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: Learn

I'm learning...

Did you know that today is World Card Making Day... and usually on this day, I "lock myself" in my card room and spend the whole day making cards. Do you want to know what I actually did today? Wrote a paper... just a three-page paper on The Poem of El Cid... ever hear of it? Yeah, me neither until last week when I had to read it for World Literature which I am taking with the intention of finishing my bachelor's degree... maybe before I'm 40, but probably not... it's not that far away!

Anyway, the point is, I am pushing myself to keep learning even if it is not all the stuff I would choose. See, the thing with getting a degree is that sometimes you have to take required courses that don't really fit your passion.

I just lost my train of thought... that happens sometimes with five minute free writes. My mind just went blank.

Did you know that you can learn to make handmade cards? It's super fun and can be very easy. There is no reason to make it complicated. A handmade card is going the extra mile in a thankyou note, a birthday card, or a just because letter.

Today I am sharing some cards that I used for a workshop to teach others how to make handmade cards. I have so much fun doing these (on a small scale) and am hoping to do another one sometimes soon (but maybe not until this busy semester is over).  I loved showing the ladies these sample cards and watching them take the supplies and make the design their own with simple changes here and there.

And if you don't want to make your own, you can always order a few from my shop!

The question is this: How do you keep learning, even if it's not formal education? If you are local, would you be interested in a little workshop for making cards?

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: New

Behold, I make all things new.

 Revelation 21:5

So excited to be mixing #write31days with #fiveminutefreewrites because that's all I have time for these days...

The #fmfparty prompt today is NEW:

Sometimes when you get stagnant in creating, it's time for something new! A new technique, a new product, or simply new stamps. A while ago, a friend of mine was moving and cleaning out her stamping supplies. She gifted me with a large box of stamp sets that she was cleaning out!! I went on a stamping rampage when I got that box. The new stamps gave me a rush of of new ideas and I couldn't wait to create... and I made time to create.  

It's been a while since I went through that box. I know there are still plenty of stamps that I haven't even touched. Maybe it's time for me to gift someone else with some new enthusiasm for stamping by sharing with them!

This summer, I bought myself a new set of stamps! It was a huge splurge for me, but I had a plan already in mind. I knew that I wanted to create cards for actual snail mail and I wanted it to be encouraging. So I bought a set of Scripture stamps and then I created and created and created.

Here are just a few of what I came up with (I actually made over 30 in a week's time)

The question is this: What colors would you use with these Scripture stamps? Wanna special order a set? Stop by my shop!

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

Five Minute Friday: Belong

It's a little far from Friday... closer to the next Friday, but I've been itching to try my hand at writing, at blogging again, so here it is...

I found Five Minute Friday hanging out at Crystal Stine's place this week... She's a treasure, be sure to check her out! She'll make you feel like you belong!


Here's my five(+) minutes on Belong

Start:

Somedays I wonder where I belong... Is it in the bloggy world, in the crafty world, in the writing world, in the continuing education world, in the just-a-mom world?



I recently took a social media break to figure it all out... and to finish strong in two online classes that were stretching me a little farther than I wanted to stretch (one of them was a PE class, haha). I'm still on the social media break, but I cheated recently and perused a little bit of twitter, a little bit of instagram, a little bit of facebook. And it reminded me of what I loved about the online community.

For one thing, when you disappear for a month, there is always someone to welcome you back (or even notice that you were gone in the first place). Not hundreds of people, but it was my people. An email here, a Voxer there, and a twitter conversation, too.  And I realize that I still belong.

I don't write for days, weeks on end, but when I sit down and focus the words will still flow... sometimes a little choppy at first, but they are still there, I just have to work at them. And I realize I can still call myself a writer, I just can't be lazy. Sometimes it takes a little effort to belong.

Those classes I worked so hard on, I got an A in both of them... and the anticipation of on-campus fall classes has me a little giddy and I realize I can still belong in the higher education arena, too.

I peruse Pinterest and am overcome with great card making ideas and when my classes are finally done, I sit down at my craft table and I create, and I create, and I create...



and I love every single card I make and I am giddy with the thought of sending them to some of my friends to bless and encourage others... maybe I don't belong in the etsy world full time yet, but God can use my gift of creating to show others they belong!

I take my kids to swim lessons and watch them improve and have a blast. I make rainbow loom creations (including a Queen Elsa).

We go on vacation and I enjoy the pool with them a bit, they ride bikes to the area park, we enjoy a day at the Creation Museum, etc... Back at home, I cuddle with my kids more and take them to the park and the library. I make little successes in parenting and I realize that above all I belong to these kids and they belong to me and I can be a mom ... and all the other things too. It's just an ebb and flow, and not so much a balance of it all, but a belonging and a taking turns on where my focus is.

STOP

so be a little gentle as I stop in to see if I belong in the blogging world still  ;)
Hope to be back again soon, but no promises!

Creating a Latte

I'm a procrastinator so I'm always behind the rest of the blogging world. They all did their recaps of OneWord 2013 IN 2013... but here I am wrapping up 2013 on Day 6 of 2014...

Create ... Create ... Create

I wrote for class, I attempted and almost succeeded at 31Days in October and I did a little more writing for me and for the blog.

I made connections through the God Sized Dreams Team and made new friends at Allume and loved on my local friends.

And then there was my cardmaking... It comes in shifts, which is why it's mostly a hobby! But I made some progress this year! I opened an etsy shop... and I made some sales.  I created a bunch of cute Christmas cards (and had less success). I have thoughts and dreams for 2014 and I definitely plan to keep creating... and hopefully more selling.  Like these cute coffee cards "Thanks a Latte"

They are for sale in my etsy shop, but you also have an opportunity to win a set for yourself.  One of my God-sized Dreams Team friends (who I had the lovely privilege of meeting at Allume) is doing a giveaway extravaganza for her birthday this month. This giveaway includes my cards, so be sure to stop by her site and enter. Then be sure to subscribe to Melissa's blog to catch the rest of the great giveaways she is offering this month.

And if you are in need of some newborn photography she has a great deal going on right now (Yes, she lives in South Carolina, but maybe a few of my readers are close... or you know someone who is, so spread the word with your friends, too)

and if it's not too much to add, I'm doing a Sale on the Christmas cards in my etsy shop. Spend $10 or more in my Christmas section and use the code CHRISTMAS20 and receive 20% off your order from Whimsical Words!

Thanks, friends... and here's to creating even more in 2014!

God-sized Dreams continued

In 2013, I was blessed to be a part of Holley Gerth's God-sized Dreams Team. What was intended to be a 6-month encouragement, accountability, and resources has turned in to so much more... Lifelong friends, an amazing prayer team, and continued encouragement. While I'm still floundering in my dreams and whether now is the right time or not, I have a few friends that are reaching for the stars and following God's leading and launching some awesome dreams come true.



One dream I'm excited to see launching is a way for all of you to get a glimpse of the community that began just a year ago... and to join this community and dream with us! Today, we are linking up a blog post about our dreams, so be sure to check it out and subscribe to this fantastic resource for dreaming God-sized Dreams!!!


When I look back at my dreams a year ago, I sometimes get a little discouraged. I wonder why I'm still floundering and I often fail to see the little successes and the baby steps that have happened in the last year. But I know that there have been successes and there have been steps in the right direction and for that I am thankful.

I think about how I always have good ideas and I'm great at starting stuff... but the executing and the finishing just doesn't happen. But then I remember that God is still working on me and as long as I am still on this earth-- I am NOT finished. So me and God and my Dream-Team Sisters are just gonna keep working on this together.

Here's what I started with last year.

I believe God has created and called me to serve and support my family through encouraging, serving, cooking, and listening. (Not that these are my strongest skills, but the ones I need to grow for the sake of my family)

I also believe God has created and called me to encourage and support other women through writing my stories, creating handmade cards, and connecting through both cards and stories.


And here is where I feel I am right now...

Being a good wife and mom seems so relative. This is one area where I really struggle to see the little successes. Instead I see every little failure and blow it up into something way bigger than it is--- which in reality shows a little bit of pride. Truth is, overall I am making good meals for my family (and lots of good Christmas cookies, too). I've been improving on my listening and encouraging and celebrating the little successes with them. I'm making an effort to "catch my kids doing good" and praising them. ... and I am listening... maybe still not as well as I could, but improving over the past. And when I have a bad day and I don't do these things well, I focus on truth, these moments do not define me!

In the area of writing, I just wore myself out. Taking some college courses where I had to write challenged me something awful... and awesome. I loved some of the writings I worked on during my classes, but I was too chicken to share them here... or submit them somewhere else.  FEAR keeps creeping in.

And in the area of cardmaking, I launched an etsy shop!! And even had some sales!!! Christmas was a discouraging time for me, so the fear is creeping in again and I wonder if I have what it takes to be successful in the handmade world. But when I focus on truth, I see that I did step out in faith and in all things there is an ebb and flow...

I am so excited to keep dreaming with the friends that God has given me... they rock and are such an encouragement!

Creating in 2013

So, after a less-than-stellar response (ie. not a single comment) to my first "seasonal 31Days" post, I am hesitant to do another one, but I have a few more ideas up my sleeve... and I have all these great end-of-year-posts flying around my head, but I haven't been very disciplined in getting them written down... so they just keep flying! Maybe some day soon, I will reign them in and share some really poignant thoughts with you.

Part of the "end of year" posts is thinking on my One Word for the year... which was CREATE... and included writing and cardmaking. So although there hasn't been much writing and blogging around these parts lately, it's because I've been doing a bit of creating of another sort...  wanna see?!!?!

I'm so glad you asked!

I made a little bit of this...

and a little bit of that...

and some of this, too!

That's what my weekend consisted of ... and also one major shoveling job which my muscles are still recovering from!!!

Is your Christmas shopping/crafting/decorating/baking done yet?!?!!

Stealing Like an Artist

So, I feel like I shouldn't mention the fact that I haven't been on here in almost a month... that I should just jump right in like nothing has changed. But that fact of the matter is, I've lost my drive to write ... but I had an urge tonight and I thought I better grab it before it faded away again. The last time I was here was for Behind the Scenes, so I thought I would join in again! I always love a good writing prompt. So thank you, Crystal Stine for hosting such a delightful gathering! If you want the scoop, go check it out here!!

While I haven't been writing much (at all), it doesn't mean the creativity isn't flowing! I've been having loads of fun in my card making area of late... You can check out some of my creations at my esty shop... please do, I'll even ship anything you order ASAP... there is still time to get something before Christmas.

But just this week, I saw a card idea on the internet... I can't remember where... but it stuck with me! And while I was busy working on a special order... (YES, I love special orders... message me anytime) I decided it was time to "Steal Like an Artist" and here is what I came up with...

A partial green wreath accented with a bright red bow... what's not to be merry about?!??! :)

Sometimes it takes me forever to get a card idea to come together and look right... but this one, it just flowed. It still makes my heart smile to look at it! I didn't put it up in my shop because it's too close to Christmas... but if you want this set of 6 for $18 +SH, feel free to drop me a note!!!

I think that's why I gave up on writing for a bit... it was too much work and I couldn't get it to come together right in a way that I liked, so I kinda quit. But I also think that a break is good, even when it is unintentional.

And, I just remembered that I have a handful of "Seasonal" Dove Chocolates that might just help me finish out my 31 Days of Dove Promises... so stay tuned!

Community Conversation: and now for you, my dear reader friends... what have you been up to? I've missed you all!

Behind the Scenes of a quiet blog

The blog has been quiet for two weeks. I didn't mean for that to happen, but I knew it was inevitable. #31days of Chocolate in October burned me out, as well as life in general. ... and I had other things on my to-do list and no motivation or discipline to prioritize.

Blogging hit the bottom of the list.

I did however, write the following for Five Minute Friday a few weeks ago... and it's still how I'm feeling. I wrote it out in ink on paper on that Friday and never got it posted on the blog. So I'm typing it now to remind myself of the TRUTH...

The truth is I almost wrote to say I was throwing in the towel and just quitting on blogging. It's not working for me right now. My writing, my dreaming, my thoughts are all a-jumble and I can't make sense of it all and I can't tell what is truth and what is lies.

I seek the truth in which direction I'm supposed to go, which dream I'm supposed to pursue, and then fear and doubt and busyness creep in and make me wonder if I'm doing the right thing. Some days it feels like I'm drowning and I can't catch my breath.

And then I hop in the van for kindergarten pick up and turn my radio on --it's a gift, this radio, because music is a gift and I heard this song... and these lyrics resonated with me...

"Whatever you do, just don't look back,
Somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don't lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark."

Because the truth is, I've been pushing back on the dark for years now ---and it's that season when the dark comes fast and hard and long and my arms are tired of pushing and I'm not even sure my light is big enough to share with someone, I don't even know who needs it.

And on Monday, I'm all ready to choose joy and count the gifts and the devil comes in and says "no way, not on my watch" and he reminds me of all my failures and how I should be doing this and I should be doing that and when I strain to find the light and give it to others, he pushes back with more dark.

Maybe I'm supposed to stop blogging entirely.
Maybe I'm supposed to take a break for two weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months...
Maybe I'm supposed to leave this blog behind, forget about it and start a new work...

Truth is, I just want somebody to tell me what to do ... Can I be a kid again?


So behind the scenes of this quiet blog has been some canning (applesauce, pears, apple pie filling), card making (delightful Christmas card making), time with friends and family, and a whole lot of wasting time, too.

And still the counting of the gifts...

~robins in the backyard... in November
~making cards... and listing them in my shop
~sharing a gingerbread latte with Wes
~fresh sheets on the bed
~"grace like rain falls down on me"
~music, music, music
~fresh bread (from the bread machine)
~free pears (which I finally canned)
~the beauty of dried corn fields
~counting pennies with my baby girl for homework
~sipping hot tea
~bacon
~purging my closet space
~Rotiserrie turkey
~apple crisp for breakfast
~talking to my dad
~praying with a friend
~laundry, laundry, laundry
~pre-registering for another semester of higher education...
~quiet in the library
~glorious sunrise
~real maple syrup
~free earrings
~making more cards!!!

Community Conversation: What's on your to-do list today? and What are you thankful for?