Friday, May 4, 2012

Katherine Alderfer Fundraiser Tutu for Riley Hospital

In late May 2010, Katherine was diagnosed with a very rare auto-immune disorder called Juvenile Dermatomyositis. This disease can cause debilitating symptoms including muscle pain and weakness, ulcers, rashes, severe fatigue, lung and heart problems, calcinosis (muscle hardening), swallowing and digestive problems. This disease has no known cure and strikes 2-4 out of a million. Some children will experience remission, but others will battle the disease their entire life. Medication can help relieve the symptoms, but there is no known cure.
Katherine and her family were blessed to find help at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, a two and a half hour drive from their home in northern Indiana. Each week Katherine and her family visit Riley for Katherine’s treatment. The Alderfer family has come to appreciate the quality care and attention that the Riley team has provided Katherine. They have especially come to appreciate the hospital’s Art Therapy Program. Riley’s Art Therapist focuses on the emotional well-being of the patients while minimizing the adverse effects of the hospital experience.
It is in Katherine’s honor that Little Diva Tutus has created the Katherine Alderfer Tutu benefitting the Riley Hospital for Children’s Art Therapy Program. As this program grows, its impact on other children like Katherine can flourish!
Katherine designed her own tutu using a beautiful blend of colors which can be ordered hereLittle Diva Tutus will donate 30% of each Katherine Alderfer tutu sold to Riley Hospital for Children's Art Therapy Program in honor of Katherine!
To date we have donated $750 to Riley Hospital for Children!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Layla Grace Fundraiser Tutu

In Memory of Layla Grace Marsh 11-26-07 - 3-9-10
Little Diva Tutus donates $15 for each tutu sold will be sent to the Layla Grace Children's Cancer Research Foundation.  Do not accept an imitation tutu Little Diva Tutus is the ONLY tutu fundraiser approved by the Marsh family.  Click here to read Layla's story.
Layla Grace is a bright and colorful layered tutu designed by Layla's mother. The tutu is created using a beautiful blend of Fuchsia, Purple, Shocking Pink, Pink and Sunshine Gold.  Order this tutu here.

See the blog post by Layla's mommy about her special tutu here.

Little Diva Tutus has donated over $4,000 in cash, products & event donations to The Layla Grace Children's Cancer Research Foundation.

Be sure to check out the Layla Grace Children's Cancer Research Foundation auction going on now (5/1/12) on Facebook!  Little Diva Tutus has donated 5 of these beautiful, one-of-a-kind tutus!  Opening bid is only $15!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Fundraiser Gifts

We'd like to remind everyone of the several different fundraiser gifts available through Little Diva Tutus.  Over the next week or so, we'll feature each one so we can share in detail about each special story that touched our hearts! 


Friends of Zach (Jones) Bracelet Fundraiser











Hannah's Ladybug Fundraiser Tutu














Katherine Alderfer Fundraiser Tutu for Riley Hospital




















Layla Grace Fundraiser Tutu














Little Diva Tutus would like to thank each and every one of you who have supported our fundraisers!
Not only do we appreciate it, the parents of these children appreciate it!
To date, Little Diva Tutus has raised and donated nearly 9,000 in cash and products to these foundations and families plus several hundred dollars is cash and products to families in need.  We appreciate all the support our fans have shown us!
                                          -Melissa Jones, Owner


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

New Car Seat Guidelines

Little Diva Tutus Parents:

Have you heard about the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) new car seat and booster guidelines?

New guidelines have been announced from AAP, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and they have made significant changes!

The new guidelines are as follows:


New Rear-facing Recommendation: Parents are to keep children rear-facing until 2 years old, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for the seat as noted in the manual.

New Boostering Recommendation: Children should ride in a belt-positioning booster (that means a high-back!) until they are at least 4 foot, 9 inches, AND 8-12 years old.

It is also now recommended that children stay out of the front seat until they are at least 13 years old.

Stay informed, read more about the new guidelines by visiting:http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/aaps-new-car-seat-guidelines-change-rear-facing-booster-rules-2466904.html , and keep your Little Diva safe when traveling!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Paint your Washer & Dryer!


I came across this blog post today and just had to share it. I love the polk a dot design and I think this would inspire me to get more laundry done...at least for a month or so. (wink wink).

Want to know how she did it? The original blog and tutorial can be found here: http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/02/try-it-tuesday-how-to-paint-washing.html

Monday, March 26, 2012

An Inexpensive Gift Idea from Little Diva Tutus




Another fun & easy DIY gift idea!

We threw a surprise party for my sixteen year old on Saturday. We had a super fattening candy bar. I saved money by purchasing vases & candy at the Dollar Tree.

After cleaning up I thought what can I do with these vases? I already have a bunch saved in my cabinet...I didn't want to add to unnecessary clutter.

I decided to make these for my sister who, like me has a wine theme in her dining room.

Total cost...$1.00/each vase ~ Wine corks purchased through eBay (I bought 100 for $10 or $15) ~ Tealights...I have a bunch because I light them often.

This project is so easy...

Simply line your wine corks in order inside your vase, be sure to put one in the center to balance it.

Continue this all the way up, using a shorter cork for the center of the top. Push your tealight into place. Make sure the tealight is secure.

I don't recommend lighting these unless you are watching them...maybe at dinner or something where you can watch them constantly. I like them more as decor and the best part is, if you need the vases, dump the corks into something else and your vases are ready for another use.



Happy Crafting!



Melissa











Tuesday, January 24, 2012

DIY Fabric Softener - Cost: $1.43!

The recipe below created 2 1/4 containers of fabric softener for $1.43!

I made it a goal of mine to cut out unnecessary spending this year...now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll still splurge from time to time, but generally speaking I'm looking for areas I can cut back on. Laundry was one of them. Each month I found myself buying Tide, Downy and Downy Fabric Sheets. I decided that I didn't need both liquid fabric softener and fabric sheets so I cut out the liquid.

Missing my liquid Downy in each load (I really miss that smell) I started searching for alternatives...and I found this one on Frugal Girls.

I am so pleased with how easy it is to make and the savings blew me away!!!

What you'll need:








6 cups of hot water (I brought my water to a slight boil on the stove top)



3 cups of white vinegar



2 cups of Suave conditions (use your favorite scent)



Instructions:



Mix conditioner and hot water until the conditioner is completely dissolved.



Add the 3 cups of vinegar and mix well.




I used a whisk to start and then switched to a spatula to make sure the conditioner was mixed in well.



Once it's dissolved, you're done! It's that easy!!



Using a funnel, pour your fabric softener into a used, clean container. I used my old detergent bottles.



The original instructions state to use your Downy Ball, which leads me to believe you use the same amount you would if you were using a store bought fabric softener.



I will post my results as soon as I've completed some laundry!



Price Breakdown:


1 Family Size bottle of Suave conditioner: $1.46


1 Gallon Vinegar: $2.38




Use: 2 cups of Suave = .49/cup = .98


3 cups of Vinegar = .15/cup = .45


Total: $1.43!