The young couple have been thinking about adopting an Asian baby for more than six months but were scratching their heads on how they were going to come up with the money for agency fees, translation fees, Homeland Security background checks, fingerprinting, visas, airfare, hotel costs, living expenses and more.

"It all adds up," Jessica MacNeil said. "It seems unfair that when someone wants to have a child naturally insurance pays for it, but not if you want to adopt. The world has so many kids that need families."

An avid quilter since 2001, Jessica MacNeil came up with the idea of starting her own company Crazy Daisies to sell her homemade totebags, coin purses, bracelets and other accessories this fall. All the proceeds go to baby MacNeil’s arrival.

It all started last spring when Jessica MacNeil brought a totebag she made to work at the Ellis School, where she was a special education assistant. She said it was immediately a big hit with the teachers. Everyone wanted to know where she got it. She told them she made it, and she had several requests on the spot.

She made a few bags for teachers, and soon, through word of mouth, her totebags grew in popularity.

Jessica MacNeil of Fremont first started quilting before launching her Crazy Daisies business a few years ago after a co-worker admired her homade bag and requested one of her own. Now she is selling bags of all sizes and styles through a website and a local store, all in hopes of raising the funds to adopt a young girl. Photo by Andrew Moore

"It spawned from there and I thought this would be a great way to raise money for the adoption," she said.

After two years of "trying" for a family, Jessica and Greg started discussing adoption and heard of a friend’s positive experience in adopting a Chinese child several years ago. They chose the Chinese Children Adoption International program in September and mailed an initial application last week.

The child will most likely be between the ages of 5 months and a year. Jessica MacNeil said their daughter may not even be born yet since it could take 10 months to a year to adopt.

"Although we don’t have her yet, I already feel a bond with this child," she said. "We felt strongly against any fertility treatment. This is what we were meant to do. I don’t need to give birth to be a mom."

Totebags and other accessories are available through Jessica MacNeil or at A Little Bit of Home, 329 Sandown Road, Route 121A, in Hampstead. The totebags are $50 for a large size, $40, medium, $30, small, $30 for an over-the-shoulder tote, and $20 for a zipper bag. Change purses are $8 and button bracelets are $5.

She takes custom orders for $5 more with specialty fabrics. For example, a biology teacher might love a custom bag with insects and magnifying glasses on it, while an elementary-school teacher would love a bag with books, rulers, pencils and schoolhouses.

"They are all one-of-a-kind and make wonderful gifts for Christmas or any occasion," she said. "They are all my own design. I hate patterns. I just do my own thing."

For information about Crazy Daisies, contact Jessica MacNeil at 895-3298, visit the Web site at www.crazydaisies.com or e-mail at info@crazydaisies.com.