Rags to Stitches

May

28

Not Just….

One of the things I’m learning as I work through the Soul Detox Bible study #shereadstruth is just how much toxic words can affect your life without you even knowing it. For me, sometimes it’s words that pop in my head that cause me to feel less than.

Maybe less than isn’t the right word…. or phrase.

I think sometimes it’s easy for me to forget all the things I am and not get caught up in the things I’m not.

{Wore: Dress & Belt – Anthropologie // Sweater – Nordstrom // Necklace – Three Sisters Jewelry // Bangles – Target // Watch – Michele}

I’m not a good house cleaner.

I don’t like to fold laundry.

I’m not good at decorating our home because I am still learning what my style is.

I’m not always good at calling my friends back.

I struggle with getting distracted.

But see the thing about these words are that, that’s exactly what they are… words

Toxic thoughts that the enemy uses to keep me from focusing on what He wants for my life.

And that’s not what God wants me to fill my heart and mind with.

He wants me to remember that:

I am His child born to worship and serve him.

I am a wife who loves spending time with my husband encouraging him to peruse all his passions. A wife who has stood by his side since the day he began his own business 7 1/2 years ago and continues to love his enthusiasm for life.

I’m a mom who loves to snuggle with my children.

Who freely gives out hugs and kisses.

Puts bandaids on boo boo’s.

Prays with my children before bed.

Sings songs and dances around like a crazy person just to make them laugh.

I’m also a woman who longs to have a heart after Gods.

Who longs for time with him daily.

And knows that despite my struggles that make me somedays feel less than, that I’m doing the best that I can.

This week I’m working on telling those toxic thoughts to take a hike. You can no longer make me feel like I can’t reach for my goals, that I’m not making the cut today as a mom, that I’m missing the mark. Isn’t it funny how those toxic thoughts work?! They dig up insecurities you didn’t even realize you had.

But I’m determined to let God’s blessings outweigh those thoughts. How about you? Will you take a stand with me agains those toxic thoughts?

Today is the hubby’s birthday and so I’m going to be spending the day hopefully making him feel special and spoiled and most of all loved!

Babe, I love you and I can’t wait to spend this week… and weekend, celebrating YOU!

Thank you for everything you’ve been to me, without you I’m incomplete.

You have been my biggest encourager, and I’m forever grateful that God gave you to me.

Love you so much!

I’m linking up with my lovely friend Lindsey this week.

Posted by Rags to Stiches | 7 comments

May

28

What’s in my Bag {New Products}

lifestyle

Happy Monday & a Happy Memorial Day friends.

What do y’all have going on today?

We’re putting in new toilets {yes ourselves} and then tonight we’re headed out to dinner with the family tonight to celebrate the hubby’s birthday.

Today I’m linking up with my sweet friend for some What’s in Your Bag goodness.

and…. I’ve gone some NEW products to share with you!

Woop!

Say hello to my purse.

I seriously love this bag.

It’s big, spacious, can hold all my Mommy stuff and doesn’t make me feel like I carry a diaper bag around.

See what I mean about fitting all my mommy stuff?

Did you spot my the new product in my bag?!

It’s a Large Size Neon Bow Zippered Pouch.

I’m so excited about this new product .

I’m using it in my purse for my make up, but you can use it for this too!!

What a great way to carry your DSLR around without worrying it’ll get bumped in your purse.

Each Zippered Pouch comes in two colors: Coral & Tangerine

I’ve also added a Neon Bow iCozy to the shop!

Ready to go shopping?!

Here’s a little Memorial Day discount for you.

10% off using the code NEONLOVE

Happy Shopping!

Posted by Rags to Stiches | 1 comments

May

24

Coffee Date: Not for the Faint Hearted

lifestyle

Hi Loves,

Happy Friday!

Can you believe it’s Friday already? It feels like it’s been a pretty long week around here.

If we had coffee today I’d tell you I haven’t been to bed before 1am any night this week.

I would tell you that I’m working on a new something something.

It’ll be in the shop soon!

But even though I’m exhausted, it’s a happy exhaustion and I can honestly say my heart is full.

I would tell you how for the first time in a year I’m working on a Bible study with friends.

It’s from the YouVersion Bible App and it’s called Soul Detox.

….it’s amazing!!

If you want to join, we would love that. On Twitter, use the hashtag #shespeakstruth & #souldetox

Today we’re on Day 9.

I would also tell you that’s it’s amazing what a daily reminder about purifying our hearts and minds of toxic thoughts can do to prepare you for your day. The words I’ve read have really helped me focus on the Lord’s truth rather than the enemies lies.

Are you a part of this study with us? What do you think?

Then I would tell you this is happening in my house right now.

Or I should say attempting to happen.

When I say attempting it means that this kid wants to spend half the day tinkling in the potty and the other half in his pull up.

Oy Vey!

Boys are a whole different animal.

Any tips for getting this kid fully potty trained before I loose my mind?

If we were having coffee today what would you tell me?

If you’re linking up today, please:

- Link directly to your post

- Include a link back in your post so others can join us for coffee.

- Visit another friend for coffee today.

Posted by Rags to Stiches | 12 comments

May

24

Making the Switch to Natural Bliss #NaturalBlissWM

lifestyle

It’s no secret to any of you that I’m a huge coffee drinker. So much so that when I go without having my morning coffee I’m the slightly grouchier, over tired, cranky version of my normally happy self. I love coffee so much that many of you have joined me on a Friday or two for a virtual coffee date.

In the past I’ve loaded my coffee up with Coffee Mate’s Vanilla Creamer. I tend to blow through it because I’m one of those, “ummm do you want some coffee with your creamer?” kind of coffee gals. You can go ahead and admit it, you know you are too. Well now that I’m working out with my gal pal Jillian Michaels and we’re working on our 30-day shred, it was time to start cutting calories in my everyday life. I contemplated cutting out a meal, I mean who really needs breakfast, but quickly learned that coffee + no breakfast = a very over caffeinated shaky lady.

So…. I was beyond excited when I heard that Coffee Mate had come out with an all natural creamer. I’m talking all natural, like only 4 ingredients, no preservatives and way healthier for you kind of natural. Ummm, insert one very excited lady here. Off I went to Walmart in search of Coffee Mates Natural Bliss Creamer, but not before I printed this super great coupon first. It was really easy to find in Walmart’s refrigerator section. I was a little bummed they only had one of the three available flavors, but since I love vanilla creamer so much, my sadness was short-lived.

I brought it home, tried it and loved it! The flavor is great, in fact I love the more subtle vanilla taste in my coffee, but what I really love is that it’s all natural and only contains four ingredients: milk and cream, sugar and vanilla. It also is great for people who need to find products that are gluten free. So you’re welcome gluten free eaters, you can now go back to drinking coffee with lots of yummy creamer like me.

To see more of my shopping adventure you can check out my Google+ Album. You can also read more about Coffee Mate Natural Bliss creamer and follow them on Facebook to hear about their latest flavors and coupons. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to enjoy another cup of coffee and catch up on my DVR’d shows.

Are you a gotta have creamer in my coffee kinda girl too? Have you tried the new Natural Bliss creamer yet?

“This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, #Cbias but seriously I love Natural Bliss creamer and y’all need to try it too”

Posted by Rags to Stiches | 11 comments

May

24

SNAP Recap: Having a Handmade Biz

lifestyle

If you missed my recap of the Blogging Basics sessions, you can check it out here.

The second session I attended at SNAP Conference was Happy Chaos: turning a passion into a business – learn how to take your passion and get out of hobby-mode. It was a great session and I got to hear the lovely Lindsey, Ashlee, Jess and Liz speak about how they transformed their creations into a business.

This sessions was a Q & A so what I’m sharing are things that I learned from what they talked about.

First things first.

What you need:

* Doing Business As (DBA)

*Business License

* Sellers Permit

* Tax ID Number (in some cases this is very helpful)

* Online Storefront. I recommend checking out Storevny

Your Products:

* Love what you make…. especially since depending on sales you could be making a lot of them.

ASK YOURSELF:

Is your product different from everything else you see?

* Pay attention to what items you make that other people love. You’ll know this by comments made and what items or colors in your shop get purchased most often.

* Get feedback from your customers!!

* VALUE your product —> VALUE your customer

—> If you get to the point where you can’t do it, hire someone to help you.

Your Time:

* It’s important so don’t de-value it!!

Many of us are Mom’s who either stay at home and take care of the kids or work a full time job during the day and run your handmade business on the side. Therefore it’s important to calculate your time to make, photograph, package, ship and promote your items into your cost.

So folks, this is my nice way of saying… you’re not doing yourself or anyone else any favors by under pricing your items.

Finding Balance:

It’s always hard to find ways to balance real life with your handmade business. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a handmade business, it just means you need to know your schedule, prioritize, get organized manage your time well.

*Hire help if you need it. This can be for help printing shipping labels, packaging, going to the Post Office or even helping you make you’re products.

* Learn to let go of some things so you can be a good wife/mom

* Let go of things that maybe you aren’t so good at. For example, I’d love to hire an intern that is a college photography student. I could have that person take product pics and promo pics that they could use in their own portfolio, but also have them help me with packing and shipping. Ahh, in a perfect world, right?

Finding the Right Person to Help You:

* Be flexible: start with a trial period.

*Find someone who is trustworthy and a hard worker

* And again – Don’t be afraid to let go of things and delegate the responsibility so you have more time to make your products.

I hope y’all were able to find some of this info as helpful as I did. The women who spoke are incredible and know so much about the ins and outs of the Handmade world.