I am so excited to introduce you to my friend Christy. Christy is one of those people you want to be around all the time. Her energy is contagious and pure. You can feel her authenticity which creates an immediate trust. And to top it off, she will make you laugh. I have known Christy for many years through church and our children (she even taught my daughter in preschool). I love her newest endeavor, The Stitched House, and what she stands for. Empowering young girls to be their best is a mission of hers that I relate strongly to. If your girls are wanting to learn to sew, contact Christy!
Smarty Mom: Christy Parbst
Children: 2 children, Maddie 9 and Henry 7
Married to: Kurt, married 11 years
Year in Charlotte: 15
Originally from: Raleigh, NC
College: College of St Joseph, Rutland, VT
Occupation: Graduated in Special Education and Psychology. I taught elementary and special education for a few years, preschool for a few years and now teach children how to sew.
You started the Stitched House this year! How did your business start and where do you draw your inspiration from?
It was a perfect combination! I love to create, I love color, I love to sew and I LOVE children. Over the years I have had several friends show interest in their children learning how to sew. This past summer I put a class together and it was such a success I put more classes together for the Fall and we have had a blast! It turns out that my passions are a perfect fit and meet a demand. My mission is to empower children, especially girls, and teach them independence through creativity. Sewing is an art that the generations before us relied heavily on and most of our generation does not have the skill. I am fortunate enough to have grown up in a sewing family and to have had my mom teach me this valuable skill.
What is the hardest part about having your own business?
Not having enough time to teach all of the classes I want to teach!
What is the most rewarding part?
Seeing a child learn and conquer a skill is the most rewarding thing. When they come in to my class most have never sewn before. Many of them now come in, sit down and start sewing with very little instruction. They enjoy working the machines and creating their projects and are so proud of themselves when they are done!
What causes are you involved with?
I am passionate about helping others and incorporate mission work in to activities we do at The Stitched House. I am involved with Urban Ministries and The Relatives. I am currently regularly involved with Room In The Inn at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church. It is important to me that my children learn how to communicate with and work with those in need. An important step in bridging societal gaps and ending homelessness is to teach our children acceptance and appreciation for all and for them to learn how to help others in a healthy way. It is our responsibility to help where we can and it is amazing how much those you help help you as well.
What do you and your family like to do on the weekends?
When we have free time we love to do anything outdoors. We ski in the winter, surf in the summer and camp in between. Our next goal is to get the kids mountain biking in the spring.
How do you teach mindfulness to your children?
Mindfulness is a work in progress. I think it needs to start with you as an adult modeling mindful behavior. I try to make them aware of the present moment through asking casual questions about what they see, smell, hear when we are doing things for others, traveling, doing things outdoors or in regular daily activities. Sewing is a mindful behavior because it requires focus. Your attention is focused solely on your project so all other things going on in your world are gone from your mind for a while and gives your brain the opportunity to escape. 
If you could be anything and everything and time was not an issue, what would you do?
Exactly what I am doing but on a much larger scale! I would do everything I could to make this world a more colorful, happy place!
What do you want to teach your kids through your life experiences?
At the end of the day, what I want most is for my kids is to be good people. Being good will lead to a happy and rewarding life.
