Shop Announcement and some Recent Custom orders

Friends, there are so many joys I have with this adventure of working from home, doing something I absolutely love. However, the one struggle I am facing recently is the skill in walking away from work. My workspace is in our "eat-in kitchen" (cough, cough).... okay, and slowly spreads to the homeschool room, the living room, the garage, and the office. And usually there is a stack of signs lining the entryway of our house waiting to be picked up. And often lining my server (turned paint cabinet). And you just never know when you might find one drying on one of the bar stools, or on a humid day you might find one (or three) lying on the living room floor under the ceiling fan.

I normally take a scheduled break immediately following Christmas. However, this year I am feeling the need to have a break a little sooner than that. Last year back to school time was a slower time for me, so I chose these dates to attempt to more naturally coincide with that time of year.

****** The last date to order so that your sign will be able to be made and shipped/picked up will be Friday, August 28, 11:59 pm. After that my shop will reopen on Saturday, September 12. If you need your sign before those dates or in the next week after I reopen please order early. Thank you all so much for understanding!!!******

AND NOW! The fun!

 Customized Mark 10:9 with first names and wedding date. Shown in black and white. Sign measures approximately 12"x24".

 Custom phrase done on pallet wood. Shown in bridgeport gray wash and charcoal lettering. Sign measures approximately 16"x20".

 Custom phrase. Background is distressed black over dark walnut stain with cream lettering. Measures approximately 17"x24".

 Custom stamped baby onesie.

 Custom phrase for above a girl's double bed. Shown in black, white, and pops of coral blush. Sign measures approximately 36"x12".

 Custom verses for a Texas wedding. Mark 10:8 and Mark 10:9 done in coordinating fonts and colors. Shown in Cabernet stain and magnolia white lettering. Signs measure 12"x18".

 Custom phrase for an Etsy customer. Shown in gp purple and magnolia white lettering. This little sweetie measures about 9.5"x12".

I hope you all enjoyed looking at these as much as I liked making them! Thank you all for you continual support. It's a fun journey!

Intentionally Uncomfortable

Some of you may be surprised to know that I like to be comfortable. Although I'm rather outgoing, I like to be outgoing within the confines of my comfort zone. Does that make sense?

As the school year was ending I knew I wanted the three oldest girls to take swim lessons. Everything within me wanted to take them to the pool I grew up using. This pool is about 15-18 minutes from our home. However, there is a pool in my own community which is only a 7 minute drive. It seems like a no-brainer, but I so wanted to take the girls to MY pool.

Maggie tends to be the "pet" in every class she is a part of. :)

Since the girls are homeschooled, I feel it is really important for them to get to know people in our community. At some point I imagine they will go to public school or play sports or be involved with others in the community, and I want them to have prior experiences to build on these future relationships. They will not have that opportunity if I take them out of our community for extracurricular activities.

Snacks were the way to keep Caroline contented during the hour we were at the pool.

So we went for it. On the second day I struck up conversation with a mom with six children - she had a child in a class with Maggie, and a child in the class with Anne and Abbey. She was really wonderful and kind. There were several other moms who I had the opportunity to chat with and who my girls made friends with their children. We were able to reconnect with one of the helpers from the VBS that the girls attended, and also saw some of the families from swimming at the grocery store. Small things, for sure, but it really made me start to feel a part of our community.

Abbey was hesitant in the beginning but worked hard and was such a great listener!

Sometimes, what may feel uncomfortable at first turns out to be just what was needed. I'm looking forward to more ways to build relationships within this wonderful community in which I live.

Anne jumping off the diving board. By the end of the second week she could jump off with no one there to catch her and without a floatation device.