Hidden Treasures - One Small Thing

There is a new Hidden Treasures auction going on now to support another super special family on their way to their super special son! Here's a perfect opportunity to do One Small Thing to make a BIG difference this month!

• Share about Hidden Treasures with your friends & family.
• Follow the Hidden Treasures Blog.
• Check out the current auction & tweet your favorite item.
• Bid on something special for a Christmas gift that GIVES even more! 

Starting bids as low as $5!
Ends 12/7/12

NOVEMBER - National Adoption Month

If you've been around Hopeful Threads for a while, you already know that adoption is a special topic for me for a variety of reasons. I've shared many of those here with you. 

November is National Adoption Month and I just wanted to take a moment to share once again and provide some links to some amazing organizations where you can learn more and show your support.

Dave Thomas Foundation facebook page.

CASA for Children

Hope For Orphans

Whether you are part of a family considering adoption or can support someone who is, it matters!

NEW Hidden Treasures Auction!!!

Please take a moment to visit the Hidden Treasures auction and see all the beautiful items that have been donated and are available for your bids! Money raised will be used to help cover the adoption expenses for a precious family on the journey to their little girl, Carissa.
Click the image below to head straight to the excitement!
REMEMBER.....the Holidays are just around the corner, get some of your shopping done and make a difference for this special family at the same time!

AdoptUSKids

Because it's a rare occasion to talk about foster care and not be asked about adoption, I'll end this month's project to "Give Hope" by sharing a link to AdoptUSKids.org

This website it dedicated to helping ready-to-adopt children in foster care find their forever families.

You can also find AdoptUSKids on facebook and twitter.

Give Hope - "Thirty-One" products with a purpose!

Today I want to share with you about a business idea that was developed in a mother's heart and continues for the sole purpose of providing for children in need. If you've been around Hopeful Threads for long, then you probably aren't a stranger to it, but it ties in to our "Give Hope" efforts this month and I believe so strongly in what she is doing, that I want to share with you again!

Assisting Adoption was created by an adoptive mother looking for a way to support other families on the fundraising journey of adoption. Currently, she is doing this by way of selling Thrity-One products.

It's simple really, the family that is adopting, or better yet, a friend or family member that wants to support them on their journey, hosts a Thirty-One event. This can be a home show where folks gather together to discuss the products or an on-line party like I hosted here last month in support of China Little Flower.

After the order is complete, my friend then donates her commission to the adopting family or organization allowing her to give back in a way that is very meaningful to her and her family.
( I know, isn't she the BOMB!?!? )

In addition to the commission $ for the family/organization, (this is how the Hopeful Threads fundraiser funded a month's salary for one of the nannies at China Little Flower!) the host/hostess receives benefits and free products as well based on the amount of the overall party sales.

That is how I earned this PILE of drawstring "Cinch Sacs" and totes to be filled with goodies for children in foster care this month!!!

That's right....these didn't cost me a PENNY!!!! 

The fundraiser earned enough "hostess credit" to pay for these in full! PLUS, earn me a few 1/2 price and designated free items for gifts for my family! Not bad huh!?!?! And remember, this is IN ADDITION to the $$ raised for one of my favorite organizations!

"Thirty-One" products are really incredible too! Very well made and functional, everything I have received has exceeded my expectations! It delights me to be able to give such quality items to the children in foster care in our community! I know it will provide at least a glimmer of HOPE to them on a very difficult day and that pleases my heart.

If you are adopting or support an organization that provides for children in need, orphans or adopting families and would like more information about hosting your own party as a fundraiser, be sure to check out her website....she's GREAT at her job and will do whatever she can to help your event be a success!

  If you are a person that enjoys "Thirty-One" products, perhaps you'll consider shopping from any one of her current fundraisers whenever it is time for you to place an order. You don't have to know the family to support what they are doing....and what a blessing this surprise gift would be!
A simple and inexpensive way to "Give Hope". My girls and I are having so much fun getting these stuffed with goodies to deliver! More on that throughout the week with lots more simple ideas for how you can help too.  Bless & Be Blessed, Kristy

Support FAMILY

One great way to extend your love of FAMILY is to support those that are growing their own families through the gift of adoption. Adoption expenses are not small, and unlike with naturally born children, insurance does not help cover the cost. Therefore, it is often necessary for families to raise funds to cover the actual expense of adoption. That's where Hidden Treasures comes in.

 Hidden Treasures is one of several avenues I have found and use to provide ongoing support for multiple families on the journey to adopt. Every couple of months there is an auction of donated items where the funds raised go directly to the adoptive family sponsored that month, to help with their adoption expenses. Hidden Treasures also provides updates about the past families supported so you are able to see how your gifts continue to grow.

There is an auction currently open, and I invite you to take this opportunity to show your support of Family by visiting. Maybe even becoming a regular follower so you can keep up with families and upcoming auctions. Maybe considering what you might be able to contribute as a donation for a future auction. Maybe bidding on items currently being offered. 

Family is no doubt the greatest treasure.

Supporting FAMILY within our own homes and outside of them is ALWAYS a good thing!

Bless & Be Blessed,

Kristy

Hidden Treasures AUCTION!

The next Hidden Treasures auction is scheduled to begin this Friday, June 1st!

Click the image above to find out  more. 

Do you have a handmade gift you can offer for the auction? Then be sure to email the auction coordinator, Amy, and let her know! hiddentreasuresauction@gmail.com  She'll be delighted to hear from you and it's sure to be a blessing on both sides!

Here's a little peek at something I'm offering...

 You'll have to check out the auction Friday to see the rest! ;)

Final Day of Hidden Treasure Auction!

Final day of bidding for the current Hidden Treasures auction.
Be sure to stop by and show your support!
 

Assisting Adoption...Thirty-One Gifts with a PURPOSE! + Giveaway!

I imagine most of you are probably familiar with Thirty-One products. They are certainly popular right now and with due cause....I mean they ARE super cute and practical!

 Well, today I want to offer you a way to get your favorite Thirty-One products while supporting an adopting family at the same time....no extra effort required!

Anne, the mama behind Assisting Adoption has been through the adoption process twice now! Knowing the challenges of fundraising firsthand, she decided to find a way to help. As a Thirty-One consultant, she provides the opportunity for fundraising family's to host a product show with her commission going towards their adoption fund. YES! You read that right! Isn't she great!?!!?

This is one of her darling babies, Ellie-Bug! I just love her to pieces!

So, whether you are adopting yourself and looking for a unique fundraiser or whether you like to purchase Thirty-One products and would now like for those purchases to support an adopting family, make sure to check out Assisting Adoption! You even get to choose the family your purchases support!
**BONUS!** She just so happens to be hosting a GIVEAWAY on her blog right now for this lovely bag...

...so I know you'll want to jump over and read all about it here!

You can go directly to her Thirty-One website here.

Find out which fundraising families are currently being supported, and follow all the regular updates on her facebook page here.

Another simple way to help another!

Hidden Treasures Auction FINAL CHANCE!

It's the final day of bidding at the Hidden Treasures Auction. Don't miss your chance to bid on all the amazing items! Click the image to take you straight to the auction! :)

Thanks for making a difference in the lives of others!

Fundraising Family - Meet the Peduzzis!

Today I want to introduce you to a very special family on a very special journey. Please say "Hello!" to the Peduzzis!

This precious couple is on their way to their son in Russia! As a matter of fact, they will be in Russia starting tomorrow through February 12th fulfilling all of the in country court requirements for completing their adoption and then flying back February 19th to bring their son home! So exciting that they are in the final stage of uniting their family! This gives us a unique opportunity to support them in these final days. They have a couple of final fundraisers going on right now to help tie up those last expenses, which only totals about $3000 right now. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing for them to return home to find all those expenses were fully covered due to the generosity of strangers?

They aren't allowed to share pics of sweet Hudson yet, but here's a glimpse of the bond that's already being built...

Make sure to take a minute to visit their blog, Numbering Our Days leave some encouraging words and see how you can be a part of welcoming precious Hudson home!

When I asked Melissa to share her story with us, she was very excited to do so and this is what she had to say....

Before Ryan and I were even engaged, I spent a summer working in the orphanages of Romania, and my heart was broken and burdened for each and every child there.  More than this, my heart was broken for all children who are never given the chance to experience the love of a mother and father in a stable home; for all children who are beyond any hunger we have ever felt and are not guaranteed another meal; for all children who long to hear about the love of Christ, but have no one to tell them.  God spoke to me here, and put His plan in my heart. In His timing, and in His way, I would be a mother to children such as these.  Through my experiences and stories, as well as his own journeys, God created a very similar heart in Ryan concerning adoption, and we both agreed that it was the time to begin the process in May 2010.  

From the moment we have thought about children, we have pursued adoption. We didn't stumble here happenstance or after another way to begin our family failed, but we are here because God has called us. This is our journey. We don't understand it all, or have it all together. We are sometimes excited and other times scared. But we know we are following God's plan for our life. This is the way He set out for us. So, we follow, knowing that He is the one directing our steps.  He has been teaching us a lot as we follow Him down this bumpy, curvy, exciting path. 

We were matched with our son, Hudson, in July of 2011.  Par for the course in our crazy lives as Student Ministers, we received the call about our son while we were at Summer Camp with a group of students.  It was a wild, crazy, overwhelming, unbelievable experience to see the face of our child for the first time while he was still thousands of miles away.  The plan was to travel to meet him in August, and have him home no later than Thanksgiving.   We felt like we were on top of the world. 

But, nothing is certain in adoption, and after one unfortunate circumstance after another, we were in danger of losing our son with no travel dates in site.  We fought hard to trust God and seek His face, knowing He was up to something good, even though it felt like our world was crumbling around us.  I learned to be joy-filled in Him, not in my circumstances, and more about faith and trust than I ever would have experienced otherwise. 

We finally traveled to meet Hudson in November, and we love this little boy more than I can express already.  We are still fighting to bring him home, trusting God in the details!  We have a court date set for February, and we will bring him home in March (if all goes according to plan! :))!  We have watched all throughout the journey as God has multiplied what we had (very little) with all that He is (EVERYTHING!) and each step has been provided for as we needed to take it.  As we are down to the wire, we are lacking about $3000 to be completely funded.  God has been so faithful!

If you would like to join us in the journey to bring Hudson home, we have several ways you can be a part!  AND, by helping him home, you will be entered in a GIVEAWAY to win a BRAND NEW digital camera, printer, and accessories!

1.  For each dollar donated through the ChipIn, your name will be entered once!  $5=5 times, and so on!

2.  When you make a Thirty-One Purchase through our fundraiser (Peduzzi Family Adoption Fundraiser under "My Events", your name will be entered FIFTEEN times!

3.  For each $50 Restaurant.com gift card purchased through our fundraiser, your name will be entered TEN times!

4.  Share, share, share!  For each day you share this page, your name will be entered an additional time!  You can enter this way once a day for the entire giveaway.  Simply post a comment on this post with the link of where you shared! 

The giveaway ends February 17 at midnight EST.  Giveaway details here.

 Thank you Ryan & Melissa for sharing your journey and your hearts with us!

Looking forward to seeing your family united and HOME!

Like Minded

Have you ever noticed the "Like Minded" page at the top of this blog? 

Go on, look up there....over near the right....I'll wait. :)

If you click on the page, you will see a list of organizations, projects and individuals that in some way use their gift and love of sewing/creating to make a difference in the lives of others. 

This is an ever growing and ever changing list. I hope you will take a moment to learn more about the lovely people and purposes behind their efforts. And, if you know of others that could be added to the list, please email me or leave a link in the comments below. There truly are so many ways to give back in a tangible and practical way, while doing something you enjoy! Blessings all around!

Fundraising Auction Opens TODAY!!!

Just wanted to remind you all that the auction I shared about last week, opens for bids today at NOON! There is jewelry, clothing, hair accessories, baby items, gift certificates, "Thirty-One" Purses and MORE!

Get all the details HERE.

A little peek at some of the amazing donations you can bid on...

 I hope you will take a moment to check it out! And remember, the money raised all goes to support a family bringing their 11 year old daughter, Faith, home from China!

Blessings,

 
 Sharing at:

Auction Opportunity!!!

Good Morning Friends!

I wanted to share an opportunity with all you crafty folks. An opportunity to use your talent to support a family adopting a young lady from China.

Meet Faith.

Faith is 11 years old and currently living in China. She is awaiting the time when she will soon be united with her family here in the US, who are in the adoption process. Her mom, dad and 3 siblings can't wait to get her home!!! (you can click the image above to learn more on her mama's blog.)

This is where you come in.

Some friends have put together a facebook auction that will take place from August 4th-8th. They are in need of donations of items to be auctioned. Seriously folks, anything that you have made that you would like to offer would be most welcome and appreciated! You can get all the details here.

I'm very excited to share with you what I will be donating from Hopeful Threads!!!

 A sweet "Faith" doll made from the Bit of Whimsy pattern my girls and I made our ABC Sister dolls with.

 A coordinating A-line Tunic made from a Whimsy Couture pattern.

And, a darling Ruffle Skirt set, with the skirt made from that Ginger & Louise pattern I've gotten carried away with! ;)

So, I invite you to check out the links and consider if this is something you'd like to take part in. And if you aren't able to donate, you can always stop by to shop August 4th-8th....I've seen some really great donations so far!