The Little Prince

Just wanted to remind everyone that the first month of our book club will be ending soon. Next, for the month of February, we will be reading "The Little Prince". If you haven't heard about our book club, please see previous posts about it!! We would love to have you join!! Our book list was compiled to really help us grow and become aware of how important it is to step outside of our comfort zones and be change in the world. Discussion for our current book will open the last day in January.

Vintage Key Necklace

Good morning my friends!!  Did you see this necklace? It's available and I'm taking orders for more. Oh, and you know the best part? I can stamp a word on the little dove that's special to your heart!! Isn't that fun?  They are $35 shipped and also have a charming vintage key!! What's your word for 2015? (available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com)

God's Beauty is Everywhere

     "God's beauty is everywhere! Capture it!" Whether by art, photography, decorating, writing, speaking, encouraging or the hundreds of others ways... capture it and share it!!! This little quick artwork was done on a piece of regular ole cardboard. @hippieindisguise you inspired this!! Use what you have and choose to see the whimsical beauty!!

Free to be Me Journal Interview

     Hey friends!! Just in case you didn't see it, I wanted to let you know that my dear friend Mel of @melbee_photography shared an interview with me on her blog (http://melbee.squarespace.com/new-blog/) about Free to be Me Journal. If you have been wondering how this account began, all of your questions are answered! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to share it with you all. Have a WONDERFUL day friends!! You all are SO special!! Photo credit to my dear friend Vanessa of Butterfly Sparks Creative (http://butterflysparks.tumblr.com)

Free to be Me Journal Interview

     Good morning friends!!! Today is a VERY special day!! If you have been wondering about how "Free to be Me Journal" began, well your questions have been answered. My dear friend and incredible photographer Mel (@melbee_photography)has featured me on her blog today for the purpose of sharing how this account came to be. I'm excited for you all to know more about the purpose of this account and see how God orchestrates everything so perfectly to bring about His glory!! YOU all are so encouraging and inspiring to me and I know God has GREAT things in store for you!! The link to the interview is in my profile. Thank all of you who follow along and desire to break free from society's norms and soar through faith in Jesus!! Love ya Mel!!! Photo credit to my dear friend @butterflysparks 

Photo - Monica Silva

     Photo and caption by @mrs612mlt Every post in her gallery, is captured and expressed through the eyes of her son. "Although you maybe among many, the simplest way to stand out is just to stand up. I choose to stand up, otherwise, I will be engulfed by a sea of beautiful pumpkins. Plus, mama may not be able to see me & it is almost time to go. Being lost without mama is not fun. No matter where I am, being with mama is always being home."

May I pray for You?

     Good morning friends!! I hope you all have a super fantastic day today!! Is there anyway that I can be praying for you? 

Women Entrepreneur Feature - Mary Krause

Good Morning friends! Oh my! Today's interview is absolutely packed full of encouragement and inspiration. I'm always so incredibly excited to share with you each interview because the power of someone sharing their story is amazing. It speaks right to our hearts and reminds us to walk by faith and not sight.  Our interview for today, is with a very dear friend of mine who has encouraged me so greatly.  I'm constantly moved by her story and faith and always leave her Instagram feed feeling so inspired and reminded to turn over the reigns of this life to my Heavenly Father. She is an absolutely gem and I'm so thankful for having her in my life. May I introduce, Mary Krause! 

1. How did you come to realize your gift/talent for creating hand stamped items?

I have to admit that I have not always been a very confident, risk taking person, so starting an online etsy shop was quite the stretch for me to do alone, but my daughters, Eleanor and Madelyn both played a big part in encouraging me to do so.  I knew that the Lord had blessed us with certain gifts in our creativity and that HE had also planted those desires in our hearts to share those talents with others.  We sought to open HOPEhomemade as a faith based shop, with our main focus being to honor the Lord in all we did and to encourage others in their faith as well.  I knew that it would also be a wonderful learning experience for my daughters... a way for us to connect as a family, and an opportunity to teach them how to run a shop and do things to the absolutely best of your ability, because that's what the Lord expects of us all.  I'm so glad we did, because the Lord took my fears and turned it into faith as HE blessed us with sales and customers that were so kind and life giving in their words.

2. Where do you gather inspiration?

I gather inspiration, first and foremost, from the Scriptures.  You just can't go wrong!  There are so many Truths tucked away in the Bible and I love reading a passage from my devotions and being inspired by it.  I can then, in turn, encourage others in that same lesson that God has taught me, which has been phenomenal to watch unfold!  I believe that we are here on this earth to share the Gospel with everyone we meet, and also to encourage fellow believers in their faith walk.  The fact that God can minister through this weak vessel is just astounding.  I definitely feel unworthy and you know what? I am.  BUT! Christ IN ME, the hope of glory, is able to turn my many failures and shortcomings into His beautiful story, woven one day at a time, by His grace, for His glory!  I am also GREATLY inspired by hymns of old.  The stories of hope and redemption, from days gone by, have often times been written out of times of great loss and tragedy.  Their faith strengthens mine and the encouragement and depth of substance that they carry inspires me every time I hear them.

3. If you had one piece of advice to share with women entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Well, I certainly do not feel qualified to give out any advice to women entrepreneurs, but the one things that I would say is to seek God in everything and when you know that He has called you to do something, BE BRAVE in it!  This is something that I struggled with my whole life, but when God used my girls to push me out of my comfort zone, He blessed in ways I couldn't have imagined.  If I had stayed in my comfortable little bubble, I would have missed out on some of the greatest blessings!  I am learning that we are called to be bold ambassadors for Christ and when He calls us to a certain task, because of a certain gifting, He will finish that work that HE started in our hearts if we just simply trust HIM.  Remember, self focus = INSECURITY, but Christ focus and fixing your gaze on HIM = ULTIMATE CONFIDENCE!

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HOPEhomemade
Instagram: mary.krause

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Mary!  Friends, please go and check out Mary's shop and especially her instagram feed! Your life will be changed.

I Wonder Art

     

     This painting is available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com. All sizes available!! The contrast of beautiful flowers with the "imperfect" handwriting is reminiscent of quotes that we write and post around our homes to remind us to strive to overcome our "imperfect"behaviors in order to draw closer to Jesus! 

Women Entrepreneurs Interview with Sarah Mcaffry

Good Morning everyone! Today I am thrilled to bring you another interview with an incredibly talented friend of mine who has an enormous heart for God!  I am completely inspired by her story and know you will leave feeling the same way.  I'm constantly amazed by how our Heavenly Father leads and guides us when we surrender all and let him direct our lives! So without further ado, I would like to introduce photographer Sarah Mcaffry!

1. Has photography always been a part of your life?

I fell in love with photography in my early twenties. I was given a camera for Christmas and haven't been able to put it down for the past decade! Something inside of me feels a little more alive when I'm taking pictures. It's such a thrill to visualize something and make it come to life. 

2. How did you feel called to start your own business? Was it a process or immediate happening?

Starting this business was very much a God thing. I was a high school English teacher for six years and did photography on the side. One summer, God made it very clear that I was not to go back to teaching in the fall. It was a touch decision because I truly loved my job and felt like it was my calling. I learned quickly that God can give us a calling for a short time period and then move us on to another! My husband was so supportive, so I set up a meeting with my principal to resign. I met with him at 9am one morning and just three hours later, a photographer friend of mine called to tell me she was moving to Haiti and needed someone to rent her studio. I was shocked at how perfectly God orchestrated everything for me to be able to walk right through that open door. It hasn't always been easy, but God has blessed me every step of the way. 

3. Where do you gather inspiration and can you explain a little about your creative process?

Every couple of months I go to the bookstore and stock up on magazine. I don't just flip the pages. I study them. It helps me stay on top of current trends and gives me tons of posing inspiration. I also meet with my clients before their shoot to plan every detail like location and what to wear. Then I have days or weeks to visualize and get inspired for their shoot. Taking a few minutes before each photo shoot to be quiet, to reflect on who my client is and what they want out of the shoot helps me to be in a creative space while I'm working. I've had to practically give up Pinterest altogether because I found it was hindering my creative process by just making me want to do what everyone else was doing. Keeping myself separate from that world helps me to cultivate my own style and creative process.

4. If you had one piece of advice to share with women entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Connect with other women entrepreneurs! Even if it's in your same industry, in your own town, we are all in this together. I live in a place where there are so many groups of photographers who meet together, who pray together and who send each other referrals. Technically, I guess we are competition but by joining together, we actually raise their standard of the industry and can support each other's businesses. It always helps to have someone to vent to as well. Someone who has been there and who understands everything you're going through. Running a successful business is a serious task and I guess it can be done alone, but it's so much better when you have a team of supportive people behind you! 

www.sarahmcaffry.com

www.twitter.com/sarahmcaffry

www.facebook.com/sarahmcaffry

Instagram @sarahmcaffry

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Sarah! If your looking for a photographer in the Knoxville, TN area, definitely check out Sarah's website!

You are Beautiful, Treasured & Valued

     Don't EVER let anyone tell you otherwise!! Have you entered the giveaway?!?  See previous post!!

"Beloved" Necklace

     Just finished listing these in the shop www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com Have a beautiful day today, friends!!! If you would like to know more about this design and how it came to be, there is a previous post that explains everything. It is a photo of two "Beloved" necklaces. 

"Beloved" Necklace

     Let's be encouragers and offer support to each other... a smile or simple but sincere "How are you today?" can boost someone's spirit and make them feel special to know someone cared. If God has laid someone on your heart this morning, don't push it aside. A text, email or phone call letting them know you care can brighten someone's day immensely!! Leave your PayPal email below to claim this beautiful necklace. $26. More available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com 

I Wonder Original

     So many ways to wear the tees in my shop! Head over to www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com to get yours!! Wear your faith!

Child of the one true King

     Love that you can dress these shirts up or down!! "Child of the one true King" tee available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com

Art in Shop!

     Good morning!! I hope you all have a wonderful day!! Thank you all for your encouraging comments during preparation and then the opening of my shop! You are amazing! I would like to ask a favor. Would you mind taking the time to hop over to the shop and tell me your thoughts - is it easy to navigate or did you notice any errors? I want to make sure I'm not missing anything or overlooking something. Thank you in advance!! Also, the paintings in the photo above are available in the shop!! Here is the link : www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com 

Introduction Thursday

     Photo by my dear friend Vanessa Warren (@butterflysparks).  

     I am a dreamer who pretends that the 70s are here and now while searching to find Jesus in every aspect of life.  I don't believe that finding success in life is simply like playing the lottery.  God has a beautiful purpose for each one of us and I desire to trust Him completely to reveal his path for my life.  I am currently preparing for the launch of my brand "I Wonder Original" where I will offer art, tees with my original designs, photography and eventually a beautiful e-course.  My desire is to inspire you and encourage you to pursue your God-given dreams because they are beautiful and I have faith in you!  I deeply want to join in your journey.  Most importantly, let your light shine for Jesus!  ALL of the glory goes to Him! ~ Kat - Founder of Free to be Me Journal

SNEAK PEEK!!

     SNEAK PEEK!!!!  I am so very excited to share with you one of the tees I have designed for I Wonder Original!!!!  I would love to hear your thoughts!

I Wonder Original

     I have been following along with each of your journeys and I'm so inspired by your dreams and passions in life.  You all are so amazing and encouraging!  I know God has incredible things in store for you.  Today I would like to share with you a piece of my dream... one that I was not aware of until God knocked me down and placed it in my lap.  I have a dream to open a shop "I Wonder Original" where I will set art, tees, photography, and a future e-course.  My desire is to inspire each one of you and to encourage you to follow your dreams because YOU are a valued part of this world.  I am so excited to share with you my brand new logo!

Repost Logo & Share

     If you have been blessed or inspired by Free to be Me Journal, please share with others.  Let's continue building a community of supporting and encouraging women that offer kindness to each other as we pursue our God-given dreams.  It is a tough but exhilarating journey.  Be a light to one another and show love as our Father does for us.  You all inspire me!