{31 for 21} Old Friends and a Giveaway: Twenty Two.

Awhile back, I posted a photo of Ellie in a beautiful dress my friend Jessica made.

A little background on Jessica.  She is awesome.  We worked together in college, and then she married my senior year next door neighbor.  We were in touch only through facebook, and she started reading my blog.  One day, I had a message from Jess.  Her daughter Lucy had gone through open heart surgery, and she was offering prayers, encouragement, and love.

Jess also makes beautiful things.  Somehow in college, she'd manage to crochet scarves as Christmas gifts.  She has super creative ideas for her girls, like little activities for every day of Advent.

Jess has been a huge source of encouragement during our journey with Ellie and her heart.  I've met many people through the Down syndrome community who have been through open heart surgery, but Jess is the only friend I already knew whose child had a similar procedure.  And while her daughter doesn't have Down syndrome, and had a different surgery, there's something about someone you love telling you it'll be okay.

So now, we have a healthy Ellie, some friends reconnected, and a celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  This can only mean one thing: Giveaway time!

Two items are up for grabs this week.  First of all, this awesome sweater.  It's unisex, and shown here on a cute 12 month old and beautiful Miss Lucy (she's three).  It's super soft for baby skin, and the buttons have elephants.  We love elephants around here, but more on that come Halloween.  

The other item is a hat, in whichever color you like.  Jess is modeling the hat in green here, and her daughter took the pictures.

One person is going to be very happy with their new goods!

How do you enter?

(Well, first of all, some rule stuff.  You have to be somewhere in the US.  That's the only place these will be mailed.  The winner will be announced via this blog and email if possible on October 31.  Entries will close at 11:00 pm Eastern Time on October 30.  The winner will have until November 4 to respond, or else a new winner will be chosen.  Random.org will pick the winner.)

How to enter:

1) Leave a comment on this post!  Any comment at all.... unless it's spam, then you'll get deleted.  I recommend leaving a comment for Jessica about how she needs to open an Etsy shop. 

2) If you want an extra entry, leave a separate comment telling me you "Follow" My Stubborn Little Miss.  If you're not a follower and want to be, click on the word "Follow" in the upper left.

3) If you want another extra entry, leave a separate comment telling me you "Like" My Stubborn Little Miss on facebook.  (Here's the link!)

Good luck, everyone!  And a huge THANK YOU to Jessica!