pure joy

Posted on 2013/05/21 by daisyeyes

I can be a pretty serious person. I take things to close to heart and can become pretty defensive, pretty quickly. God brought a husband into my life that is crazy silly. And I’ve spent so many years not really appreciating that in him. I’ve spent too many years missing things because of this seriousness that leads to clenched hands trying to grasp control.

Last night I welcomed home my closest friend and her new little beauty from overseas. There is something about waiting for someone in an airport that you haven’t seen or talked to for weeks; added to the fact that you finally get to meet this little person that we’ve all been anxiously praying for for years and years. It was about as close to pure joy as you can get.

I’m reading Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe, by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. It’s a super book so far, totally refreshing to read no matter what stage of parenting you are in, but it’s Sally Clarkson that reminds me that the seriousness in me is so smothering. It smothers the freedom and joy that I can have when I wake up every day anticipating life just as I kept looking through those glass doors last night for a glimpse of my friend.

Last night was a great reminder that despite what horribleness happens in the world (oh, how we are praying for Oklahoma) everyday is filled with anticipation. And we have a choice to take that anticipation with stoic seriousness or to open ourselves up to trust.

It’s a chance for us to shower our families, our callings, our anything with grace and joy. His grace and joy.

being courageous

Posted on 2013/05/19 by daisyeyes

One of my favorite Psalms is the 27th one.
I have sweet memories of setting the first few verses to song with one of my closest friends in high school and I still sing it in my head.

But lately, I cling to the promise in the closing verses:

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

These are the verses running through my head as I stepped out yesterday. These are the verses that I claim for almost every step I take right now. When I walk on a path that seems to be crazy or unknown, I cling to the promise that God is good and I will see His goodness.

But we have to know that His goodness isn’t worldly prosperity.
His goodness isn’t the amount of money we have in the bank.

His goodness is the courage to step out in faith.
His goodness is manna…all the grace we need right at that moment.
He gives me grace to mother my children when I’m all out.
He gives me grace to talk to a stranger.
He gives me grace to share my gifts and talents with others.
He gives me grace to be a wife full of respect for her husband.

All is grace.
And we will see His goodness.

stepping out

Posted on 2013/05/18 by daisyeyes

Today was a lesson in stepping out, bravery, humility and ignoring the voices of doubt.
I’ve participated in group sales a few times previously, but this weekend was the first time I had participated in a large event. Like a bring your own tent, set it up and make it look nice and then watch people come in and look over your stuff.

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been furiously building up stock, figuring out what to sell and how much to price things. I’ve been figuring out things like sales tax and what to say to people when the ask about certain things and how to “sell” yourself. But nothing, nothing preps you for how to handle the barrage of people who might walk into your booth, glance at your stuff and then walk out.

Today was a lesson in being free and courageous. My personality loves etsy. I have time to respond to people’s requests. I will more than likely never have to see the person that I might have rolled my eyes at. And I don’t have to sell myself with my personality…I just have to do it with photos and the words I write.
So.much.safer.

So, today was successful in an emotional way (sadly not a monetary way). It forced me to see something through. To keep climbing this crazy trying to start a business learning curve that never stops. It forced me to step waaaay out of my comfort zone and to stop listening to the voices of doubt. Because my worth is not in how many people bought (or didn’t) stuff. Whether I’m “doing the right thing” with this path I’m on isn’t dictated by how many people walked into my booth.

I’m proud of what I’m doing. I’m convinced that I’m doing what our gracious God would have me do and I’m thankful. I’m thankful for opportunities to stretch myself, but also beyond thankful for the security of my home.

more looking back

Posted on 2013/05/08 by daisyeyes

Looking back through the archives again is so thrilling and fun. I remember all the things I was making when I started this little adventure into sewing and business making.

This post reminded me of how much I love these bibs and it has been forever since I made any of them. I remember there was one with a lion that was probably one of my favorite things ever I have stitched. Then these nursery rhyme themed t-shirts were fun too!

Then there was the time that I was mentioned on Sew Mama Sew’s blog for this awesome outfit by Children’s Corner. Funny, I don’t even remember this!

Here was my first try at writing a tutorial for a Leapster Bag that I designed. It had some major flaws (math is not my strong suit) but served both my children well for the years since.

One of my most popular posts has been our Easter Tomb tradition. I have to admit that as my children have grown older, we aren’t so effective at really taking the time and effort to do this. We did do it this year, but our sweet tomb was lacking in the key element of the Crosses. But it was still a great tradition and reminder of traditions that we have in our family.

And then I started the huge quilt project. I’m walking through the archives of the years 2008-09 and in 2009, I started to make a quilt for my daughter’s room. It’s still held together and I hope it’s something that she’ll take off to college with her.

And this is by far one of my most favorite things I’ve sewn ever.

That’s about all the looking back time I’ve got for today. I’m doing my first vendor experience at the local farmer’s market in less than 2 weeks so I have to get busy…like seriously nose to the grindstone busy.

reflections

Posted on 2013/04/13 by daisyeyes

I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA here lately. I’ve been happily swamped with orders and busy with just life and haven’t had the time or space to really put anything good in this place. I’ve long wanted to be able to be one of those bloggers who are consistent with little daily or monthly themes and can’t seem to keep it going. I’m processing through what I want for this space and hoping in the next few weeks to fine tune it a little.

In the meantime I’ve been reflecting a little bit on my story. I started this blog around the time I had my daughter, so more than 6 years ago. It was a place to journal and share sewing projects. My etsy shop gradually grew out of this space and lately it’s become more of a place to showcase new items I’ve been working on. I long for the simplicity that I had with it in the beginning, but I’m beyond grateful for where I am now and the support of so many that have gotten me there.

If you don’t know it, I have an about page on etsy and also there is a tab on the blog too where you can read a little about my journey, but I thought it might be fun to do a couple of posts to really document it; a way of counting gifts.

I started out blogging on blogger and quickly moved over to wordpress. I spent more time journaling in those early days more than anything. This was my very first post announcing the new blog and it’s been crazy funny to read back over those early posts.

This beauty was my first entry into an embroidery contest! I’m pretty sure I didn’t win and man have I come a long way with taking photographs!

And this was one of my first sewing projects for my cousin’s little girl: it was a clothespin doll apron. Truly that is sort of a lie…this was one of my first tutorial-ish from the web sort of things sewing projects.

Up until this point I had pretty much just sewn straight from patterns. I had never taken an idea from something and tried to make it my own. It has probably been one of the projects in the back of my mind that I would love to try again.

And here’s my watermelon girl. When I think of the beginning of my embroidery journey, this is what I think of. It is probably my more favorite thing I have ever stitched. It was one of my first items on etsy so many years ago.

I leave you with a few more pictures from the early years…

my first garment from Japanese fabrics which led to a fascination that still continues…

still one of my top searched for posts…my first fairy wand and first garment made exclusively from an online tutorial

my first introduction into Heather Ross. If I knew when I bought this fabric how popular and hard to find it would be I would have bought yards and yards. This bag lasted my hubs many good years but sadly it got trashed recently because it fell apart.

My sweet grandmother. This woman is my idol when I think of the seamstress and creator I long to be. I really should just do a whole post with pictures of the things she made for me while I was growing up.

Clearly I have come a long way in the photos I will include on my posts…seriously what was I thinking!?

And although I’m not fond of sharing photos of myself, I thought I would share this one. (but check out those hideous walls in the background. Yellow sponge paint! Thankfully we have new beautiful blue walls now!)

years and years

Posted on 2013/04/02 by daisyeyes

I was laying in relaxation at the end of my yoga class today thinking about years.
Today I am thirty-eight years.
I laid there thinking of what a blessing those thirty-eight years are.
Those years are more than memories, more than days that I was allowed to wake up again.
They are an amazing passage of time full of such rich things.
Then I started thanking God for the almost sixteen years with my husband.
The almost ten years with my son and six with my daughter.
If I started thinking of friendships that I have…
there are so many people in my life that I have connections with that strand so many years back.
What an amazing blessing that the strand is still connected and going on.

I am easy to become overwhelmed with expectation which leads to frustration when those expectations aren’t met.
But today I am walking through with an intention to be at ease.
(can you tell I’ve been in yoga class;)
An intention to savor this day that numbers another year.
It numbers another year of grace.
Grace that I’ve been gifted with by the One who has graciously given me all these years.

what’s up…

Posted on 2013/02/18 by daisyeyes

Things are a little nutty around here. That’s the way life goes I guess.
The stomach bug reared it’s ugly head for at least a week last week and boy I’m so happy to see it gone.

We sold almost every table and chair we own this weekend in less than 24 hours. Standing in our empty kitchen we both wondered if we had done something irrational (don’t answer that!) and we are now eating on my grandmothers rickety antique table that has served as a table on and off for us for more years than it should. That said, our reward is a new matching table and chairs for our upcoming anniversary. Sixteen years is a long time to wait for a matching set!

I decided to do a little local blog advertising right about the same time I was offered an interim teaching position. Great planning. But I’m clinging to the promise that the Lord never gives us more than we can handle and I’m planning on keeping the shop up and running…just the felt cape kits are on a requested basis only.

Talking about the little bit of advertising love: head on over to frugalissa finds and read about the history of my little shop, some of my favorite items and enter in a give away for either an embroidered pendant or 5 DIY felt cape sets.

And say a prayer that our family makes it through the next few weeks with me working full time, plus etsy, plus more I’m sure that I don’t even want to think about.

But you know what? Irregardless of how crazy the next few weeks are, I’m crazy thankful for this opportunity and the reality of how well God takes care of me.

If you are visiting here from frugalissa finds…consider yourself welcomed!

frames

Posted on 2013/01/29 by daisyeyes

Frames. I long for my life to fit into these nice neat frames. But more often than not, my life is like this window. Half painted, covered in grime waiting to become what it should be.

I want my life to fit into these little squares. But more often than not my life overflows out of these little boxes. Not enough space to write all the things that I think need to be done or have to be done. And that is the issue. I have a choice each day to say “yes” and to say “no.” My “no’s” allow me to say “yes” to other things and my “yes’” open myself up to so much.

This is what my life should be framed by. My family. My husband and my children. That I would let my boxes and frames overflow with grace and love for them and for those that come into contact with our family. That I wouldn’t live life rushing through it thinking that it’s all over if I don’t cross off all those words in those little boxes.

These frames…they are a beautiful picture. A puzzle coming to life day by day. Piece by piece. Sometimes the piece doesn’t fit and I have to go searching for the next piece. But in the end, something amazing is going to come out.

Bit by bit.

thredUp beware

Posted on 2013/01/14 by daisyeyes

A few years ago I saw a review of a company called ThredUp. The concept was simple. Fill up a box of gently used clothing and then list those items and other parents were able to review all the different boxes and chose one. I did this at least 3-4 times and never had a complaint about the clothing that I had sent in. And while I had a few duds in some of my boxes, for the most part it was all represented accurately.

Recently their company decided to do away with the swapping boxes idea and become somewhat of an online consignment store. The idea is you send in a bag of clothes to them, they go through them and then chose the ones that meet their criteria and give you credit for them. You can go to their website, use their iPad app and shop for clothes online. Simple right?

I thought I would give it a try. I have a local consignment store that I love, but it’s 30 minutes from my house. The idea that I could just fill up a bag, leave it on my step for the postal worker was rather appealing. I ordered my little green dotted bag, filled it up with clothes that I would have normally taken to my local shop and waited.
And waited. And waited.

Finally I heard back from the company that I had received a whopping 80 cents for the one shirt out of 20+ items that they decided met their criteria. I was told the rest of the items were stained or ripped. Totally untrue.

After doing a little nosing around on the internet, I found blog after blog where people had written great reviews about the items they had received from ThredUp (for free to review), but comment after comment about situations like mine. They even have a multitude of complaints to the Better Business Bureau for the same thing.

So, while ThredUp may be a great place to buy clothing…DO NOT send in your clothes there. Support your local consignment store, do a clothing swap with friends, heck give that bag of clothes to someone in your community that needs them. But stay clear of that little green polka dotted bag.

a “happier” 2013 {book review part 2}

Posted on 2013/01/09 by daisyeyes

Yesterday I shared part one of my book review of Gretchen Rubin’s Happier at Home. Today I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes and some changes the book has spurred on in me.

At the back of the book, Rubin lists what she calls her “eight splendid truths”.

I love the idea of having a list of personal or family guidelines or truths. The family set is one that my husband and I are planning on establishing this year. We actually already have some that guide the behaviors, expectations and consequences in our house, but to be honest we aren’t consistent nor on the same page with them. Hopefully that will change this year.
But until I read this book, I really had not thought about writing down any sort of guidelines for my life. Obviously there are things that frame my life, namely my relationship with Jesus, but I’ve never really written them down.

Ultimately the main thing that I took from this book was pretty obvious…be me. Let our family be our family.
This came to light when I was looking through facebook status updates on New Year’s Day. Post after post I saw pictures of families celebrating with their kids at midnight and my first thought was “wow, we are so lame. We all just went to bed pretty much as normal.” But then, after arriving home from a friend’s house after ten at night and dealing with the ick that comes from that I realized…staying up waaaaaaaaaay past our regularish bedtime is not good for our family. My kids start to lose it (which in turns makes us lose it) after about ten and that is something we just have to know and realize and be ok with. It’s that old green eye of envy and comparison that makes us all think we need to conform our families or ourselves to something that we really are not.

Rubin states “in essence, happiness is being you – not trying to fit a mold or a ‘should’ happiness” and then she quotes Thomas Merton
“Finally I’m coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am.“

One of my favorite quotes was near the end of the book. It was a segment from one of the Little House books

The hardest thing for me in life is to live in the now. I’m either fussing about the past, worried about the future or ignoring the now. God graced me with a daughter who totally lives in the now and she wants you to be in it with her. She is like Laura, laying in her bed listening to all around her and taking it all in. Too often I let this part of her drive me crazy instead of letting that part of her engage me and bring me back to the center.

Rubin states, “think ~ plan forward but don’t live there. Live in the now. Thankful (not wistful) for the past, excited and ready for the future but present in the now.” That is where I want to be and where I need to be.

After all that, here are a few of my goals for this year and really my life. (many of these are “stolen” from Rubin herself)

1. be me. and be ok with that. Confidence is my new word.
2. Give warm greetings and farewells to my family and any of those I greet.
3. For 15 minutes a day tackle one project that I keep putting off (to begin with I’m editing photos from 2012 and making our yearly photobook)
4. The wicked iPhone: first I turned off all email alerts on the iPhone and iPad. Something about that little “ding” made me feel important and made everything else seem unimportant. Next I am working on my habit of picking up my phone at every stop light. Is my life really so important that something is going to happen from one stop light to the next and I’ll miss it. Hardly.
5. Underreact to a problem. If you know me…enough said.
6. Treat people the way I want them to treat me. I preach this to my children all the time, but um, to myself?
7. Be cheerful. Give gold stars. Express gratitude. Sound pleased and engaged.
8. Give up on the idea that “I will be happier ~ more content ~ joyful when such and such happens” Live and be grateful for now.