Thursday, October 29, 2009

Did you know....?

Did you know all the hospital gowns and name pillows are free? We don't even take money for shipping? These gowns and pillows are given to these amazing children.

Did you know that Poppy Lane Photography is offering a Heartfelt Couture package? Check the out http://www.poppylanephotography.blogspot.com/. Because of Poppy Lane most of our IRS fee is going to be taken care of!!!!

Did you know that between Dec 2008 and Dec 2009 almost 200 gowns have been given out?

Did you know we have given out almost 10 name pillows?

Did you know that a gown costs between $12-$20?

Did you know that Heartfelt Couture saves all the scrapes from the gowns to make the name pillows? Not an inch is wasted!

Did you know that not only do we do gown deliveries to Medical City Children's Hospital, Texas Children's Hospital, and Cook Children's Hospital, we have also sent gowns out to children all over the US?

Did you know that all of the money earned from pillow sales ($30) goes towards a child in the hospital? He or she will receive a pillow and gown with all costs covered.

Did you know your financial contribution is tax deductible? We will also have our 501c3 status completed in a few more weeks.

Did you know that the Texas Rangers wives have helped make over 40 gowns?

Did you know we will have to use certain fabrics due to a law passed awhile back? Anything made for children 12 and under has to be lead tested. There are fabrics that comply with the CPSIA law. I have found a shop on Etsy that will sell us fabric for a reduced price. If you want more info email keri@heartfeltcouture.com

Did you know that HFC started with 2 stay at home moms? Now we have several moms helping out. They give their time, talents, and money. They purchase the gowns and cut/sew them. This would not be possible with out their generosity.

Did you know we gave 35 children on the heart floor at Texas Children's Hospital gowns and hat boxes filled with goodies to be open on Christmas Day 2008?

Did you know we are on Facebook and only have less than 200 members? And our blog is only followed my less than 20. Let's get those numbers up so more children can receive a gown and pillow!

Even though giving a custom hospital gown to a child is a small thing it does something to their spirit. And something to the parents spirit. To know that someone took their time and money to make something special, for someone they don't know puts a smile on any one's face. And this shows the love of Christ.

Jesus said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you can plant in the ground. Yet when it is planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in it's shade." Mark 4:30-32

I have such a passion for Heartfelt Couture, you don't even know. I am thinking and praying for it everyday almost every hour. I think by touching and enriching others lives it gives them hope. Also it teaches these children to be givers too! Teaching the children of tomorrow to give will be AMAZING

Love to all,
Keri Abshier

Monday, October 26, 2009

Sad Day

Hannah Collie went to be with Jesus early Sunday morning. Please pray for her family in this terrible time. Read more about Hannah on the blog in the July section.
I cannot even put into words how deeply sad I am for this family. I know we don't understand what God's will is for our lives and I do rejoice that she is with our King, but at the same time I know her mom and dad miss her DEEPLY. Please pray for peace, understanding and comfort.

"O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me." Jeremiah 8:18

Keri

Monday, October 19, 2009

Heartfelt Couture Christmas Wish List

Many people ask me what can they do to help. So I decided to make out a Christmas List for 2009. Also if you have a talent that could be used to help out with any of these below please email Keri and we can figure something out.

Website-Right now the blog works but you have to scroll down to read everything and I would like for it to be simple to just click to read testimonies/about HFC/ways to give/donations. Things like that. We do own our domain name.

Labels for gowns-Due to the CPSIA law all gowns will have to be labeled. I have been using someone on Etsy and if you would like to just purchase them for us that would be fabulous.

Marketing materials-We need business cards, information cards, letter head etc. Also I am not a marketer my nature it's really a push for me. So if you are a good marketer than maybe emailing me ideas or ways to get the word out about HFC. If you want to just purchase these things for us I can also give you info and upload our designs and you can just pay for it.

Supplies-thread, velcro, interfacing, freezer paper. We go through a lot of these and you can just buy it and ship to me.

Fabric-This of course is the most important of all. We need 100% cotton fabric. In Feb of 2010 we will have to start using CPSIA certified fabrics. Moda, Michael Miller, and Amy Butler are all CPSIA certified fabrics. These fabrics are double in price from what is being bought now. If you would like to buy the fabric and have it shipped to me that is great. Or you can make a donation for the fabric. With the new fabrics it will cost between $10-$15 to make a small child's gown and $16-$20 to make a large child's gowns. A small takes 1 yard and a large takes 2 yards. Please know that none of the fabric is wasted I save all the scrapes and make name pillows out of them. My house is 1500 square feet and is filled with scraps of fabric.

Time-You can do a cutting night with your family, friends, woman group, or church group. If you are doing the cutting night before Feb 2010 you can use fabric from Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's. But after Feb 2010 please use the fabrics listed in the above fabrics. You can also email me and I have all the specifics. This would also be an amazing project for teenagers. A great way to have them give there time. All they need is some fabric and scissors. My girls are almost 4 are already know about the hospital gowns and what they are for.

Fundraising-This is the part that is the hardest for me and I pay a lot out of pocket because this is so hard. We do need funds for shipping to different children, batting for name pillows, and other supplies. Also paying lawyers to make sure we are complying with the laws of the IRS. If you have a talent that you would like to use to help us raise money that would be amazing. An example is Poppylane photography. Megan uses her talents to help us with the IRS non-profit fee.

Thank you ,
Keri
keri@heartfeltcouture.com

Child Life

http://childlife.today.com/

Just found this today. Heartfelt Couture is starting to spread! If you are interested in helping out email Keri.
keri@heartfeltcouture.com

Monday, October 12, 2009

A sweet email


Keri,


Hello. My name is Kerri Fasano. I wanted to get this email out while I had a few free moments.My husband plays baseball for a team other than the Rangers.


I was able to get into contact with Rachel Eyre through a baseball website. And to make a long story short, she was able to, very quickly, I might add, sew me a hospital gown for my little 2 year old son who had open heart surgery on October 1st.


Let me tell you, I have never met Rachel and knowing baseball, I know it was the end of the season and she was heading back home, and just a busy time of year. I was taken aback that she was more than happy to get it done for me! What a sweet woman. I am amazed at the care and love you girls put into these gowns. It might not seem like much, but what you are making DOES make the hospital a bit more comfortable!


I can tell you, my son, many times, has asked for his "roar" (dinosaur gown). We are still here, hoping to go home in the next few days. I have washed the gown numerous times in the sink, and it can't dry fast enough for our little guy!!


It is very cute when the nurses come in and start talking to Santino about his dinosaurs and he gets this little proud, very cute :) grin on his face! The nurses love it, too.... they all talk about it, and I have even had other nurses not assigned his room come in to peak at it!Anyway, I am attaching a picture of him wearing it...and again, wearing it proudly!!


We were playing puppets that day, with hospital socks..hee hee.I have Rachel's email address on my home computer, but only have my laptop here in the hospital. Could you PLEASE forward this email and picture on to her?


I know I said thank you to her via email before, but I definitely wanted to say it atleast once again! And I also wanted her to know that it was the reason I smiled some days because of the expression on Santino's face when he was looking at all the colors and dinosaurs!! Please also, let her know that he sailed through surgery and had a very speedy and successful recovery... I know she was thinking and praying for him!Thank you very much... for all that all of you girls do :)Kerri Fasano
I want a million more stories like this to post on our blog. Please let us know about any child in the hospital. Heartfelt Couture was started to lift up these children. Yes it is something small but Kerri's story above proves that it makes a difference. Also tell us what the child is into dinosaurs, Star Wars, Care Bears and we will make a special purchase and find that fabric. It matters to us and it makes a difference to the child
Keri

Rachel Eyre will be helping out with Heartfelt Couture

I am pleased to annouce that Rachel Eyre will be working with Heartfelt Couture. Rachel has been helping Heartfelt Couture since July 2009. She has made over 30 gowns for us and will now be in charge of Florida. She will take care of all aspects of HFC in Florida and also helping out all over the country as well. I will have an email set up for her soon. If you know of anyone in Florida or anywhere for that matter that would like a gown for their child. Please email me at keri@heartfeltcouture.com.


Keri

Sunday, October 11, 2009

A Heartfelt Departure

Dear Friends,



When Keri & I started Heartfelt Couture, my goal was to be very involved in working to get hospital gowns made and delivered to children in hospitals near us. Since then, we have been very successful in doing so. However, my child, Sarah, was scheduled to have her open heart surgery this past week and got rescheduled. We are now waiting to find out a date which should be in the next few weeks.


During this past week, I realized that my emotions are a slight bit overloaded and my mind is at full capacity. I feel like my computer when it is full of too many photos, info, emails, etc. Something has got to be cleared out so that I can think again and run faster. I am overloaded at the moment.


Keri and I have been talking and after some prayer and careful thought, I have come to the conclusion that I need to take a break from Heartfelt Couture for a while. My family and I have a lot to overcome in the next few months and I need to be able to be fully devoted to Sarah and Jason during this time and not feel guilty for not doing all that I want to do with Heartfelt Couture. I am sad to come to the realization that I am not superwoman and I cannot do it ALL, but I know with God, I can do what I am meant to do.

Keri will be taking over all operations with the help of some very special women who have already been helping her. She is confident that she will be able to handle it for now. My plan is to get involved again after things settle down at my house.

I thank each of you for your prayers and support during this time.

Sincerely,

Sharon Swan

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Thank you Poppy Lane photography

Some of you may or may not know but Sharon's daughter Sarah was going to have heart surgery today Oct 6th but they had to cancel due to a lung transplant. Praise God a baby got a new lung. So Sarah's surgery has been post-poned. With that being said, we had a photo session set up for Nov 21st to raise money for the IRS fee of $750 and are rescheduling due to the surgery postponement.

Megan with Poppy Lane photography has stepped up and said she would do the sessions for the same amount and donate her time. Only those that signed up for the session get the amazing deal but if you are in need of an amazing photographer please go to her blog www.poppylanephotography.blogspot.com

Megan,
Thank you so much for your kind and giving heart. May God Bless and keep you!!!!!

Keri

Friday, October 2, 2009

Prayer for Sarah & Mikaela

Mikaela is having heart surgery today so PLEASE pray for this sweet little girl. Also pray for her parents.

Also keep Sarah, Sharon's daughter in your prayers as well. She will also be having heart surgery on Tues Oct 6th the same surgery that Mikaela is having today at the same hospital. The surgery will take place at Texas Children's Hospital and could take up to 8 hrs. Pray for Peace for both familes.