Blessings A Hundred Fold: July 2010

There is SO much good that can happen from
just a little giving.
Pooled together, a flood of generosity and love will make a little girl's dream
a reality!

I have to admit, I wake up every morning in anticipation of what Rita may have posted as her day ends and mine begins. Will today be the day that they receive their P.A.? They are SOOOOO close and they have gone through so many hoops ... they must be exhausted in some sense ... and yet they are pursuing with gusto!

"Exhausted yet pursuing."--reminds me of the story of Gideon.

In the meantime, I thought it might be nice to have a refresher on the give-away, as the list is many posts back:

There is a little less than two months before the Chip-In closes on Sept. 10th for this stage of their fundraiser. And I am SURE with summer already half over (gulp!), and the start of school RIGHT around the corner the drawing will be here before we know it.

I bet some donations might really perk up the wait-time! Who's in for a little "refresher?"

Join the entries by:

1. Receive ONE entry simply for leaving an encouraging comment once for Rita and her family and pr*ying for them!

2. Receive ONE entry for your suggested donation of each $10.00 OR you can get FOUR entries each time you donate $25.00!

3. Receive TWO entries for posting about our fundraiser on YOUR blog/FB and linking it back to this blog. (*leave a comment to let me know where I can find it.)

4. Receive TWO entries for grabbing our fundraiser button (sidebar!) and posting it on your blog where I can see it! (*leave a comment to let me know where I can find it.)

5. Receive ONE entry by becoming a follower of THIS blog, "www.blessingsahundredfold.blogspot.com"

6. Receive TWO entries for donating an item to the give-away.

Make sure that you leave a comment about how many entries you qualify for (and make sure I have a way to contact you--in case you win, so we can get your prize to you!)
Please do not

leave separate comments for each entry. All in one comment is fine :-)

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The Rippee's Adoption Fundraiser List of Prizes:

MeiFaith Studio

Shelley is an adoptive mom to two beautiful little girls from China. She and her husband are currently in the process of bringing home a son and brother for their family of two girls and by the time this auction closes, they will be on their way to a family of 5!

At her MeiFaith Studio, Shelley designs exquisite jewelry! You really must go check it out! I won a beautiful necklace at a recent fundraiser that she created from gems from her previous adoption trips to China. It is gorgeous! So when she offered to donate to this fundraiser too, I was thrilled! She has such a big heart for orphans.

Shelley is donating these two stunning pieces of jewelry that the winner will be sure to treasure for their beauty and also the story of the creator behind them. Stop over to her etsy-site to see more of her work ... because she is also including a 50% off store coupon for anything in her etsy- store for each jewelry winner! Happy Shopping!

A.) PURPLE PASSION Semi Precious Amethyst Fresh Water Pearl Sterling Silver Matching Necklace and Earrings Set--Retail price $55

(From the artist: This matching necklace & earring set is all about the color PURPLE, PURPLE and more PURPLE! Both are made with the finest stones...Semi Precious Amethyst, Fresh Water Pearls (both creamy white and purple buttons), Austrian Crystals, and Sterling Silver...I could find. The necklace is also made with non-tarnish memory wire so you won't have the hassle of clasps or hooks, while the earrings are also made with sterling silver hooks. I did construct thisnecklace with a bit more of a length in case you don't like that true choker style and the earrings measure a little under 2".--PLUS ~ there will be a coupon for 50% off {with no experation} any item listed in the studio's etsy store! )

B.) THE FAR EAST Large Sky Blue Indian Turquoise Round Amethyst Red Coral Sterling Silver Necklace Pendant--Retail price $28

(From the artist: Listed here is a new pendant that I actually just completed! The design on paper started off nothing what became as the end result - it is even better! With using only the finest materials...one very large sky blue Indian turquoise, some semi precious round Amethyst, some 4mm accent red corals and sterling silver...I could find, this pendant is becoming a fast favorite! This pendant measures 3" in length and the Indian Turquoise bead itself measures 1 1/2". This pendant will truly make "a statement" whenever you wear it!
--PLUS ~ there will be a coupon for 50% off {with no experation} any item listed in the studio's etsy store! )

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It's Poppy Dip

This adorable dress is from It's Poppy Dip. Sallee is a very talented lady who not only sews all the dresses for her store, yes, they are all 100% made with her own love, but she also has a huge heart for orphans. Sallee, has three bio and two adopted children. They are currently working on bringing home their next family member very soon! Sallee has heartfully created and donated this beautiful size 5T dress just especially for this auction!

Her collection is so adorable you're going to want to check it out and bookmark it. What a blessing she is to so many ... and so many little girls especially!

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Firefly Photo Jewelry

Shawna, at Firefly Photo Jewelry, is an amazing lady. Not only is she a terrific mom to two adorable daughters, she also is a fine jewelry designer AND a fabulous photographer! If you're a follower of either of our blogs you may remember THIS post where we discovered that after two years of seeing each other at church AND having our kids attend school together that we actually knew each other from years ago when she was a summer camper at the church camp where I was HER camp counselor! Oh isn't God just so fun in the details of life! What a beautiful woman that camper has become! She is generously gifting us with 2 beautiful necklaces! I just LOVE these ... but make sure to check out her site to see ALL of her wonderful creations!

I love you to the Moon Hand Stamped Soldered Pendant Necklace

DESCRIPTION

Every night before bed I tell my girls "I love you all the way to the moon and back." This necklace is a perfect reminder to any mom about how much love we have for our children. A 3/4 inch double sided photo pendant is next to a moon shaped sterling silver disk holding the ever popular quote from the children's book. A little freshwater pearl completes the look. Pendants dangle from a 18 inch sterling silver chain.

Handstamped adoption necklace- Born In My Heart.

DESCRIPTION
{Perfect necklace for the adopted mom}
A handstamped 7/8 inch sterling silver disk with words {born in my heart}. Overlapping is a silver heart with a clear crystal in the center.
Hung from an 18 inch sterling silver chain.
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Kay Bratt
Kay has graciously donated an autographed copy of the Encore edition of Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage for our fundraiser. She will be glad to personalize it especially to your child, to be read when they are old enough to understand the realities of institutional life in China.

Silent Tears is the true story of the adversity and triumphs one woman faced as she fought against the Chinese bureaucracy to help that country’s orphaned children. It is an incredible book that will light the fire within you to make a difference for so many in the world who do not have a voice! I read it ... and it's why I'm doing this very blog fundraiser today!
Kay is an amazing woman and continues to advocate for orphans. She is the founder of the Mifan Mommy Club, an online organization which provides rice for children in China’s orphanages, and is also an active volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abusedand neglected children. Kay currently resides in Georgia with her husband and her daughter.

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Scarlet Threads

Carrie from Scarlet Threads contacted me the other day to let me know that Scarlet Threads wanted to donate one of their aprons. If you don't know about Scarlet Threads you must go check out their web-site. Scarlet Threads is based in a rural Chinese village.
It is a compassionate boutique, specializing in unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses in rural Asia. All Scarlet Threads products are fairly traded and created in compliance with their core vision and values in mind: making a positive impact on economic development, making a difference on impoverished communities, as well as a way to give back to a community.

WORK. DIGNITY. BEAUTY.
It's a beautiful thing!
One lucky winner will receive this beautiful "Anna" apron.
"Functional yet fun, this apron is perfect for kneading the sweetest dough. Combining retro flowers with a geometric pattern, the dark blue fabric is a perfect blend of funky and feminine. The eye-catching button on the adjustable neck-strap makes this apron a perfect fit for any woman! A favorite among many of our testers, this apron is up to your toughest kitchen tasks. We know you'll love it; just promise to share the cookies!"

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GirlyGirl Bowtique Package

Kelly is an amazing artist who has a HUGE heart for orphans like many of the contributors to our fundraiser. She has been a joy to work with in the past as we have collaborated cross-country to make outfits together for the Love Without Boundaries Art Auction! Her talents run deep in SO many areas. Which is obvious from her incredible hair bow bowtique! Her "bowtique" specializes in adorable, gorgeous and funky hair-bobs and bows for girls. But she doesn't stop there, she also has fabulous things for moms too with headbands and key fobs! Stop by and check out her studio and support her as her family prepares for their own adoption journey to unfold very soon!

Kelly is donating a special bowtique package especially for The Rippee Fundraiser. Check back for photos--you'll sure to be delighted!

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Girly Girl Bowtique $20 Gift Certificate

Kelly at Girly Girl Bowtique also has a $20 gift certificate for anything in her store that I happened to win on my very first donation to an adoption fund-raiser last Fall! I would like to have her transfer that certificate over as a donation to this fundraiser!
Yes, I have three boys myself ... with no hope of a girl anywhere on the horizon, it might seem funny that I was SO EXCITED to win this prize at Mandi's fundraiser. But I was! I cannot explain it fully ... but I knew God had big plans for this prize (besides the fact that she has cool stuff.)
Sure, Kelly has great things for moms and I have lots of friends with little girls to bless ... but as we see here now, God has the perfect plan for things in the end doesn't He?!

I cannot wait to see who wins this and the joy of adoption gets passed along!

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Junk Posse

Tracy from Junk Posse is an extremely creative artist who loves to create things from "found items" others have castaway. Her work is beautiful and it reveals her deep passion for orphans. I have seen her beautiful jewelry mentioned on so many blogs during the last year, you truly must go and check out her site and you will discover so many beautiful treasures and her beautiful and generous heart! By the way, she is an Adoptive Mom & Grandma of 2 Amazing Guys and 2 Beautiful Bio Girls. Adoption is a family-thing for this artist and it shows in her amazing work!

She is donating a gorgeous "China Necklace," valued at $70.00! (photo to come soon!)

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Jewels of My Heart

Daleea from Jewels of My Heart is truly a gem herself! She and her family are immersed in so many beautiful avenues in order to bring their daughter/sister, Isabella, home. If you have not seen her 3,000 Bracelets Campaign you simply MUST check it out! She is keeping these bracelets set apart and extra-special from her other work in order that each bracelet that is sold in the Campaign (3,000 in total) will be a beautiful legacy to her daughter about the journey her family embarked upon to bring her home. It's simply beautiful. Please support them in this fundraiser specifically for their daughter!

She also makes these adorable note cards at Bella Blush Notecards and is offering 2 packages: "LuLu Friendship Note Cards" and "Sophie Friendship Note Cards." Each NOTE CARD SET includes:
10 Blank Note Cards (with a small IzzyBella girl on the inside bottom right corner)

10 Envelopes w/coordinating Envelope Seals

10 Picture Insert Cards (has the coordinating IzzyBella Sweeting on the front and the information about her on the back. Suitable for framing)

Measures 5.47" x 4.21"

Each set has been professionally printed. They are bundled with a decorative ribbon and sealed in a cellophane bag.

One Note Card Set

Version A: LuLu-Friendship Note Cards

Version B: Sophie-Friendship Note Cards

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Debbie Gentile

I met Debbie when I sent in my first quilting submission to the Love Without Boundaries Art Auction last Spring. Debbie is the LWB Art Auction Coordinator and is an adoptive mom herself! It was by chance that Debbie found out about this fundraiser and I'm so glad she did. I happened to email Debbie looking for some contact information for another artist who donated this year to the LWB Auction. She not only graciously offered to pass along my email to the artist I requested, but she also offered this beautiful photo for our prize list! Entitled, "Sisterhood," it was taken by Debbie at her daughter's China reunion. Not only is it artful and adorable, she also made it available for others to purchase and raised nearly $2000 for a little boy's heart surgery through LWB. What a heroic tale this photo has to tell--the sisterhood helping a brother in need! SO sweet!
The winner will receive a matted 8x 10 black and white photo ready for framing!

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Heather

Heather is an incredible mom of 5 ... going on 6 beautiful children--3 bio and soon to be 3 adopted! She has an incredibly beautiful heart, which I discovered as G*d perfectly timed our meeting. She won my interior vinyl lettering donation from the Operation Giggle Christmas gift program for ND in December. Little did I know that she was advocating SO deeply for a very special little boy that we share a passion pr*ying over, then AND now! Heather has been using these camera strap covers to raise money for her upcoming adoption of their son AND to help this other precious child. If you don't win one here, definitely check out her etsy site which will go live in June (or contact her via email at straps4china@cox.net.)
She has blessed me by offering to donate FIFTEEN! of these camera straps. They fit DSL cameras (see measurements below) ... and although I can't supply that part of the deal, I am sure that these will be SO cool on one that you already have or will get down the road (what better excuse to buy the camera than because you won a camera strap!) She has many seriously cool fabrics to choose from, here are the 15 that she is donating! (And as a side note, I'm thinking it would look cool on my diaper bag strap!)

From the artist:

Make your camera FUN and make a DIFFERENCE at the same time! This is an easy way to customize your camera with no worries about the integrity of the manufacturer strap. This cover slips right over your current camera strap! Each strap is 100% cotton, removable and machine washable! Easy to change to suit your style - Buy a couple and switch them out!! Measurements: Fits most SLR DSLR Canon or Nikon cameras. Approximately 24 inches long x 2 ½ inches wide (actually opening to accommodate the strap is 2 ¼ inches wide)

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HEATHER is also donating a $50.00 gift certificate to Amazon.com! Who couldn't find a hundred good uses for this?! Thank you Heather!

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Rufflestiltskins

Melanie is an adoptive mom to THREE Chinese treasures and has offered to donate a gift certificate for $50.00 toward anything through her website, rufflestiltskins.com. These tights are super cute and comfy and come in various sizes, colors, and designs.Ruffle Stiltskins is owned and operated by Melanie and the best thing other than the tights is that Melanie donates a portion of every order to Love Without Boundaries. So whether it's for a cool summer's day/evening or if you're already anticipating Fall, these footless tights are a must for your little princess! Oh, and they are super inexpensive. (I LOVE the Fourth of July ones in the photo!)

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Wheat and Wildflowers

I recently discovered Wheat and Wildflowers while reading a friend's blog. What a find! I just love how these threads are woven together from person to person between blogs!
Kimberly, at Wheat and Wildflowers, designs jewelry with heart and personality that would make any outfit and heart sing louder! She has a sweet heart herself for adoption and has enthusiastically offered a $50 gift certificate to anything in her store of the winner's choice. Her items are all incredibly reasonable in price and the photography of her jewels is pretty sweet as well. You'll enjoy the task of browsing! Check it out!
These are some of MY favorites!

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Molly

Molly and her family just returned from China with a beautiful treasure in their son, Evan. Despite the fact that she is probably more than busy enough settling back into things at home, she has generously offered these 2 handcrafted and designed, beautifully-beaded watches for this adoption fundraiser. Thank you Molly! She has an incredible heart for orphans and such a deep love of the Lord! What a blessing she is to so many! (Make sure to notice her use of red wire securing the watch face to the beading ... representing "the red thread." What sweet details!)
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Valerie
I am offering a few things from my studios as well:

First is a little painted chair. It's just the right size for little bums to take a rest and is great for playrooms or to pair with a little table. It even sweetens the occasional "time-out" spot! (Who says ya can't look cute while learning a lesson?)
Dimensions are 23"h x 12"w x 12"d

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Also, I will be offering a $30.00 gift certificate toward a custom designed vinyl wall art saying from my store, Wit & Wisdom Interior Lettering. This is just one example that has been quite popular. Possibilities are endless and adds a unique touch to any home!

"For I know the plans ... Jeremiah 29:11"
Size: approx. 34" width
Colors: Black over Gold
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Sharon Ankerich--SewShay

The Rainbow Roll

I was SO excited to receive an email from Sharon offering one of these adorable AND handy art supply organizers for this auction! She is such a blessing to so many people and very generous as I've seen her donations on other fundraisers as well. Sharon and her family are currently in pursuit of the adoption of their daughter ShayLeeJoy and every dime that she earns from her beautiful and clever creations goes to help bring her daughter home! Definitely make a point to click over to her site and check out her other items as well. Her fabric choices are beautiful, the hard part will be deciding on just one!

The Rainbow Roll is a great way to get your child's art supplies organized and ready to travel. All the colors in the rainbow fit in this handy little roll. It holds 16 regular crayons, twistable crayons, or pipsqueak markers (skinny ones). This little roll is very compact and will fit in your purse, a small backpack, or your coat pocket. It is made from 100% cotton fabric and features 16 individual pockets for crayons or markers. When rolled up, it is secured with a covered button stretchable band. Sharon will be choosing a special fabric combination for the fundraiser winner of this prize.

http://shopsewshay.blogspot.com (Valued at $18)

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ella bella designs

Adoption Announcements

Jenna at ella bella designs is donating her talents of creating beautiful custom adoption announcements! As an adoptive mother herself (and in the process of bringing home #2 right now!) she realized that there was a need for custom designing for adoptions announcements in particular. Amen. Have you ever tried to find an adoption card let alone an announcement?! It is not a short and easy process! However, the winner of this prize will have their adoption announcing in good hands! And if you are not the lucky winner or if you don't want to wait or take the chance, you simply MUST stop by her site!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ejstoll

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Jewels of My Heart

http://orphaned-no-more.blogspot.com/
"A VERY sweet person" has donated a bracelet of the WINNER'S Choosing from Daleea's 3,000 Bracelets Campaign to bring her daughter home!

You may remember Daleea from the earlier posting of prizes. She generously donated 2 sets of adorable cards (see the first post of prizes below listed under her name.)
She and her family are immersed in so many beautiful avenues in order to bring their daughter/sister, Isabella, home. Her 3,000 Bracelets Campaign is a fundraiser set apart and extra-special from her other work in order that each bracelet that is sold in the Campaign (3,000 in total) will be a beautiful legacy to her daughter about the journey her family embarked upon to bring her home. It's simply beautiful. Imagine the joy you'll feel every time you look at your beautiful bracelet realizing it is a link in a 3,000 bracelet chain linking a child to their forever family!
What a gift! Check out ALL the beautiful choices at her site. You really should have more than one!
http://orphaned-no-more.blogspot.com/

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Ruffled Feathers
Valerie--My other new venture/adventure is making little girl skirts under the company name "Ruffled Feathers." I'm donating a $25 gift certificate to anything on my site to a lucky winner! www.ruffledfeatherscompany.blogspot.com

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Baby Be Blessed Dolls
http://babybeblesseddolls.com/

The folks at BabyBeBlessed have generously donated a gift certificate of $56! Enough to cover a PERSONALIZED doll including s/h!

Are you familiar with these dolls? If not, hold onto your heart because they are SO adorable!

See?!
Isn't your heart all floppy and full now?!

And there is another layer of beauty as well. Look at this personalized tummy!

Here is a little bit about BabyBeBlessed from their site:

"Baby be Blessed is a doll m*nistry. We are a family of stay-at-home Chr*st*an Mommies who love the L*rd and desire to share His hope and truth! Each handmade doll has the Word of G*d printed on a patch sewn to their belly. Our mission and deepest desire is for each child to come to know, understand and live for J*sus Chr*st.

We pray that each child who receives a Baby be Blessed Doll would be ready to hear, accept and embrace that truth! We encourage each parent to stand on the strong foundation of G*d's Word and to teach it. We pray that these dolls would be a part of the tools you would use to do that."
"Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

(I've added the * in places to keep this website a bit safer for those reading it in restricted places--please understand that this is to help keep this blog open to more people and not meant to take anything away from His glory! Thanks for understanding!)

Check out their site at
http://babybeblesseddolls.com/
They also have pre-made dolls (both girls and boys and animals) and doll accessories and clothing.
And also a separate blog found here: http://babybeblessed.blogspot.com

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*Please note that if you do not already have a PayPal account or are uncomfortable using one, you are welcome to send your donations direct via the postal mail and you will still be entered in the drawings for the prizes. Feel free to email me directly at the address on the sidebar if you wish to mail your donation and I will send you the address. You can also send me an email me if you do not wish to publicly comment on this blog, or do not have a profile set up for commenting.

I want to respect everyone's right to privacy.... and I love hearing from all of you!--Rita Randy