Jewelry Collaboration with LazuliHandcrafted

     Ok folks... I am not usually a necklace kind of person but THAT HAS CHANGED!! When I received this gorgeous necklace in the mail, I couldn't get over the beauty of its design. It's now one I wear all of the time! Check out @lazulihandcrafted Instagram account and also her etsy shop to see more stunning and beautiful pieces of jewelry! www.etsy.com/shop/lazulihandcrafted

Photography - Madlyn Jane

     Beautiful photo by @madlynj Her feed is absolutely whimsical and refreshing!!

Fashion Collaboration with AmorDress

     Friends!!! I have something SO exciting to share with you!!!  I teamed up with @amordress to design this gorgeous 70s inspired dress!! PLUS, all of you can enjoy 10% off any dress in their shop by using the code "IWONDER"!! This is something I've dreamed about for a long time. At one point when I was trying to decide where God was leading me, I thought perhaps it was cute modest fashion design. Well... my first attempt looked as though I had made a dress that should be a bedspread. It was a complete failure! Dear friends, head on over to their shop to check out their adorable dresses and find the one I'm wearing in this pattern along others!!! I will link their shop in the comments!

Photography - Hannah Emily Barnes

     Oh this photo by @ohtobehannah is making me long for the beach!!!

Free to be Me Journal

     Here is the official hashtag for "Free to be Me". This account is to celebrate YOU so here are a few things to keep in mind when submitting: 

1. Women entrepreneurs that you would like to highlight 
2. Photographs 
3. Your business 
4. Encouraging words 
5. A special story about seeking God through business related success or struggles 
6. DIY 
7. Your item/s that you sell in your shop (send me an email about collab to freetobemejournal@gmail.com) 
8. Organic anything 
9. Fun things to do in your town 
10. Books 
11. Anything else you can think of that keeps on topic with this account Most of all, I want to hear and share your dreams so that we can build a community of support for one another and encourage each other in the ups and downs of life. 

Beautiful Story - Dawne Broadfield

     Beautiful photo by @adeltadawne Here is a little bit about this photo that she shared on her account: The update on our little Dark-eyed Junco: we have been laboring about when to release her. One leg is useless so she has a hard time balancing. One eye is useless, as well. This causes her to have depth perception issues. I am pleased to report she is much stronger now and actually bites when we catch her. What a little spitfire! We know that if any bird can make it with physical limitations- it is her so we have decided the release will happen soon. 

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!

Give Thanks

     Sitting here thinking about how important it is that I offer thanks to God for all that He blesses me with.  So much of the time, I fill my prayers with worries, complaints or wants.  Anyone else with me?  From now on, more giving thanks!

Fashion - Gardner and the Gang

     Seriously wishing that these amazingly creative girl's clothing items came in my size!  Photo by Scandinavian Minimall(@scandinavianminimall) and clothing by Gardner and the Gang(@garderandthegang)

Happy Sunday Folks

     I hope you all have a day full of rest and basking in Jesus' love! Let your light shine!!

Photography - Lana

     This pic... Gee... It reminds me of how I allow little frustrations in life to completely overshadow the simple mundane things that give life such pleasure.  Thank you SO much, Lana(@mooninthemeadow),for sharing this photo! 

Decor - Lindee

     Photo by Lindee(wildflowerhome_photo)!  Absolutely loving the green!  Her feed is full of DIY and decorating ideas.

Beach View

     View from our balcony.  Trying to soak in every second!

Women Entrepreneurs Feature - Mary Wangerin

     Good Morning, friends!  I am giddy with excitement to share with you this week's "Women Entrepreneurs Feature".  I know you are going to love it and be filled with inspiration just as I am.  Today's feature is my sweet friend and artist Mary Wangerin.  I have been so very blessed by her sweet spirit, heart for God, and love for life that is clearly depicted in her brightly colored paintings.  Let's begin.

Me: Has art always been part of your life?

Mary: Oh my goodness yes. Life is art, after all! But in the literal sense of the question, I remember spending hours as a little girl with my crayons and blank sheets of paper. The desire to create with my hands runs deep. 

Me: How did you feel called to be an artist?

Mary: When I began to silence the noise all around me, and truly listen to my inner thoughts - what I felt was the push to begin creating again. 
I had just graduated college and my hubby and I had moved to a tiny town in the mountains. I spent hours in my little studio reconnecting with color and texture through paint, and I completely and totally fell in love. 

These words from Joseph Campbell resonate so much with what it felt like to choose this path: 
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”  - Joseph Campbell

Me: Where do you gather inspiration and can you explain a little about your creative process?

Mary: I am a mixed media artist. My favorite materials include acrylic paint, pastels, charcoal pencils, found objects + ephemera. Layers and layers of colorful goodness make my heart happiest. 

I'm inspired by so much of daily life - you know, the little things. A delicious cup of coffee in my favorite mug. Watching the leaves dance + twirl + fall. Good conversation. Togetherness. A field of wildflowers. Long bike rides. Road trips to nowhere in particular. The way the sunlight filters through the sheer curtains in the morning. The moon! The list goes on and on.

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

Mary: Tune into your own creative spirit. Listen to what calls you, and what comes naturally, and do that! Don't worry so much about what you think people will love, or want to purchase. Make art and don't worry about the outcome. That's where the real joy is.

Thank you, Mary, for sharing your beautiful thoughts about your artistic process and journey with us.  I have been blessed by your story and am so thankful for you! :)

Please check out Mary's artwork!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryWangerin?ref=ss_profile

Instagram: MaryWangerin

Blog: http://theturquoisepaintbrush.blogspot.com/

Photography - Heather Glasby

     Photograph by Heather Glasby(@heatherglasby).  Who else would like to take a seat at this gorgeous table?!  Hop on over to her feed! You will be inspired.

DIY - Washi Tape Piano Keys

     Adorable DIY by Katie Schiltz(@ktschiltz).  I'm always inspired by her incredible photos full of home decor and simple ideas for DIY projects.  Her feed is a must!

You Are Good Enough

     I have to be honest... I feel this way a lot!  Sometimes I feel that there is NO way I can do anything because I'm not good enough and that no one will ever care what I do.  Do you ever feel this way?  I am so glad that we serve a Heavenly Father who loves us no matter what our circumstance.  We don't have to worry about dressing the coolest, having perfect hair, or owning the greatest business in the world.  He loves us as we are and cherishes our hearts.  If we can trust Him, we are taken care of and led along the path He created for us filled with amazing adventures along the way.  So friends, if you are struggling today, know that YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!! Please comment below with a story or thought about how you experience the above subject.  Take time to read each other's comments and respond with encouragement.  We can learn so much from one another and need support!  

Breakfast - Jannicke Jacobsen

     Yummy breakfast!  Photo by Jannicke Jacobsen(@jannickeeline). She has a beautiful feed full of nature photos. Inspires me to explore!

Interior Design - Selina Lake

     Ok.  I just cannot get enough of Selina Lake's books!  So much inspiration and decor that I could actually do... many times I'll find a promising interior design book only to be let down by the lack of creativity or use of dull photographs - COMPLETELY different than the one on the cover.  Does that ever happen to you?  Well, this was absolutely not the case with Selina's books - she's definitely got it goin on!