Gigantic Giveaway! {YAY!}

It's a Gigantic Giveaway !

A $331.95 Value- This basket is filled to the brim with unique items that have been generously donated to benefit our travel costs to Ethiopia, Africa in October.

Here's what's in the basket!

Ethiopia map pendant by Life a bit sweeter ($20 Value)

Map of Ethiopia on glass pendant. The pendant measures 2" x 2" and are packaged with a 16" silver-plated snake chain. Front of pendant: Country Map   Back of pendant: Text reads "147 Million Orphans Minus One"  Follow this families adoption journey at www.lifeabitsweeter/blogspot.com

Ethiopia Glass Magnets by Hand Crafted Hope  ($5 Value)

This set of 4 Ethiopia themed 3/4 inch glass marble magnets are sure to spruce up your fridge, file cabinet or where ever! It includes one silhouette of Africa with a heart over Ethiopia, one silhouette of Ethiopia, one Ethiopian Flag, and one Ethiopian star.  (Plus some really cute glass thumb tacks too!)

Safari Zoo Bib, Wipe Case and Pacifier Holder by New Life Artworks ($20 Value)

This super cute set is made with designer 100% cotton fabrics.  Bib and pacifier holder are machine washable.  Makes a great gift!

Let Love Grow Coffee Cuff  by Love Psalm 21  ($10 Value)

This re-usable coffee cuff features a sweet, little tree (Oatmeal with orange tree)  All 'Let Love Grow' products come with a beautiful hang tag ready for gift giving.

I Heart Ethiopia Bracelet by Adopting Ainsley ($42 Value) 

Sterling Silver Disc bracelet made by Heather Curry. Adopting Ainsley is donating 25% of purchases made in August to our travel costs when you mention "The Mathews Family" at checkout!  (THANKS GUYS!)

Africa Onesie AND an ADOPT AFRICA Magnet from One Chosen ($15 Value)

Brown safari animals silk screened in the shape of Africa on yellow Laughing Giraffe onesie. 100% Cotton.

Roasted Ethiopian Coffee (1 lb) from Wild Cat Coffee  ($12 Value)

Wildcat Coffee Company is a small coffee roasting company that offers organic farm gate roasted-to-order coffee.

Africa Applique Bib  from Adopt Africa ($9 Value)

Super cute white terry cloth bib with Africa/Frog applique.  AND...Please visit Adopt Africa's website and check out her digital blog designs.  Super creative blog headers, buttons and more!

"Enat" Pendant by Dos Bestios by ($20)
"Enat" means Mother in Amharic. Black and White pendant measures 7/8” x 7/8” this pendant comes with a silver bail and is finished with glaze.  Comes in a matching gift tin

Little Africa Teething Toy ($12 Value)
Little Sapling Toys make wood teethers, organic blocks, Montessori toys, safe infant and toddler toys, modern rocking horses, traditional rattles and more - eco friendly and made in USA these organic wood toys are natural, eco-friendly toys AND... They Plant a tree for every toy sold!

Vintage Map  Sterling Necklace  by DLK Designs ($41 Value) 
 Round pendant measures approximately .75 of an inch. Each pendant comes with an 18 inch sterling silver ball chain.

Simply Love T-Shirt ($24.95 Value)
Front:  "SIMPLY LOVE"  (in red) with Africa Design.  Back:  Stamped Style Font:  "MAN UP!  Protect and love the fatherless" In Army Green Color.  These T-Shirts are Unisex fit!  Super soft roomy and comfy

One less Orphan..." T-shirt from Sewn in my heart   ($20.00 Value)
This custom design t-shirt  says: "One less orphan without a family tree"You can read more about this  family and their adoption process on their blog:  Flip Flops and lip gloss!

Lavender Africa Bib  ($5 Value)

Cute Lavender Bib (100% cotton) Africa Applique front/ flannel material on the back (not pictured)

Africa Note Cards by Sugar Britches  ($6 Value)

These cards have Africa on them and Ethiopia is highlighted with a little heart. The paper is mounted on Kraft card stock. The measurements are 4"x5.5". The inside of the card is blank

"Fly" Pendant by Crimson Cat Studios  ($20)

This mixed media pendant was created on a domino!  A beautiful purple butterfly with with word "fly" with some pretty blue bling!  BEAUTIFUL!

Two BEAUTIFUL Fused Glass Pendants by Peace of Mind ($50 Value)

These are just beautiful!  Made with fused glass and metal, these pendants are gorgeous!  One is a seahorse stamped on white glass on a aqua glass background, the other, two pieces of melted glass (one a dragon fly) on a stamped metal back.  (See picture)  And don't forget to visit Peace of Mind on the web!

Here's how you enter this gigantic, super cool (THINK CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!!) Giveaway...

1. Donate $5 (or more) to our adoption fund.  Each $5 donation buys your name in the bowl!
   (one entry per $5 donation)
   
   (THIS GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED!)
   
   THEN.....IF YOU MAKE A DONATION:  (this is how you can get more chances to win)
   
   
   
   
   
   • BLOG about our giveaway (including links) and You get your name in the bowl AGAIN!
     
     
   • If you TWEET and or share about our giveaway on facebook....YOU GOT IT...You get your name in the bowl YET AGAIN!
     
     
   • AND last but NOT LEAST...if you follow our blog (right hand side) YOU GET your name in the bowl AGAIN!!! whoo-hoo!!!
     
     
   After you have made your donation and the various other added GET YOUR NAME IN THE BOWL choices...comment and tell us WHAT YOU DID.  Be sure to include your email so we can let you know when you win!! (POSITIVE THINKING!)
   
   
   This giveaway will go for one (1) WEEK Starting today (Wednesday at 5pm!)   That means it ends next Wednesday (Wednesday- August 25th at 5pm SHARP!)
   
   
   We will then (You guessed it) Pick a name from the BOWL!  (we will taken pictures and have a witness to verify PICK!)  and announce the winner via POSTING ON OUR BLOG and EMAIL.
   
   
   Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our giveaway!

Fundraising Efforts Continue {T-Shirts}

We are super excited to announce that we are now selling SIMPLY LOVE T-Shirts!

We are selling the shirts to raise money to help pay for our travel to Ethiopia and for humanitarian aid.  We will be putting our first order in any day- so order yours today! (price includes shipping!!!)

Right now we are offering three awesome designs/colors.  (click image to enlarge)   *You can easily order your t-shirt here using paypal and/or any credit/debit card.   (Click the style/size you would like and click Add to Cart!

Woman's-Alternative Apparel  Vintage Fitted Cut (Espresso)

Front:  SIMPLY LOVE (in blue) with blue swirls and Africa design.  Back:  "Love will always find a way" (in white).  This shirt is super soft and slim- form fitting longer cut  with cap sleeve. (We recommend ordering 1 size bigger due to slim cut)

• 100% combed ringspun cotton. 
• Regular fit. (although fits SLIM)
• Tapered waist.

Women's Simply Love

Women's- SLIM (S) $24.95 Women's- SLIM (M) $24.95 Women's -SLIM (L) $24.95 Women's- SLIM( XL) $24.95

Unisex Soft Style (Black)

Front:  SIMPLY LOVE (in white)  With blue swirls and Africa design.  Back:  "Love will always find a way".  In Black.  These T-Shirts are true Unisex!  Super soft roomy and comfy fit.  Perfect for Women and Men alike!

• 100% preshrunk ringspun cotton jersey. 
• Seamless double-needle stitched collar. 
• Taped neck and shoulders.

Black Unisex (Simply Love)

Black Unisex- (S) $24.95 Black Unisex- (M) $24.95 Black Unisex- (L) $24.95 Black Unisex- (XL) $24.95

Men's Unisex-(Army Green)

Front:  "SIMPLY LOVE"  (in red) with Africa Design.  Back:  Stamped Style Font:  "MAN UP!  Protect and love the fatherless" In Army Green Color.  These T-Shirts are Unisex fit!  Super soft roomy and comfy fit.

• 100% preshrunk combed ringspun cotton. 
• Taped shoulder-to-shoulder. 
• TearAway™ label. 
• Fashion fit.

MAN UP Simply Love

SMALL (OUT OF STOCK) $0.00 Men's- MAN UP- (M) $24.95 Men's- MAN UP- (L) $24.95 Men's- MAN UP- (XL) $24.95 Men's- MAN UP- (XXL) $26.95

**Please allow two (2) weeks for delivery

**If you would prefer to send a money order or check please email or comment.

Thank you!

COURT DATE {YAY!}

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!!  

WOW...What a suprise!  Kristen called this morning with a court date! (two actually).  We still have to wait until after the rainy season, but our MOWA date is September 30 and our Court date (the one when we travel AND get to visit baby girl!) is on October 12! This means we will travel October 10th-17th!

It is the best news to actually have DATES!!!!  Now we can really focus in on all the to-do's around the house and in preparation for baby girl's homecoming!!!!  (which will be 2-6 weeks after we pass court)

** Side note:   This is a picture of me looking SUPER EXCITED (taken yesterday).  Jordan said "look excited" when taking my picture to promote our Simply Love/Africa T-shirts!  We are selling them to raise money for our travel expenses and humanitarian aid for orphans in Ethiopia!

Now...not only am I excited about our T-shirts...I'm SUPER EXCITED about our court dates! 

What an amazing surprise!  

JUSTICE JARS {Fundraising}

 Our Justice Jars have help us raise over $400 to date!

***From original JUSTICE JAR POST

These are JUSTICE JARS!


We have been busy making these cute little jars using recycled jars of all shapes & sizes, decorative papers, stickers, threads, buttons, bling, glue, paint, and a whole bunch of love!


Over the next few days & weeks we will be delivering JUSTICE JARS to friends and family.


It is our hope that JUSTICE JARS will serve a three-fold purpose:

1. Serve as a tangible reminder in your home to prompt you to pray for our adoption process, our daughter Justice and for the millions of orphans world-wide.


2. To collect donations to help with the travel costs to Ethiopia.


3. To raise money for humanitarian aid items that we will hand deliver to orphanages that we will be visiting while we are in Ethiopia.


If you would like a Justice Jar, please comment or email (mail AT themathewsfam DOT net) us and we will get it to you right away!

Thanks!

Keeping Busy. Getting Crafty. Raising Money.

With the beautiful spring weather (and while waiting of course!) I have been spending a lot of time in my studio getting crafty.  I have fired up my sewing machine and have been sewing up a storm!

I am adding new items to my online store DAILY and have big plans in the coming days and weeks for some really neat items for babies, toddlers and grown-ups too!

Please visit my online store and take a peek....(and feel free to share ie: facebook, blog, email....)

ALL proceeds benefit our travel expenses to Ethiopia (we will travel TWICE) and humanitarian aid items.

I LOVE special orders, so if you have something unique in mind just shoot me an email  (info AT newlifeartworks DOT COM) or comment.

Thanks!

New Life Artworks

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade newlifeartworks.etsy.com

Cookies 4 Kids!

For a limited time (May 3-16), all Pei Wei restaurants in AZ and TX will be selling Cookies4Kids (Double Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie for $1.00).    All proceeds from this promotion will benefit Gladney’s (Our adoption agency!)  humanitarian aid efforts around the world.

Do Something. Now.

Do Something Now from Children's HopeChest on Vimeo.

To get involved in helping the widow and and the orphan, visit hopechest.org for more information.

TOMS!

 

Buy Shoes. Give Shoes. Help Us. (Click on shoes!)

We've Partnered with Tom's Shoes!

When you purchase a pair of shoes from Tom's Shoes they give a pair to a child & (When you click from our website) Tom's will give us 10% of the sale amount towards our adoption costs! 

More Information about TOMS One for One commitment:

TOMS simple One for One commitment to give a pair of new shoes to children in need around the world with every pair sold is revolutionizing the way consumers shop; with TOMS, shopping equals giving. TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

This One for One model has encouraged conscientious consumers to purchase and give more than 400,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need in just four years. 

PJ's For Orphans {Humanitarian Aid}

Humanitarian Aid Items (more info...)

We have decided on clothing items for our humanitarian aid items that we will take along with us when we travel to Ethiopia. So far, we have purchased over $300 of sweet, soft and oh-so cute pj's and one piece outfits sizes 3-12 months for both girls and boys!....SO FUN!

We are also starting to collect fun treats to take along to the orphanages that we will be visiting like sunglasses, bubbles, stickers, coloring books and small toys.

Buy Coffee. Help Orphans.

http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheMathews

We have partnered with Just Love Coffee to help raise funds for orphans and for our adoption travel costs!  Just Love Coffee Roasters have lots of yummy free trade coffee choices as well as t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs and more! 

A portion of the proceeds of Just Love Coffee from our store comes directly to us each month and also go to help build a school for older children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Kids care holds a special place in founder Rob Webb's heart because two of his daughters were loved and cared for here prior to their adoption.

Humanitarian Aid {Donations Welcome!}

When we travel to Ethiopia to pick up baby J. Gladney requires that we bring $200 worth of humanitarian aid items for orphans in Addis Ababa. We would like to bring more! ALOT MORE!

Here is the list of the immediate needs of the orphanages and foster care facilities that we will be visiting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:


1. Infant clothing (new); Boys and Girls; sizes 0-12 months.

2. Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers, Extra Large Case – Size 1, 2, or 3; $37.99 each (no tax or shipping on http://www.1800diapers.com/. Use Referral Code: THCE5959 and get $2.00 off the order) Even though diapers are readily available in Addis, it is more expensive to purchase them there and they tend to leak.

3. Huggies Natural Care Wipes (Unscented); 576 count; $19.99 ***no tax or shipping on http://www.1800diapers.com/

4. Nestle Good Start Supreme DHA/ARA; powder; 25.7 oz. can; $27.99 per can ***no tax or shipping on http://www.1800diapers.com/

5. A + D Original Ointment, Diaper Rash and All-Purpose Skincare Formula; 1 lb.; $9.49 on http://www.drugstore.com/.


6. Purell Hand Sanitizer NXT Refill, 1000ml Item # 2156-08EA $10.95 http://www.cwimedical.com/purell-hand-sanitizer.html

7. Purell Hand Sanitizer NXT Dispenser, Item # 2120-06EA $9.99 ea. http://www.cwimedical.com/purell-hand-sanitizer.html

8. Lubrisilk, 16 oz. Item # 00166PEA $8.50 ea. http://www.cwimedical.com/lubrisilk.html

9. Baby bottles; small and large size Gerber plastic bottles preferred (solid colored bottles that come in a multi-color pack of bottles). Replacement nipples for the bottles are also needed.

JUSTICE JARS! {Pray, Give, Help}

These are JUSTICE JARS!

We have been busy making these cute little jars using recycled jars of all shapes & sizes, decorative papers, stickers, threads, buttons, bling, glue, paint, and a whole bunch of love!

Over the next few days & weeks we will be delivering JUSTICE JARS to friends and family.

It is our hope that JUSTICE JARS will serve a three-fold purpose:

1. As a tangible reminder in your home to prompt you to pray for our adoption process, our daughter Justice and for the millions of orphans world-wide.

2. To collect donations to help with the travel costs to Ethiopia.

3. To raise money for humanitarian aid items that we will hand deliver to orphanages that we will be visiting while we are in Ethiopia.