New Project: New Fundraiser

My good friend Mary cleaned out her crafts supplies in the Fall.  I got some goodies out of her purging.  Namely, a baggie chocked full of embroidery floss.  Did I know what I was going to do with it?  Nope.  Maybe, 1,000 friendship bracelet for my BFFs...
I always like to be prepared.  [a.k.a. I can be a craft supply hoarder...]

We finished our adoption classes at the end of last month.  Nine three hour sessions.  That's a whole lotta time to get to know people.  Especially nice to be walking this road with super sweet, open people.  Our teacher was great!  Spunky, fun, party nail rock'n social worker.  I wanted to give her something special as a token of my appreciation.  Enter embroidery floss...

I decided to make some string art to spell out a word that encompassed our experience in the class. 

1. Found a piece of wood in the garage. 
2. Printed out the word: HOPE.
3. Nailed around the perimeter.

4. Ripped out the paper.
5. Went crazy with string.  Ombre if you please...

She liked it.
Do you?  Because I'm adding these signs to my LittleAcornProduct Etsy site.  ALL proceeds go to our adoption fund!!!  I can do any word in any color.  Think: names, your last name, a word or short phrases [always & forever, sweet dreams, home, love, imagine].  Any suggestions?

I'm going to try to crank out a few more tonight...I'll post pictures.
Thanks for looking.

Clothes Swap

We are trying to adopt a baby.  It's taken a lot for us to get to this point.  Now, we are joyful taking steps toward adoption.  Several hurdles yet remain--namely money.  Adoption is expensive.  We are working with Bethany Christian Services to facilitate this process.  There is a TON of paper work to manage, which equals a lot of time for them [$].  But, more than that, and something that has become a huge priority: before and after care for expectant parents and expectant adoptive parents.  This takes time, energy and resources we don't have [$$$].  This is part of the reason adoption is so expensive.  We feel very confident that our milestone payments are going to creating a healthy environment for our children.  It's worth it.

However, we don't have this money.  We are believing that God will provide it.  In His perfect timing for a purpose that is honoring to Him, entrusting us to raise children to know Him.  So... we've started fund raising.

 CLOTHES SWAP SPRING 2013

Throughout the month of February I collect women's clothes.  The final total was 35 dresses, 23 skirts, 10 jackets, 117 shirts, 37 pants, 22 pairs of shoes and boots, 27 workout items, 20 purses, 20 scarves, 4 wallets, and a belt.  WOW!  I seriously have the best friends EVER.

In case you were wondering, this is what a mountain of clothes looks like.  I'll call it Mt. Generosity.

This is how a Clothes Swap works:
Step 1: Collect donations.
Step 2: Organize.  I organized everything but type [shirts, pants, dresses, etc.]  And then by size.
Step 3: Neatly set up clothes in a big space.  Room to try items on is a big bonus!  
Step 4: Pray for folks to come a shop!

$20 for any 10 items.  $10 if you donated.  $1 for each additional item.

We held our event from 2-5pm.  Friends brought sweet treats to share.  We had coffee and tea [thanks Jess!] We helped each other pick out clothes and maybe forced a few friends into putting on a little fashion show.  We all left with some nice "new" clothes.  Great time.  PLUS we raised money to put in our adoption fund! Win-win-win.

We're already planning another Clothes Swap for the Fall!

We are now accepting donations for a kids consignment sale AND a yard sale.  ANYTHING you need to get rid of--send our way!!!  OR if you would be willing to help out at a yard sale [April 20 or May 4]  that would be a GIANT help too.

Thanks for everything.

Kristen