Who wants a free massage, facial, or hair consult?

The Loft On Broadway has generously donated three amazing prizes!
* 60 minute Massage
* Personal consult, haircut, & design with Robin
* European Facial

Here are ALL of the prizes so far:
* Disneyland Parkhopper ticket
* rare Downtown Disney Build A Bear
* Disney Anime themed scrapbook kit
* Scentsy full size warmer
* Scentsy plug in warmer
* 60 minute Massage @ The Loft On Broadway
* Personal consult, haircut, & design with Robin @ The Loft On Broadway
* European Facial @ The Loft On Broadway

Again, there are a few ways to win!

INDIVIDUALS:
* Donate $10, receive (1) entry
* Donate $30, receive (4) entries
* Donate $50, receive (6) entries!
* Purchase the Mickey or Minnie beanie from my etsy store!

BUSINESSES:
OPTION 1: $25, black & white logo, website address
OPTION 2: $10, business name & website only
Your business name &/or logo will go on a special walk shirt I'm designing for our family team, Mikk's Kid  Krusaders. We're also going to have a small banner or sign with our team name. PLUS, All vendors will receive a Disney gift bag, plus a  certificate to display, in addition to all of the promotion @ our  various events & online!

You can donate at http://www.chocwalk.net/heathernelson or via Paypal to heathernelson {at} live {dot} com

For more information, please email Heather at heathercrownelson {at}  gmail {dot} com

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A Perfect Gift For Teachers!

I found these adorable cross stitch plaques today! Each one measures 2.25" by 2.25". Perfect for the teachers in your life!

I will make each plaque for you. These are only $3 each, free shipping!

Email me at 4briannesbasics {at} gmail {dot} com for more info & to order!

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*NEW* Crochet Baby Hats!

I've added a new item to my crochet beanie line: baby hats! I was inspired by my cousin, who's due with her second baby in late September. This first one will go to her :-)

The baby beanies are $6 each, free shipping! I also gift wrap each beanie with a personal message from you.

You can email me at 4briannesbasics {at} gmail {dot} com for more info!

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*NEW* items added to Etsy!

We've added a bunch of new items to our Etsy stores! Please support our cause. Remember, 100% of our profits go to various charities and events! On Brianne's Bridal Basics, we added Black & White Favor Boxes (I can do larger quantities, just email me at 4briannesbasics {at} gmail {dot} com) On Celebrate Recovery, we added some of our beanies! Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Ocean Dreams, & School Daze. Thank you for your support!

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*NEW* Disney Mickey & Minnie Mouse Handmade Beanies!

LIMITED TIME ONLY!

Introducing Mickey & Minnie Mouse themed beanies! Each one is handmade, crocheted by me.

The Mickey beanie has 2 yellow buttons, like his shorts. The Minnie beanie has a yellow flower, like her hat!

Available in adult & kid sizes :-)

I'm making these as a fundraiser for CHOC Walk. So they're only available for a limited time!

Adult beanies are $10, kid beanies are $8. OR purchase a family set for $15 (1 adult, 1 kid).

Email me at 4briannesbasics {at} gmail {dot} com for ordering & questions!

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#Craft For A #Cause

A friend from Operation Gratitude sent me a link for Joann’s Craft For A Cause contest. I instantly fell in love. Heck YES I’m entering!

That got the wheels turning. Oh jeez, I need to come up with a GOOD craft idea! And I did, I came up with a really really cute and fun idea. And also very crochet heavy LOL I can’t tell you what it is quite yet, but I can tell you it involves lots of the items in the picture

And so to offset all of THOSE, I’m offering my granny square scarves for 25% off!

Adult Scarves
2 color scarf: $7.50 (reg $10)
4 color scarf: $11.25 (reg $15)

Kid Scarves
2 color scarf: $6 (reg $8)
4 color scarf: $9.75 (reg $13)

Also, the first 5 people to order will get free shipping As always, 100% of our profits from Brianne’s Basics go towards charities and events!

So if you’d like to order a scarf, please email me at 4briannesbasics {at} gmail {dot} com Payment is not due immediately, we’ll discuss that

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SECOND OPTION for business owners!

I’ve added a second option for small business owners such as myself.

I know that $25 can be pretty steep, so I’ve added a second text only option for $10.

OPTION 1:$25, black & white logo, website address

OPTION 2: $10, business name & website only

On October 17, 2010, over 15,000 walkers will participate in CHOC Walk In The Park. And you can have your name seen by thousands of those walkers.

I’ll be designing a special walk shirt for our family team, Mikk’s Kid Krusaders. We’re also going to have a small banner or sign with our team name. Each shirt and banner will have a list of our donors, and you can be one of them.

For only $25, I will list your business name and website address. You will also be listed in our special event mini zine that we’ll be handing out to hundreds of participants, as well as blogged and tweeted about on our websites.

For $25 you’ll be doing a world of good for Children’s Hospital Orange County, plus you’ll be supporting our family team. In return, you’ll be heavily promoted and talked about A win-win!

In addition, you’ll also be entered into our drawing for the Disneyland Parkhopper tickets!

Show the world that, like Brianne’s Basics, your business is part retail, part charity, and all heart.

For more information, please email Heather at heathercrownelson {at} gmail {dot} com

JUST ADDED: All vendors will receive a Disney gift bag, plus a certificate to display, in addition to all of the promotion @ our various events & online!

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Are you a #charity #volunteer? Do you run a #charity? Tell me more!

As part of my DayZero Project List, I want to create & publish a list of 101 Ways To Donate Or Volunteer. I'm hoping people will read this list and see just how easy it is to volunteer. Do you volunteer? Do you run a charity? Do you know ways people can help out? Then let me know! Email me at workofheartzine {at} gmail {dot} com I'm looking for both local and national charity organizations. Deadline to submit your ideas and organization is September 15. The first volume will be published on October 1. Can't wait to hear from you!

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Bloggers! Do you review? Do you host giveaways?

I'm looking for a few mommy bloggers interested in reviewing a product or hosting a giveaway.

I would, of course, include a few extra items for you!

If you're interested, please email me at 4briannesbasics {at} gmail {dot} com

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Granny Square Scarves Are Here!

Our handmade granny square scarves are now available!

You choose the colors, either 2 colors or 4 colors. Each scarf is lovingly handmade to order by Heather. The scarves are approximately 4 inches wide for both adult and kid versions. The adult scarves are approximately 64 inches long. The kid scarves are either 32 inches long or 48 inches long (toddler or school aged).

Please allow 2-3 weeks for the creation of the scarf, and an additional 1-2 weeks for delivery (depending on delivery choice).

Adult Scarves
2 color scarf: $10
4 color scarf: $15

Kid Scarves
2 color scarf: $8
4 color scarf: $13

All prices do not include actual shipping costs.

INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL: Order and pay for your scarf by August 31 and you get FREE shipping!

** Please note: Actual creation time depends on how many scarves have been order. If I have two orders in front of yours, realistically it could take up to one month for me to create and ship it. So it's best to get your order in ASAP.

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And the winner is...

The winner of our adult scarf is JULIE SPRINGER! And the winner of our kid scarf is Ms. Mommy LeBron!

Congrats to both of you!

For the rest of you who did enter, if you order and pay for your scarf by August 31, you get a kid scarf for FREE! See the next post for pricing & such :-)

Results from Random.org:

1. Julie Springer
2. Mommy LeBron

Timestamp: 2010-08-19 00:30:30 UTC

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First of all, the biggest news! I've lowered the minimum donation amount. I’ll draw a name from anyone who donates $10 or more to my personal page at

First of all, the biggest news! I've lowered the minimum donation amount. I’ll draw a name from anyone who donates $10 or more to my personal page at http://www.chocwalk.net/heathernelson

That means you have a chance to get a Disneyland Parkhopper ticket for $10 instead of $97!

I've got two new prizes to add to the list! First up is a Scentsy full size warmer (retail $30).

Second is a Scentsy plug-in warmer (retail $15)

That means I'm giving 4 items away so far!

If I reach my goal of $350, I'll be giving away (1) Disneyland Parkhopper ticket. If I reach $550, I'll be giving away (2) Disneyland Parkhopper tickets!

The more you donate, the more chances you have to win!

Thank you for your support!

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Business Owners! Get your name out to 1000s of #charity walkers

On October 17, 2010, over 15,000 walkers will participate in CHOC Walk In The Park. And you can have your name seen by thousands of those walkers.

I'll be designing a special walk shirt for our family team, Mikk's Kid Krusaders. We're also going to have a small banner or sign with our team name. Each shirt and banner will have a list of our donors, and you can be one of them.

For only $25, I will list your business name and website address. You will also be listed in our special event mini zine that we'll be handing out to hundreds of participants, as well as blogged and tweeted about on our websites.

For $25 you'll be doing a world of good for Children's Hospital Orange County, plus you'll be supporting our family team. In return, you'll be heavily promoted and talked about :-) A win-win!

In addition, you'll also be entered into our drawing for the Disneyland Parkhopper tickets!

Show the world that, like Brianne's Basics, your business is part retail, part charity, and all heart.

For more information, please email Heather at heathercrownelson {at} gmail {dot} com.

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Scarf Selling Update!

For those curious, I AM moving full steam ahead with selling my handmade, personalized scarves.

Here are two patterns I've been working on:

School Theme

Floral Fantasy:

The scarves will run $10-20 each, depending on yarn type and size (kid/adult). If you're interested, please email me at 4briannesbasics {at} gmail {dot} com

Also, don't forget to leave your comment HERE for a chance to win your very own scarf!

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Operation Gratitude & Soldier's Angels Update

I've been hard at work on the scarves for Operation Gratitude and the Blankets of Gratitude for Soldier's Angels.

So far I've made 2 scarves, and 4 granny squares. I try to do at least 1 scarf per week, & 1 square per night.

I'm also helping my friend Mommy LeBron & her adorable daughter LeBella with their Sweet Dreams: Pajamas 4 Patients Project. I currently have 4 squares for her blanket.

So I'm slowly getting there! I may start posting a nightly total to keep myself on track LOL

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Opinions Needed

How much would you pay for a handmade personalized granny square scarf? By that I mean you would pick out three colors, and I would make a scarf for you. Almost patchwork :-)

How much would you pay? $10? $15? More?

Anyone who answers will be entered to win a patchwork scarf of their very own! Thanks guys!

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Soldier's Angel Blanket Underway!

I’ve completed my first granny square for my Soldier’s Angels Blanket Of Gratitude! I hope to complete at least one by the end of the year, hopefully more. I’ll keep posting pictures as I finish more squares.

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Operation Gratitude Scarf #1: DONE!

I’m pretty excited that I finished my first Operation Gratitude scarf! I have it listed on my Day Zero Project list to complete 10 scarves this season. I’m well on my way!

About Operation Gratitude: Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000 care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions. Our mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member’s face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$125 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 550,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.

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Brianne's Basics: A Featured Artisan At The LB Creative Mixer!

Exciting news! Brianne’s Basics was just confirmed as a featured artisan at the LB Creative Mixer on August 30!

DATE: Monday, August 30

TIME: 7-10pm

LOCATION: Exhibit A; 555 Pine Avenue in Long Beach

We’ll have a booth showcasing our items for sale and the work we’ve done. We’re also making a speech about using your crafts and art to help charities.

Entertainment will be provided by The Potential Lunatics (teen/preteen duo playing punk/indie music), Crepuscule Trio (creative improvised “free jazz” music from saxophonist Ken Kawamura, bassist Anthony Shadduck, and drummer Alan Cook) and painting by Tim “Shelltoon” Sheldon (full time tattoo artist and painter).

This is a big deal for Brianne’s Basics. It’s a fantastic way to get the word out, and hopefully inspire others to volunteer!

Please spread the word, and come to the mixer! All are welcome!

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This somewhat supermommy needs your help!

The Long Beach Press Telegram Amazing Women Awards program is looking for Amazing Women to recognize in the following areas:
Arts and culture ~ Education ~ Community Service ~ Health and Wellness ~ Business ~ Family ~ Youth ~ Sports ~ Environment

And I’m actually asking you, my friends, family, and readers, to nominate, but not for reasons you may think

Getting nominated, not even winning, would bring big publicity and help expand all of my charity work. I’ve donated over $500 to 15 organizations in 2010 alone. I’m a Kids Are Heroes Ambassador, HUGS Program Rep, & Bears On Patrol supporter. I’m also starting the monthly Kids Craft & Charity Corner at the Sunday Market to show kids they can be creative and crafty and volunteer. AND I’m starting the Friends Like Us HUGS Program in collaboration with the LB Depot For Creative Reuse and LB Creative, benefitting Miller Children’s Hospital.

For a mom of three, full time office manager, and someone dealing with health issues, to be able to do all of this is wonderful. Getting nominated would be HUGE because then people would pay more attention. They’d see that you don’t have to be a superwoman to be a volunteer. You can have many outside situations to deal with, AND still make an impact. People would realize even small acts help.

So I’m asking you guys to nominate me, if you’re so inclined. If I’ve helped your organization, if I’ve donated time and/or money, if I’ve inspired you, then please nominate me. If not, at least wish me luck

The url to nominate is http://www.presstelegram.com/women

They do ask for my information. If you need that, please email me at heathercrownelson {at} gmail {dot} com. (Just delete the brackets!)

I thank you in advance

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Kids Craft Corner a complete success!

Today was our first Kids Craft Corner at the Long Beach Sunday Market. It was a success! We nearly sold out of our craft kits!

The parents thought it was a great idea, and the kids loved being creative. We made wooden bookmarks, journals, and mini scrapbooks, ranging 50 cents to $1.

Make sure you join us next month when we make necklaces and bag tags.

Big thanks to the LB Depot For Creative Reuse, Brianne’s Basics, and Matt and Juls from 562citylife.com for the major support!

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Relay For Life Recap

Friday, July 31, was the first day of Relay For Life Long Beach. It wasn’t my first time participating, BUT it was my first time volunteering. I ran the Survivor Booth, and somehow got everything together in three weeks. People absolutely loved my gift bags, yay!

The Opening Ceremonies were fun. I even had to get onstage, eek! They announced the Committee Members. Despite all of my volunteer work, I am not a fan of getting onstage LOL Then the Survivors took their lap, and we lined the track to cheer for them.

The night went on with lots of eating, music, and friends. I met so many amazing people, including Cooper. He’s a little boy going through chemo right now, and he is one of the cutest little guys you’d ever meet. I gave his mom and sister “Caregiver” buttons, and the mom a gift bag. I gave Cooper a shirt and a medal, and even I got teary-eyed! It was a very moving moment.

At 9pm, they did the Luminaria Ceremony, which is always moving and emotional. They said “if you’re here for your mother or father, light your glowstick”. I lit mine, and teared up. They went through the list: siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, then survivors. We all made a silent trip around the track with our glowsticks while a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace”. That was played at my grandpa’s funeral, and I cried the entire time.

If you ever get a chance to participate in Relay For Life, I say do it. Even if you only make one trip around the track, do it. It’s an amazing experience, and truly unique.

And I have to give a HUGE thank you to my donors:

Brianne’s Basics ~ Celebrate Recovery

Frosted Cupcakery

La Dolce Vita Spa

LB Depot For Creative Reuse

Pictures are posted at my personal blog, http://misadventuresofamommy.com

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Ryan Vs. Jaguar… Give Kids The World wins! (July 29)

On Thursday, July 29, Ryan participated in Coasting For Kids, a charity event benefiting Give Kids The World Village. He had such a great time! He left early, about 615am. Him and the other nine riders board Jaguar at 730am and started their trip! By 5pm, Ryan had completed 100 rides. Whew!

After he left, I was watching the KTLA Morning News, and there was my hubby! They were doing a helicopter shot of him and the other riders. He waved to the camera, Mom Michael and I were screaming, it was pretty hilarious. Michael and I arrived at Knott’s at 10am to cheer Ryan on. As we were walking to Jaguar, they rode by and somehow Ryan saw us from across the lake! All of them were waving, very funny. The OC Register did an awesome article on the group, and even posted a video (which Ryan is in!). You can see the video HERE!

The group raised over $800 total. Not bad at all

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