVGDj6T7baosCiIPZfn0YHzk8/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCYlo74IYh8X_mmhAWXGhMjwr5nlh3wq_0958-y2HmpNZ2kAwbwhCoXIwbI4N4-1uqEVzZiffIS3tg60pvHIYQX5gRsoMYpbS8nuaarSn0xqLu1cTNYgVGDj6T7baosCiIPZfn0YHzk8/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPbBfAozNuHbg5QJv2T7JH7WmP6oh7QRTdJfp1zBucBjXfxKHXksdVLvhe2zKEcWRD-HXedjWCitoAcLus05e02R9y6x9UBnAq027dlcIKfVWfkYg65hk0HRxG2mEV-QJMF9nieHq0aE/s1600/DSC_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPbBfAozNuHbg5QJv2T7JH7WmP6oh7QRTdJfp1zBucBjXfxKHXksdVLvhe2zKEcWRD-HXedjWCitoAcLus05e02R9y6x9UBnAq027dlcIKfVWfkYg65hk0HRxG2mEV-QJMF9nieHq0aE/s1600/DSC_0424.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold table</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Since it was the Holiday weekend, a lot of people were not around to join us, so we were only expecting less than 20 people. Despite the small number of attendees, a lot of our friends wanted to help and gave generous donations even if they could not make it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So last November 30th, we started cooking, with Malou on the helm ….</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPvrUy9Ebd_xNW7WEJGvISyX-_RZu2-LpiMuAVLoy5bI1oASTB58nmv3vT8DqrSARrHRFytYwarTQ7dgpdNWgbKMEvXub76jWHHXP7OUHPAp3CNr_jMyImr3pmSbHc5MC9NGHmstOQUM/s1600/DSC_0420-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPvrUy9Ebd_xNW7WEJGvISyX-_RZu2-LpiMuAVLoy5bI1oASTB58nmv3vT8DqrSARrHRFytYwarTQ7dgpdNWgbKMEvXub76jWHHXP7OUHPAp3CNr_jMyImr3pmSbHc5MC9NGHmstOQUM/s1600/DSC_0420-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A true happy cooking chaos in our kitchen!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizv3FdTz9uhYJIVw2DjszAg_vIldHSTT_FtfJwgr-nS5DtycFEOJz4sQTT2g0XqVldDc9d4S2GYMMwvDsphtHehRMK8XUtGc2sargN0jBthSQ9U1m4ueJ9-Lqg3Ho7qkitopgNjK9PQJM/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizv3FdTz9uhYJIVw2DjszAg_vIldHSTT_FtfJwgr-nS5DtycFEOJz4sQTT2g0XqVldDc9d4S2GYMMwvDsphtHehRMK8XUtGc2sargN0jBthSQ9U1m4ueJ9-Lqg3Ho7qkitopgNjK9PQJM/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three Cooking Claus! </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aside from the main menu above, my husband steamed a huge Flounder and I made Pumpkin chocolate mousse!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSfso401DfhKlFBpL0cNv1p6pDN78wOq0R74-hVPGgTW4QbjOtuHfJfxScXa4JH3U36I5qxp6yoD8lG2eE_nyZP6tFKlMe1j65exnTo2Hy7vNNf-mcH5tRM4d_MhKSwHhPfSnyf7nXUc/s1600/DSC_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSfso401DfhKlFBpL0cNv1p6pDN78wOq0R74-hVPGgTW4QbjOtuHfJfxScXa4JH3U36I5qxp6yoD8lG2eE_nyZP6tFKlMe1j65exnTo2Hy7vNNf-mcH5tRM4d_MhKSwHhPfSnyf7nXUc/s1600/DSC_0427.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adobo bites with Mango Slaw for appetizers ready to be served!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Since it was a sit-down dinner, the whole team including my husband and Malou's, were the servers for the entire dinner! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MU9582qA-TNu1llAjPqSSeZKNcNNFe16BvF2T5qf1POJ9ib3XW_t64bZRfjy2S0v3kjWLkP2-Cp-5ruixFV8Wvcotbeom_134cy8FkD8bVTw6xG8txlS6QCR4fYfxrmXYfb6Z6oCeMk/s1600/DSC_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MU9582qA-TNu1llAjPqSSeZKNcNNFe16BvF2T5qf1POJ9ib3XW_t64bZRfjy2S0v3kjWLkP2-Cp-5ruixFV8Wvcotbeom_134cy8FkD8bVTw6xG8txlS6QCR4fYfxrmXYfb6Z6oCeMk/s1600/DSC_0453.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Service with a smile!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Gold and the Red table were used by the guests and the Green table became ours, mostly, since we were busy serving food or wine to our guests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDoNdwig5Ul-X3mBM9-reXsqRI7RRyr1XSimdiv8mUc-35isAB-_shKQsX7Gm5-5eZOXgFnXXuWVnp4EDAplHQiM4x0qNNq2evweFLE9K2kIxkWsFIO94GfYh1ZA5WBkFuV97oe_pleQ/s1600/DSC_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDoNdwig5Ul-X3mBM9-reXsqRI7RRyr1XSimdiv8mUc-35isAB-_shKQsX7Gm5-5eZOXgFnXXuWVnp4EDAplHQiM4x0qNNq2evweFLE9K2kIxkWsFIO94GfYh1ZA5WBkFuV97oe_pleQ/s1600/DSC_0454.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7Qz-LQwArpRx5lO6s7m27gtHd85-QmA97Y1tv0178PjvwYK5PJIF3ke8uOxNsm6MuPXbFyEXeMietyvmwTT3wGBJhWPvelfgxs19TgtKzYVKv7uZt_LDfAXxsqR9g8kMAPRGdIriXbU/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7Qz-LQwArpRx5lO6s7m27gtHd85-QmA97Y1tv0178PjvwYK5PJIF3ke8uOxNsm6MuPXbFyEXeMietyvmwTT3wGBJhWPvelfgxs19TgtKzYVKv7uZt_LDfAXxsqR9g8kMAPRGdIriXbU/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was fun and a huge success - Food was simply marvelous and the company equally so. Overall, we collected almost $3,000 to send to the victims of the the typhoon!<br /><br />We decided to give it to a <a href="http://www.musigmaphi.com/index.php/Latest/Project_H2O_MU_Donates_Water_Filtration_Units_to_Bohol.html">non-profit  called <b>Mu Sigma Phi Foundation</b></a>, where Dr. Deloso, Vivian's husband was a member of.<br />That way we know our help can reach the victims <i>DIRECTLY!</i><br />It was to be used for a clean water filtration system - something really much needed in the area.<br /><br />We feel truly blessed that we were able to do this small gesture of support for our countrymen.<br />Indeed, Mother Teresa summed up what<b> WE all did and came here for that night - doing our small thing with great love.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">MABUHAY, God Bless & Have a Wonderful Weekend!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>VEL </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...</div>

Doing Small Things with Great Love

One of my favorite quotes come from Mother Teresa of Calcutta… source When the strongest typhoon to ever hit land came to my home country th...

Read more »