❤️Season of Giving ❤️

As I was pondering and wondering what would be a good topic to write about for this months blog, lots of different ideas came to mind, but nothing settled in the mind crevices with conviction.  After much mulling and mediating it hit me!  We are heading into the season of Giving!

The heart attitude of being grateful.  Grateful for not just what we have, but the deeper things like freedom to live and think as our convictions and values lead us.  There is so much division surrounding all our outlets.  I am wanting to share HOPE and JOY through the acts of being appreciative and grateful.

So, for this upcoming Season of Giving...I am challenging myself, and I challenge you as well, to participate in the popular practice of "Being Grateful".  Whether it is a daily post on you favorite social media site sharing what you are grateful for;  or a personal, more meditative journaling approach.  For me, I like the more personal approach with maybe a few sprinklings here and there on social media.  Instead of focusing on the negative, turning my focus on what is positive.  "What can I be grateful for through this circumstance"...kind of thinking.

Starting off, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I've had to pursue and profit from a long held dream of mine.  Owning a small business.  Being a "shop owner" was one of my favorite childhood games to play.  I liked organizing my stuffed animals and various toys to create a little store.  From those earlier childhood fantasies till now, I've always had a passion to encourage others.  I enjoy sharing my creative gifts and inspiring others to look within themselves to discover the hidden treasures that are waiting to be discovered. 

I also enjoy sharing multiple ideas for one product; revealing a perspective that maybe the "customer" has not seen; an additional idea or thought which expands on the original intent for a new and creative idea.  For instance:  I enjoy working with my hands making mixed media art "ornaments".  These ornaments are not limited to hanging on a Christmas tree!  They can be used as bookmarks,  adornments in a kitchen, or a special charm on your favorite notebook, planner or journal.  Just a few additional thoughts to get you started on thinking of how you can use these art pieces.

Below are a few samplings of some of the art pieces I've made.  For more offerings of handmade gifts items for sale, click on this link.

Magnet Art Pumpkins

Inspirational Leaves

Inspirational Adornments

Magnet Leaves

If your love language leans towards "gift giving", Pear Creek Cottage has many sweet, affordable gifts just ready to bring joy and cheer to someone.  Adding to that special, unique gift is an added bonus.  Right now, through December these one of a kind items ship for FREE!  Handmade and FREE!  What a delight to share for this "Season of Giving"

Handmade Adornments

Pitcher Adornments

Fabric Pieced Magnetic Bears

Fabric Pieced Birds

Another thing that I am grateful for is YOU!  My readers.  My friends.  My family.  My customers.  The amazing relationships that have formed through the avenue of Pear Creek Cottage.  I am unable to fully express what it means for YOU to be in my life.  Each individual has planted seeds into my life garden.  Those seeds have been taking root in the forms of trust and belief, kindness and generosity.  Together, I am looking forward to what the New Year of journeying and working with YOU will offer.

Thank you for your continual support of Handmade and Shopping Small Business.  Maybe without realizing it, you are helping fulfill someones dreams...just like mine.  We all need each other.

                                  With much gratitude and thanks for all.

The Beloved Bears are HERE!

Ever since reading Bonnie Gray's book, "Whispers of Rest", I have been on a quest, a journey, learning to live as the Beloved of God.  This book, and the process of change, has been eye opening and just what I needed at just the right time.

Like many folks, I've struggled with the need for approval.  Feeling inadequate.  Trying to gain acceptance.  One of the patterns that I've developed has been to work harder...to gain more.  The harder I work, the more others will like me.  This has worked like a charm!  It has turned me into a workaholic, an emotional "stuffer", and a stressed out human being.  My relationships have suffered,  my health has suffered, and my soul has suffered.  Not a good way to live ones life.

I really enjoy creating with my hands and my heart.  My head is full of creative ideas and possibilities.  My creative process is usually an extension from what I am learning and discovering, emotionally, physically, or spiritually.  As I've been digesting the truths in the book "Whispers of Rest",  I like to create little tangible reminders of the precepts and truths I'm learning.  This helps reinforce the lessons I'm learning.  A way of reviewing and remembering.

One of the ways I am choosing to remember is through this adorable little stuffed bear which I made.  I named them, "Beloved Bears".  A truth to remind me that God takes the pieces and the patches of my life, and stitches them together with His threads of grace and mercy, to create 'ME'.  His one of a kind creation that brings Him joy.  That is hard to comprehend at times.  I bring God JOY!  Not my workaholism.  Not what I do.  Not what I look like, or what I say.  But me, just as I am...I bring Him JOY!  He delights to be in my presence.  WOW!  Even just typing the words, stops me in my tracks once again.
I have wanted to learn, embrace, and live these truths.  The idea of the "Beloved Bears" came to me as a way I can practice remembering.  I thought, if I put magnets inside the bear, I can stick him on the fridge, in my office....on my exercise bike...wherever I can see him and be reminded of the truth he represents.

Now, you know a little of the back story how the bears came to be.  To me, when I see them, they make me smile.  They bring me joy and hope.  I hope they do the same for you.  You are special.  You are unique, one of a kind...made for a specific purpose.  You are BELOVED!

Patches and Daisy will be accompanying me to the Business Boutique in Nashville, Tennessee.  This is an incredible opportunity that has been opened up to me.  I am still in process getting ready.  There have been obstacles in the way which should prevent me from attending; like my husband losing his job.  However, our God is greater, and stronger, and bigger than the obstacles, and we are trusting that He is leading us, even when we don't understand.
You can use the Coupon Code: PEARCREEK for a discount to attend the Business Boutique.

Learning to Live As The Beloved

I was so excited to be chosen to be part of the new book launch for Bonnie Gray's new book: "Whispers Of Rest".
Everything about this book has drawn me in.  The title, the reviews, the summaries.  I mean, after all, who doesn't want "REST" in their life?  "40 Days of God's Love to Revitalize Your Soul" ???....I'm all in!!

Having previously read Bonnie's book Finding Spiritual Whitespace, and meeting Bonnie at one of her speaking engagements, I was a fan already.  So, picking up her new book, and reading and doing the exercises listed, was thrilling for me.  What I didn't realize or expect was the depth that this journey would take me on.  It is my Love Story with Jesus...from the beginning, and being written and lived out daily.   The journey...the path of learning to live as THE BELOVED...daily.

It's not just a spiritual high from retreat or camp.  It is a moment by moment, breathing, living relationship with my LORD, Jesus Christ.  It is passionate.  It is intimate.  It is life giving, and life sustaining.  It is redefining how I think, and choose to live.

One of the ways I express myself is through gift giving.  As I have been journeying through this book, (now my second time through), I am continually thinking of tangible ways to remind myself of the truths I am learning and discovering.  Accepting myself as God's Beloved, and viewing myself through His loving eyes has given me even greater freedom to express my love back to Him in creative and artful ways.  When I was stitching up this patchwork bear,  I was giddy with laughter and full of JOY as I was creating.  The bear was coming together and I was blossoming in the experience...when I realized, YES!  This is me living as The Beloved.

God made me to create and have joy in experiencing the creative process.  This is how God feels about me when He created me, and sees me "come alive" again in the creating process.  So, I dubbed him "Beloved Bear".  He has magnets in his back so I can stick him on different metal surfaces.  He travels around the house with me as a reminder of how much I am loved, and cherished.  The same delight I had in making him is just a pinprick of the the Delight that Jesus has in me.

I hope you enjoy the photos, and catch a glimpse of what you can discover between the pages of this book.

"Life may seem easier without our dreams.  But we weren't made to simply do life as maintenance.  There are God-Breathed Dreams planted in each of us that are still alive, even if we've left them behind." Bonnie Gray

To pick up you own "Beloved Bear" visit my Etsy shop. (Coming Soon)
Pear Creek Cottage

Handcrafting Your Holidays-Classes on Skillshare

The Skillshare Channel Challenge is completed.

I am feeling such a sense of accomplishment.  I finished a three month project of posting three new classes on Skillshare.  This may not seem like a big feat for some, but for me, completing this during my busiest months of the year is a giant leap.

I work in retail.  I have always worked in retail.  It is a known fact, that retail's busiest months are the "ber" months.  September, October, November, and December.   So, for me to make new class projects to show to students, and to come up with an outline of classes, and teach the classes; these are "big deals" in my book.

Normally, I would be one who skims over this accomplishment, letting the "brain gremlins" tell me that  I need to do more.  But this time, I'm taking captive the negative thoughts.  I'm not going to let them set up camp in my brain.  I am choosing to have joy in the moment.  Relish the accomplishment.  Breathe.  Reflect.  Be still, and know that God is God over all. {Psalm 46:10}

If you are interested in taking a look at my latest class on Skillshare, you can find it here.

I enjoyed the whole process of making these classes.  I have a passion for making handcrafted gifts that are custom designed for the recipients.  Coming up with these projects designs, fed my creative spirit.  I would love your feedback and input if you have a chance.  Thank you so much for reading, and for being with me on this part of my journey.

May you have a blessed Christmas season.

New Class on Skillshare- Handcrafting Your Holidays

Exciting news to share!  I've just posted my second class on Skillshare.  It is part one of a three part series titled.

                                         Handcrafting Your Holidays.

 

The first class teaches you how to iron on paper with fusible web.  One of my favorite techniques.  A great and easy way to add dimension to your paper crafting .

I would love it if you would take the class and give me a review.  Skillshare is a GREAT way to participate in a huge variety of classes for a different types of interests.

For those already a part of Skillshare, use the Premium link: http://skl.sh/2cCZGSc
For those new to Skillshare, use the FREE link: http://skl.sh/2dqr73S

Thank you for reading my blog, and for following me along the path that God has set before me.
Blessings to you!

Easy DIY Felt Craft Kits CLASS on SKILLSHARE

This past summer, I had the opportunity for huge leap of faith and a giant stretch of my computer and tech knowledge; when I was asked to teach a class on Skillshare.

Having never before heard of Skillshare, I began to investigate what this was all about.  My sleuthing led me to find a treasure trove of classes of all types and kinds.  From crafting, culinary, computer, photography, and so much more.
This is what you can find if you Google "Skillshare".

"Skillshare is a learning community for creators and makers. Anyone can join Skillshare to enroll in online classes, watch video lessons, create projects, and even become a teacher. Our mission at Skillshare is to unlock the world's creativity."

So, I took up the challenge, and published my first class!  Part of the whole process was frustrating.  Part of the whole process was exhilarating.  

For me, it was a renewing of my past passion to teach.  Recalling my past employment opportunities where I was able to teach craft classes.  A stirring arose, and now we will see where it takes me.

You can view my first class here     Easy DIY Felt Craft Kits:

Stay tuned, as more classes are on their way!