Been Quiet..but with good reason ;)

So I've been busy. And by busy, I don't just mean no time for coffee dates with my girlfriends. By busy, I mean, I'm down in my studio at least 6 hours every...single...day! Oh, except Sunday...it's family day ;)

It may look like a mess to you...but it's piles of progress to me :D

It's always a good sign when the piles move enough for me to see a surface!

Starting to look like an end product. But this is only one third of them...*sigh

I've been praying that God would allow me to use my purse business to help support my family. And when God's will lines up with yours....POW!

about 1/8th of the orders I am filling right now!

I pray every night before I fall asleep, reflecting on all He has done for me. I have to pause, take a minute from the craziness of filling orders and realize that God has blessed me RICHLY with the ability to do what I love, and help pay for my two daughters tuition at their AWESOME christian school!

I know I wouldn't be able to keep this pace up if it weren't for the grace of God, so when it gets crazy, I look up and am reminded of how I got here in the first place, and how wonderful it is to be here.

My hardworking. lovely staff...my serger and sewing machine <3

Next post (when I can spare a minute!) I'll show you some finished products. It feels so good to utter those words...finished products!

Thanks for checking in!

Angie

Guest Blogger- Megan at Beautiful Bits of Grace

As I announced yesterday, I am excited to introduce you all to my friend Megan at Beautiful Bits of Grace. She is a busy girl: Mom, blogger, crafter, photographer, pintrest addict.  Everytime I check in on her, she is doing something new, and doing it well! If you get a minute, check out her etsy shop. Full of beautiful items she created. I love her flowers. So pretty, and oh, so girly!


Take it away, Megan!



Hi, my name is Megan and I publish a little blog named Beautiful Bits of Grace where you can find me writing about the everyday beautifullness of this life, motherhood, photography and whatever my latest project may be thanks to the oh so addictive Pinterest. 

I "met" Angie in the summer when I was lucky enough to win one of her adorable bags through a giveaway. I was also privileged to work with her on a giveaway together.

She actually invited me to guest post for her a few months ago and I was so flattered and honored! I had every intention of writing a guest post right away for her. The only problem was that I struggle with two things. Procrastination and perfection. I wanted my post to be just right and I didn't want to give Angie anything less. So I procrastinated....for months.Too be honest,  I didn't think any post I would write would be good enough and I was constantly comparing my blog and myself to others. It is something that I definately struggle with and have prayed about.  Comparing myself to others around me. That constant trying to keep up with everyone, everything. Trying to find approval from people instead of being confident in my God given purpose.  

via

Then this morning as I sat down to read my my bible as I had promised God I would so many times {and failed}, I prayed and I asked God to help me, help me to stop trying to live up to the expectations I had placed on myself because of comparison.  I opened my bible to this verse:

The sun has one kind of beauty, the moon has another beauty and the stars have another. And each star is different in it's beauty!

1 Corinthians 14:33 

This verse spoke volumes to me! It reminded me that we are all created differently and each of us has a God given talent or ability. We are all unique and beautiful in that uniqueness. Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder and some loving encouragement. We may think that what we have to offer isn't good enough or right but it may be exactly what someone needed to read. If you decide to stop by and visit my blog be sure and say hi! 

Where does my loyalty lie?

Lately I've had this nagging feeling that I've got it all wrong.  I started my business almost 4 years ago fresh faced. I was ready to serve God and honor Him in all I do. When Kerrie and I started this together, we would  meet together and pray for our business. We would faithfully tithe 10% of our earnings, so that someone else could benefit from the blessings God has given our business.

Then Kerrie moved, and I no longer had that accountability. I was building my business on my own, and watching God at work, from a comfortable distance.

Sure, I still thank Him with each order I see. And  I tell people all the time how much God has blessed Gathered & Sown. But is HE still a part of what I am doing? Not really. I somehow found myself working harder than I used to, getting frustrated more than I had before and not appreciating my business for all that it is. I am in a place where I'm not sure what to do next. I am feeling overwhelmed with my blessings.

And why is that? Because...


I forgot that God is the pilot.  And that I, as an inexperienced pilot, stupidly grabbed the controls from His hands and tried to fly the business by myself. 


Which brings me to now. With His endless patience and mercy, God has shown me where I am falling short. He is showing me that things will be so much easier if I allow HIM to be in control. And I'm in a place where I'm simply asking Him "How do I do it?" It seems I've forgotten how to let God be in control.

Credit:  Jeannewinters

I've decided that I'm going to start this new year intentionally seeking Gods will for my business and my life. I'm not sure what that looks like yet, but I know that " .... God is able to bless me abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work...." ( taken from 2 Corinthians 9:8)

He also promises me that He..." is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me..." 
(adapted from Ephesians 3:20)

I invite you all to join me. If you are feeling like you struggle with allowing God to take control, I'm with you. But I know that with a little faith, and a lot of trust, God will get me to where HE wants me to be, which is far better than where I think I need to go.

Photo Credit: RedLetterWords.com

*New Bible Covers

A request was made after seeing my crayon bags for a "big girl" version to cover her bible. Duh! Why didn't I think of that sooner?!?! So I made one today and was so tickled with how it turned out. My own bible feels so...naked now :)

I will be adding these to my website, on a made to order basis. If you  are interested, please email me at  { contact at gathered-sown dot com } Subject: bible covers. Cost for a cover made to fit your  personal bible measurements is $18-$25, depending on the size.

We all need a day off now and then

I've been offline for a few days, taking a much needed breath of literal fresh air in the beauty that is...Door County. Talk about just what the DR ordered! My Dad and his wife have a cottage there, where Ryan, I and the kids have an open invitation. {You can say we're a little spoiled!}

I have some great stories and beautiful pictures of the fall beauty of Northern WI, but will need another day or two to get it all together. I do, however want to show a few pictures I took last week when I was running errands around Sheboygan. I can't say enough how much I love the beauty of fall! In the wise words of my friend Amy as she explained fall to her 8 year old son this weekend: "God could have just made the leaves turn brown and fall off, but instead He wanted to give us a little gift by turning them such beautiful colors first" Oh, Amy, you are so wise!

Angie

You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til it's Gone

Almost 14 years ago, when I was just 19 years old, I, along with my Dad and sister, had to say good bye to my best friend, my Mother. We watched her helplessly as he slowly went from a bubbly, strong, friendly ray of sunshine to yet another casualty of that horrible thing we call cancer.

This is the last pic of Mom and Dad together
summer of 1997- aren't they cute????

But the thing of it is, even though I still get sad, or even sometimes angry when I think of all that I lost, and all that could have been, I see how faithful My God has been to us, regardless of the fact that His plan doesn't always seem fair.

When I look into my daughters eyes, I can be overcome with sadness knowing they will never know how awesome, beautiful and fun their Grandma was.

When I sew a bag, I can become angry, thinking that she should be there, with our never ending coffee pots, sewing together. Making things for each other.


When my husband and I celebrate our 11th anniversary later this month, I might feel sorry for myself, wishing she could see how we turned out. Wanting so bad to hear that she is proud of me.

Sorry, kids were the photographers...

But here is the awesome part: She is with God, standing in His eternal glory, and this gives me tremendous joy!

I have two wonderful, beautiful daughters, that God knew I could raise, whether or not I had my Mom to help me.


He gave me a strong relationship with my Dad, who never asked to be both Mom and Dad, both Grandma AND Grandpa. Yet it's a role he has filled flawlessly. And a relationship that would have been very different if she would still be here.

Dad, Chloe, Me, Audrey and Ryan in Door County this summer 

 She is here with me when I sew. She tried to teach me in high school when I didn't want to learn, but somehow, by some miracle, it stuck, and it is how I make my living today. And every time someone tells me how proud she'd be of what I'm doing, I think of how I couldn't be doing it if it weren't for her....


She taught me how to be a friend.................

My Mom (front right) with her group of friends, which included Joyce,(next to her)
who is Amy's Mom :)

Amy and I now :)

He gave me a best friend, who knows what I mean, since she's been there all along. My Mom and Dad had a group of friends when we were growing up, and while Amy and I weren't close as kids, as adults, I don't know what I'd do without her.  God knew I needed to be reminded by people who knew my Mom, of who she was. And the relationships I have with those who loved her and knew her, is a gift I can't describe. Because, in a small way, it keeps her memories close to me.


So when I get over my woe is me moments, I realize that God has always been there.

I realize now that His plan is not for me to understand, but for me to take comfort in.

I now know that none of the "could have beens" will compare to the "is to comes".

I praise Him for that!

Trust and Patience

Two things that apparently God is telling me I lack. In the last couple of weeks, the hubs and I are facing some major decisions, decisions that will affect our family in some major ways. And to make things worse, it's not just one big thing we're dealing with, but two major things that we are praying about and seeking God's guidance on. But the answers and clarity I'm praying for just aren't there. I'm learning to lean on God, to pray without ceasing, and most of all I'm learning to wait on God's plan. I'm learning that He knows what is best for my family, and no matter how much I stew and worry, He is ultimately in control. So while I wait, I continue to pray for Ryan, who I have left to carry the weight of making the decisions. I trust my husband with these decisions because I know he only has our family's best interests at heart. I am slowly learning to understand that God only has my family's best interest at heart,too. How do I know? Because He said so....
          Those who know your name trust in you, for you,

 LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. 

Psalm 9:10

Gathered & Sown has a professional photo shoot {I feel so grown up}

Last night, after I dropped my kids off for VBS, I was privileged enough to have my good friend Krissy Vanderlaan offer to take pictures of my bags. She has a super fancy camera, some mad photog' skills and photo shop. I would be a fool to say no! But when the time came to go, I had no model. As I called Krissy on my cell, I drove by my friend Laura's house. Lo and behold, there she stood, cleaning out her car, like a frantic answer to prayer! And don't gag, but as you look at the pictures, please know this is EXACTLY how she looked when I drove by. No foolin. I wish I looked that good when I was cleaning my car! Krissy was able to convince me that I looked presentable enough to be in a few shots, even though I was only planning on standing BEHIND the lens. Had I known, I would have tried to look at least a little more "laura-like!"

This picture was taken in the cutest little old fashioned soda and ice cream shop in the South Pier district.
If you are ever in Sheboygan, check out South Pier Parlor, owned by the sweetest little thing,
Michelle and her hubby Ryan.
{ I love to support awesome people and their small businesses, wink,wink! }

This was taken on South Pier in Sheboygan.
We are SO BLESSED to live right on the beautiful Lake Michigan.

Krissy thought Spencer felt left out. (he was waiting in the car the WHOLE time!)
SO we decided to get him in a few shots.
{Notice his body language. He was about to SPRINT after another dog.}

Laura and those L-E-G-S!
If I had legs like those, I'd be going around showing them to people, saying
"Hey, have you seen my legs? They rock!" :D

We had so much fun. The weather and natural lighting were perfect and I love what Krissy did with the pictures.

{Thank you Laura and Krissy for your time, talent and friendships!}

That's what I love about my job. I get to do what I love, with the people I enjoy being with and on top of that, get to see something I CREATED bring someone joy. Life is good :)

Why I Treat Every Order Like It's A Gift

I have to admit that everytime I turn on my computer and see those glorious words "Etsy Transaction" I get very giddy inside. (And outside, I always yell to the hubs, or call my bff!) As a tiny business owner there is something so special about knowing that someone, someone who doesn't even know me, likes what I am doing. Likes it enough to invest their hard earned money in order to have it in their hands. And that speaks VOLUMES to me. I acknowledge every day how much God has blessed me both personally and in my business. I acknowledge every day this gift He's given me, to be able to provide for my family, doing what I LOVE, while still being home to be present with my girls. And I don't ever want to take that for granted.

So this is why I treat every order as if it's a gift. I want my buyer to get their package in their hands, with a sense that they are about to open something special. Even if someone comes to my studio to buy a bag, I always wrap it and box it with my signature style. Yes, they know what's in the box, but I just know that I'd be excited to peel back the layers when I got home, revealing the splurge that I've been waiting for.

When I mail out online orders, I always handwrite the envelope. You know that feeling when you go to the mailbox and see a handwritten card? I love that!

 

I got this picture sent to me on facebook from an awesome customer that said:
 "Hey everybody...look what I got in the mail today"!
I loved knowing her reaction, it was a gift in and of itself :)

I want my buyers to know that I took the time to personally wrap and deliver their new "gift". I also use the same tissue paper/sticker combo that I use on my "in person" pickups, to keep my packaging consistant. I feel like that little pop of color and personality gives the person a little preview of what they are about to unwrap! And with every mail order goes a handwritten thank you card. How can I let people know that I appreciate their business if I don't take the time to tell them? So I do :)

I really feel like the little details can go along way towards showing my gratitude. And I am more than grateful to wake up each new day and getting to see my little venture unfold. Who knows? Maybe I'll see a new "Etsy Transaction". Fingers crossed... :)