Etsy Extravaganza GIVEAWAY {Day 3}

Etsy Extravaganza 10-Day GIVEAWAY {Day 3}

Upcycled Bracelet & Key Fob

from un.tied!

Etsy Shop // Facebook // Blog // Twitter // Pinterest

Meet Theresa: Mom to three. Wife to Steve. A lover all things creative. Once upon a teacher searching for her true self hoping to change the world along the way. A lover of stories and all things creative.

About Her Shop: un.tied is a one-of-a-kind shop where all that is old is named and reclaimed. A store where each item has a name and each name has a story. un.tied started as a dream, a dream of following my passion for the orphans of the world and the stories they have to tell. I am trying to turn an upside down world right side up, one story at a time, starting with our Finley Grace.

All un.tied items are one of a kind items upcycled from old neckties. Our shop features beaded necklaces with accent flowers, bold cuff bracelets, unique key fobs and classic pendant necklaces {coming soon!}

Prize Details: winner's choice of one upcycled cuff bracelet and one key fob. Total value $23 USD.

Ready to Enter? Use the Rafflecopter gadget below. Good luck and check back tomorrow for another awesome giveaway from another cool shop!

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Up Next: #SheReadsTruth

I'm rounding the corner towards the final stretch of the Bible in 90 Days (just kidding...it's been precisely 315 days, to date). 

This "little" Year 32 challenge has been a bit more of a marathon than a sprint. It's kept me in the Bible for many hours this past year, but I've been reading it more as a story and to gain an overview and less as a daily devotion.

As part of HelloMornings, I've re-cracked the spine to Jesus Calling, a great way to start each day, but it's also my second time through this particular devotional.

[Quick HM side note: the summer session ended last week and the early mornings were great for my physical, mental and spiritual health. Fall session begins August 20.]

Now I think I'm ready for something new.

Several weeks ago, I kept seeing phrases like Soul Detox and #SheReadsTruth popping up via "friends" on Instagram and Twitter.

I'm a researcher (analytical beaver here) so I poked around a little. The Soul Detox plan is a 35-day plan found on YouVersion and designed to help you identify what's chipping away at your soul, and what's getting in the way of you becoming the person who God created you to be.

A group of women got together a couple of months ago and created the hastag #SheReadsTruth as a means for an on-line community of women to connect as they journeyed through the same scripture on the same day alongside each other {the whole story here}. 

The Soul Detox plan was the first study they used. Living the Surrendered Life was the second.

This Thursday, the #SheReadsTruth community is starting a NEW study {to be announced Thursday morning!}

She Reads Truth provides a Bible reading plan for each day, a weekly truth to memorize (and display), and a community of women to offer encouragement and accountability.

Want to give it a try? 

Follow these steps {via She Reads Truth}: 

1) Download the YouVersion app on your smart phone. Don’t have a smart phone? Create a login via your web browser. 

2) The new reading plan will be announced early Thursday (7/12) morning. After it's announced, go to the Plans section + search for it. 

3) Stay connected through the She Reads Truth blog or the Twitter or Instagram feeds. If you post regarding the study/community, be sure to tag it with the phrase #SheReadsTruth.

4) Keep a journal. Write down what strikes you. Take a picture. Record your journey. Share what you're learning. Encourage others. Let yourself be encouraged.

5) Read, learn, grow, connect, share, move, journey, see. Each day. Every day. Repeat.

Sound interesting? Doable? Necessary?

Yeah, me too. Hope you'll be joining this new sort of truth-filled community along with me!

Etsy Extravaganza GIVEAWAY {Day 2}

Etsy Extravaganza 10-Day GIVEAWAY {Day 2}

$20 Gift Certificate

to Rylee's Collection!

Etsy Shop // Website // Facebook // Blog

Meet Kara: I am a stay (and work) at home mom of two simply sweet little girls, and another little bumpkin on the way. They have inspired my life, and inspired the creation of this business. I love working with my hands, creating things, and just about anything crafty and artistic. I also love playing sports and being active, most especially love me a game of competitive volleyball!

About Her Shop: I started making little clips for Rylee when she was about 4 months old. She had so much hair and needed something to keep her bangs out of her eyes. What started as a fun craft day between friends, making clips for our daughters, evolved into my obsession of trying out new and different things to make. RC fulfills a desire of mine to create and work with my hands, to challenge my business-oriented mind, and allows me to stay at home doing my most important job of parenting at the same time.

Prize Details: A $20 gift certificate to use on Kara's website. Kara creates and carries a full line of hair accessories and custom crocheted items/hats/photo props.

Ready to Enter? Use the Rafflecopter widget below. And come back tomorrow for Day 3 of the Etsy Extravaganza giveaway event!

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Etsy Extravaganza GIVEAWAY {Day 1}

Etsy Extravaganza 10-Day GIVEAWAY {Day 1}
A Custom Necklace
from The InkSpired Collection!

Etsy Shop // Facebook // Pinterest // Blog // Twitter

Meet Adrianne: I'm a working mom and wife in West Michigan with a craft blog and a serious jewelry addiction. I love to read and to write and got started making jewelry pieces out of book pages with my favorite books. It expanded into everything sentimental - I've made necklaces from maps, bibles, sheet music, wedding invitations and photos - all one-of-a-kind pieces for people to carry a little piece of something special along with them.

What's in Her Shop: Celebrate your favorite story, place, character, verse, or special occasion with a one-of-a-kind necklace. I have maps and several favorite books available to choose from (including Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Twilight) or I can use your favorite graphic, photo, or memento to personalize a piece just for you! Wear your favorite things in print!

Prize Details: Adrianne will be giving away one custom necklace with your choice of print or graphic. Clipping encased in glass and mounted on a brass base metal bezel. Comes strung on a 20" ball chain (can be shortened on request). Value $15.50 USD.

Ready to enter? Use the Rafflecopter widget below. And come back tomorrow for another great giveaway from another great Etsy shop!

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{Memory Verse Mania}: PROMISE!

{Memory Verse Mania} Moment of Truth:

How are you all doing??

In the spirit of keeping it real, I have to admit that we are officially a week behind schedule. This past week (because of the holiday) has been a whirlwind of packing (and unpacking) beach bags, blowing up kiddie pools, lighting off fireworks, and staying up way past our bedtimes.

*Deep Breath*

No worries. I tend to be a rule follower and I hate the feeling of being behind, but I'm coping. Onward and forward.

For any of you who are still on schedule, here's the next set of lovely printables featuring four of my favorite verses of promise.

{Can I get a round of applause for Nikki @ LDS Printables?}

I love the idea of teaching kids young, that in this topsy turvy world, 

there are truths that they can hold on to even when it all falls apart.

Week 5 {July 8-14}

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Download Promise.1 Here

 Week 6 {July 15-21}

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Download Promise.2 Here

 Week 7 {July 22-28}

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Download Promise.3 Here

Week 8 {July 29-August 4}

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

Download Promise.4 Here

And a special bonus for you:

Because Nikki @ LDS Printables is super cool, she is offering this great 

verse of promise in FOUR cool color choices. Which one's your favorite?

(I had a terrible time deciding!)

Purple & Grey | Yellow & Grey | Teal & Red | Blue & Fushia

P.S. We're working through the 12 verses of {Memory Verse Mania} during summer vacation, but feel free to join in at anytime. The printables can also be used in smaller sets of four for a quick Bible verse re-boot or individually.
They make great {free} kitchen & kid room art too!

{Etsy Extravaganza} GIVEAWAY!

10 Etsy Shops | 10 Days | 10 Great Giveaways

10 WINNERS!

I am so very excited to share with you a very special, very fun, very Etsy giveaway!

My best ideas often come to me when I'm not even looking for them, 

and this one came to me one day while I was drying my hair.

The plan: host a multi-day, multi-winner giveaway 

and feature some of my favorite friends and Etsy shop owners.

I contacted some lovely ladies, including shop owners who I have personally shopped with before and those whose work I have been admiring from afar, 

to see if they would be interested in participating.

Much to my delight, they said YES!

The Etsy Extravaganza giveaway sponsors are all great shops (owned by super cool gals) filled with pretty things made by hand with great care and love. 

I am excited to share a bit of their stories, celebrate their dreams-turned-reality, peak inside their shops, and showcase their handmade goods!

There will be a NEW giveaway up each morning on my blog for ten days {almost*} straight! The first five giveaways will go live July 9-13, and then we'll pick up again the following week with the next five July 16-20.

*We'll be taking the weekend off so no one misses a great giveaway announcement while you're out beach-ing, picnic-ing or church-ing.

Check back each day for your chance to meet some new friends 

and enter for your chance to win some great {Etsy} loot! 

Each giveaway will run for 10 days, 

and you will be able to earn 10 entries to each.

I won't tell you which shop will be featured on which day (aren't surprises fun??) but I will give you this little preview in case you'd like to check out their super shops ahead of time!

 

Thanks for following along & GOOD LUCK!

{Help spread the word!}

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Hands Free {A Pledge Worth Sharing}

I stumbled upon a blog a few weeks ago that really caught my attention. It's called Hands Free Mama and it's written by a mom named Rachel who is determined to remain committed to what really matters and NOT to miss her daughter's childhood. Her intent is not to guilt anyone, but to call attention to a growing trend in our country of distracted, disengaged parents and adults.

I tend to be a "do-er" and I'm definitely a list maker. I often feel at my best when I'm busy, hard at work, and accomplishing things. In my race towards productivity each day, I need to be especially conscious to slow down and not miss the little people (and the big husband-y one) who are standing right in front of me.

Rachel frequently shares her Hands Free Pledge at the end of her blog posts, and I thought it was worth passing along today.

The “Hands Free” Pledge 

I’m going Hands Free.

I want to make memories, not to-do lists.

I want to feel the squeeze of my children’s arms, not the pressure of over-commitment.

I want to get lost in conversation with my spouse, not consumed by a sea of unimportant emails.

I want to be overwhelmed by sunsets that give me hope, not by extracurricular commitments that steal my joy.

I want the noise of my life to be a mixture of laughter and gratitude, not the intrusive buzz of cell phones and text messages.

I am letting go of distraction, disconnection, and perfection to live a life that simply, so very simply, consists of what really matters.

I’m going Hands Free.

More from Hands Free Mama:

How to Miss a Childhood
Six Words You Should Say Today
The Children Have Spoken

I Have Noticed: The Inner Dialogue of a Child
& The Hands Free Revolution {Facebook}

Pure Michigan.

I'm beginning to pick up on the fact (while reading through blog comments) that a lot of you are fellow Michiganders!

We live in West Michigan between Grand Rapids and Holland. I've lived here my whole life, and I am one of the few residents who (somewhat) enjoy the four very different seasons that Michigan has to offer.

[A quote from me that my husband loves to hear: "But if we didn't have to survive winter first, spring wouldn't seem so sweet."]

Summer in Michigan - when the rain stays away and we don't have a freakish cold front or a crazy hot streak and when the mosquito population gets thwarted by an unseasonably hot spring - is pure bliss.

My parents own a little bit of Michigan paradise by way of a condo in Holland perched atop the sand dunes. We try to get out there as often as we can, usually for day trips, but this weekend we were able to get out there for a little bit longer.

We packed our Thirty-One totes, grabbed some friends and hit the road for our 35 minute road trip to the "coast". Our day and a half mini-vacation didn't quite do the location justice, but we did pack in as much life as we could.

We started with a very late breakfast/lunch at a great local Dutch eatery (nothing like a new-to-us restaurant to make you feel like you're on vacation) followed by an afternoon at the pool...

...which was followed by a quick "adventure" hike into the woods by the boys.

(Somehow they thought the dads said, "Sure, climb the hill, wander around the woods, throw caution to the wind, go as far as you'd like," rather then, "Please go to the top of the hill and then come back." Easy mistake to make. They might have also gotten a brief survival skills lesson by Mr. Steve.)

After a delicious dinner of kabobs and fresh berries (+ some kitchen time with my seester), we hopped on bikes (eight bikes plus a trailer!) for an evening dual-family bike ride.

After that wild ride, the moms headed up with the littlest riders to get a head start on bedtime while the big boys and the dads ventured out a little further. (Proud moment for all of us: watching our 7 year old boys peddle up a series of very steep hills at the end of the ride.)

The fun was far from over as the ladies headed down for an evening swim in just-about-perfect Lake Michigan water while the sun set around us.

Mr. Matt pulled out one more surprise before our biker boys called it a night: a very cool, very huge MSU Chinese lantern.

The next morning we enjoyed a big breakfast (and debated the cost/benefit of mixing our breakfast foods) and packed up for the beach.

We swam, dug, and played around and then we hiked over to the pier.

Ella dazzled us once again with her fearless take on five-year-old life. (I wondered out loud if she would have anything left someday to put on her Year 32 list...it seems she's already experienced so much!)

As I click through the snapshots, I'm thankful for a weekend well spent: family, friends, beauty, and adventures all enjoyed in our own "backyard".

Pure Michigan. Pure bliss.