Little Tait's Preemie Fund Give-Away! {Closed}

Have you heard about this little guy? His name is Tait Zimmerman Jr. He was born premature four years ago. You can read all about Little Tait's story here.

According to LittleTait.com—

Preemies are expensive. (But totally worth it, of course!) Just the cost of using a single bed-space in the NICU runs around $3000 a day. Little Tait was pretty much literally a “million-dollar baby,” before any reductions were made on his bills. At this point, by God’s grace, and through the help of so many people, all of his bills are taken care of … except the big one: the hospital bill.

Over the past few months, they have been working to raise $100,000 dollars. If they can raise this amount of money by Monday, the hospital will settle Little Tait's account. So far, they have a little over $77k. But time is running out.

There are only five days left to raise a little over $20,000.

Dolly Madison Designs and The Thinking Tree are teaming up to help the effort by hosting a give-away!

Do you need a new banner for your Etsy shop? A new blog header or sidebar button? What about a cover graphic for your Facebook page? Perhaps an advertisement of some sort?

Whatever your custom graphic need, I (Shelby) or Dolly Madison Designs will tackle the project* if you donate any amount to Little Tait's Preemie Fund and then comment on this post. You'll be able to decide which one of us you'd like to handle your project when you comment below.

Every single person who donates and then comments below will receive a voucher for one free custom graphic*.

Check out our portfolios:

Apparently, I enjoy teal. And red.

And now, enjoy perusing the work of my dear friend, Dolly Madison:

I love her work—especially that Vintage Treasures banner. Pretty, pretty.

If you donate to Little Tait's Preemie Fund, you can decide which of us you'd like to undertake your custom graphic project!

But that's not all!

Everyone who donates and comments below is automatically entered into a give-away to win an amazing bundle of prizes!

First, from The Thinking Tree Store on Etsy—

Vintage Key Blessed Necklace with Clay Rose

This necklace, made classic with a vintage jewelry box key and handcrafted clay rose. Also, handmade ''Blessed'' charm placed on a bold dark brown leather cord. Simple and unique. 

Length:16'' with a 3'' extension

thethinkingtree.etsy.com
facebook.com/thethinkingtreestore

Next, from Dolly Madison Designs—

Sunshine Blossoms Polymer Clay Buttons (Set of Five)

So tiny! These adorable little buttons will bring a dash of cheer to all sorts of crafts and house decor! I love to use these as jar fasteners, but there are so many adorable ways to employ these buttons. Use them for decoration, appliques, quilts, purses, needle-books, and any matter of little whimsies!

Painstakingly handmade, these buttons are a one-of-a-kind work of art. No molds, patterns, or kits used. The average button set takes three hours in total of hands-on labor. Truly a one-of-a-kind treasure!

dollymadison.storenvy.com
dollymadisondesigns.wordpress.com

Dolly Madison Designs on Facebook
twitter.com/DollyMadisonD

Plus, we have from Hannah at Damsel Made—

White Knit Earwarmer/Headband/Cowl

This versatile accessory can be worn three different ways!

1) Wear it as a cute ear warmer over your hair, 2) or a charming headband underneath your hair, 3) or a mini cowl on your neck.  

Super cute, stylish and warm! Made out of 100% acrylic yarn in white. Measures approximately: 4" wide and 16" round (without stretching). One size fits most. Makes a great gift! Made in a smoke free and pet free environment.

damselmade.etsy.com
Damsel Made on Facebook

Finally, from my favourite Lilla Rose consultant, Shiloh Ariel—

Spring Bouquet Mini Flexi

Women who use the Flexi Clip say is is so comfortable, they forget they are wearing it. The beaded wire really does flex around the hair. Clients often declare how they are stopped by women asking, "Where did you get that beautiful hair clip?" Our repeat customers are singing praises about the strength and longevity of their Flexi Clips. 

Celebrate the brilliant colors of spring with this lovely bouquet of flowers. 2" clip.

lillarose.biz/ShilohAriel
facebook.com/LillaRoseShilohAriel
Lilla Rose ~ Shiloh Ariel on Google Plus

Step-by-Step Overview

1) Donate any amount to Little Tait's Preemie Fund: http://littletait.com/donations

2) Post one comment letting us know that you donated.

3) We'll need your email address in order to send you a FREE CUSTOM GRAPHICS VOUCHER*. You can leave your email address in the comments OR send it to ladylrae [at] gmail.com. If you don't give us your email address, we won't be able to send you your voucher.

4) By posting a comment, you'll be automatically entered into the give-away to receive the prize bundle which includes:

• Vintage Key Blessed Necklace {The Thinking Tree}
• Set of Five Sunshine Blossoms Polymer Clay Buttons {Dolly Madison Designs}
• White Knit Earwarmer/Headband/Cowl {Damsel Made}
• Spring Bouquet Mini Flexi {Shiloh Ariel at Lilla Rose}

How is that for an offer?

Why all of this for Little Tait's Preemie Fund?

To me, Tait and Lauren Zimmerman are two very courageous parents. Sending the humongous medical bills through Medicaid was an option, but they refused the socialist handout. They have faith that Christ can work through His Church to provide the funds necessary to pay the hospital.

Little Tait, age 4

Daddy has pitched in a couple of times over the past few months, and I've watched the fund-raising progress closely. Now, with only five days left to finish raising a little over $20k, I've finally had a chance to join the last hurrah. I'm very passionate about the Church putting money where her mouth by faithfully stepping up and showing the civil government that socialised welfare is not necessary.

That's why I'm doing this. Dear sisters in Christ, please join me. In addition to blessing the Zimmermans, you'll be able to work with the graphic designer of your choice on one free project and automatically have the chance to win a bundle of four great prizes. Whatchya waitin' for? Click here to donate.

*Shelby @ The Thinking Tree and Dolly Madison Designs reserve the right to decline graphics projects due to conscience. If for some reason we cannot help you with the first project of your choice, we'll work with you to come to another agreement. 

More efforts for Little Tait's Preemie Fund:

Click here for more great giveaways!
Like Little Tait's Preemie Fund on Facebook!

Give-away ends June 17th.

Due to shipping costs, only U.S. residents can enter the give-away.

Charm Tutorial

I've been making these great charms for those bland places on my jewelry. I thought I'd make a tutorial for all of you because these are so easy!

All you need:
*Paper of choice (I used old hymnal pages)
*Round plastic pieces (You can use metal as well)
*Water base glue (I used Mod Podge)
*Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
*Lighter
*Needle

These are some plastic tabs I took off of an old necklace.

 I made a heart-shaped hymnal box for one of my friends on her birthday. I had a million little heart pages left over. This put the to good use. :)

I just traced the circles over words I like or pretty music notes.

I put a small amount of glue on the paper and the black tab.

 After the glue dried I used a lighter to burn the edges.

The if you're using metal tabs definitely use pliers or tweezers to hold the tab, I used my fingers but I wouldn't recommend it. 

 Sometimes the plastic curls. You can use your knife to cut the thick edges. Personally they don't bother me so I just left them.

Now your going to take those small pieces and cover them with a generous amount of Dimensional Magic.

Pop any bubbles using a needle

Let dry over night

Once dry, poke holes and there you have it. 

Thanks for your time! Comment below with questions.
God Bless.

~McCauley

Dandelion

Thought I'd throw up a quick post showing the dandelion pendent I've just made. I used a small metal sheet and acrylic paint. I'm hopefully going to use this in one of my pieces really soon. :)
Have a great weekend! God bless.
~McCauley

God's Amazing.

It seems to be all working out! My items are now being sold at Boutique Carolina in Berkeley California. Thank The Lord for His blessings and answered prayers!
These are some photos she sent me from the shop display:

Making Small Business Tags

I have just signed a contract to sell some of my creations as consignment in a small boutique in California. I'm so excited! God has really answered my prays. This could be the perfect way to draw traffic to my etsy shop. Also, I'm going to put together a press release and try to sell as consignment at a few local stores.
Anyways. I didn't have enough time or money to order tags to price my items but I still wanted them to look semi professional. :] This is what I came up with:

It's pretty simple.

 I printed my shop name on plain white paper, using the same font as the banner on my store front...

I carefully burnt the edges using the lighter. This was a little harder than I thought. I burns fast! I think I might have burnt off my finger print on my right thumb... O.o

<<<Oops.

I bought some tag specifically made for jewelry from Hobby Lobby for $2.99

I really like these because they are neutral colored and they already have a sticky tab to hold the sides together. That was great. 

Next I simply smeared a thin layer of Mod Podge on both the tag and the label(-ish printed paper)

and wallah!

I did use a little bit of coffee to stain the paper but when I say little, I mean it! I dipped a cotton swab in the coffee and let it sit until almost dry. Once it was merely damp, I dabbed it on both the white paper and the tag. 

***Using too much coffee will cause the ink to run and doesn't allow the Mod Podge to bond.***

Below are the tags I use for my Owl Pillows and Bags. 

My sister bought this stamp from Hobby Lobby ($3.99) that is perfect for signing your work without just having a signature floating around. Plus, it shows that your item is homemade. (Obviously) 

Making my own tags was a lot easier than I thought and I'm pleased with how they turned out. I will still be buying some bulk printed tags for my items if this consignment deal takes off! 

Oh!! Look at the flyer Shelby made! I love it. She is amazing. 

Thank you love.

Have a blessed day and always remember life is beautiful.

~McCauley

God is mighty!

Our Creator is so magnificent! Early this morning, a friend and I went to the beach to run and watch the sun rise. I was floored at what I saw! The view was completely breath taking. No photo will do it justice, although I do have a few to share. ;)


~McCauley

Amazing Friday Night.

Last night was so much fun. I spent the evening with one of my great friends Jami. We went to the mall for Chinese, to the park for an amazing sunset, to Walmart for a movie and some m&ms, and lastly to her house to watch the stars. I had a wonderful time with photos to prove it! :)

I hope y'all have an outstanding weekend!

Love,
McCauley.