Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign is Coming!

For the last several years, I've participated in Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Campaign.  The goal of the campaign is to raise $1,000 for a chosen child's grant and to do everything you can to get their face out there and hopefully find them a family.

In 2013 and 2014, I advocated and fund raised for Kimberley.  Sadly, her country has closed to US adoptions.

In 2015, I decided not to participate because we had just moved and I was beyond stressed with my new job.  I was really missed it and wished I had made the effort.

In 2016, I picked Andre.  He was just a little chunk of a baby waiting for a family in Colombia.

Now he's home, thriving, going to school, getting the medical care he desperately needed and being loved every day.

In 2017, I picked Lianne but then found out she was being adopted to Italy so I changed to AJ.  He now has a family who loves him dearly and are working to bring him home as soon as possible.

So, now I'm gearing up for 2018.  I was informed today that any child 5 and under can be a part of the campaign.  So, I'm rethinking my choice and planning and plotting my fundraisers.  I'll let you know who I picked as soon as it's official.  (Although the choices for kids 5 and under in Latin America are pretty limited.)  

But, I also want you to consider participating.  I know $1,000 sounds like a lot but it's doable.  And, if you don't get there, that's ok too!!  The most important thing is getting kids faces out there!  You never know who might see them and decide they should be part of their family.  I certainly never thought my childhood friend would end up adopting Andre and that her teaching friend would adopt AJ.  You just never know!  

*If you think you might adopt someday, this is a great way to get your feet wet with fund raising and find out what works and doesn't.

*If you think it might be fun but aren't sure if you can do it, there is a facebook group that provides support for everyone participating.  There is also a group just to promote fund raisers.  And, I'll gladly help you with ideas and marketing.  You don't have to be super crafty or creative.  You just have to find a niche item that will sell.  Pinterest has a million ideas.

*You can always grab a friend or two or a group to help.  Last year, I did a dress down day at work with a raffle and made more than half of the goal that way.  People want to help kids.  People want to support you and your efforts.  You just have to ask!  

*If you don't want to choose your own child but you want to help me share fund raisers or host fund raisers (maybe you have a great idea or your own business), just let me know!!  I'll always take some extra help.

Check out all the kids on Reece's Rainbow that are five and under and see if one of them tugs at your heart strings.  Sign Ups will be at the end of the month.  

Boys 0-2 with Down Syndrome Here

Boys 3-5 with Down Syndrome Here

Girls 0-2 with Down Syndrome Here

Girls 3-5 with Down Syndrome Here

Boys 0-5 with Other Special Needs Here

Girls 0-5 with Other Special Needs Here

Keep On Keeping On

Well, Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Campaign has come and gone.  I was able to raise almost $1,700 for AJ with the help of some amazing friends and supporters.  I am so excited for this little boy's future.  I am choosing to believe that there is an amazing family out there for him and that he won't grow up in an orphanage.  He'll be home getting therapies and love and nutrition.  I have to believe that to keep on keeping on for these kids and families.

So, my next goal is to get AJ's grant to $2,500.  When he gets there, he will be put on a "sizable grant" list through Reece's Rainbow.  Hopefully that will mean more visibility for him and a family sooner, rather than later.  There is a thermometer on the right of the blog to keep you all updated on the progress to the goal.

To that end, the following fund raisers will be ongoing.

*Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  50% of each purchase from now until January 1st will go to AJ's grant.

*Plexus.  New Commissions earned each month will go to AJ's grant.  Feel free to ask questions!

*Homemade Lip Balm, Sugar Scrub, and Bath Salts.  50% of each purchase goes to AJ's grant.  Custom scents and flavors available.

*C&E Baby Blankets.  $10 of each blanket purchased will go to AJ's grant.  Just mention AJ when you place your order.

*Teacher Tired Shirts and Hoodies. Through February 16th.  

*World Down Syndrome Day Shirts.  Through March 7th.  Long sleeve tees, tshirts, ladies tees, hoodies, and mugs available.


Past Fund Raisers:
*LuLaRoe Pop-Up.  Online.  November 6-10.  Any sales made this week benefit AJ.  And LLR matches the donation of the consultants!  We raised $271!

*Ornament Sale.  Make a donation to AJ's account of $35 or more and get a Christmas ornament with his picture on it.  November 1 - December 31.

*Dress Down Day at Batavia High School - December 8th

If you are vendor of any kind and would like to host a fund raiser for AJ's grant, please let me know!  I'll always take and appreciate help.  

AJ is not even a year old!!  Imagine---he could celebrate his second birthday with is family.  He could have therapies and early intervention years before Sara did.  And LOVE!

Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign for Lianne

Once again, I said I wasn't going to do Reece's Rainbow's Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign.  I have work and grad school and Sara and too much to do.  But last year worked out so well, I just couldn't help myself!!  (Andre is now home!)

So, meet Lianne.  There isn't much information given about her.  She's 3 and in Latin America.  She's clearly beautiful but her picture breaks my heart.  She needs love and comfort.  She needs a family!

Check back often for fund raisers as we get into November and December.  The goal is $1,000 and I'll need lots of help and support to get there there!

Just a note---Only donations made during November and December will count toward the $1,000 goal.

Current Fund Raisers:
*Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  50% of each purchase from now until January 1st will go to Lianne's grant.

*Plexus.  All of my commission earned from September through December will go to Lianne's grant.  I'll be writing a post about Plexus and the benefits off it soon.  In the mean time, feel free to ask questions!

*C&E Baby Blankets.  $10 of each blanket purchased will go to Lianne's grant.  Just mention Lianne when you place your order.

*Homemade Lip Balm, Sugar Scrub, Bath Salts, and Bath Melts.  50% of each purchase goes to Lianne's grant.  Custom scents and flavors available.

*Ornament Sale.  Make a donation to Lianne's account of $35 or more and get a Christmas ornament with her picture on it.  November 1 - December 31.

*Teacher Tired Shirts and Hoodies. Through November 24th.

Upcoming Fund Raisers:

*Dress Down Day at Batavia High School - December 8th

*Genesee Country Christian School's Christmas Bazaar - December 2nd - 4120 Long Point Rd, Geneseo, NY - 10AM-3PM


Past Fund Raisers:
*LuLaRoe Pop-Up.  Online.  November 6-10.  Any sales made this week benefit Lianne.  And LLR matches the donation of the consultants!

If you are looking to purchase any gifts this Christmas season, I encourage you to join the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign Virtual Vendor/Craft Fair.  You will find all of your usual sellers (Tupperware, Avon, LuLaRoe, etc) while also finding crafters with one of a kind gifts and many who will take special orders just for you!  Let's help more kids find families instead of supporting corporations and big box stores!

Fairy Godmother

Over the 5 years that I've known about Reece's Rainbow, I've done some advocating and fund raising for some of the kids from Latin America.  I haven't done nearly as much as some people but I've been pulled towards certain kids sometimes.  I sell Avon and hand knit items year round to help waiting children and adopting families.

Some of the kids I've advocated for are home---Mark.  Some are still waiting ---James, Phillip, Vaughn.  Some are stuck in a country that isn't processing US families right now --- Kimberley, Lene.  One passed away before she got the chance to know the love of a family --- Monet.  One I will get to meet this summer --- Josie/Seraphina!

And then, there is the one who is being adopted by a childhood/high school friend of mine.  The one who will live less than an hour from me  The one I will be able to greet at the airport.  And spoil on his first birthday with a family.  The one I will get to watch grow and thrive.  Then there is  --- TJ/Andre.

And, guess, what?  I have the right to do all of those things because I am officially his Godmother.  Because every former orphan deserves one more person to spoil him and love him and pour into his little life.

His new family crashed Sara's dance class yesterday to officially ask us to forever be in his life.  I'm so honored and touched.  (Although I was very confused at the time.)  You can watch the video here:

If you want to help this amazing family financially, you can purchase Avon, buy some hand knit items, make a tax-deductible donation through Reece's Rainbow or make a donation directly to the family to help with upfront costs.  You can also order 31 or buy some great World Down Syndrome Day Shirts.  (Or this style shirt.)

Temperature Blanket

Someone shared the idea of a temperature blanket on my facebook today.  The idea is to knit one row each day based on the high temperature of the day where you live.  I loved it---especially living in Western New York where we  have 4 distinct seasons.  I don't crochet and couldn't find a knit pattern so I decided to create my own.

The first step was to choose colors and set up a scale.  I went with Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  I knew the blanket would require a lot of yarn and I wanted something reasonably priced and easily accessible.  You can choose the colors that you like together.  I chose to do temperatures in groups of 10 degrees based on the temps we have here.  You may need to vary this depending on where you live.  

Make sure you set up some kind of system to record the daily temperatures and keep track of what days you have actually knit.  Let's be honest.  You are not going to knit every day this year.  With a good system, you can fall a bit behind and still catch up.   (Weather.com can show you the recorded temperatures for each day of the year.) 

The next step is to choose a pattern.  I'm making this blanket for a dear friend and I love the pattern.  It's really easy and I love the way it scallops.  

Here's the pattern as I modified it for this project:  

Using size 10 needles and the color for day 1, cast on 261 stitches.  (Or a number in multiples of 13 plus 1)

Row 1:  Using Day 2 color,  (RS) *K1, YO, K4, K2tog, sl 1, K1, psso, K4, YO; rep from * last st, K1

Row 2:  Using Day 3 color, K1, P to last st, K1. 

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 while changing colors for the temperature. for 363 rows.  Bind off in the temperature for the 365th day.  

You can use whatever size needles are comfortable for you with the weight of yarn you chose.  I'm using size 10 now.  

Modifications:  

*Some suggest crocheting an edge around the entire blanket.  

*Other patterns suggest adding a white stripe in between months.  

*I thought about doing 7 row squares of knit 7, purl 7 to show the weeks of the year.  

Here are my first 4 days.  I have two colors so far.  (Today was brutally cold.  I'll be adding another color tomorrow.)  I'll try to remember to post an updated picture once a month.'

I ended up pulling it out and switching to smaller needles.  I think it was going to be way too big and the stithes were too lose to see the pattern.  I'm up to 4 colors already!  

If you have any questions or other ideas for modifications, leave me a comment and let me know!  You can follow this and other projects on my knitting page.  

Happy knitting in 2017!

Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign Virtual Craft/Vendor Fair Participants

November 1-15, 2016

Shop from any of the vendors/crafters listed below.  All proceeds will go to a child waiting to find their forever family.

Join our facebook group for up to the minute information, sales and deals, featured items and to ask questions.

Share the blog post and facebook group frequently.

Check out the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign  to see all the kids involved or to make donations directly to their adoption grants.

A Christmas Jubilee
Facebook page 
Benefits Jubilee
I will be adding crafts that I have made personally, but I am starting by offering handmade ornaments made from steel drums and bracelets with beads made from paper both created in Haiti

Angel Crafts Shop
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andersen 
Angel Crafts Shop started out as a project for a Sunday School class to help a couple of special needs orphans. After that one project, Ifelt the need to do more. I decided to combine my love for crafting and my love for these kiddos. So this store was born. 50% of the sale price of every item goes back to the orphans. 50% goes to keeping the store running. Products: Handmade Hair Accessories, Decorative Items and Wall Art

Avon for Adoptions 
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
More than just makeup.  Avon also includes body care, home items, fashion, and children's products.  

Chole+Isabel by Markie
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
There will be a special link created just for the craft fair shoppers!
Beautiful high quality jewelry with a lifetime guarantee. Created to empower women everywhere.

The Gourmet Cupboard
Website
Benefits Christian
Affordable gourmet handmade mixes: soups, meals, side dishes, and more!

Hope in Sight Pampered Chef
Website
Benefits Todd
Put Todd's 1st Party in notes
I do pampered chef kitchen items.

IncredAble Things
Website
Benefits Leigha
Learning toys, sensory items, crafts, games and more!

Kid Wrangler T-Shirts
Website
Benefits Walter

LuLaRoe with Mandy Rhodes
Facebook
Benefits Andre
November 12-13 only.  


Miracle for Malcolm
Facebook page
Benefits Malcolm
I am selling customized Christmas Ornaments. I have a variety of colors and can do any country or state!

Norwex
Website
Benefits Andre
Norwex helps you turn your home into a safe haven. Together, we can improve our quality of life for generations to come!

Origami Owl
Website
Benefits Andre

Origami Owl allows you to create unique, personalized gifts for yourself or for your loved ones. What I love most is that so much of our jewelry is interchangeable! You can change it out by season, holiday, occasion or just your mood! Discover the endless possibilities of Origami Owl!

Ornaments
Website
Benefits Walter

Pocket Gypsy Designs
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Kate 
Pocket Gypsy Designs sells reasonably priced hair accessories, jewelry and more.  Custom orders always welcome.  

Savannah Grace Shop 
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
Please put craft fair on the line that says family fundraising name.
I sell products to inspire, unify, and encourage people.


Scarves and Skirts for Sara
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
Handknit items including scarves, ruffle skirts, Christmas stocking, hair pompoms and many other items.  Buy It Now and Custom Order items available.  

Scentsy  
Website
Facebook Page
Website 
Benefits Andre
Wickless, Flameless, Chose your warmer, Cleaners, and more!!

Spirit Cups 
Website
Benefits Andre
Coffee and Travel mugs for your favorite professional and college sports teams.

Missions Trip Fund Raisers

Current Fund Raisers:

You Caring Link

Avon Link - 20% of each purchase will go to the missions trip.  Please follow my facebook page for sales and special codes.

Amazon Link - a percentage of each purchase  made through this link will go to the missions trip.  (The percentage varies.)  

Scarves and Skirts for Sara - Hand knit items.  50%  of each purchase goes to the missions trip.  Custom orders accepted!

Baja T-Shirts - Each shirt is $20 including shipping.  Shirts can be ordered on this form.



Future Fund Raisers:
Online Auction

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes - Take 2

Below is a blog post I wrote last February.  Let's just say that some things haven't turned out quite like I thought.  I'm going to repost it and then update in bold where we currently are with my "plans."

Some big changes are coming to our little family.  Big changes.   Well, we definitely have experienced some big changes.  

The first huge change is moving.  We are planning to move this summer to be closer to my family.  I've been almost 600 miles from my family since I finished college 15 years ago.  I've enjoyed my independence and never planned to move back.  But, kids change everything.  There are tons of reasons to stay and tons of reasons to move but I really want Sara to be near her family and that trumps the rest of the list.  We did move.  And it was the right thing to do, even if it didn't quite work out like I thought it would.  

My parents and I are working on a housing situation since rental options in the middle of no where are pretty limited.  I have almost finished the process to transfer my teaching license to NY.  (Although I'm open to lots of employment options.)  I've met with a Realtor and am cautiously optimistic about selling my house here.  I've been looking for jobs but it's still pretty early to get serious about anything.  Please pray with us for a great job (I love the one I'm leaving here) and that we will at least break even on the house.   The housing situation didn't pan out quite like we had planned.  My dad lost his job just before we moved so our plans to add an apartment onto my parents' house were put on hold.  My house still hasn't sold so we're living in my parents' guest room.  It's probably best that it worked out this way.  I don't think I would have moved knowing we'd still be sharing a bedroom in my parents' house but it's worked out just fine.  My father has secured a great new job and I'm really hoping my house will sell soon.  (I can lower the price once I get my tax refund back.)  We should be able to move forward with the apartment addition once we get out of the deep winter freeze.  It took me ALL summer and almost 100 applications but I did find a teaching job.  It's not exactly what I'm passionate about but it's a smaller public school setting.  The people are great and there is a possibility of a much better fit for next year.  The aide that I work with is amazing and has done a great job of keeping me sane.  

A big bonus of moving is access to free babysitters---aka the grandparents! I have been blessed with amazing sitters for Sara after school and on her days off.  I would not be able to make it without them.  I also have respite care through a local agency but Sara will not stay with them.  (The emotional impact was not worth a few hours away.)  My parents adore Sara and she loves them.  They are pretty much the only ones I can leave her with without major tears and trauma.  (Although my dad learned at Christmas that she doesn't really like to go out without mom.)  Knowing that I will be able to run to the store alone occasionally or go to the doctor without a shadow is very relieving to me.  I'm glad that we've had these two years together to establish our little family but it's time to accept some help.  This mom is tired.  I got to go to small group yesterday!  Yay!

Now that I've admitted I'm exhausted, it's time to announce something else.  I might just be crazy but I'm planning to start another adoption once we are settled.  I have my eye on a little one but I'm hoping and praying she doesn't have to wait that long for a family.  (You know those prayers.  Dear God, please help me find her a family quickly.  If not, please let my agency have her file in the fall.  Because I want her to have a mom.  Soon.  But I really want to be her mom.)  I swore I would never go back to Sara's country but I think adoption is like labor.  It doesn't seem to bad from this side of things.  It was hard but totally worth it.   Sure.  I'd do it again.   That particular little girl has a mommy working very hard to bring her home.  She should be home soon and I'm so excited for her.  I'm glad she didn't have to wait for me.  And, yes, I am still planning to go back to Sara's country.  Crazy.  I know.  

Sara has adjusted so well and is becoming so independent.  She loves babies and I think will do really well with a younger sibling (once she learns to share mommy).  I've had people asking me for the last two years when I was going to adopt again.  Reading this little girl's file and really thinking about what life would look like with another one makes me think that the time is near.  As long as the transition to our new home and life goes well, I really think we'll be in a position to start a new adoption in the fall.  Fall!  Ha!!  I was definitely optimistic.  I'm now hoping to start a home study late this summer or next fall.  It all depends on the timing of the new apartment and the sale of my house.  Until that sells, I just don't have the funds to adopt again or raise another child.  

I have set up a Future Adoption Account and will change some of my advocacy and fund raising efforts in order to be as financially ready as possible when I can finally commit and start a home study.  (I know I won't save enough for the whole adoption by then but I'm hoping for enough to get me started.)  I'll be adding a small amount out of each pay check to the account.  I'll also be putting in any money that I make from selling items that we won't be moving.  (I love online garage sale sites!)  I'll be using my Swagbucks points to get paypal gift cards which I can transfer to the account.  I'll also be adding some money from Scarves and Skirts for Sara and Avon for Adoptions.  And once my car is paid off in the new few months, that account is really going to grow!  I set up an account through YouCaring to keep all the money secure until I can use it for my home study.  I didn't set it up to get straight up donations.  (Although I wouldn't turn them down.)  I believe firmly in working for the money I need to adopt and I will do so.  The YouCaring account was set up for donations from items that I am knitting through my facebook page Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  For now, my regular paycheck will go to paying down my mortgage so I can sell my home.  Once that is sold, any extra money I have will go to the adoption.  


I will continue to use Scarves and Skirts for Sara to raise money for friends who are adopting.  When I sell items, I usually charge twice what the yarn cost me plus shipping costs.  (There are a few exceptions.)  I keep half of the money from each sale to cover my costs.  Up until now, the other half has gone to an adopting family or waiting child.  Starting with any new orders, I will give 25% of the price to the current family or child and put the other 25% in my future adoption account.    For now, any donation I receive from orders that I come through my knitting page will go into my YouCaring account unless another beneficiary is specified by the purchaser.  I am not at all opposed to helping others and will donate to a family or waiting child if the buyer prefers.  Not everyone may be comfortable donating to a "future adoption" and I get that.  I'd rather have someone make a purchase and help another family than not make a purchase at all.  That helps no one.  

I will also continue to use Avon sales from Avon for Adoptions to help adopting families.  I have always donated my 20% commission to adopting families.  Starting March 1, when a family is holding a fund raiser, they will get 15% of each purchase and I will keep the other 5% for my future adoption fund.  If there is not an active fund raiser going on, all 20% will go into my savings account.  Until I am ready to officially start an adoption, my Avon for Adoption money will continue to go to help adopting families and waiting children.  Once my adoption has begun, I will keep the commission to help pay for the adoption.  

Please fell free to use my new Amazon Link when you shop.  A percentage of each purchase will go to my Future Adoption Fund.  

I realize this is probably a lot more technical information than a lot of you wanted but I really strive to be honest and forthcoming about all of my fundraising efforts--whether they are for myself or someone else. 

Those are the two big changes that I'm ready to vaguely announce for our little family.  Who knows what other changes our future holds.  Stay tuned.   Still wondering if that other change will ever pan out or not.  God's timing is definitely not the same as mine.  

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Some big changes are coming to our little family.  Big changes.

The first huge change is moving.  We are planning to move this summer to be closer to my family.  I've been almost 600 miles from my family since I finished college 15 years ago.  I've enjoyed my independence and never planned to move back.  But, kids change everything.  There are tons of reasons to stay and tons of reasons to move but I really want Sara to be near her family and that trumps the rest of the list.

My parents and I are working on a housing situation since rental options in the middle of no where are pretty limited.  I have almost finished the process to transfer my teaching license to NY.  (Although I'm open to lots of employment options.)  I've met with a Realtor and am cautiously optimistic about selling my house here.  I've been looking for jobs but it's still pretty early to get serious about anything.  Please pray with us for a great job (I love the one I'm leaving here) and that we will at least break even on the house.  

A big bonus of moving is access to free babysitters---aka the grandparents!  I have been blessed with amazing sitters for Sara after school and on her days off.  I would not be able to make it without them.  I also have respite care through a local agency but Sara will not stay with them.  (The emotional impact was not worth a few hours away.)  My parents adore Sara and she loves them.  They are pretty much the only ones I can leave her with without major tears and trauma.  (Although my dad learned at Christmas that she doesn't really like to go out without mom.)  Knowing that I will be able to run to the store alone occasionally or go to the doctor without a shadow is very relieving to me.  I'm glad that we've had these two years together to establish our little family but it's time to accept some help.  This mom is tired.

Now that I've admitted I'm exhausted, it's time to announce something else.  I might just be crazy but I'm planning to start another adoption once we are settled.  I have my eye on a little one but I'm hoping and praying she doesn't have to wait that long for a family.  (You know those prayers.  Dear God, please help me find her a family quickly.  If not, please let my agency have her file in the fall.  Because I want her to have a mom.  Soon.  But I really want to be her mom.)  I swore I would never go back to Sara's country but I think adoption is like labor.  It doesn't seem to bad from this side of things.  It was hard but totally worth it.   Sure.  I'd do it again.  

Sara has adjusted so well and is becoming so independent.  She loves babies and I think will do really well with a younger sibling (once she learns to share mommy).  I've had people asking me for the last two years when I was going to adopt again.  Reading this little girl's file and really thinking about what life would look like with another one makes me think that the time is near.  As long as the transition to our new home and life goes well, I really think we'll be in a position to start a new adoption in the fall.  

I have set up a Future Adoption Account and will change some of my advocacy and fund raising efforts in order to be as financially ready as possible when I can finally commit and start a home study.  (I know I won't save enough for the whole adoption by then but I'm hoping for enough to get me started.)  I'll be adding a small amount out of each pay check to the account.  I'll also be putting in any money that I make from selling items that we won't be moving.  (I love online garage sale sites!)  I'll be using my Swagbucks points to get paypal gift cards which I can transfer to the account.  I'll also be adding some money from Scarves and Skirts for Sara and Avon for Adoptions.  And once my car is paid off in the new few months, that account is really going to grow!

I will continue to use Scarves and Skirts for Sara to raise money for friends who are adopting.  When I sell items, I usually charge twice what the yarn cost me plus shipping costs.  (There are a few exceptions.)  I keep half of the money from each sale to cover my costs.  Up until now, the other half has gone to an adopting family or waiting child.  Starting with any new orders, I will give 25% of the price to the current family or child and put the other 25% in my future adoption account.  

I will also continue to use Avon sales from Avon for Adoptions to help adopting families.  I have always donated my 20% commission to adopting families.  Starting March 1, when a family is holding a fund raiser, they will get 15% of each purchase and I will keep the other 5% for my future adoption fund.  If there is not an active fund raiser going on, all 20% will go into my savings account.  

I realize this is probably a lot more technical information than a lot of you wanted but I really strive to be honest and forthcoming about all of my fundraising efforts--whether they are for myself or someone else.

Those are the two big changes that I'm ready to vaguely announce for our little family.  Who knows what other changes our future holds.  Stay tuned.

Christmas Scarves

Here is one of my Christmas Fund Raisers for Angel Tree.  $10 from each scarf purchase goes to help this little girl find her forever family.  

The scarves are made from beautiful Christmas ribbon.  They can be sewn into cowls upon request.

These fabrics are also available.  

These scarves are available for $15.

If ruffles aren't your thing, you can check out other hand knit items here.  50% of each purchase will go to Kimberley's grant.

If scarves and knit items don't interest you, you can order Avon items here.  10% of each purchase during October and November will go to Kimberley's grant.  During December, that number doubles to 20%!  Make sure to follow the Avon Facebook page to see current sales and new items.

The Angel Tree officially starts on November 1st.  During November and December, you will get an adorable ornament with Kimberley's picture for a donation of $35 or more.

From Unwanted to Wanted

My new friend Priscilla has started the Ribbon Box Project.  You can read the original story here on her blog.  The general idea is that someone gave Priscilla a box of ribbon.  The woman wanted to help her with her adoption but didn't have money.  Rather than just give up, she gave what she had.  A box of ribbon.

Priscilla has turned this into the Ribbon Box Project.  She's going to document every dollar that comes in from that box of ribbon so she can show this precious woman how much she really did give.  Above and beyond that, she is going to use these ribbons and other donated supplies, to make bows for other adopting families.  Priscilla is adopting.  She doesn't have cash to help other families.  But with donated items, she'll do what she can!

So here is where you come in.  I'd like to replicate her project with yarn.  (I wouldn't have a clue what to do with ribbon.)  If you or someone you know have yarn sitting around the house that you're never going to use or you just don't want, please send it my way.  If you are local, we can figure out a good time for me to pick it up.  If you aren't local, you can message me on my knitting page and I'll give you my address.  For the cost of shipping, you could help a child be united with their forever family!

I will take the yarn and make something new, usable, wanted.  These items will then have their own album on my knitting page.  They will be available at no cost to families who are adopting and fund raising.  They can use them for auctions, give-aways, or whatever they want.  The cost of the shipping of the finished products will be my donation.

By taking something unwanted, and giving it away, you can help a child who is very much wanted!

Angel Tree - Kimberley - Year 2

I'm not going to lie, I'm sad to be advocating and fund raising for Kimberley again this year.  I wasn't going to do the Angel Tree project again this year (I'm pretty busy with my own little munchkin, Avon sales, knitting, and 5/5/5 for families) but I just can't let this little girl down.  She needs someone to gush over her progress and take before and after pictures.  She needs a Christmas stocking and gifts.  She needs LOVE!  She NEEDS and DESERVES a family.  

I'll be working hard this Christmas season to raise money for her grant.  I hope that people will help by ordering items and sharing fund raisers.  More importantly, though, I'd love for my friends, family, and followers to SHARE HER!   She needs to be seen.  She needs to be loved and cherished.  

As you probably know, I found my daughter through an organization called Reece's Rainbow.  Each year at Christmas time, they have a huge Angel Tree project with a goal of raising $1,000 for hundreds of children on their site.  This money is held in a grant and then used to help pay for that child's adoption when a family is found.  (Sara had $0 in her grant when I committed to her.  $1,000 would have been a huge blessing!)  

Again this year, I have signed up to raise money and awareness for Kimberley.

She is an adorable 7-year-old in a country that I love in Latin America.  The country has a very small international adoption program.  For a long time, the country leaders felt that kids with Down syndrome were unadoptable.  Some brave families have worked very hard to change that perception.  Wouldn't it be great if Kimberley was the next one to show them that kids with Down syndrome are wanted by families?

I'm working on a virtual craft/vendor fair that will raise money for Kimberley, for my friend Emily's AT child, and for the school where I work.  This fund raiser has the potential to be huge.

I'm also thinking about ways to raise the rest of the money.  Just in case the local fund raiser isn't as epic as I'm planning.  

*All orders from my Scarves and Skirts for Sara page will benefit Kimberley during the months of October, November, and December.  It's not too early to think about special orders for Christmas!  I've found some great Christmas ruffle fabrics for really fun scarves.  

*10% of all AVON orders from my Avon site will benefit Kimberley during the months of October and November 20% of all sales from AVON will go to Kimberley during December.  (I am part of the Virtual Craft Fair that benefits the IDSC during October and November so they get 10% of all orders as well.)

*I will have some items in a large group auction that will benefit multiple children in November.  (I'll post the link as soon as I have it.)  

If you would like to help in any way, please let me know!  If you are interested in helping your own child this Christmas season, you can check out the Angel Tree page on Reece's Rainbow.

*Anyone who makes a donation of $35 or more to any child on the Angel Tree will receive an adorable ornament with the child's picture.  What a great gift for those people on your list who have everything!

Angel Tree Fundraisers

I am working to raise money for Kimberley's grant this Christmas season.  The goal is to raise $1,000!  I will keep this post updated with current fund raisers.  I hope you check back and help out where you can!  I will also keep an updated total of the money raised between November 1 and December 31st.

Current Fundraisers:
October 1-December 31:  Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  So far this has raised $21.50 for Kimberley.  50% of the selling price of each item will be donated to Kimberley's grant.  This includes Buy It Now items and special order items.

November 1-December 31 - Ornaments Available.  Any donation of $35 or more to Kimberley's grant will get you a beautiful Reece's Rainbow ornament with Kimberley's picture on it.

November 1-15:  Online Auction.  I am looking for donations if you have something that you can donate.  Here is a post with the current items.

November 1-27:  Colossal Crossroads Challenge.  This is a local event.  So far this has raised $348 for Kimberley.  

Upcoming Fundraisers:  
November:  Paparazzi Jewelry Sale..   There will be an online sale and a local party.  The local party will be on November 22nd.  The online sale will start shortly after.  (Just in time for Cyber Monday!)

Past Fundraisers:

October 1-12:  Cards for a Cause.  This event raised $261 for Kimberley.