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TPN/Tube Feed Backpacks the Process

8/4/2015

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So in June and early July we collected orders for TPN/Tube Feed Backpacks, which isn't something entirely brand new for Gracie's Gowns, but this particular style of backpack is. Not only that, but how they are modified is different as well in comparison to the previous years.

While I had a few moments and am still working on getting all ninety-five, yes you read that correctly, ninety-five backpacks completed from the order. I wanted to show some better pictures of what they look like before and then the modifications we're making to them. Now, I do want to throw out there, any new orders will have a price increase compared to before, since this was our first time using these, first time ever ordering wholesale and so many other new adventures, Gracie's Gowns has absorbed all of the additional costs that were not charged to those who ordered, meaning, for lack of a better phrase, we lost money rather than breaking even, which was the plan. We never intended to make a profit, to break even was the goal, so with the price increase, this should happen on all additional orders placed (more information at the end on ordering).

In the set of photos below, are the more detailed pictures of what the backpacks look like when they come in from the manufacturer. We decided to use the Sugarbooger Kiddie Play Packs from Ore Originals for our backpacks this year because of their size, the prints available, and the ability to embroider them a whole lot easier than before. The specifications on the backpacks are as follows:
  • They are 8" x 4" x 11" in size
  • Waterproof cotton canvas exterior and durable nylon canvas interior
  • Nylon Straps
  • Lead-Free and BPA-Free
  • Non-toxic
  • Machine Wash, Air Dry.

If you clicked on the link in the text above, I promise, we didn't pay $26 a piece for them, we were able to order them at wholesale for around half that cost, but there were restrictions to it. First our order had to be at least $150.00 in total, but what really made the concern was having to order in sets of three for each print. This left us picking up several extras in the various prints in order to make that minimum requirement...the extras are listed below with the ordering information too. This will be a standard as well for all additional orders we place, at it is their wholesale requirement. 

Now here is how they are modified by us (well me) in between working on gown requests and getting our butterfly beads and bead pouches out in the mail...and everything else going on in life behind the scenes of Gracie's Gowns.
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First off, I install a 1" grommet through the back side of the backpack, I have been placing them on the right hand side of the backpack (as if you had it laying on a table, back side up, looking down at it). We cut the hole for the grommet to go through and then snap the two pieces together. Really...this is the hardest part and requires a bit more strength than I imagined it would. They are plastic grommets, in case anyone needs to know the material they are made from.

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Next step is the chest strap, all of the modified backpacks automatically come with a chest strap. If you requested one without modifications, I did not include the chest strap, should you need one though, please let me know and we can get them to you. This step is really the easiest, originally the plan was to make them, but with the time constraints in place, myself being the person modifying all of them, and needing to get these backpacks into their new homes, I was able to find some already made. This is where some of the additional cost came in to play. These chest straps came from Timbuk2 and are adjustable. I had contacted their customer service department about donating some or allowing us to order via wholesale, but was not able to get a response in time based on when the backpacks were to ship. So we ordered them outright, the cost was $5.00/each not including the shipping costs, which on 105 of them (I ordered for the extras as well), was almost $60.00, but they are durable and can even be washed as well. The other area we had a larger than expected cost has been in the shipping expenses, especially those who have multiple backpacks coming to their homes.

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After those two things are in place - then onto the personalizing. I think I've finally found the best system to keep them in place since they are a little too thick to hoop with my embroidery machines' hoops. We have spray adhesive, heavier stitch n' tear stabilizer and then removing the name card from the inside front flap is what happens before it is ready to go. The front flap is then placed on top of the stabilizer and I program the name into the embroidery machine. 

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Which looks something like this, and yes, that is only half the stack of the gowns that need names embroidered on them in the background, no worries, that is on my plans for after occupational therapy for my son today. This isn't the last step, but, they are on their way to being entirely modified and ready to ship once the names are embroidered. While the machine does all the work, this has really been the most difficult part of the backpacks because the color options I was given do not seem to always show up the best against the designs. I am working on getting the best colors chosen, but it really has been trial and error for some, as I cannot tell until after they're embroidered. 

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The very last step is adding the loop on the inside of the backpacks, this is so those who want to hang their TPN/Tube Feed inside may do so. It is comprised of white webbing, with heat sealed edges to help protect against fraying and then a kamsnap that is placed on the folded edge, but also through the back of the backpack on the inside of the back panel. Once this is done, the back packs are ready to be shipped out. Now onto the part everyone is waiting for, how to order and what extras we have on hand already.

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The above are the designs the backpacks are currently available in, orders placed in September will have the option of a couple additional styles, but as for right now and the ones we have extras of, these are the prints available. Out of the prints above, we have the following amount of extras.
  • Princess - 1
  • Birds and Butterflies - 1
  • Happy Camper - 1
  • Matryoshka Doll - 1
  • Retro Robot - 1
  • Hedgehog - 2
  • Cupcake - 2
  • Skulls - 2 
  • Ocean - 1
  • Lady Bug - 1
  • It's a Jungle - 1
  • Polar Pals - 1

For those that are interested in ordering one of the above, this link (and you can click on the picture above too for the link) will open the order form, from there you will be sent a PayPal invoice. Once the invoice is paid, your order will be added into the mix of ones to be worked on. Anyone who missed out on this order, can place an order as well, once we reach the minimum required wholesale amounts (in gross total and in design sets) we can place another order. I will look at doing so late October more than likely, make sure to follow our Facebook page for the information on it. The new cost will be in effect for anyone ordering one of our extras in additional to all new orders as well, which is the pricing seen on the order form now. 

While I was completely thrilled to offer them at the lower price in the beginning and helping ease the financial burden of making each child's medical journey nicer, we had to increase them so our sponsorship and shipping funds are not compromised. I pray everyone can understand the increase and I believe it is still considerably lower than other folks who make, modify or sell them, I know it is not as low as many would like. 

As my usual, I will continue to update when more have been completed and mailed out. Patience, grace and understanding are always appreciated, as I am but one woman trying to save the world one stitch at a time. 

Much love and many blessings,
Jessica 
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No Fabric Wasted ~ Paying it Forward

9/30/2014

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This year we've worked on some more Beads of Courage bead bags and we were looking forward to donating them to the table at CureFest last weekend, but they were not in attendance this year. So instead we are mailing them back to the main office of Beads of Courage and cannot wait for them to be distributed to children participating in the program across the United States and the world. 

Each bag we make is from left over pieces of fabric from our gowns. Even though they won't make it to the same kiddos we have made gowns for (or by sheer luck some might) it is still a special honor to use the fabric we've received through donations or purchased with donations to benefit another great organization. 

In this batch (yes, there will be more) is a total of 25 bead bags and if you'd like to make some from your own fabric remnants here is the link for the directions and more information:
http://www.beadsofcourage.org/pages/quilters.htm

This is a great project for Fat Quarters and pieces of fabric similar in size. The labels are supplied by Beads of Courage as well and they really do make the bags look so spiffy! Their labels is what actually made me want to get labels made for our gowns, they just have a more professional feel to them with a label.

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Each bag is lined with a fabric of your choice and the seam once turned is sewed together on the bottom of the lining fabric, so no one really sees it (but still keep it pretty). I like using coordinating fabrics, plus it helps dwindle down the "stash" of fabrics I have here taking up space...so I can buy more...just kidding (maybe only halfway kidding). You can also use the same fabric you did for the outside of the bag as well.

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Here is what I use for the drawstrings - it isn't cording and for the life of me, I can't remember what it is actually called. Once I purchase more, I will make sure to look at the name of it and post it as a comment to this blog posting. Normally I get it from Joanns with a coupon, it doesn't cost very much then, but you need 26" per bag, so I try to buy whatever they have. The last few times I have been in our local store, they haven't had any though.

Below are the close-ups of the fabrics we used for this batch of Beads of Courage bead bags. 
Do you see the fabric we used for your child's gown? If so, which one?

These will go out in tomorrow's mail and should arrive before the end of the week - once again it has been a pleasure working on these bead bags and we can't wait to finish up another batch!


~ Gracie's Gowns
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Operation NICU Surprise - Johns Hopkins Children's Center (Maryland)

7/11/2014

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Our second NICU we chose to receive a box of NICU Smocks was Johns Hopkins Children's Center NICU located in Baltimore, Maryland. They have a state of the art NICU that was built in 2012 and it includes 45 private NICU beds. They services neonates with all sorts of complex congenital birth defects and disorders in addition to the little ones just born too soon. The thing I love the most about their new NICU is that each room has the ability for a parent to stay in the hospital with their baby, something most NICUs don't have, well many intensive care units don't have that, even the ones for adults. You can learn more about the NICU and what they offer through their website at: http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/neonatology/

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Johns Hopkins Children Center's NICU was nominated by Adrianne in honor of her son Xavier who was cared for by the wonderful doctors and nurses in the NICU. Xavier was born with more complex issues than just premature delivery, but the doctors and nurses went the extra mile to care for him through it all. This was a few years before the new facility was built, but Adrianne was awesome in sharing with us some photos from and (and now). You can read their story below in her own words.

My son, Xavier (now 5), was born 4 weeks early due to low amniotic fluid. I had a normal pregnancy and didn't expect anything different despite his late prematurity. Little did my husband and I know that on Friday March 13, 2009 things were about to change dramatically. When Xavier was born (at 4lbs) there were immediate signs of distress...he had difficulty breathing as well showing signs of seizures. He also looked different than typical children. He was born at a hospital close to our home that had wonderful OB/GYN and infant care. But despite their best care we were told they were unable to provide enough support for Xavier in their NICU. We were told on his fourth day of life that he had to be transferred to Johns Hopkins in order to undergo further testing and access to doctors skilled in more complex cases. We were in shock to say the least. We were not expecting any of this and suddenly our lives were turned upside down. Getting to the NICU at Hopkins was a whirlwind of nurses, doctors, and tests. I have to admit I was bitter and just wanted to bring my son home and not have him poked and prodded. We were told that Xavier likely had a genetic syndrome and he was, in fact, experiencing seizures. He also had to learn to breathe and eat on his own. It was noted that he also had a number of congenital anomalies. Xavier spent a total of 32 days in the NICU and in that time my husband and I created relationships with doctors, nurses, and even other families that last until this day. They rallied in our highs and supported us in our lows. Xavier's nurses gloated at the fact that I was able to provide him solely with enough fresh breast milk and at the skill of his dad as he was the only one Xavier would drink from a bottle for. They called us immediately with good test results and sat with us to understand more difficult ones. In that time out dread and fear were able to be calmed by simply talking with the nurses about "normal" things. We joked, talked about the weather, and we brought them food (a fed nurse is a happy nurse lol). When the day came for X to come home our doctor met us in the hallway singing the Rocky anthem as we strolled X's stroller into the NICU. You never want to see your child go through such difficult things but I know our son was in the best hands. 2 years after his birth Xavier was finally diagnosed with a rare genetic syndrome called Schinzel-Giedion syndrome. He's one of approximately 12 kids worldwide. We would have never gotten this diagnosis had it not been for our geneticist and genetic counselor...providers who have been with us since the NICU. We have been with our different specialists through surgeries and hospitalizations. Each year we attend the NICU reunion to see the nurses and other babies who were with us from the beginning. Xavier has even attended daycare and now school with the little girl who was next to him in the NICU. We never expected to have a child with special needs but we are fortunate and forever thankful to the staff at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center NICU.
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Thank you so much Adrianne for nominating Johns Hopkins Children's Center and for sharing your story with us and our followers as well - the NICU Smocks have already made their way to Johns Hopkins Children's Center (they were mailed the first week of this month) and we hope they bring many smiles to the facility, but even more so to the families that receive one of them for their little one. Here are a few pictures of the gowns and because my oldest colored the box so pretty, she insisted I share a photo of that as well.
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When we have more sewn and ready, we will work on pulling some more NICU nominations and dispersing them to other hospital around the United States and the world. It is such a blessing to send these everywhere we can, but even more so to wrap the littlest miracles in something comfy of their own.

Have a beautiful weekend!
Gracie's Gowns
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Gown Request Sponsor Giveaway Fun

6/9/2014

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We decided to do something a little different - we always need help at Gracie's Gowns, but because of the personal aspect of our mission in making each gown as unique as the child it is for, sometimes it is harder for us to reach out in ways that anyone and everyone can help. Last summer and fall we instituted a sponsorship page on our website - this page is where we list children on our request list that we currently do not have fabric to make their gown from. 
We receive fabric donations every so often, but many times we can't use them right away as we like to pair up the interests of the child to the fabric used for their gown. This allows everyone to choose a specific child they'd like to sponsor and have a personal connection to Gracie's Gowns as well...it is a really awesome way to directly support Gracie's Gowns and help us continue to make gowns for all these children.
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So, this year we wanted to step things up a little bit and give a great big thank you to everyone who has been so wonderful in helping sponsor these gown requests. We are creating sponsor levels that will be published on our website both on a personal and business level, but also by giving away a special surprise to one of the angels that help sponsor a gown request. This month will be the first month we get to do just that. We opened it up in May, but the drawing is at the end of this month and it is for a Thirty-One Gifts bundle of items worth $75.00!! Hollie has been awesome enough to donate the items for this giveaway to one of our sponsors! And we already have something lined up for July too!
You can do a general gown sponsorship if you can't decide as to which child you'd like to sponsor or would like to sponsor multiple requests - the average gown sponsorship is $25.00 and we always have children on our wait list that aren't on the sponsorship page because we just can't post every single little one all at once without overwhelming our website and your computer or phone. The button below will allow you to donate towards sponsoring a gown.
Also, if you belong to a company or direct sales business and would like to donate something for a month to be given away to one of our sponsors, please let us know! We'd love to help advertise and support your business, as well as, show our gown sponsors how much we really appreciate their love and support! You can contact us about sponsoring a month at: jessica@graciesgowns.org

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer or getting ready to start enjoying their summer! 
Have a blessed day,

Gracie's Gowns
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Another Box of Goodies - Off to Oregon

5/13/2014

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We talk about Healing Helpers a lot - why? Because they are just so awesome!!

I am all about practical gifts for children in the hospital - hence we make hospital gowns. They are fun, they can be used and they make sense. Healing Helpers do that as well. 

They provide comfort, they are fun and they make sense by providing a child with a best friend that is just as special as they are! They are an awesome teaching tool for parents and care providers alike. They can help start a conversation and help "break the ice" in ways nothing else can. Just like our hospital gowns, they show the individual behind the chart...not just a diagnosis.

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So with our move coming up really fast, we've been going through more and more in the crafting areas and the kiddos are more than willing to pass along their "loved, but not essentially for living with" animals over to Healing Helpers to be used in making best friends for other children around the world. 

It fills my heart to see my littles so giving and so caring of other children that are just as special and unique as they are, but have more medical concerns then they do.


Then it is up to mommy to finish filling the box with her "loved, but not going to be used anytime soon, I am a craft supply hoarder at heart" supplies to be used in the making of pockets and organs and bands and more!

So we have so felt, remnant pieces of fabric from gowns and other pieces of fabric from personal projects.
The fabrics are used for the pouches with zippers and the felt is for all the other amazing surgeries, wrist bands, key chains and anything else Michael and Lani-lee come up with over there!
They are literally creative geniuses! 

I can't wait to see some of these get used and look forward to sending more lovely items their way in the future - Healing Helpers is a very special business to us and great supporters as well! It is always nice to have a set of friends that share a similar passion and yet go about it in such a different way we can compliment each other and work well together!


You can see all Healing Helpers has to offer and browse their website at:

http://www.healinghelpers147.com/

Don't forget to tell them we sent you over!
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End of Spring Raffle Winners

5/6/2014

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Our spring raffle ended last week and we rounded out the items given away with several great prizes!
All prizes have been mailed out and should be received very shortly if they haven't already arrived - there are a few I still have to deliver in person, but that will be taken care of this week as well.
I would like to say thank you so much once again to everyone who helped out with this fundraiser and while we didn't reach our goal in ticket sales, we still broke even with our expenses and have a great time seeing everyone get excited about the items they won!
We hope everyone enjoys their new goodies and we look forward to doing our summer charity raffle late July or early August depending on when I can finish getting everything sewn up and completed.
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Our twenty-second winner was Brenda Hill - her items were from Scentsy!

The items for this day in the raffle were donated by Christi Smith - a Scentsy consultant that is also the mother of a child we have made a gown for. 


This cute bunny is a charity item by Scentsy for March of Dimes - we'd love to be able to get a few more of these to include with our NICU gown donations to hospitals.

Christi's business website is:
http://csmithrn04.scentsy.us

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Our twenty-third winner was Karen Valdez - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were donated by Audra Smith - a Pampered Chef consultant that is close friends with a gown recipient's family.

Audra's business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/audra

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Our twenty-fifth winner was Brianna Horney - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were sponsored by Marie Snyder - a local Pampered Chef consultant to Gracie's Gowns.

You can find Marie's business page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/PampChefLady

And her business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/foodisfun

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Our twenty-ninth winner was Megan Jensen - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were sponsored by Marie Snyder - a local Pampered Chef consultant to Gracie's Gowns.

You can find Marie's business page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/PampChefLady

And her business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/foodisfun

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And there you have it - the last of our raffle winners!!
CONGRATULATIONS to all our winners and once again thank you so much to everyone who helped, donated an item, purchased a ticket and just spread the word about our raffle!
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A Little Break in Routine

4/15/2014

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Okay - so old picture, but had to use something with the sewing machine. I love sewing these hospital gowns, I love sewing them for your little ones and seeing their smiling faces and knowing how it can literally change a hospital experience from bad to at least tolerable. 

Sometimes though, I have to break the routine of making gowns and work on other projects, just to keep from crying over how many precious little ones are in need of such an item. It breaks my heart in so many pieces at times, that I have to sit back and remember how much of a blessing each child is, how they have changed the lives of those around them...how they fight, just to make it through another day and while yes, the odds are usually stacked against them, they inspire others to do such amazing things - like Gracie's Gowns and so many other organizations!

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One of the items that have been done and still being worked on were these squishy little monsters! We sold them over the course of a couple days in order to raise shipping funds for gowns.

I am happy to say they are almost all done and out in the mail (still have maybe 7 more in total to make I believe). Here is some of the ones that went out last week, as I didn't get pictures of the previous ones made to post. My apologies on that...they are too cute not to picture and post.

These guys come from leftover minky fabric that I have from making millions of blankets over the last few years I have been making for friends and family.

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One of the other items that get worked on in those little breaks are some bags for Beads of Courage - I love making these little bags from leftover pieces from gowns!

They are easy enough to make and still give that feeling of inspiration and fulfillment I suppose in knowing the fabric we use won't go to waste and can brighten the days of so many other children too.

This year we have 17 bags made so far to donate to Beads of Courage and will probably have close to 50 by the time the donation is ready to be made. We are hoping to be able to donate them to our local hospital with a Beads of Courage program. 

Lastly, whenever I really want to venture out into my sewing fun - I go back to making little items from leftover pieces of fabric and working through my own personal fabric stash and creating other items that we will be taking with us for our craft show in October - last year we raised $900 for Gracie's Gowns with items made from leftover pieces and whatever fabric I had on hand - this year we're hoping to meet and exceed that amount...especially with the Christmas Box Program coming up at that time of the year as well. Right now we've loaded the items into an etsy store (which will be put in vacation the Thursday before the show) to try and sell some of the items throughout the year with all the money being put into our shipping expenses. So here is the etsy mini with links in case you want to browse it!
With all that fun being said and shown - no worries, gowns are still being made, still being sent out and Gracie's Gowns is rolling right along like we always do. Sometimes just a little slower than normal, because we are in the process of moving and my health has gotten a little "interesting" for lack of a better word, but we are still upholding and maintaining our mission to provide every child we can a special hospital gown of their own to wear while in treatments, surgeries and hospital stays!

Much Love and Many Blessings,
Jessica
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Half-Way Through Spring Raffle

4/15/2014

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We're at the half-way point now!!
Fifteen days of winners and fifteen more days to go - we still have 78 tickets that we'd love to sell before the end of the raffle to meet our goal for sales. The proceeds from the ticket sales cover the cost of the items Gracie's Gowns had to purchase for the raffle, shipping costs of the items to winners, but also benefit our Christmas Box Program that we've been accepting items for and will continue through early December. The majority of the funds raised from the tickets sales will be put towards shipping of those Christmas boxes in mid December to our families that sign up for the program in late October.

So without further delay - here are some more of our winners in case you missed it on Facebook!
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Our ninth winner was Charlene - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were sponsored by Marie Snyder - a local Pampered Chef consultant to Gracie's Gowns.

You can find Marie's business page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/PampChefLady

And her business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/foodisfun

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Our thirteenth winner was Marla - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were sponsored by Marie Snyder - a local Pampered Chef consultant to Gracie's Gowns.

You can find Marie's business page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/PampChefLady

And her business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/foodisfun

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Our fifteenth winner was Kim - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were sponsored by Dawn Truex - a friend and Pampered Chef consultant to one of the families we have made a gown for.

And her business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/mychefdawn



And that wraps up the second week of our winners and brings us half-way through the raffle as well!

Congratulations to everyone who has won and item so far and please don't forget to share, invite, and purchase a ticket for yourself!! We'd love to reach our overall goal for ticket sales, but even more so make sure we have funds available for shipping out our Christmas boxes!

To purchase a ticket please visit our events page at:
www.graciesgowns.org/events.html
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First Week of Winners - Spring Raffle

4/8/2014

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Our first week of winners and a special drawing winner have already happened!! So exciting and the majority of these items have already been mailed out too - thanks to some extra running around we've had to do in our personal world and was able to swing by the post office on those trips too.
We're excited to start another week of winners - after I draw today's winner - we still have 22 awesome days of prizes left to give away and another special drawing prize if we can still 200 tickets in total (we're at 117 right now). Lots of great Pampered Chef and Scentsy items are being given away and you're not going to want to miss out on the upcoming prizes for sure!
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Our first winner was Debbie - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were sponsored by Marie Snyder - a local Pampered Chef consultant to Gracie's Gowns.

You can find Marie's business page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/PampChefLady

And her business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/foodisfun

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Our third winner was Patricia - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were donated by Audra Smith - a Pampered Chef consultant that is close friends with a gown recipient's family.

Audra's business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/audra

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Our fifth winner was Ellen - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were sponsored by Marie Snyder - a local Pampered Chef consultant to Gracie's Gowns.

You can find Marie's business page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/PampChefLady

And her business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/foodisfun

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Our seventh winner was Becky - her items were from The Pampered Chef!

The items for this day in the raffle were donated by Audra Smith - a Pampered Chef consultant that is close friends with a gown recipient's family.

Audra's business website is:
www.pamperedchef.biz/audra

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!!


To purchase your ticket(s) you can visit our website under the events tab - www.graciesgowns.org/events.html
and purchase them there using the Add to Cart button through PayPal.
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A Time to Remember - Two Years

3/25/2014

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This past weekend we celebrated our two year anniversary in making hospital gowns for children across the United States and around the globe. What a great accomplishment, what an amazing experience, what a blessing for my own life the past two years have been (even with the crazy times)...but we also took the time this year to celebrate the lives of the children we have made gowns for and remember those that have passed away over the past two years.
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Each child we made a gown for that traded in their super hero capes for angel wings had a lantern with their name, date of birth, date the became an angel, diagnosis and anything else the family, us, or the person who purchased the lantern in their memory wanted to say on it.

This year we released 45 lanterns - there were a few duplicates from where Gracie's Gowns had a lantern for the child and someone else wanted to purchase a lantern in memory as well, but overall there was one lantern per child. We had a few lanterns as well for children that we did not make a gown for, but were warriors as well - and we gladly added remembering their courage, strength and smiles to our ceremony.
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Due to some weather related issues, we started later, but lanterns went in the water around 8:00 p.m. and the final one went out about 10:00 p.m. It was a very cold night, but watching the lanterns float in the water, seeing their reflections and just how they illuminated the water was breath-taking. Even more so, it was very, very emotional for me. Too have a visual of the children that lose their lives battling illness was heart-breaking...to know that this is only the children our organization has personally worked with in two years was devastating. There are so many more children who pass away each day, week, month and year that if we lit a lantern for each of them - we'd have to worry about them catching themselves on fire...there wouldn't be enough water for them all to float.

Watching the candles go out was probably the most emotional part of the whole night.
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The lanterns - if the wind didn't blow them out - started to sink as they were wet. They are biodegradable, which is the point for them to get wet and sink/fall apart/etc. But as they did...you would see this light, barely above the water...like it was holding on unto the last second. Fighting until the very end to stay shining. They flickered, almost went out, flickered some more, got brighter and held on...and then once the water came closer, the flame disappeared without any warning. Just like our little warriors.

They fight until the very end, giving it 100% and then some - they have so many close calls and yet still manage to pull through and almost make a complete turn around and then...in a blink of an eye, they are gone.
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Here is all of the lanterns we released out in the water - a beautiful tribute and celebration of their life.

Over the next few months, I will be creating an angels/in memory of page here on our website. It is my hope to get each child that we know has become an angel and learn about the ones we do not already know, on that page with their parents permission and help.

This will become an annual event for Gracie's Gowns - and for those that may not be able to attend at night, it is in my plans to do a balloon release during the day and make that a family event as well.

To view all the photos and lanterns from the event - you can visit this link below:

Gracie's Gowns Two Year Anniversary Lantern Release
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