I am teaching a how-to tonight at my church about setting up an shop on etsy. I've just passed the fifth anniversary of the shop this year, and over the years I've picked up a few tips and tricks that might be of value. I'm really looking forward to sharing what I know, and while most of my blog readers don't live in the Dallas area, I thought some of you might be interested in my lecture notes.
So tonight, after the meeting, I'll post a pdf of my notes below for all to share. **update! you can download here: Download Notes for teaching** It won't have everything, and it might not be super-organized, but still it might be helpful to you as you are opening your first etsy shop. So check back here tonight! Or if you go to my church, maybe I'll see you there!
Squeezing in a few minutes here and there to knit with my new cotton yarn.
I decided to make some scrubby dish cloths. I love washing up with them, and my old ones were getting a little scuzzy. I would make some for the shop, but to be honest, they take too long to make! But I'll be back later to share the knitting pattern so you can make your own. See you Monday!
I have been sucked into a spiralling vortex of adoption sites and fund raising ideas for adoptive families, and I have Jen Hatmaker to thank for it. Ok, maybe not just her. This has been weighing heavily on me for a while now.
So when my dad asked me to enter a piece of art into the 2012 Southwest Dallas Arts Festival, I didn't have to look far for inspiration--especially since the theme this year is "Discarded / Reclaimed."
Here's a shot of the finished piece, right before I popped it in its frame.
But the finished piece isn't really the whole picture. I treated the canvas as a prayer journal and layered thoughts, prayers, hopes, fears, and more onto the surface while I prayed (and wept) over them.
I've done this a couple times before, and I've always been a little sad that the first layers are forever covered by the later ones. So this time I took photos along the way--a lot of photos--and compiled them into a video. I'd love for you to take a look!
Throughout the process, I noticed a circular effect of overwhelming grief followed by hope and rejoicing. Over and over the Holy Spirit took me through this. I found I was spending a lot of time looking at the faces of waiting foster children in Texas. And when I told some people this, many of them told me I needed to stay away from that sight--it's just too sad. But doesn't that seem a little strange? Is avoiding the problem ever going to help find families for these kids? If I look away, it might prevent some pain in my heart, but those children are still living it every day.
Finally, I realized that this was the final message I wanted to get across concerning the orphans and adoption. Don't look away; don't close your eyes. In fact, do the opposite. Seek out an orphan, find out a little something about her, and pray your heart out. Ask your adopting friends how you can help. Maybe you can have a garage sale in their honor to help with legal fees? Lastly, don't let yourself forget that they exist. They do, and we are responsible to help. Deuteronomy 16 talks a lot about feasts. "...and you shall rejoice in your feast...and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst." Don't you know that we are all sitting down to our own feasts--yes even in this difficult economy--and we all have something we could share.
Here are a couple of resources you might want to check out.
I just realized that in the last three days, I've talked about sewing, knitting, and painting. It's spring break and projects are all vying for my attention.
Anyway, I'm not painting yet--just dreaming.
Now if I could just focus on one thing long enough to cross something off my list!
I was so inspired by these yarn colors, I just had to bring them home with me. Now I just need to find a good project to use them in. Do I have any knitters out there?
What would you do with these 100% cotton pretties?
My 32nd birthday is this Saturday, but Donnie treated me to an early gift.
He took me (and the littlest E) to the big city--totally on a whim!
My friend Amanda lives there, so we had a great place to stay. For three days we saw the sights, explored the neighborhoods, and ate the food of New York City.
What a fun time we had! It's a little tricky navigating the city with a baby, but I felt like I was getting the hang of it by the time we left! I would go back any time. If you are thinking of taking a baby to New York, it might be worth your time to research restaurants that have highchairs. Most do not.
This was the first trip Donnie and I have taken together (outside ministry) since our honeymoon, almost 9 years ago. Now that I have a taste for it, we will not be waiting so long before the next one.
We used block printing ink to stamp a half-dozen cards with matching envelopes.
But the real gift was the stamp itself. I found this cool vintage block in the kids' toy box. Remember to stamp the image onto the top of the block BEFORE you glue the rubber to the block! We glued it on using some jewelry glue I already had. (Be sure to use industrial adhesives in a well-ventilated place, or you will get a headache.)
We gave Donnie the stamp, the cards, and some ink pads as a little "I love you" gift. Writing notes to kids in his youth group is a huge part of his ministry, so this kit should get plenty of use. Don't you remember how great it felt to get an encouraging note from an adult in your life? I do. I still have some of them.
It's not easy to come up with a handmade gift that's suitable for men, but this one works, I think. It would be great for Father's Day, a birthday, or for just because, like this one.
XOXO-- Anna
P.S. We sourced a few of the supplies from this project on Amazon to get you started! And don't forget to leave a link to your version of this handmade gift in the comments!
Hello! I'm so glad you found me! I believe in living life with purpose and creativity, and I want to inspire you to do the same with project tutorials, craft ideas, and funny stories of real family life. Follow me as I strive to find the joy in every day!
