Shop for Hope- Tile Coasters

Shop for Hope

 

Proceeds benefit the Four Diamonds Fund, through The Hope Express

 

Tile Coasters

$10 for a Set of 2 (plus shipping if applicable)

$20 for a set of 4 (plus shipping if applicable)

Each ceramic tile coaster is a 4.25” square. Each slate coaster is a 3.25" square. The graphics are sealed with several layers of decoupage glue and several coats of waterproof acrylic spray finish. The bottom is secured with felt to protect your furniture. These tiles can be used for hot or cold beverages, candles or as general décor. To clean them, gently wipe with a damp cloth. Do not put in dishwasher. Because they are handmade, each tile is different and will have small imperfections, which will not comprise the effectiveness of the tile. See below for available tiles. For  more information or to order, email Christina at agodmotherslove@gmail.com.  

 

 

Tile backs are covered with felt to protect furniture. Colors vary with each set.

 

Shop for Hope- Bottle Cap Magnets

Shop for Hope
 

Proceeds benefit the Four Diamonds Fund, through The Hope Express

Bottle Cap Magnets

$1 each (plus shipping if applicable)

Each bottle cap magnet is created with a cap that was donated by generous, craft beer loving friends and some dents or scratches will be on the surface of the magnets. See below for available magnets. For more information or to order, email Christina at agodmotherslove@gmail.com.

One of each of the following is currently available. More to be completed soon.

 

Magnet back. Glue may be visible on some magnets.

 

A New Year – A New Hope - For The Kids

 

A New Year – A New Hope - For The Kids

For most of us, January 1st is a time for resolutions. Whether it be to exercise more, loose weight, or to spend more time with family, each resolution is made with the hope of a new beginning.  

But for many children and their families it is simply one more day in the hospital, one more holiday missed at home, one more treatment...

Because of this, for one amazing group of people, January 1st marks 1 month, 1 week and 6 days until they embark on a very special journey. This journey will take them 135 miles through the cold, dark back roads of Central PA as they run, "For The Kids." This journey is The Hope Express.  

 

 

The Hope Express is much deeper than any words can describe. After all, hope enters the soul from a place of darkness. Childhood cancer is that darkness, which not only ravages the bodies of children, but every physical, mental and financial aspect of their family. It is from that darkness that the Four Diamonds Fund and the Hope Express were created and with them, the belief that childhood cancer can be conquered, the hope that is brought to families, and the generous gifts that have made miracles.   

Believe. Hope. Give.

 

 

BELIEVE

The Four Diamonds Fund: “The Four Diamonds Fund was established by Charles and Irma Millard after the death of their son, Christopher, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11. The Four Diamonds is named after a story that Chris wrote shortly before he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 14. In Chris’ story, a knight must find the Four Diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty and Strength in order to be released from captivity by an evil sorceress. These Four Diamonds are symbolic of the traits Chris believed were necessary to overcome cancer.

The Four Diamonds offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as expenses that may affect the welfare of the child. The Four Diamonds supports the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Institute.” (www.thon.org)

HOPE

The Hope Express: “The Hope Express is a 135-mile run created to bridge the gap between the families on the 7th floor at the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA and the Dancers at the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (aka THON), a year round fundraising event benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund, Conquering Childhood Cancer” (www.thehopeexpress.org). These runners spread awareness of the Four Diamonds Fund during their 135 miles adventure (or 140 mile for the Extreme Team) before completing their journey by delivering the special messages they carry with them as they run through the mountains of Central PA. These messages of love, hope and appreciation are made for the dancers by the children at Hershey who are too sick to attend THON Weekend. In 2012, The Hope Express, with the support of the family, friends, neighbors and even strangers, raised 75, 000 “For the Kids”  

GIVE

The fight against childhood cancer is a battle bigger than any one of us. But each one of us can do small things that together, will someday soon conquer it all. We just need to believe, have hope and give what we can (time, money, love). There are three simple ways to support The Hope Express and the Four Diamonds Fund.

1.      Before The Hope Express leaves Hershey February 14, 2013, we need your support and donations. All donations go to the Four Diamonds Fund and the THON total and will support the groundbreaking cancer research at the Hershey Medical Center and provide financial assistant to families, allowing them to focus on their child’s needs. To give, visit http://www.give2theexpress.org/supporting-hope/ or message me as where to send a check. All donations must be received by February 9th. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a big difference to a family whose child is battling cancer.

 

2.      The Hope Express welcomes inspirational letters, cards, and art for the runners and/or The Hope Express’ Four Diamond children and families. Send emails to service@pennstatephilly.org. Send mail by February 1^st, to Hope Express: Letters of Hope c/o The Philadelphia Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, P.O. Box 22402 – Philadelphia, PA 19110. For more information, contact Christina at service@pennstatephilly.org

3.      The easiest and greatest thing you can do is spread the word about The HOPE Express and the Four Diamonds Fund. Share the Four Diamonds Fund and The HOPE Express' websites, Tweet all about it (#135in24FTK), link it, blog about it, Facebook it, Pin it, share, share, share...

TheHope Express

FourDiamonds Fund

PennState IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON)

4 TheCure Foundation

Hershey Medical Center

HopeExpress: Letters of Hope

Liberty Ball, A Knight For The Kids (Philadelphia’s black tie optional benefit for the Four Diamonds Fund. To find the Gala in your area, click here.)

Dance MarathonAlumni Interest Group (DMAIG)

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association

 

 

 

Bottle Cap Magnets

A Simple & Cool Addition to Kitchen or Office Décor

 Materials:

¥   Superglue

¥   Beer or Soda Bottle Caps

¥   Soda Can Tabs

¥   Round Magnets

Instructions:

1.         Clean and thoroughly dry bottle caps.

2.         Once dry, use a knife to score (scratch) the inside of the cap.

3.         Place a good sized dot of Superglue in the inside of the cap and place one or two can tabs on top.

4.         One the magnet, place a good sized dot of glue and press firmly to the can tabs and bottle cap.

5.         Let dry for 24 hours, periodically firmly pressing magnet down.

Personalized Tile Coasters

Creating tile coasters is one of my favorite projects. It began with finally doing something with my beer label collection and evolved into using any cool pictures I had saved. I always cut and save pictures and quotes from magazines, calendars, advertisements, etc. and creating these tiles has been a wonderful and functional way to use these collections. They also make wonderful gifts. I made the beer label coasters for my hard-to-buy-for guy friends and used them in wine and craft beer raffle baskets for friends’ charity events.

I research many techniques online and here is what works best for me. Let me know how it works for you.

Materials:

Mod Podge or DIY Mod Podge

Acrylic Sealer *

Tiles**

Sponge Paint Brush

Scissors

Glue Stick

Photos or Pictures of Choice

Felt

Hot Glue Gun

* Sealers and tiles at Lowes or local hardware stores are significantly less expensive then at crafts stores. If shopping at craft stores, don’t forget your coupons.  

**Explore the tile section at Lowes or local hardware store and get what you like

Instructions:

I am a firm believer in art as a personal expression; therefore my instructions are not measurements and specifics but an inspiration for your creativity. If more exact directions are desired, see links at the end. 

1. Choose tile and clean with rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Let dry.
2. Choose picture, quote, photo, or label and cut to desired size and position on tile.  There doesn’t have to be an exact boarder, it really depends on the picture and how you would like it to look. You can also mix and match quotes and pictures, create a mosaic look, use glitter, etc.  
3. Use glue stick or very thin layer of Mod Podge (or DIY Mog Podge) to secure picture in place. Smooth out and let dry completely.  Too much glue will cause picture to bubble. If this happens, continue to smooth out or pierce bubble with a small pin and smooth out.
4. Once dry, brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over entire tile in one direction. Let dry at least 15 minutes but the longer the better. Repeat for 3 coats. Let dry completely between coats.
5. Spray 2-3 coats with acrylic sealer according to the sealer’s directions. This will create a waterproof seal.   
6. Secure felt to bottom. Cut felt slightly smaller then tile. Glue to back of tile using hot glue gun. This will prevent the coaster from sliding or scratching surfaces.
7. Enjoy!

Tips & Notes:

1. Photographs- Use Mod Podge for photos, the DIY version may contain material that will deteriorate photo over time.
2. Be patient. The longer the drying time between all coats the better.
3. Hot Glue- Act quickly. Glue and press felt on one side at a time otherwise, the glue will dry before the felt can adhere to it.
4. Glue Stick- Especially when gluing thinner paper to the tile initially, I find that it is easiest to work with a glue stick to prevent creasing and bubbling. Let it dry completely before applying the top layer of Mod Podge.
5. More Than a Coaster- These tiles do not have to be just coasters. They can be hung as wall art, made into a counter top, back splash, etc., candle holders, plant stands, glue them together to make one large coaster, add ribbon for wall art or signs, etc. The possibilities are endless. Check back for tutorials on these project extensions.
6. Imperfection is perfection. Love your art. :0)

Thank you Style Me Pretty for your tutorial that allowed me to put my own creativity into this project and share my art with others.

The Hope Express- A Life Changing Display of Strength and Unconditional Love

The HOPE Express

Thank you seems so small for generosity that was so great.

Thank you runners for your inspiration- because of you my dreams are many and my heart is full again.

Thank you fellow moralers for your love and humor- because of you I laughed more then I ever thought I could again.

Thank you Four Diamonds families for your strength- I am now strong.

Thank you donors for your support- I know money is tight in all households, but you opened your heart to the kids and your wallets to me anyway. Because of your generosity, you are part of the $72, 000 Hope Express was able to contribute to the record-breaking $10.6 million THON raised FOR THE KIDS! Thank you!

All of you did it For the Kids and it is For the Kids that we will continue.

For the Glory (The Paterno Way). For the Run. For the Kids. We are… Penn State.

     

About The HOPE Express

"The Hope Express is a 135-mile run that was created with the intention of bridging the gap between the families on the 7th floor at the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA and the Dancers at the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (aka THON). THON is a year round fundraising event benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund, Conquering Childhood Cancer. Over the past 34 years, the students of THON have raised more than $41 million and have helped thousands of children and families fight pediatric cancer.

The Hope Express will begin with a celebration for the families on Marathon Avenue, and will end at the Bryce Jordan Center to help kick off THON weekend.

The run will be completed by two teams of runners over a 24 hour period. This team will consist of THON alumni and Four Diamond families (past and present). Just as THON dancers participate in the no-sitting, no-sleeping, two day dance marathon held every February, enduring hours of fatigue, pain and delirium, the Hope Express runners will have to endure the cold, harsh, winter weather of a very cold night in February. Anyone involved in either activity understands that what they are going to endure does not compare to the harsh reality of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Everyone involved knows that they are playing a small albeit essential role in one of Penn State’s greatest and most unifying traditions." - www.thehopeexpress.org



For more information on The HOPE Express, The Four Diamonds Fund, or the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (aka THON) visit these links.

THON- thon.org

The HOPE Express- thehopeexpress.org

The Four Diamonds Fund- pennstatehershey.org/web/fourdiamonds/home

Video: What is Hope Express?