Dunlap Love

New Softies!

2012-02-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

I have created a few new softies...and they are ALL in the shop! I just love them all so much, I hope you do too! GO SHOP HERE. Remember all the money goes to fund our adoption!

Mr. Monkey:

Mr. Otter:

Piggy:

Mr. Walrus

Kitty

a couple little Owls...

Mr. Frog

Albert:

-K

The Van Camp Christmas House

2011-11-30T14:46:00.000-08:00

If you know me, then you know I love all things design and most of all, I LOVE to decorate for Christmas! I have fun each year thinking of new ways to use the decorations I have year after year. Thanks, to Pinterest, my head is exploding this year. We are a very, let's say, frugal family. So I am all about the free and cheap way to get the look I want!

That pink tree? I saw it on the side of the road in my hometown and almost caused an accident as I did an immediate U-turn to get it. I brought it home for $20. My husband, oh the amazing man he is, he let's me use it year after year because he is outnumbered in this house! :)

The kitchen tree.

The stockings are hung by the fireplace with care (Dunlap Love style of course).

...and the kitchen...

The elf...we do not do the book part of it. He was given to Avenell as a gift and we play "peek-a-boo elf" with him. Mommy hides him in fun locations and Avenell finds him. I am not into the whole elf spy that reports back to Santa if you are bad. However, he is one cute elf, very vintage like, and I like his cute little presence.

I needed some flair on my mantle. I plan to make lots of pom pom garland to hang from the ceiling, but for now rice with silver glitter adds some sparkle. All free, my friends.

Our Jesse Tree. Love that we are starting this tradition this year!

I just love sitting and looking at my pink tree at night, currently watching Grey's Anatomy reruns with my love. Life is good.

-K

30% off until Friday!

2011-11-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

From now until Friday, December 2nd you can take 30% off anything in the shop! Just use the code HAPPYDEC at checkout! Now is the time to stock up on goodies for Christmas!

-K

Christmas Stockings 2011

2011-11-30T14:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of the Christmas stockings I worked on this year! Each unique and one of a kind! I have several orders on a wait list and I am still deciding on if I can swing anymore for this season. Balancing motherhood, keeping a healthy marriage, doing the house work, and being a good friend, and then adding in creating all this fun stuff that I love is tough, people. I am trying to make it all work and at christmas time, it is even tougher. So, bear with me, please. :) If you are on the wait list, I'll be in touch soon!

-K

Mexico City 2011: Giving Sheep

2011-10-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

Now that the Christmas stocking auction is over (THANK YOU to those of you who supported and purchased or spread the word, it was a great success!), I want to share with you a bit about my trip to Mexico City. I want to be brief, mainly because I am still trying to process it all.

We were in Mexico City for 7 days. We spent time at the Salvation Army orphanage, a women's shelter, and a church in Tepito. This post is all about the orphanage.

What I know to be true: love is universal, no language needed.

I speak no spanish. What I know is what I learned while I was in Mexico City. I was nervous

that the fact that I could not verbally communicate to these kids would interfere with my ability to serve them, to love them. Silly me. God is bigger than that.

I was reminded of Moses in Exodus when God told him to go talk to Pharaoh and let his children go. Here is what happened: (Kaylyn translation)

Moses: I can't speak eloquently, I just can't do it.

God: You idiot, who even made the mouth able to speak??! Me! I will give you what you need to do what I asked you to do. Trust me.

I feel like God said that same exact thing to me that first day in Mexico City. I was amazed at

how quickly these kids warmed up to me, to my team, after knowing me a couple minutes. They were just so hungry, they wanted my attention, my hugs, my love, for me to play silly games with them (which we taught some boys to play "anti-war", you know, the card game War? That game except the boys thought they needed to get rid of their cards to win, so it became a game of anti-war. so fun.), to sing with them, and just to sit on my lap for awhile. They were amazing. They would talk to me constantly. I had no idea what they were saying, but it didn't matter. I was there. I was listening. I had my arms around them. Pure joy in all cases.

About the sheep: I made 47 total sheep before I left. 45 with names on them and 2 extra "just in case". We waited until the last day to give them out. I am not sure what I expected about that moment, I think I was even nervous they would not care about the sheep. I started to hand out sheep one by one. Each child kissed me and said gracias and held me. Held me tight. It was not long before I saw them pointing to their name on their sheep with awe and delight and showing all their friends. There were tears, lots of tears (mainly from me), and lots of hugs. God knew I needed those extra sheep for 2 new kids not on the list. They got sheep too. The whole thing was just incredible. For so long I prayed over each of these names and I got to put a face and a personality to each sheep. The crazy part? The fabrics I randomly picked for each sheep perfectly fit their personalities. Nothing is random with God.

I saw the kids swinging the sheep by their legs, playing catch with them, using them as pillows for a rest, and just holding them as tight as possible. Those sheep were well loved, and I think those children of God knew that they were loved.

Every moment with these kids was a blessing to me, and it was hard.

We slept down the hall from the girls. In the mornings I would see them wake up, start their chores, and prepare for breakfast. All by themselves. Every night, they went to their rooms and went to bed. All by themselves. My heart ached knowing that each morning and night they did not have a mom or dad to tuck them in, to pray over them, to kiss their forehead, to tell them

how amazing God made them, and to speak love into them. No one brushed their hair in the morning, helped them get dressed, or gave them words of hope for the day. They were on their own.

There are hard things in this life. God works for our good. He works for their good. His desire is for us all to care for each other, not just in our backyards, but all

over this Earth, to wherever he calls you. The key? We have to be listening. We have to know there is more to this life than our homes and pretty things in America. There are people with names and faces that are easy to ignore that are hurting, hungry, and need you, need me. We are God's Plan A. There is no Plan B. You and me, we are the plan to meet the needs of those who are hurting, those who are struggling, those who do not have a mom to tuck them in at night.

Thank you to all of you who supported this mission to bring these little plush sheep to a group of kids thousands of miles away in a different country. You are a part of joy that came in the way of a softie doll. A joy that these kids will never lose, even if those legs get ripped off. :)

Seriously, thank you.

-K

Christmas Stocking Auction starts TODAY!!!

2011-10-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

It is time! Falalalalalalala!! Last year my custom Christmas stockings were a hit and I am so thankful to those of you who allowed me to be a part of your holiday cheer and a new part of your traditions. I feel so honored, seriously!

Many of you have been asking when I'll be selling them again this year. It has been a crazy busy year, filled with mission trips, family trips, beginning homeschool, and the adoption process, needless to say time has come and gone and I really only have the time to create 10 of these stockings this year in order to keep my family priorities straight. I have decided to hold an auction this year to support our Uganda adoption. So, not only will you get an amazing and unique stocking, you will be helping us to fund our adoption! Two for one! :)

Here is the deal:

There are 10 ebay auctions going on starting TODAY that will run for 10 days. Each auction is for one stocking. You get to create exactly what you want from motifs, colors, and name. Each one of my stockings are one of a kind. No two are ever the same! If you need more than one stocking you will need to bid on 2 different listings.

Here is a link to each listing:

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689786301?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689786625?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689787169?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

4. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689787357?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

5. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689787570?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

6. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689787756?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

7. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689788198?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

8. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689788331?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

9. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689788876?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

10. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230689789116?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

So, there you go, friends, you have 10 days! I would so much appreciate if you spread the word and share this blog post with your friends and family who might be looking for a unique Christmas gift idea!

As always, thanks for your support of Dunlap Love! If you want more info about our adoption please visit our blog at www.amustardseedjourney.blogspot.com

-K

Assembly Line

2011-09-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we are 2.5 weeks out from going to Mexico City. That means all the sheep need to be done by next week. It has been a sheep assembly process in the Dunlap Love studio for awhile now, but now it is full on!

All the legs and ears are made.

All the sheep bodies are cut.

All the faces are cut.

Tonight I begin working on all the faces!

I am saving the sewing of names until the very last step before sewing them all up because I have been told there are now new kids at the orphanage and some that have left. Praying to get these names in time before we go so that each child will have their own sheep with their name on it and no one is left out.

So, that is the sheep update. If you are totally confused by why I am making so many sheep, check out this post.

Be back soon!

-K

Golf Tournament

2011-08-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

Alright friends, I need your help!
Remember all those sheep I am making for the kids at the Mexico City orphanage? Well, the time is almost here for our trip to Mexico City to meet these kids and deliver the herd!

I will be going to Mexico City in October to meet the kids at the Salvation Army Orphanage and give them their sheep, plus do some other mission work while we are there. We are hosting the 4th Annual Golf Tournament as a fundraiser to help cover the costs of our trip. This tournament is a lot of fun and has some great door prizes and placing prizes!

Here is how you can help us get to Mexico City:

1. We need hole sponsors!!! This is a great way to help us get to Mexico City AND promote your business, or dedicate something special to your loved ones. You can purchase a half sign for $50 or a whole sign for $100. I can make you a deal also: 3 whole signs for $250!
These signs are always very well done and will be at each hole for all the golfers to see. Feel free to copy and print the below form to purchase.

2. Do you golf or know friends who love to golf?? Please join our tournament! Below is some info all about how to register. Feel free to copy these pictures and print to register! A free lunch is provided at 12:30pm and a chance to win several door prizes!

3. Donate. If you are out of town and would like to support Dunlap Love's mission and our team's work in Mexico City this October, we would love to have your help to get there! You can send a check to:

Main Street Baptist Church
Mail to:
Michael Gianopulos
126 North Main Street
Kernersville, NC 27284

4. Pray! Please be praying for our team as we prepare to travel to Mexico City! Please pray God would provide for our trip, would protect us from fear, and would give us a heart like His.

I am so thankful to those of you who have supported this mission and have continued to pray for us! I am excited to see how God is going to provide!

-K

Featured Vendor for July First Friday Indie Market

2011-06-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be a vendor out at the First Friday Indie Market again in July! I will be out there July 1st from 4pm-9pm. I will just have a table this time, no tent, so look for me somewhere in the middle! There are so many great vendors out at this market you will not be disappointed! Find more info here on the blog or on Facebook.

If you are looking for something specific, let me know ahead of time, and I'll make sure to have it with me!!

I hope you locals can swing by and say hello!
-K

emme's lemonade stand

2011-06-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am currently planning my little one's first birthday party. The plan was to do it much more simple than my first daughter's first birthday party. That idea flew out quickly as I dreamt up a sunshine and lemonade party! I will share the party pictures with you here, as I have been working on so many details! I very much love to party plan.

So for now, I leave you with Emme's lemonade stand I created for her first year pictures. I got the original idea here and put my own Dunlap Love spin on it. I just love how it turned out!

Be back after Saturday with all the party pictures!
-K

ready to ship!

2011-05-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

The store is stocked with new items, all ready to ship! They would make great birthday, baby shower, and just because gifts!

Remember all profit goes to the orphanage in Mexico City! You can read more about that here.

So, stop by the shop, and shop! :)

-K

sheep skin here!

2011-05-04T11:50:00.001-07:00

I finally got the fabric I need to start making all 56 sheep for the Mexico City kids!

Exciting news: I will get to hand deliver these sheep to each child at the orphanage in October! Brent and I will be going to Mexico City with a team from our church! I can't wait to meet them!

-K

Rescue for one orphan.

2011-04-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

I would love to invite you to follow along our journey to rescue our little girl from Uganda. You can follow along here: www.amustardseedjourney.blogspot.com

-K

Catching Up

2011-04-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

The shop is on vacation for awhile while this mom of 2 catches up on orders, home life, and working on these sheep. Hope you understand!

In the meantime, check out how adorable my kiddos are wearing some of my scrap flower headbands for Easter!

Be back soon!
-K

Grammy's Stocking

2011-04-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

I have a regualer customer (whom I am so thankful to call her a "regular") that ordered Christmas stockings from me last year. She recently took advantage of the 40% off discount and ordered a stocking for Grammy with a little penguin. Here it is!-K

We have names!

2011-04-21T06:53:00.001-07:00

I have the list of names of the children in the Salvation Army Orphanage in Mexico City! (want to know more about why I need name? Check out this post) I am going to List the names below. PLEASE be in prayer over these kids.

Daniel ILC
Diego
Luis M
Fernando
Rodrigo
Wilmir
Jean
Luis L
Abelardo
Joshua
Miguel
Jesus
Armoando
Daniel R
Bryan
Alexe
Daniel LC
Oswaldo
Edgar R
Salvador
Ricardo
Roberto
Luis M
Israel
Jorge
Sebastian
Edgar J
Ramon
Oscar
Jaun
Marco
Jose
Maria P
IIse
Evelin
Liliana
Estafania
Ximena
Dominga
Daniela
Sheyla
Maria A
Maria O
Lucia
Ariana
Liliana
Dayana
Anahi
Maria V
Veronica
Mari
Selene
Clementina
Lucero
Betsy
Jenni

Thank you for your continued support!

The shop is now on vacation as I finish up orders and start working on sheep for these kids.
I'll keep you updated (also about a possible auction!)

-K

A llama for Willa.

2011-04-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

-K

Princess Pickles

2011-04-18T07:49:00.000-07:00

I recently got a request for a sally doll for a little girl nicknamed "Princess Pickles". So fun! So, here is her debut, Princess Pickles!

-K

waiting on names.

2011-04-16T05:45:00.001-07:00

I will be buying the supplies to make all the sheep on Monday. Then the sewing, stuffing, and stitching begins to get those little sheep into the hands of the kids in Mexico City. I have had a hard time getting information on the names of the kids in the orphanage, but I have had help from friends with contacts to try and get them soon.

I hope to get the names soon.

I have been wanting to also include a Bible verse on the sheep. I found this one recently.

How very perfect.

"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:3

God knows each name of these kids, he knows every hair on their head, he knows all the days of their life. He calls them, to love him. He leads them out of bondage, he leads them to freedom. He gives great joy, even in an orphanage in Mexico City.

We need to show them His great love, even if it is through a stuffed sheep.

-K

Reckless Abandon

2011-04-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

Four months ago I came across this blog. It was by mistake on my end. God, however needed for me to be there. I spent 4 hours that night reading and sobbing, and feeling God pull on my heart in ways I never have before. Orphans. I was always the one saying "I am glad people are helping them, I applaud those willing to adopt, I might do that someday, my world is full right now." That night changed everything.

I cannot wait to share more with you about all God is doing in our lives right now, but I will tell you this blog post was the beginning of it all.

Read it here or below.

Reckless Abandon

It’s Orphan Awareness Month. Again.

Another month set aside for the church to show orphan related videos, hear testimonies relevant to adoption and orphan care, and an opportunity to listen to sermons where orphans are [possibly] mentioned.

I must confess. Many times I ask myself, “What’s the point of it?” “Is having another time set aside to create an awareness of the orphan crisis even worth the effort?” Is it? Will it make a profound difference?

Perhaps I have become somewhat cynical, or weary of the battle that rages for the lives of millions of children, or frustrated that help seems so slow to come, or desperate to see more and more who are willing to go. I don’t know. I only know the sinking feeling that I feel each time I look into the faces of our four adopted children and remember the millions that are left behind. The ones who are literally without hope, without life.

We’re the Christians doggonit! We’re God’s beloved church. His beautiful bride. We’re the ones He has already commanded to take care of the orphans.

Yet sadly, we wait.

We wait for God to speak to us in an audible voice, telling us to “GO!”—sometimes He does that audible voice thing, you know.

We wait for the perfect job to come along—orphan care demands a whole lot of money.

We wait for the bills to be paid—can’t be taking on more than we can handle.

We wait for the larger house—because adding children requires a large house.

We wait for a few kids to leave the nest before we add more—can’t be having too many children in the home.

We wait for confirmation with the perfect scripture to drop into our spirits as a sign that we need to act now.

We wait...for someone else to go.

We wait, we wait, we wait.

And while we wait—they perish. The statistics are staggering. I can’t even look anymore.

This is the horrendous reality...

Why do we find every reason under heaven and earth why we should not go? The Bible is as clear as daylight—“care for the widows and the orphans.”

It’s a lot like missions. My heart aches when I see how many churches don’t have a fabulous missions program. God’s Word says to “Go into ALL the world and make disciples of all men.” It’s a command! It’s non- negotiable. Taking care of the orphans is a command too. We’re commanded in His word to care for them—however that may look.

But still we wait for “the call” to come. Kind of like, “I am SO glad Mrs. Jenkins is called to lead children’s church, because that is DEFINITELY NOT my calling.

Ouch!

God hardly ever calls us to do things for Him when everything in our lives is just grand. He never calls us to walk on the water when our circumstances are sweet. When I look in the Bible, I see people doing things for the Lord in the midst of impossible circumstances. Tougher than what my circumstances have ever been in my entire life. Yet, they did it. In obedience. The Lord commanded them--and they went. They accepted the tough task that lay before them—come what may. They never asked the Lord for a re-commission.

So why in the world do we? What makes us so different to the people God gave us to learn from in the Bible?

Why are there so many uncared for orphans in the world when we’re commanded to care for them?

We would be wealthy if someone paid us every time we have been told that we were “called by God” to adopt our four children who have special needs. Or for the many people who have told us that “There is no way we could do what you do.”

I disagree.

You know what that does? It diminishes God’s sovereign power to do the impossible through each one of us, His people. Comments like that tell the Father, “Sorry God, but you don’t have enough power to give me the ability to parent a child who struggles in life.” “So sorry, God. Just go and call someone else.” “Oh God, and that mission field thing? There is no way I could ever do that!”

That’s perilous ground to walk on.

God’s power is absolutely made perfect in our weakness. When He commands us to do something, He equips us with everything we need to fulfill the calling with excellence. Even people like us--ordinary sinners saved by grace who are just average Joes. He does it for His glory! To make Himself famous in the earth. It has absolutely nothing to do with us. Everything God does is for His glory, not ours.

I believe with all my heart that God is raising up an army of crazy people to do the ridiculous. Many believe we are living in the end times. We agree! We sense that more than ever God is looking for those who are willing to do the impossible. Just WILLING! God is seeking out those who will serve Him with reckless abandonment, no matter where that takes them or what He tells them to do in this life.

Reckless abandon for the sake of His orphans...simply because they so desperately need US. Come what may.
-K

Just 6%

2011-04-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

Found this article to be extremely frustrating at first, but I am also hopeful. We CAN be the rescue plan for orphans!

Go here to read.
I am copying it here as well:

How many adoptable orphans are there in the world?

How many Christians are there?

What is percentage of Christians would it take to adopt all the orphans?

My best guess (looking at the data available, see my Orphan Statistics post) is that 40-50 million orphans worldwide are adoptable or would be best cared for through adoption. Ideally that means adoption locally/indigenously first and then adoption internationally.

As for Christians, according to Mission Frontiers, globally there are:

Christian Believers — 800 million who have been born again into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Other Christians — 1.37 billion who consider themselves Christians because they come from a Christian culture.

Culturally near non-Christians — 1.8 billion are not yet Christians but live in a people where a viable, indigenous church movement has been established.

Therefore, if roughly 6% of the born again Christians in the world adopted we could care for all the adoptable orphans in the world (I have heard 7% used and that might be true as well).

Either way you add it up, there are way too many orphans worldwide and way too many Christians to not believe we can make a difference!

Just 6%.

-K

A lamb made just for ewe.

2011-04-14T05:00:00.001-07:00

Just listed! You can customize your very own little lamb. These guys are fun, quirky, and as one customer told me "Fill you with childhood glee".

Head over to the Dunlap Love etsy shop to get one just for ewe!
-K

Softies = care for orphans

2011-04-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

So, what is Dunlap Love's Mission?

To provide toys and aid to orphans. Plain and simple.

Let me start at the beginning...

Dunlap Love was started in 2008 with my love to create unique and original items mostly for babies and kids. God has given me an eye for design and a love to imagine and create. All, wonderful and beautiful things, and all worldly. My prayer has always been the same: "God, I know you gave me these talents, but they seem meaningless in the work of your kingdom. Why do I have these gifts? What value are they?". I have seen how he has allowed me to use them to comfort grieving hearts by using a loved one's old clothing to create a softie, and my softies have made many babies and children happy, but I was still searching for how these talents would be of any real value.In the past few months God has been breaking my heart for orphans. He has put a true passion in me to help. I read this post from No Greater Joy Mom and was right there convicted. I hear a lot of Christians say "I am not called to adopt or care for orphans". The reality is God calls ALL of us to care for orphans! It may be financially, through your time serving, or by bringing them home to a family, either way, we are all called to care for them.My dear friends, and church family, just recently came home form a mission trip to Mexico City. While they were there they stayed at an orphanage run by the Salvation Army. They came home with stories of these children they fell in love with. I felt like I was there with them. What stuck out in my mind when I was hearing testimonies of the trip was that there were no toys at the orphanage. The kids did not have but a single pair of clothes to call their own. They had nothing to put their name on. God has made it clear now how my love of making quirky softie toys will be a part of his kingdom plan.The Start:

--There are 60 kids currently staying at this orphanage in Mexico City. I will be creating 60 sheep, one for each child that will have their name on it, each one different, no two the same. To some, toys are not necessisty, not a basic need. They are right. But to a child who has been abandoned or who has nothing to call his/her own, a toy, with their name on it, means the world. My prayer is that each child in that one orphanage will know they are valuable, cared for, loved, and prayed over.--My goal is to provide each child not only with their own softie doll, but to provide clothing in their size, toiletries, and other small toys. I am waiting to hear from a contact in Mexico to get their sizes.--100% profit of items sold through Dunlap Love will go straight to the orphanage. Right now the orphanage desperately needs financial help. They are very behind on their taxes and are at risk of being evicted. I do not want to think of what will happen to these kids if that happened. I know that Dunlap Love will not be able to cover their taxes, maybe not even a month of food, but we can do something. Your purchases from Dunlap Love directly go towards helping this Salvation Army orphanage in Mexico City. They help these kids.

Long Term:

--My dream is that it would not stop at this one orphanage. My dream is that these softie dolls find their way into hands of orphans everywhere. That they own it and know they are worth love. That the proceeds of Dunlap Love will go beyond the orphanage in Mexico City.

Big dream? yes.

Possible? yes.

Why? Because God dreams bigger than I do.

How can you help?

--Buy any handmade item from Dunlap Love at www.dunlaplove.etsy.com and support the Salvation Army Orphange.

--Pray! Please be in prayer over these kids, and that God would provide for the orphanage.

--Give. I am in the process of setting up a Paypal account specifically for giving to the orphanage.

Why blog?
Here you will find updates on what is new in the shop, how progress is coming along on sheep, and how much has been given to the orphanage to date.

Thank you for walking this journey with me, and thank you for your support of Dunlap Love!
Can I take every orphan home and give them a family? The reality is no. However, we can be a part of bringing them joy and supporting their basic needs! I am so excited to see where God takes Dunlap Love.

-K