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! 

Giveaway and guest post

I am still watching for your inspirational entries to win this beautiful Red Letter Words Candle...

I will be picking the winner at random on Thursday at noon.
Check out this post to see how you can enter to win. 


And if you share my contest on Facebook or Twitter, please add an extra comment for each, these can be two bonus entries ;)
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Tomorrow I am excited to share with you all a guest post from my blogging friend Megan from Beautiful Bits of Grace. I met Megan this past summer when she won one of my purses! It's been great getting to know her through emails and blog posts. I love looking in on her blog to get inspired and to just ooh and ahh over the beautiful pics of her gorgeous little children!

I've been writing lately about being more transparent with my faith, and I admire Megan for the posts she does on her faith and how she is working every day to live it out loud. I admire her for that!

It will be a busy week. I'll see you all very soon!


Angie

RedLetterWords Giveaway!

Following up my post from earlier this week, I really want to get better about wearing my faith on my sleeve. I want to put my money where my mouth is.

That is one thing that I've admired about Dee from Red Letter Words. From the first time I discovered her beautiful work it was apparant that each piece that she creates is to bring glory to God.  (as well as a beautiful statement for your home!)  I love what she says about her self.
She "believes in the power of the Word, that God qualifies the called, that our gifts and talents should be shared, and that there is a time and a purpose for everything."  

Wow.

After lusting after her prints for close to a year, I am excited to have the opportunity to give a piece of RedLetterWords to one of my readers!





This handpoured soy candle with a powerful message is sure to make a bold statement in any room of your home.

There are 3 ways to enter.....
Leave a comment below telling me your favorite RedLetterWords product.

Leave an additional comment if you like Gathered & Sown on Facebook.

Leave an additional comment with your favorite bible verse and what it means to you.

Each comment will be one entry. Thanks for stopping and best of luck!

{contest is open to continental US readers only...sorry!}

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

My Latest Batch of Inspiration

I'm in that time of year where I get to focus on new designs. I love the process of finding inspiration, and then playing and working to create something new for my handbag line! I am working on some great new products to reveal, but I'll be honest. It will be a while before you get to see them! I'm still filling orders that continue to come in {thank you, by the way!} and my Etsy shop is keeping me on my toes. So my post today will simply be a few things I found on pintrest that are inspiring me right now, which might give you some clues as to what I'm working on. Hint, hint!

...and I want to build on this design I did earlier :)

So, I'll be busy, but hopefully I'll have a fresh new batch of bags to show off very soon. Thanks for checking out my inspirations. So tell me....What inspires you????

Entering a whole new realm of pursemaking!

I recently hit the leather jackpot, thanks to  a hookup from a  friend in the furniture biz!
See these three boxes? They are mine...all mine!

See the words..19.05? Thats pounds. Of leather!
Oh, and there are 3 of them...

This is the 67 pounds all dumped on the ground, waiting for me to sort it. Ugh.

Mid sort, I swear...I have a system here! The angle of the picture is deceiving, you can't tell from looking but it is taking up about 10x10 feet of floor space!

My sister hopes I have enough black to make her a purse. I think we'll be ok....

A preview of my new leather line. Thats all you get til I've got more to show :)

I've already started playing with it today, and have big plans. Now to find somewhere to put it all.....hmmmmm!

Score Your Purse for Less Than it's Worth(s) ..hehe

Lots of people have been asking me about this big sale I'm launching this Thursday, so for those who don't know, here's how it's going to go :)

This Thursday, January 12 at 9 am, I will be posting a link on my Facebook page. The link will be for  one item in my Etsy shop with a one time use discount code attached to it. That code will be for a substantial discount, ranging from 20 up to 50%! 

The first person to use the code gets it. Once the code is used, the item is no longer on sale. So you have to be quick!

Wristlets
 ($20 regular price)

Bible Covers
($18 regular price)

 I will be posting items and codes at random times of the day and evening through Saturday. (Hours WILL REMAIN between 9 am and 8 pm central time) I will try to give a little warning of the time of the next offer, but won't reveal the item until I post it. I have to keep some element of surprise, right??

Ruffle Bags
($45 or $50 regular price)

I am not trying to clearance my inventory, so these will be items that are new, popular and currently in my shop! So if you were eyeballing anything, now would be the time to follow me on Facebook....hint,hint!

Kids Crayon Bags
($18 regular price)

If you are not on facebook, ask a friend to watch for the codes for you. Facebook is where they will be revealed, so while you don't have to be following Gathered &Sown on FB, it will definitely give you an advantage.

I welcome and appreciate your questions. Please post them in the comments below. I will answer them here to keep all the info in one place.

Finally, to make this sale a success, I need your help! Please pass this on to anyone who might like to be a part of it. Your word of mouth referrals are priceless to me!


So what items are you watching for? I'm trying to decide what to offer first :)



Are you ready??? I know I am!