Friday, August 30, 2013

Noonday Blog Train..a giveaway! Update: Giveaway Closed...

Giveaway now closed..congratulations to Jennifer Humiston on winning the Mary Sunshine Apron! You'll be receiving an email for shipping information :) Thank you ALL who entered and shared this post, by sharing the post you're sharing about Mary Sunshine and all those who work alongside her. :) 

Hey there! Today is an exciting day! If you're visiting here for the Noonday Collection blog train, welcome! Before I start sharing a little bit of my story make sure you check out Krista and Alicia's blogs, they have some awesome Noonday goodie giveaways going on right now too.


I wanna tell you about Mary Sunshine.  Mary Sunshine is exactly what her name is, full of sunshine. I have never in my life met someone with so much joy. Pure joy.

The day I went to meet the Rwandan artisans was such a special day. I was so excited. I had been sharing about these women and their stories for almost a year at that time, and I was going to meet them..in real life. Like, I was going to hug them and meet some of their children, and see where they work, it felt surreal. I remember driving in that little euro van...looking for the gates I was told would mark where the shop was.  I saw them, Mary Sunshine standing outside the gates, ready to greet us, with a huge smile.

Mary's hugs were some of the more genuine hugs I've ever felt. She and the women welcomed us into their shop as if it was their home. They took so much pride in the work they created, the work they created for people like you, who shop our line :)

They even got all gussied up for our meeting! 
(which made me feel better because of course I worried about what I was going to wear to meet them too! Women are women know matter where they're from ;) ) 





They worked on sewing machines powered by foot..like the ones we use here in the US for decoration in our homes (yeah..reality check..humbleness check)


It was absolutely amazing to see things in progress, things like the Charlotte Bag, named after this beauty.



I remember feeling so inadequate as I stood there and they thanked me because of your purchases.  They were so thankful for work, work that literally is the difference between life and death for some.  The difference between keeping their children and being forced to give them up.  Some of the artisans walk for miles to get to the co-op y'all..miles..they walk miles for you.  Miles to create beautiful pieces. Pieces that hold a story.


Writing this brings tears to my eyes. My eyes burn missing that time I had with them.  Community, community with sisters across the globe, sisters I'd never met until that day.

They are why I sell Noonday.  They are why I hound some of you about hosting shows.

They are real.  Their stories are real.  Some of them have been through more than we ever will in our lifetime. 

History of genocide, war, rape, abuse.

They're real.

This sweet thang? Because of your purchases she's in preschool while her mama works! She's also looking quite studious if I do say so myself. 

They're beautiful daughters of the King.

They are Noonday Collection.



In honor of our Rwandan Artisans, I  am giving away our brand new Mary Sunshine Apron.

It is bright, bold and beautiful! Just like Mary Sunshine. 

I would love for one of you to win this, and wear it proudly as you think of Mary Sunshine.  As you bake cookies for your family, or prepare a holiday dinner, think of Mary and her JOY for life.  

Choose JOY my friends, just like Mary Sunshine.


Comment below for your chance to win! Winner will be announced Friday September 6th and make sure you tell me your favorite new fall item! (if you can choose just one!)

And tomorrow make sure you check out Natalie's blog for another giveaway! 


- all these beautiful pictures were taken by my great friends Rachel and Becky of WurzbachFisherPhotography, they're Noonday lovers and wrote a blog about our Rwandan trip too! Make sure you check it out here






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21 comments:

ellen said...

Wow... what an inspiring blog post. Thank you. I would love to travel and meet these ladies one day. Everything they create is so beautiful.

ellen said...

Oh and I think my new favourite item is the honeycomb necklace or the carolina pom scarf-- both are so unique!

Tracy said...

I love the new scattered stones necklace with all the beautiful color!

Rachel said...

Beautiful!

Wynne Elder said...

love this steph!!!! I love our sweet Rwandan artisans and was so happy to see their pictures and hear their stories again! wow wow wow! thanks for sharing!!!!

K O Metzler said...

Lovely apron, lovely story!

Rosa said...

Such beautiful fabric! I love this apron.

Unknown said...

I think the apron is my fave! Or maybe the artillery-recycled earrings from Ethiopia. LOVE!

Unknown said...

Wow. This story is so amazing that it brought tears to my eyes. I hope I can do the same for these beautiful women one day! :)

tonimariephotography said...

Beautiful story!

Sara said...

Love the story and the pictures! I love all the colors in their creations!

Unknown said...

Beautiful!! Thank you for sharing!! And my new favorite piece is the BLANCO Y NEGRO INFINITY
♥♥♥

Cindy said...

Beautiful, thanks for sharing! My favorite(s) are the cozy zip wrap and the gemstone wrap, but everything is so beautiful!

Sarah said...

I love Noonday! The African Sunset necklace is my favorite of the new stuff. Thanks for being involved in helping these people.

Nick and Kassie said...

The tea towels are adorable. LOVED this story, thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

It is amazing to hear the stories of these artisans. Thank you for sharing! My favorite of the fall line is either the Scattered steps necklace or the Shine on necklace. Although I have to say I love everything in the new line!

egroves said...

I love the entire fall collection! My favorite is the La Jolla Necklace! But it's all beautiful!

Dus of Cuddly Cacti said...

how wonderful you were able to meet Mary Sunshine! i'd love to be able to go to africa and visit some wonderful and kind artisans someday. i loved hearing about her and seeing your pictures as well. and of course would love to win the adorable apron : ).
Cuddly Cacti
Mitla Moda

Blessed Girl said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Scattered Steps necklace! But...it's so hard to pick just one favorite from all of the gorgeous fall collection! :-)

Smo Trevor said...

Wow, that was all cute.. Very fashionable and comfy to wear! ThredUp Coupon code

Smo Trevor said...

Wow, that was all cute.. Very fashionable and comfy to wear! ThredUp Coupon code