Many Useful but Unrelated Tidbits

I have a bunch of random things to share with you today...and if you make it to the end, there's a prize. {Well, sort of...it's a discount code...surprise!} I guess now you don't have to read the whole post.

Let's start with this picture of Maren...I have no idea what she is doing, but I included it since it's, well, random.

I love to read. My goal for 2013 is to read 33 books. I'll let you guess why 33, because a woman never tells her age.

My aunt gave me this little prayer book for Christmas several years ago, and I've just recently started using it again. There are a month's worth of simple prayers for morning and evening. My prayer life has been richly flavored by Baillie's words over the past couple of weeks.

I also just finished The Thirteenth Tale, based on a recommendation from a trusted fellow-reader-friend. {Side note...if someone who loves food is a foodie, and a picture you take of yourself is a selfie, what would you call someone who loves books? Just doesn't quite work. Also, if you live in Colorado, you are not eligible to participate in Amazon's affiliate program. Sad. Not that I was planning on getting rich from it or anything, but I love to buy books, so thought I'd give it a go. No go, Colorado address.}

I liked The Thirteenth Tale. It's dark and eerie and has a pretty great, unexpected twist at the end.

Maren learned to change diapers. Almost. It's backwards, but it worked! And...one less diaper for me. Literally, one less. This was her first and last attempt.

I've decided to do some things a little differently in my shop. I've read several books this year, and I've just been generally convicted lately about simple living. I'm pretty terrible at it, but as a family, we're working on getting better. It's so hard not to chase after the next new, better, smarter, more fun or special thing. I like to shop. I like to decorate. I like to cook. I like to read. I like clothes. I like stuff. There, I said it. But, I'm trying not to let all those things consume me or my family's resources. 

The thing is, I also LOVE to give things away. I like giving gifts to my friends and family, I like filling boxes at Christmas for children who might not have much, I like supporting various missionary friends, and I really find great joy in giving and supporting people doing special things. 

All this considered, I started praying a couple months ago about how I might use my Etsy shop to serve, love and help others. I received some great feedback and support from a couple of special friends. {Thanks Hannah and Heather! You should visit their blogs and shops...two very special ladies!} And, what I've decided is that I want to use much of my income from Oh Write to offer support to friends and family who are walking through the adoption process. My goal has never been to get rich from my Etsy shop, but I do really LOVE the idea of using it to help others! 

Effective immediately, 50% {hopefully even more...just need to see how the numbers all pan out!} of my sales will go directly towards helping families who are adopting. I have 2 special friends who will likely be my first recipients. I'm in the process of working out those details...but hopefully I'll get to share about them with you soon. I've always had a hard time promoting my shop for my own benefit, but now I'm thrilled for the opportunity to use my creativity and time to bless others...so go buy something! Ha. But, seriously, it's for a good cause. {wink}

Finally, I've come across a few great posts recently, and maybe you'll be blessed, encouraged, or informed by them, too.

Tsh reminded me to take time for Friends of All Ages. I'm constantly blessed by my friendships with older and younger ladies...how about you?

Is your family broken? Elisa shares the truth that we ALL come from broken families. Such a freeing reminder!

Do you read Edie's blog? I can hardly wait to try some of her October recipe suggestions...and please tell me that we're not the only family NOT eating like this every day?!

These Quinoa, Black Bean and Corn Tacos were delicious. Every single one of us loved them and raved about them...and they're a great meatless option, if that sort of thing matters to you!

And, that about wraps up this post.

Oh, yeah...a prize!!! Use code RANDOMLOVE for 20% at the shop.

How about you? Any random goodness in your life lately?

Come and see...

Autumn is just around the corner and I've been busy creating some fun new additions for the shop! If you click on the pictures, they will take you right to the listings.

My favorite cousin gave me a flaxseed wrap as a gift a couple of years ago, and it quickly become one of my favorite things she's given me. I have since given several away as gifts...new moms love them, grandmas love them, teachers love them, kids love them...and you will, too! These wraps can be stored in the freezer or warmed in the microwave...I especially love mine heated up during the cooler months.

I've also been having fun creating these special little collages. I love mixing the different patterns and colors...each one is unique! The current listings are for 4x6 small houses...wouldn't they be a great addition to a gallery or collage wall?

I've got several more new items that will be listed soon...and, how about a coupon code?! Use SEPTEMBER20 for 20% off your orders throughout the entire month!

Lately...

I don't know why it's been so difficult for me to get into the habit of writing in this new year. I suppose life has just been a flurry of activity...and I have so many things rattling around in my head these days. It's hard to know where to begin.

I've been reading this book:

I don't recommend picking it up unless you are prepared to be profoundly challenged...and changed. Honestly, I can't say much about it quite yet. But it is pushing me towards growth in a magnificent way. Also, it's taking me a long time to read. I am typically able to make it through just a few pages before I need to set the book down in order to engage in some serious thinking and praying. But it's good...so very good.

Brett and I also embarked on a reading-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. I've never done this before. Should I be embarrassed to say that as a 32-year-old? Truthfully, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the whole practice. To me, it seems to take a fair amount of time, without allowing for much in-depth study or contemplation. (At least during this season of life...as a mom of 2 small children, I just don't have hours on end to spend daily in the Word.) The time I do spend with the Lord is so precious...but often brief and/or interrupted. I welcome the interruptions, as I know this is the season of life which God has called me to at this time.  So, all things considered, I'm reading the Bible through in it's entirety this year. The discipline has been good for me, and I am learning and growing. I'm especially looking forward to when the time comes to read through books I'm less likely to visit on a regular basis. Have you done this before?

I've spent a significant amount of time thinking about my Etsy shop. I'm hoping to make some changes in the coming month or so. I have some new products to list...and I'm researching some ways to get more traffic. The changes aren't really for me, though. I've been feeling a tug to give more away...we've been blessed so incredibly. The Lord has given me a passion for creativity...and time at home with my children. I'm praying about ways I can better use the resources He's given me to honor Him. I'll share more about this as it unfolds.

Well...if you're still reading, thank you!

How about a little giveaway? I've been doing more letter-writing this year, and I'd love to send one of you a fun little package. So, leave me a comment about something you're reading or learning about right now, and you just might get some fun mail from me next week. I'll announce a winner on Sunday!

Washi Tape Birthday Cards: A Tutorial in iPhone Pics

Good morning, friends. And happy 2013.

I've got a week's worth of posts in various stages of completion (or non-completion)...waiting to be finished. I intended to start the year off with some sort of deep, introspective post. Instead, a little washi tape tutorial. There you have it. And I'm using phone pictures. Welcome to the new year.

I ordered a collection of these cute washi tape spools from Le Box Boutique a while back, and have loved having the variety to play around with in my packaging. Stick around until the end of the post...I might just have a little discount code so you can pick up some washi for yourself.

One of my goals/plans/intentions for the year is to be better about sending birthday cards...good old-fashioned-post-office-mail. We're also trying to make better financial choices (hello, my husband is a banker). So, I spent a bit of time in my craft room last week making up a little collection of birthday cards to have on hand.

If you're human, you probably can look at a picture and figure out how to make these, but I'll go ahead and show you what I did.

1. Stamp something fun onto a gift tag...you could swap out any stamp to make a more generic card.

2. Choose some coordinating washi tape, and rip off a big piece to adhere the gift tag onto the card.

3. Add a second smaller piece of tape for a little added interest.

4. Wrap another little piece of washi tape around the envelope, just for fun.

5. That's all. So easy...but cute, right?!

You could also add some baker's twine to the top...

...embroidery thread would work, too.

So, go visit Lacey's shop: Le Box Boutique and use code OHWRITE10 for 10% off your purchase. Lacey sells washi tape by the foot...so you can start or add to your collection with some great variety.

You'll also find inspiring packaging supplies like these pillow boxes...

Happy shopping!

Christmas Market 2012

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Shawna, and I put together a fun little open-house-style Christmas Market. We invited 8 friends to join us in selling handmade wares, and enjoyed a day together of selling our goods. I cannot believe these are the only pictures I took...but I was busy!

We cleared most of the bigger furniture out of the first floor of Shawna's home to accomodate tables for the vendors. This was my little space. I sold notecards, fabric covered notebooks, and stitched artwork.

This was Shawna's table...

Shawna also sold these cute purses...

We had a great variety of items...jewelry, stationary, home decor, knit and crocheted items, bath and body products...it was a wonderful day. I even made some money! I think we'll try to make this an annual event. If you've ever thought about venturing into the world of craft shows, this was a great, low-key way to start.

Instafriday

I love looking back at my week through the lens of my phone camera...

We're still painting our kitchen cabinets...this week the island and desk got the black treatment. Brett took the afternoon off today to finish sanding the upper doors. I can't wait to have the white kitchen I've always wanted, but this is the LONGEST project in the history of projects. And it's in the kitchen, which we use all the time, so I can't try and forget about it. Ever. If you are crazy enough to decide to paint your kitchen...estimate how long it will take you and multiply that by two. Then just maybe you won't be disappointed with how long and tedious of a job it is.

Maren is very particular about what she wears. She loves this African dress from my college roommate, and wants to wear it all the time. What you can't see in this picture is the leopard print rain boots on her feet. Sweet Maren...

She still loves to play with her butterfly wings from last halloween. Thank goodness...because those things took me a long time to make. This year she's going to be a doctor...thank you Melissa and Doug for the costume I didn't have to make.

I got my new Erin Condren calendar in the mail this week...yay! And this was one of the stickers...hmmm.

I've finally been spending some time in the craft room lately...making some fun new things for fall.

I love this set...

The house is decked out for fall...although the weather hasn't quite agreed. It's been way too hot here for September. (In my opinion.) I did find a home for the chalkboard I made for our back to school pictures. I'm loving the daily reminder to praise...something I wish I didn't need to be reminded of. But I do, so I'm glad it's there.

Brett's sister is getting married this weekend, and we've got family coming to town for the big day. It's going to be a fun, busy week around here!

Happy weekend.

Cyber Monday

Happy Monday! Are you busy shopping online today? It is "Cyber Monday", you know!? I've got lots of fun things in my shop that would make great gifts for teachers, friends, sisters, daughters, etc. Come by and take a look!

Head over to Mique's for some more great deals today!

November Gift Guide

This month's gift guide is inspired by books. I love to read and this season of cooler weather and longer nights always reignites my desire to curl up with a good book. Enjoy!

{for a baby}

{source}

{for a girl}

{source}

{for a boy}

{source}

{for a lady}

{source}

{for a gentleman}

{source}

{for a friend}

{source}

{for the newlyweds}

{source}

{another gift I just think is really cool!}

{source}

Short and Sweet Saturday...a Winner!

Wow...this day just flew by. My sweet husband spent the morning with the kids so I could enjoy a few hours of shopping...alone! It was such a treat to actually browse just for fun, and to carry a small bag instead of a huge diaper bag. I returned home refreshed and with a couple new things to add to my cold-weather wardrobe. It's true that since becoming a mom my wardrobe has become significantly smaller and simpler. Still, I like to put forth a little effort to look nice, especially for my husband who is such an amazing partner on this parenting journey.

I picked up this lovely sweater...

Loft had 50% off all sale prices today {yay!} and I was lucky to find the last of these sweaters in my size.

So...now that you've been entranced by my shopping escapades of the day, how about a little winner announcement?

Shelley! You get to pick out a set of notecards from my shop. Email me with your choice and I'll get them in the mail to you next week.

I hope you're enjoying this autumn weekend!

A few things...

Happy Wednesday! Did you know that November is nablopomo?

No?

Well, it is, and I'm going to do my best to post every.single.day. We'll see how that goes!

Today is a snow day. So far we've worked on letters, built a fort in the family room, played with the neighborhood kids in the snow, made chalk-art...and all before nap-time. I love cozy days at home with my kids!


This little man loves the bouncy seat. We pulled it out of the basement last week, much to his delight!



Why must children's toys be so cumbersome and crazy-looking? Seriously...it looks like Truett could orbit the moon in this contraption, doesn't it?



Yes, Maren is wearing shorts and a t-shirt today. She dressed herself this morning and I guess she's not going to let go of summer without a fight!
And yes, the pictures of Maren are blurry...she was a swiftly moving target this morning. I probably just need to learn how to use my camera a little better.

I made these for Life Group tonight...

{Source: via Pinterest}

They have chocolate chips and pretzels in them, and they are just as delicious as they look. Thank goodness, because the last time I tried a recipe from Pinterest, I was grossly disappointed!

A set of my notecards was featured in a fun hedgehog treasury. If you want to see some sweet little items, go check it out!

So, how about a little snow-day giveaway? Leave a comment with your favorite snow-day activity...and you might just win your choice of a set of notecards from my shop!*

*I'll announce the winner on Saturday morning!*