Compliments: Freely give them away!

Happy  Friday!

I am in the midst of moving this week, trying to make a little progress for a couple of days before the movers show up on the weekend. In addition to the move, I'm fighting a cold that comes and goes and yesterday I fought it all day, plus being tired...the day looked like this:

5:20 am - left my house with Tahoe loaded down
6:00 am - unloaded at new place, got ready for work
7:15 am - in the office and a full work day
4:00 pm - last time to commute home in rush hour!  Amen.
4:45 pm - Home Goods, new laundry hamper
5:15 pm - Ulta. Didn't really have time to stop here, but....

I needed a couple of things, had a coupon for 20% off whole purchase, knew I wouldn't be out this weekend running errands and it was right by Ross which was my next stop.  Picked up what I needed and then walked through Clinique counter, looked at lipsticks....I don't typically re-apply lipstick, I usually wear a light shade and was looking for something a little more bold. Found this new color, Cola Pop, checked out and headed on my way.

5:30 pm - Ross - my feet are tired after all day in heels, was feeling super stuffy and wishing going home to my couch was only thing left to do for the day. Then a girl spoke to me as she and I were both walking in the store

"You look really pretty today." 

I smiled and simply said "Thank you."

As I walked away, it was one of those times I was reminded how giving a compliment is free, how a few simple words can pick someone up who's weary, and mostly how important it is to build up other women instead of tearing them down.

And, though I do try to compliment often, today I was thankful to be the receiver. So, thank you kind stranger for speaking when you could have just walked on by.

Blessings, 

Lettering Lately

Hard to believe it's almost the end of January...here's a few pieces I've worked on lately...and in case you missed the last post, {click here}.

This piece was for a hairdresser, on a 16x20 canvas and I feel like this is how most of us feel when we walk out of the salon! A hair appointment is definitely a highlight (pun intended) of my day!

Another gift for a friend's sister-in-law, custom saying for her and her husband. I thought this is so cute, and I bet there's a few of you that can relate! This one is on a 9x12 and I like the mixed font.

These were similar to small canvases I and posted in the Weimary Show, but created custom for a friend's Christmas Tree.  They are 4x4 and thin canvas, so perfect to sit on branches of the tree!

Another custom motto, this is a lady's "Life Recipe". How great is that? Especially if you are someone who loves to cook/bake and can relate to recipe. Shown on 12x12 and I love the off-centered look too!

Chalkboards are fun because they can be changed out, and this one I first did for Engagement Photos and now they are married, so updated for their home with a verse.  Chalkboard is from Michael's, 20x20 and the frame looks a little vintage.

The Lord's Prayer, this will hang over the mantle in a living room. Canvas is 20x24 and a great reminder to see regularly in the living room.

Babies are sweet, and even if it's not a new baby, it's never too late to have a wall hanging to commemorate their birth day! This canvas is 12x16.

Lots is going on this week for me, it's finally move week, and yesterday I was at church and passed this quote in the hall. Took a quick pic of it and wrote it in my planner this morning to remind me...all of life's ups and downs, forget the hurts but remember the lessons!

The paints are packed up for the move....but, I'm still taking orders, for mid-late February delivery! As always, you can see more details on my Lettered Art page, {click here}. Have a great week! 

{LinkUp: Show and Tell} Intro and Resolutions

January 22...also linking up with Kelly's Korner for Single's Day...I've NEVER done online dating...so here goes! :)

Original Post Jan 6...I'm linking up {Wednesday} for Show and Tell Tuesday! Can we all agree it's ok to run a day behind on the to-do list even if it is only the 6th day of a New Year?!

Link up via Momfessionals

This week's topic is Introductions and Resolutions.  I'm not sure I've ever really done a formal "Introduction" of sorts here, but I feel like most every post is look inside to who I am, but here's maybe a few random things...

I first started blogging in 2008, right at my 32nd birthday.  I wrote a post {click here} with a few facts about me. One day I'm going to move all the posts from that old blog over here to the new(ish) blog, but that's a project for another day...

Life has changed a little for me since that post...

I no longer work in the Corporate World, but work in Education. After a year of transition and traveling work, I taught a couple of years and am now at the Administration building for one of the largest districts in the US, a change that just took place Sept 2015.  I honestly love my job, it is something different every day with a goal of our students being College and/or Career ready when they graduate from High School. We offer dual credit programs, certifications, on the job training, real world exposure, industry focused academies and more for 16 various pathways in Career and Technical Education.

I'm now an Aunt 3 times over plus 2 bonuses. "The Littles" I often refer to are my nephew who is now 8.5 and twin nieces are 6.5! Bonus step-nephew is 15 and niece is 7. One of the greatest joys and gifts to life is being "Gigi" to the littles. They constantly amaze me with their imaginations, creativity, personality, questions and zeal for life.

My then 2-year-old Bichon will turn 10 next month!  He's had a slightly traumatic December, but despite having had 12  teeth removed, he is on the up and up and just about back to his typical personality. Funny how dogs can become such a part of your family, he's definitely my buddy and I'm thankful for all the days and seasons he's forced me out of the house when I wish I could just stay inside with my tears.

I have always had a creative desire and have done various creative things throughout my life...sewed when I was a kid, made jewelry, blogging and for the last year consistently been creating lettered art, {more here}. Words are one of my very favorite things and I love putting quotes, verses, mottos, encouragement, reminders, anniversary, wedding and other occasions on a canvas for someone to see and remember. Up for debate is an Etsy Shop, we'll see if that gets off the ground later in 2016.  For now, you can follow me on Facebook or Instagram, I'm always taking orders and have a few pieces in stock ready to go.

 

Additionally, I love bargain hunting and fashion, which if you've been around here, you've seen lots of my "what I'm wearing" posts {most recently click here}.  I'm a big fan of Target and since I'm tall (5'9" plus I typically wear 3" or 4" heels) I pretty much buy all my pants from The Gap.  My favorite is still Jeans, but I do love dressing up from time to time. The best bargain I found recently is a fleece onesie, much like the girl who showed up on the Bachelor in her onesie, I'm still looking for "the Onesie" for me. I might wear mine to the grocery store, but  probably wouldn't for a national TV debut.

A few of my favorite things...green...fountain Dr. Pepper...road trips...volunteering...boutiques...small towns...breakfast...church...besties...reading...the morning...Texans...family...cooking...sitting by fire...cocktails...laughing...cowboy boots...horses...back roads...coffee...B dog...the table...live music...dives...high heels...truth...Mexican food...jogging...magazines...littles...fishing...snail mail...fresh flowers...creating...Marshall's/TJMaxx...4G...naps...pictures...words...Jesus. 

For a little throw-back fun...I grew up riding horses which is one of my favorite things and because of it significantly shaped my character.  Circa 1999 during Miss Rodeo Texas competition... 

which I didn't win. But, I learned.

My Tribe...I have the best and dearest friends I've had for years, some going on nearly 20 years.  They are my tribe. I am fiercely loyal to my tribe, I am proud of my besties, I am thankful for how much they support me. I don't do "surface" friends very well, and have learned how to manage my expectations and draw a line; some friends are surface and others are the ones I really know and they really know me, some of which I don't see often, but as they say you always pick up right where you left off no matter the time or distance. My tribe is another one of life's greatest blessings to me. 

My Faith...without it I can't imagine what my life would look like.  Honestly, at 39, single, having been through lots of job change, moves, hard friendships, broken relationships, family changes and my own selfish ways, I would be a complete mess if it wasn't for my faith.  I BELIEVE {my 2015 word, more here} that God is for me, knows me, pursues me, loves me, challenges me, disciplines me, gives me dreams, promises to me, unconditionally accepts me, wants me to succeed, and takes me back every time I mess up without conditions. The grace of Jesus is overwhelming to me.  I am thankful to have been raised in a Christian home, for parents who pray for me daily, for mentors and people who invest in me, for a church that teaches me and the people who walk alongside me.

Now that this is getting LONG... enough about me and here's the 2nd half: Resolutions.  

I'm really not much for resolutions. However, this week at work in our team meeting we drew our resolutions (vs writing them)...one we want to keep and one we want to change, then shared with our group. See why I love my job?? I already had these things in mind, so it was easy to put to paper...

2016 Keep: Last year might have been one of my favorite resolutions to date, and also one of my most successful...fresh flowers in my house. Simple grocery store flowers, but I have loved having them in my house on the kitchen bar, where I start my mornings, and I plan to keep having flowers this year. (If you love flowers, don't wait for someone to buy them for you, treat yourself!) First flowers of this year are my favorite kind of roses; bit antique looking with touch of green on outside petals...

 

The other thing I plan to keep is my word of the year. I'm settling on my word in January, will keep it throughout the year as a secret word and watch how it unfolds and see what God teaches me through that word in 2016. Here's links to the last couple of years...

2014 - Flourish 

2015 - Believe

2016 Change: Words. I love words. Lettering them, reading them, words of encouragement sent (& received) in snail mail, writing them on my blog, speaking with my people and as a speaker....I want more of all of those in 2016. And, specifically words in prayer. So I'm focusing on that starting 2016 with the book "31 Day of Prayer for the Dreamer and the Doer"

Words: Letter - Write - Speak.  

If you've made it to here, thanks for reading and I hope you'll be a regular around here!  I wish for you the best in 2016 - we are not promised easy, but we are promised God will not leave us nor forsake us, no matter what comes I will continue to believe that truth.

Blessings,

Lettering Lately

It's 2016 and here's a few pieces I did for gifts, so was waiting to post them until they were received....

This chalkboard was a gift for a nurse, but I believe this quote applies to so many jobs...Moms, Teachers...so many who deal with people enduring trials and life's ups and downs. This chalkboard is from Hobby Lobby and I painted it with permanent paints. Chalkboard look, but lettering stays.

We had a surprise 40th Tea Party for our boss at work, and this was on the office door. Just a reminder, I do lettering for parties too!

I painted an adoption canvas for a friend I grew up with and her new niece. Her Dad then contacted me to paint one for her, as she was also adopted, officially in 1982!  Canvas is 18x24.  Speaking of adoption, sure did love Jep & Jessica Robertson's new show: Growing the Dynasty about their adoption of a new baby boy!

A friend recently married and these were gifts to her bridesmaids, 4 who were sisters and 4 who were friends. Same quote/verse, but in colors to go with each of their homes.

One of my besties just moved, and I painted this for her new house.  It is one of my favorite pieces.  Canvas is 12x24.

I've talked about how much I love painting words and that they represent families, people, events, etc. These two canvases were for sisters that I've known a long time, babysat for and their Mama is a sweet friend. Best part of these, she and her husband came up with the words and the words have also sparked numerous conversations with their girls. I am a big believer in impact of words and when a child knows these things about themselves and sees them regularly too, my prayer is that they will also believe them!

More coming soon, January orders are coming in! As always, you can see more details on my Lettered Art page, {click here}. Happy New Year!