scripture for your walls :: Blossom & Vine

I started writing a blog, not because I intended to make friends or find a community.  It was simply to write and document and share my thoughts on life and whatnot.  It started to surprise me when random people who I hardly knew would share with me that they read my blog.  Then, other people started finding me.  People who I didn't even know.  People who live on the other side of the country.  Sharing life with me.

Now, my favorite part of blogging is the friends I have made.  Kindred spirits who read about my triumphs and my dirt and share an, "amen!" and a "with you sister" to spur me on.  Writers who have become friends.  Who share their own hearts that I so identify with and are a tremendous encouragement in my life.  

Aly is one of those people.  

I've highlighted her shop over here before, and I'm going to do it again, because if you haven't taken the time to check out this gal's talent in getting God's word on your walls, you should.

Aly has a sweet shop called Blossom and Vine, where she writes scripture and faith quotes creatively for the walls of homes.  She has done some re-designing and her new prints are available starting TODAY at her shop re-launch!

This dear friend sent me a few as a preview.

Aren't they gorgeous?  And so needed for my walls.

I love the idea of having this kind of encouragement and prayers displayed where I can soak it up every day.  I need more of this.

Aly is giving 30% off to the first ten orders she receives today, so you should rush on over to her sweet shop to take a look to see what fits in your home.  And stop by her blog also, because she's running fantastic deals all week to celebrate this re-launch.  And because this girl shares her heart so well and is such a great encouragement to me to continue to do the same.

And this week only, my readers get to use the promo code of JOY15 to get 15% off your order!  If you do get some prints, I'd love to see them on your walls!!  Instagram or comment with your prints!

Thanks Aly!

a handmade christmas

I'm certain none of you are last minute shoppers.  You all probably have it all together and gifts are cutely wrapped under the tree.

Then again, you do follow my blog, so maybe we are more alike than I think?

In that case, you've barely started.

I thought I'd share some of my favorite handmade gifts from some of my favorite crafters and bloggers. Let's keep it simple.  Here's the list that you have to check out.


blossom & vine print shop
You've seen her guest post over here, and if you haven't stopped by to read her words, you really really should.  I love Aly's heart and she is one GIFTED lady as well.  She designs prints for your home.  Some are even hand drawn.  The one below is one of my favorites.  And I am a HUGE fan of scripture on my walls.

Urban City Organics

I received some skin care products from Urban City Organics after winning a giveaway on Fancy Little Things.  I hadn't heard anything of it, but was VERY pleasantly surprised at the quality of these products!  I have been using it for weeks now, and my skin has stayed moisturized even in this dry winter weather.  And all of their products are all natural with no harmful ingredients.  

 

Creating Dandelions

Another dear blogger friend with a heart of gold.  Amy is about to pop with her second sweet babe and is still cranking out the most adorable things for her etsy shop.  Seriously, check out this Denae doll.  If I had a daughter, she would absolutely have one of these.  I gotta say I am excited that her next babe is a boy so I can see what crafty treasures she'll come up with for a boy.  

Tugboat Yarning

This sweet little shop is owned by my long-time friend Maggie.  Long-time as in, since 6th grade.  She is one of the craftiest people I know.  I think she can make anything.  And one of the most creative!  She has some of the funnest (funnest?) items in her shop.  I especially love the idea behind her "Box of Blooms".  A unique way to let someone know they are loved, cherished, and remembered.  I just adore it.  And who can resist a baby in a crocheted helmet?

Take the Cannoli

Natalie makes the most gorgeous hand stitched hoops.  These are just perfect for any girls space.  Grown or little.  A super creative way to get truth on your walls.  I can't wait to own one of these someday.

The Style Hatch

Another multi-talented lady.  Nicole recently surprised us with some prints she designed, but I'm talking today about her funky and stylish jewelry!  Perfect for a stocking stuffer.  Or, stop by and take a look at her prints that I am eyeing for a future brothers room.  

There you have some of my faves.  Hopefully this will give you some ideas for those hard-to-find people.  Or maybe something to add to YOUR list.  In any case, you are helping to support a handmade-creating Mama and that makes the gift that much more meaningful.

I was not asked to or compensated in any way for recommending any of these products.  I just love these items and the ladies that make them!

little things for big change

I am so excited to have Aly over here today from Blossom.  Aly has been a favorite writer of mine for some time, and I'm so grateful for the friendship that is forming!  I invited her over here today to share her heart and some of the awesome things she is doing to grow the kingdom.  In the meantime, I am over at her blog talking about a delicious DIY Christmas gift!  I hope you will make Aly feel at home here. :-)

you know those days where you just feel like you're playing catch-up from the minute your feet hit the floor? the baby woke up four times, screaming from those stubborn teeth. the three year old is whining about the toast, she wants more butter. your husband accidentally overslept and he needs you to iron his shirt and you forgot to switch the laundry so his pants aren't dry.

the thing is, i have these days frequently. like, more often than not. maybe it's our season of life with two young girls, but maybe it's just me? either way, i'm tired. and sometimes i'm really ungrateful and my heart can get ugly. i want to pay someone to clean my house, but we can't afford it. we have too much house and it costs too much money. i'm overworked and underpaid, and while i'm at it? out of shape and my ragged hair hasn't been trimmed in months.

sometimes my emotions can just spiral out of control until i'm reeling about something that had nothing to do with anything in the first place. if it's not one thing it's another. i can always find something to be ungrateful for.

but then something like hurricane sandy hits, and suddenly my perspective jolts back to reality. it ravages the east coast and destroys whatever's in its path. and disappears leaving us with the mess. the media covers it for a few days, absolutely non-stop, and then they pick up and pack up leaving everyone behind. just like that the rest of the world moves on with their lives, forgetting anything ever happened. we're junkies that way, tragedies are like fads for some reason. we move on to the next one as soon as it leaps across our screen.

hurricane sandy moved me. all those sleepless nights with the teething baby? they don't seem so hard. the laundry and the dishes and the ironing? at least my home is intact, warm. at least my people are healthy and safe.

did you read about the woman who lost both of her boys in the raging current as it ripped them from her arms? absolutely devastating. it takes my breath away to read it again. my children are sitting next to me as i write, playing and giggling. i have so much to be thankful for.

i read about the families who were displaced and still living in temporary shelters as winter sets in to the northeast. food, water, warmth. those are their most basic needs. things that i take for granted every single minute of my life, and these are regular old folks just like you and me. everything was taken from them and they were powerless to stop it.

my heart has been heavy for these victims. and here's the thing: sometimes i can't know about an injustice or a suffering and just move on with my life, doing nothing. God will impress certain tragedies more than others. sure, i'm just one girl. but you know what? i also have a little print shop. and maybe i can't drop everything and give up a month of my life on the ground in the midst of the suffering. but what i do have? a little stream of income that i can steward in a way that makes a tiny dent. because lots of little dents make a really big dent, don't you agree? it's not glamorous or mind-blowing, it's just simple math. if lots of us do a little bit, big things can happen and communities can rebuild and people can feel loved and cared for.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."

- Mother Teresa

so a few of my friends and i got together and said, "hey. let's donate some of our sales for november and december for hurricane sandy relief". and that's what we're doing. you can read more about each shop-owner here. so far i've been able to donate just over $100 to this cause, and i'll be donating 25% of all shop proceeds for the rest of december. 

[click to get to my shop]

** the last day to order for Christmas delivery is next friday, december 14, but i will be donating all of december sales. so come back with your Christmas money or etsy gift card and you can still help!

thanks for your time, friends. and thanks Lindsy for having me!