Spread the Message

I'm sharing this blog post with you today because I believe this message is something worth sharing, and remembering every single day.

Last week, I read this article. Briefly, it is about a man who suffered a brain injury that affected his entire family, and their life for many years, until he fully recovered. They had a booming business that his wife had to take over, and after a while they suffered from many financial hardships. During one of the mans random back-to-normal-mentally streaks, he rented a sign and filled their yard with every one of the family's big ticket items in order to sell them to help his family. An angry neighbor called to yell at him for the gigantic sign, and the man told him what was going on with his family. The neighbor apologized, but felt awful for the things he had said. The moral of the story is not to judge people because we have no idea what they are going through.

I believe this is something every one needs constant work on. It is so easy to judge someone based on what's going on in our life, when in actuality, we know nothing about their specific journey and situation. Even if we are lucky enough to know their situation, we are not them, and have not walked the same journey through life that they have. 

In the article, the author, Melody Ross, states that she wishes people could walk around with signs hanging around their neck telling people what is going on with them. Signs like "I lost my job", "My house is being foreclosed.", or "My husband gambles all our money away."

Because everyone has a story. Because every story is different. Because not all situations are black and white.... We need to be gentle with each other. We need to be kind, and generous. 

After I read this article, Jackson and I read the book Stone Soup, one of my favorite books from my childhood. It shares a similar message about kindness and sharing. In the beginning of the book, the people in the town only work for themselves. They don't share anything, and when three monks come to town, they all shut their doors and refuse to answer. In great efforts to teach the people of the town a lesson, the monks begin to make Stone Soup. They start with just three stones and water. A little girl comes to watch and is eager to help. In turn, all of the towns people come outside to see what's going on, and everyone ends up contributing a little something to make the soup. At the end, they have a hearty Stone Soup to share, and there is a huge feast. The towns people learn that everyone must pull together as a community so they can all reap the benefits. 

(You can click the link above and purchase this amazing book for you and your children to read and discuss together. It is linked to my amazon affiliates account.)

That's what I want for our world. That's what I want for my town, and especially for my children. I want them to grow up helping people, and being generous, but also knowing what it's like for others to do the same for them.

I'm calling all of you, big, and small, old, and young, to make the changes within yourselves to accept people as they are. Love one another always. Be generous, be kind, be gentle, even if someone doesn't deserve it. It is those people who don't deserve it that need it the most.

Please spread this message with everyone you know. We can only benefit from making this change.
Have a lovely day.

Learning Curve

It's always a good day for a good day. That's why my next week is going to be filled with good days. I can feel it. 

Last week was a little crazy for me. For a few different reasons it was busy, emotional, confusing, challenging, unpredictable, and did I say busy?  

The toughest parts were keeping up with everything, and keeping a smile on my face. "Everything happens for a reason" is something I truly believe, and it has been something that I've reminded myself of many times lately.

Last week was also the first week of back to school for me. Since I started Hoot & Bumble in June 2013, when school was out, I am now learning, for the first time, how to juggle school work, and running an indie biz/blog. Both of them, along with my family are my top 3 priorities, so I am going to make it work. I just have to figure out how. Bear with me while I get a good flow going. I might make some adjustments, and then make more adjustments before I find something that works. I'm definitely going through a learning curve right now. 

In the mean time, I'd appreciate it if you'd all continue to share Hoot & Bumble with your friends and family. 

I'd also love any tips from other students/indie biz owners on making it all work.

I'm making a trip to the fabric store tomorrow, so I hope to have another shop update coming within a week or two. Don't forget that throughout the entire month of September, you can save 15% off your entire order in the Hoot & Bumble Online Shop by using coupon code SEPT15.  

A little inspiration for you {+ me too}

A good friend of mine, and a great mom is constantly telling her kids how powerful the mind is. & she's right. Your mindset determines your whole mood, and your mood shines outwards in the way that you present yourself.

 

That is why it's so important to take care of yourself mentally in addition to physically. I talked before about eliminating anyone negative from your life.  Avoiding negativity is the first step one must take to begin leading a happier life. Negative feelings fester inside us, and bring us down, little by little.

 

Sometimes I feel myself getting into a negative mood. As soon as I realize it, I make an effort to smile more, and change my mindset. Did you know it takes more muscles in your face to frown than it does to smile? I often tell the children this. It's hard work to frown. Let's be lazy, and just smile :)

 

 

It helps me when I wake up in the morning to think of some of the things that are going to make this day great instead of thinking about what I don't want to do that day. I tell myself {even if I don't feel it} that today is going to be a good day. Starting the day off on the right foot, and not letting anything get in the way of your positive thoughts is so important.

 

So next time you feel like you're getting a little down, or the negativity starts creeping up on you, only allow yourself to think positive thoughts. Remember, the mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.

 

Elizabeth

xxxx

 

 

{my thoughts for today}

Here are my thoughts for today: 

//One thing I feel like I am constantly being reminded of is to cherish the healthy relationships I have with the people who are there for me, and who are the positive influences in my life, and to spend less time with the negative ones, the people who bring me down, the black clouds.

//I think most everyone has those people in their lives that for some reason or another just have negativity all around them. Distancing yourself from these people is the best thing to do.

//For me, I try to always remember the people who have been there for me unconditionally, throughout the years no matter what. These are the people I put my energy into.

//On that note, I am going to bed tonight thankful for the loving and supportive family and friends we have. We are so blessed to have such great positive people surrounding us and cheering us on. 

{On doing it all}

*Online Shop Update- I think I am only a few days away from launching my online shop! It's coming along!

“It's not always that we need to do more but rather that we need to focus on less.” 
― Nathan W. Morris

//I've been pondering this idea in my own words a lot lately. Since I married my soul mate, Kyle, and since we've had a baby of our own {who is 3 years old already!}, I've been trying to do everything that is included in the roles of wife and mother. I stress when our house is not always tidy. I worry that I'm not doing my job as Mommy the "correct" way. I worry that I'm not doing enough for my family. I work, as a nanny. I go to school part time. I just turned my hobby into a job that I call Hoot & Bumble. I am always doing something. It never ends.

//Lately, I've realized that something has to give. I can't give my 100% to all of those things. So, as I add a new business to my resume, and to our family, I have to reorganize my life. So with that, I have committed to decluttering, and simplifying my life. We had a large yard sale this past weekend with all the treasures we found while organizing the basement after it flooded. We are only keeping what we absolutely need {because it should be easier to keep the house clean with less stuff in it, right?!}

//I am also learning to stop worrying about so many things. I am a worry wart by nature, but the last few months have really taught me that God is in control. I am learning to let go, and let God handle everything. He has a plan for me, and for my family, and everything that is happening is happening for a reason. I cannot stress about the little things in life. Especially not when there are so many others out there with much worse problems than what I have. I have to realize that I {we} are exactly where we are supposed to be at this very moment. Remembering this, is helping me organize my life, and my every day thoughts into simpler motions.

//Thankfully, I have a husband that isn't bothered when he comes home from work and the house is a mess because I've dropped everything to be with our toddler, or do my homework. Or simply because I needed a craft day. Kyle is the perfect person for me, and my personality, and the past almost 8 years with him have taught me so much about myself and our relationship. All he has to do is look at me, and give me a hug, and any worries I may have had are washed away. He's amazingly perfect.

// So, as I learn to simplify my life, let go of my worries, and trust that I am doing everything the best I can, and I am doing a good job at it, I will try to focus less on the little things in life, and more on what really matters = my family, and our goals- both big and small.

//I encourage all of you to do the same.

xxxx
Elizabeth

my sewing journey + more shop updates!

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” 

― Scott Adams

//Growing up we had a vintage sewing machine in our front closet. You see, my mom doesn't know how to sew. But my dad does. I was always very curious about the sewing machine in the closet that was rarely used.

//When I became an adult, I decided I wanted to learn how to sew. My dad let me borrow that vintage sewing machine from the closet, and he taught me how to thread it, and run something through it {This is one of my favorite memories of my dad.} I love being able to say my dad taught me how to sew. I also love that it was him that taught me this life skill that is my favorite hobby. I don't think he knows how special that is to me. This was the beginning of something huge for me.

//A short while later, I asked for a sewing machine, and got one from my parents for Christmas. That was two and a half years ago. Other than my dad teaching me the basics, the rest of my sewing skills are self taught, with help from YouTube, and crafting blogs I have found on Pinterest.

//I've always been creative. That doesn't mean I've always been good at what I set out to do. That took patience, determination, and perseverance. I once made a hand sewn pillow out of some old denim jeans. It looked awful but {I'm pretty sure my mom still has it}. Like the above quote says, "Art is knowing which mistakes to keep". Part of the fun for me when making my most recent creations has been the trial and error. I have a few mess up zipper bags, that are not usable sitting around here. I would finish a project, and then tweak it when I moved on to the next one. I kept doing that until I got it just how I wanted it. I allowed myself to make mistakes. When you think about it, isn't that what life is all about anyway? Being allowed to make mistakes, and then deciding where to go from there?

{Don't be afraid to make mistakes people. That is how art is made.}

//In other news, as a result of me working on new pieces all of my free time, plus some this weekend, I was able to drop off a large number of pieces at The Shop & Studio tonight! Yeah baby! My display is so fun!

//I am working on stocking my online shop in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that. I'm also thinking that a giveaway is going to happen at that time! Sew fun! ;)

don't wait + a little update

{Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. –Napoleon Hill}

//I could have made up 1000 reasons why now is not the time to launch my business. I'm in school working on my bachelors degree. I have a very demanding toddler. I work. My life is very busy.

//But there will always be reasons. Life will always be busy. Even when I'm done with school, and our kids are moved out of the house. The time will never be just right. If I kept making excuses, it would never happen. I would never have the chance to make my dreams come true. What have you always wanted to do, but the timing just never felt right? {I'd love for you to comment in the comment box below}.

//I am having so much fun choosing fabrics to work with, and looking for the best deals on products I'm using to create my own special products. I love the feeling I get when I see all the fabrics lined up on their bolts, just waiting to be made into something fun.

//I am spending most of this weekend creating new pieces to add to The Shop. {We are also spending most of tomorrow cleaning out the aftermath of the flood in our basement}. I have some amazing little treasures to add to The Shop so far, and would like to get a few more done before the week starts on Tuesday. Lincy {The Shop owner} said I sold an item today! Yeah!

Here's a little look at some of my creations since last night==

Get out there and do something you've always wanted to do! 

new beginnings

Lately, inspiration and motivation  has been all around me. From watching my favorite handmade business blogger, brand her business, to my friend, Lincy following her dreams and opening up a shop and studio {Grand Opening Weekend starts tonight!}. Inspiration is everywhere, if you open your eyes and looks for it. I guess, I've been looking.

Ever since I was a child I've had dreams of opening up a handmade business. Over the years I've tried my hand at many different crafts, and attempting small businesses. Some I've loved and have been good at, others- not so much {like crocheting & button accessories}. These things didn't work out because my heart wasn't in it. I was trying to sell stuff I didn't care for myself. That just doesn't work.

Hoot & Bumble has been recently created as a name for my brand. I am beyond excited to announce that my handmade items will have a space in The Shop & Studio! I am so thrilled to be a part of The Shop, and the vision Lincy has for it. It's truly going to be amazing. && I'm{finally} going to have my handmade products out there! 

Not only will my items be in The Shop, I have other plans in the works for my new brand. Stay tuned for the online shop that should be opening up in the next few weeks! In the meantime, check out the grand GRAND Opening Weekend at The Shop. Click here for details.

I am at a crossroads in my job right now, and I'm not sure what lays ahead. I am a nanny and my youngest charge is starting kindergarten in the fall. As sad as I am about this, I am excited for new beginnings. I am determined to make Hoot & Bumble a success and part of my family's new beginning.

A recent theme I've noticed in my life has been about following dreams. I notice it everywhere in my day to day life and it has been so encouraging. This is why I have decided that now is the time to launch Hoot & Bumble full swing. I'm using the summer to get the ball rolling. I have big visions for this brand, and I'm going places.

I could not do any of this without the support from my soul mate and husband. I am so very grateful to have him by my side, encouraging me to reach for the stars. 

So with great anticipation, and pride, I introduce to you, Hoot & Bumble- my handmade business brand.

For some sneak peeks at what I'm working on, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. You can also check out The Shop & Studio in Delaware City to find my items and much more!

You can also reach me at HootandBumble@gmail.com. 

I'm following my dreams. Are you?