Elizabeth Engelhardt Creations

Introducing this year's EEC Holiday Adoptive Family

2011-11-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

**We've reached just less than 1/2 of our goal for the Blocks. Please help me make their Christmas extra special by ordering your Christmas cards to benefit them.**

For the second year in a row, I'm 'adopting' a special family and will be fundraising for them for the next 10 weeks. Last year, I 'adopted' the Burrell family and raised $100 in Christmas card sales alone to go towards their adoption of precious Emma Charity. You can see more about how her adoption is coming along here.

Now, the family that I'm adopting this year has just moved 7 of their 9 children with them to Guatamala to love on the orphans at Eagle's Nest Orphanage. You see, this family adopted twice from Guatamala, but now Guatamala has closed their country to adoptions, so this family decided to follow God's will for their lives and moved the whole family (minus their two oldest children who are in college), to Guatamala to love on the precious children that live there. I admire and respect this family always saying 'YES, YES, YES' to what God tells them HE wants them to do.

So, this year, I'm 'adopting' the Block family as they show God's love to the least of these, I want to show them my love in helping them raise some of the funds they need to live on while they are on mission in Guatamala.

I know, I know, what you're wondering...HOW CAN I HELP??

Well, here are the details you need to know:

The length of the EEC Holiday Adoptive Family Fundraiser will go from October 12, 2011 - January 7, 2012.
ALL (I mean EVERY SINGLE ONE*) of the Christmas card orders that is placed during this time will go towards the Block's fundraiser.
You can STILL place custom orders for either Christmas cards and/or any other type of cards you need (ie: Thank You, Box Set, Birthday invitations), just put 'BLOCKS' in the notes section.

Please let me know if I forgot something and/or if you have any questions. One more thing, remember that EVERY single order that you place, the BLOCKS will get EVERY SINGLE PENNY of your order minus your shipping payment.**

*If you want your Holiday card order to go to a different family, please put their name in the notes section.
**There's a donation button so that if you want to give me a tip to help with the cost of supplies, you're more than welcomed to do so, but please do not feel obligated to.

Make sure you check out the Blocks blog for updates on how they are doing in Guatamala

Here are some of the cards that will be in stock for this holiday season, PLUS I'm currently working on a new design that I will debut in the coming weeks. The new design may have limited sets available immediately for purchase when I debut them, but I'll have to see in the coming weeks with my schedule. The cards will NOT be exactly as they look in the pictures below, but they will be very similar.

Small break...

2011-10-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

I took a very small break to make some cards for my sister's MOPs group. One lucky mommy is going to win these cards as a door prize. I thought this small break would be a great way to 'advertise' for my 'EEC Holiday Adoptive Family' this year for the Block Family in Guatemala.

Here's what one lucky mommy will win in 10 days:

If you look closely, you'll notice the 'fur' on Santa's
coat & hat are raised/puffy. They look really cool.

A set of 'Thank You' notes since there are a lot of
pregnant mommies in MOPs.

*Remember you may order any kind of card you want & put 'BLOCKS' in the notes portion of your order and your order will help the Block family at Eagles' Nest Orphanage in Guatemala.*

Coming Soon...

2011-10-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am SO SORRY that I have been MIA on here. Please forgive me. Here's what I'm working to bring you hopefully by the end of the week!!

What I've been working on over the last few months.
The stock that will be available for Christmas cards.
Introducing the 2nd "EEC Holiday Adoptive" family (aka: the family that will be getting the benefits of ALL the Christmas cards sales).

Until I can get back and load all the pictures of the previous months...here's a sneak peek of one my orders....

Cook Baby book

Cook Thank you notes

Backing the Blocks

2011-05-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

I've known Amy Block about 4 years now. I use the word 'know' loosely, because I've only met her once, but I follow her blog. She and her family are heading to Guatamala this fall to love and serve the orphans there. The WHOLE family (minus the two college kids) are packing up and moving. Please head over HERE to see how you can help them.

Also, if you place an order with me and put "BLOCKS" in the notes section, then 100% of the proceeds from your order will go to help the Blocks either get to Guatamala or help them once they get there.

Building the Blocks

2011-03-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

I met this family through the blog world about 4 or 5 years ago. I have been keeping up with them ever since. I got to FINALLY meet Amy at the Together 4 Adoption conference back in October. Amy's heart is so very real on her blog and in person. She does NOT hold anything back, she speaks truth in such a loving way.

Todd & Amy have 9 children! They have 4 biological beauties and 5 adopted beauties as well. God has called the Block family 'to go and do' by moving to Guatamala to care for orphans there. This is HUGE since Guatamala closed adoptions to the US several years ago.

Here's what I am doing: I am praying that God will allow me to partner with the Blocks and use my business to fundraise for them as I do for other families adoptive families. We will also be praying for them daily. I look up to and respect Amy so much, that I want to be open to what God wants us to do to support them.

Please watch the video below and see just how the Block family is living out James 1:27 and think/pray about partnering with them, details on how are below the video.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27(NIV)

Would you please consider partnering with this family as they partner with the Lord caring for the least of these?

Tax deductable giving can be made at:

Commission To Every Nation
Todd and Amy Block
P.O. Box 291307
Kerrville, TX 78029-1307

Online giving here.

Follow their story at http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

Recent 'Emma Burrell' Order

2011-03-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

One of my most FAVORITE things in the world is to wake up and find an order in my inbox and I don't get to keep the money for it!! That makes my day!! I find that the joy in creating for someone else and the profits going to bring someone home to their forever family are God's way of reminding me that I'm following his direction.

This order is for thank you notes. My client found a card that she wanted replicated, but different at the same time. Since she needed 30 thank yous, we came up with the idea to make 3 different, but very much the same thank you cards. Each card came with a unique envelope, just ALL of my cards do. Please enjoy these precious baby thank yous.

Teddy Bear

Envelope

together

carriage

envelope

together

onesie

envelope

together

Cupcake Orders

2011-03-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

Here are the recent cupcake orders* I have done.

Princess/Dora themed. Crowns are on top of cupcakes.

Transportation theme: Tow trucks & trains.

Since I put miniature cookies on top of my sister's cupcakes for her shower, it seems to be a recurring theme for my most recent cupcake orders. I think they turned out very cute.

*Reminder that cake/cupcake orders are what help pay for the supplies to help families with their fundraisers.*

It's my birthday and this is what I want.....

2011-03-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

Today I turn 34 which means I've been:

a daughter for 34 years
a big sister for 30 years
a wife for 14 years
a mom for 7 years
and a fighter for what's right...well I'm still new at this one, so it's probably been 9 months.

Human trafficking is close to my heart, I probably don't fight for it as loud as I should, but I do think about the 'what ifs'. What if it was MY daughter, what if it was MY niece...what if's can go all day long. But action speaks louder than words.

So for my birthday, I would like to see how much money we can raise to fight human trafficking. Please click on the button and donate $5 and I will send YOU a gift, you just have to tell what kind.

Thanks for helping me fight for those who have no voice or freedom.*

*All money raised will go to Children's HopeChest and they will put it to good use in India.*

AUCTION!!!! ~ Winner announced...

2011-02-18T22:15:00.000-08:00

**THE AUCTION IS NOW CLOSED!! THE WINNER IS DEBORAH. DEBORAH, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL SO THAT WE CAN EXCHANGE INFO - elizabethcards[@]gmail.com. THANKS, Elizabeth**

I LOVE how people come together to help those that they don't even know!! What's better, is I LOVE seeing God's hand orchestrating it!! After I published the most recent Burrell fundraising delivery blog (See it here), I was approached my one of our cousins (by marriage) about her wanting to donate something that is super cute for Emma's adoption fund. I can't even believe it. Kim makes some REALLY CUTE things for little girls and she wants us to auction off this - the tutu and leg warmers- It's value is $25.

Here's how the auction is going to work. Make your bid in the comments section of my blog and help us raise money for Emma Charity's adoption fund. The auction will go until 10pm on Friday, February 18th. On Saturday, I will post the winner. They will have 24hours to make their payment via paypal. Please help spread the word & let's see how much money we can raise to bring home Emma Charity.

My sister's baby gift

2011-02-11T18:31:00.000-08:00

My sister is expecting her first baby in March. Her shower was on Sunday, and here is the gift that I made for her.

I made 30 Thank Yous

Here is the book with a picture of all the pages that are inside.

Front Cover

Inside front cover

Inside back cover to remember baby Owen.

The whole gift together

Cupcakes with small cookies on top.

Just Delivered

2011-02-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

Last week I delivered an order for a woman I've met once through Classical Conversations. She had originally ordered just 2 sets of cards, but added another set to her order. These cards were fun to make!!

A 'Bright' Box Set

A 'Storybook' Thank You set

A 'Red' Box Set

A Recent Order

2011-01-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

My very first fundraising order for precious Emma Burrell was very fun to make. In fact, because the client was her 'Aunt Charity', I pulled Emma's mom in on the designing of a set of Thank yous.

This is the card Christina helped design because
Charity is HUGE Tar Heel fan!

Please go check out and keep up with Christina. We have NEVER met, but I count her as a good friend. I made her first set of announcements when precious Savannah was born straight into the arms of Jesus. I look forward to creating the announcements for Emma as well as the announcements for her new baby that she is currently carrying (an unexpected God sized surprise!).

Recent Free Cakes for Kids deliveries

2011-01-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

With Free Cakes for Kids, I don't EVER get to meet the children that I am delivering the cakes for. A lot of this has to do with protecting the children and what is going on in their lives at the moment. I've delivered cakes to residences, shelters, and residential treatment centers. The office staff (or caregiver) is ALWAYS thankful, but I don't get to see the look on the child's face. Sometimes, that makes me sad, because I LOVE to see the reactions just to make sure that is exactly what the child wanted, but I TOTALLY understand the protection of these children. That's the most important thing. Here's what I've done over the last 6 weeks.....

These were for a precious little boy.

I made the web like I would on the top
a cookie using Royal Icing...

This little boy wanted a 'Michael Jordan' themed cake,
so I thought it would be cool to have one 'autographed' for
him.

And then there are advantages of having a cousin that works at one of the Residential Treatment Centers that I deliver to, because I got a very unexpected phone call. You see, I thought this cousin was needing my help with her car, but no she handed the phone to someone and I heard on the opposite end the sweetest voice. "Thank you so much for making my cake. It is so pretty, and I LOVE it."

It's time for a Silent Auction

2011-01-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I apologize for not keeping everything up to date since the announcement of the Advent Calendar giveaway, it got a bit crazy around here for the holidays. I will try to post some more Free Cakes for Kids cakes that I have done over the last 6 weeks...they are cuties.

But first, I want to tell you about a silent auction that I'm participating in to benefit The Mercy House. You can go here to find out more about The Mercy House, but I also want to point you to the other Silent Auction items by going here.

It doesn't look like my items are up for bid yet, but here's what I put on the table.

Starting in the Upper left and going clockwise here's what is up for auction from me: 'Box Set' of cards, an inspirational bookmark, a set of Thank you cards, and a set of Christmas cards for a total value of $50.

Keep your eyes and your fingers ready to go and bid not only on my things, but the other things that are up for bid.

**On a side note, I will work VERY hard to keep you more up-to-date with the projects that I am creating...**

Happy Bidding,

And the winner is......

2010-11-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to all who entered the giveaway for the Advent Calendar and books signed by Tom Davis. There were 120 entries total from all those who tweeted, facebook shared and liked, and who bought bookmarks. Perryn was able to raise $25 for girls in Russia and I raised $125 for the Indian Rescue Mission. I do know that you REALLY want to know who won the drawing...

Since there were so many entries, I went with Random.org which randomly chose a number which belonged to LaDonna Stough!! Woohoo. She had 30 entries into the giveaway which I think gave her a little bit of a 'chance' to win.

I still have some Christmas cards for sale from the Holiday open house, check them out on the Christmas page...

Blessings,

Advent Giveaway

2010-11-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

So the giveaway is STILL going on until Nov 27th, but now there are some NEW ways you can enter to win. Remember this is what your trying to win as well as helping girls in India be rescued from trafficking and/or helped start a new life through Children's HopeChest.

Advent calendar WITH scripture cards AND all 4 books SIGNED by Tom Davis

Ok, so here's how you can enter win and how many entries it will get you:

Tweet it = 1 entry
Like Elizabeth Engelhardt Creations on Facebook = 1 entry
SHARE this giveaway on Facebook = 1 entry
Blog about the giveaway = 1 entry
Purchase a handmade bookmark from Perryn = 2 entries*
Purchase a bookmark = 5 entries

Bookmarks that are personalized OR are randomly chosen is what = the five entries.

Scripture/inspirational bookmarks

*Perryn's bookmarks are made by her and cost $1. She decided she would like to help girls in Russia through Children's HopeChest as well.*

You can purchase BOTH Perryn's bookmarks OR mine on the buttons on the upper right of the blog.

Make sure you comment separately on EACH way that you are entering the giveaway to help better your chances to win!!

Good luck!!

A Wrap Up for today...

2010-11-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, the giveaway is STILL going on for the next 2 weeks, so GET IN ON THE ACTION. Look for new ways to enter, starting tomorrow....

Today Perryn (my 6 yr old) and I went to a Holiday Open House. I took cards, bookmarks, cupcakes, and the quilt raffle tickets for the Burrells.

Here's the set up at the beginning.

Perryn did a GREAT job selling her bookmarks. We had to work on vendor etiquette because she wanted to approach EVERYONE no matter where they were, so we had to learn to wait for people to come to the table.

Here's Perryn selling her bookmarks.

I know what you REALLY want to know though, is how we did. Well here are the numbers:

Perryn sold 15 of her bookmarks for girls in Russia.

I sold:

21 bookmarks to benefit Rescues in India via Children's HopeChest
5 sets of Christmas cards
2 raffle tickets for the Burrells
1 dozen cupcakes. (in boxes of 4)

So knowing those numbers, here's what it adds up to money wise:

$14 for Russia
$105 for India
$75 for adoption funds
$10 for the Burrell raffle
$12 for my pocket

All in all it was a GREAT day!!

Stocking Stuffers & a Giveaway

2010-11-07T13:57:00.000-08:00

So, this is my VERY first really BIG giveaway. When I mean big, I mean BIG.

The giveaway starts TODAY, Nov 7th and runs until 10pm (CST) on Nov 27th. Would you like to know how you register for it?

Well, it all starts with a stocking stuffer of your choice* - a bookmark - a very nice bookmark that has been handmade and laminated. Your choices are

a verse/inspirational* saying OR a personalized bookmark with the name of your choice on it (it will look very similar to the Bible verse/inspirational bookmarks). If you order a personalized bookmark, please make sure that you tell me what NAME you want put on the bookmark in the notes section. To see the options for the bookmarks, please visit this page here. *By choice, I mean, your bookmark will be randomly picked from the stack.*

Here's what you have to do....for EVERY bookmark yo

u purchase, you are entered into the giveaway for the GRAND prize. ALL proceeds from the bookmarks will go to help The Indian Rescue Mission with either funding a rescue, making a rescue pack for the girls that have been trafficked, or things like this through Children's HopeChest.

Now for the GRAND PRIZE...are you ready for it because it is GOOD!! IF you are the lucky winner that is selected (and I mean picked by my precious red head whose hand will choose your name out of a hat) then you will receive 1 handmade Advent Calendar AND not 1, not 2, not 3, but ALL FOUR of Tom Davis' books SIGNED by him!

! (The calendar DOES have advent scripture cards that coordinate with the days in the calendar. I apologize for not adding them to this picture.)

Grandprize:

Advent cards that come with the calendar.

Now pick yourself up off the floor and purchase a bookmark or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5 to stuff your stockings AND help rescue some underage girls from brothels.

*Please leave me a comment and let me know which bookmarks you like the best, that way I can keep up with the demand. Thanks.*

Recent Cake Orders

2010-11-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

I've been busy getting my Christmas stock taken care of, so I apologize for not keeping you in the loop as to what I've been up to. Be looking for the Christmas stock of cards to be posted soon. Until then, here are the cakes I've done in the last few weeks.

Brownies decorated like jackolanterns.

Free Cakes for Kids

2010-10-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

I volunteer once a month for Free Cakes for Kids. It's a great organization that has volunteer bakers that make cakes for children in shelters, foster homes, or group homes. I made some Batman cupcakes in August, but somehow, the end of September came and I missed signing up to make a cake...it was very strange for me.

You see, all I have to do is look on a cake board, tell Karen which cake I would like to make, and if it's not taken it's mine. I'm really enjoying making these edible creations. Here's a funny thing, because my mom made cakes when I was growing up, she automatically made the cakes for the foster kids that came through my house...I didn't realize that there was such a huge need for other foster children to get cakes. Now I do, and now I'm doing something about it.

Here's the cake I made to today for 2year old. His foster grandma was quite appreciative when I dropped it off and told me he LOVES trucks. I hope he really enjoys his cake. Happy Birthday, sweet little boy!!

Here's how it's going to work from now on.....

2010-10-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

So, here's the deal. God has been working on me over the past several days since I went to the Together for Adoption conference (AKA: T4A). Anyways, my hubby and I got quite a bit of useful information and God's been working on me as well.

You see, we WANT, DESIRE, LONG to adopt a child (or 2, 3, 4, ?), but it's not our time yet. We need to get some things in order and continue to pray for the perfect time for us to adopt.

About 2 years ago, we needed me to start working outside the home. I went to work for a daycare teaching preschool and LOVED it for the first 9 months; however, it soon became too much for our family. The money I was making was not being saved, but being spent on eating out because I was so tired from working full time. On top of that I became (overnight) a "married, single working mother of 2" because we were on opposite shifts. Ie: The kids and I would leave at 6:30am, get home after 4 and Gabe was leaving for work at 2:30. It wasn't working for us.

But while I was working, my little creations business here, had to be put on the back burner, because there was no time or energy to put into it. Well, even before I stopped working at the daycare, the cake portion of my business began

to pick up. And well, that's pretty much what is being created right now is cakes and cupcakes. I even signed up to be a 'baker' for Free Cakes for Kids, an organization that makes birthday cakes for children who wouldn't get one otherwise, ie: foster children, children in shelters, etc.

Anyways, the cakes are still kind of coming in, but they are mostly for Free Cakes for Kids right now, but this last weekend God showed me we need to be helping the families that are already in the pursuit of adoption. So, that is what EEC is going to be about...fundraising for adoptions.

In each page is an example of my product with an buying button. Please feel free to purchase that way or shoot me an email, facebook post, twe

et, or phone call if you have questions.

Make sure you let me know who you are purchasing for, so that the money you spend can be transferred to them. For example: The first family that EEC is going to help is the Burrells. They were my first String of Pearls clients and are now in the process of adopting from Russia. You can keep up with their journey to get Emma C

harity here. When you order, if you would like your purchase to benefit their adoption, please put "EMMA BURRELL" in the notes section so that I know where to send the money, otherwise, it will go to the "I run for..." campaign or Hopemongers.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping these beautiful families.

Love,

Elizabeth

A new focus

2010-10-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

Hey guys (I know I have like 2 readers...heehee), after visiting and learning at the Together for Adoption Conference this weekend, here in Austin. I feel God about to take my little creations business off in a direction that I never thought of....to be used for others, like nothing else.

Please hang in with me and look to see what He shows me over the next few days/weeks.

Until then, please take a look at some cupcakes that I did for Free Cakes for Kids.

Amos

2010-06-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

This sweet boy survived the earthquake in Haiti, and finally made it home to be with his long awaiting family several months ago. We prayed and followed the Ivey's journey to get Amos home after the terrible earthquake hit in January.

Check out Jamie's blog to learn more about Haiti, their adoptions, and their heart for the Lord!!

We couldn't do much more than pray for his safety and for God to bring this family together in His perfect timing, so when Jamie announced it was his 5th birthday, I JUMPED at the opportunity to make a cake for him.

Amos LOVES soccer, so he had a soccer party and I made him a cake and cupcakes!! Here's what they looked like. His face LIT up when he saw them, and that was the best thank you I could have ever gotten!! This was Amos' very first birthday party, so I wanted to make sure his goodies were the best!!

It's been a busy first 6 months

2010-06-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

So, I've been very busy the last 6 months, with cakes, cupcakes, and cards. Here are all the edible things I have made over the last 6 months. For a while, I had an order I was filling every weekend!! It was cool!! So here is a look at everything I've been able to make over the last 6 months!! Enjoy!

My brother's wedding cake

Toad Stools

Easter Eggs

Teagan's birthday cake

Rachel's Birthday cake

Graduation cake

Lauren's birthday cake

Joshua's birthday cake

Holden's birthday cake

Hayden's birthday cake

Gabriella and Evelyn's birthday cake

Teacher appreciation cupcakes

Babyshower cupcakes

Baby shower cake

Haiti Fundraiser

2010-01-18T07:47:00.001-08:00

**UPDATE: Please use the Buy Now button as there were complications with the Donate button, and still add your name and address in the notes section so I can send your cards to you.**

Haiti...my heart has broken over the past week as I have continued to watch this country endure more pain and turmoil. As I follow the news, charities that help 'the least of these', and friends who have adoptions still pending in Haiti, I turned to God and asked what can I do?

As I follow LOTS of people and organizations on Twitter, I came across Pitter Patter Art. Her designs are PHENOMENAL, and she is giving away FREE Key Fobs...I thought to myself, what can I do with my little creations business to raise money? Then the idea struck me....donate to Haiti and get 10 handmade postcards* to drop an "I'm thinking about you." line to a friend or relative.

So....Elizabeth Engelhardt Creations is teaming up with Children's Hope Chest and Hopemongers Cooperative to not only help Haiti now, but in the future as Haiti begins to take in the millions of orphans that have been effected and created by this disaster. Please click on the Donate button on the side of my blog, add your address in the notes section, so I can send you some postcards as a "Thank you" from me. 100% of the money that is donated will go to Children's Hope Chest for them to use to benefit Haiti now and and in the future in the way they see fit. Please go here to see what Tom Davis, CEO of Children's Hope Chest, says their current plans are to help Haiti.

Here is a sample of what some of the postcards will look like, but I will be creating more and different styles of postcards.

*The great part of my business is made to order cards; therefore, I do not keep a 'stock' at this time. That will change as of this week as I begin to make a stock of postcards for Haiti. Please be patient with me getting your postcards to you. I will get them to you ASAP.*

Under construction

2009-05-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

Please bear with me as I continue to revamp my website. If you need immediate information please visit me at www.elizabethengelhardtcreate.typepad.com, email me at elizabethcards@gmail.com, or call me at 512.437.1485...Thanks