Thankful Thursday...all things Etsy...

Linking up with the lovely hosts of Thankful Thursday again this week... Mia at Make Up Mia, Katie at Katie Elizabeth, Carly at Carly Blogs Here & Kristal at The Strong Family

I had a "BIG" week so to speak for me...so I am mostly gonna give the highlights & of course tons of pics. I am super excited to announce that my Etsy site jennd. DESIGN went live on Friday April 11th.   

I have been thinking of opening an Etsy site for awhile...like over a year...then in January of this year I made the decision I was going for it.  I updated my blog look...thank you Jana Tolman Design.  I got to work on a name and logo...thank you to my brother, Lance, with Innovative Designs.  And of course started brain storming what creative route I would take...and I decided on my love of sewing...it helps that I am in love with my sewing machine given to me by my grandma, thanks Grandma Rosy...a 1974 Singer...#vintage!!  Oh and fabric shopping may be one of my favorite things on the planet!!!  Thank you to my sister, Ang, for being a great fabric consultant!

Then to top off the week I had my first sale...#chaching!!!

My days are spent at the sewing machine and I can't wait to add more items to my shop.  I plan to start feature Friday's{tomorrow} on the blog to showcase what I have in the shop and what is to come!!!  Again what a great week!

#SheSharesTruth...Joshua 1:8-9

Linking up with the #SheReadsTruth community again...a little late since it's Saturday morning and not Friday...but here I am.

It has been a goal of mine to really dive into the bible, daily, and finding its meaning for me.  This also scared me at the same time...what if I don't understand it, what if I can't keep all the stories and characters straight, what if it just doesn't relate to me??  I have found by connecting up with #SheReadsTruth and now the #SheSharesTruth experiment I am able to consistently meditate on it daily in a place where I can get guidance on the who, what, where and when...and all of the "tough" stuff in the bible is beginning to make sense, I have verses that stick with me and through this community I am making connections with women who have common goals and beliefs!!  The book of the law is putting its stamp on my heart...I continue to be blown away by how the word relates to other women and it is very apparent if you choose to "dig in" you will get exactly what you need from the bible in the exact moment you need it.

Just as vs. 9 commands us...

There are sooooo many scenarios that I can relate this passage to at this VERY moment...but I think I will just let these words set on my heart and let them pump out to every cell in my body...because this is a command I have no problem taking without questioning!!!

Thankful Thursday...back for more!!

Linking up with these lovely ladies Katie Elizabeth, Carly Blogs Here, MakeMeUpMia & Kristal at The Strong Family again...took a week off as I was headed back home to South Dakota for some family fun...which will be documented throughout this post!!

Thursday...3/20

Wowsas...had an early morning wake up call...3:40 am to catch an early, early morning flight.  Was so glad that my aunt and uncle had the same flight so we could all ride together.  I will be honest all the stars must have aligned for me this day because my flight experience was to die!!  As I mentioned before my aunt and uncle had same flight as me out of SLC to Minneapolis...however they had an earlier flight out of Minneapolis...so my hope was somehow I would sneak on that earlier flight?!?!  We had no luck at the SLC airport so all my hope was in Minneapolis...once we landed and got to the gate it didn't look good...there was a line that was 20 deep...so I took my spot hoping I would get to the desk before the flight took off.  Lucky for me my aunt is a frequent flyer and she took my ticket number and was able to print off a standby ticket at the airline kiosk and I could remove myself from the line that was yet to move.  FAST FORWARD...I did get on the plane!!!  WOOT WOOT...I of course was in the very last row...but I didn't care I was getting home 90 minutes earlier...so as I approached my seat...a guy also in the back row asked me if I would be willing to sit in first class so his business partner could sit back here with him???  I of course said I could manage that...

I have never sat first class before so I was unaware that I got a complimentary beverage(knowing this fact makes the rest of this story more enjoyable)  So once seated, the first flight attendant came by and asked if I would like a drink...I declined(my uncle saw this and was quite distraught the rest of the flight)...then the second flight attendant came by and asked if I would like a drink, again I declined, she didn't give up as easy...she said "are you sure?", I replied "I guess I will take a water", she again was not impressed with me and said "it's real easy you say I would like a bloody mary", I said "okay", now she was satisfied and said "see how easy that was"...LOL!!!  Good times for sure and my uncle was so happy to hear that I did in fact take advantage of an on flight beverage.  And to be honest it was quite delicious!!! Friday...3/21

I won't be so windy with the rest of my posts...that story was too good not to share. :)  Got to run with my sister at the same time in the same city...and of course we forgot a pic.  BOO!!!  South Dakota delivered some text book weather...cold temps, wind, wind gusts and a side of rolling hills.  And that evening I was able to meet up with my teacher friends for cocktails...just like we used to and then met up with family for a fun dinner. Saturday...3/22

BABY SHOWER!!!  And Anna's birthday dinner!! Sunday...3/23 MY birthday dinner and some fabric shopping with my sister and aunt!! Monday...3/24

I was of course sad to leave my family in SD...but I was super excited to head back home to SLC to see the hubs and my 3 girls!! Tuesday...3/25

Spending birthday $$!!!  And I am hopeful one day I will win the Marine Parents Tuesday giveaway. Wednesday...3/26

Really enjoying our new SUV that we got...just another piece to my stay at home mom outfit!!  Enjoy your week...I can't wait to share more!!!  Such a great way for me to focus on ALL the good in EVERY day!!

#SheSharesTruth...Psalm 38

Thanks again to the gals of #SheReadsTruth for allowing me to "dig deep" into scripture this Lenten season and really challenge myself.  It has given me a deeper sense of gratitude to you ladies...doing this DAILY for us...what a true gift you have...and then to top it off when I was struggling with what this passage meant to me...or how I would put it into words...I could just link up with some of the other posts and there it was...the meaning of Psalm 38 on my heart...with the "push" of all these women!!!

Verse 4 really resonated with me...I have been there...hanging onto guilt...for far too long...

I can honestly say that I know what it feels like to hold on to guilt or any other un-worthy feeling for far too long...you can feel it in your mind, body and soul....from the top of your head to your finger tips and toes...where it takes away your "light at the end of the tunnel"...questioning that thing we call faith...and when this happens we must remember to draw near to our Lord...cry out to him and know HE will find us and lead us back...we must have an open honest heart and seek Him above ALL things!!!  From the smallest of battles to the biggest...they are never too small or too big.

#SheSharesTruth ~ Psalm 130

what?!?!? two link ups in two days...I am on a roll!!!  Have to admit I was a little nervous about this one...mainly because I know my beliefs...but not sure I can put it into words and share with the "world"...but I challenged myself this year to "dig" in physically and mentally...and I feel that by joining in with this amazing community #SheReadsTruth I will do just that!!!

The goal is to write a "devotional" from a chosen weekly text and then link up with #SheReadsTruth and learn from each other...AH-MAZING!! Once I am done typing and posting mine I can't wait to go see what other women got from this text!! So here it goes... The text to me when broken down to its bare bones says this...cry out...wait...hope & most certainly you will receive!!!  When you put your hope in the savior you are guaranteed forgiveness, unfailing love and FULL redemption.  I couldn't help but replace my name with Israel in vs. 7 & 8... (Jenn), put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him if full redemption.  He himself will redeem (Jenn/me) from all (her/my) sins. Now that frees my spirit!!!  I can't wait to dig in more!!! And then the most amazing thing happened as I was reading this...I thought of my favorite verse... We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...Hebrews 6:19 This was so amazing because it says the same thing put your hope in the Lord and you will receive forgiveness, unfailing love and FULL redemption!!! A girl could get use to that reminder...with how my heart is filled right now I can't wait to see where this "devotional" writing will take me in the weeks to come!!!  Thanks #SheReadsTruth for supporting all of us as we push ourselves out of our comfort zone...so we can grow in ways we never thought possible.

Thankful Thursday

As you may have noticed as of late I have up'd my blog "game"...LOL!!!  So here's to another adventure in the blogging world...I am linking up...which for those of you who don't know is a way for bloggers to unite and join in on a similar topic...through my link up research I have found all kinds of great topics...but I couldn't help but notice Thankful Thursday...hosted by Katie Elizabeth, Make Me Up Mia, Carly Blogs Here and The Strong Family...and it is by no accident that today is my first link up to their party...the Lenten/Easter season over the years has been grabbing onto my heart and digging deeper into my spirit...so like I said this is the perfect time of year to dive into what I am thankful for each Thursday!!! (sooooo excited to share...been planning this for a week...hope you enjoy!!)

~Thursday 2/27~

I got to spend reading time with two of my girlies at Parents & Pastries...and I got an exciting invite in the mail!!! #auntiejennisreadyforaniece...No pressure Anna & Lance!!

~Friday 2/28~

Because my birthday month was ONLY one day away...I just HAD to buy myself my first pressie.  Thanks to The Modern Tulip...I can't wait to slip this baby on my wrist...and I can tell already this won't be my last purchase!!  I also took some time to start construction of the actual products I will be selling on my Etsy site...obviously more information on that SOON!!!

~Saturday 3/1~

BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!  And some of my favorite craft spots know it too...and did I mention it is National Craft Month...#perfection!!!

~Sunday 3/2~

Love taking sneak peak photos of what's to come!!  And love all the little packages I am getting in the mail of supplies I will use as I start mailing out orders...EEK!!!

~Monday 3/3~

28 days later...detox dominated!!!  Check out the previous blog post...it says it all!!  And I celebrated with lunch at Cafe Rio!!  I don't have a pic of this...but I also had a blast doing a 3 mile trail run with the hubby!! (Should have done a #trailrunselfie...but he would have been suspicious.)

~Tuesday 3/4~

Love that I have time in my day to work on crafts of all kinds...I especially love when I can gift them to someone who can put them to good use!  And lovin' the photo of Crazy Hair Day!!

~Wednesday 3/5~

Ummm...duh the fact that I ran with my sister was epic...yes I was in Utah and she was in South Dakota...but that didn't stop us...#thankyoutechnology.  Again don't have a pic of this but I am always thankful for my morning/afternoon coffee with my gals...reminds me that I am an adult and I am not alone!!

Can't wait to see what next week has to bring!!!

ME & my CrafTY sELF

Some of my favorite things to do now that I am staying at home...knitting, crocheting, sewing...ANY type of craft really!!!  I thought I would showcase some of the items I have been working on lately...I stay quite busy.  Pinterest keeps the ideas flowing...and YouTube allows me make them happen with ALL the tutorials they have.  :)

ABOVE & BELOW:  Ear warmers (crochet)...I bought the pattern for these almost 2 years ago...finally got to them this winter and they are a HIT!!!

ABOVE & BELOW:  Me doing a wicked witch of the west thing with my slippers and socks...haha!!  and trying lots of slipper patterns for the girlies!!  Found one that looks like little elf shoes...perfect for this time of year.

ABOVE & BELOW...yarn stash...don't tell Brandon...LOL!!!

ABOVE & BELOW:  PJ pants for my nephews...can't wait to see pics of them on...they are SO CUTE!!

ABOVE & BELOW:  Another headband style...and flower...super cute and fun for the younger generation!!

BELOW:  template for a diaper caddy...for the next generation of Husman's...always excited to research and buy supplies for the next project.

As you can see I keep myself plenty busy with current and future projects...life is good!!!  Can't wait to share more of my DIY "stuff" as the new year rolls around!!!