Thankful Thursday: Labels

Thank you Deana Farrell for inspiring today’s message…..

Who are you? I mean your “identity” beyond titles, labels and your history?  For me, this is a tough one because I never knew who I was so I was always used a “label”……

 

“Who are you?” is a really powerful question.  With so many of us are looking for personal growth you would think it would be an easy one to answer.  What is the first thing you think of when you are asked this question????

For me, I would usually answer: what I did – mom or social worker or now retired.  Occasionally I would say self-employed.  I have friends who would answer with one of these:

• what we are working, wishing and hoping for (nope this one wasn’t for me)
• who means the most to us and
• where we’ve been and how we got to where we are

But, who are you? Think about it for a moment. Can you answer the question without rattling off your rank, title or accomplishments?  I know I can’t or at least I couldn’t before walking back into the doors of NA 16 months ago.  I was always a label, never knowing who I was.  A pretty scary thought.  I may not have an answer but I am working on one…

I’m a wife, a mom, retired social worker, MS warrior, grant writer, Jesus lover, entrepreneur, reader, blogger, daughter, sister, friend, encourager, crafter, recovering addict,  jean wearing, often a hot mess who is making progress to being a better version of me! If I really thought about it, I’m sure the list could go on and on…. just like yours, right?

My list reflects my story,  labels given to me by others, some I cherish while others I struggle with.  I remember (vaguely) a time when I had it all right – years ago my first time around in recovery.  I was confident in who I was and where I was going.  I didn’t let what others think control who I was or what I was doing.  I realize when I had my identity right, everything else fell into place.

Is who you are defined by labels or are you defined by the core values you cherish?  Are you a reflection of who you were created to be or are you still struggling with finding yourself?  I will admit, I was eager to work my fourth step because it I wanted to get to gut-honest.  I wanted to take a “searching and fearless moral inventory of myself”….. be careful what you wish for.  LOL. I may be struggling through the process but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I know once I can identify who I am beyond the titles, labels and my history – I will be a better strong version of myself able to make decisions – even the touch ones.

I love these words from Deana:

You will find yourself very clear on the direction you want to go, even if you’re not sure of what it will take to get there, because you know WHO you need to be in order to get there.

Stop trying to fit in. If nothing else today, take some time to ponder this BIG question “Who are you?”.

I know by continuing on this journey, I will become the person God meant for me to be.  Believe me, I am right there with you Working on making progress toward what I need to do in order to live out who I was created to BE !

Have a blessed day!

 

How To Make Fabric Scrap Ornaments

Thank you Vickie Howell and Thirty One for today’s blog post.  I think I have just found the perfect use for those retired fabric swatches.  New angels on their way….

If you don’t know Vickie Howell, you definitely need to check her out!  She  is a TV host, designer, ambassador and entrepreneur in the DIY space. She has LOTS of great tips on her website!

Here is a great way to use those sewing scraps and leftover fabric pieces (or if you are a consultant – those retired fabric swatches.  This is a fun indoor activity for the kids, too.  Let them design their own to give as gifts this holiday season.

Raid your closets and find some fabric scraps – you know the ones you were saving!  We never want anything to go to waste. Admit it, crafters – you have a spot in your closet just like this! I might even have more than one!  Here is what Vickie came up with as a fun way to give old fabric scraps and swatches new life as sweet home décor or heartfelt gifts.

Follow the steps below to decorate your own Christmas tree, fireplace mantel, front door wreath or dining room table centerpiece with ornaments handmade from materials around your home!

Materials needed:

• Clear plastic bulb ornaments (get them online,  at your local craft store or even the dollar store)
• Scraps of fabric, trimmings and/or yarn
• Scissors
• Decorative ribbon
• Optional: Glitter, buttons, sequins

How-to:

1. Gather scraps and cut them into different lengths. (1″-4″ pieces work great!)
2. Organize scraps and other trimmings by color family.
3. Get creative! Combine a small handful of scraps from the same color family – or create your own palette – and insert them into a bulb.
4. Tie a decorative ribbon onto the bulb’s wire loop for hanging.

Wrap your ornament in a little tissue paper and pop it into a Thirty One Little’s Carry All to give as a gift.  Small in size, but big on benefit, it is  the perfect solution for organizing the little things in life. From office supplies to eating utensils and cosmetics, this caddy helps keep your life in order by keeping everything right at your fingertips. Great for a gift basket, small toys, crafts, office desk supplies and wrapped candy.

Feel merry!  Show us how crafty you are! Share your photos using the #partywithHope  Who knows you may find some happy mail headed your way.

Love to get crafty? Be sure to check out Thirty-One Gifts’ Get Creative line of portable craft storage bags and more, including totes, work mats and clear pouches.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Holiday Gift Ideas

We are 19 days away from Christmas and the panic has already set in on many struggling to find the PERFECT gift for those on their holiday list.   I will admit, I had those moments looking for the “perfect gift”.  Having moments where I let the inner gremlins step in bashing those out of the box ideas and stealing my JOY!

Has your gift giving list grown?  Has your office just decided to hold a Secret Santa?  Are YOUR friends looking for gifts for people in their office or do they know someone who is looking to give gifts to their co-workers or customers?

For those of us in direct sales, I know this sounds OBVIOUS but have you approached them about using YOUR products as gifts.  Now, I don’t mean just hand them a catalog to look through, I mean really help them with their gift giving dilemnas.

Maybe you (or someone you know) has mentally made their Christmas Wish List.  Remember the wish list of your childhood.  The one where you scoured the catalogs and sale papers making a list of EVERYTHING you could possible want then giving it to your parents who shared it with everyone in the family.

While some may have created their own list of wish list and then told family to contact me; .  others, provided me with a the challenge of helping them pick the perfect gift.  They gave me a list of people,  a few words describing the person  and asked me for practical suggestions from our product lines.  I know you are all thinking – when do I have time in addition to my shopping, work (full and part-time), kids, etc.  The reality is it could save YOU time, money and the chance to give someone the “perfect gift”.

Here are some suggestions based on the Thirty One products on sale THIS month::

• Busy Mom, Mom Taxi – what about a Thirty One Hanging Traveler Case bag filled with pens, pencils, note paper, crayons, etc. to leave in the car.  Maybe even a few non-perishable snacks for the kids or an energy bar or two for mom. You never have to hunt for a pen or you can keep the kids busy while in the car.

• For the Mechanic, Car fanatic, Teacher, Business Owner, Crafter, College Student or Mom – How about the Zip Top Organizing Utility Tote ?  A great deal this month with a sale price of $21!  Fill it with fun items they can use depending on their interests.  What crafter doesn’t like a gift card to their favorite craft store or yarn or supplies to make their favorite craft.  Teachers go crazy for a tote filled with school supplies, or a gift card for their favorite coffee shop.  This tote has so many uses……

  

• For someone who does Yoga or exercises… the All Pro Tote keeps everything together.  This is also great for the busy mom.  A spot for extra shoes for the kids or wet clothes when the baby has an “accident”. The pocket in the back, it great for a yoga mat, a towel, a blanket if you are going to the park or maybe an extra lightweight jacket.  This retails for $80 BUT is on sale for $48 (a steal)!!!

• The Rubie Mini has sooo many uses!  It is a pouch, a travel case and a wristlet all in one! With a zipper closure and a D-ring attachment for a Wristlet Strap, the Rubie Mini is a small, stylish bag to help you stay organized. It’s the perfect little partner when you travel, run errands or shop. Keep the mini pouch in your purse to store cash, cards, makeup, mints or change. Pack it in your carry-on to keep money, medicine, cameras, batteries and power cords close by.  It is on SALE for just $13.20 this month!

      

• The Twice As Nice Tote is a great gift bag during the holiday season AND all year long. It will hold a bottle of wine (or two) and even has a divider to keep the bottles from rattling.  It is a versatile gift the recipient will use over and over again.

• College Student, Mom, Dad, ANYONE on your list! – How about a Large Utility Tote filled with everything they would need in an emergency?  Blanket, jumper cables, first aid kit, etc.  Our daughter got one when she started driving. I know, most people have AAA but honestly sometimes they take FOREVER!  In the dead of winter, wouldn’t it be nice to have a bag in the trunk so when a good Samaritan stopped to offer assistance you had the supplies you needed.  How about filling it with snacks along with a gift card or two.  Perfect for grocery shopping, keeping the truck organized, storing extra bed linens, kids toys and so much more!

So, have I sparked any ideas?  Are YOU thinking outside of the box?  Some people will think it is tacky to give a gift of the product you sell but think about how special it will be if it is combined with something they know you picked out just for them.  I mean we all LOVE Thirty One’s products, why not share them with friends, family and co-workers.

What are you doing for “outside of the box” gift giving this holiday season?  I am still looking for a few gift ideas, how about sharing YOUR best company gift idea with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Saturday Spotlight: Angel of the Word

Today’s Saturday Spotlight is on a local business run by a friend of mine, Cress.  I bought one of these as a gift for my mom for Christmas.  She loved it and everyone she showed it to thought it was AWESOME.  Not the usual “trinket” but something which conveys a special message to the one receiving the gift.

“Angel of the Word” is made of recycled prayer books and stands approximately 10 inches high.  They are the perfect gift for those “special celebrations” as well as an “every day” gift to let someone know that you care.  Here is information direct from their website:

Unique Gifts are Memorable…
The creation of our “Angel of The Word” figurines was inspired by the desire to re-purpose the beautiful Magnificat monthly prayer books once they became outdated. I felt they were too special to be thrown away…and in sharing this Angel with others, I have found that I was not alone in how I felt…as it was not long before I became the recipient of these recycled prayer books via the thoughtful donations of those who desired to see more angels this side of Heaven.

The original “Angel of The Word” was created for family and friends as Christmas gifts in 2011. My husband suggested the verse: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us…”

Only in late September of this year, was I prompted to make more of these angels…and the greetings / verses have grown in number and, as with God’s Word, the possibilities are endless.

Stop by her website and check it out.  Don’t see a message you would like, let her know.  She is AWESOME at finding things to fit your special need.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Product of the Week: Catch All Bin

The holidays are quickly approaching, okay so maybe not as fast as everyone wants you to believe BUT Christmas is only 9 weeks away.  You would think it was next week with all of the holiday decorations showing up in the stores, right?  It would be nice to get through at least Halloween before they started with the Christmas trees but since it isn’t going to happen, I figured I might as well join in the frenzy.

Every Monday for the next 8 weeks, I am going to do a “product of the week” with tips on how you can use this AWESOME product or who it would make a great gift for.

First up is the Catch-All Bin from Thirty One.  Why will you or someone you know love it?  One product with many different uses.  The Catch-All-Bin can be your answer to household clutter and disorganization. It has a large, open space and a convenient handle for easy transport, which makes it the perfect storage solution for toys, and those shoes in the entrance way.

It goes great in the guestroom to hold grooming supplies, toilet tissue, rolled up towels or throw blankets.  Why not put it in your bathroom or under the sink so everyone can stop yelling for mom when things run out?  The truth is, they will probably still call for you to help them but at least you can direct them to just one spot.Organize your kitchen pantry by using it to hold your spices and seasonings, canned goods, napkins,and even your KitchenAid.  Yes, it will hold up to 25 pounds!!!!  Know someone who just moved into a new home?  Fill the Catch All Bin with a bottle of wine or two, some glasses and snacks.  How about giving the baker some new recipes and the ingredients to make some yummy new treats?

Have some crafters on your list or maybe a seamstress or two?  Not only will the Catch All Bin hold a sewing machine but think of all of the fun notions you could fill it with for the hobby person on your holiday list.Tired of the “gift bags”?  Hate to wrap presents?  Why not use the Catch All Bin as your wrapping?One product with a multitude of uses.  What are the key reasons YOU will love Thirty One’s Catch All Bin?

• Structured shape stands on its own
• Collapses for easy storage
• Single handle for easy transport
• Large, open space
• Monogramming and personalization options available
• Approx. 13.5”H x 17.75”L x 8.5”D

Who on your shopping list would LOVE one of these?  Need help with personalization?  Let me be your personal shopper.

There is still time to take advantage of my layaway plan too.  Fill out the form below and let me know.

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Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!