Handmade Cards: Say

Five Minute Free Writes: Say

(this is actually finally being typed on Saturday, but I'm post-dating it to Wednesday in hopes of catching up)

What can I say? I am a procrastinator and not very good at managing my time. Life got away from me this week and I'm trying to catch it. THREE WHOLE DAYS without a blogpost in my #write31days challenge has got me a little far behind. Do I try to catch up and post 2 posts a day for the next week, or do I just let it go and pick up where I left off...

All this week I've been thinking about the prompt say. It only takes a moment to say something encouraging to someone. and it only takes a few minutes to write something encouraging. And it truly only takes a few minutes to whip up a simple handmade card to make your note even more encouraging!!

Handmade is so much fun to give and receive.  The card I'm sharing today is so simple ANYONE could make it. Just a little bit of card stock (white or colored), some fun washi tape and maybe some flower accents!!

Step 1: cut cardstock in half
Step 2: add some washi tape at an angle and trim
Step 3: Write a quick "thinking of you" with coordinating marker (or stamp it if you have it)
Step 4: Accent with flowers
Step 5: Write a note inside and send it!!!

The challenge is this: Can you buy some washi tape and card stock and send an encouragement note this week? Do it, then come back and tell me you did!! I know you can do it!

My word prompt came from Kate Motaung who is doing 31 days of 5 minute free writes this month!
Five minutes of writing is about all I can squeeze in these days, but it's better than no writing!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment as I get moving again in writing and creating... (it might just benefit you at the end of our time this month)

Handmade Cards: Go

Go Team!! Go Team!!

So it's 8:30 on Tuesday night and I'm determined to stick with this #write31days series!  The good news is I'm using Kate Motaung's Five Minute Free Writes.

Today is Go... So will you all cheer me on as I keep writing and keep sharing my handmade cards with you??

We all need a cheerleader in our lives ... Lisa Jo is a cheerleader for moms; my friend, Debi Stangeland is a cheerleader for bloggers; Holley Gerth cheers you on in your dreams (and grew a whole community of cheerleaders for God-sized Dreams).

My Dad and my husband cheer me on when my writing bug hits and encourage me to keep writing, to keep going on my education.

And sales in my etsy shop encourage me to keep creating handmade cards! These cute sports cards are one of a kind, just like yesterday's cards... but these are still available and you can choose to purchase just one... let me know if the sport you want isn't in my shop and I'll add it.

Who can you cheer on today?

The question is this: Do you need somebody to cheer you on? Share in the comments and I'll do my best! Also, what's your favorite sport?

My word prompt came from Kate Motaung who is doing 31 days of 5 minute free writes this month!
Five minutes of writing is about all I can squeeze in these days, but it's better than no writing!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment as I get moving again in writing and creating... (it might just benefit you at the end of our time this month)

Handmade Cards: Know

Know... what do I know about cards? what do I know about selling on etsy?

It's not much but I'm learning a little bit more every day!! I'm learning that the more you post pictures of your products and share them on social media, and the more that you refresh your page by adding new products, the more likely you are to get hits and sales... (Guess what????? I had another sale over the weekend...)

My weekend sale included this adorable one-of-a-kind set--actually it was a limited edition, because I sold some last fall. I was using up some discontinued product so it isn't even a card set that I can replicate.

Some cute fall themes, left completely blank so you could use the card for any occasion!! Apples, Pumpkins, Leaves, and Trees... all things fall!! Super cute and simple ... and even better, now they are SOLD!!

Be sure to stop by my shop to see what new items I am adding this month! It's giving me courage in my craft and it's helping me to know that this is what I love doing!! I love how God gives encouragement and little open doors to point you in the right direction!


The question is this: Do you prefer completely blank cards? Or do you like cards with specific sentiments already on the card?

My word prompt came from Kate Motaung who is doing 31 days of 5 minute free writes this month!
Five minutes of writing is about all I can squeeze in these days, but it's better than no writing!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment as I get moving again in writing and creating... (it might just benefit you at the end of our time this month)

Handmade Cards: Stuck

Five Minute Free Write: Stuck

"Sometimes a break from your routine is the very thing you need"

It's Sunday so I'm going to keep it short today!!

Sometimes, in my card making, I get stuck in a rut. This past spring, my rut was birthday cards, which is kinda funny, because I am horrible at actually mailing birthday cards to my friends and family. I have a variety of birthday cards that I will hopefully be sharing with you over the course of this #write31days series. But today, it's a set of birthday balloon cards that I'm hoping to finish and get added to my shop later this week!!

Sparkly balloons and baker's twine and bright rainbow colors.. You know you want to order a set!!

The question is this: Do you send birthday cards? Would you use ones that are blank inside or do you prefer a little message preprinted?

My word prompt came from Kate Motaung who is doing 31 days of 5 minute free writes this month!
Five minutes of writing is about all I can squeeze in these days, but it's better than no writing!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment as I get moving again in writing and creating... (it might just benefit you at the end of our time this month)

Handmade Cards: View

View:
 You can't purchase what you can't see...

I love to create cards and my dream is to have a successful etsy shop (or successful craft show, or a successful spot in a local store)... but I don't have the marketing skills, I don't have the business skills... (Translation: I don't have the discipline for the necessary work).

But I did something yesterday in anticipation of this month long series on my handmade cards! I added a few new cards to my shop. In reality, they are all cards I have listed before and they haven't sold, so they are still sitting in my inventory in my craft room.  But I did it, I listed some cards!!

And what to my surpise happened before dinner?!??!?! I made a sale on one of those cards!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!! (just a little excited and it's just one card) Every sale gives me a boost of confidence. Every sale reaffirms in my heart that this is what I want to do. Every sale makes me wish I could afford a virtual assistant! ;)

Masculine birthday cards aren't always easy to come by when you are looking handmade. But this one is simple with a touch of class... just like your dad! 

But I know that that sales won't come unless people can see them. So that means taking the time to take quality pictures and edit them, and upload them and give them a description, and take the risk to post them. I also need to share them... Social media is an awesome tool... but only if you use it, because you can't purchase my lovely cards if I don't give you a way to buy.

The question is this: Do I upload 10 new cards to my shop in one day... or should I do one a day for 10 days in a row?

My word prompt came from Kate Motaung who is doing 31 days of 5 minute free writes this month!
Five minutes of writing is about all I can squeeze in these days, but it's better than no writing!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment as I get moving again in writing and creating... (it might just benefit you at the end of our time this month)

Handmade Cards: Move

Objects in motion tend to stay in motion

Objects at rest tend to stay at rest.

My pen and my card table have both been at rest for far too long. There is always a reason (or an excuse). I'm busy... aren't we all? But when I go a month without making cards, it becomes even harder for me to get down there and ignore the laundry or the vacuuming, or give up a chance to veg on the couch and watch a movie. I often choose to stay at rest when it comes to creating. But the longer I go without creating (whether in writing or in card making) the crankier I get.

And when I get cranky, I'm not much fun to be around. So this month of October will be a month of moving... I will jot down a few words on this screen, I will share some cards I have made in the past... and before this month is over, I will move and I will get back to down to my craft room and I will create some new cards to share here... and to list in my etsy shop!

Sometimes it just starts with a little paper, a little stamping and a little bit of coloring. I start with flowers and I color and cut... the cards will come later.

When I will realize that I need to send a note to one of my kids' teachers, I will whip up a little set of stationery, because notes on fun paper is so much more enjoyable.

So today's share isn't even a card... it's just a perfect paper for a little note, or a long letter!

The question is this: Do people still send actual letters? Would you buy a set (10-20 sheets) of handstamped stationery with envelopes to match?

My word prompt came from Kate Motaung who is doing 31 days of 5 minute free writes this month!
Five minutes of writing is about all I can squeeze in these days, but it's better than no writing!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment as I get moving again in writing and creating... (it might just benefit you at the end of our time this month)

Five Minute Friday: Because

Because I can't get it out of my head, because I really love making homemade cards, because there is something so wonderfully, incredibly encouraging about sending AND receiving snail mail... because I want to be like all the cool kids! I just might be making an attempt to join #write31days for October... which may or may not be a good idea, because it's only 4 days away and I haven't written a single post, I just have a million ideas floating around in my head.



I read this week that there are three things needed to be as successful blogger

Get Organized

Stay Focused

Believe in Yourself

(seriously, go visit my friend, Debi and sign up for her newsletters, she rocks!) and because I want to be one of those, I'm going to use the month of October to work on that--in between my readings of medieval epics for World Lit and my practicing and rehearsing and memorizing for my Oral Interp class... and in between mothering and housework and being a wife and a friend and the crazy day to day and trying to glorify God in all that I do.

So come back and hang out with me for the month of October ...because I want to write and I want to make new cards and I want to show you cards I've made and cards I love... and because I would love some feedback on my cards (and maybe a purchase or two).

So what do you say? will you join me on this journey? I have no idea what it will look like, but I would love to see it be an interactive journey, because I have this great idea for a giveaway at the end of the month...

Who is with me??? Stick around for 31 days (more or less... most likely less) of Handmade cards

Day 1: Stationery (not a card)
Day 2: Views equal purchases
Day 3: New stamps, new ideas
Day 4: What are you learning?
Day 5: Stuck in a birthday card rut
Day 6: One of a kind fall cards
Day 7: Go Team!
Day 8: Simple Card Tutorial

Dove Promises: Holiday Edition 1

So, it's that time of year... the holidays!

And what we crave most during the busyness of shopping, wrapping, writing cards, decorating, and baking, is a little more chocolate, right? So I decided to revive my #31Days of Dove Promises series for a few days... Maybe one, maybe five, maybe ten, we will see how it goes. Because although we all know that Chocolate is good any time, there is just something about Christmas that shouts, "We need more chocolate!"

So I just wanted to remind y'all...

 'Tis the season for chocolate 

 And if it's good Dark Chocolate, that's even better

I have to be honest with you all for a few moments here. I can't remember the last time I ate a Dove Chocolate... can you believe it?!??!! I finished my bag sometime in November, I think... EARLY November... and while I found a good sale or two, they always seemed to be out by the time I got to the store. :(  But the good news is, I haven't missed it... ONLY because I've been indulging in Christmas cookies, Christmas cookies, and more Christmas cookies... and maybe a few Christmas candies here and there.

I wouldn't complain though if Santa put a bag of Dove Dark Chocolate Promises in my stocking, though...


And lest you are concerned that I have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, I haven't. This is just a light-hearted post on my love of all things chocolate. (thank you for grace)

Community Conversation:  Do you eat more chocolate in December than the rest of the year? and do you prefer Christmas candies or Christmas cookies?

So, I'm reviving my #31Days series for a little bit this month. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it, pin it, or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together during the holidays!

#31Days of Dove Promises-TwentyFive

Day 25: Twenty Five seems like a good number to end on... not quite 31, but better than nothing!!

Guess What...  I have an addiction to Dove Dark Chocolate. Thanks for letting me share it with you this month. And if you want to be my BFF, it's highly recommended that you come bearing dark chocolate...

Because "The fastest way to my heart is chocolate."

My mom has a tendency to bring me a bag of Dove Chocolate on the rare occasion that she is able to come visit us. And I have a good friend who used to bring me some semi-regularly... She moved away so that doesn't happen anymore! (I miss her... and for more than just the gifts of chocolate) And my sister-in-law has been pretty awesome with sharing the gift of Dove chocolates with me at all the major holidays!!

So I have quite a large stash of (empty) Dove Promises wrappers floating around just waiting to be turned into short and sweet blog posts. But we have reached the end of October and I'm thinking my writing may need to take another direction for now. Not that we won't see a Dove Promise sneak in here every so often. If you don't want to miss them, be sure to subscribe!

And if you missed any, which is likely, be sure to stop by the main page for links to all the fun sayings we talked about this month!! :)

Community Conversation:  What is your favorite chocolate? Do you have a Dove promise that would make a great blogpost... tell us all about it!

Yes, I am working to share one promise every day. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it, pin it, or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!

#31Days of Dove Promises-TwentyFour

It is October 30 and our #31Days series is coming to an end. I'm giving myself grace for the days missed. Come back tomorrow for my closing post.

I have a few cheerleaders in my life... friends that just encourage me, point me in the right direction, wave their pompoms when I discuss my dreams and give me a swift kick in the pants when I need it. A few of them live near me and I see them regularly and I am soo thankful for them... but today I want to talk about the ones I've seen just once or twice in my life.

Because their smiles... Lit up my life this past weekend!!

There is no way I could list them all, and if I start I am sure to miss someone! The friends I connected with at Allume filled my heart and soul and shared their contagious smiles with me!! Here are just a few of them!

I'm a bit of an introvert and sometimes I liked just being alone in my room or heading to the quiet of the prayer room, or entering a session all by myself... But when I ran into these dear ladies (and a few more that I did not upload pictures with yet), each time their faces lit up with a smile to see me, which caused my face to light up and my heart to light up.

So remember how important your smile is... to those around you and to your own heart!

Did you know that a smile is contagious? You really should smile more (and so should I)!

Yes, I am working to share one promise every day. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it, pin it, or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!

#31Days of Dove Promises-TwentyThree

Day 23 of #31Days of Dove Promises: I'm also joining Behind the Scenes, a link up hosted by Crystal Stine... "Behind the Scenes" is a fun link up where we show the photos - but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it. You're invited to join in - we'll write up our posts & link up on Tuesdays!


So, if you visit here often, you know a couple things about me... I like to eat chocolate and I like to create handmade, handstamped notecards...  I have said before that occasionally, God uses the little messages on Dove promises to make me stop and think...  It's been a few months since I opened this piece of chocolate, but I figured it would fit in well to my #31Days and the Behind the Scenes linkup...

As I often do, I grabbed a piece of chocolate on my way down the stairs to my craft/cardmaking room.  I settled into my chair and gathered some of my supplies. I took a deep breath and exhaled (one must do that to fully enjoy the chocolate). And I opened my Dove Promise... and this is what I read.

"Live your dreams." and I smiled, because in that moment right there, I was living my dreams. Making cards, filling a special order, being creative, using the gifts God has given me.

But it's not always that way. More times than not I get discouraged because I'm not exactly sure what my dream is... or more importantly what God's Dreams for me are. There is a struggle between all of the desires He has placed inside of me. Sometimes they don't all work neatly together and complete themselves in harmony.

When I pursue my dream of creating cards, my dream of being a better wife and mom sometimes fails miserably. When I work hard at being a better wife and mom, my dream of being a writer and blogger gets pushed way down on the priority list. And when I succeed in building community and strengthening friendships in real life, my etsy shop and card website sit untouched, un-updated, stagnant... The list goes on and on. Most days, I really, really, REALLY struggle to live my dreams.

And then just this month while I'm in the middle of attempting to write and attempting to dream and improving my card shop and eating lots of chocolate and heading to Allume... I received the same message repeatedly, like 3 times in a row. I can't say whether I ate these three DAYS in a row, or MAYBE all in the same day, but I kept getting the message... "Live your dreams."

So while I haven't quite figured it out, which dream to pursue first or how they all fit together, I know that I will keep working on it. I will spend moments on writing, and moments on housework and kids homework and other family activities, and moments on card making, and moments with friends and community and most important, moments with God as we work together to figure it out... step by step!

Community Conversation:  What are your dreams? How are you living them?

Yes, I am working to share one promise every day. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it, pin it, or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!

#31Days of Dove Promises-TwentyTwo

Today is October 28... I am on Day 22 in the #31Days Series... and I knew this would happen, but I'm so glad I pushed myself to do this series anyway. Because it made me write a little more this month. Not much, but every bit counts. Even now I'm a little afraid to sit down and write because I am full to overflowing with goodness, thoughts, conviction, blessings, etc from a weekend at Allume... maybe you've heard of it?  and maybe you have heard about how much I love Dark Chocolate??!?!

So today, I give you this...

"A good love is delicious, because you can never get enough."

You can't get enough of good love, you can't get enough of good dark chocolate and you (or at least, I) can't get enough of Allume!!! There is no way I can fit it all into one wrap up post, but here is a little glimpse of Allume through my eyes this year!

Ann Voskamp likes Nutella... I knew we were destined to be friends! :)
"Until you are intimately know, you are ultimately nomadic" ... We want to be known. Better to be known by the God of the Universe, than the world.

Melanie Shankle (Big Mama) ... "Your calling is different from others. Legalism used to be a list of things NOT to do. Legalism today can be a list of all the things you should be doing--sponsoring third world children, missions trips, adoptions, etc."

September McCarthy ... "Instill values that you know will replicate into a child that is sold out for Christ and his kingdom work."

Jennie Allen ... "It didn't mater that my prison cell was cute, I was still stuck in it."

Bianca Olthoff ... "Faith is not needed to do what is possible, Faith is needed for the impossible."  and "Clarity is knowing what God wants you to do. Courage is believe God Will do it!"

And then there was the Friday evening worship with Anthony Evans, Jr. which was beyond words... AWESOME!!  My most favorite part of the weekend was singing "It Is Well With My Soul"
a cappella with 450 Allume sisters and Anthony Evans, Jr.!!

Add to that the great meals, conversations with new and old friends, encouragement to my heart... And the Prayer Room and I left with my heart and soul and mind and stomach FULL!!

And with a grateful heart I returned home to the arms of my husband and my kids who shower me with unconditional love... something else that I can't get enough of!!

Community Conversation:  What can't you get enough of?!

Yes, I am working to share one promise every day. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it, pin it, or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!

#31Days of Dove Promises-TwentyOne

Wednesday night... It's finally here ... Allume Blogging Conference!!!

It's Wednesday night and I have been feeding the anticipation for days, weeks, even months!!  and tomorrow morning bright and early I will be hopping on a plane headed to Allume and I am just giddy with anticipation of reconnecting with old friends, meeting new friends and learning SOO, SO much!!

I am anticipating some great fellowship, some great food, some laughter, coffee, cupcakes, singing, praying, learning, listening ... and so much more!

I am anticipating hearing from God... would you pray for me that I would be listening for His voice this weekend?! I am so blessed to be able to attend again this year and I want to receive what God wants for me in this weekend, not just what I might be expecting!!

Community Conversation:  What are YOU anticipating? ... another piece of chocolate perhaps? :)

Yes, I am working to share one promise every day. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it, pin it, or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!

#31Days of Dove Promises-Twenty

So, as you can tell, I'm having a hard time keeping up with this fabulous series on chocolate, not that I'm having a hard time eating chocolate, but the actually writing and editing and formatting the post... not so easy! So today, I'm going to open my doors and invite my good bloggy friend Mel to join us and share a little story...

Because chocolate is best shared, I am also looking forward to sharing some chocolate with Mel, one of my GodSizedDream sisters, at Allume this weekend!!


My husband and I spent 2005-2010 living and working in the country of Indonesia.

We loved it. :)

Beautiful, green mountains and scenery, wonderful people, adventure waiting around every corner...it was truly a place I tried to embrace every day. 

But there was one thing I didn't embrace there.

Oh, I tried...but I couldn't. I just couldn't love the chocolate.

Unless I was willing to pay exorbitant amounts for imported chocolate, I was stuck with the more local stuff. Not my favorite, but admittedly, I'm totally a chocolate snob, too.

Therefore, when we would return to the States during the summers, you can only imagine what my suitcases looked like when we’d get ready to head back overseas. Yep, stuffed to the brim with the precious things I couldn't find easily in Indonesia...my beloved clunky flip flops, jeans from my favorite store, a few fun shirts.

And chocolate.

There was always lots of chocolate.

I would pack it up and stuff it into every nook and cranny, making sure we fully used the allotted 50 pounds per suitcase.

I remember one particular summer when I stocked up a little more than usual...I think I brought back two or three plastic shoeboxes FULL of chocolate. And when we returned to our house in Indonesia, I hoarded it all in the fridge or the freezer and dared anyone to try and swipe a piece. ;)

Ok, ok, I'm not that selfish. Usually. ;)

And I remember, in particular, a Saturday the following January. It was kind of the dreaded time of the school year...beginning of third quarter, coming off of a long Christmas break, spring break still a bit too far out of sight. That morning, a friend and I decided to sneak away for reflexology, which basically translates to a mostly-foot massage with a little back, neck, and head thrown in there.

It's glorious.

And made even better by the sweet women working there who would bring us little cups of ginger tea that tasted like heaven.

It was all kinds of wonderful…and more than kind of cheap there, but I won't tell you how much.You'd be jealous and then pack your bags as fast as you can.

We hit Starbucks for a frappuccino after the massage and then headed home to reality.

And I remember, as I walked in the door, thinking that there was one thing that would make that morning even better.

Chocolate. :)

And so I dove into my ever-dwindling stash and took out a Dove Promise.

Unwrapped it.

And the promise?

Get your feet massaged.

What?!?! Really???

After I practically-choked on my sweet treat, I promptly took that little piece of foil, folded it up, and placed it in my wallet. Almost five years later, it is still there, though it's moved between wallets a few times.

What it signifies, I'm not sure. Maybe just the complete and utter irony that such a random promise would be opened on the day I got a foot massage.

In a country where you can't even buy a Dove Promise.

But I mostly like to think that He wanted to give me a smile and a memory of this place across the ocean that now occupies a precious corner of my heart...one that I can carry with me every day.

It's not earth-shattering, but it still makes me wonder a little.

Because I've eaten a lot of Dove Promises since that day...and I have never, ever, seen that promise again. ;)

Community Conversation:  I've said it before, I'll say it again, God can even use little notes on chocolate candy to speak to us... :) Give Mel a great welcome in the comments and let us know of any "Promise" that came at just the right time!! 

Yes, I am working to share one promise every day. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it, pin it, or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!