ArtsAlive is starting up

So, I mentioned before that I was hoping to start teaching some art classes this next semester.  Well, after many, many (too many) hours brainstorming, planning, and putting together a website, I am excited to present to you...

...ArtsAlive!  Where creativity comes to life.

I swing back and forth between being super excited and confident to being terrified and certain that no-one will sign up.

It's a big leap for me, and full of much vulnerability, but here we go...

If you want to love this girl, check out the website, "like" my Facebook page, sign up for an upcoming class or event, and SPREAD THE WORD!

Thanks!

And the winner is...

At the conclusion of the adoption fundraiser, the donations totaled $480!

Thank you to all who gave.

Matt and Bronwyn are so thankful.

I used a random number generator on the internet to draw a winner.  I was kind of nervous for the few seconds that my computer was spinning its wheels.  :)

But, now I can announce that the winner of all the give away goodies is Kira Buser.  

I'm excited to get her all the great products!

More about Matt and Bronwyn

If you haven't read about the adoption fundraiser yet, be sure to read these posts first...
ADOPTION FUNDRAISER RAFFLE
ONE MORE ITEM

With two days left of the Adoption Fundraiser raffle, I thought I'd share more with you about our friends, Matt and Bronwyn.  It's always nice to know something about the people to whom we donate money.

T and I have known these guys for about five years now.  It really is a God kind of story to think about how we became friends, but that is for another conversation.  They are some of the hardest working, most dedicated, creative, and adventurous people I know.  After traveling the country and working seasonally at Denali National Park in Alaska for several years, they eventually made their way here to put down roots.  Their desire to be near family and to cultivate lasting friendships is what convinced them to embrace a permanent location, though I think Matt would love to be traveling and exploring much more than life allows.  

Together, they own the #1 floral shop in town, and they devote much of their time and energy to serving people through beautiful arrangements of flowers for any event.  Bronwyn is an artist who paints and knits and gardens when she can sneak a minute to herself.  Matt loves to fish, hunt, garden, and cook amazing food.  And not only do they have brand new little Delila to care for, but they have two biological daughters as well.  Our children adore their girls, and love any time we get with them.  Here is a laughable photo from time together at Halloween.

The most compelling thing T and I have come to know about these two is their earnest love of the Lord.  I got to be with Bronwyn when she chose to follow Jesus, four years ago today, and that was a gift I'll always cherish.  Since that day, she and Matt have been wanting to let God guide their lives, and over the past year or so it became evident to them that they were being challenged to consider adoption.  Recently, their hearts for adopting another daughter swelled to almost bursting, and now God has answered their prayers in Delilah.  We got to visit them and meet the sweet baby last weekend, and they were already so in love with her.

In the coming weeks the various medical and attorney bills will start rolling in, and whatever monies you share via donation will be a huge blessing to these guys.  I know they will be humbly thankful.

One more item you could win...

My friend, Julie, who blogs at Breezy Acres Farm, was super sweet to rummage through her supplies and pull together these adorable felt hair clips for our fundraiser raffle!  When Julie and her husband were trying to raise money to adopt a little girl from China, they got creative and made these to sell, among other things.  Thankfully, they were able to bring sweet Katee home from China just over a year ago and she has made huge strides!  Their story is a challenging one of prayer, faith, surrender, and love.  You should read more about it on her blog.

Anyway, when I contacted Julie about this fundraiser raffle, she was stirred emotionally, thinking of all the people who loved and supported them in their adoption.  She was excited to help.  So, she searched and found a couple Katee clips leftover to donate.  Aren't they adorable?!?

Remember, if you want a chance to win these, along with the other great items listed in the previous post, click the "Donate" link in the upper right sidebar and give $10 or more.  You'll receive one raffle entry for each $10 you donate.

The drawing will take place on Friday, so whatcha waitin' for!?!

Adoption Fundraiser (UPDATED)

Whew!  I promised I'd post this soon, but I had no idea just how soon our friends' baby girl would arrive.  She is already here and in Matt and Bronwyn's loving arms!  This has truly been a whirlwind of an adoption, and most of the details have been exchanged via text message in the midst of their hustle and bustle.  But this is what I know.  Delilah, as they have named her, was born Monday afternoon, the birth mom signed papers yesterday, and now they are waiting at the hospital for the next few days to make sure the sweet girl clears all her medical tests.  Isn't she adorable!?!

Matt and Bronwyn have a good amount of money to help pay for the adoption, but they are still needing to raise about $15,000 to cover all the costs they are anticipating.  That's a good chunk of change, but folks all around their lives are rallying to try to help.  So, here on the "Confetti" blog I am hosting a raffle fundraiser* with some pretty amazing items you could win.  Many of them you could even use as Christmas gifts.  Check it out!

My sister-in-law, Tiffany, over at A Lady With a Baby has donated this chic apron.  She is quite the seamstress and has an amazing eye for style.  Who wouldn't feel sexy cooking in this?  Tiffany and several other talented ladies have teamed up to sell their handmade and vintage products at a little store called The Cottage Collective near Wichita, KS.  They hold once-a-month weekend sales that are not to be missed!  Their next one is just before Christmas, so if you are able, you should check them out for any last minute Christmas gifts.  You can find more info on that HERE.

Next up is a collection of adorable Christmas stationary from my friend, Brooke, at The Primitive Poppy.  Brooke is also part of The Cottage Collective I mentioned above and her things are so quaint and cute.  These bicycle cards and gift tags are sure to bring people a bit of cheer this Christmas.  And a crazy, ironic side note about Brooke is that she and her husband have been at a hospital in Illinois the past few days, adopting a little newborn daughter into their family as well!  I saw a photo and she is super sweet, I must say.

These next handcrafted items are from yours truly.  First is a set of seven blocks that spell out a "Welcome" greeting.  The blocks are independent of one another, so you can display them in a straight line or in a more creative arrangement.  Secondly is a 9x11 framed art piece composed of various papers and mat boards to create texture and a sense of depth.  Surely you can picture these in the home of someone you know.

And finally, here is the JACKPOT!  My friend, Judy, has a super trendy hair salon named Urbanity where she creates her own kind of art with people's hair.  If you are anywhere near Manhattan, you really should go visit her.  Now here is the best part...to help you with your own personal styling, Judy has donated some great products.

.........UPDATE........

Here is the photo and official description of the products from Urbanity.  Judy is offering a Chi purple flat iron, Professional grade 1 1/2" curling iron, Pureology dry shampoo, dry conditioner,  and Kenra finishing spray with travel size dry shampoo and conditioner.

These described items could ALL BE YOURS!  So, how do you win?  

See that nifty little "DONATE" button on the top right of my blog?  Click on that and complete the donation process with any amount you are able to give.  It is securely powered by Paypal, but you can give even without a paypal account.

*Please know that I will handle your donated funds with integrity and pass 100% on to Matt and Bronwyn.  At the end of the fundraiser, I will post to tell you the grand total we raised for them, so we can celebrate together.

I will enter your name in the raffle drawing once for each $10 you give.

Know that any amount will help!  

The raffle drawing will take place next Friday, December 6th so you have just over one week to get entered to win!

Thanks for considering helping our friends this way!

And read these additional posts I've written since this one...
ONE MORE ITEM
MORE ABOUT MATT AND BRONWYN