Jane Austen Fun and Mug Swap Received

Goodbye August!

Somebody posted this on FB and I thought it was fun.  Want to play along?  Here is my Regency Name: Lady Elizabeth Annesley of Shortfield Castle

Now, how elegant is that?!

 Previously I shared with you here the #mugswap16 box I put together to send out.  Today, I received mine from another swapper.  Carmen sews fun goodies, such as this mug rug and table runner, through her Instagram shop @MaxeenLandShop. She also added a scarf, made by her mom.  The roses on the mug are very sweet. Thank you Carmen. Note the backside of the table runner...

It just so happened I posted a picture of my kitty, Delilah, before the box arrived.  She is sitting on a vintage sheet (same fabric) covering my office chair - because, duh, kitty hair!  She is our scaredy-cat and does not often pose for photos.

I had some fun taking pictures of the sunflowers I bought earlier this week.  I enjoyed them greatly with The Word, toasted Irish soda bread, and Harney and Sons Vanilla Comoro tea.

I love how the evening sun cascades over the flowers.

I can not wait for cooler days my friends, but until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you.
Hugs and warm cup of tea,

MUG SWAP 2016 My Box to San Diego

Back on August 1st, I shared with you about a Mug Swap fundraiser here.
I managed to get my box completed well ahead of schedule & it was delivered last Thursday.  I received confirmation that my Mug Swap sister {Siraya} received it, so now I get to share my fun with you dear readers.

The different sides of the box

I decorated the inside of the box with cute pictures and quotes I thought she would like, and included a fun card. I lined the bottom of the box with a green cloth napkin, and placed one on top as well. Green is her favorite color.

She loves comics and super hero movies, so I found some fun Wonder Woman items.  Max was keen to check out the mug!

I could not decide on just one mug, so in addition to whimsical, I included a girly one with encouragement, which just so happens to be green and will go perfectly with her favorite drink!

Just like me, she's a Whovian.  We have so much in common.  We both love British.  Everything pictured below is British! Whoooop!

Both of us; Christ followers... aaawww yeah!

She's big into photography; found this cute camera washi tape WITH green washi tape.  Well, that was meant to be!

All this benefited Bags4Kids.  And to date, over $1400 has been raised on the swap.  But I think it's gone up from there since late addition swappers joined.  What a blessing!!

NOW, since I was searching for mugs... I came across something I could not resist for myself. This beautiful Jane Austen tea mug, which was ON SALE.
Check that quote on the upper right: "But indeed, I would rather have nothing but tea." Yep... that's me!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Here are a couple of fun ones that @TheMugSwap featured on Instagram. If you are a Gilmore Girls fan, you may have heard that Netflix is releasing FOUR NEW specials on 11/25/2016.  We can not wait!!! This was mine and my daughter's special mother-daughter show when she was a teen. Now, if you know me, you know I detest coffee, but these are certainly cute!

they found these on Pinterest

 

I hope you have enjoyed my little mug swap fun.

Remember friends,

free printables from JoyInMyKitchen.com

AND

Be blessed,

Mug Swap Fundraiser for Kids in Transition

If you enjoy Mug Swaps, and blessing others, there is an Instagram swap that just went live today.

However, you don't need IG to sign-up.

Just click this link to learn more: #MugSwap16

The IG page is @themugswap.  Sign-ups open through 8/7.  After you sign up, you will be directed to Bags4Kids to give a $5 donation.  {You'll read all about it at the above link as well}

Hint: Last year I told a swapper my perfect mug would be a bone china cup & saucer, and she honored my request via an afforable 2nd hand store, and said she really enjoyed the hunt :)

Ya never know... so don't be afraid to ask.

2nd Hint: I included my blog link throughout the sign-up sheet so my swap buddy could get to know me and my tastes better.

copied from InstaGram

#MugSwap15 for Adoption

While browsing my InstaGram feed, I stumbled upon the mentioning of a mug swap. But, not just any swap, one for a cause.  Over at mugswap.com &

hosted by aCuppaKim.com she gives all of the details on how she randomly chooses an adopting family to bless, sponsors a mug swap (think secret sisters), and asks each person who signs up to donate $5.  She then blesses the chosen family with all the funds raised!  Isn't that the coolest?

She has been doing this for 5 years! 

Mark your calendar for August 1st, 2016!

This year, we raised:

Woo-hooooo!!!!! The Barnett family reported this morning that 1 of there 2 adoptions was pushed over the edge and became fully funded because of this surprise blessing!  God is so good!!!

Now for the fun I had along this journey.

First, I understood spots were limited, so I quickly filled out the online application to sign up.  The last question asked was "Is there anything else you would like me to know?"  I said, if possible, I would love someone local so we could actually meet and share drinks in our mugs together :)

I think it was that day or the next I found out 1300 people had signed up, and the swap was full {but keep watching for surprise openings...50 spots, 100 spots, etc.}.  Anyhow, I really didn't expect to be paired up so quickly & certainly not with someone local once I understood HOW BIG this thing is {I'll have to ask her how she did that!}, but on August 4th I had my Mug Swap Assignment, and she was/is just one town over!!!!

I checked her application, which led me to her Pinterest page.  I discovered her wedding was yellow, and she loves Jesus, plus has an 11 month old.  That was enough to get me started. I found this darling book for her to read to her son.

I decided to attempt decorating my own mugs with scripture.  This involved an oil based Sharpie, cleaning the mugs with alcohol, decorating and then placing in cold oven & bringing temp up to 350* & baking for 45 minutes.  Remove and let cool.  I wrote on the bottom. So I baked them upside down.  I also photographed them upside down while they were still drying & then flipped the photo :)

This was my final selection of goodies.

See the Start Each Day With a Cup of Joy print on the bag?  That was a gift download for participating. 

I included 2 mugs (1 for lefty & 1 for righty or her hubs!), an adorable tiny wood block featuring a mason jar w/this little light of mine, Magnet: If you're happy & you know it say Amen!, bookmark representing my blog, inspirational printables, stickers, oatmeal verbena soap , Burt's Bees essentials kit & a sweet little pouch to put it all in, invitation to my church  because she lives close by & she just bought a  house so I included a list of things to do in the area & little corners of social media I find to be a blessing, plus CHOCOLATE . Additionally, I prayed continually for her.

But wait! There's more!!

Today, I got everything ready & sent her a quick email that her surprise would be arriving in about 30 minutes.  I told her I was NOT dropping in, just dropping by {as in outside}, because that would just be rude ya know.  But, upon arrival, she invited me, with 4 daycare Littles in tow, into her home.  We hugged, we laughed, we shared & she loved her goodies.  She was overjoyed with the book and said she LOVES Jesus Calling but did not have this version. We even got to pray together.  It was definitely a Divine appointment. I can not wait to visit with her again.  {Thank you Heavenly Father}.

If you are interested in learning about the Barnett family, and or donating to their second adoption, here are there details:

Click here to donate to Brooke & Brian Barnett

After YEARS of trying to get pregnant & walking down the long road of infertility, and then YEARS of waiting to be placed with a baby, Brooke and Brian were finally matched with a baby girl due September 4th here in the states.....AND a toddler boy overseas that they will bring home early 2016!! We are all praising God for His provision after years of heartache & waiting.

Brooke & Brian are on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in Norfolk, Virginia. They are some of the most passionate & hardworking people I know. They have made impacts on hundreds of lives (including my own!). They are also extremely sacrificial with their time & money. I know that adoptions can be rather expensive....and each adoption will cost them approximately $20,000 (so $40k total!). They are pursuing several ways to help with the costs. Thank you so much for helping bless this family I love so much! ~Katy (KatyGirl Designs)

Want to know how it works?

CLICK HERE FOR F.A.Qs.

I thought this last part was cool! "Finally, a friendly reminder that it's just a mug. The swap is meant to be something fun, a way to meet new people, make new friends, and bless others. It is not about the getting, and it's not about the mug. As the coordinator, I don't "get" a mug myself, and I find a lot of joy in just being a part of the process, I hope the same will hold true for you, no matter what shows up (or doesn't!) in your mailbox!" ~Kim

I will try to come back & post if I receive my mug. But, I've had so much fun I really don't care!!! :)

If you are on IG and search #mugswap15 you will see all of the fun that is being had!!!

Until next time lovelies, DO GOOD FOR SOMEONE :)

Heather Elizabeth

Sharing with Stephanie on Roses of Inspiration over at The Enchanting Rose