One Little Word 2015

Well y'all, I think my stray kitten has left me. I haven't see a trace of her in several days. I quit putting food out because every time I looked outside a different random cat was dining on my front porch. It's like my house is the cool singles bar everyone wants to hang at. Well, everyone but Noelle. Oh well. 

I'm very excited to announce... [drumroll please]... I found my one little word!!! ENCOURAGEMENT. 

source

I wasn't going to do One Little Word this year. I've been unsuccessful in the past few years. But I was praying that The Lord would surround me with encouraging people this year. Positive people, faithful people. And that He would use me to encourage others around me and be a good reflection of Him. Lightning zapped me, causing the thought - this is your One Little Word!! So I feel like this year will be a success.  Encouragement! 

I can't believe it's almost nine and I'm not really moving yet. Let me get up and get the day started. Y'all have a great weekend!! 

Birthday Month Goodness. Share With Me!

September is my birth month.  That's a big deal in my world, because I pretty much celebrate my birthday all month long.

For the past several years (2011 and 2012) I've made a simple birthday wish asking that you send a letter to someone you love, to our troops, or to give to the USO.

This year, I'm stepping it up a notch.  To help celebrate me, please consider a gift to the USO via my USO page at http://www.teamuso.org/create/bethcovington.  Here you'll find an easy way give a donation - any size of donation will mean the world to me and to our troops and their families.

To say thank you for giving, I'm giving away this "Inspire" paper bag scrapbook to one lucky contributor!  For every $5 you give through my page, I'll enter your name in the drawing.  For those who give $25, you'll get 10 entries!

 

It's truly just a "Thank You" because the real gift is knowing a military family is staying in touch while mom or dad is deployed, tired troops are getting a morale boost from Robin Williams, Toby Keith, tor the Dallas Cowgirls, a wounded warrier is being visited by Jessica Simpson - it's just amazing what all the USO provides for our troops. So much more than this.

So I hope you'll consider joining me in helping our troops.  And Celebrate my birthday with me! :)
http://www.teamuso.org/create/bethcovington

What's been keeping me busy?!

I wanted to show ya'll what I've been up to and what's been keeping me busy.  My Etsy store, Pressed Clovers, has been hopping with specialty orders.  Having the customer come up with the requests usually leads to GREAT ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own, but I then fall in love with - precisely what happened with these. I'm going to share a few pics from the recent books, but you can see more at the Pressed Clovers Blog, or PC Facebook page. Or heck, visit the store and make your own request for an awesome book!

This mother has taken a photo of herself on Mother's Day since her first son was born - and it was time to give him a book (which you know will be passed down to his daughter) of his mom on Mother's Day.

Want to see more of this book? Click here to see the PC Blog which will show you more!

The next request was from a mom in PA that keeps a scrapbook of her son each school year, which includes the holidays.  She wanted the ability to put more than one photo on each page, so I worked up 13 pages of cuteness for her son.

To see more of this book and the holidays included, Click Here for the blog post about it!

I had a close friend want a baby girl scrapbook for a special child that the parents have prayed for and wanted for many years.  Blessing has been granted and special delivery will be here soon!

Trust me, I know some of these pics are less than stellar, but sometimes I'm in such a rush to ship, I just need a few pics to get approval from the customer. No Internet at the house sometimes makes life difficult. :) 

Are you ready for the last book today?? It's an ADORABLE Halloween book, which just turned out C.U.T.E.  This mom is putting all her son's Halloween costume pics in one book, with journal pages to write about her memories of each one. Love this. 

See the rest of the book by Clicking Here. I really do love these ideas that folks have been coming up with, and plan on using what I've learned on my new projects.  So exciting!

What are your thoughts?  Ideas for books, likes/dislikes, recommendations??? Please share!

Creating Confidence!

When my friend, Paulene, mentioned to me making a scrapbook for her running bibs, I cringed. I know nothing of running. I know nothing of races.  And I avoid the thoughts of working out. I put it off. Then I got busy. Busier, and busy and then I ran of out excuses. This book needed to be made and it needed to be NOW.

Cupid's Chase

I asked for her list of races. I asked for standard measurements for racing bibs.  I hemmed and hawed, I sweated over what this should look like.  How many pictures, how many vertical, what does a person want to record about a race...

Turtle Trot

 And when I finally started piecing it together, and figuring out how it would look, and assembling it page by page, I finally felt like it was coming together! (Turtle Trot, how cute is that for a race?!)

Race to the Rock

 It started coming together faster and the themes of each race seemed to work out with what I had! The Clemson colors, the color bombs for Color Me Rad, pinks for the Breast Cancer run... it just worked out!

Race in to the Pink

 I discovered that as my friend experienced a confidence boost last year when she started her quest with running, I received my own confidence boost through creating this book for her successes!

Irmo Dam

 All through the year, she posted inspirational quotes and motivational images that encouraged her and all her followers as she went on this journey.

Color Me Rad

So I added those on every page, and guess what?! I had images to match every page! Either the colors, or the message, or image - it was kinda crazy how well it worked out!

Thunder Road

I can't tell you how excited I was when it was complete.  I looked at it and felt good about the work I had done.  I crossed my fingers she would love it, too. Because it was more than just a book. It was a door opening inside of me, showing me that I COULD take on a major project. But only if I actually START it!

Girls on the Run Race

She loved it.  LOVED IT! She became emotional over it and that meant the world to me. Sharing something special with someone you care so much about, that's just beyond totally awesome. :) So Now I'm flying high from the new knowledge I have of myself AND the fact it made a friend very happy!

So maybe I'll figure out a way to include something like this in my Pressed Clovers shop?  I struggle with how to offer books like this which are so personalized.  But I haven't seen much out there for runners to preserve these successes! And I'd love to be the avenue for them to do so! Any ideas or thoughts on this? Just let me know, I'm curious how to work it.

Thanks for following this long post and my journey here! :)

Gathering Inspiration

Click to find this on Etsy!

A friend sent me this email with a great idea!  It's basically a chain letter with NO BAD LUCK - only blessings!  Read below, you'll like it, too:

We are starting a collective, constructive and hopefully uplifting Bible verse exchange. We hope you will participate. We have picked those we think would be faithful and make it fun.

Please send an encouraging Bible verse to the person in position 1 below(even if you don't know him or her).  

It should be a favorite verse that has lifted you when you were experiencing challenging times. Don't agonize over it - it is one you reach for when you need it - or the one that you always turn to. 

Position 1 (I'll let you know if you participate)

Position 2 (Again, I will let you know.)

After you've sent the verse to the person in Position 1, and only to that person, copy this letter into a new email, move my name to Position 1 and put your name in Position 2. 
Only my name and your name should show when you email. 
Send to 20 friends BBC (blind copy).It's fun to see where they come from. Seldom does anyone drop out because,  we all need new ideas and inspiration. 

The turnaround is fast, as there are only two names on the list and you only have to do it once!

Thanks!


Trust me, I could have used some of these uplifting versus easily in the past year.  My problem is, I don't have emails for 20 people - but I do have blogs for many of you and I think you would particpate.  If you are intersted, please let me know (comment below and I'll email you back). I would LOVE to have several bible versus to add to my memory when things get tough and I need some encouragement.  I bet you would, too.  Please join the fun and pass it along to others.

Now, I'm not PROMISING this, BUT, I MAY be able to turn the bible versus into a gift for you if you participate! :)  Even if I did personally email this to you, you'll be counted in the fun.  No promises, but I bet I could come up with something. :)  Looking forward to your participating!

Friday's Letter

Dear Christmas Tree, I'm very thankful you are artificial.



Dear Paulene, I'm so glad you liked your race book! It only took me a year to make it! :) But it taught me to overcome the fear of not being good enough for such a task.



Dear Macy, I'm sorry you have an ear infection, please get well quickly.

Dear pops, so thankful for your good news! Thanks to everyone who prayed and sent good wishes our way!

Friday's Letter

Dear Weekend, I'm so very excited you are almost here. Not sure why. But I am! :)  Woop woop! Dear Macy Mae, I'm so sorry your daddy is sick but you have been so good for your Memaw. Thanks for visiting me at work and making my day so happy! Dear Pintrest, you are killing me and my time. But I am enjoying finding new projects to torture the nieces with! It's not over.. muahahahaha!  Dear Cara Box, thank you, Andrea, for making me a GREAT box! :) I'm so looking forward to what February's theme might be! EEeiikkk!  Dear Paulene, thank you! :) Your motivational spirit finally got me moving. I've done some form of exercise every day this week (for the first time in about 38 years!) and oh my gosh, my legs are paying for it. But it's ok! I'm happy about it! (You can sign up for motivation, too, just click here!)  Dear Water, why can't you taste like Sundrop or Mountain Dew? :(  Dear Pressed Clovers, I'm so excited to have a Facebook page for you, to have two new books available in your store.  Pretty excited about you in general!

Dear Downton Abbey, *spoiler alert* HOW COULD YOU KILL OFF SYBIL!!!! Oh My Gosh, why?!?!?! She's the sweetest, most cool girl on the show! ARRRRGH! What will happen with Branson? The baby? What will he name it? Does Cora know about Lord Grantham's adulterous kiss? Will that Patrick guy come back into the picture? Why did Mary go to the doctor? Did she lose a baby? *breathe breathe* ... must get my heart rate down... *breathe breathe* Ok ok. So thank goodness for Sundays.  See you on Twitter as we all discuss this during the show? :)   Want some entertainment? Check this out!

Dear God, Thank you. For many many reasons. Thanks for the GREAT reminder to THINK before speaking - one of my greatest weaknesses that I'm focused on improving.

Dear Friends - Thanks for reading/visiting! :) Hope you come back soon.  Lots of hotlinks above, enjoy exploring them when you are bored. :)  Leave me a message so I can go visit you, too!




Join the fun! -

A Spark!

Oh my imaginary friends, I'm so excited today...bubbling with happiness! It's due to the creative beast that has grabbed a hold of me and is allowing me to FOCUS and WORK and accomplish things. Love it.



I realize this doesn't look organized, but it is - organized chaos I suppose. I knew this long weekend was coming and I required myself to make it count. Friday night I started cutting and laying out scrapbooks to assemble.

Saturday was a time out to visit Paulene. So happy to see her! She is so inspiring, positive, happy...just awesome. AND the visit included Lizards Thicket, oh yeah. Yummy Thickey goodness in my tummy!

Sunday I wasn't feeling well so I kinda crashed and re-watched Downton Abbey season 1 to gear up for season 3 that night. Love love love this show!

Then Monday came. Oooohhhhhyyyeeeaaahhhh.. Bow bow, chickachicka... Do you even know what song I'm singing? Think Ferris... ANYWAY, this crazy long post to tell you I've created new books!



This craziness is turned into books! Four are ready to go and another is well on it's way...


See them all lined up, ready to be posted on Pressed Clovers? I'll let you know when they get there.

The last one I'm working on today. It's made me think of my grandmother the entire time I've worked on it. So I think that's how I'll market it, a grandmother or mother, or even a generations book.

Do you know I've never made one of these books for me to keep? I think I'll make me one of my grandmother and me. She's been gone about six years now but her influence and love is still keenly felt. So maybe the last book I make this week will be a keeper. :)

For now, I'm hitting the shower and then visiting friends for lunch. I extended my weekend by taking today off from the full-time job (yay!). Hopefully, I'll have new inventory in the store by mid-week!

Crafty #Success!

So excited! If you remember, last weekend was a craft #fail with a wreath that ended up looking like a murdered mermaid. That crap is still sitting in a spare chair at mom's house. Tee hee...

This weekend, I wanted a banner for Valentine's Day and I wanted it now. So this project needed to be simple and quick.



Ta da! Simple heart doilies from Hobby Lobby and some skinny ribbon. I like it, it makes me very happy.



I'm not sure it can get more simple than this. Anyway, the next project I stumbled upon online: marblized Christmas ornaments. Cup of water,Ornaments, nail polish, toothpick and you are ready to go.



Drop dots into the water and swirl with the toothpick. Dip the ornament in and there you go! Go to you tube and look up marblized fingernails because it's the same. I need a lot of practice and smaller ornaments, but it was fun and turned out interesting. And it did work!

So these are making me happier...sorta success is better than total fail!

Seeing dreams come true!

So today is Thursday...and I've wrapped up my 30 things.  I'm not quite sure what direction I'm going to take Thursdays into for future posts. I'm currently thinking about that.

Today, however, I want to share with all the world how incredibly proud I am of my sister!  She's an excellent teacher - outstanding teacher - and she finally took those first baby steps to post her work on a teacher-based website.

CLICK HERE TO SEE HER AWESOME WORK.

Seriously, this is awesome. Because she is really creative, funny, connects with middle school students and yet gains such respect from them. And now she's finally sharing her skills and talents with others who excel in other areas but may need a little help with the creative part of presenting history.  There is even one Christian based lesson for homeschoolers!

Please go by and check out her stuff.  If you use it - free or paid items - please rate it so she can get accurate feedback on what to change to improve! AND PLEASE SHARE! :) See those share buttons (google+, facebook, etc).  Thank you so very much. :)

Letters of Love.

If you've been here for a while, you know one of my loves is to write letters. Handwritten letters are just one of those things you carry around in your purse because the person who wrote it cares enough about you to WRITE a letter. I know, it's amazing.

Imagine my joy when I discovered this website where you write letters of love to random people. No seriously, it's awesome. LOVE this concept.

So there is a ... group? Website? Bunch of loopy people like me? who can submit a person they know who needs a love letter. And the rest of us loopy people will write letters to this person!  Letters of support, of understanding, of encouragement, whatever is needed.

You don't actually get their name and address - you send it safely to this group's address and do not include your own contact information. But you do know enough about the person to feel like you can reasonably write a letter for them.

I know, it sounds crazy. But I can think of people in my circle who have had times where a letter from someone saying - I understand, been there done that, burned my t-shirt and look, I managed to come out on the other side - it would have made a difference.

I don't know, I'm going to try it. I've signed up and I'll let you know what I think about it. :)

Forever Family

For whatever reason, God seems to be bringing adoption to my attention. I don't think it's a message for me to adopt, but I do believe it's for some plan.

It began with a blog I stumbled across just as the family was preparing to bring home two children from Russia. I love seeing their adventures and the love in their family.



This week I stumbled on another one where the family is trying to raise money to begin the adoption process. It's expensive. Like $30,000 expensive. And I thought-I can't do much to help with a number like that. But I can give a little. And I did.

When I worked for United Way, I saw how lots of little gifts could add up quickly. So I have faith my little gift will be used to help them reach their goal.

I'm not sure what it all means in the greater picture for me, but I felt compelled to share with you. I hope it touches your heart like it has mine. :)

Friday's Letter

Dear Friday's Letter, I'm sorry my life revolves around my niece, Macy, these days. I took some time off and spent it spoiling her, so I will have more variety of photos now that I'm back at work full-time. Dear New Year, I'm asking that you be kinder to my family than 2012. I realize I received many blessings - MANY blessings - but please let 2013 have a bit less drama. Dear One Little Word, the reason I'm choosing this word for 2013 is because of the drama of 2012.  My word this year is Simplify. Simplify my life, my living, my material things, my desires, my goals, my focus, ... get back to the basics.  I'm very excited about this word.  Dear Pressed Clovers,  I'm very excited for you, too. I had my first sale to a stranger totally new customer AND she came back for another book!!  Dear Cara Box, I'm so giddy over being part of this for the first time this month. I hope I can live up to some of the other boxes I've seen featured!  Dear new blogger friends - this has introduced me to the most faithful people I've ever met. You inspire me everyday to read with you as you overcome struggles and celebrate blessings. Thank you for opening your hearts and lives up to me with every post!! Dear Praying Peeps, please keep my niece, Macy, and my dad in your prayers as we have a few more hurdles to overcome! :) 

OH! And thanks to Clover Lane for teaching me how to make a dadgim banner for my blog! Holy Cow Batman, it took me long enough, didn't it? Now it's cuter and prettier... Thank You!

Join me at Friday's Letters on Ashley's new blog, The Sweet Season!!

Friday's Letter

It's a Whitman's Sampler box, turned tacky. :)

Dear pen pals, I'm glad you are ok with me attempting to be creative... even when it turns out pretty darn tacky. But it's the thought that counts, right? RIGHT?! Look at how cute these are at Creative Breathing... but understand it's the THOUGHT THAT COUNTS.  ;)

Dear friends, I have had two of you share with me how much you appreciate my support and encouragement in the past.  While I'm slightly baffled - I don't feel like I did anything special or out-of-the-ordinary - I can't explain how wonderful it felt to hear such high praise from people I care about. I'm all about telling people what they mean to you and really appreciate you sharing with me! IT MADE MY DAY WEEK.

Do you see how large this is? Check out the person on the left... it's big.

Dear High School Christmas Show, I'm really glad we randomly chose you to see last night! It brought back all kinds of high school band nerd memories... But even cooler was the HUGE gumball art of horses running in the hallway. Seriously awesome.

Dear Week, you've been busy!  Work Christmas gathering, babysitting Macy, visiting with an old high school friend, visiting with Sara, ... this weekend promises to be packed, too, but it's ok. I'm happy to have people who want to spend time with me. :)  Just let me get a little sleep, please.

Store front and street in Downtown

Left: bedroom pencil tree   right: tabletop living room tree

Dear Christmas lights, I love you. I adore you. I light up like a little kid when I see your flickering and twinkling - you seem to just explode with joy and happiness. *sigh* I love it. I also loved getting my trees up in the house and adding to the festive feeling at home. It's all warm and cozy. 

Dear Christmas Cards - I'm so thankful you have been mailed already. Now I can sit back and enjoy seeing cards come to me!  My fridge is enjoying the decoration. :) 

Dear Macy, because no posting is truly complete without your adorable little face, here is a post from my babysitting date.  You are all drool-y and smile-ly and slobber-y. It's kinda nasty and sweet at the same time.  :) 

Dear Pressed Clovers - another sale this week! Holy cow, Batman, it feels so good! :) Thank you for believing in me and my work!

Dear Lord, You are amazing. Thank you for holding my Dad in your hands, keeping him close to You during each cancer treatment. Thank you for the many people praying on his behalf all across the country.  Thank you for bringing baby Ryan through his surgery, too! (I've picked him out to be Macy's first boyfriend...).  You are good in all things and I thank You.

Join us over at Adventures of Newlyweds to link up your letter!