The Lost Art Of Intentionality

by Ashley Perez

[photo credit]

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I increasingly live more and more of my day-to-day life on autopilot. This is the curse of the modern-day woman, we have so much on our plates that in order to handle it all we mentally checkout. Between our families at home, our bosses at work, our trainers at the gym, and our girlfriends over brunch, we are hardly allowed a word in edgewise, let alone a thought as to what we’re actually doing to ourselves.

And what is it we’re doing?

We’re becoming machines, instead of honest-to-goodness real women, with real thoughts, feelings, and emotions. We’ve let our autopilot rob us of the joy of one of life’s simplest gifts, the gift of intentionality.

Intentionality by definition is the state of being deliberate or purposeful. Essentially it means you are taking even the smallest second to stop and think about what it is you are actually doing with your days, weeks, months, and life. It almost seems silly that we have to stop and think about the things we do, but we must. In order to be women who live up to the best of our potentials, we must also be women who aren’t afraid to look inside our everyday actions.

But what do I mean by look inside? Inside what?

Think of it this way, have you ever been so distracted by everything going on in your head that you hop in your car on your way to work, only to arrive what seems like minutes later with absolutely no recollection of actually driving there? This is exactly what I’m talking about, we are living our lives at such a high speed that we keep arriving at different “places” in our lives and wondering how it was that we got here?

When was the last time you sent someone a hand written letter? Sincerely complimented a co-worker? Had a real conversation with a significant other concerning something besides the bills, the GOP nomination, and American Idol? We have stopped doing things in our life with purpose.

If there are two things I believe every human needs to feel like a real life human being, it is purpose and community. Without one or the other life somehow seems off balance. Though we may be seemingly connected at all times through our omnipresent iPhones, how much real communicating do you really do? Do you find yourself mindlessly texting friends, family, and loved ones and not even really paying attention to their responses?

We need to slow down, and put some intention back in to our lives. We need purpose and we need each other. So how to we do it? Where do we do it? When do we do it?

Easy, you do it one step at a time.

Intentionality requires a lot of patience, another lost virtue, and coming to live a truly intentional life means you need to give yourself some space to work, and a little credit for the work you are already doing.

Let’s start with what you’ve already got. Chances are you—being such a smart, engaging woman—must already have at least two or three pretty great relationships in your life, be it your boyfriend, your girlfriends, your parents or your co-workers, there are some good people in your life. Therefore, give those good people some good quality time. Be intentional. Let them know why you appreciate them, what great support they give you, and then most importantly let them know you’re there for them too. This is always the best place to start, where you are already standing.

Then, start setting some goals. What is it exactly you want to be intentional about? Living an intentional life doesn’t just have to do with our relationships, it’s everything we do with our days. What we eat, how we exercise, what we watch on TV, read in the bathroom, and listen to on our iPods. Make three categories that you are actively choosing to be intentional about, it can be anything really: the food that you put into your body, the time you spend with your friends, your attitude about how to approach each day… anything.

After you’ve complied your three categories of things you want to focus on being intentional about, give yourself three concrete ways you can achieve your goal of being more purposeful. For example, if I am choosing to be more intentional about the way I do my job, I would decide that I need to:

1. Get to work on time everyday
2. Read at least one non-required reading each month concerning some aspect of my job
3. Purposefully ask my boss if there are any areas of improvement I can be working on in the next month.

You see? All it takes is a little intention to inspire some truly meaningful action.

You can do it. And what’s even better is that as you start to consciously think about what it is you’re doing with your life, you will find it that much more enjoyable, because it is finally yours.

I’ll leave you with this: if given the chance, a father will always ask of the young man interested in dating his daughter this one question, “What are your intentions concerning my daughter?” This is how we have to live our lives, asking ourselves the same type of question. Living a life with purpose and intention is the only way to live fruitfully. So take a step back and ask yourself, “What are my intentions for today?”.

What about you? What are your intentions for today?

Abandoning the God of Appearance

by Natalie Lynn Borton

Good morning, girls! Today I want to share with you a talk on beauty and the false god of appearance we sometimes find ourselves worshiping. It's by Andy Kelly, someone who Brian and I met at Flood and who has been a good friend of both of ours since before we even met each other.

His thoughts, observations and wisdom on the topic are powerful and worth listening to. Whether it be on your lunch break, in between classes, or after work, I highly recommend setting aside an hour of your time to soak up some good truth on the topic. Enjoy!

How does this video impact how you've viewed beauty in the past, or are currently valuing physical appearance? How does it affect your understanding of who God is?

Featured Cause: Girls Love Mail

by Chrissy Watson

[photo credit]

In light of the official month of love I thought a cause with love in title would be perfect. I would like to introduce Girls Love Mail!

To give you a little history, Girls Love Mail began when a woman named Gina Mulligan was diagnosed with breast cancer. While getting treatment she received over 200 letters and cards full of uplifting words and support. While thinking about how fortunate she was to have so much love and support she couldn’t help but what about the breast cancer patients who aren’t so lucky. She hated the thought of their mailboxes being empty and them having no one to stand beside them. She describes it as an “AHAA!!” moment.

The goal of Girls Love Mail is to give the gift of a hand-written letter to a woman who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. You write a letter sharing encouragement and inspiration. Send it to Girls Love Mail and they will distribute the letters to the appropriate physician offices, support groups, and cancer centers.

Getting involved in this cause is super easy and a great way to spread the message that we all know and love, “You have worth…” Here's all you need to do:

• Go to the Girls Love Mail website and click on “Get Started.”
• There you have step-by-step instructions, starting with completing a sign up form.
• You will be emailed an instructional packet so you have guide on how to write your letter and some tips on what to write.

Send some love and encouragement to a woman that is going through a hard time. We all need to stand by each other and support each other and we shouldn’t let having never met get in the way.

When have you been encouraged by a handwritten note? How did it impact how you handled your circumstances?

The Woman With The Issue Of Blood: From Outcast to Daughter

by Raquel Rodriguez

[photo credit]

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. (Mark 5:24-29)

We read today about a woman with many issues. She was most likely anemic, fatigued, and worn out physically. She woke up every morning with pain and went to bed with pain. She had financial issues as she had exhausted everything she had on doctors, treatments and who knows what other failing hopes.

She had relational issues, too. Levitical law prohibited her from entering the temple or coming into human contact. She was labeled unclean. She was homeless, alone, isolated, abandoned, rejected, an outcast, broken, defiled and destitute. Years of shame left her broken, stripped of any self-worth and a proper identity. She may have been bitter towards God, people and life. She may even have doubted God’s faithfulness and her faith may have grown cold.

Yet, her “problem” pushed into the presence of God. She didn’t wait for her physical issue to be met, healed or treated—she was desperate and driven. She chose to no longer remain in her dark and lonely pit. She put it all on the line, reached out to Jesus and was immediately healed.

“Jesus is willing to be your last resort, to stand in the line for 12 years of seeking a solution. He willingly does so because He knows that often times it is our desperation that turns into inspiration.” -Joe Focht

And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” (Mark 5:30-34)

Have you ever given a certain activity your all and at the end of it you feel as if all the energy in you had been given out? Imagine that happening by someone simply touching you. That’s the only way that I can picture this encounter from Jesus’s perspective. He looked around to see her. What thoughts might have crossed her mind as she interlocked eyes with her Savior: I am in trouble! What have I done? What will they do to me? Will they run away from me?

She falls before Him and tells Him the whole truth: “I was ill, rejected, depressed, and hopeless and I heard about You. I heard that You give sight to the blind, you restore the lame, You raise the dead, You deliver the demon possessed, You multiply food to the hungry, You do the impossible surely I believe You could heal me.” Jesus knew that her touch of His garment had provided only a physical healing, but her greater issue was her lost soul. Her faith becomes her conversion. And Jesus calls her daughter. This is the only recording in all of scripture where Jesus personally calls any woman "daughter." This certain woman—an outcast—becomes a chosen child of God. He goes from being the man who performs miracles to her now Savior and Father.

Are you exhausted of fighting a battle? Reach out to Jesus.
Is your heart tired? Reach out to Jesus.
Is your issue a physical ailment or illness? Reach out to Jesus.
Is your issue relational: Bitterness? Unforgiveness? Broken heart? Loneliness? Reach out to Jesus.
Is your issue pride: Self-righteousness? Anger? Rage? Outcasted? Reach out to Jesus.
Have you lost your identity in Christ? Feeling Worthless? Reach out to Jesus.
Have you been abandoned? Rejected? Abused? Defiled? Reach out to Jesus.
Has your family fallen apart? Reach out to Jesus.
Whatever your issue, reach out to Jesus.

For those of you who may not necessarily identify with this woman in the Bible, take a minute to ask God to reveal to you who in your sphere of influence who may be feeling hopeless. Remember, the only reason this certain woman knew of Jesus was because she had heard of Him.

When did you first hear about Jesus?

Spring Cleaning

by Alex Evjen

Spring is almost upon us. Can you believe it?! Soon, we’ll be putting away our sweaters and coats, and pulling out our favorite sun dresses and tanks. Not to mention, we’ll be adding some of the season's hottest trends into our existing wardrobe. I can’t wait!

But before you buy anything or put away your fleece, you should go through your closet piece by piece and ask yourself three questions...

1. Does this still fit?
2. Is this flattering on me?
3. Is everything on this garment intact?

If you answer yes to all of the questions, then fold up the item and keep it. If you answer no, to any of the questions then you need to ask yourself the next set of questions...

1. Is this worth bringing into the tailor and having it altered, repaired or redyed?
2. Do I want to wait to see if my body changes in a year?
3. Do I want to try and sell this at a consignment store and make some money back?
4. Do I want to donate this?

If you bring something to the tailor be sure to ask the cost of the alteration ahead of time. This will help you budget better and get the best deal for the job.

Donating clothing is a fantastic way to help those in need. There are many organizations out there that accept clothing donations with Goodwill being the most common. Goodwill is a wonderful choice, but also be on the look out for local opportunities or even needs within your neighborhood or church community.

Selling your clothes on ebay.com or in consignment shops are great ways to make easy money. Just make sure you ask about the consignment store’s policy, what percentage they take from the sale, what happens to the clothes if they don’t sell, etc. Ebay.com is the perfect place if you want full control and profit from your sale; however, if you’re a person on the go and you get bogged down by small errands like packaging and running to the post office, this isn’t your cup of tea.

Lastly, if the clothes aren’t fitting your body at this time that’s OKAY. Our bodies go through so much change with seasonal transition, stress and sickness. Don’t be hard on yourself! If you really enjoy that skirt, put it away for next year.

Will you do "spring cleaning" with your wardrobe this year? Why or why not?

WM Spotlight: Sarah Aulie and Robin Seyfert (Part Two)

by Rachel Johnson

We’re back today with the rest of Sarah Aulie and Robin Seyfert’s story about their work with Hand & Cloth (if you missed part one you can read it here).

Q: Sarah, what is your role within the organization, and how do you stay inspired?

Sarah: I am focused right now on marketing our products and connecting with people who want to support our work. I’ve met such wonderful and sincere people who have approached Hand & Cloth, offering time, talents, gifts and prayer to support our work. Some offer to do a photo shoot of the products. Others offer to make a film, or help with the website, or give money to support Bengali Literacy classes.

One of things that keeps me inspired and motivated is knowing each of the women – knowing their name, a bit of their story (whatever they want to tell us), and their prayer requests. We asked each of the women to write out their prayer requests, and I keep these tucked in my planner. Rupali “wants to develop and advance in her career and she prays that her daughter, Shohali, will understand the difference between good and bad.” Saida’s prayer request is that “Sakib [her son] grows up to be an engineer!” Pival prays “for Lucky [her daughter], who has some learning problems, to understand and improve in school.”

Q: Robin, how did you learn about Hand & Cloth, and what is included in your list of day-to-day responsibilities?

Robin: I knew about Hand & Cloth through Sarah as we had met in Bangladesh some years before. We began the process of registering Hand & Cloth as a limited company in Bangladesh in March 2011. As anyone who has started a business probably knows, you do a bit of everything when you work for a non-profit organization – accounting, sales, marketing, production, sewing, design, cleaning, blogging, tweeting, supervising, hugging, scolding, celebrating, correcting, laughing, crying. We're always trying to strike a balance between being compassionate and providing social support while empowering the women to be an integral part of a viable business.

Q: Have you been to Bangladesh? If so, how has that experience shaped you?

Robin: I've lived in Bangladesh for almost 5 and a half years. I've loved living in a place where people respond to an opportunity and bravely move towards a better future. Bangladesh is a deeply spiritual place and I'm awed to be part of what God is doing here.

Q: One of my favorite books is Half the Sky, a piece written by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn about how empowering women will resolve so many of the world’s crises. The work you two do with Hand & Cloth plays into that proclamation perfectly. How do you two think women can mobilize and utilize their strengths to effect great change throughout the world?

Robin: So many women are exploited in Bangladesh when they lose male protection through death or abandonment. We hope they learn to band together to stand against exploitation and abuse and help protect other women as well. For married women, we are trying to involve their husbands. As their wives and children have glimpsed a different type of life, we want to make sure husbands are included in that.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone who aspires to start her own creative non-profit organization, what would it be?

Sarah: Pray! At Hand & Cloth, everything starts with prayer. I can look back in my journals and reflect upon so many answered prayers. In fact, I think this experience of being involved in a start-up organization has, more than anything, brought me to my knees, and caused me to see that we can do nothing apart from Him.

Q: What do you two do in your free time (if you have any!)?

Sarah: I love reading Scripture. Lately I’ve been studying the book of Philippians.

Robin: I don't have much free time but I try to get glimpses of nature and I love to read.

Q: Readers are surely going to want to purchase some beautiful blankets from Hand & Cloth. Where can they buy them, and how can they learn more about the cause?

Sarah: Our handmade kantha blankets can be purchased through our online boutique. You can “like” our Hand & Cloth Facebook page. You can also follow stories on our blog and on Twitter.

What do you girls think of Hand & Cloth?

WM Spotlight: Sarah Aulie and Robin Seyfert (Part One)

by Rachel Johnson

Like Kristen Hoffman and Kate Kruuse, our fearless friends at Swakx who were featured in last month’s WM Spotlight, Sarah Aulie and Robin Seyfert make an incredible team. They work together at Hand & Cloth, a non-profit organization that enables women in Bangladesh to gain job skills and enter into the work force, empowering them to become leaders in their communities. Sarah and Robin are incredible young women who credit their motivation and success to the beautiful women that they serve in Bangladesh. Read on to learn more about their cause

Q: Sarah and Robin, thank you for being part of our Spotlight Series. Last month we featured a dynamic duo working together to combine their creativity and make the world a better place. You two do just the same thing, only in a different country and with a different product. Tell us about Hand & Cloth.

Sarah: Each day at Hand & Cloth in Bangladesh, women gather together in the workplace to sew beautiful kantha blankets handmade from vintage sari cloth. It’s a beautiful sight to see women who were once at high-risk of exploitation now working together in dignity and hope. It’s an even more beautiful sight to be an eyewitness as women hear the Word of God in the work place.

While a job gives a woman dignity, real hope comes when women hear the good news and learn that they are loved by God and created for a good purpose.

These two things are important to us – work and Word. Works brings a livelihood to a woman who would otherwise have to live on the street. The Word of God brings Life - true, everlasting and abundant Life! - to a woman who otherwise would not have known that she is loved and made for a good purpose.

Q: I love that you cite the Hebrew term “rapha” (referring to healing) in your vision statement. Tell us the detailed meaning of this word and how it came to be such a significant component of your mission statement.

Sarah: My first trip to Bangladesh was back in 2007. During that time I was doing a Beth Moore study called Believing God (I recommend that study to everyone!). One of the words in the study was the Hebrew word “Rapha.” Rapha means “to stitch,” “to mend” or “to heal.”

As we were writing our vision statement, we continued to find countless stories in the New Testament of women who approached God and found healing – think about the woman who was bleeding for 12 years, for example (Matthew 9:20-22). She believed that if she could touch even the edge of His cloak, she would be healed. She approached Him in the midst of a crowd of people, she reached out her hand to touch Him, and she was healed. This is our hope for each woman at Hand & Cloth – that she would come to know God as “Rapha,” the one who heals.

Q: How did you choose Bangladesh as the home of your social enterprise?

Sarah: God brought both Robin and I on different journeys to Bangladesh. I can look back and see His sovereign plan in crossing our paths. I went to Bangladesh in 2007 to volunteer at an organization started by a woman who I greatly respected, Faith Willard. I was studying Bengali and planning on one day returning to Kolkata, India. Little did I know that God had long-term plans for me in Bangladesh!

During my time in Bangladesh, I started making trips up to Mymensingh, a town three hours north of the capitol city. My Bengali friend and interpreter had introduced me to Rajani* (pseudonym used), who lived in Mymensingh. Rajani had been forced into prostitution as the only means of feeding her children. We continued to make trips to Mymensingh, visiting Rajani. I remember one particular visit when we shared with her the story of a foot washing in Scripture. Rajani couldn’t believe that anyone would wash people’s feet!

Robin: I went to Bangladesh initially in 2006 with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to developing HIV Awareness programs. A colleague pointed to the huge need to provide alternative opportunities to women in prostitution. We started a yearlong training program following which the women were employed by MCC enterprises. The first year we took 26 women expecting up to half to drop out. All 26 completed the program.

Sarah: I visited the training program just a year later and could hardly recognize Rajani. Was this the same woman who once could hardly look at me in the eyes? Now she wore a clean sari and held her head straight!

Robin: In 2010, when my contract with MCC was coming to an end, the Hand & Cloth Board asked if I would consider moving to Kolkata, India, to run one of the organization’s programs there. I actually expected to say yes. But one day I was standing by the rail station where so many of the women, including Rajani, had been working and living. In the midst of the squalor I saw several of our trainees approaching. They called out to me and showed me the books they were taking home to practice their new literacy skills. The contrast of the hope on their bright faces with the sadness and depravity made me realize I could not leave when so many lives could be changed so completely.

Recognizing that sustainable work was essential to help these women become all they could be, I began to make plans to start a business in Bangladesh. When Hand & Cloth agreed to come behind this business, it was obviously God bringing us together into a work he had prepared in advance for us to do.

Q: Fill us in on the Kantha Tradition: what is it, and how does it apply to Hand & Cloth’s vision?

Sarah: For centuries, thrifty Bengali women have reused their saris, binding them together with a simple running stitch called the “kantha” stitch. These blankets keep their children warm during the colder months. The choices of the cloth and thread color, along with the elaborate stitches that are added, have turned this function into an art form in Bangladesh. At Hand & Cloth, we are delighted to see how the women take extra time with their blankets so that each one is truly transformed into a work of art.

Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

The Game Girls Are Made to Play

by Jeff Bethke

[photo credit]

A lot of times we don’t necessarily think critically about how or why a biblical principle exists, but instead we just act upon assumption. I see this extremely true in regards to how girls approach the issue of guys “pursuing” them.

Generally speaking most girls have been taught--either through explicit teaching or assumed church culture--that it is wrong for them in any way to act interested in a guy until he has fully made known his intentions to that girl. I mean a Proverbs 31 women would never do that right?

Here’s how it usually goes: a girl is frustrated that no guy is pursuing her (which isn’t her fault, but rather due to the lack of faithful guys out there today), and so a well-meaning individual usually tries to console the girl by saying something like, “Oh honey, use this season as a time to be single and fully content in God.” Any of you ladies heard that before?

Now, while I agree with that to some extent, I can’t get over one glaring contradiction: Genesis 2:18. God declares it is “not good for man to be alone.” Have you ever let the reality of that verse sink in? Adam was in full, perfect, unaltered fellowship with God before sin, before hurt, and before suffering, and yet still “it was not good” that he was alone. Why? Because God created us in His image, and when a man and a woman come together we are more fully displaying and reflecting His triune nature than we can do when single.

Quickly, let me note that I’m not saying that you need a guy in order to be fulfilled or godly. Ladies, no guy can ever bear the weight of God or fulfill you like He can. Only Jesus saves, and sometimes He uses those single seasons (or single lifetimes for some) to painfully address the idolatry some have of finding “the one” that actually doesn’t exist.

But outside of that idolatry, when a woman knows her true identity, it is perfectly okay for her to recognize if she has God-given desire for an intimate relationship.

You may be thinking to yourself, that’s great advice Jeff, but how in the world do I do that practically? Obviously, since a romantic relationship is intended to reflect Christ and His Church (see Ephesians 5), a woman would be miscommunicating the nature of God if she were to actively pursue a man.

So how are you girls supposed to move forward? How do you deal with your desire to be in a relationship without the ability to make it happen for yourself? The short answer is this: put yourself in his way.

Don’t drive the car, but put yourself in the middle of the road, so when he is driving he won’t miss you (it’s exactly what Ruth did to Boaz in the Old Testament story). Also, feel free to engage the guy you’re interested in in a light hearted way to show him your interest.

I know for me, there was nothing more encouraging than when I started to pursue my girlfriend than to see the feelings reciprocated. When done properly, dating should be an awesome cycle of a guy pursuing and a girl responding, which in turns shows him she actually likes him, which gives him more confidence to pursue even harder, which leads to constant growth and a deeper relationship.

All in all, remember that it’s not evil or wrong to desire to be in a relationship. You were created for it, and it’s perfectly okay to live in that tension for a while until the right person comes along.

Agree or disagree? How does this impact your view of relationships and dating?

P.S. The winner of the Sea Roots She's A Gem Earrings is simplymerry...

Email natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your beautiful new jewelry!

Day 14: Sea Roots Earrings

Day 14 has arrived! Remember Sea Roots from last week? Well today we have one more special item to give you from them: She's A Gem earrings!! From their site:

"She's a Gem" is a common phrase when referring to my friends... valued for their beauty and highly prized!

These earrings are dangly, coastal, playful and an absolute favorite amongst the "gems" in my life! A blacklip shell dangles from a unique freshwater pearl in sterling silver.

Made with sea love and arrives in a beautifully handmade linen pouch.

We're pretty sure you all know how this thing works, but for those of you who are reading about our giveaway for the first time, here's how you enter to win today's prize:

1. Leave a comment below.
2. Like us on Facebook and leave an additional comment to tell us when you've done so.
3. For more chances to win, mention us in a Facebook post with a link to the blog post with the giveaway item you want to win. (Be sure to tag us using @Wonderfully Made so we can see it!).
4. Check back Monday to see if you're the winner!

Thank you to all of you who participated in our giveaway, and congrats to everyone who won something! We hope that you'll consider all of our wonderful sponsors the next time you're looking for gifts or just doing a little shopping for yourself. Isn't it fun to support organizations that have great products and do good?

See you back here Monday, when we'll announce the winner of these beautiful earrings as return to our usual inspirational and thought-provoking blog material!

P.S. The winner of The Pink Ruffle's teal bracelet is Carly Warren!

Email natalie@wonderfullymade.org for details on how to get your pretty new teal accessory!

Day 13: The Pink Ruffle Teal Bracelet

Happy Friday, girls!! We hope you've been enjoying our giveaway so far. We have just two days left, and both of our giveaway items are pretty wonderful. Today's item is a bracelet from The Pink Ruffle, and it's extra special because it's teal—Wonderfully Made's favorite color! From their site:

This bracelet is a great addition to any outfit! Made with teal suede and gold hex nuts. Colors can be changed. If you are not a gold person, silver is also an option.

One size fits all, but to get exact fitting you can message me your wrist size.

Here's how you can win:

1. Leave a comment below.
2. Like us on Facebook and leave an additional comment to tell us when you've done so.
3. For more chances to win, mention us in a Facebook post with a link to the blog post with the giveaway item you want to win. (Be sure to tag us using @Wonderfully Made so we can see it!).
4. Check back tomorrow to see if you're the winner!

P.S. The winner of the Sea Roots Sea Love Necklace is Shepherd's Daughter...

Email natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your pretty new necklace.

Day 12: Sea Roots Sea Love Necklace

We are just two days away from the end of this giveaway series, and we still have some exciting gifts to bless you girls with, thanks to our generous sponsors! Today we have a beautiful necklace from Sea Roots that we know you'll love.

From their site:

Inspired by the raw beauty and free spirit of surfer girls... this necklace is simple, sea loving, and light as a feather!

A clear sea glass pendant found on the shores of Hawaii, delicately suspends from a natural silk cord in aqua or sand.

Made with sea love and arrives in a beautifully handmade linen pouch.

All you have to do to be entered to win is...

1. Leave a comment below.
2. Like us on Facebook and leave an additional comment to tell us when you've done so.
3. For more chances to win, mention us in a Facebook post with a link to the blog post with the giveaway item you want to win. (Be sure to tag us using @Wonderfully Made so we can see it!).
4. Check back tomorrow to see if you're the winner!

P.S. The winner of yesterday's giveaway is Laura...

Email natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your cool new yoga may bag from One Mango Tree.

Day 11: One Mango Tree Yoga Mat Bag

Calling all yoga-lovers! The winner of today's giveaway will have a nice new bag to hold her yoga mat in, courtesy of One Mango Tree:

Our Yoga Bag is the perfect piece to help keep you motivated to practice during chilly winter months! In bright prints, it's sure to make you smile every time you practice! The long strap can be worn over one shoulder or across the chest, and there is an inside pocket to hold keys, phone and wallet. Extra room for thick mats. A great gift idea for the yogi in your life, too.

Entering to win is easy peasy...

1. Leave a comment.
2. Like us on Facebook.
3. For more chances to win, mention us in a Facebook post with a link to the blog post with the giveaway item you want to win. (Be sure to tag us using @Wonderfully Made so we can see it!).
4. Check back tomorrow to see if you're the winner!

P.S. The winner of the WM No Greater Love {Jesus} Necklace is mich827...

Email natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your beautiful new accessory :)

Day 10: WM No Greater Love {Jesus} Necklace

Happy Valentine's Day, beautiful girls! First and foremost, we want to tell you today that YOU ARE LOVED!! In honor of this day of love, we are excited to give one of you our brand new No Greater Love {Jesus} Necklaces:

This is a limited edition necklace, available in your choice of sterling silver or 12K gold. The wire and chain are both 12K gold, and it comes on a 16" chain. We'll send it to you gift-wrapped with our hand-stamped "You Are Loved" tag. So cute, right?

Find out exactly how you could win this lovely gem of a necklace here.

P.S. The winner of yesterday's Raven and Lily travel journal is Alissa...

Email natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your beautiful new notebook!

Day 9: Raven and Lily Uzma Travel Journal

Raven and Lily is back again with another beautiful journal, this one for recording your future travels and adventures:

Record your adventures of travel in style with this exclusive design inspired by the beautiful culture of India. This travel journal includes 40 blank pages of handmade 100% recycled cotton paper and textiles by marginalized Muslim women in Northern India. Proceeds from this collection go to fund literacy programs for the women artisans and children in the community.

Find out how to enter our Sweet 14 Giveaway here. And remember—Zoe is giving all of you WM blog readers 20% off for one whole week (ends Friday the 17th), so get shopping!!

P.S. The winner of the Zoe Clothing Company $50 gift card is Samantha Kuiper...

Email natalie@wonderfullymade.org to collect your winnings :)

Day 8: $50 from Zoe Clothing

Welcome to day 8. Having fun yet? We sure hope so! Today Zoe Clothing Company is so generously giving one of you lucky ladies $50 to spend in their online store. Here's a little preview of some of the goodies you could buy with your winnings...

Not sure how to enter our Sweet 14 Giveaway? Find out here. Also, for those of you who don't end up the luck winner, Zoe is giving all of our WM blog readers 20% off for readers for 1 week (ends Friday the 17th).

P.S. The winner of the Going Home to Roost apron is "The House Wife Rookie":

Be sure to email Natalie at natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your cute apron by Bonnie of Going Home to Roost!

Day 7: Going Home to Roost Apron

Calling all domesticated divas! Our dear friend Bonnie from Going Home to Roost is giving away an adorable apron of your choice from her Etsy shop today. There are two different styles, each reversible with a cute pattern on both sides:

Leafy Half Apron (front and back)

Watering Can Apron (front and back)

Find out how to enter our Sweet 14 Giveaway here.

P.S. The winner of our WM soldered pendant necklace is "Chelsea"! Congratulations!

Be sure to email Natalie at natalie@wonderfullymade.org to claim the WM pendant of your choice!

Day 6: Wonderfully Made Necklace

Welcome to day six of our first-ever giveaway series. Today we're giving one of you a special goodie from our very own wmBoutique...a beautiful soldered pendant (of your choice)!

Find you how you can enter to win here. Remember, for more chances to win share on Facebook or Twitter.

P.S. The winner of the 31 Bits necklace is Kelli. Congratulations!

Kelli, be sure to email Natalie at natalie@wonderfullymade.org so we can get your new 31 Bits necklace to you!

Day 5: 31 Bits Necklace

Love a good statement necklace? Today you just might have a chance to win a new one! We're giving one of you lucky readers a beautiful necklace from 31 Bits.

In case you haven't heard of this fantastic organization, here's a little bit about them:

31 Bits Designs is a socially minded business designed to give internally displaced women in Northern Uganda an opportunity to counter poverty. By giving our beneficiaries access to the international market, they are able to earn an instant income, providing homes, food, and education for their families. Our program equips women by providing literacy education, financial and vocational training, holistic care, and strong support systems, empowering individuals to further their careers and attain social equity.

Find you how you can enter to win here.

P.S. The winner of yesterday's Make Pie Not War $20 gift certificate is "Brianna DaSilva!"

Brianna, be sure to email Natalie at natalie@wonderfullymade.org so you can get your Make Pie Not War jewels!

Day 4: $20 from Make Pie Not War

The winner of this exciting giveaway item will get to have her choice of goodies—because she'll have $20 to spend at the Make Pie Not War Etsy shop. Woo! Here are just a few of her beautiful pieces of jewelry, that you might soon be the happy owner of...

Find you how you can enter to win here.

P.S. The winner of the JJ Heller Autographed CD is " A Girl With a Smile."

Email Natalie at natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your autographed JJ Heller CD!

Day 3: JJ Heller Autographed CD

Good morning! Today we're giving away an autographed CD from Christian/Folk singer JJ Heller. If you've never heard her music (or you already love it and just want to give it another listen), you can check it out on her site here. Also, don't forget to like her on Facebook!

Here's how you enter to win today's autographed CD:

1. Comment below with your favorite song lyric (of any song, not just JJ).
2. Like us on Facebook.
3. For more chances to win, mention us in a Facebook post with a link to the blog post with the giveaway item you want to win. (Be sure to tag us using @Wonderfully Made so we can see it!).
4. Check back tomorrow to see if you're the winner!

P.S. The winner of yesterday's One Mango Tree Hobo Bag is "Rose"...

Email Natalie at natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your gorgeous new bag from One Mango Tree!

Day 2: One Mango Tree Hobo Bag

It's day two of our Sweet 14 Giveaway, and today we're giving you a hobo bag in the spiced cider color from One Mango Tree.

From their site:

Your everyday handbag. The Hobo Bag has adorable detail {cute twisted handles} and a stylish shape we know you'll love {big and slouchy}. Inner pocket so you're never searching for your phone and keys. The bright printed fabrics in our Winter 2011 collection were purchased locally from markets in Uganda.

Here's how you enter to win today's pretty bag:

1. Comment below why you'd like to have this bag.
2. Like us on Facebook.
3. For more chances to win, mention us in a Facebook post with a link to the blog post with the giveaway item you want to win. (Be sure to tag us using @Wonderfully Made so we can see it!).
4. Check back tomorrow to see if you're the winner!

P.S. The winner of the Raven and Lily journal is "wittyuniquename"...

Email Natalie at natalie@wonderfullymade.org to get your beautiful journal!

Day 1: Raven and Lily Journal

Today it begins...our Sweet 14 Giveaway!! Today we're excited to be giving away a beautiful hand carved leather-bound journal from Raven and Lily.

According to their site,

Your life is an adventure, record it all in this journal made from hand carved wood and bound with vegetable tanned leather. Handcrafted by marginalized Muslim women in Northern India, this special journal includes 40 pages of 100% recycled cotton paper. Proceeds from this collection go to fund literacy programs for the women artisans and children in the community.

Remember, it's super easy to enter to win:

1. Comment below how you'd use this journal.
2. Like us on Facebook.
3. For more chances to win, mention us in a Facebook post with a link to the blog post with the giveaway item you want to win. (Be sure to tag us using @Wonderfully Made so we can see it!).
4. Check back tomorrow to see if you're the winner!