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Thursday, November 19, 2015

she was an artist and her life was her canvas




For those of you that have followed along and watched things unfold over the last few years...you know I didn't set out to have a full time business.  I started painting and dabbling in cuff making a few years ago as a hobby. Since then a complete whirlwind has happened, and this once little side thing is MORE than a full time thing.  There's a lot of guilt that comes from being busy.  Too busy.  


There's a lot of shuffling of priorities.  There are weeks without real dinners and weeks without working out.  There are weeks where I don't leave my house, and when walking to the mailbox feels like a glorious fieldtrip.  And in all that time there are weeks filled with birthday's, homecomings and exciting new mommy/daughter talks about firsts.  There's the changing of seasons, a husband that needs attention, there are deadlines, people to manage, and orders to fill. It's a lot, and it's more than I ever bargained for.  It truly is, and yet God knew.  He knew this was my destiny.  This was the path.  And He's made it clear that every step of the way He will bridge any gaps.  He provides the need...before I fall flat.  


My little chick turned 12!


My big chick went to homecoming with a BOY:0!!  




Years ago I went to a flea market show and saw this pendant at a crafter's booth. It immediately made me well up. I was in the throes of young motherhood. Life was a mix of mundane and routine. I had so many things brewing in my spirit, things I wanted to do...hoped would happen, but I was in a quiet season. These words, she was an artist and her life was her canvas, made it beautifully clear. I didn't have to be "creating" something every day to be an artist. God had given me the purest form of self expression through my daily walk...living in the ordinary. 

Even now in the season of hustle, we are all growing and stretching together, and I still feel like I was made for more...that something else is coming.  That this is another holding pattern and He will bring me to that next place when the time is right.  It's a beautiful thing to just know that He's got you...and in the middle you have to remember to "paint"...and splash color and be the "artist" of your life.  Because those strokes of love, grace, mercy and JOY are the real masterpiece.





Be a blessing,








just because flowers
living through the first behind the wheel with my oldest
a teenager with a burden for the lost
my youngest who is becoming a young woman
parents who are still alive
a thriving business that i know is from Him
a day to paint
a day to blog
that my big girl camera still works
grace upon grace
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Friday, September 25, 2015

Designer cuffs Fall 2015!!!!


Good morning friends!  Bopping in here to tell you all about the new designer cuffs that just went LIVE this morning.  I love, love, LOVE making these!!!  They are each hand-painted, burned and will be handstamped with your special words.  Making them truly one of a kind!

This time I wanted to go with a more graphic, less detailed look.  We've got a bold cross that says "covered" in gold/red and black/white.  There's a striped mountain vista that says His beauty in the picture, but I think I like "inspired" better so that will be different in the listing;)  Sunflowers for fall that say "gifted".  Then we have the popular hearts again with "loved", but this time in teal and plum for the cooler season ahead.



One of my favorite new designer cuffs will be our featured CHARITY of the Month winged "carried" cuff. This opening our focus is Raise for Rowyn

This is a letter I received recently from a sweet customer:

About one year ago I ordered a cuff with the name "Rowyn" on it. I asked for you to pray over the cuff. The name Rowyn belonged to a little 17 month old girl who was accidentally ran over in her driveway by her mother's best friend (9/16/14). Rowyn left the earth immediately. I asked that you would pray for the family to come to know the Lord in their hurt so that they may find healing. Well, almost one year to the day later the mother (Brynn Johnson) and her best friend (Cassie Miller, driver of the car) have come to know the Lord and for the first time in their lives they are proclaiming that they are now doing Kingdom work.

They started a non-profit organization called Raise for Rowyn (check out FB) where they raise money to help pay for funeral expenses for children who have died in accidental deaths. How gut wrenching it must be to do this every week but how amazing that they are doing it in GOD's name!

As of today (nearly one year later) they have financially helped 26 families bury their children (I am crying as I type). To think that one year ago a beautiful angel met her Creator, and in her mother's pain she came to know the Lord and is helping other mother's through the burial process. AMAZING! I had to share this with you. You prayed over that cuff that had the sweet name "Rowyn". Thank you!

Don't you just love when something tragic can turn into something beautiful and worthwhile!! We are so very excited to be partnering with Raise for Rowyn this month, and 10% of every sale will be going to this beautiful cause to help raise money for those who have lost a child AND an extra $10 from every WINGED cuff will be donated as well!!!  Click here to give directly or to learn more information.  *If you want to personalize this cuff more RfR can be burned onto the backside of the cuff as well.  Just leave us a note at checkout.  





Click here for the shop.  
Accepting pre-orders through Oct 2. 
Delivery date 4-6 weeks:) 




Be a blessing.


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Thursday, September 10, 2015

RISE AND SHINE...the extended FGP open!!!



Hi friends!  Can you believe Summer is over?  I'm a smidgen sad, but at the same time glad.  It's time for some change!  In all things there are seasons and that goes right along with this little business of mine as well.  We've been running on fumes for awhile now.  

The occasional, very short opens started out as a great idea for me to balance life and work.  I believe it was a God inspired, "DO THIS right now", kinda thing.  It really helped grow the shop.  There's something about knowing you only have a limited time to buy that creates a frenzy, and in the world of business FRENZY is good, but it also causes heart palpitations and panic attacks for the people actually fulfilling allthoseorders!  It's a mixed blessing, and now it's time to try out something else.  

We are officially announcing that this next open will not be for just 5 days.  We are going to try staying open for SEVEN WEEKS!  I know!  Crazytown!!  It will hopefully make shopping less stressful for you and help us pace ourselves a little bit more.  This is all trial and error, as is everything I ever do...  But it's worth a shot:)




We've streamlined things in the shop as well, adding a simple listing, that combines all our basic leathers together.  Every week we will add in new arrivals.  Also keep your eyes peeled for ornaments and designer cuffs in the weeks to come.  Including a special cuff designed to help promote our FGP gives back campaign a little more.



We've also added pre-stamped blanks, so for those of you who struggle with word ideas we will have some wonderful easy options available making check out easier and faster! 



There's a new wordy listing...for those of you with a lot to say.  
And we are now offering affiliate positions for those tried and true loyal customers who are FGP Fangirls.  You know who you are!  See newsletter for more information.

If you want to keep up to date on all the changes, coupon codes etc...sign up for our newsletter at the top of this page, under sign up.  Thank you as always for supporting this handmade shop.  We work hard to use our gifts and talents to make something meaningful for you.  



The shop will open 
Monday, Sept 14th at 8:00 am EST 
and will close Monday, Nov 2nd at 5 pm EST :)


And if you would please pray for us in this new season.  
Change is good, but it's also hard.  
When the shop is open we always find ourselves under somewhat of an attack from the enemy.  
This is not just a little hobby...this is Kingdom work and the enemy is not a fan.  
Please pray for our hands and minds as we handstamp these orders.  
Please pray for the customers that are buying these cuffs and giving them as gifts, 
that they will be a blessing and a witness.  
Please pray for health and harmony in our shop as every team member is vital.  
Thank you SO MUCH!  
Love you friends.



Be a blessing,

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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The mountainversary

 

We married young.  Fell in love in High School.  Navigated through a year of Junior College before we said I do.  I put him through school, then him me.  I tell my girls that other than your faith walk and asking Jesus into your heart the number one decision you'll ever make is who you'll marry.  Choose wisely.  
It's not always easy.  We have such different personalities.  I'm a risk taker, go anywhere...wanderlust girl.  He's a fixer.  A homebody.  A non-adventure type...that is very into the details.  Which is actually great.  We balance each other out.  Heaven forbid if it was up to me we'd be living in an RV in Hawaii somewhere.  And although that would be cool, there's something smart about not being too wanderlusty.  You have to make a living somehow.  There needs to be a plan;)





I know I've talked about this before, but I'm reminiscing.  I once was a teenager with a broken heart that wrote out a prayer and asked God to bring me someone special.  Then I had a dream and my honey was no longer just a friend, but the man I had prayed for.  And I think of that gift.  The gift of answered prayer and despite our differences I know God put us together for a specific reason.  



Maybe it's to raise these amazing girls we've been blessed with.  It's teamwork, trial and error and I can't imagine being a parent with anyone else but him.  Again he's the problem solver, detailer, fix everything. I'm the nurturer, listening ear...creative.  Regardless of the roles we fall into they are both needed, both invaluable, and I'm so glad once again I didn't marry someone exactly like me.



Here's to 25 1/2 years of looking into your eyes.  Of knowing that you've got my back.  That you see me and stay.  That you love me even when I'm unlovable.  The Lord I knew I would so desperately need you.  Happy 23 years baby!




Be a blessing.






**All pics were taken in the Blue Ridge Mountains:)  
Wintergreen Resort area.
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Sunday, July 26, 2015

love hugs


At times I honestly feel like God is smiling down on me.  I can feel His hand on my life so strong.  I like to refer to those moments as love hugs from heaven.  This was one of those beautiful weeks.  I struggle with the blues sometimes.  I can feel lonely often.  I'm in my basement.  Working by myself. A lot. Sometimes I feel like I don't have community here.  I think that's the enemy lying to me. And for reals God kinda gave me a whack upside the head over the last few weeks.  He gently reminded me that HEY THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE! And you are loved.  You are remembered.

There was the recent blueberry picking.  A thrifting extravaganza with a new friend.  A dinner date with a dear friend that moved away.  A catch up lunch date with a friend that I'd lost track of.  There was an adoption shower for a sweet friend I'd met over Instagram, and then an impromptu room decorating thing for her sweet girl she brings home soon.  There was a park date with another friend I met through blogging.  There was an art night at my house with the Gather Girls.  The list goes on... And my girls!  The older they get, the closer we get!  Who knew;)  They were always there, but our bond has gotten deeper. They truly are my forever friends.  And that brings joy deep to my soul.













I do believe with all my heart God brings people in and out of our lives.  There are seasons and it's a good thing.  It can be confusing.  It cannot make sense at all, but each person that sifts through is a gift.  Maybe they are meant to refine you. To challenge you.  To help shape who you ultimately become.  I'm just grateful for a heavenly Daddy who knows just when I need a hug from Him.  His timing is always spot on.




Be a blessing.











my gather girls
 going redder

preparing for ellerie's homecoming!

impasto oil painting...more on that soon

my parent's come this week!!!






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Monday, July 20, 2015

amen









I have no words to say.

Don’t know what I should pray,
God, I need You. God, I need You.
Oh Lord, my faith is tired.
And tears fill up my eyes,
But I will trust You, I will trust You.



Whatever comes my way,
You have taught me to say,



Amen, Let Your kingdom come!
Amen, Let Your will be done!
And through the rise and fall,
You’re God above it all!
Amen! We’re singin’ amen!



When I can barely stand,
You strengthen me again!
I will seek You. I will seek You.
Though troubles may arise,
My hands reach to the skies.
I will praise You, I will praise You.



Whatever comes my way,
You have taught me to say,



Amen, Let Your kingdom come!
Amen, Let Your will be done!
And through the rise and fall,
You’re God above it all!
Amen! We’re singin’ amen!



From everlasting to everlasting!


I am they... AMEN






Be a blessing.





 dappled sunlight
farmy goodness just down the road
warm blueberries off the vine
 a friend who reaches out
a new sweet friend for the girls
trusting Him in all things
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