Saturday, February 21, 2009

Did you know that heroes come in pink?

"Once Upon A Time...
there was a little girl who believed in the magic of her own imagination. Her parents were wise and caring adults who encouraged the little girl to follow her pixie-dusted dreams."


I've had the absolute pleasure of corresponding with Terry Grahl over the course of this past week. Terry is the founder of Enchanted Makeovers (formerly Terry's Enchanted Cottage), and she's a hero in my book. An incredibly gifted decorator, she is using her talents to enhance the surroundings of women and children who could really use some beauty in their lives.


Terry turns barren, dismal, and sometimes run-down shelter rooms into welcoming, peaceful havens, such as the one above (notice the PINK walls and the incredible painted PINK headboard!!)


(Before photo)
''When I realized I had a purpose that extended beyond clients homes, I was excited and scared. I had a vision of what I really wanted to do with my life, but I didn't know how, let alone believe 100% that the dream I'm living today could be accomplished by a once shy insecure girl."


(After photo)


I know Terry would love it if other bloggers spread the word about her fantastic organization and their mission. She wrote to me, "I woke up this morning and realized how your followers or readers could make a HUGE difference. Lets keep the ripple effect of giving going across the world by women or men featuring a story on their web site or blog about my organization. Every blogger or web site I will post on my web site to help promote there own dream. If we all work together I know we help so many women and children living in shelters.Thank you so much ''many blessings''Terry Grahl

Terry's e-mail is Grahls4@aol.com and I know she'd love to hear from you...


This beautifully painted pink desk was originally a vintage sewing machine! What a cozy corner...


Terry gives much credit for her philosophy and design talent to her mother...


So many 'new beginnings' are being realized by the women and children who find comfort in the beautiful surroundings that Terry, and those in her her organization, have created for them...


One particular project that Terry is very excited about is the Traveling Sanctuary Bag* National Campaign. (*'The Traveling Sanctuary B*A*G is fueled by the healing love of another. It is a home made pillow case that is cradled with love, laughter, tears, fears and dreams. It carries with it, the energy of a knowing heart, a knowing that sometimes can only be found during a state of rest)


Terry is looking for sanctuary bag team leaders for each state. Every donor/volunteer is featured on her web site along with the sewing group photos/events. She is also looking to build partnerships.

For those of you who sew, Terry would love to hear from you! For those who don't sew, donations of pillowcases or fabric is greatly appreciated.

Click here for ten ways you can help Terry make the lives of even more women and children brighter!

You can also see many more before & after photos on Terry's site, Enchanted Makeovers . You will be inspired by her creativity. And by all means, give Terry a shout out on your blogs! There's so much depressing news nowadays; it's wonderful to be able to share such an uplifting story as hers!

Thanks, Terry... The work you do has such a positive impact on countless women and children. I'm so glad you contacted me this week so I could share your story!

Now, be sure to hop over to Beverly's How Sweet the Sound to see her Pink Saturday post and to find a list of all the other pink-loving bloggers participating today!


Donna

23 comments:

Tracey said...

Donna, I've been so under the weather for the past 7 days..I'm really glad that I had enough energy to stop by and read such an inspiring story. I'm going to check out her blog and drop an email.. great story, thanks for sharing.

Shabby Chick said...

Wow, isn't she inspirational, those makeovers are amazing! I must check out some of those links.

Mel xxx

Kris said...

Thanks so much for featuring this great cause on your Pink Saturday post. I'm going over now to check out the website.
Amazing what one woman with a vision can accomplish when she puts both her heart and mind to it.

Happy PS

Kris

Edie Marie's Attic said...

WOW! Terry's work is incredible! What an awesome journey she is taking to help women & children that really need love and support! Thank you so much for sharing her story. I will be glad to do a post on my site in the future about her. You never know who it will reach!
I'm going to check out the sites you referenced.
Big hugs, Sherry

Lorri said...

This is a wonderful thing to do. Many blessings to such a talented woman. I will spread the word.
Lorri

Kim's Cottage said...

Oh my goodness! What an incredibly talented lady she is. And how heartwarming the way she puts her talents to use. I'm going to go check out her website now. Thank you for sharing her with us.

Happy Pink Saturday!


K-

Pink Slippers said...

What an AWESOME woman!
Wendy

♥Mimi♥ said...

Pink Saturday always makes the cold days in northern Michigan so much warmer. Thank y♥u for sharing with us this week. Your bl♥g is beautiful.

I'll be going over to visit that wonderful woman's blog today.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Donna, thank you for this wonderful post! She is definitely a hero! I think she was on RMS with one of her makeovers, and it stayed on the top rated for a very long time. What a vision she had, and how wonderfuly she has carried it through. So great of you to post this. laurie

Kimberly said...

What a wonderful mission! Thank you for sharing this woman's story with us and Happy Pink Saturday!

Life on the Edge said...

With this economy, there are going to be even more need of shelters for women and children. Families are actually the largest growing population that are becoming homeless. It would be scary enough not knowing where you are going to live, but to be able to go into a shelter decorated with love like this would surely bring some respite. I will have to read more about this project!

Kady

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Donna, this is just fantastic! I'm going to see how "I" can help her make a difference.
Huge hugs to you!

Tristan Robin said...

what a terrific post - the work...and, of course, the message - is very special, indeed!

RobinfromCA said...

There are so many Pink Saturday participants that I always visit the newest and then randomly visit others on the list. Today I am so glad I clicked on your post! Terry's work is inspiring to say the least. I am going straight over to see what I can do to help - not being a sewer at all! Thanks for featuring her today!

Happy Pink Saturday!
Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts

Anonymous said...

What an inspiring story and such a wonderful person. I've always thought that each of us have something special to give. My heart goes out to these women in shelters and how difficult and hard their roads have been. I know because my sister was in a shelter for battered women. Just to know you have safe place to lay down your head is what most of these women look for but to have a place filled with so much beauty and someone who cares is an incredible boost to these women.

Thanks Donna for writing about Terry and tell her I'm sure her rewards will be plenty.

Kris

P.S. I'm new to Pink Saturday and just wanted to stop by for a visit and got caught up in the moment.
Nothing new for me. HAHA

Jean Tuthill said...

Hi Donna, I'm going over to Terry's blog to see how I can help out! I've been sewing since I was 12 yrs old and I think I can handle some of this work! Thanks for spreading the word about this amazing woman and I will do the same on my blog!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Pink Saturday Donna
Great pink post!

Susan

KatCollects said...

What a beautiful post and a great cause, thank you!
Kathy

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful cause, how amazing. Thank you for posting about this and letting everyone know. I just popped on the link to ways that we can help. I have to go visit this lady now, she seems amazing.
Karen

Unknown said...

What a lovely thing that lady does! It is amazing what a transformation in one's outside environment does for one's insides! (and vice versa, of course). Lovely, inspirational work! Thank you for sharing! :)

Lori Lynn said...

Thanks for sharing that! Happy belated PS!

Nancy said...

I’m still stopping in on my Pink Saturday list. How inspiring. Certainly will check it out.

Unknown said...

Hi Donna!
I was just taking some time to visit blogs I haven't had a chance to see in a while and came across this wonderful post!

I had a OH, MY, GOSH, moment! Never having heard of Terry's plight..I could not believe as I read through some of their sight that I don't live very far from where they are doing this! I am going to contact her and see how I might be able to help.

I was so fortunate 2 years ago to be part of our Church's Women's Ministries group who went to Pontiac's Grace Center of Hope..which is a rehab/shelter facility. They have been blessed with almost a whole street of homes that are used for those who graduate and are ready to take the next step..but many were in BIG need of TLC. We had 5 teams of 3-6 women who spent 1 week redoing/redecorating rooms in their homes. What a rewarding experience it was!

I love to create..but it is so important to give back to others when you can.

Thanks for sharing Terry's story!
Blessings...Lorena