Aprons and Necklaces Galore!!!

I know what you are thinking, "Brandi, in an apron? But WHY?" haha very funny! However, they are STINKING CUTE! Check out this one that I modeled at our party last night. . .and sold (kind of a bummer b/c I'd like to wear it at our Ohio party next weekend!)

The following is a post stolen from Brittani's blog. . .I have LOVED watching my sweet sister use her gift of hospitality to turn this sweet apron business of my mother in law's into a full on party!! I don't even have to do anything!!! I get to show up. . have fun. .and share for a few minutes about Uganda. . and can I TELL you how much I love bragging on what the Lord is doing in Uganda. . .and about HopeChest too (love bragging on you guys!).

--from Brittani's blog---

"When we decided to do these Apron Parties... we had no idea what we were getting into:) We just made it through our 3rd party and they have been, not only super fun, but blessed with a success that can only come from God. Here are the stats to date...

Party #1...

We Raised over $1,000!

Party #2...

We raised over $1,300!

Party #3...

We raised $765!

On top of Apron and Necklace sales, we have also been flooded with donations for Greg to take to Uganda...

EVERY PARTY HAS HAD DONATION PILES

THAT LOOK JUST LIKE THIS!!!

Needless to say, we have been overwhelmed by the number of people who care enough about this need to DO SOMETHING! We are so thankful for these women and so very proud of them for getting involved :) Your money and donations are going to provide much needed relief for the sweet women and children of Uganda. Thank you so much for doing your part!

With the high demand for these adorable aprons, we have made some changes to our "ministry staff"... We have recently added both of our Grandmas to the mix :) My Grandma Anderson has agreed to help Jan with the sewing and Granny Goff has come along Jan to help with the ironing... You can't even imagine how many hours of sewing & ironing Jan was doing by herself. She is so thankful for the added help... Thanks, Ladies :) With that said, let me know if anyone would like to become an active member of the Apron Party Ministry Team. We need people for all sorts of things like: Measuring Fabric at the parties, Delivering the Aprons when they are done, Organizing Orders after a party, and so much more :) Let me know if you would like to get involved. The Parties are so much fun

We are always accepting fabric donations as well... any amount

of free fabric means that even more money gets to go straight to the charity! Let me know if you need more info about Fabric Donations. Again, thank you to everyone who has been involved with the parties... and thank you, Grandma and Granny, for choosing to donate your time. It is SO VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

Our First Party!

My sister Brittani is AWESOME!!!! As many of you know, my MIL (mother-in-law) has a website called Aprons For Africa where she makes adorable aprons and sells them to raise money for Uganda. Well, my brilliant sister decided we should do a party! She invited everyone she knew and threw the best "show" I've ever been to (and let me tell you, I've been to all the candle/tupperware/pamperedchef, etc parties you can imagine!). Britt did a great job at making it VERY low pressure and also fun. . .even including a game that ended up spelling out HOPE, then introducing me to speak about HopeChest! She also had all of Ria's pictures playing in the background. It was very sweet.

Her girlfriends were all very sweet and excited about the opportunity to get involved like this. In fact, we already booked our next party! We were able to sell the aprons (for Feed the Forgotten) and the necklaces too (for the HopeChest Uganda launch fund)!!!
Here's what Brittani had to say. . . .

"OK, ladies... That was one successful Aprons for Africa Party!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to DO SOMETHING for these precious little kids in Uganda!

The Totals...

We raised $501 in Apron Sales

for the Orphan Care Ministry!

(That will serve a meal to 3,578 kids! Awesome!!!)

We also sold $525 worth of Necklaces

to raise Staff Support for Children's Hope Chest!

Last, but not least, we Collected 106 Pairs of Underwear & 896 Pencils!

WOW!!! You girls are amazing!

Praise God for doing amazing things through all of us ordinary people! I am so excited about the success of this first party. Let me know if any of you would like me to host a party at your house. For now, you can enjoy the pics of our very first Apron Party :)

Abbie & Kari... trying on necklaces

Jan... showing some fabric to Sheli

Kristy & her daughter... enjoying their Door Prize!

Again, I can't say enough how thankful I am for everyone who participated! You girls have such sweet hearts for God and all that He is doing... both HERE and in AFRICA. I love you all and am so very proud to call you my friends. To those of you who couldn't make it... I will see you at the next party :) "

Thanks again, Britt! You are such an encouragement to me!!!! Your friends rock too! If you live locally, consider hosting a party! In fact, I am working out the details with some friends in OHIO who may even host a party (with me sending samples and them buying fabric their friends will like!). It's SO cool to me to see people rise up and use the gifts God has given them (Britt and her amazing ability to host others. . and Jan and her awesome apron making skills =) for the kingdom!