Oh Creativity...

you are a very fickle thing. The weather has been so rainy and dreamy, breeding the perfect situation for reading ALL day and I have! Hope you love the book posts because between reading and gardening I haven't spent too much time creating. Today I am organizing all of my monthly kits for project life in hopes that a clean work table will inspire me to make things... a clean room usually does the trick!

Charlie

Currently

I am...

wishing I was back on vacation staring at those beauties up there.

muddling through a creative rut.

wanting to organize and clean everything (to avoid the aforementioned creative rut).

slowly making new pillows for the couch.

catching up on Bates Motel.

reading too many books at once because I can't make up my mind.

sleepy and just want to take all the naps!

What are you up to currently?

Charlie

Be Fearless

(found here)

I needed this reminder today, so I thought I would share it with you! Sorry for my silence, life has happened and I have no time to create. I will return very soon! On a positive note, not being able to create has left me with a list of ideas... get ready!

Charlie

Today

Charlie

New York!

I spent all of last week exploring New York City and I loved every minute of it! It was a very spontaneous trip, and I figured with this being the year of more that I better jump on it. Now I am bursting at the seams with creative energy and I am hoping I can use it all before it leaves!

Charlie

Currently

I am...

making Valentine's goodies.
adding new sizes of earrings to the shop (check it out).
looking for inspiration.
reading Every Day by David Levithan.
trying to organize all my Project Life things.
enjoying not taking blogging too seriously (don't worry, things are getting back on track).
watching Teen Wolf, Pretty Little Liars and The Following.
dreaming of a mini getaway.
thankful the sun is shining, even though it is freezing!

What are you currently up to?
Charlie

Farewell 2013

2013, you were a good year... not too much happened, but I really like it that way! My most memorable moments would have to be:

- going on a girls getaway.

- making it into a magazine!!

- taking mini vacations around the state.

- having products in multiple weddings!

- reading all kinds of books.

I am so excited for my year of more!! I have been setting things up for success! Making plans for trips, dreaming up things I want to do, and being a little more daring (with craft supplies of course). 

Charlie

2014

My one word for 2014 is more. As I was thinking of resolutions they all had the word more in it. I know that word has kind of a negative connotation, but I don't mean more things. I mean... Do more with less, enjoy more at home, believe more in myself, have more faith, be more content. There is more to be had in life than material things and I just want to simply live more in all of the moments!

So, in 2014 I hope to...
travel more, learn more, create more, see more, laugh more, enjoy more, believe more, sleep more, explore more, simplify more, read more, watch more, do more, clean more, cook more, list more, journal more, capture more, give more, listen more, dare more, smile more, fail more, play more, disagree more, plan more, relax more.

This is me fearlessly choosing a word that might make people think negative things about me, but this is me also fearlessly not caring!

What are your resolutions for 2014? Did you choose a word?

Charlie

Being Fearless in 2013

This quote from Divergent struck me when I read it because it is just TRUE!! My main resolution for 2013 was to be fearless in all I do. This one action helped my creativity, self-esteem and overall happiness. It was such a good resolution, I am not even sure how to make a new one for 2014. 

Being fearless helped my creativity beyond measure. I was always an over-thinker and I would plan things out until there was no possibility of failure. This often meant that I never actually went through with things. I solved this by only letting myself plan out the steps and supplies needed and from there I just ran with it. This helped me learn how to set zippers, try new beading styles, make new things for the shop and use a lot of supplies I had been saving (for fear of ruining/wasting them).

Being fearless did great things for my self-esteem. For the first time I just let myself be. I failed at this sometimes, but for the most part I think I did well. Reading Daring Greatly helped with this a lot. I didn't fear what I said or would say in conversation. I didn't fear what people would think of me, what I was wearing or putting my opinion/feelings out there (it is ok to not like things or agree with everyone). I didn't fear the silence in conversations (I'm a big introvert). I just let myself be and I grew through that simple action immensely.

Being fearless led to better overall happiness. Obviously making all the changes talked about above really improved my everyday, but I also had to let myself say no to things. I know that sometimes you have to do things for other people, but not all the time and not at the expense of your happiness! Taking the fear out of saying no was HUGE for me. I still cringe a little when I say it, but it is nothing like it was before.

How was your 2013? Did you have your own fearless moments?

Charlie

Thanksgiving Break!

I just wanted to let you know I am taking a mini break for Thanksgiving! I will be back Friday... hopefully with a little Christmas update to the shop and a coupon code for the shopping weekend. I am sure I will share some of the craziness of hosting my first holiday gathering on Instagram, so feel free to follow along.

I think I am going with a mix of vintage Corelle for the table setting. I am super excited to use all of the plates I've been hoarding. I hope you have a very happy TURKEY DAY!

Charlie

Today

Today is for...

coming up with new ways to package products. 

listening to Darkly Dreaming Dexter while I work.

working on a few more fall decorations for the house.

trying a new recipe for apple crisp.

What are you up to on this wonderful Wednesday?

Charlie

Hello November

This November I am going to keep the tradition I started last year (would that be a tradition?) of writing down something I am thankful for everyday. It was a nice reminder to be grateful, especially when all the Christmas craziness is beginning! I also have some new things to list in the shop, projects I want to share and a few blog updates to finish up. Is there anything special that you would like to see in this month?

November might just be my favorite month. Sorry October. You're really good, but November has:

-Pretty color everywhere

-Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday)

-Fluffy birds

-Cinnamon baked goods

-Fires in the fireplace

-The smell of snow in the air

-The excitement of Christmas

-Coats and scarves (I love scarves)

-Leaf piles

I'm sure there is more that I am just not thinking of... What are your favorite things about November?

Charlie 

Weekend Plans

Yay, it's the weekend! This week felt so full of all the things and I am very ready for the weekend, even if we are a bit busy. Here is what I am hoping to do:

- Watch some not so scary movies.

- Pick out a crochet project to start from my new Simple Crochet book (I am so behind).

- Make these cute foxes from Paper Source and put them all over the house.

- Attempt to dye these amazing thrifted boots a darker brown. Any tips?

We also have a wedding this weekend and those are always a blast. I just hope my allergies will subside long enough to let me enjoy myself!

What are you plans this weekend?

Charlie

Today

Today is for...
Restyling a lovely polka dot dress I picked up a while back.
Finishing up new earrings for the shop... I hope they will be in there by next week!
Sewing a special birthday gift.

What are you making today?

Charlie

Right Now

I am...

very ready for the weekend.
listening to this song over and over, can't stop.
really enjoying art journaling/journaling again... it has been awhile.
attempting to take pictures of the birds with my new-to-me 55-200mm lens.
still trying to comprehend that Breaking Bad is really over... Mr. White!
dealing with the loss of my spirit animal Deborah Morgan, yes I enjoy TV.
reading a book written in verse, a first for me.
building up my things-to-crochet list.
sewing everything without fear of messing up. Very freeing and I've messed up!
gathering supplies to make these cute yarn pumpkins.


What are you up to right now? I'd really love to know!
Charlie

Hello October!

The leaves are starting to change and the most beautiful time of year is beginning! Here is my list of must dos for October.

1. Go apple and pumpkin picking.
2. Take long walks as the leaves fall.
3. Go to the quaint little spot we found last year to enjoy all the colors.
4. Carve pumpkins.
5. Keep an autumn journal.
6. Attempt to make these donuts.
7. Light the fire place if it gets cool enough.
8. Do our annual scary movie marathon.

What is on your list?
Charlie

Today

I am having one of those creative days where I can't focus on any one thing for very long. I am currently in the middle of making scarves, leggings and fall flowers (posts to come soon) and so in turn, the floor of my craft room looks like this...

There are a million other things I would like to be doing right now too. For some reason, autumn always fuels my creativity. Let's hope I can keep it going and make all the things! 

Charlie

For The Love of Books

I have been torn on whether I should keep sharing books here or not. Either way, I knew I wanted to share these two books with you.

Daring Greatly and Boundaries were both very thought-provoking books that helped me to put things in better perspective. I was living life scared. Too scared to say no, too scared to put anything real out into the world and too scared to put myself first. Maybe you can tell that both of these books helped me write my Journey to Epic Failure post... they certainly did!

I am sure someone who is reading this now will be like "oh, she reads self-help books", but what a gross stigma to put on a book. To me, these were like manuals for staying sane as an adult. If you would like to get past the shame you feel for being who you are, and you're ready to stop re-arranging your life every time someone asks, then I highly recommend these two books.

If you want me to continue sharing books I read, let me know!

Charlie

Must Have Post-its

Last week I shared a look inside my notebook where I gather ideas for craft projects. It was tidy, neat and efficient. That is not the case for catching fleeting ideas and inspiration as you can see above. Nothing can replace a Post-it to me. I need that little piece of sticky paper that you run the risk of losing 30 seconds later. It took me a long time to be okay with keeping ideas this way. I would try to make myself use little notebooks, but it just didn't work. Something about using a notebook made me feel like my lists had to be pretty and organized and using Post-its took the pressure off. 

When I go through the pile I have stuck to my desk, work table and wallet it is like treasure! Reading through all the ideas, quotes and random thoughts always re-inspires me. I feel most creative in a some what chaotic/messy environment, but I can't handle when things get out of order. Post-its help me keep just enough chaos, but in a structured way. Eventually, all the Post-its (that don't get lost) get organized and the information ends up on a list or in a journal when I can take the time to do so neatly.

Yes, I did just write an entire post about Post-its. 

Charlie

29

My birthday was on the 30th and I took some time to write myself a little list of reminders for the year. Sometimes I get caught up in all of the 'getting older and have to be a grown-up' thinking. Then I remind myself it is just a number, and with age comes wisdom... so bring it on! I know that my 29 doesn't have to look like anyone else's 29.

In my 29th year I will...

- remember that clothes are not sold by age.
- not fear turning 30 for one minute!
- do the things that make me happy first, so I can be in a better place to serve those around me.
- accept my homebody status.
- cherish all of the moments with friends and family.
- continue to enjoy colorful nail polish.
- photograph it all.
- stop trying to make myself a morning person.
- be secure in the fact that God loves me even if I am not blessed with a child.
- push past all the what ifs.
- not stifle my inner child.
- still own coloring books.
- sleep with the TV on.
- read young adult lit.

Does anyone else get infuriated with the "you should dress your age" comment? Please tell me I am not alone!

Charlie