November shop is LIVE!!!

I have that famous Christmas poem going through my mind except mine goes something like this... 

 

Twas the night before our Opening, and all through the house...

not a hammer was pounding not even mallet (doesn't rhyme).

The cuffs were hanging on their trees with much care...

in hopes that all of you would soon be right there;) 

 

I in my nightie all snuggled in bed,

images of leather twirling through my head...

Excitement was brewing. 

The anticipation was great.

No sleep would be had...

unfortunately it would have to wait;)

 

I'm a dork...what can I say?!  Maybe I should stick with cuff making;)

 

We've been working SO hard to get ready for this day.  Months of gathering leather, cutting, punching, hammering, snapping and unsnapping, photographing, editing, listing etc...  But alas we are ready!!!!  And I feel like a kid the night before Christmas morning.  I'm super excited this time.  Like READY!!!!  I've got help. We've got a system:)

 

Some last few shots of the shop.  This is hopefully our last opening in this room.  As I type this hammers are nailing in drywall to finish up a bedroom and bathroom in our basement.  The girls playroom will become our new FGP headquarters and the bedroom will be my art space EEEEEEEK!!!!  It really needed to be done.  With honey working from home our current situation wasn't working out so well.  We'll be WAY down in the basement.  Hopefully no hammers will be heard;)

My lifesavers;)
Tamara, Adele and Deanna

The shop IS OFFICIALLY open...today through November 20th!!!!  ***Please note this is the last opening until February 1st!  Hopefully we've got what you need...BUT if we sell out or you are looking for something specific please ask.  We've got buckets of leather we can maybe whip something up for you special.  We're nice like that;) 

Also please read through the listings.  We've tried to thoroughly explain the whole process from beginning to end including our shipping policies etc...  If you read it most of your questions will be answered:)

Oh and we're going to start a fun new thing on the first day of every opening to help spread the word that the shop is open and give word ideas.   If you've bought a cuff in the past we would love to see you wearing your cuff... a little cuff selfie:)  YOUR FACE and cuff in one pic!

EEEEEK!!  Here are a few from last night.  Love LOVED seeing your faces:))  Please tag #farmgirlpaintsetsy on IG (public users only) or blog about it, let me know, and you'll be entered to win a free cuff.  I'll announce the winner Monday evening around 5pm EST.  Thank you girlies:))

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PSSSSSS...Don't forget to check out
this month's awesome shop sponsors for your
coupon codes!!!


 Casey @ Casey Leigh

Susan @ Charming Lucy
Shannan @ Flower Patch Farmgirl
Kristi @ barnowlprimitives on IG
Nick @ nickholden on IG

 

 





Be a blessing.

November 11th is finally here:)
sweet sweet helpers!
lots of amazing belts
the ability to work from home and create meaningful things
YOU!!!
 

If you've been hurt...

A few nights ago I had a dream.  We were in a car driving, and off to the right was a huge clearing, and lining the clearing were two rows of big trees.  Passing through the trees and out into the open pasture were two enormous elephants.  I yelled, STOP THE CAR...CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTO!!! ;)  And then immediately we were in another dream scene changing our clothes in a stranger's upstairs bedroom.  I opened the door to voices downstairs and apologized for using their bedroom.  Fast forward to the next scene when we were riding those elephants in our fancy new clothes!!


Strange right?  But I'm a big believer in God revealing himself through dreams.  So I looked up elephants and found that elephants represent power, strength, faithfulness, intellect and steadfastness.  To dream you are riding one means you are overcoming aspects of things you were once afraid of.  Interesting.

I think there is a tie in somewhere between that dream and what the Lord has been showing me.  

I know there are a lot of you hurting.  I read your letters.  And honestly I have no idea what to say back most of the time.  I'm just like you.  Walking through this life one day at a time.  Seeking wisdom daily.  Stumbling at times...looking for answers.  But He knows my heart, and I so badly want to be used, to be poured out.  So the ONLY answer I have is to point to Him.  He knows what to say.  He knows what you need.

Many of the hurts stem from the church. Which breaks my heart.  Then there are those have been majorly hurt by a close family member.  People who should have been trustworthy...who should have loved you unconditionally, they've left you feeling shattered, broken, lied to...shamed.  And when those close to us leave us hurting it's hard to trust again.  It can be a challenge to believe that God has our backs.  That He loves us unconditionally...because for some reason he allowed that hurt right?  He allowed you to get kicked in the gut and honestly you feel betrayed. 

I think the only way we can move past those feelings is to realize that satan uses people.  Whether they are in the church, fellow believers, family members, best friends, strangers etc...  He can and will use people to hurt you, to get you off course.  He's a liar.  He's out to steal, kill, and destroy us.  To deceive us.  We can't forget who the real enemy is.

That's why there is so much emphasis on forgiveness in the Bible.  We HAVE to step into forgiveness to move forward in our faith walk.  The Lord forgave us.  We must forgive others...including ourselves.  If we hold onto the past and relive the hurt, we are in a constant holding pattern and we can't break free into what He's got for us.

And what He's got for us is major!!  

He wants to lavish you in love.  He wants to use YOU for His kingdom.  He wants you to sit high, a child of the KING, and ride that elephant in your shiny new outfit...that He paid the price for.  

Forgiven.  

Whole.  

Spotless. 

Slate wiped clean.
Assured of His unconditional affection for you.

So if you've been hurt...I'm believing with you that those old things you've been carrying around will come off right now in the name of Jesus.  That the pain of the past will not define you, and that your present and future will be like Christmas morning...full of beautiful surprises, lavish love gifts, and an underlying excitement of good things to come!!!  Walk tall in His promises.  

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BTW girls I wanted to spotlight a really sweet shop that you are sure to recognize...Kristi from Barn Owl Primitives.  I just got these for the future basement studio:))  They are so cute!!!  Took me forever to narrow it down because she's got so many great signs to choose from.
 

Kristi's signs are amazing, and her designs are in Target, HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Bed Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby and Cost Plus World etc...  She's the real deal, and I'm so excited she's offering my readers a special discount to her shop.  Check her out here and be sure to enter FARMGIRL15 for 15% off.  

Happy Christmas shopping:))  Yikes...it's a comin'!

Be a blessing.

Halloween family time

the right to vote

 the shop OPENS this coming MONDAY!!!

most comfortable boots ever!

the wheatfield

I've been sitting on these pictures since our trip back to Illinois this past summer.  Big chick had told Grandma and Grandpa that's what she wanted when she came home.  Not a special meal or a gift etc...a wheatfield!  That's my girl.  A wheatfield it is.  Of course Grandpa could deliver that;)   

I was holding them back because I thought they would go perfectly with a post about raising up girls.  I've had several people ask me about how we parent.  Tips and whatnot about how our girls have turned out so sweet etc...  And honestly those words haven't come yet.  When and if they do you'll be the first to know;)

Our pastor has been doing a studying on Philippians.  This past week his sermon really touched a nerve.  It was about anxiety.  I struggle with this at times.  We've had several things to be anxious about lately.  We've been waiting for Honey's job pieces to fall into place.  I've been attempting to build this business, and let me tell you I'm a fish out of water training people, working long hours etc...  I'm the girl who never wanted a "career".  I had no desire to work.  I was making things for fun.  It's not that anymore.  It's a job, and even though it's flipped over to a more demanding thing I love it...it just comes with a whole new set of challenges.  I'm learning as I go.

Then there is the constant parenting concerns.  How are the girls doing?  The friendships.  The homework.  Are we giving them enough responsibility, love, care...attention.  You all know it...this pit in your stomach feeling of worry.  Anxiety!!  Life is a lot!  We all have stuff.

My pastor defined anxiety as anticipating the future in the worst possible way and freaking out about it.  Yep that pretty much sums it up!  He said it's caused by having an unrealistic pace, no boundaries, no downtime, and a lack or disconnect with a meaningful community.  When we feel anxious we are often angry, exhausted, worn out, overwhelmed, everyone is out to get you, we can't sleep, we gain or lose weight, we can have physical symptoms.  It manifests itself in despair, fear and worry.  And get this...it's a SIN!


He wasn't downplaying mental illness or any anxiety disorders.  He was directing it to those who struggle with this certain area.  And I have to admit I needed to hear it BAD!  I've never thought of anxiety as a sin.  But when you look at it in that way instead of something that you have to "manage" it changes everything.  I don't want to sin against the Lord, and when I worry or struggle with anxiety that's a lack of trust in a God that I know loves me and wants the best for me.  So through Him I can ask for forgiveness and be freed from it once and for all.  I can...I WILL be an overcomer:))

So how do I overcome that seemingly uncontrollable thing of anxiety?

We need to pray about everything.  

Giving it to Him.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

We need to train ourselves to focus on good things and more or less capture every thought and shut out the negative.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Obey

Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The God of peace will be with you... Ahhhh those last words.  Yes Lord...God of peace.  I want YOU with me.  Every day.  Every second.  I know you can use me when I obey.  Let the fields be ripe for harvest!

Oh and girls I have to share this.  My sweet niece Brittany got engaged recently.  Her boyfriend of 5 years proposed to her in the coolest way.  Watch this!  You will die.  And if you didn't already share your engagement story on IG I'd love to hear about it here.  Ours was simple, but sweet.  Honey went on bended knee in my parent's driveway.  My mom was peeking out from the kitchen window.  Good times;)  
  

Be a blessing.

brittany got engaged!

 shop is almost ready

leaves are falling

peanut butter bark

big chick learning to cook

palm promises

The Hope Spoken linkup...

Hey there.  Okay so I'm going to Hope Spoken!!!!  My friend Tamara has wanted to go for the past year and I just couldn't think/plan beyond tomorrow so I was dragging my feet.  Then they started running out of tickets and aaaaaaackkkk!!  So guess what?  WE are going to Hope Spoken in March:))  And just in case you don't know what Hope Spoken is it's a super fun weekend conference in Dallas, Texas with lots of great inspirational speakers and women I can't wait to meet, and well...it's bound to be fabulous.  So yeah!!!  I'm glad we're going.  I know God must have some major goodness for us that weekend.

They asked us to share a little bit about ourselves so here goes:

 

For those of you who don't know me and are just checking in from the link my name is Becky Strahle.  I married my highschool sweetheart 21 years ago.  I'm a momma to two of the most amazing girls ever!  I call them Big Chick and Little Chick on here;)  I make a LOT of cuffs occasionally, and run an Etsy shop called Farmgirl Paints.  And guess what?  I DO actually paint when I get the time:)  Hopefully that long time dream of mine will become a print reality very shortly.  Oh and I've been writing this little piece of my heart for almost 5 years.  YIKES!!    


The thing I'm most nervous/excited about is meeting a lot of YOU!  I "know" SO many of you through blogging and Instagram (my name is farmgirlpaints) so it's exciting and blind-date like and exhilarating all rolled into one.  EEEEEEK!  So there you have it...true confession, hand raised high, my name is Becky and meeting new people scares me to death ha! 


Honestly I have no idea what to expect on that weekend.  I'm not sure what the topics are or anything, but I know there are some amazing inspirational women speaking and I'm positive their stories on faith and life are sure to start a little fire in me.  So that's what I'm expecting...to come home on FIRE:))  Oh and I really hope that some of the virtual friendships I've made online will maybe go a little bit deeper.  It's amazing how a little face time can grow and nurture that seedling of friendship.


Let's see a weird fact about me...  Okay this is really random, when I was dating back in high school I had two boyfriends before I finally met my honey.  When I had my first kiss with each of them I ran to the bathroom immediately and threw up!  Fast forward to my first kiss with my honey.  We had just eaten pizza.  Major ick breath.  We were at the top of this funky rainbow swirly slide and he grabs me and gives me the most whopper of a kiss.  Like BAM!  And guess what?  I didn't throw up.  It was a sign;)  The rest is history!!

That's what I got.

Be a blessing. 

 

 

 

 

**The conference is currently sold out, but they may be adding more seats.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

today's gratefuls...

lunch with brandee

twinkly lights above our bed

first chilly hat day

cracker barrel take out for dinner...chicken and dumplings...comfort food my fave!