Telling Stories

Scrapbooking Your Faith Weekly Prompts {Week One}

I'm so excited to share the very first "Faith Friday" Scrapbooking Your Faith Prompt!

 

Things I've learned from making videos of myself: 

1. One of my nostrils is bigger than the other.

2. You should never film yourself with the camera looking up at you. Even the slightest angle can show all your chins. 

3. There is nowhere in our house that seems to have good natural light. 

Today's Prompt: 

Scrapbook/Journal/Document Your Truth. 

What I mean by this is, document your latest revelation, your latest word from God. The most recent thing you don't want to forget. Your ah-ha moment...

Here's my page:

I'd like to apologize now for crummy lighting. It's been overcast and I took these photos THREE times. sigh. 

Regardless, you can see I'm all about keeping it VERY simple. It's important for me not to overwhelm myself with the crazy pressure of creating art right now. I'm on deadline and very busy preparing to move...so simple and easy is the name of the game. 

The point is, I don't want to forget the story. That's the most important thing. I don't want to forget what it's like to be in the middle of this revelation...

I've hidden the journaling behind the strips of patterned paper. This makes it easier if you happen to be journaling something you don't really want everyone to read. 

Clearly, I'm not:

In this case, I took the words straight from my blog post (which is where I digest most of this stuff anyway...) 

My embellishments were few and I printed the title right on the photo to make this whole thing even easier. 

Now, what about you? What revelation will you document? 

How would you like to win a copy of "Lost and Found" by Ginny Yttrup?

Leave me a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing to win an autographed copy of Ginny's book. I can't explain the importance of reading something so powerful, and the fact that the revelation comes through a fictitious story...you'll be amazed. 

Now...for the five winners of "Scrapbooking Your Faith"...

1. Stacy Caddy

2. Renee J.

3. Kimberli

4. Karen Larson

5. Susan C.

You five, email me your addresses at: courtneycrops{at}msn{dot}com and I'll get those out to you! 

And, like I said in the video, I hope you'll link up here when you finish your projects...even if they're simple (like mine), they can still inspire.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

 

Scrapbooking Your Faith Weekly Prompts {Won't You Join Me?}

I'm interrupting my story to gather the rest of my thoughts. I'll tell you all about how this move has already been challenging in that my son is acting out in school because he can't seem to process his emotions. I'll explain what it's like when well-meaning people plant a seed of doubt in your mind and how difficult it is to cling to what you know you know...

The story just keeps changing. Today our Realtor is coming by to talk about selling the house. When we moved here, I was terrified about our house in Rockford. It never did sell, but we have fabulous renters. 

Sometimes God works things out in a way you never expected. I love that. 

Because of it, I feel like I can walk into this next season with more peace. I don't know how God will work it out, but I know he will. I rest in that. 

Anyway. Today, I want to direct you to the Creating Keepsakes Magazine Blog where I'm guest posting (yay) and sharing a layout inspired by my book, A Sweethaven Summer. (Should go live later tomorrow!) Since I haven't talked about the 'ol book in awhile, I'll put in a shameless plug here...I think it'd make someone an awfully nice Mother's Day Gift, don't you? 

You can head right over HERE and enter to WIN a copy along with some fabulous scrapbooky prizes! 

I'm also working on some fun events to help spread the word about the book because we all know word of mouth is what really sells a book. 

If you've shared it with a reader in your life...thank you. Immensely. 

If you haven't, feel free. I'll pledge my undying devotion to you if you help spread the word. 

Too needy? 

Here's a little peek at the project I'm sharing over at CK...

(It's a map project. I love a good map.)

A few weeks ago, CK Editor Extraordinaire Jennafer Martin was in town and my good friend Liz and I got to meet up with her for breakfast:

I can't resist. I have to mention how sleepy I look. Wowza.

If there's one thing I LOVE about scrapbooking it's the friends I've made...which is why I'd LOVE for you to come join me for this new thing I'm doing right here on my blog. Six weeks of journaling prompts to help you Scrapbook Your Faith. 

Now, I'm not much of a video girl (which you will soon see givent he crummy webcam I'm using, but today I'm doing something I've never done before...a video announcement to tell you more about this fun idea.

I want to stress that this is NOT just for scrapbookers...this is for anyone...and I hope you'll join me...

At the risk of looking like a complete dork, here we go...(And the freeze frame/lighting are sooo flattering.)

 

So, let's recap (and talk about how you can WIN some GREAT, awesome, wonderful stuff.) 

1. Go over to the CK blog and enter to WIN A Sweethaven Summer and a scrapbooking prize package! (Post should be up tomorrow!) 

2. Leave me a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win a copy of Scrapbooking Your Faith (and one of the five winners will get a scrapbooking mystery box as well!) (And also, tell me if you're going to join in and journal YOUR faith!)

3. Come back next week for the first "Scrapbooking Your Faith" journaling prompt! It's going to be tons of fun! 

4. Tell Your Friends! 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Words That Speak

I confess. I'm a word nerd. I love words. I love to string them together to evoke emotions. What can I say? I'm a writer. 

But I also love how words can encourage and uplift...and I'm not above encouraging and uplifting myself. We all need a little pick-me-up every now and then. Today I want to share with you a tiny little book I created full of words and reminders that I often need. A little positive self-talk never hurt anyone. 

This book started with a few digital layouts. I used this Kitschy Digitals kit from jessicasprague.com (Click on the image to check it out.)

I thought of them like little cards, so they're small, like 2.5"x3.5" and I used the same basic design for each one. It made everything simpler.

So this is what the cards looked like:

I chose words that spoke to me. Words that really get me out of any funk I might be in. You could easily do this with Bible verses, words of wisdom, notes to yourself...anything that speaks to you. 

The trouble with digital is that they do you no good unless you print them out. And I knew I wanted these cards to be carry-aroundable. 

What? It's a word. 

So, I went for a hybrid mini album. I made the booklet by hand using accordian-folded cardstock which I covered with print-outs from my digital kit. 

Very simple little booklet, but powerful for me...because the words are powerful. 

What words speak to you? Have you put them in a place of importance to help you remember them? And isn't it funny how we often forget them, choosing instead to focus on other words...like can't or who do you think you are? or you'll never...? 

There has to be better words than these, don't you think? 

And also, tomorrow is the last day to enter the Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge! Are you entered?? Click HERE for details on how your art can win you big prizes!!

 

Dream Day & Some Fancy Pants

Today I'm over on The Crafty Power Blog sharing a little Fancy Pants love. This is my niece, Lilah. I got to hang out with her in November and then again over Christmas and I'd like to brag and say that I won her over because it was quite a proud moment in my life. 

I have to tell you how very much I love Fancy Pants. This collection is SO fun and I accidentally printed a few extra photos so I'm making more pages of Lilah. I love it! 

Fridays used to be a big writing day for me, but since I turned in the manuscript for A Sweethaven Christmas, today I've decided to catch up on something every bit as important as the writing... dreaming. And studying. And drinking a lot of coffee. 

Today is Dream Day. Sometimes I think you go along with life just accepting whatever comes your way, failing to stop and actually make the changes you need to make...and it's not until you get alone with your thoughts that you can really say "this needs to change." Or "This isn't right." Or "I can't do that anymore." 

For me, that day is today. I've been challenged by a very dear friend to dream bigger...and I thought my dreams were pretty big...but lately, what I've been learning is that if God is in the details then I should pay attention to the details too. And I haven't been...not really. 

Our life, right now, is in the middle of yet another upheaval...and I have to admit, while that sometimes frightens me, the truth is, I'm kind of excited...and in the midst of more changes for our family, there is SO much peace...

I will always follow the peace. 

Happy Dream Day!

Why Your Art Isn't Frivolous

Before we moved to Colorado, Adam and I directed a CYT production of the musical “Godspell”. It was, without a doubt, the most memorable show I’ve ever directed. I was going through a fairly good amount of inner turmoil at that time, and I was very close to backing out of the show before we started. I am so thankful I didn’t. 

We were SO influenced by the 1996 revival (which we accidentally saw off-Broadway), we could hardly wait to get started. Little by little, we watched these kids bring the parables Jesus told to life, and I started to get a new understanding of why Jesus told these stories in the first place…

See, I’ve always been taught that every word in the Bible was true. Every word. Words like “prosperity” are just as true as “punishment”, whether we like it or not. Because of that, (I can’t believe I’m admitting this), I always thought the parables were stories of things Jesus actually saw or did or witnessed…I thought they were TRUE stories...

Why, yes, I do have blond hair, why do you ask?

It took working out the Book of Matthew on the stage before I realized they’re just stories.

I have to say, that while you’re probably laughing at me right now, the truth is, I wonder if God kept me from finding out the truth because of the impact it had on me as the realization set in. See, I’d just started writing seriously at that time. I’d gotten the contract, but I still didn’t really know WHY I felt called to write.

God had made it SO clear to me that this was what I was supposed to do…but why? To what end?

Often, in our society, those of us who are drawn to the arts…to the telling of a story either on stage or on page, we’re made to feel—for one reason or another—that this is a frivolous pursuit. Several times I’ve seen parents discourage kids from pursuing art, music, theatre, writing…because those aren’t “acceptable” careers. It is, after all, a tough way to make money and often filled with rejection. What parent wants that for their child?

So, in spite of the support I’ve always felt from my parents, I think there was this thing inside me that says “this is a ridiculous thing you do…”

Why would you want to tell stories/write books/make art/pursue music for a living? You're destined for poverty and what if no one likes your so-called "art"? What then??? 

Mostly, I can slap some duct tape over the mouth of that liar, but every now and then, it creeps in again…and I wonder Am I making a difference to anyone? Can telling stories make a difference?

So, in that (albeit humiliating) moment in 2009 when my husband gently told me that the parables were, indeed, stories, this wave of understanding mixed with gratitude washed over me…because finally, it made sense. Finally, I understood this pull to write, to create, to tell stories…

While I’m fully aware that my stories will never have the impact Jesus’ stories do, the bottom line is that I’ve got something in common with the Son of God. I’m a storyteller…and because of that, I believe, that there's a reason to keep going.

I'm living proof that sometimes people aren’t moved by preaching but they are moved by story. They’re moved because a story takes them out of themselves to walk in someone else’s shoes, to imagine a different way…and because of that, they have an experience. And it's much more difficult to shake an experience than it is a sermon. 

No one’s told them how to live, what to change, why they should do something…they’ve done it for themselves. They’ve lived, they’ve changed, they’ve DONE…because they left their own body, ceased being who they always are and became someone else...

Isn't that what a great book does? Allows you to become the character? Isn't this why we love movies or plays? Because we get to experience first-hand the choices and challenges, the highs and lows, that the character is experiencing?

I guess it was eye-opening to realize that storytelling had its place even when Jesus walked the earth…that his stories still change lives, so it gives me a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, I could do the same. It may be a lofty ambition, but we all have to strive for something, right?

The parables were stories that inspires and motivated and taught...and they were hugely successful at exploring real life issues in the context of a hypothetical...so doesn't it stand to reason that God would value the art that tells a story even in 2012? 

Doesn't it make sense then, that he's kept this medium around for a purpose? I think so. 

It's not frivolous to express yourself through your art, whatever medium you choose. It is, in fact, the quickest way to reach someone's heart...

The Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Big Prizes! Big FUN!}

Today is the BIG DAY! 

THE SWEETHAVEN SCRAPBOOKING CHALLENGE!

Before I tell you how this is going to work, let me share one last beautiful layout to inspire you courtesy of designer Leslie Ashe:

I'm a total scallop fiend, so this layout (and the one she has on her blog today) have me swooning over here!! And the topic of "Tradition" is right in lines with the story of Sweethaven...the tradition of going back to the cottages year after year, the tradition of sharing the scrapbook and documenting their memories...

Do you document your traditions? 

Don't answer that...at least not yet!

Let me tell you how the challenge is going to work. (And the whole thing makes me a little nervous because this is sort of like throwing a party and then crossing your fingers that people will attend...I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nerve-wracked!)

But here it is...the DETAILS:

Step ONE: Look over all of these gorgeous Sweethaven-inspired layouts...and then pick one as your inspiration piece.

Take a peek: (larger images if you scroll back for the last two weeks through my blog...there's SO much inspiration!!)

Any inspiration that comes to you, through the colors, the design, the topic or your own Sweethaven inspired layout if you've read the book, is eligible! 

Step TWO: Create a piece of art (any art...scrapbook page, paper crafting project, mixed media...there's really no limitation here to what you can do...) inspired by the piece you choose. 

Step THREE: Post your project somewhere on the internet (Two Peas, Scrapbook.com, your own blog, Facebook...anything goes here too!) But it MUST contain the words "inspired by 'A Sweethaven Summer'" somewhere in the title/post. 

Step FOUR: Link back here in the comment section of THIS POST and tell me a little about your layout and what project inspired you! 

Step FIVE: Tell all your friends so they can join in and be part of the fun! 

Step SIX: Watch my blog for the announcement of the WINNERS! 

Some of the amazing prizes include:

A $30 gift card to:

(Have you seen their gorgeous stuff?? If not, click on their logo and check it out!! Amazing!) 

This amazing new book by Vicki Boutin:

(Click the image for more info!)

Several stamps from Unity Stamp Company, including (but not limited to:)

 

 

 

 

 

A prize pack from Scrapbook Adhesives:

A copy of Card Maps Vol. 2 (which comes out this month!) 

An 8x8 gallery wrapped canvas (2 inch sides), like this one:

A Chipboard Mini Album from Maya Road, similar to this one:

7 Gypsies Accordian Mini Album: 

As well as product from Prima, Bo Bunny, Doodlebug, Basic Grey and MUCH, much more (I'm still shopping!) :) 

So, who's with me? Tell me I'm not going to be tooting my noisemaker by myself!

Anyone up for a BIG FAT PRIZE OR TWO OR THREE?

I plan to award THREE winners, and I cannot WAIT to see what you come up with!!! 

The deadline to submit projects is March 23rd, so you've got THREE weeks to create!! (And multiple submissions are okay too!) :) Get crackin', creatives!!

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {It's Almost Time!}

Lately, my son has been saying "I can't wait for Thursday" or "I wish it was Tuesday..." and I wasn't really sure why until I discovered that his dad bought him new goggles for his swim lessons...which are on Tuesday and Thursday. 

And that's a little bit of how I feel about tomorrow...I can't wait for Friday...because I get to recap all of these beautiful layouts and projects, (and share a new one) and then issue

...The Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge...

And perhaps I'll even let you in on what the prizes are going to be. 

That's something to look forward to, right? (I hope you'll consider joining in!) 

Tomorrow is also the deadline for the first draft of my third book in this series, A Sweethaven Christmas. And while I should be panicking a bit more than I am, I'm actually just really excited to start the next phase of writing a novel...the editing! {And thankfully, I have an amazing editor!} 

But I've learned not to squander a single day, so I'm beyond excited to share two gorgeous Sweethaven-inspired layouts from two gorgeous girls...and I promise I didn't give them a color scheme to work with, it just worked out that way! 

First up, Vicki Boutin, who scrapped a page about being a memory keeper...something all of the girls in Sweethaven would relate to:

Vicki has long been one of my favorite scrapbookers. I got to meet her at CHA one year, and I remember being awe-struck by how much she had accomplished that year. And I know from experience that every now and then you're going to create a layout that's just kind of a dud. You know, they can't all be winners...(at least that's how I'd console myself...) 

But I've never, in all these years, seen a dud from Vicki. 

What's more, she's giving away a copy of my book on her BLOG today!!

 And I may or may not have something super special to add to my prize package for tomorrow...

Here's a hint:

 

(Click image to read more about Vicki's new book!) 

Whether they intended to or not, Campbell, Jane, Lila, Meghan, Suzanne and Adele all became memory keepers...and I'm so glad they did, otherwise, I may never have gone to Sweethaven myself. 

Next, I get to share with you another gorgeous layout, this one by my new, beautiful friend, Jaime Warren. Jaime is an amazing photographer and scrapbooker and I'm so thankful I have the chance to work with her over at Webster's Pages...and especially thankful that she's created this Sweethaven-inspired layout:

Sweethaven is a town where the cottages are passed down through the generations...a place where people go to escape, to unwind, to decompress. Gosh, I'd love to go there right now!

Jaime ran with that idea, creating a page about the times her family spends at this cabin, a wonderful escape from the daily grind. 

So, have you been to Sweethaven? It's a way to escape the daily grind without even leaving your house...

And I'm happy to announce the winner of these....

Bethany Becker said...

I am learning to let things go and not to take things so personally. I am also trying to believe in myself and be more appreciative of the things I have. This post really means a lot to me and encourages me to continue on with improving myself and my life and to not give up! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

ReplyFebruary 29, 2012 at 07:50 PM

Thank you to everyone who entered! Bethany, shoot me an email with your address and I'll get these in the mail to you! :) 

See you tomorrow...for the BIG CHALLENGE!

5 Lessons I'm Learning Thanks to my Debut Novel. {And a giveaway!}

                             

Today I'm talking a little about my writing journey over at the Brave Girls Club Website. 

I'm sure you've heard of Brave Girls Club. Yes? I'm going. One of these days, I'm going to get out there and get my hands all painty and explore my life and how I can make it better. That image at the top is one of Melody's and it appeared at precisely the time I needed it most.

Funny how that happens. 

It's amazing to me to see how God has used this writing journey to teach me so very much about myself... about the things I need to keep working on...day after day, I learn something new. Like how to lean on other people. How to accept the help of others. How to admit to myself and everyone else that there's no way I can do it all. 

Oh, I pretend for awhile...but when I do that, it all comes crashing down on me. 

Today, on this reflective Saturday (I wrote this on Saturday), as I prepare to head out to the Barnes and Noble here in Loveland for a book signing, and my nerves are amped up and I'm scared, I think about the things I know for sure...

(Also Melody's art)

So here's my list: 5 Things I'm Learning...thanks to my debut novel:

1. God is always going to come through for you. No matter what. Even if it feels like the midnight hour. Even if it feels like he's forgotten you. I promise. He hasn't. Lately, I keep hearing the same phrase echoing in my mind... He has me in the palm of his hand...

2. Sometimes compliments are more jarring than criticism. They're scary because they bring out a different kind of insecurity...the kind where you want to sit down and explain to everyone that they're mistaken. Don't they know how frazzled you really are? Don't they see that you're the mom who forgot the permission slip? Again. 

3. Just at the time when you're sure you cannot go on for one more single solitary second, someone jumps in and throws you a rope. If there's no rope, then you can do it...even if you feel like you can't. 

4. When you put out a "fleece" and convince yourself it's biblical, you might be mistaken. Some experts say this is actually a sign of an immature faith. (When you discover this the day after putting out a fleece, it's especially fun.) 

5. You can't make people run to amazon and buy your book. And as much as you want to, you can't give them away...all you can do is be thankful...so thankful...that you have this opportunity...and then you can pray that God gets a hold of it and does what he wants with it.

You can't worry about what you can't control...

I'm learning, my friends...so much and so fast...and other things...REALLY slowly. Ha. But in honor of these many lessons, and in honor of my "Someone Threw Me a Rope" post at Brave Girls Club, I want to give away a copy of my book, A Sweethaven Summer...

The book is available HERE and HERE and on KINDLE, and NOOK...so if you don't win, maybe you'll join me for a little escape to Sweethaven!?

How do you enter? Simply leave me a comment and tell me...what lesson are you learning lately? 

To sweeten the deal, I'm also going to give away a spot in my new Big Picture Class, Scrapbooking Your Faith...

(Click on image for more information!) 

AND a copy of my first book, Scrapbooking Your Faith:

For additional entries:

1. Facebook a link to this post OR to "A Sweethaven Summer" on amazon!

2. Tweet a link to this post or to "A Sweethaven Summer on amazon!

3. Blog about either of these things. 

4. Sign up for my newsletter by clicking HERE. (I promise not to spam you. Cross my heart. I'm thinking 2-3 newsletters a year. I won't tell you if we get a new puppy or anything like that.) 

Also, I want to tell you that my sweet friend, Vicki Boutin has done a very brave thing herself...she's written this book:

Click on the image and find out you can WIN her new book...and come back here tomorrow for a very fun Sweethaven-inspired project from Vicki! (I can't wait!) 

:) Thank you. I'm feeling extreme gratitude today and I want to say thank you. I'd love to send you my books and see you in my class, so be sure to leave a comment today! :) 

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Point of View}

When you write, one of the first things you learn about is Point of View. I love the whole idea of jumping into a character's mind and seeing everything just as he or she would see it. I think this is where the time I spent in theatre really comes in handy...because acting is all about bringing a character to life. In every way, you inhabit the character. You become them. It's why some actors don't stop talking with an accent when the cameras turn off...because embodying another person is a mental task, and for the writer, not one to be taken lightly. 

It's also my favorite part of writing a book. 

One thing that struck me as especially fun was when I asked two scrapbookers to create pages about friendship...and they came back with two very different points of view...but they both used the same photo. 

It was like a visual representation of what a novel is all about. The nuts and bolts of it...seeing things through the character's eyes. It was completely unplanned but it made me smile. 

First, designer Leslie Ashe scrapped this adorable layout about a friendship that was meant to be...

We all have those friendships, don't we? The ones that are meant to be. The ones where you look back and can't remember a time you didn't know the person? Even if you've only known them for a short time. 

Female friendships are so complex. I think that's why I wanted to write about them... because they're volatile and full of drama...but on the other side of that is something so special. When you cross the bridge and find out you've still got someone beside you? Well, there's nothing like that. 

The funny thing was, that Wendy Hammer, the other lovely in this photo, also created a page about friendship...and look who she decided to document:

I couldn't love the journaling on this layout any more. I swear. I love the whole idea of documenting a relationship that means so much to you...and I love the way both these girls did it.

Two different styles, two different points of view...

One friendship that clearly means the world to each of them. 

I think I'm hormonal because I kind of want to cry just thinking about it... 

All that said, I have to tell you that A Sweethaven Summer is on sale today on Amazon...so if you haven't joined me in that utopian cottage town, maybe it's time? 

It's also available on Kindle and Nook, if you're a fancy technology lover...

And if you're really desperate, someone is trying to sell a used copy at bn.com for $146. 

Hey, to each his own. 

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {The Blessings of Friendship}

Friendship and Forgiveness. It's what I keep telling people my book is about. A Sweethaven Summer is a story about friends, brought together by a little town and a scrapbook. That's it in a nutshell...but friendships are rarely so cut and dry, are they? 

I am so blessed to have friends all over the globe, people I love even when I don't get to talk to them every single day (or even every single month.) People who "get me." 

It's a resounding theme so naturally, it deserves a lot of attention when it comes to this fabulouso Art Challenge I'm about to issue...(I'm thinking tomorrow I'll get all the details announced...and the prizes...well, I'll tell you some of them!) :) 

Anyway, it's easy to document your children's friends, but what about your own? What about those people you cherish? Maybe you've known them your whole life...grown up with them...or maybe you met at a particularly important point in your own lives and have been friends ever since. 

For my friend Anabelle O'Malley, part of friendship is the tradition of going to Disney with her girlfriends...a tradition definitely worth documenting...

Anabelle took photos from three different years--three different trips--and used them all on the same layout. Can you imagine if Anabelle's son found this years from now and tracked down these girls to hear more about what his mom was like when she wasn't on "mom duty"?

It intrigues me...the whole idea of it. I guess in some ways, I think when we play a "role" all day long, like "MOM"...it's hard to think of ourselves as anything else. But that role of "FRIEND" is so important... it shapes us and forms us into who we are...don't you think? 

What if you step outside the role you're most used to playing and focused instead on another role, maybe one you don't get to play often enough, but that you're so thankful for. 

The other day, I had a radio interview and they mentioned the idea of the gratitude journal...in my mind, scrapbooking and art journaling are largely about expanding this concept...talking about our blessings, focusing on them...keeping them in the spotlight. My real life friend, Liz Hicks, demonstrates this with her "Blessed Beyond Measure" art journal page:

I love that Liz's art journal pages are always so full of vibrancy and life...and to be able to document the blessing of a good friend is something that she (and future generations) will cherish. I love to hear stories about my mom's friends growing up...it won't be any different with our kids...

I think more than anything, they want to know us as people not just as the "warden in the prison of their life" (as I expect my daughter might say given that the mother seems to be the villain in the story she's currently writing...) 

But the truth is, friendship IS a blessing...a huge one that we should never take for granted. Our friends see us through so many storms, whether we realize it at the time or not. 

Check out Liz's blog for tons of great art journaling tips, techniques and prompts. You can find it HERE. 

Question for YOU: Have you created a layout or art journal page highlighting your friendships? Does any of your artwork focus on you? 

I'd love to hear about it...and if not, I'd love to hear why...

And I'd especially love for you to join in my Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge and create a page inspired by one of the beautiful pieces of art my friends have shared...but we'll get to that later! 

For now, I'll leave you with a documentation of some of my favorite friends...

People I don't live near anymore...but who I carry in my heart...

Happy Monday!

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {On Scrapbooking & Music}

This morning I had a radio interview set up by my amazing publicist, Jeane. She's more than a publicist, she's a friend...and this girl keeps my brains in check. (Did you know I had more than one brain?) 

One thing that I love about doing these interviews is the fact that I get to talk about scrapbooking...something that I've realized has been with me for as long as I could remember. 

Before there was patterned paper and embellishments and scrapbooking stores, I used whatever I found around the house...(not acid-free, mind you...) and the results were always just fine. Because I was telling my stories. 

Pulling that in to this novel has been one of the most eye-opening things for me...because even as I wrote it, I don't think I fully realized the impact scrapbooking has had on my life. And I'm not "caught up" and all my pages aren't organized in albums...but the stories have been told...and there they are, waiting to be told again. 

Scrapbooking is at the heart of A Sweethaven Summer...so when Scrapbooking Rock Star Jen Jockisch agreed to create a Sweethaven-inspired layout, I was so happy she chose to reflect on the "why" of scrapbooking. Jen has long been one of my favorite scrapbookers, with her fresh and funky style...

But when you read her journaling...gosh. I just get it. I get that need for the creative outlet...that need to lock yourself away and get lost in it for a few hours. I love every word of this journaling...not to mention the adorable design...

(PS...visit Jen's blog later today for a chance to win a copy of my book!) 

What is your creative outlet? I really want to know what you're into!!

Being able to pull parts of yourself into a keepsake...it's so worth it. Worth the time it takes... For instance, Becky Fleck of Page Maps fame, has created a layout focusing on a particular song...a song that ran through her mind all day long the day she had to say goodbye to a trusted friend:

Music is a huge part of Sweethaven...from the country lullaby Adele always sang to her daughter to Campbell and her mom's shared love of Norah Jones, to the faded memories that accompany "When You Say Nothing At All..." the soundtrack of our lives brings back memories quicker than anything...

So, yes, I'm a sucker for this hobby that's become a job and then a hobby again...it's something that brings people together, and for that, I will be forever grateful. 

Next week, I'll announce The official rules of The Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge and tell you how you can win some awesome prizes! {Which of these layouts will inspire YOU most?!}

Now. About this book...If you've read it, thank you. If you've told me your thoughts about it, thank you. It's consuming my life a little right now, although the rest of my life sure hasn't stopped or paused or even hiccupped...

If you haven't read it, it's now available for Kindle or in paperback right over HERE at Amazon...and in advance, I'll say a humbled thank you...because it means the world to me.

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {A Special Place}

When I was home at Christmas, I spent more time in my hometown than I had in many, many years. Living about an hour from there, I always drove to my parents' house and then drove home, but now that we live in Colorado, driving home every night wasn't an option. 

While I was there, it really sunk in for me how much your heart can be tied to a place. Whether it's the place where you grew up or the place you spent every summer or your grandmother's house...places are so much more than places...

When I was working for Memory Makers, I wrote an article about "Scrapbooking Your Stomping Ground." I guess even then, I knew there was special significance to the park I went to to practice for that audition and the train tressels where the entire senior class signed their names. 

I suppose that's why creating a small midwestern town where the streets are named after flowers and the Main Street is still a brick road came naturally to me...Sweethaven is every good feeling about small town USA I could muster...and believe me, I could muster a lot. 

I asked two amazingly talented friends to scrapbook a place with special significance, and these girls have created layouts that are sure to inspire. They're gorgeous! 

First, look at Linda Barber's (do you think she's related to Luke? A long lost cousin, maybe?) ode to LA. She moved there not long ago, and the city is finding a way into her heart...

I can't begin to tell you all the things I love about this layout. The colors, the sewing, the design... but I especially love the story...

I know first-hand how moving can challenge everything you thought you knew about yourself. There are still days I wonder if Colorado will ever feel like home...but Linda's layout, documenting this moment in her journey, reminds me that I need to do the same...

I don't even know what to say about this:

I told Linda this is why she's so "dream-teamy" (because she's on the Creating Keepsakes Dream Team.) I mean, really? A stitched title? It makes me want to send her all my photos and have her scrap them for me. 

And this sub-title treatment with the photo in the stitched frame is killing me...

I have sewing machine envy. It makes me want to learn how to use mine already! 

Have you scrapped your hometown? Your stomping ground? 

What about a vacation spot that holds a special place in your heart? Lisa VanderVeen, another California girl, created a two-page spread about Mackinac Island, a place where no cars are allowed...

It sounds heavenly to me...and it has a lot of the same elements that Sweethaven has...a town that takes you back in time somehow, to a day when things were just a little simpler. And even if things got complicated, they still felt simpler. 

It's funny how small-town living can do that. Lisa's layout is full of adorable little details (the wooden bike is such a cute addition to her title, I can hardly stand it.) 

And it spoke to my intense love of scallops...

So, what about you...is there a place you love, one that's captured your heart? One that you were smitten with from the very moment you stepped foot in it? 

Have you ever created a piece of art about it? 

Who knows...

Maybe that place is waiting for you right on the pages of a book...if you're looking to be transported, I've got just the one. 

Escape to Sweethaven (in paperback or on Kindle) right HERE. 

Maybe I'll see you walking down Main Street or having a donut in Sweets on Sweethaven... or perhaps we'll ride the old wooden carousel together or dip our feet in the lake down by the Boardwalk...

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {First Love}

I didn't set out to write a romance novel. That's not what A Sweethaven Summer is...but I couldn't NOT write in a little romance...and it seems there's nothing as sweet as those first few months of first real love...

I got to talk about it a little on this interview over HERE on Lisa's Blog. (I also got to tell you who I think should play Campbell and Luke if there was ever a movie version of Sweethaven... (If you've read it, what do you think?) 

Anyway, first love. 

It's sweet and moving and the stuff dreams are made of...so it was important to me that I include a love story in each book...and each love story is shockingly different. At different points in their relationships, the characters are all going through different things. Just like real life. 

My friend Stephanie Ackerman, whose blog Homegrown Hospitality is FULL of artisitc inspiration, read the book and sent me an email. It was such a kind email, I couldn't respond right away. I didn't know what to say. And later, she said this on Facebook...

"I just read a 316 page book in less than 24 hours and I have only ever done that one time (and I was on a lounge chair in Maui...) THAT is how beautiful the book is..."

Still, I had no words. 

But when this showed up in my inbox, the artwork she created right after finishing the book, I was dumbfounded...

The book, she said, made her want to scrapbook again...and it was so unexpected to hear that. The art journal, which she talks about on her blog, made ME want to go create... I mean, the layers of art on this thing are jaw-dropping:

...and creating a book to document your love story, as it grows and changes and shifts and becomes something you don't recognize, then stabilizes and becomes something, once again you can't live without...these are the stories that stop your heart...

And having a dedicated place for them? Priceless...

Don't you want to read Stephanie's story? Don't you want to see how it started? How it grew? This book, once she's done with it, will become a treasured keepsake, the story of two people who fell in love in a way that no one else has...because no two love stories are exactly the same...

It's strange getting emails that tell me things about this book I poured my heart and soul into. It's jarring, almost, and often, I don't know how to answer, what to say to express my genuine thanks. I still feel like I should send people presents to thank them for buying my book. 

And when my work inspires the work of an artist...well, that's just icing on the cake. 

I hope the work of these artists inspires you to participate in the Sweethaven Scrapbook Challenge... it's coming SOON, but I have a few more amazing things to share this week (and early next week) before I tell you what you can win! 

Play along, will you? 

And tell me...have you documented your love story? 

Finally, the Winner of the Sweethaven Online Launch Party Week Four is:

Linda Carson said...

My favorite drink is diet Pepsi.

ReplyFebruary 14, 2012 at 02:20 PM

Linda, send me your address and we'll get your prize on its way!

 

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Forgiveness}

Sometimes I think we, as writers, end up writing about things that are personal to us whether we want to or not. Forgiveness wasn't something I set out to include in this book, but I can't think of a more universal struggle. We all know we should forgive, but it's the how that escapes us... 

And sometimes, even when we think we're over something, it comes back to bite us later... and we realize that thing we thought we'd dealt with still holds up shop in our hearts. 

This is a strong theme through all three of the Sweethaven novels, and I think that's because it's a strong theme in my own life. I don't come buy forgiveness easily. It's not sitting on my doorstep waiting to be invited inside. It hides out in the dark spaces of the back yard... and if I want it, I have to go searching for it. 

And sometimes I do because I know it's what I need...but other times? I close the door, turn of the light and walk away, taking my bitter feelings with me, letting them fester... In Sweethaven, Jane does this a little bit. And she's justified...anyone would harbor anger in her shoes...but that anger, it eats us up... 

So she journals her through it. With photos. Like a paper crafter. 

I asked two incredibly talented paper artists to create pieces based on this idea of forgiveness... this elusive, yet freeing idea. They blew me away. 

Look at this art journal page by the insanely talented Tammy Tutterow:

It's SO gorgeous and I love the rectangular size of it. (I fully intend to create something this size!) 

But it's what Tammy said about the project that I find most inspiring...

Tammy: "At this time last year I was in a really tough place in life.  I had been hurt and deceived by someone very close to me and my world felt completely torn apart.  I tried to keep a very happy public face, but inside and in the confines of my home I was feeling complete devastation.  I didn't know where to turn or what to do.  I felt like I was swimming up river with a boulder strapped to my ankle.  

Although I have struggled with issues of faith my whole life, I knew that I had to surrender the pain to something larger than myself, that I alone could not fix the person, the situation, or my response to it.  Through everything, I knew that a large part of healing and moving forward would be in forgiving the person who had hurt me so deeply.  I couldn't even wrap my mind around how to forgive or even what truly forgiving someone meant.  I thought forgiving meant to just forget and to tell the person what they had done was ok.  It wasn't ok and I really wasn't sure I could ever let it go.  I am not one to share personal things or to reach out to others but I did and was led to some really wonderful resources.  One was THIS ARTICLE on the Focus on the Family website.  

At last I really started to understand what it meant to forgive.

As I sat down to create this project with the focus on forgiveness, I kept thinking of butterflies. When faced with difficult times and difficult situations at the hands of others, we can continue to crawl in the grief of the circumstances, or we can forgive, let go, and be free to fly.  It didn't happen overnight, but eventually I chose to forgive the person who had hurt me.  

At this time last year, I thought about the situation and concept of forgiveness every single day.  As I worked on this page, I realized I hadn't thought about it in weeks, maybe even months.  I think that was a sign that I had let it go and was finally flying free.  I chose to create the stamped images of the page so that they looked very fluid, as a reminder of the tears that were shed.  The symbolism of it though is that despite tears, there is beauty and vivid color and freedom to fly.  

The memory will never go away, but the pain does through forgiveness.  As I worked on my page, I searched for a quote to include about forgiveness and very quickly found one by H. Jackson Brown Jr, the author of Life's Little Instruction Book:

"Never forget the three powerful resources you always
have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness."  

Those were the three things I clung to in those dark days and those are the things that helped carry me through.

Tammy's story is so inspiring...I especially like that she mentioned that it doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't for any of us, does it? Not even the characters in my book have eveyrthing all wrapped up with a pretty red bow...

Tammy is still writing her story...you can find more of it on her blog HERE .

Stacey Michaud also tackled this subject of Forgiveness by scrapbooking about a relationship that helped teach her how to forgive: 

In this case, Stacey is also scrapbooking an important lesson, and it celebrates the fact that despite the hurts of the past, she could, with the help of a good friend, move past it and forgive. 

Take a look at Stacey's journaling:

What a gift, don't you think? The peace of mind that comes with forgiveness. 

I know, it's so easy to say that but even as I do I find myself mentally repenting and trying to come to terms with the hurts of the past...

How about you? Do you struggle to forgive? Do you journal through it? What helps you with those feelings of anger and hurt? I'd love to hear...

A Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {Vacation Memories}

I am so happy to announce that A Sweethaven Summer is now available on Kindle! I've gotten some of the coolest emails from people who've read the book, but the most unexpected note is "this book has made me want to scrapbook again..." I've heard it several times now, and I'm almost surprised--but so happy--that maybe, somehow, reading it will inspire people to tell their own stories (in whatever way they choose.) 

Some people aren't as smitten with the book, however, which is evidenced by the first line of Sophia's new story: 

"Paige Jones was so excited that she got to see her friends again. She hadn’t seen them all summer since she had to spend it in a boring old cottage in Michigan." 

She asked me to "edit" it, and I didn't get much farther than that because it made me laugh. Sophia read the whole book in a weekend, and we've had many conversations since about what she thinks should happen to the characters. I have a feeling one of these days she's going to be my favorite brainstorming partner. 

Sweethaven instantly evokes the feeling of being on vacation, something I could desperately use right now...(but couldn't we all?) And in all of my scrapbooking, I'm not sure I've ever done a vacation layout...I don't remember one, so now I'm on a mission to get one made. 

My friend, Greta Hammond, created this inspired by Sweethaven layout, focusing on the subject of "Scrapbook a vacation memory..." 

There are so many things I love about Greta's layout, starting with the colors. She always has the best colors on her pages. But I especially love the way the journaling block breaks up the strip of photos on this page. It's just a clever way to get the story documented, don't you think? 

If you look carefully, you'll see all kinds of neat little layers on this page...just way too fun. 

So, are you ready to join in the fun? I'm putting together an awesome prize package (or two) to conclude this little Scrapbooking Challenge, and I'll announce all the rules very soon, but the plan is to have you create a layout based on one of these inspiring pages...(or, if you've read A Sweethaven Summer, you can create one inspired by the book from your own point of view!) 

Super fun, right? 

People are winning...and here's the proof!

The Winner of the Sweethaven Online Launch Party Day THREE goodies is: 

Anne Demos said...

I am a coffee snob! Hard to admit I absolutely LOVE Starbucks it is the ONLY Coffee I drink. Sumatra Bold is my favorite everyday. Carmal Machiatto Venti and Peppermint Mocha Venti are my special treats. Which I was trying to decide today what I was going to order when I come and see you Saturday at Barnes and Noble!!

ReplyFebruary 09, 2012 at 12:36 PM

(Anne Marie, send me your address!)

And the winners of Melody Ross's Soul Restoration Class (and a copy of "A Sweethaven Summer") are:

• Jessica Engel
• Julie P
• Rebecca Lovell
• Martha S.
• Tracie
• Laura L.
• Shannon Taylor

Girls, send me your address to claim your prizes! courtneycrops {at} msn {dot} com.

Congratulations to all the winners! I can't wait to get everything boxed up and shipped off...it's so exciting to send happy mail, isn't it? There's really nothing like opening the mailbox and finding a package waiting for you! 

I hope you all have a beautiful Monday! 

And come back all week for more inspiring art projects inspired by A Sweethaven Summer...I'd love it if you played along!

Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge {A Painful Memory}

The girls of Sweethaven are fighters. Their lives aren't all happy and jolly. What kind of cardboard characters would any of us be if we didn't have challenges, struggles, things to fight for...?

These women, like all of us, have been through their share of tragedy. And in this first book in the series, one of the characters, Jane, finds out that scrapbooking through it becomes quite therapeutic. 

In my own life, I've found that journaling and scrapbooking and creating art all give me the tools to tell a  story... painful or otherwise, and in doing so, somehow, I always feel better on the other side of it. 

And the most painful, most personal of memories are the ones you may be the most afraid to document...and also the ones that most deserve your attention...

Document a Painful Memory.

My friend, Jennifer Gallacher is a brilliant scrapbooker. Her layouts are so stunning and vivid and eye-catching, sometimes they literally make me gasp. On this layout, Jen shared so openly about a painful memory, the loss of her thirteen-year-old son, Joey. 

Isn't he handsome?

Yes, it's painful, but this is a huge part of Jen's story. 

A story I'll let her tell you herself...

"I lost my oldest son at 13 years old to the devastation of colon cancer. Joey had poor health almost his entire life, but he was always so happy. That's not to say that he didn't get down, but he never complained about the pain he was in. His battle with cancer and his passing was a terrible blow to our family. Suddenly we were left with a huge, gaping hole in our family and in our hearts.

As we have worked to repair those feelings of sadness and loss over the past five years, we try very hard to dwell on the happy times that we had together as a family. We also rely heavily on our faith. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't "talk" to my son and let him know that I'm proud of him, and that I miss him. I feel so grateful that I took so many photos of him even when he didn't necessarily love having his photo taken. I am even more grateful that through journaling and scrapbooking that I have recorded hundreds of memories of our time together. Now his sweet personality and beautiful smile is forever preserved for my children and my children's children--a priceless book of memories we'll always cherish."

Jen's story continues right HERE on her blog...

I can't think of many things more priceless than memories and photos of the ones you love.

The ones you've lost.

Scrapbook for the comfort of others. 

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to create a layout for Angie Smith. You might recognize her husband from the Christian group Selah. Angie's blog, and now her books, are inspiring, encouraging, amazing...but their story is not without pain.

Sometimes, documenting the hope found in the sorrow is also hugely important--for you or for those whose stories have touched your heart the way Angie and Todd's did mine. 

But where do I begin?

But maybe you're thinking, "I don't know where to start. It hurts too much..." 

Maybe you're scared to crack open the things that are holding you back, to speak them out loud so they lose their hold on you. 

So, today, I want to offer something amazing that can help you document the painful things, the things that are hard, the things you fear, the things that keep you from moving forward...

Watch:

 

My soul friend, Melody, is offering not one, but SEVEN spots in her online Soul Restoration class. 

Seven. 

And because I believe in the power of storytelling...in the power of all of us telling our own stories, through whatever medium we choose, I'm going to give away SEVEN copies of A Sweethaven Summer too. 

I've recently learned that writing a book is wonderful, but it makes you vulnerable in a way you didn't expect...and in some ways, that's scary...but in other ways, it's exhilarating.

I'd love to share it with you. (If you don't win, you can order your copy HERE or HERE!) 

How do I enter?

This time, just leave me a comment and tell me: Is it hard for you to document the painful parts? Would you rather turn away and forget all about them? Or do you find it helps to work through it...even though the tears may dot your paper as you write or paint or create? 

We're all in this together, girls...

Now, last order of business:

The winner of the Sweethaven Online Launch Party DAY TWO is: 

Margie Visnick said...

I think my word would be "light" to remind me to find the light and be the light...so important in all aspects of my life!

ReplyFebruary 08, 2012 at 06:39 AM

Margie, email me and claim your beautiful prizes! :) 

I can't wait to read your comments, your thoughts, your hearts...I hope you

A Sweethaven Scrapbooking Challenge

When I first started writing A Sweethaven Summer, I sat down and thought about all the things I love about scrapbooking. I wanted to find a way to incorporate those things into my story. And while the book is largely about friendship and forgiveness, it's all held together by this faded scrapbook, full of secrets and memories...

You can almost hear the laughter of the girls as they made each page. 

I'd love to write "An Ode to Scrapbooking" but it's getting late and I have a two-hour episode of Downton Abbey to watch when Adam's not looking. It can be done, yes?

The fact is, scrapbooking is storytelling. It's a way to tell your stories. An artistic, creative way to get your words on paper. And I believe we're all storytellers at heart...

I created this layout, inspired by A Sweethaven Summer: 

It's a simple, layered project celebrating the "Unexpected Friendship" I found in Deb Raney when I first started on this writing journey. 

In Sweethaven, Cambell finds a group of women who become her unexpected friends... and in so many ways, these are some of life's most precious gifts. Finding a friend when you aren't looking for one. Realizing they're a life friend, a kindred spirit...it's something to celebrate.

Techniques: I rolled up a few pages from the Anthropolgie Catalog ("If you can't afford it, make art with it" is what I always say!) and tied strips of Divine Twine around them to give them a scroll-like effect then adhered them to the page. I used the same twine to spice up the buttons and incorporated lots of foam squares to get that layered, dimensional look that I find positively swoony.

SO...Are you up for a challenge?

Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be telling stories about the book and sharing layouts created by some of my very favorite scrapbookers...

And then, I'm going to issue a challenge to YOU. You create any kind of artwork (Scrapbooking, mixed media, home decor--anything) inspired by the book or inspired by one of the pieces I'm going to share and you could WIN a big, fat basket of goodies.

Like, really big. And fun. And artsy. 

Because I love to give stuff away. 

Now that I got that out of my system...I want to share what I believe is the best photo of me ever captured in the history of the world:

Which is all the proof I need to understand WHY my son is plagued the fine art of the weird facial expression:

Over the weekend, several times my mom told me "there's a time and a place for self deprecation. You need to learn where the line is." Apparently telling someone who is buying your book that you feel you might be in need of deodorant is crossing a line. 

I can't help it. I like to self deprecate. (and in my defense, I knew the woman and she's funny so she didn't mind. I wouldn't say that to a perfect stranger.)

On that note, I won't say a word about this:

I will not even MENTION the ridiculousness of my hair in this photo. 

And I'll surely not mention that this was at 6:20 a.m.

And I won't say a single word about my first television interview (because I haven't watched it yet)... but you can, right HERE: Author of "A Sweethaven Summer".

That's that. 

I have to go ruin something in the kitchen now. 

Will you take the Sweethaven Inspiration Challenge?? Who's with me?

A Sweethaven Summer Online Launch Party DAY TWO! {HUGE Giveaway!}

It's surreal when people you know start reading your book. Something like running across a stage completely naked under the glare of a follow spot. You search for something to hide behind...but there's nothing. 

Not that I've ever done THAT before. 

But you're out there. Exposed. Showing all your cards...and somehow, the excitement meshes with the nervous energy which crashes into the fear and you've got this strange concoction that would make Dr. Jekyll raise a brow. 

My friend Jenn got an early copy of my book. She texts me lines she loves or tells me what parts she's on. It's kind of awesome. And, yep, surreal. 

There's a part near the beginning when you're first introduced to Lila, the beauty queen and southern belle. She's remembering a day when her old friend Suzanne first won her over, despite all efforts to dislike the girl. 

    While Lila envied Suzanne's low-pressure, I-can-do-anything-I-want-to attitude, she couldn't deny that Suzanne had drawn her in from the moment she gave her a hand mirror she'd found at a flea market. 

    "Just imagine how many other beautiful faces have looked in that mirror," Suzanne had said. "It made me think of you." 

    "Looks old." Lila took the mirror and turned it over. The glass had brown stains around the edges. 

    "But it's neat, right?" Suzanne's eyes widened. 

    Lila fought the urge to toss it off the way she brushed off every other kind gesture. "Thanks," she said. "It is really neat." 

    "I'm glad you like it," Suzanne said. "Even though it's old." 

    Lila held the mirror in front of her, catching her reflection. Suzanne pushed her face next to Lila's and grinned. "Yep. We're stunning," she said. 

    When Lila laughed, the pain of the morning skittered away. A morning of trying to please Mama. No one else had ever done that for her before.

Yesterday, I got one of the most special, most personal gifts I've ever gotten: 

With the most beautiful note that told me that when I looked in the mirror I should see myself the way other people saw me. 

And the thoughtfulness of that sort of settled on my shoulders and I thanked God that even in spite of many, many things going wrong (Adam's slipped disk may keep him from going to my launch party...) there are SO many reasons to be thankful. So many beautiful friends in my life.

The kind of friends you write books about...

So, today, my virtual launch party continues, with another {awesome} giveaway...

Today, a giveaway for the girly girl. Lila Adler Olsen is the girly girl of the Sweethaven crew...and I think she'd approve of this giveaway.

1. Your very own OLD, personalized Mirror. 

Photo Source

This isn't the one you'll get...yours will be personalized just for you like the one Jenn made for me. And I promise you'll love it. 

2. A Custom One {Powerful} Word Necklace by the Amazing Liz Lamoreux.

What word will you choose? Mine would most likely be "surrender..." because Lord knows I need to. 

3. Where Women Create's Book of Inspiration.

Photo Source

I have this book. It's GORGEOUS. I have an extra. I want to send it to you. 

4. Jeanne Oliver Designs Purse:

I seriously don't think this fabric could be any more beautiful. And the design is adorable. My sweet friend Jeanne has donated this purse and one of you lucky ducks gets to win it! If you don't win, you should head to her shop for yourself...there's some swoonerific stuff in there!!

5. "Poppies" Art Print by Melanie Douthit

It's no secret that I'm addicted to color, so Melanie's artwork is right up my alley! This gorgeous Poppies print is so perfect if it doesn't show up in your box, do NOT look at me. 

I swear I wouldn't dream of keeping it for myself. 

Melanie's Website and BLOG are worth the gander...go see for yourself!

6. And, of course, I'm giving away a signed copy of this guy right here:

Because I very much want you to have this book. :) 

You can get your own copy HERE or HERE or HERE...and I'm told it's coming for Kindle VERY soon so if you're waiting for that, I'll be sure to update when it's ready! 

So, how do I enter? 

I'm changing it up on you a little today...you get not FOUR, but FIVE chances to enter. Let me explain.

I actually thought to myself "let me 'splain" and in that little daydream I became this guy:

Wonder what it'd feel like to have a mustache. 

Hm. 

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what word you'll have put on the necklace. 

2. Go to my snazzy new website and sign up for my newsletter! (Then come back and leave a comment saying you did so.) (Sidenote: I believe newsletters should only go out quarterly (if that.) I promise I won't spam your inbox.)

3. Tweet this link.

4. Facebook this link

5. Blog about "A Sweethaven Summer" or this post. 

(Come back each time and leave another comment letting me know you've done these things. Five chances total! (I'll know if you're fibbing about the newsletter. I've got mad technical skillz.) 

(Are you afraid now that I just spelled that with a "z"?)

That's it. Easy as cake. (I've baked pies. They aren't easy.) 

And you can still enter yesterday's giveaway by clicking on THIS POST.

Thanks, you guys, for helping spread the word! I just can't thank you enough! It means THE WORLD to me!

Sharing a Little Page Maps Love

I know. It's Saturday. Who blogs on Saturday? 

Apparently I do. Because I'm blabbery.

And I like to invent words. 

Before I start, a sidenote: Don't forget you can still enter to win a copy of A Sweethaven Summer on THIS POST! I'm going to draw a winner on Monday...{and on Tuesday I've got some awesome stuff to share!!}

A few years ago, my main focus was scrapbooking. I wrote about it, hunted down new products and then I spent most of my free time creating. It was (and is) a huge part of my story. 

But then I started writing more seriously, and scrapbooking had to take a back seat. When I first started working at Webster's Pages back in September, I was worried because I hadn't really done a lot of scrapbooking. I think I made five pages in all of 2010. Maybe. 

What if I didn't remember how to do it? 

(Seriously, it's NOT like riding a bike.) 

Slowly, but surely I'm starting to find my footing a little bit...and this month, I got to participate in Becky Fleck's brilliance, Page Maps. 

Becky asked me to create an 8.5"x11" page, which I have to tell you, might be my new favorite size! I love it, and I love the ease of creating with a sketch. 

The truth is, sometimes you just have no idea what to do, but once you get started, the ideas come. I like simpler pages these days. I don't have time for intricacy, and I think that's okay. Some of the most beautiful artwork is simple...

Slowly, I'm finding my way back into this scrapbooking thing...and of course, remembering why I loved it all along. This week I did three pages in the evenings while Adam kept me company working on the computer. 

Somehow, it's become (again) a great stress reliever. What is it about knotting embroidery floss through the holes of a button that calms me down? (Does anyone else feel this way about art?)

All that to say, if you're looking for a kickstart, Page Maps is a GREAT place to go. You can see all of the February sketches HERE (and check out the archives for tons of great ideas!) 

And, what's even awesomer (I know. Not a word.) is that Becky's got a new book coming out in March... Card Maps vol. 2. You can see it HERE. 

So, this weekend, I want to know...are you creating artwork? Scrapbooking? Painting? Sewing? What do you do to shake off the stress of the week?

Winners of Body Restoration

Okay, my friends... Body Restoration starts tomorrow. That means we need to announce the winners tonight so they can get ready for this life-changing experience. 

And  if you didn't win, I hope you'll consider signing up. This is a topic that we can all relate to. 

But as for the winners...shoot me an email at: courtneycrops[at]hotmail[dot]com and I'll get your info passed along!

So without further ado...here are the three winners! You very lucky girls are going to LOVE this class!!

And thanks to Melody for giving away these spots!! 

And thanks to everyone for swinging by my blog. 

And thanks to the Academy... 

:) 

 

Rose said...

This is the encouragement I need to get moving. I so would like hiking and such this summer. Can't wait to begin.

ReplyJanuary 09, 2012 at 04:12 PM 

Kim Rose said...

i want to take this class but it is crazy to say i am scared to?
scared to face reality of what changes i know i need to make to feel better about myself. 
i know this class is meant for me and is exactly what i need. 
you are so kind for offering the give a way!
love brave girls and all they stand for. 

ReplyJanuary 09, 2012 at 10:30 AM 

Kristen C said...

I love the BGC! I have learned so much about myself, and I can't wait for body restoration! I would love to win!

ReplyJanuary 09, 2012 at 08:33 AM

Congratulations!!!!

 

The Journey Always Brings Me Back To You...(Body Restoration)

I try not to talk much about weight loss on my blog anymore. Perhaps it's because I feel like I've made a certain peace with my body. Or maybe it's because I got tired of hearing myself rehash it and try to come up with new ways to lose old weight. Who knows? 

Whatever it is, I've lost interest in it. Mostly. 

I feel relatively comfortable in my skin these days...and I think part of what's calmed me down is a revelation I've been wrestling with for awhile now. 

Growing up in a charismatic church, you really do get a wealth of different personalities. As people, we all approach God differently, and for awhile, it seemed to be a running theme to blame the devil for everything. If you were going through something, it was the devil's fault. And to be honest, I always struggled with that. I believe wholeheartedly that there's an enemy who wants to ruin our lives, but I think it's a bit naive to give him credit for everything. All the time. 

It'd be tempting to give ol' Satan the credit for the eating disorders and subsequent battle with food that I've always had, but a few weeks back I started to realize something... There I was saying "God, what is it with this? It's the ONE THING I can never get rid of? It's always there in the back of my mind..." and God's answer was like a smack across the face...

It's also the ONE THING that brings you back to ME. 

I don't think it's good that I'm constantly disappointing myself or having to learn and re-learn that I need to be kind to my body, but the results are always a closer walk with Him. Could it be that sometimes we're walking through a storm that's been divinely orchestrated by God? Could that storm be chipping away at who we are, building our character, molding us into the person we need to be before we can move forward into our purpose?

Why do we always assume that when something bad happens, we get to blame the devil? 

What if the bad is intended for good? What if HE really is in the driver's seat? 

It's hard to think that way because God is good and merciful and kind...but like Max Lucado says "he loves us too much to leave us where we are"...and not leaving us where we might mean putting us through the ringer. It might mean that those difficult things we're dealing with are all a part of His plan. It's those circumstances, those trials and tests and horrible, wretched, ugly-crying times that push us to the foot of the cross, that make us go searching for his will. 

Without the storm, would we ever look for shelter? 

My issues with my body are not unlike most women's. It seems that even my thinnest and most athletic friends feel the same pressure when they look in the mirror. It's something that we all have in common. I know that I'll never fully conquer the deep emotions connected to this journey, but I also know that I'm not alone in it...and in so many ways, it's made me a better person. A more compassionate, more humble person. 

Because of this journey, I am constantly reminded how very much I need Him. 

I know I've been doing a lot of giveaways on my blog lately...and that wasn't my intention, but I LOVE to share the cool things I've found...and today I've found a really amazing and very cool thing. 

This is my sweet friend, Melody. You probably know her. And her incredible sister, Kathy...

They are the founders of Brave Girls Club. I've never been. Someday, I keep telling her, someday...and she is always gracious and always kind and always tells me I will be welcome whenever I can make it. 

More than ever over the past few months, I've been reminded of her sweet and gentle spirit, and her desire to encourage women--just like us. She's been a constant inspiration to me. A cheerleader, a soul sister, a friend. And she's doing something that speaks right to the very heart of me. 

An online class called "Body Restoration." 

Make peace with your body through art and journaling. 

Really? Is she talking right to me?

I'm on deadline right now. CRAZY, insane deadline, finishing my third book and planning for my launch party for the first book...and I can tell you I am going to try my very hardest to participate in this class...and I hope you'll join me. Because if there's one thing I've learned it's that every bit of knowledge we soak up is one step closer to becoming who we are. 

Every storm teaches us something...could this be the next tool to help me on this journey? 

Could it be the tool to help you on yours? 

Melody is offering THREE spots in this class to one of my readers, and I sure hope one of them is YOU. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I will draw three random winners Monday night (late). Class starts Tuesday, but you won't be behind, I promise!

And if you don't win, think about this class. I have a feeling it's going to change a lot of lives. 

You can find out more about Body Restoration by clicking HERE.

A Canvas Contest, An E-Course and A GIVEAWAY!

I know you're anxiously awaiting my run-down of the week of hibernation that was our Illinois Christmas experience, but I'm still playing catch-up around here and haven't even uploaded any of my photos yet. It's just been something of a whirlwind. 

What with the Canvas Contest and all...

What's that you say? You want to vote for our photo so we win a gallery wrapped canvas of our first ever Family Photo? 

I know. Shameless plug. But seriousy, look at Ethan in that picture. Don't you love his hammy face?

This was one of my very favorite photos...I think because of the colors and also because of the big frame. And also because Lyndsey captured the boys' personalities so well. If you go HERE, and leave a comment that you vote for #14, we could win the canvas and decorate our new house (and its bare walls) with it. 

But wait! That's not all, I've also got a fun giveaway today. And by fun, I mean hugely wonderful and inspirational. My friend Jeanne is launching a brand new E-Course called "Creatively Made" and I get to give away a couple of spots in it right here on my little blog. 

I love the flexibility of e-courses, being able to learn so much without actually leaving the house. Or showering. (Is it just me?) I LOVE learning and there's something so freeing about doing it in the comfort of my own home. Especially when it comes to art! Trying something new can be scary, but the great thing is...no one is judging you! 

If you've ever thought about stretching your creative wings, this is a GREAT way to do it...

For more information on the course, hurry on over to Jeanne's blog. And just leave me a comment on this post and you're automatically entered to win! How super easy is that? 

Pretty darn easy, I'd say. I'll draw a winner this Friday so hurry up and leave a comment! 

Happy...what day is it again?...oh, Wednesday...Happy Wednesday!

Ringing in the New Year with Webster's Pages

Alright, I can hardly stand it for one more second. This whole Sunday Picnic collection at Webster's Pages has me absolutely giddy. And by giddy I mean, really, truly, giddy. 

I know some of you aren't scrapbookers or papercrafters, but indulge me for a moment because I've always had a love affair with pretty supplies. And boy, are these pretty. 

I'm specifically having a major love-fest with these:

Because there are orange bloomers. Do you know all the cool things you can do with this stuff? I'm thinking of decking out my office with some of it myself. It's beyond beautiful and would easily translate to home decor, mixed media artwork or crafting projects...not just scrapbooking. 

I think I'm personally excited because I consider myself a somewhat simple scrapbooker these days. (I didn't used to, but I've come to appreciate the fine art of white space)...so the whole Clean and Simple addition has got me all kinds of flustered. 

Plus, we've got the coolest commercial:

Yeah. I love working for this company. I love the opportunity to help other people tell their stories. I love the creativity and the beauty...

I'm going to get me some...how about you? It's on sale NOW, just head over to the Webster's Pages Website to get yours. And...I'd love to hear what you think about this new line! :) 

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

 

 

What I want for Christmas...to love myself like Lizzie Miller

If you frequent my blog, you know I'm fairly candid about my relationship with food. Eating disorders are neatly tucked away in the baggage of my past, but I still struggle with accepting my body. I think it speaks to me as a person--head hits the pillow at the end of the day and I recount all the things I didn't do. Exercise is usually on that list. 

This weekend I will be 36 years old. 

And last weekend I stumbled upon something that might've finally convinced me that being "small" isn't the only acceptable option. 

Her name is Lizzie Miller. 

I know what you're thinking. How on earth is this beautiful woman going to make you feel better about yourself? Don't beautiful women usually have the opposite effect on us? 

Not this one. And I can't believe I'm just now discovering her. 

A couple of years ago, Glamour Magazine ran this photo:

If you google her, the photo will show up bigger, but I don't feel right putting it on my blog since you know, she's nude-like. 

But here's the thing. They didn't airbrush her tummy. Or her thighs. And guess what? She is still gorgeous. 

In a world that's teaching our young girls that this is what they should strive for...

I was thrilled to see Lizzie, a so-called "plus-size" model (size 12-14), visibly comfortable in her own skin. 

It's something I think we all strive for...and in many ways this kind of self-acceptance is like "the ungettable get." But it wasn't the photo that converted me. It was this: 

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Listening to her talk about herself with complete acceptance, knowing that she, like so many of us had struggled, but settled upon the realization that some people are small and that's great for them...but that's not everyone's reality. It's certainly not mine. 

Does that mean I should beat myself up every time I yank on a pair of jeans or pass by a mirror? 

Heading into the second half of my thirties, I'm just done worrying about it. It doesn't mean I don't want to be healthy. It doesn't mean I throw in the towel. It means that I dig my heels in and find my confidence in something other than the number on a scale. It means I get a revelation of what God thinks about me and stop caring so much what other people think. Most of them are too caught up in their own lives to concern themselves with my clothing size anyway. 

When do we truly accept our differences, embrace them as the gift they are? 

Moving forward, this is my goal: Be healthy. Be honest. Be kind. 

And above all, love the person God's made me to be. 

What about you? What stands in the way of you fully accepting yourself--physically or otherwise?  

Handmade Holiday Giveaway...to spread Christmas Cheer

Oh, how I love Christmas. It finally hit me yesterday how wonderful last Christmas was and I got really excited to do it all over again. Nevermind that I haven't really started shopping. Or wrapping. 

I'm having too much fun putting together amazing gifts to giveaway on my blog! 

So, for the last of the handmade holiday giveaways...for the cozy Christmas lover in your life.

This, to start:

• A copy of Kristen Chenoweth's new Christmas CD (which I admit may be open when you get it because I know someone who might put that on her itunes before sending it off. How tacky am I?) 
• A copy of Susan May Warren's new book, "Baby, it's Cold Outside." (With a glowing endorsement from my mother who read it in one day. I cannot WAIT to read it for myself!) 
• A copy of "Love Finds You on Christmas Morning by Debby Mayne and Trish Perry
• A copy of "Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii" by Robin Jones Gunn (This is me trying to help you put up with the snow by escaping to Hawaii...)
• A beautiful, glittery snowflake ornament
• A canister of Archer Farms Milk Chocolate Peppermint Crunch

I will confess to you that I had another jar of Hershey Candy Cane candies to send along, but for some reason, they've been rendered useless. 

Namely because I ate half of them. 

Sorry 'bout that. 

But there's more! My friend, Sasha is giving away this fun Christmas print:

...which is no longer available in her shop, BUT she has TONS of other awesome gifts in there, so check it out HERE. 

The package will also include:

All of the Northridge Publications are SO well done. I mean, they're just gorgeous, and I happen to have an extra of this one. You will LOVE it. You can take all the ideas as they are or change them up for other events throughout the year. 

Then, I have this guy:

Scrapbook & Cards Today. This magazine is total inspiration, believe me. 

I've also got an adorable Flip Note Pad from the amazing Kelly Rae Roberts:

If you don't know Kelly Rae's artwork, you're seriously missing out. Her book taught me how to paint and while I'm still learning, it was kind and gentle in leading me into the world of mixed media. 

Also, I have a copy of this book:

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner. 

Susan is one of my favorite authors. Of all time. I LOVE her books, so naturally, I cannot wait to read this one. It's her newest release and it could be yours all yours! Check out Susan's Website for more information...because if there's a reader on your list, this is a GREAT one to give!

I'm also throwing in one of these guys:

Not because it has anything to do with Christmas...but because it's mine and I like to give it away. :) 

So. To recap:

I know. Get on with it. Tell me how to enter...

Ok. Hold your horses. I'm getting there. I want you to fill in the last part of this sentence: "It's not Christmas until..." 

And leave your answer in the comments. 

The other holiday giveaways are STILL OPEN (just until THIS THURSDAY!) so feel free to add comments to those too. For extra entries, Facebook, Blog or Tweet about this giveaway, then come back and leave another comment! 

I can't wait to give these away!!

Good Luck and Happy Tuesday!

Handmade Holiday Giveaway...for the creative in your life

***Scroll down for more awesome, artsy giveaways!
You still have a few days to enter!***

Well, here we are. Another Friday. Another week closer to Christmas. Yesterday Sophia opened the Advent calendar and said "Only seventeen more days till Christmas." 

It was at that point I had a heart attack and died. 17 DAYS? I haven't done a darn thing. It's like I got our tree up, rewarded myself a medal of completion and promptly forgot everything else I needed to do. 

I LOVE giving stuff away. It's one of my favorite things...and today is a doozy...For the creative in your life. Yes, that person (could be you!?) who loves to make things with their hands, listen to artistic music, pine over the written word... Just look...

(Now is when I start to get giddy.) 

Some of you may know I work for an AWESOME company. Webster's Pages. And by awesome, I mean, really, really awesome. I know God set me up giving me this gig and I think he wanted me to find a friend in the co-owner, Brandin. Brandin is the genius behind all the designs...and the Santy Claus behind this part of the giveaway. 

Look:

That'd be a now expired Black Friday Box. Come Home for the Holidays. It's chock full of beautiful scrapbooking product--perfect for the papercrafter in your life. (Or you!?) 

Incidentally, this week was HUGE for us over at Webster's Pages and we've just announced some really amazing things, like...a Design Team search! Go check it out pronto because this is one company you will LOVE working for. (Plus, we've got awesome freebies on our blog today!!)

Now, we could call it a day right there, but come on! It's Christmas! 

So next up...for the word-lover in your life:

I have an autographed copy of Carla Stewart's second novel, Broken Wings. Oh, my. If you don't know Carla, I can tell you this...reading her books is a pure treat. Like, better than chocolate, girls. Carla is the kind of writer whose words stay with you, whose descriptions transport you and whose stories move you. This book is amazing. I LOVED every word of it.

Since one of the book's main characters is a jazz-singer, Carla had the wonderful idea to sweeten this giveaway even more...She sent along an extra something special...Harry Connick Jr. 

Not THE Harry because I certainly wouldn't be passing him along (he'd be playing piano duets with my husband)...but a 3-disk set of his jazzy music. 

Perfectly swoony.

Speaking of which...many of you probably already know my friend Becky at Farmgirl Paints. I'm not sure how I discovered her blog, but I've been a faithful reader for awhile now. Becky, like me, recently picked up and moved her family across the country...and she, like me, has a daughter whose love for the theatre led her to the stage. But more than that, she's a sweetheart and a friend I'm very lucky to have. She makes these super cool leather cuffs and she made one specifically for the winner of this giveaway:

...because really, weren't we all made at home? 

I love it. There's sort of a double meaning there and the cuff is adorable. Check out Becky's Etsy shop for more goodness.

Have you had enough yet? Because I sure haven't...get this next prize:

Copies of Where Women Create, Where Women Cook and the newest addition to their family of publications, Where Women Cook: Celebrate! I love looking through these for ideas, inspiration and eye candy...if you haven't seen them before, they're simply inspiring. 

They even make ME want to learn to cook...and that's kind of a miracle. 

Finally, one last thing...because this gift package is for the creative in your life, I'm giving away a copy of my first book Scrapbooking Your Faith. 

I'll even sign it for you because all those years of doodling my name have to pay off someday, right? 

So, let's recap: 

• Webster's Pages Black Friday Monster Kit (Come Home for the Holidays) 
• Autographed copy of Carla Stewart's novel Broken Wings
• 3 Disk set of Harry Connick Jr. CDs
• Handmade cuff from Farmgirl Paints
• Where Women Create/Where Women Cook (3 publications in all) 
• Autographed copy of Scrapbooking Your Faith

Friends. If you don't enter this giveaway I WILL. I might just enter under a false name like Bitsy. 

So. If you want to enter, you must answer this question: 

Sophia has been asked to sing a Christmas song at our family's Christmas Eve gathering. Naturally, I offered to provide back-up but I was met with a stink-eye. What Christmas song (carol or otherwise) is your favorite and would you most like to hear on Christmas Eve?

Tweet, Facebook or Blog this giveaway for another entry (and then come back here and leave another comment!) So up to three additional entries!

And don't forget, there's still time to enter any of my giveaways this week (starting Tuesday!) And any of these things on the list would be fabulous gifts if you're going shopping this weekend! 

Happy Friday!

Handmade Holiday Giveaway...for the tired mommy

There's a very good chance this post will be a smidge incoherent. I may not be my usual snippy self. Snippy? I'm on a bit of medication for my back and while I'm not a drinker, I imagine this is what people feel like after they've consumed a LOT of wine. Like two full bottles.

The funny thing is, the prescription is for 2-3 of these pills per DAY. WHAT? I would be rendered DEAD if I took that many. I'm picturing Adam walking in from work to find me sloshed out with half of my body draped over the couch and the other half spilled in a puddle on the floor. 

Geesh. 

Anyway. I just had to put that disclaimer in there. Today I have another big giveaway...this one is for the tired Mommy on your list. (Which very well might be YOU and that's fine. I'm not opposed to you claiming this prize for your pretty little self.) And dudes, you can enter and your Christmas shopping for your wife will be all done! And she'll love you. :) 

Dudes? (Do any dudes read this blog? My sources say NO.)

But I digress...remember to check out these shops for your Christmas shopping because they are STUNNING. 

Ok. To kick things off, let me introduce you to my friend Mindy Lacefiled. 

Isn't she adorable? I'd like her to give me style lessons. 

Mindy is one of the contributors for my new papercrafting book because the stuff she does with paper is FABULOUS. Check it out:

I just LOVE her style. It's sooo unique. And I feel SO lucky to have this print right here:

...to give away to a tired mommy who needs a smile. That's Mr. Rogers there. Remember him? I loved him and his cardigan. And his Keds. And those creepy puppets. 

Mindy's work has been purchased by Ginnifer Goodwin (girl has good taste) and I think this print will make you smile every time you see it...even if it's been a really.hard.day.

Next in this package is an adorable key chain from my friend Jennifer Stewart. Jen is a talented papercrafter with a beautiful, vintage style and her etsy shop is proof. 

She's got all kinds of goodies in there. For this giveaway, a key chain all moms can use... and believe me, the car seems to be the place where I am in most need of this reminder:

Cute, right? I love it. I have a blue one and it's one of my favorites! 

Next up, (Gosh this is such a jam-packed giveaway!) 

I have an assortment of bows from Madi Mo's Bows: 

The owner of Madi Mo's, Maureen, is a friend of mine from college, and her bows are SO cute. And not just for babies either:

Cute, right? What great stocking stuffers! Or buy several and you end up with a nice gift for a new mom or a girly-girl. Today I'm adding a few bows to this giveaway and yes, they are adorable!

Now, every mom loves taking care of her babies, but she also needs a little something for herself. And that's where the next part of this giveaway comes in:

A $25 gift certificate to one of my favorite Jewelry shops, The Rusted Chain.

These hand-stamped necklaces are my favorite, but Beki has all kinds of GREAT stuff in her shop. I can tell you from experience she is wonderful to work with, and her jewelry is gorgeous. Can you think of a better way to let someone know you care? If you're looking for unique gifts this year, visit The Rusted Chain. You'll fall in love. :) 

Finally, one last addition to make your drive (or your wait in the carpool line) a little  more entertaining. I'm giving away three CDs recorded by none other than my stunner of a husband:

All three of these memory verse CDs are available on iTunes (Just search under Faith Kids Music) to hear samples and they make GREAT stocking stuffers or gifts for any elementary age kids (and younger). I know most of you don't know my husband, but he's got a way with catchy kids' music that's not annoying for parents. It's a gift. 

So, let's recap:

Here's what you can win:

Just for leaving a comment! 

Same as yesterday...you can get extra entries if you TWEET, Facebook or blog about this giveaway! All winners will be chosen when the giveaway week concludes so you can still enter yesterday's giveaway in case you missed it! 

Yep. It's Christmastime in the city. And I LOVE giving handmade!

I hope you'll help support artists by spreading the word about these incredible shops this season! 

Happy Wednesday!

Handmade Holiday Giveaway...it's a big one!

Today is the day. The kick-off of my attempt to brainwash you to buy books and handmade goods for Christmas this year. 

Wait. Does it still work if I tell you I'm doing it? 

Here's the deal...they always say "Buy a book, save an author..." and it's true. With the state of publishing right now, it's more important than ever to buy books, so if you're a reader or know someone who is, what better Christmas present can you find? 

On top of that, and this is something near and dear to my crafty-little-heart...so many artisans, crafters and designers offer such UNIQUE items, they're perfect PERFECT for your holiday gift giving. 

So, to kick off this week of brainwashing gift-giving, I am excited to introduce you to my friend, Jeanne. 

Jeanne and I go way back. And usually when I say that, I'm talking about someone I met an hour before and I'm using my sarcastic voice...but in this case, I'm being sincere. We grew up in the same tiny Christian school and her sister, Amy, was in my class. I still have vivid memories of their big old house, of Amy's birthday party at Showbiz Pizza, of watching Jeanne and the rest of the older, COOL girls play volleyball.

Fast forward to 2008(ish) when my first book was released. She got in touch with me to tell me how excited she was and bought two copies to give away on her blog. Before it was cool to do blog giveaways. 

Trendsetter, she is. (I said that in my British accent.) 

I had no idea she had this growing business...no idea she designed clothing and jewelry and beautiful ruffly, girly purses:

No idea we had so much in common...

And, I also had no idea we'd move to Colorado a few years later and live only a couple of hours away from her. She helped me acclimate to this new place and told me I would love it here. Even when I wasn't so sure. 

Well, this past weekend, Jeanne launched her new collection. Just in time for your holiday shopping...and yes, it's a stunner. Jeanne is able to pull styles from the past into the present day, giving it all her own unique flair. 

I got myself an early birthday present in her shop over the weekend:

It says "sold" because it's going on MY wrist. And I can't wait till it arrives!

So, I'm a big fan...so I wanted to share Jeanne's shop with you because I know you'll be a fan too! Even better...guess what I get to give away today? From a new addition to Jeanne's line: Little Jeanne...

You can win little girl's dress & messenger bag:

Or this little dress if you've got a wee bit:

And a little girl's cuff:

This one says "I Believe in You" but you can choose which one you want. 

But that's not all! This is quite the artsy giveaway, so what better to accompany it than a book about an artist? My new friend Kate Lloyd has just such a book! 

First off, this is Kate:

I met her on the hotel shuttle at the marketing seminar we had with our literary agency. (We both have the same agent.) I was thrilled when she told me about her book, A Portrait of Marguerite. 

A book about an artist? I'm all in, baby! (I said that in my Buddy Valastro voice.)

So, we get to give one away. (And by "we" I mean "I" because I'm the only one here.)  I thought it made the perfect accompaniment to the other beautiful items one lucky duck is going to receive! 

About the book: When single mom Marguerite Carr's son leaves for college, she feels as though her life has lost its purpose. When a friend drags Marguerite to a drawing class—her first since college—she rediscovers her long-lost passion for painting, finds unexpected love, and begins a relationship with God.

It sounds like such a beautiful story, no? I can't wait to read it myself! 

To Enter:  Leave me a comment here on the blog (not on Facebook) and answer the question: What do you most want for Christmas this year? 

For extra chances to win, you can Blog, Facebook or Tweet this giveaway and then come back and leave another comment saying you did so. (So up to three extra chances to win!)

Help spread the word so we can support artists, designers and authors this holiday season! 

And have a Merry Tuesday. :) 

When he's an artist and not an athlete...

We had parent/teacher conferences last week. I never know what to expect because at home, sometimes my kids make me nuts. Like, roll into a ball and rock back and forth nuts. 

I see all the good...and all the bad. 

So it's always a bit of a crapshoot going in there. 

Especially with this guy...

I know. He looks sweet and innocent, doesn't he? We had our family pictures taken this past Sunday and I was fully prepared for the Sam-meltdown...but Ethan was the one that gave us the most trouble. Funny how that happens. 

Also, he's started doing this twitchy thing with his face. I caught it in this picture:

But you can't get the full effect. Not that I have anything against weird twitchiness, I'm just imagining him getting made fun of and that worries me. But don't worry, I've been really compassionate about it. I think the last thing I said to him "Will you STOP doing that weird twitchy face thing?" 

To which he responded "MY NOSE ITCHES" 

To which I said, "THEN USE YOUR HAND!"

I suffer from an innate loss of sympathy. 

Anyway, Ethan's teacher is this cute, adorable, sweet girl (and she really is a girl. I am getting OLD, friends.) and she had so many great things to say about my son. It made me so happy. Especially when she said "Ethan is really a leader. The kids just want to be around him."

I knew Sophia had leadership qualities, but I was a little surprised to hear this about Ethan. I was also kind of...okay REALLY excited...when she said "He is an amazing writer." That one I'm holding onto. I remind myself of it every time he gets twitchy or doesn't listen or does that high-pitched whine that really makes him sound like a wounded animal. 

So far, it's helping. 

I always expected to have a son that loved football. And cars. And hated school. (I don't know why--Adam and I both loved school.) I didn't expect to have one who spends his free time making these:

In 3-D:

Or making cards for his friends...

in 3D:

Or writing books...

But I am so happy this is the kid God gave me. 

In our society, it's tempting to discourage kids from exploring their creative side. It's easy to assume boys will love sports and cars and boy things...but the world needs creative thinkers. People to plan and build and write and draw. 

I welcome this side of my boy, twitchy face and all. 

I think he's going to do amazing things...

Turn your junk mail into art

What seems like forever ago, I pitched an article to Memory Makers Magazine about using recycled goods in your scrapbooking. I was never one to get too caught up in the acid-free thing...in truth, I just like paper. 

And one of the greatest sources of paper is your mailbox. 

Junk mail. 

The result of that pitch was an article about Green Scrapbooking...a nice way to say "use your junk mail to make pretty things." 

Like a mailer with coupons for diapers...

...which became a little mini album. 

Or, if you're in children's ministry and wind up with a random roll of raffle tickets...

They make a lovely background for a layout. 

So whenever I get a catalog I love, like Anthropologie or Land of Nod or anything else that comes to my mailbox full of things I know I can't afford, I hang onto it.

My husband calls this "hoarding." 

If I'm not careful, he's going to put me on A&E.

Doesn't he know you can turn the pages of a catalog into a gift for a very sweet, very wonderful, very amazing friend on her birthday? 

I took a sheet of kraft cardstock on the outside and gussied it up...which is a nice way of saying I got it good and messy. With paint, rub-ons, stickers...all the things that make birds sing outside my window on a clear day. 

I like messy things. 

You should see my bathroom. If I wasn't exhausted and if I knew how to take an indoor photo at night that didn't turn out burnt orange, I would go take one to show you how messy it is. 

The funny thing is, I also have a cleaner, more graphic side, but these messy pages with masking tape and paint and STUFF sticking out all over the place? They make my heart do cartwheels. 

Because when I make something like this, I am NOT over-thinking. I am creating. And it's therapeutic to get a little lost in what I'm doing...to think about the message I want to convey, in this case "You are an amazing person and I wholly adore you." 

That photo above shows you that this is not a fancy-schmancy book. I took a stack of pages, folded them down the center and hand-stitched the binding. 

EASY but seriously, so fun. 

I inserted pockets by folding one page over and stapling it to the following page. Then you can stick even MORE stuff inside! Here's a closer view...

If you get a cute graphic like this flower-guy from Land of Nod...

Let it show by folding a sheet of book paper back. 

It's a completely original, one-of-a-kind gift...the kind you give when you really want your heart to show. 

We've all got plenty of junk mail laying around...and I know we read about controlling clutter and how throwing junk mail away immediately is key...but what can I say? 

I think I've found a way to justify holding on to a few things...

What about you? Have you ever turned your junk into art? I would love to hear about it...or better yet...I'd love to SEE it!! 

We hoarders have to stick together.

 

Thursday Thought of the Day

 
 

Mixed Media Art

I painted this weekend. It felt good. It's really the first time I've painted since we moved. Sometimes you just need to create something. 

And knowing I was making something for a dear friend of mine made it even more fun. 

The background is a lot of Webster's Pages papers, a sewing pattern, sheet music and old book pages. Lots of paint, modeling paste, texture...

And then this big old chipboard heart I found in my scrapbooking stash. I used more Webster's Pages (Western Romance), and then the standard old sheet music and book pages and painted the whole thing pink.

The trim threaded through the scallops really added some cool texture, and I popped the heart off the canvas by using foam squares from Scrapbook Adhesives.

I really wanted to make this piece super-girly because my friend Lyndsey has four boys...and every girl needs a little pink.

When it came to the sentiment, it was important for me to get it right...so I spent some time just thinking about Lyndsey and all the things I love about her. Ultimately, the thing I focused on was that she really makes the world more beautiful...

Seriously...Just go look at her website. 

So, I printed the words off and used more gel medium to adhere them down. A few rub-ons, a big pink button and pink paint on the edges and I was done. 

 
I feel so lucky to have friends who really fill my world with beauty...

Today on the Crafty Power Blog

Today I'm over at the Crafty Power Blog talking about this layout...

Which is based on this post...

Which is still one of my favorite stories ever. 

Come check it out!?

Productivity, Setbacks and Indecisiveness

This past week has been beyond full. I admit, it's getting hard to keep everything straight. 

I've been packing up boxes for a month now, and Adam loads them up into the van and drops them off at the house after work. We've moved so much already, so why do I still feel like there's so much left to pack?

In my purging/packing, I discovered my affinity for magazines is bordering on out of control.

That was one of three stacks I found. I packed them up in a box before Adam could hunt me down and force me to throw some away. (I haven't read these yet!) 

I made cover art for my upcoming papercrafting book. This is always so fun, but lots of pressure to "get it right!" You can tell I am an indecisive person when it comes to art...

I also made some little bookmarks for a friend which were featured on the Crafty Power Blog last week. 

I cleared off the fridge and thought "I will NOT miss this thing." Not only is this fridge small, but it's impossible to open. I swear, it's sealed as tightly as a deep freeze right after you close the lid. 

Plus, the kitchen does look cleaner with our fridge because I can't stick a bunch of stuff on it. As much as I love that, it's so messy!

One night last week, we had this crazy hail storm. It started out as thunder and rain and then got louder and louder until these started falling from the sky. 

In the morning there were what looked like piles of snow from all this hail. It was insane.

And keeping in line with Murphy's Law...my Hobbit woke up on Thursday morning 100% sick. Throwing up everything and ended up sleeping on the couch (in the midst of all of our noise) for most of the day.

I felt so bad for him--He was just miserable.

By Friday, he was totally normal again. It was the strangest bug. 

I also hunted down some fun stuff...

And yes, painted loads and loads of ugly brown trim to a beautiful white...

My hair looks ridiculous in that picture. Just sayin'.

Looking back on the whirlwind, it was quite productive, but we're all feeling the pain a little bit. Living in two houses hasn't been easy, but this upcoming weekend we move in for good. 

I can't wait to wave goodbye to the rental, but I have to admit, I'll miss living in this part of town, close to my friends and familiar with everything. This rental got us out here, and even though there are many things we don't like about it, I am thankful for the Colorado roof over our heads this past year.

Today we're getting hardwood floors in here...

...which I think is going to transform the space completely. We're still talking about backsplashes and counters, but those are decisions for another day...

My brain is much too full to think about it!

Adding Hand-cut Letters to your Artwork

I was pretty excited when the friend of a friend contacted me to see if I could make some artwork for her...until I realized that I had to make the artwork. Instantly, I was nervous. She had a very specific idea in mind and it didn't involve my typical birdies or little girls. It was just words. 

I started with the background. Used some of my favorite patterened papers, old sheet music and book paper and then added layers of modeling paste, textures (like bubble wrap and cool stamps)...

And I measured a rectangle in the center where the words would go. The elusive words. The most important part. To say I didn't want to mess this up would be an understatement. But that center rectangle seemed to give me the stink eye every time I looked at it. 

The truth is, you have a lot of options when you want to add lettering to your artwork. Most often, I print strips on the computer and adhere them down, but with something this big, I knew that wouldn't work. I didn't want to use letter stickers either--just not the look I wanted. 

So I turned to my trust printer and made my own. 

I'm not going to lie. This isn't the quickest way to do this. I have a Cricut packed away in the garage at our new house, but I love doing this on my computer because I can choose any font I want. Plus, I find this kind of detail work therapeutic. 

Making your letters is actually really easy. 

1. Open a Word Document. 

2. Go to Insert and Select "Word Art." (I always choose the top left option, the outlined words.)

3. Choose your font and type your desired phrase. Click Enter. 

4. Drag the box until the words are the size you want them. 

5. Under the Word Art Tools Option, find the button that says "Rotate." Click that and choose "Flip Horizontal." 

This is what your words will look like when you print it out. If you're using patterned paper, make sure you print the outline on the BACK of the paper, because when you cut it out, you want the lines on the back.

6. Cut out your letters with a pair of detail scissors. I love my Cutter Bees!

They're super sharp on the end (Believe me, I've stuck myself with them more than once.) and they're great for getting the insides of letters like "A".

Once you do that, you're going to want to grab your Gel Medium (or Mod Podge.) 

Position the letters where you want them. Don't assume your spacing is just going to work out. 

Brush the gel medium on the back of each letter and adhere it onto the canvas.

Once they're all down, brush another coat of gel medium over the top of all the letters...

It won't look clear when it goes on. This is normal. It will dry clear, but try and make the brush strokes nice and smooth if you can. I have a couple of brushes that are really bristly (is that a word?) and you can see every line even after it's dried.

I liked the artwork this way, but I really wanted the words to pop, so I outlined them using a fine-tipped permanent black marker. (Make sure the gel medium is completely dry before you do this.) And go slow. The tip of the marker will slip off the letter really easily and you'll end up with stray black strokes on white letters. Not the look we're going for...

Pretty easy, right? 

I've made lots of page titles this way and it seemed a natural fit to do it on a canvas. I like the way this turned out so much I'm going to make one for my house too. 

Happy Painting!

The Art of Writing a Letter

I'm sitting in the salon, underneath a dryer waiting for my roots to change color when another stylist walks a tiny shriveled woman into the room and sits her down across from me. 

I smile at her tan orthopedic shoes and shaky limbs, watching as she pulls something seemingly precious from inside her overstuffed purse. She doesn't notice me, so I watch as she unfolds a small stack of stationary, scrawled with the handwriting of someone she must love. 

As she sits in silence for many moments, she turns the pages over in her hand, reading the news someone took the time to send her, and a slight smile crosses her lips. 

This letter, I think, has made her day. Someone out there loves her. 

And I wonder back to the last time I sent a letter, written out by hand... and I can't remember it's been so long. 

Letter writing is like a lost art, one that was an important part of my adolescence. Growing up, I had pen pals all over the country, and we'd fill each other's mailboxes with notes and cards and trinkets that told the story of who we were. 

Frozen in time. 

Lately I've been pondering my love/hate relationship with technology. I love it because I don't have to write my books longhand. I hate it because it's a constant distraction, carried around in my pocket, vying for my attention... and all too often, it wins. 

There's something wonderful about the simplicity of non-rechargable, not battery operated items. Things without a cord or a USB port. Books, especially...you can't smell the pages of an E-Reader. You get less of a person in an email than you do in a handwritten note or card. 

Don't you think?

The handwritten word--has never lost its appeal to me. So I'm adding "send at least one letter or card to someone I love each week..." to my Summer Inspiration List. 

I started last night. Writing out words of encouragement for a friend...

I purposely wanted it to be different. I wanted her to find something new every time she picked it up and read--like a word find, kind of. 

I included some of my favorite quotes, scriptures and wrote some of my own words...and wound them all together on the inside of a card.

My hope is that when she finds it in her mailbox, she's instantly filled with good feelings, encouragement, the kind an email can't bring. And I believe the kind even a phone call can't bring. 

Because some of us just communicate better without saying a word. 

So, I ask you...when was the last time you wrote a letter or sent a card? Do you think it's important...or just old fashioned and obsolete? Would you accept the challenge to write one letter each week this summer? C'mon, I'm moving in a few weeks and I'm committed! :) What do you think??

Before I die...

Adam introduced me to this website called Stumble Upon. You sign up, put in your interests and you "stumble" around the web. Mostly it overwhelms me. How is a person supposed to find anything when there are so many voices clamoring for our attention? 

Sometimes it makes me feel like I should be doing so much more than I am...and sometimes it energizes me.

I remember the summer I lived in New York, being the uh, outgoing person that I'm not, I did't talk to many people. Just people in my classes mostly. And I'd ride the subway and walk the streets and sit in Broadway shows and marvel at how many people there really are in this world. 

And every one of them has a story. 

And most of them, I'll never know. 

I was struck by the sadness of that. Because people are amazing. And stories are meant to be told. 

I think a bit of my idealism died that year. Not in a bad way, just in an eye-opening, maybe there is more to this world sort of way. The world is so much bigger than me. 

So sometimes when I get down about something, I put it in that perspective. It helps. 

Anyway, this morning, I stumbled on this website. And it was one of those inspiring moments. They took an abandoned house in New Orleans and turned it into a sounding board, a place to think, a place to profess your dreams... 

In bold letters, the words BEFORE I DIE...

And then chalk and places for passers-by to fill in the blanks. People with stories...and dreams...

 

I read a lot of the responses...and in the back of my mind, for so many of them, I was thinking "What's stopping you???" I mean, obviously the one that says "Meet Justin Bieber" may have some security to deal with... but some of the other ones..."Care for a dog...", "Learn to play mandolin..." 

They're so attainable. 

I think sometimes our dreams are just waiting for us to make time for them. And we don't because we're too wrapped up in our daily lives to give them their due...but with something like this, you put it out there. You whisper it on the wind and when you do that, words have a way of coming back to you.

Sometimes, we just have to say them out loud. Write them down. Recognize them. Give them their place. 

It's something to think about, no?

What would you write? What dream is waiting for you just around the corner?

BEFORE I DIE I WANT TO... ???

Half Full

I love pretty things. I want to fill my new home with prettiness. Not necessarily "stuff" but just beauty...weather it's kind words or lingering kisses...hands helping little ones or looking for ways to make my kids smile. 

I'm declaring our new house a "Family First" zone. 

I rarely make things to decorate our house, but I plan to fill it with handmade items (cheap and easy decor) and things my kids have made. I don't care that it'll never be in some decorating magazine...it'll speak to our family, and that's what matters most. 

I made this wall hanging for the Crafty Power Blog...you can see the whole post HERE.

So simple and easy, but such a great reminder. I want to hang this one in my kitchen so I always remember to focus on what's important. 

GOD.
Our Family
People who love me. 
Encouraging words.
Our creativity. 
Good friends.
Our Health.

The glass is half full. Or 3/4 of the way full. Or overflowing.

And I don't want to miss it by focusing on the things that don't matter.

*****

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for Elana's new book, Gluten Free Cupcakes! Delicious stuff. I think I might make some this weekend! Just leave a comment on the post below.  

 

 

 

The Great American Tall Tales

Not long after we finished Godspell, the Artistic Director at CYT sat down with us and asked Adam and I if we'd be up for writing a show based on The American Tall Tales. We started kicking around ideas and suddenly a sort of "Night at the Museum" meets "American Folklore" idea was born.

We were excited because both Adam and I feel like theatre should be fun. And the stories lend themselves to lots of FUN...and really, what's the point if you don't enjoy it? (Isn't that true of anything?) I say yes.

 
(Here we are on the way to the show. Adam didn't even make a weirdo face!)

When we agreed to write the show, there were no plans of uprooting our family and moving to Colorado, so we thought we'd take all of last summer and work on it nights and days off. Piece 'a cake.

Yeah, right.

Moving changed all of that, setting us several months back on our deadline. Keep in mind that Adam was starting a new job and I was working on rewrites for my novel...and we had kids to acclimate to a new school and a new house full of packed up boxes... It was a lot to juggle, but I have to tell you the truth. I think it helped us to be so busy. It helped us settle in and feel like we were still a part of something. As much as we could be.

And it filled our home with music.

 
For months, Adam wrote music based on the script I'd written and he and Sophia recorded the songs so the kids would have rehearsal tracks. I can't lie...I loved it. The show was coming to life right there in our living room. We'd read through it scene by scene, acting out the parts and fixing things along the way.

And then we sent it off for someone else to direct...which, I admit, was sort of weird! I was nervous about not working through the kinks in rehearsals, but having done CYT, we were able to anticipate some of them. The directing team gave us some great feedback, some wonderful suggestions and we did a couple of simple rewrites and the kids got to work pulling it all together.

If I'm honest, I really didn't have time to go home this past weekend. None of us did...but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

We drove in to Huntley on Friday night (opening night)...

 
They have a beautiful performing arts center in their high school.

Then it came time to watch the show. We had no idea what to expect, but we sat back and enjoyed the kids' performances. Of course, we also critiqued our script and music the whole time. We found some great things to change, discovered which jokes worked (one of mine got a nice laugh and I teased Adam because he almost cut it out!) and which didn't. We were once again blown away by the talent and thankful that CYT doesn't underestimate them.

And even though we were worried about some of the song keys and transitions we'd written, we had parents come up to us and tell us what the show has meant to their family...

Because CYT is a family affair...

 

This little group that we're flanking here are three siblings who've all come up in CYT. I told them it was time for us to take a photo with "the beautiful people." Geesh!

But they blew me away. The girl on the left played "Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett." I thought she was seventeen.

She's fourteen.

I know that means nothing in a blog post, but this girl has the poise and maturity of a performer many, many years older...and I have to say, she's as good as anyone I've ever seen in a professional show. Her sister, next to me, is a dancer who didn't realize until recently that she can sing. (And boy, can she sing.)

They were both leading roles in the show and their brother (who Adam's worked wtih before) was the Asst. Director.

 
More beautiful people. Amy & Sarah are sisters and they were the choreographer and director. Amy's getting married at the end of the month. I guess busyness isn't reserved for the Walsh house!

We also got to meet some of the other cast members...

 
...and I was so shocked at the reception we got. These kids are humble and gracious on top of being insanely talented. If for no other reason, I think we made that trip to remind us how much we love theatre and also that your sphere of influence isn't always limited to those you can see. (Up there are (from l-r) the teacher, Johnny Appleseed, Annie Christmas and Annie Oakley.)

This boy played Paul Bunyan...

 
And rocked out on his song! He was also incredibly sweet.

We went home with such mixed emotions that night. Elated, excited, thinking about some of the things we wanted to tighten before Rockford does Tall Tales in the fall. Trying to work out ways that we could fly home and direct that production. Marveling over the kids and chatting up their talent.

And yes, missing CYT.

We went back the next day with our whole crazy clan (and picked up an extra member...)

 

Sophia was so happy to see her best Illinois friend.

I admit, I was a walking stress ball that day. I get stressed when I get nervous and I think I spent most of the weekend nervous. Nervous to fly. Nervous to see the show. Nervous what people would think of the show. Nervous Sam wouldn't do well during the show.

Nerves. Ugh. Adam kept saying "you need to learn how to relax."

I'm thinking massage. In a beach cabana. In Hawaii. With no responsbilities. For at least five consecutive days. Without my computer.

They invited us back stage before the show to talk to the kids.

 

They asked us questions like "Which song did you write fourth?" and "How'd you come up with the name 'Sloane' for the girl?"

We loved talking to them and they were so so excited...the energy back there was palpable.

 
...and I realized what Debbie, the Artistic Director said to me on Friday night was true... "CYT is CYT no matter where you go."

The good things about it translate from county to county and hopefully state to state. There's a great CYT in Denver and Adam and I have talked about starting one up here where we are, but it's a time issue at this point.

Still, I have to tell you...if you have a kid who, like me, isn't an athlete and who has any inkling of a desire to perform (sing, dance or act)...seek out a CYT.

The enjoyment they'll get being a part of this group is unmeasurable. It will build their confidence and give them an incredible sense of self. It will teach them to push themselves and to deal with disappointment when they don't get the part they want. And it will show them that hard work can sometimes lead to surprising yourself (when they do get the part they want.)

I am so thankful for the gracious reception we got at this production, so happy we made the trip and so grateful they allowed us to be a part of it. (Thank you, thank you, CYT Chicago!)

...now when do we start the next one?

Christian Youth Theatre

Last week, we went on a whirlwind trip back to Illinois for one sole purpose. CYT. (Christian Youth Theatre.)

 

A few years ago some kids at our church invited us to the first CYT production in Rockford. I admit, I didn't have the highest expectations from a kids' show. But wow, were we surprised. They were professional and excellent and not at all what we'd seen in kids' theatre (or community theatre, for that matter.)

We knew we wanted to get involved--theatre had always been a part of our lives, but when we dug our heels into the ministry, we thought we'd seen the last of "Guys and Dolls" and "The Music Man."

Ministry doesn't often afford you the time on the weekends to do that sort of thing. CYT was different. Shorter rehearsal periods, incredible parental involvement, the directors don't have to also build/paint/assemble sets.

It is, in a word, a community...and one we needed more than we realized.

So, we flew in to the flatlands...

 

...and stayed here, with my parents.

 

We got in on Wednesday (Adam's birthday) and the following day we ran errands and caught up with some old friends.

Here I am in my favorite place in all of Rockford: Barnes and Noble. I was there all day and could've spent longer...especially with two very important friends...

 

Chris has been a great source of encouragement in my life and Ronnie is now and always will be one of the most genuine, caring people I know. I was so excited they were able to meet me last minute.

The last show we directed before we moved was Godspell, and our disciples in that show grew to be a really close bunch. And they let us in their little circle.

We are awfully lucky that way.

So, when one of the girls asked if we could do a "disciple dinner" on Thursday night, we were all over it. She was going to handle all the plans--we just had to show up!

When she asked what food we missed most, we didn't even blink...

 

Giordano's Pizza.

So that's where we went.

And that's where I realized how very much I miss these kids...how very much I miss CYT and how very much I miss encouraging people at this point in their lives.

You see, when you're away, you can block out the things you miss. You can convince yourself that you don't really miss those things. You have a new life now...but the truth is, the old life is only a memory away. And while I was there, it occurred to me that having theatre as a common ground with teenagers is kind of a beautiful thing.

You don't have to figure everything out, you get to discuss this mutual love you have for performing.

We sat across from my beautiful friend Holly and her husband Dan (Dan, you're beautiful too...) because one of the kids (JoJo) told us to "go sit with the old people. (And because we love them.)

 

Holly is a dance teacher in Rockford and one of the kindest, most talented people I know.

The kids all looked a little different. Everyone was taller and thinner.

 

But just as goofy...

 

...and just as loud!

I love hanging out with teenagers because you find a wide assortment of photos on your phone that you didn't even know were taken.

Here's proof.

   

I think I was the only one that didn't know this one was being taken:

  

But all of this got me thinking about this group of people that we don't get to work with anymore, and I guess it made me realize that our life here has been in limbo. We live in temporary housing. My kids are in a temporary school. We haven't set down roots. We aren't involved yet because our community is changing again.

And it made me a little sad.

I think one of the greatest things about our life in Rockford was being able to work with kids like these...

 

...and seeing them go on to audition for colleges and get scholarships and write them recommendation letters because you already know how incredible they are and some college theatre professor is going to be let in on that little secret...

 

...and they make you feel like you mean something to them...and you hope they realize the feeling is mutual...

 
...and they tell you to call them silly nicknames like "Mexican" and you feel like it's so wrong, but you do it because it becomes a term of endearment and you love them.

...and can't wait for them to come to Colorado to check out the colleges that are in your new neck of the woods...

 

...and you burst with pride thinking about all the roles they're getting and the way they've blossomed and started to believe in themselves...and you hope you added just a smidge to that self confidence...because you've known for a long time how talented they were.

 

I guess it was eye opening. It made me miss this. At my core, I think I was born to encourage...but these kids have done more for me than I could ever do for them. They've built my self confidence.

Adam and I were talking the other day about how I second guess myself. And he said "Is there ever a time you feel totally confident in your decisions?"

And without a doubt, I knew...I feel that way when I'm doing theatre. Directing a show, teaching kids. I don't second guess myself. I feel confident. I love teaching them they've got more inside.

Because they do. We all do. When you dig down deep, there's so much more in there...and I want to be one of the people who helps kids realize it.

It was a long-short trip. I learned a lot about myself and tomorrow I'll tell you the whole reason we actually went...but today is a work day so I need to get to it. I hope you had a wonderful week!

The creative middle child

Sometimes I'm reminded that Ethan is a middle child in every sense of the word. I was a middle child, so I try to make sure he doesn't get overlooked, but then it dawns on me that Surprise! He's being overlooked. He's easy and laid back and low maintenance, and well, that makes him easy to overlook...

 
I tried to convince Adam he gets these traits from me, but he just started laughing and walked away.

Ethan is all boy. His jeans are worn one time before they have holes in the knees. His shoelaces are coming apart after only one month of wearing them. He has to empty sand out of his shoes every single morning.

He plays hard. He cries too often. He's really sensitive.

And pretty goofy.

 
I sometimes wonder how he handles all this moving around stuff. He still talks about his old friends, and even though he's incredibly good natured, I have to wonder how it's really affecting his tender heart.

 
We close on the house on Friday. He has a reader's theatre at school. They're at the same time. I'm sad to think that he may not have a parent in the room cheering him on. It makes my heart hurt...makes me feel like I'm letting him down.

He'll never let on if that's really how he feels. He's just that kind of kid.

I've started noticing that Ethan is really creative. I guess I didn't expect that from my boys. I don't know why given who I'm married to, but it's been surprising to see how much he loves art and building things and yes, even modeling clay...

 
And, you can see, he's also got a thing for Super Mario Brothers...Here's Mario...

 
Luigi...

 

And um...Yellow Toad and that other guy...

 
Pretty fun, no?

 

He wants a Mario room in our new house and while this goes against everything I believe a child's room should be (I am not big on commercialized bedding/clothing etc.) I'm inclined to make it happen for him... and to make it the coolest room he's ever seen.

I think he's pretty special, this kid.

Time to find some creative ways to show him.

Silk Tie-Dyed Easter Eggs

I love my husband. When he was a children's pastor, he'd always find the coolest things to do with our kids, and I'm happy to say that hasn't changed. I love the kind of dad Adam is. Involved and creative and usually pretty even-keel even when I'm not.

We tend to trade off on bad moods or lack of patience, which is good because on the rare occasions we're both losing it at the same time, it's like WW3 in here. Not really. That was a joke.

Just before Easter, Adam "stumbled" (do you know stumbleupon.com?) upon an idea for a new way to color Easter Eggs. He was so excited about trying this, but I assumed that by Friday he'd forget all about it. Not so.

So, Saturday, we gathered our supplies, ran all over God's green earth looking for a glass or enamel pot (we never did find one) and finally got down to it.

In spite of his enthusiasm, our kids weren't exactly cooperative, so I'm not going to lie and tell you it was all bunnies and roses here. It wasn't. It was mildly frustrating and at times, frankly, just annoying, but we worked it out in the end...

So here's what you do.

1. Gather your supplies: Silk ties (we bought them at Good Will), scissors, an old white tee-shirt or sheet, eggs (not hard boiled), twist ties or string, water, vinegar & a big pot (apparently you're supposed to do glass or enamel but we used metal and it was fine.)

(A better blogger would've had a photo of this. I just have an orange-tinted photo of our messy table.)

 

2. Cut the ties. You want strips big enough to wrap the egg in.

 

During this step, you may begin to question the hand eye coordination of your left-handed child...

 
...despite the "Great Chop Job of '08" in which he demonstrated on his own hair that he does, in fact, know how to use a pair of scissors.

 

Yeah. Good times right there.

And, about this point, your Hobbit may begin to wonder why he had to turn off Spongebob, because for Pete's sake, he sure can't use scissors.

 
(Don't worry, his meltdown is JUST around the corner.)

After you've cut the ties, you'll have what looks like a big, fat mess. No worries. This is common in the Walsh house. At least on the art kitchen table.

Next, you just roll the eggs up in the ties...

 
...or pose with them, whichever...

 
Then use a twist tie (or a piece of yarn if you forget to buy them in spite of your husband's reminder calls and texts while you were standing right in the middle of Target...)

 
I'm nothing if not resourceful.

Once you're done, you've got a big pile of tie-wrapped raw eggs.

 

So, next, take an old white T-shirt or sheet and cut it into pieces big enough to wrap the eggs again.

 
And then do that. (Good instructions, no?)

And wrap a long piece of yarn all around the egg...

 
About this time, you're exhausted because you procrastinated all day and it's way past the kids bed time. Take a deep, cleansing breath. It's about to get worse.

While your husband rifles around in the cupboard for vinegar (which you know you have SOMEwhere,) you go put the kids to bed. They will argue with you about what they're wearing to church for Easter because you didn't get them new outfits. It's okay. DO NOT storm out of their rooms, throw a towel at your husband and say "You deal with them." This never works in your favor. Especially when you take over the vinegar hunt and come up empty-handed.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Once you find your composure hiding somewhere else in the house, you boil the eggs in water and at least 1/4 cup of vinegar at a nice simmer (about 20 minutes). If you have an electric stove, good luck. Electric stoves do whatever they want.

Oh, and your house is going to STINK. So, just be prepared.

Then plop down on the couch and watch TV till midnight so it's impossible to wake up on time the next day.

When you finally get home from church, revisit your little eggs...

 
Endure your children's complaints about how badly they smell. They'll get over it in a minute.

And do not, by any means, announce your skepticism that any of this is going to amount to anything...

 

Because, well, you'll be eating crow...

 
Because the eggs are pretty. darn. cool.

 
 
 
 

And this one is my favorite...

 
 
A huge success! And totally edible, so figure out how to make egg salad and you're good to go...

 

Busy.

This week, we close on a new house. Our first Colorado house. Our fourth house ever. We can't wait, but I admit, it doesn't seem real AT ALL. I keep thinking we have a month to wait, but we don't...it's actually here. I'm a little nervous, if I'm honest. I guess it means we've officially moved to Colorado. Maybe after we move into our own house, it'll actually start to feel like we live here and stop feeling like we're on vacation.

I painted this weekend. Just this one that's been brewing in my head for awhile now...

 

A reminder to myself that it's okay to go against the flow. It's okay to make waves. To be different. To follow your gut.

I'm also...

...working on a few custom pieces but they aren't finished. I loved what my friend Becky said about painting for other people in this post. I echo her sentiments exactly.

...busy trying to find Sophia a good audition song for her audition for "The Sound of Music" (which is Saturday.) Anyone got any good ideas?

...finishing up a few deadlines so I can enjoy my weekend free & clear because I'm...

...preparing for my best friend to come visit me. It's been years since I saw her and we are both ready for the break! There's something about an old friend, someone who knows you already...it's comforting and familiar. I am so looking forward to it. I envision antique stores, spa treatments, good food and there's even been talk of some Friday Night Lights. Sounds like perfection to me.

...Loving being part of the Scrapbook Adhesives design team. I did my introductory post this weekend and added this layout: 

 
...which looks crooked to me. Maybe I need a V8.

...reading devotionals here. They have so much great stuff and I have a feeling this one today is going to nail me to the wall.

It's important for me to slow down and hand it all over to God because stress has been making me physically sick and I'm kinda done with that. So. That's what's on my mind as I start my week...a whole lot of busy.

What're you up to this week?

 

Super. Exciting. News.

Forever ago, when I finished working on The Busy Scrapper, I knew I needed a break. I had a LOT (still do) to learn about writing fiction, so I took 2009 to learn. And learn. And learn. In the process, I walked away from papercrafting altogether. I couldn't do it all, and frankly, I'd lost the desire.

I got my book deal (for my novels) and at the center of that story is a big, beautiful scrapbook. The kind you find hidden in a trunk. The kind that you open and when you do, a whirlwind of laughter pours out, bringing with it a collection of memories.

 
Source

Fast forward to about a month and a half ago. I was going through a bunch of photos of our move and I started to think about all the stories I wasn't telling. So much had changed, but none of it had been documented. And suddenly, I knew I needed to start up again.

Telling our stories was too important.

Long story short, one morning, I got a hair-brained idea. Truth be told, I think it had been percolating for a little while... but that day, it turned into a full-fledged idea. One that needed some attention.

And one that resulted in some super exciting news!

 

I'm writing a new book!

My proposal to Memory Makers Books was officially accepted and all systems are a GO! This isn't fiction, it's another idea book, like my first two...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I'm hard at work finishing up my rewrite for my second novel in the series and outlining/organizing this one.

 
I can't say much more about it, but I can say that it is really, really exciting and will have loads of creative ideas in it! I've already got a few contributors lined up but am working on getting the rest. Let me tell you... so far, I'm working with a dream cast! I love this part!

I've come to realize that when it's not time for a thing, it feels forced. I think God takes the desire away. But when the desire returns, I think it's important to pay attention. I'm not talking about doing laundry or unloading the dishwasher... but creatively, two years ago, it wasn't time for me to do a third book. Now, it is. And I'm more than thrilled.

In the midst of all this house buying craziness, it's a much-needed source of excitement!

Happy Tuesday!

Shine

What is it about the idea of "fitting in" that we think it so important? I'm curious why we, as a society, choose to shove ourselves into boxes and tack on labels like they're a necessity?

Why, in a world of color, do we choose to be bland? Why do we overlook our gifts, afraid to step out and do something scary because we might look stupid if we fail?

 

What are we so afraid of?

I've been thinking a lot about who I am and who I want to be. For a long time, I lived my life according to what I thought other people wanted and expected of me. Whether or not anyone actually put those demands on me or if they were simply perceived is beside the point. The fact is, I wanted everyone to be happy with me all the time. So their words and viewpoints negated my own.

And I'm not sure why. In the midst of that, I managed to find this tiny little voice inside me that guided me and led me and allowed me to do some of what I knew I was called to do...

But I wonder how much louder would that voice have been if I'd silenced the voices that really didn't matter in the first place?

 

I'm not wise by any means, but I'm wiser than I was having lived through the past few years. And this is what I know is true...

• People have the ability to instantly make you feel "less than"...but only if you let them. (Thank you, Eleanor.)
• Comparing yourself to other people does absolutely no good. I read something recently: "Be the best you you can be...everyone else is taken." I love that.
• There is no way everyone will like you. No matter how nice/good/honest/kind/wise/talented/beautiful you are.
• People often mean well, but trusting the advice of others over your own gut (or what God's told you) is a sure-fire way to find disappointment.
• Everyone is creative. Your art may look different than mine. I may not even understand your art...but I respect it. I love it. I value it. Because it represents your viewpoint...and our viewpoints, our differences are what make this a very beautiful place to live.
• Living your life to please others is a waste of time.

 

I believe we are born to shine. To live big. To dream in color. To make some noise. I believe in standing up for what's right--even when it's unpopular. I believe in being a cheerleader and applauding when good things come your way. I believe in building up...never tearing down.

I believe God always knows what's best for me...and I trust HIM to help me find it. No matter what.

I see so much negativity in the world and I have no desire to be a part of it. Not even for a second.

 

Today...I hope you find a way to stand out. To stop hiding. To do the daring thing. To take a risk. I hope you write down that big dream, the one you've been carrying around in your pocket. Whisper it in the wind and let it be carried up to heaven...

Because God loves to make our dreams come true.

Happy Birthday & A Winner!

So as of today, I am officially the mother of a ten-year-old.

 
I honestly cannot believe it's been ten years since we first met Sophia.

 
From the beginning, she's always been a pretty content kid. A rule follower like her mommy.

Well, except that one time...

 

She's always been fashionable...

 

...and loving to her brother(s)...

 
And yes, she's always been a little performer...

 

She's always been told she looks just like her daddy...except, ya know, prettier...

 

See what I mean?

 

She's smart beyond belief, loves to read and has a strong sense of what's right and what's not. And she's not afraid to say so.

 
I kind of love that about her.

We named her Sophia because 1. I liked the name and 2. It means "wisdom" and "excellent virtue." We pray those things for her...

 
As she grows, it's my prayer that she'll know God more, love God more and be totally confident in who He's called her to be.

 
We love you, sweet girl, and hope this turns out to be your best birthday yet!

 
**************************************************************************

Now, for those of you who didn't come here to see my walk down memory lane, I do happen to have a WINNER for Christy's brand new Art Journaling Class, "She Had Three Hearts."

Special thanks to my sweet friend for letting me probe her brain! I loved it! (And I'm doing another fun interview this week that you might be interested in, so come back and check it out.)

Now. For the good stuff. The winner is:

 
(Like my brushwork there in Photoshop?)

#20!

Martha Richardson said...

I'm signed up for SheArt but already know I want to sign up for the next one ;)

Reply March 25, 2011 at 05:39 PM

So, Martha!! Send me your information and we'll get it on to Christy and YOU, lucky lady, will be soaking up the good stuff.

Hope you're having a great week!

On Writing

When we moved to Colorado last July, I was right smack dab in the middle of a deadline for my first novel. I don't know how you feel about deadlines, but I treat them like sacred holiness over here. I rarely ask for more time because I want my publisher/editors to know I will move heaven and earth to get things done on time.

And I will.

But that doesn't mean I don't feel a little scared in the middle of it all. Sure I can't deliver. Sure I'm writing drivel...

That's how I'm feeling now. Because, as luck would have it, we're moving again. Right smack dab in the middle of my deadline for Book 2. If this is a sign of things to come, we're in trouble, because my third book is due soon too and I really don't want to entertain the idea of one more move. (Ever.)

 

My agent, Sandra, is more than just a businesswoman. She's my friend. So when I hinted (or maybe more than hinted) that I was verging on terrified, she called me. She had just the right words. Our conversation went like this:

Sandra: Did you see the movie Up in the Air?

Me: The one with George Clooney?

Sandra: Wait. Let me leave the family room. Ok. No, not that one, the one with the balloons.

Me: Up?

Sandra: Yeah, Up.

Me: Yes. I cried.

Sandra: I think that's what you have to do right now. Get yourself a big bouquet of balloons and just hold on tight.

 

She understands that this is tricky...living life, being a mom, working my freelance assignments, moving & moving again and writing/editing novels. She gets it. And she said exactly the right thing at exactly the right time.

For some reason, that night, I sat down to paint and found my balloon bouquet waiting for me...and I knew I'd be okay. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a little nervous, but the fear of starting had gone. Her words had inspired me to change my thinking...

This painting tells the story of where I'm at right at this very minute... 

 

Because life is like that sometimes...We're just along for the ride. We're holding on, waiting for the wind to change...waiting to be carried off to a beach somewhere with an umbrella drink and a swimsuit that makes all of our cellulite invisible.

But this. This "in the middle of it" part...this is what I want to savor. I want to remember how it felt to write my first three novels...so it means more when I see them on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. I don't want to wish these moments away.

This is the good stuff.

The stuff to remember.

And now that I've gotten a bird's eye view of it all, I feel more ready than ever...time to fly.
 

Using Creativity to Instill Faith in your Kids: The Prayer Board

I've got a super fun project to share today that gives you a chance to use your creativity to build your kids' faith.

Adam is an editor now for Group Publishing, which means he and I have been digging into the phenomenal curriculum this company puts out. I've done some freelancing where I've been writing curriculum for churches, but it's the take-home activities I'm loving dreaming up.

As I work on these different ideas, I find myself thinking "Wow, we should do that with our kids."

So this weekend, we did.

I'm extremely visual when it comes to learning, and recently I went back in my journal with a highlighter and highlighted all the answered prayers going back to months before our move. There were SO many. I started thinking this would be a great way to build our kids' faith. To create a display board where we pin our prayer requests and then a separate section where they could move the requests once they've been answered.

I started with this:

 
...which, let's face it, isn't doing anyone a bit of good.

I cleared it off and tucked away all the awesome little mementos...

 
Then I turned to the brains of the operation for their input.

 
I cut strips of paper and asked them to write down any prayer requests they had. And then, any answered prayers they could think of.

 
Once that was done, I started with this hoity toity, frilly scrapbooking paper and then realized I thought it was really pretty, but it didn't reflect our family...certainly not my kids...so we put that aside and went with something more cheerful. Ethan and Sophia each got to pick one piece for the background and then they had to agree on the other two pieces.

I did the cutting...

 
...and the dorky posing that shows just how desperately I need to find someone local to cut (and color) my hair. Ouch. It hurts to look at this.

 

(And for those of you who saw me on Friday, I may or may not be wearing the exact same clothes I was wearing then.)

We laid the pages out on the board and that's when I discovered my haphazard methods of measurement weren't exactly the best idea...I had this gap in the center.

 

See?

 
Happy accident, if you ask me.

 
Turns out, a nice strip of striped paper in the center made the perfect separation.

Pause for mustache picture.

 
Can you see the chocolate milk mustache? Or is it "moustache?" I never know. But while we're on the subject...are mustaches (moustaches, pronounced "moo-stashes") coming back in style? I don't claim to be fashionable and I need to know. The whole concept confuses me. Like a furry animal over the top lip. Just no.

Unless you're Tom Selleck. Then you can do whatever you want.

Anyway. Back to the Prayer Board.

The great thing for cheapie mommies like me is that when you're working on a cork board, you can staple it instead of parting with your precious (and expensive) adhesive!

 

So, staple it all on there, a nice border in the center to separate your requests from your praises.

 

(I know this picture feels "off". I get vertigo looking at it. Sophia was camera happy so she took most of these, but seriously, I couldn't figure out which way this one went!)

Anyway. Next, we laid all of the requests out on the board. Not including mine and Adam's because we haven't done ours yet... Oh, and I added some 3-D K & Company sticker flowers onto two of the edges. I really think it needs more "pop" in general, but this is a good start.

 

So, then we took a bunch of these fun Girl's Paperie stickers and outlined the board and I added the words "Prayers and Praises" right at the top.

 

I also printed out two "titles" to help differentiate the top and the bottom.

 
The top says "We're asking God for..." and the bottom says "We're thanking God for..." (Now that I think about it, I should probably flip those around. I'd like to teach them to be thankful first. So if you make this, do that, ok? and make your titles bigger because you're kids don't understand "small handwriting," and their requests will overpower your title. Just sayin'.)

Then we re-hung it.

 
While I did the cutting and stapling, this really was the kids' project, and my hope is that as these prayers are answered, one by one, we can move them to the other side of the board and they'll have a visual way to see that God does listen to them. To all of us.

And he answers every prayer...in his time.

*Don't forget you've still got a couple days to enter the giveaway in this post. You could win a spot in Christy's art journaling class!

An Interview, Art & A Giveaway!

*There is an awesome giveaway at the end of this post...but don't miss the goodstuff between this line and that one!! :)*

Years ago, when I first entered the scrapbooking world, there were few people as generous and genuine as my friend Christy Tomlinson.

I've always admired Christy for so many reasons. Her style blows me away, not just her pages and her impecable interior design skills, but also (and especially,the way she treats people...the way she lives her faith...the way she makese me laugh. Christy is doing amazing things, and I feel so honored and a little bit in awe that I get to witness it...even from a few states away.

I wanted to take this chance to interview my friend because I think her perspectives on art and family and business are inspiring.She truly is one of a kind.

Plus, she's one of my very favorite artists and one day I'm going to buy a CT Original to hang in my new home!!

Grab your coffee and pull up a chair...I'm so happy to share a little deeper look at my friend, Christy Tomlinson.

 

[Courtney] In a world with so many visual images, how do you think an artist can develop a style that's uniquely their own?

[Christy] The great thing about art is that we have all a history that we bring to the table. We have experiences and relationships that are unique only to us. Each of those experiences and relationships translate into art and so that is what each person creates that is uniquely their own. It's not necessarily  about style...it's about the story being told. 

 
 
[Courtney] I love that...telling our stories...Do you find you have voices of self doubt? And how do you silence them?

[Christy]  Um.. heck yeah! I do everytime I start a new adventure in my life...but honestly...having good friends and a supportive husband keeps me grounded. I have to remember that if I don't try, I can't fail. And I would rather try a million times over and have one fantastic experience then never try and never have one. 
 
[Courtney] And you've definitely done lots of amazing things! What advice do you have for someone wanting to turn their creativity into a business?

[Christy] Remember the internet and social networking are your friend. Millions and Millions of people are on the web so creating an online business is probably one of the KEY things to our success. We live in a small town, only 4000 people.There is no way our business would ever survive a "store front". But online, I have access to millions of customers and most of those customers have come from free or inexpensive advertising like social media networks, blogging, facebook. and twiter. Remember to be yourself. I TRULY believe it will work out, if it's meant to be. If it doesn't, it might not be the right time, or the right format. 

 

  
[Courtney] For an artist, inspiration is so important...What (or who) inspires you?

[Christy]  My life inspires me. Life experiences... friendships, deaths, celebrations, heartaches, fun memories...they inspire me. I can't imagine creating art without a purpose in mind. I mean I can, but wow, when there is emotion involved...it just has so much more meaning. you know?  I have alot of favorite artists.Melody Ross is someone who inspires me emotionally. She is a TRUE gift. She can brings out the best in me. I also LOVE Somerset Studio magazine...so much inspiration in that magazine! 
 
[Courtney] So once you're inspired, how do you get motivated? You're so busy! How do you do what you need to do even when you don't feel like it?

[Christy]  My family motivates me. But honestly,it's a scary position to be in...the creative ideas, concepts, new products, new workshops...all of those things are what support my family. My husband supports me and helps run our store and is a WORKHORSE, but the concepts and ideas FALL on my shoulders. So my family motivates me. I have 6 kids, my husband and I work out of our home, so  THIS is my livelihood, our full-time business. I admit there are days that I just need a break {like ANYONE who has a job or a stay at home mom taking care of kids) Oh my heck! We all need a break right? So I spend time doing things I love to do too. Read a book, have a get together with friends, Watch tv.. sleep. Sleep and more sleep. It's important to take time for ourselves. 

 

 
[Courtney] As a mom, I keep wondering, how on earth you do it with SIX kids??

[Christy]  Well, first off remember my husband is home full time. He works with me, so I guess we are both really busy, BUT our kids are extremely self sufficient and mature and they're hard workers. I grew up in a family of 13 and my husband a family of 8,so from the time we could talk we were doing chores to help keep the house clean and organized. Our kids do their own laundry (ages 6-15). They each have a dish night. They each have a night they cook (the younger ones pair up with the older ones). Don't get me wrong, my husband and I do too, but we ALL share in the responsibilities of the home. We are also the type of people that don't feel the need to be involved in EVERYTHING just because everyone else is. We don't push a ton of "extra"  activities on our kids unless it's something they REALLY want to do.  Why? just because the Jones' do? We do our own thing. Some people think we are weird, but we like to think we are low key! LOL

 
[Courtney] Ok, so what's a typical day life for your low key self? Be honest!!

[Christy] Ben and I up at 7:30, come downstairs and have prayer before my husband drives the kids to school. After they're gone, I go right into my office and start working (in my pj's, without my hair brushes or a bra on, etc). It's not usually until someone stops by unannounced or it's lunch time, that I realize I am still sitting in my pj's and haven't even put my contacts in and that's why my eyes hurt from squinting). That's when I go get dressed. We work until usually 5:00 PM. Just like most normal people. I am either ordering product for the store, working on an art piece for the blog, or my licensing agent. Or shooting video for an online class. Blogging, editing video, answering customer service emails... that's my day.

My kids get home around 3:00 and when they do I always take time to stop and make sure they are doing their homework, their afterschool jobs, that they are getting to scouts or other meetings they have. After diner, we either just hang out as a family, or go to "meeting" like games, or church things that we have as a family.. and then bedtime is around 8:00! We read scriptures and have prayer and then after the kids are in bed my husband and I snuggle on the couch and watch tv.  It's SO important for us to have down time. AND to have a relationship outside of "work". We work together 24 hours a day. Never apart. We have for 14 years of our 17 years of marriage. So we have a very awesome and productive business relationship.. but it's important for us to really take time for our "personal" relationship too. Same with my kids. 

 


[Courtney] If I had to describe you in three words, I would say "Inspiring, creative and genuine." How would YOU describe yourself?

[Christy]  Motiviated, Funny and Low key. 
 
[Courtney] You're so positive and encouraging. What do you make of the negativity and criticism that's out there in the creative world?

[Christy]  Honestly, I don't hear it...I do my own thing. I do this because it's my life and my job and it supports my family. If I let myself get caught up in catty message boards or mean websites, I would NEVER move forward AND I would question every decision I make worrying if those decisions would end up on those "message boards or websites". So I don't. Really honestly, we are all just wonderful people trying to do wonderful things... so I LOVE and support everyone.  
 
[Courtney] I know you, like me, have a strong faith...I'm curious how it influences your daily life? Your relationships? Your art?

[Christy]  My faith IS my life. It always has been. My husband and I live our life around our religion (we are LDS) and we believe every opportunity, every idea, every "break", every good thing that happens to us is a blessing from God.  We also  believe every heartache or trial or hardship is also a gift from God... in that we can grow and learn from those experiences and it makes us stronger. I believe there is a beautiful life waiting for me after this one, and my relationships and knowledge and life experiences are ALL I get to take with me. I believe I have the opportunity to be with my family forever depending on how I live in this life. So my life is centered around living so I can be with them forever. So It has a huge influence in every part of my day to day. It does. Wow. That was intense! LOL. 
 
[Courtney] I love your passion, so much...but since I also know you as a fun girl, let's end on a goofy question. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life...what would it be?

[Christy] Ham, mashed potatoes and frozen peas. YUM. 
 

Do you see why I love this girl? If you missed her She Art mixed media workshop, I'd highly recommend it! And ...this is the best part...I'm super SUPER excited because Christy has a new workshop...This time, she'll tackle art journaling...a subject near and dear to my own heart!

So today, Christy is giving away a seat in her new class, it's called "She Had Three Hearts."

 
You can read more about this class HERE, but trust me, Christy's workshops are amazing and it will be well worth the $35.

If you'd like to win a spot in this awesome online class, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post before midnight (MST) on March 30th. In honor of my daughter's tenth birthday, I'll draw a winner on Thursday, March 31st!

Facebook, blog or tweet about this giveaway and you can enter up to three more times! How's that for spiffy?

And don't you dare click out of this without commenting and say "I'm not creative." None of that crazy talk on this blog, missy.

Special thanks to Christy for sharing so much of herself, with this interview and just with her life in general. Now, what are you waiting for?

Leave a comment!!

*All images are property of Christy Tomlinson

On my Love List

Loving a lot of new things today.

Here's the short list.

1. The giveaway my friends Jenn & Lyndsey put together on Lyndsey's blog. Being obsessed with fond of paper, this one made my little heart go pitter-patter.

 
I know they're intended as a gift wrap kit, but all I'm thinking is scrapbook pages, mixed media collages & wall art... The giveaway goes through this Friday so hop on over and leave them a comment today! And if you don't win, here's the link to The Gilded Bee...just leave a little for the rest of us, okay? Those trims are to die for!

2. This past weekend, the theatre company we write for held auditions for The Great American Tall Tales.

 
While on their site, we discovered that three of the school day shows are already SOLD OUT! Before the cast list even went up! This is the first time Adam & I have written a show and handed it off to someone else to direct, so we are beyond excited. (And also incredibly jealous. SOMEday we'll direct it ourselves!!) Please pray we find a great deal on airfare so we can zip to Illinois in May and see the show!

3. Super exciting news in my "professional life" that has me beyond excited...but can't quite share yet. I am over here giggling at the thought that I have a "professional life." I know I should probably start seeing myself as a grown up, but deep down, I still feel like a kid, bed piled high with dolls and stuffed animals...

 
(I have such vivid memories of everything in this picture, even the nightgown I am wearing...) 

4. The tickets are booked and my best friend is heading out to see me in April!

 
I haven't seen her in over three years! That's really unacceptable, no? We finally made it work and at the end of April, we will be hob-knobbing with a masseuse, a nail technician and the fine folks at the flea markets and antique stores of Fort Collins. I cannot wait.

5. I ordered one of these bags for Sophia's birthday:

 
My friend Sasha makes and sells them in her etsy shop. She posted one on her blog and I emailed her right away. Sophia is really into owls and I love the idea of getting her custom-made goods for her birthday! Isn't it adorable? Sophia's has a red gingham body...it's super cute! 

 6. Adele. I know, I'm the last person in the world to discover her, but holy darn.

Girl can SING.

You probably can't see the entire thing and I can't get it to post smaller so oh well. I tried to play it for Adam last night, but when he didn't look up from his brainless computer game to utter his "Uh, that's great." I knew he didn't have any appreciation for my new-found music love.

7. Finally, I'm hoping to hear a little news on this guy today:

 
It's funny because every time I see the outside I try to imagine ways to make it cute. It's not really, ya know? It's sorta blah. And being a two-story house lover, it does nothing for me. But then I imagine the possibilities on the inside...and the space (room to spread out!)and I have to stop and catch my breath.

And remind myself that while the counter offer implies that our offer was accepted (they only changed the closing date), we don't have the official word. Any prayers would be appreciated. Knowing that the kids school has a gifted program (for the ARTS) just about sent me into a giggle fit. Cross your fingers that we hear something today!!

So that's a bit of what I'm loving today.

Just a smidge.

There is so much more to share...

...but for now, I have a novel to whip into shape!

Have a great Monday!