Merto Baby Cards: March of Dimes Sponsor #1

A few days ago I was hoping the excessive bloating in my stomach was a sign I was with-spawn. A couple days following I learned that wasn't the case and I was overwhelmed with disappointment. ... And a little surprised by my own discouragement. But you have been so kind. I worried expressing my honest feelings about just a short time of trial and "error" that those who have experienced much (much) worse would be annoyed by my inpatients. Instead, people have been so kind and encouraging, and the one piece of advice I think I've heard more than anything else is "RELAX"... Yea, easier said than done. But I'm TRYING!

Last month I was excited, not nervous or stressed. This time I've been more anxious. People tell me "don't think about it." And a week ago my response would have been "HA!" But the past couple of days, I can honestly say it hasn't been on my mind... Not nearly as much. Turning my mind to March of Dimes has truly taken my focus and put it on something good and positive.

I'm blown away. Completely blown away! In 24 hours we more than half-way passed my month-long goal to raise $300. So I've upped it. I know it's a big goal but seeing the generosity that's already pouring in, I think we can do it.

I'm still getting emails from people wanting to chip in and donate products to be raffled, and the list of things that we'll be giving away is over 30 items and all totalling more than $1000.

To further acquaint you with the items that are up for grabs I'm going to introduce you to the generous sponsors individually, and tell you more about who they are, and what you'll be winning. I'll feature one or two of them a day.

The first woman I want to introduce you to is the woman behind Metro Baby Cards.

Christina Butorac is the owner/designer of Metro Baby Cards - a modern photo birth announcement, invitation, holiday card and stationery business that she began in 2005 after the birth of her daughter. Having worked for years as a designer, she could not find modern photo announcements at a reasonable price anywhere online... So she decided to make her own.

After many positive comments from friends and family, she decided to sell her designs online. She says she never intended for her announcement designing hobby to become her 'full time job', but the business took off. So she stopped looking for an office job, and focused her attention on growing her business and staying home with her daughter.

She is married to Mountain (that is his real name!) and they have 2 girls - a 4-year old named Amelia and a brand new 4 month old baby named Lily. Just look at some of her work:Hopefully it won't be too long until I'm needing one of these ;)

I loved getting to know Christina and she's donating her talents to this wonderful cause! I admire her passion and creativity, and just look at what she's done!! Her website is gorgeous, and she now has the ability to work from home and spend more time with her children! ...Talk about win win!

Speaking of winning... You can win too! She's offered to donate a set of 25 Halloween cards to a donor of the free drawing! You'll also get free shipping! This is over a $50 value!

I looked in her holiday section and was just oogly-eyed over these cute cards. I can't wait until I have a little one to dress up and take trick or treating! I even contemplated dressing Snoop up and sending out some of these cards with his picture in it.
Here are a few of my favorites:Check out her site to see them all! There are TONS more! And if foreveryone who donates $10 to the March of Dimes fundraiser, I'm giving you a chance to win these for free (you're donating, not "buying" or "gambling for" these, but I want to do something for the generous donors so I'm giving away prizes). Paypal is only associated with donations, NOT with the drawing. Questions about the drawing? email babymakingmachine{at}gmail.com)

I'm happy to say that 100% of the money raised is going to March of Dimes... A great charity that helps educate mothers, so we can bring more healthy babies in this world!

You can donate by clicking the "chip in" button to the right or by clicking here. (Paypal is ONLY associated with the donations.)

That's just one sponsor. And at 8pm CST I'll introduce you to our next sponsor, who is donating a gift card to her adorable shop for children!

To see the complete list of sponsors (more than 30 and $1000 worth of free prizes) click here.

Cutest Baby (/Kid/Pet) Contest

First off, I don't want to have a kid anymore. Read more here.

Yesterday I sent a tweet out and asked if people would enjoy it if I did a cutest baby contest and was surprised my the response... I guess a lot of people like to show off their kids, and a lot of people just assume they'd win. Well well well moms!

While I think this is a great idea, I didn't think it would be fair to put cute pups like Snoop up against little babies... They don't stand a chance. So I decided to do a cutest Baby/Kid/Pet contest. There will be 3 winners, one for each category. What will you win? Well, I have lots of prizes to choose from. For one, a cute winner button to display on your blog, and perhaps another prize! But bragging rights should be enough right?

You decide which category your kid is in, although I think a lot of people are saying 2 and under= baby, 2 and over= kid, but I'll let you be the judge. Hopefully you know if your baby is a pet or not.

I'm wanting to do this to help spread awareness about my March of Dimes Drawing , there are over 30 prizes, totaling more than $1000 worth, and at this rate, everyone will win! (note though that Paypal is only associated with donations, and not with the drawing).

So, to enter my contest I ask that you place one of two buttons somewhere on your blog. Either the March of Dimes Raffle one to the right, or the one in this post below. And just link to this contest and/or the initial fundraiser post.

I'll collect photos all this week! You have until Friday at 11:59pm to get me your picture, you can email them to BabyMakingMachine{at}gmail.com. In the subject write "photo contest" and either "kid, pet, or baby."

Then Saturday I'll post the polls and let voting begin! It will last a week!

I made this button for you to put on your blog, so when your photo is up you can tell people to come vote for you. Also let them know about my fundraiser for March of Dimes.

If you're just coming in... I'm doing this because (full story) short story: After my first month of actually turning the Baby Makin' Machine "ON" nothing happened... I was pretty disappointed but I'm feeling much better now that I've taken my mind off myself, and turned it to helping this amazing organization that works to save babies! So if I'm not having one right now, it's ok, cause I know we're helping LOTS more through this.

So go forth and conquer! Send me your pictures and feel free to brag about your kid in the email! I love reading from proud parents :)

Oh and tell your friends (with not as cute of kids as yours) to enter!!

FAQs:
Q: What if I have more than one kid?
A: You can enter each one (up to 2.5) once

Q: Can the pictures be professional?
A: Yes!

Reclaimed Designs: March of Dimes Sponsor #4

Read how this started here.

I wanted to cry this morning when I saw I had an email from Paypal telling me they were "reviewing" my account because of the "raffle" going on here. Apparently they don't want to be associated with "gambling." I've been sending emails back and forth to them all day and calling them trying to figure out how I can make it clear that this is not about gambling but about donating to a CHARITY for heaven's sakes. Winning a prize is a bonus, but it's not all about buying "raffle tickets." I'm sure all of you donors are happy to be giving to a good cause and not in it for the prizes right? Ugh!!

Anyway, so here, I am, for the MILLIONTH time, (and in every post here on out, adding this disclaimer that:) Paypal is ONLY associated with donations to March of Dimes... They are not associated with the free prizes that will be given out at the end for my lovely and generous donors. If have questions about the raffle email me at babymakingmachine{at}gmail.com and I'll tell you how we're doing that.

Sorry that I'm going to have to state that a bazillion times, but I'd hate for all of this work, and the outstanding sponsors, and generous donors to be confused, and not given or heaven forbid... March of Dimes not see any of this money because of a stupid technicality.

Whew! You still there? ANYWAY! I hope you're having fun cause this is only the beginning. For those of you missing my normal rants about TTC and life don't worry... If you've noticed I've kept my blurbs going at the top of every post, and I'm also still blogging over here.

No new news as of yet, I'm just BLAH and just out of my follicular phase, so you pros know what's next. As of next here, introducing you to another talented woman!

Jenny Strohm is a nurse and I've LOVED getting to know her via email. She's a sweet woman and has a talent for making unique mosaic art, and shares it with the world through her store Reclaimed Designs.

She lives about 100 miles north of New York City. She's a mom and a step-mom. She has two daughters, aged 23 and 21, and 2 step-sons aged 18 and 16. Like I mentioned before, she works full-time as a Registered Nurse... But what I didn't mention is that it's in a school for autistic children. She says when she's not working, she spends much of my time creating mosaics like this:
This box is my favorite so far. I love the butterfly. And I know I could be a great gift too.
Many years ago she attended two years of art school, and has taken classes in ceramics. I asked her how she got into making these and she said she taught herself how to mosaic after picking up a book on mosaics several years ago. She has a vast collection of broken china, and any time a mug or dish breaks in her house, she's actually pleased! She also gets lots of donations of broken or chipped china.Aren't these beautiful? And I can't get over the fact that they're handmade! She is donating an original beautiful hand-made mosaic to one of you wonderful March of Dimes donors! If you happen to donate $5 to the charity I'll give you free tickets to win this prize! Not only are you helping a charity but (for free) I'll give you 5 tickets in my GIANT drawing! You can donate by clicking the "chip in" button to the right or by clicking here. (Paypal is NOT associated with the drawing, just with donations. Questions about the drawing? Email me at babymakingmachine{at}gmail.com)

This is just one of more than 30 prizes (worth over $1000) that's up for grabs in the raffle! See the full list here. 100% of the funds raised are going to March of Dimes, to help save babies!

Read how this got started here!
Check out all of the prizes here!
Enter my Cutest Kid (and pet) Contest here!
Have a giveaway? List it here! Offer extra entries to your peeps for donating!