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In 2021, a dream about launching something "more" came to the surface. 

Prior to then, I had been thinking, praying, learning, journaling and mapping out ideas but  let to many "what if's" invade my mind and get in the way of something that I believe God had been prompting me to do.

Rewind back to during the 2020 Pandemic. Guest Pastor Ed Stetzer came to Saddleback and said this: "The moment we are in does not pause the mission we are on" and while I shared it, reminded and repeated it to others, I almost forgot to remember it for myself.  

So back to late 2020/2021, I stated then and still believe that NOW MORE THAN EVER, we need to keep going, keep sharing, keep encouraging, keep doing the work, keep reminding, keep inspiring, keep showing up and keep pointing people to Jesus using the skills, talents and abilities God gave us.

For the past 6 years I have personally been working on being "fit to serve" God for whatever He has planned for me to do physically, relationally, mentally, spiritually and creatively. Amidst all of the 2020-2021 setbacks, failures, flops, sickness, changes, injuries, shifts and pivots, my purpose and goals have remained the same:  

Love God, serve others, use my gifts and abilities, grow my spiritual roots and teach, encourage, remind and love others. 

All of the things listed above are wrapped into my passion and desire to create and to have a business that does the same. 

The "moment we are in"  as quoted above does not just apply to a pandemic, but to our everyday lives.  Because I am human with thoughts, feelings and emotions, often times, if I am not paying attention, I can catch myself going sideways and/or leaning towards a downward spiral of confusion, uncertainty, doubt and indecision. 

This is when I have to remember what I know and attach truth to my thoughts and feelings. I have to actively participate in remembering what I know to be true:

God is control.

I am not.

He has a plan...

and it is good.

He promises us hope & a future but again, we have to be actively participating. 

My hope is for all of us to actively participate, TOGETHER and this is why 

Creative Soul Community is so important. . It is a place where we can: 

• Come as we are (via online live and recordings)
• Share what we have (encouragement and support)
• Take what we need (reminders and encouragement)
• Do What We Love (Use our gifts to create things and share them with people)

I hope that you will consider joining us.

Subscription Price: $25.00 per month.

Click Here to Register: Creative Soul Community 

I Get To

I have idea's.

I make declarations.

I have every intention of doing something.

I "should"

I "need to"

I "want to" 

I have drawn many lines in the sand and said THIS TIME it will be different.

Sound familiar? Those thoughts and many others related to them can often overwhelm us and it leads us to do nothing. I know I am not alone in all of the above BUT I have learned to change all of the "should's," "needs" and "want's" into 

"I GET TO" 

and it has changes everything AS LONG AS I SHIFT MY THOUGHTS. 

Good news: We all have a choice.

I have been very open and honest about how moving my body is absolutely necessary for my mental health but somedays I DO NOT WANT TO DO IT.  Again, I have a choice.  Sure, I do not have to move a dang muscle BUT before do nothing, I have to ask myself "Is it going to be beneficial if I do this" and the answer is ALWAYS YES therefore, sometimes, with a bad attitude, I put on my clothes and shoes.  I have to ignore and override my "should" "need to" "want to" thoughts and get myself going.

Truly, I have never regretted moving my body (except for that one time I tripped over Wilson and broke my hand and fingers) but I have regretted NOT MOVING MY BODY. It make a difference.  Moving your body changes your mind and remember, "Nothing changes if nothing changes"

Here's the good stuff:

I get to have early morning coffee and read my Bible everyday (enter thought's of should, need to, want to)

I get to move my body (because I want to be fit to serve God and others whenever, wherever and whatever He has for me to do)

I get to drink as much water as I want to (because it is good for my health & wellness)

I get to blog and share on social media (replacement for the thought: "who care's what I say?")

I get to travel the world and share the skill's and talent's God gifted me to USE (replacement for being homesick before I leave)

I get to eat well because I choose to and because we have so many options available to us (it's a choice)

So I ask you: What do you get to do today?

What one thought can you shift from "should" "need to" "want to" to "get to?"

I'd love to hear your answers! You can comment below.

Now, I get to put on my clothes, shoes and move myself!

Back In The Good Ol' Days

I started blogging in January 2006. Jack was 11 and Ben was 7....I was 37.

Jack is now 27 and Ben is 23, I am still 37 and our nest is empty (not a fan)

In 2006 and for years after, blogs were where we all stayed in touch, shared what we were creating, where we were teaching, what new products were about to come out, who was on what design team and lots of random things about our home lives and families...and magazines. I know I could not wait for every new issue of Creating Keepsakes and Simple Scrapbooks to come out.

Back in the good ol' days.

Then entered an avalanche of technology and social media.  We accidentally forgot how to slow down and read something more than 2 sentences long and we now scroll and scroll and scroll.  It was fun at first because it was easy and simple...Back in the good ol' days.  Now we are bombarded with videos, stories, advertisements and REELS (I hate to break your heart but I do not think you are going to get reels from me. My technical capacity is maxed out.)  We are going so fast scrolling past do fast, if you don't see it, you miss it and then it's gone and that is just Instagram.

There is still Facebook and while I know these places are good for many things, I personally get overwhelmed with all the places and I am finding myself posting one place and forgetting to post to the other or posting twice in one place and not in the other.

I AM NOT QUITTING SOCIAL MEDIA...I am just going to start blogging again.  It is the one place "I own" and will not disappear if something goes wrong on social media platforms. You think I would have learned that 4 years ago when in a blip, my Instagram was gone and never recovered. 

I keep referring to the good ol' days but THESE ARE THE GOOD OL' DAYS RIGHT NOW.

I am glad to be back to this place.  It's been too long.

I will be updating and hope to make this a landing place for all the things. Thank you to those who are still following along since the beginning and hello to those of you who are new.

Back to Some Basics

I announced earlier this week that I am de-activating the Documented Faith Facebook Group. The decision did not come lightly or quickly. I have been arm wrestling with the decision and then would abandon the thoughts. After some comments and conversations online and via email, I knew it was time. Once I made the decision and posted the announcement, I felt peace about it.   The next morning, in the daily devotional we are reading in 2021 as a group, "Live in Grace, Walk in Love" by Bob Goff, I read "...sometimes it just means it's time for a change" but the beginning part of the paragraph where I read this starts with "Sure, we might have to shut the doors on an organization we poured into for years...it does not mean we've failed. I have just about the entire page highlighted and feel as though God was speaking to me and confirming my decision.   It went on to say "Even when our plans fail, we usually realize a lot of people were loved in the process, which was our goal in starting. We ended up crossing paths with people we might never have met if we hadn't put ourselves out there."   Exactly. YES! Thank you, Lord.   Every day I practice creating a life that reflects my dreams and living a life that defines my purpose spiritually, relationally, physically, mentally, and creatively. My hope has always been that through what, where, and how I share, (not just in a FB group) I will be able to teach, inspire, encourage and remind you of things you might have already known, just maybe forgot to remember.  Thank you for being part of this Documented Faith Group for so long and for being on a creative journey with me and with each other. I will continue to share via my personal facebook page, Instagram feed, blog and this newsletter.   The Documented Faith Facebook Group will be deactivated on 1/31/2021. If you would like to receive Newsletter Updates from me, please click here: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp... If you would like to continue following me on social media streams, you can follow here: Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stephanieackerman1/ Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.ackerman1     If you'd like to join us on Monday and/or Tuesday Nights from 5:00pm - 6:00 pm PST, it's free and all you need to do is register: "Becoming Fit to Serve" Monday/Tuesday Book & Bible Study

Eat Well My reality is when I'm not eating well, I do not feel well and when I'm not feeling well, I can't move my body well and ultimately can not do what God created me to do well. I'm short-tempered, emotional, tired, critical and cranky. (That's sounds fun.) That is not the way God created us to live. He wants us to be well and whole so that we can do what He created us to do. It brings Glory to Him and fills us with joy. THAT sounds much better.   "To move well, I need to eat well. To sleep well, I need to eat well. To think well, I need to eat well. To eat well, I need to prep well."

Zucchini Pancakes or Waffles   I made up this recipe so I do not have "nutritional facts" but you will be able to tell by the ingredients that it is all good stuff.   1 1/4 -1/2 cup of grated zuchinni* 1 egg 1 1/2 teaspoon of melted coconut oil (for waffle recipe only) 4 Tablespoons Almond Flour 2 Tablespoon Coconut Flour Or Almond Meal 1/4 teaspoon baking POWDER pinch or two of salt 1 drip or two of vanilla   Mix all ingredients together. If too dry, add a little water to moisten. Cook in a waffle iron or skillet.   Top with Almond butter or as pictured, with avocado, spinach, tomato and season with salt and pepper. IT IS SOOOOOOO GOOD AND now I am hungry.   *tip: Grate an entire zucchini and place it in a few paper towels. Roll up paper towel to absorb moisture. Use 1/2 of zucchini for your meal and place the remaining zucchini in a dry paper towel and in a zip lock and refrigerate.

Create Daily

The #The100DayProject begins January 31st this year, which is....3 days from now.   This is an online creative movement that I have been following and semi-participating in for a few years now. The The idea is simple: choose a creative project, do it every day for 100 days, and share your process online.. You can read all about it here.   In the past I have made it 5 days, 13 days, maybe 15 days but then I "squirrel" and am off onto another project. 2020 was different and while I did not stitch 100 consecutive days in the beginning...it ended up that I stitched almost 365 4 x 4 squares in a series of panels AND I LOVE WHAT IT HAS BECOME and has become a "sorta-monthly" kit. I provide the squares and hearts and you get to add the stitches and then decide what you want to create. Honestly, sometimes I just lay them all out, look at them and smile.   I know, you are going to ask "Then what are you going to do with them"and honestly, I do not know yet but I sure have enjoyed the process, have said 100's of prayers with each little stitch and love seeing what you are all doing with your kits.   New kits were added to my ETSY shop yesterday and there are still a few left! These kits coordinate with the January Mixed and Stitched kits and include strawberries, roller skates and hearts Kits are restocked on ETSY now: https://www.etsy.com/shop/stephanieackermanco

The March 2021 Creative Soul Retreat is SOLD OUT but there are still a few spots available for the May & June 2021 dates! Click the links below for details and registration/deposit information. May 20-23, 2021 June 17-20, 2021

Weekly Verse

 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.   1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

 

Take Heart 3" Hoop Ornament Kits & Instructions

There are limited quantity of the 3" Ornament Hoop Kits available in my shop that includes everything you need to create TWO super cute Hoop Ornaments.

Each Kit includes the following:

• Two 3" Wooden Hoops
• Two 4" x 4" Fabric Squares in Black & White Pattern with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• Two 2" fabric Circles in Whites with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• One Large Heart with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• One Small Heart with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• One 7 x 9 "Good Words on Black" fabric panel with over 150 words to cut
• Three Coordinating Colors of Embroidery Floss for you to complete two 3" hoops

Supplies NOT included: needle, scissors, glue stick.

To get a limited quantity kit, head over to my shop now: ETSY

Here are easy project instructions for the "Take Heart" 3" Hoop Ornaments. 

Supplies I used for the "Take Heart" 3" hoop ornament:

• 4 x 4 square of patterned fabric
• 4 x 4 Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece 
• 2" circle of coordinating patterned fabric
• 2" circle of Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece
• 1 3" Wooden Embroidery Hoop
• 1 Heart cut from coordinating fabric with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece
• Fabric Words: "Take" "Heart" cut from Good Words on Black Fabric
• Embroidery Floss in coordinating colors
• Needle, scissors, Glue Stick

NOTE: you do not have to use the Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece on the back. This gives the ornament a quilted look and feel once stitches are added.

1. Iron Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece onto back of 4 x 4 square, circle and heart. Place 4 x 4 square into hoop and center circle piece. Adhere circle with a dab of glue stick.
   
2. Using 2-3 strands of coordinating embroidery floss, stitch circle into place. I always try to keep my stitches short and close together.
   
3. Adhere the heart onto the circle using a dab of glue stick and stitch into place using 2-3 strands of coordinating embroidery floss.
4. Adhere the fabric words into place using a small dab of glue stick and stitch around words using 2 strands of coordinating embroidery floss.
5. Flip hoop over and use scissors to trim edges off of 4 x 4 square.
6. If you make this into an ornament, tie a piece of jute, leather or ribbon to top of Embroidery hoop mechanism to hang.

Merry Christmas 3 " Embroidery Hoop Photos:

My Wellness Revelation Journey & The Wellness Revelation Online Book Study 2020-2021

This is a long post so get some coffee...

What/Who is Revelation Wellness?

Revelation Wellness is a non-profit ministry dedicated to educating and inspiring people to live healthy and whole lives in Christ so we can love others well. A fitness ministry that uses fitness as a tool to spread the gospel. A wellness ministry that teaches, encourages, leads and reminds us to love God, get healthy, be whole and love others.

At the beginning of 2018, Lisa suggested the book "The Wellness Revelation" by Alisa Keeton and I read it.  I read it and highlighted more parts than in any other book I had ever read.  Then I joined an online study group and reread it again, using a different color of highlighter.  Again, so many highlights and even some moments of "revelation" (no pun intended) where I actually spilled my coffee all over a few pages.  

Three weeks into the online Bible study group, I felt a pull towards something more but told myself:

"relax"

"do the work"

"don't turn this into something more...yet" 

Five weeks into the study and after several pulls and tugs and more and more highlighting, I hesitantly told our group leader my thoughts outloud about doing more with and for Revelation Wellness without even knowing what it meant.  She gushed and said YES! Yes...yes..yes and that's when I pulled back.

As soon as I received a thumbs up on my positive thoughts, I instantly and sadly filled my own head with my own negative thoughts.

I started thinking:

"who do you think you are"

"you are not athletic"

"you are not a fitness person"

"you are already doing to much"

"you don't have time for this"

"you don't qualify for this"

and here is the dumb thing....

I DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT I WAS DISQUALIFYING MYSELF FROM but instantly discounted myself from doing whatever it was I was thinking of doing. I was confident I wasn't alone in my thoughts but as always, I threw myself under the bus.  

Yet, once the 9 week online book study was done I was ready.

Ready for what?

I didn't know but deep down KNEW that there was a desire to do more and to share this experience with everyone.  What I had learned, been reminded of and believed about myself was transformative and I wanted to share it with others.

For me it was a "Go tell it on the mountain" moment and I took the next steps toward looking into what it means to be a Revelation Wellness Instructor. I filled out some paperwork, scheduled a phone call and was all in...again, without really knowing what I was all in for.

During my call with Jamie, she probably thought I was a lunatic because I was so giddy and felt in such alignment with EVERYTHING that I probably startled her. It was the "Don't know where you are going but knowing you are going in the right direction" feeling.  

Fast forward through 9 weeks of online group study, lots of homework and Bible study, in the Fall of 2018, I flew to Arizona, got on a bus headed to Williams, AZ. not really knowing what I was headed into but fully expectant that it was going to be good because I knew, Jesus would be there. 

He was.

One year after completing the instructor training and retreat, I returned to experience it as what is referred to as a Reviver. To learn, receive, be led, move my body, encourage others and rest a little bit more than as in the original training.

Again, Jesus was there.

Here we are, two years later and after leading 8 Wellness Revelation Online Groups, I am announcing that registration for the next Wellness Revelation Online Study beginning WEDNESDAY, January 20th is now open.

This is an online 9 week book & Bible Study via Zoom that begins Wednesday, January 20,2021 from 5:00-6:30 PM PST  and goes through Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

I believe that the right path for living has been marked out by God. I have a choice on what steps to take and sometimes, forget to take God’s path and I go out on my own way.  Today, I invite you to face this decision together, going God’s way or following our own way.

I believe that the only way to find true peace and rest for my soul is to walk on God’s path and I would be honored to walk that path along side you.

So here we are, mostly likely “again” standing at the crossroads.  Most of us have been here before, but this time, together we are going to actually make a decision that it is finally time.

Time to make a decision.

We will never make a change in our life until we change what we do every day.

This is not a resolution and this is not a goal.

This is surrender.

It takes more than a desire or a dream to get healthy, it takes a decision.

Nothing will change until you choose to change.

The way you think determines the way you feel. 

The way you feel determines the way you act. 

So, if you want to change how you act, you must begin with changing the way you think.

No longer are we going to be looking back at mistakes and regrets nor are we going to look to tomorrow. 

Right now, it is about surrendering all in order to make the most of what we have. 

Instead of turning over a “new leaf” we are going to turn over a new life and the ONLY way to do that is to make the decision and live by it.

We are going to put to death our old way of life and surrender ourselves and give up control to God.

It is not going to be easy, it is not going to make sense to many around us and it is absolutely opposite of what the worlds screams for us to do. 

As long as we feel stretched and uncomfortable, ready to fight through the hard parts and remember that we cannot do this on our own strength, we are ready.

Here are THREE things we need to start with do in order to achieve success:

• Jesus
• Discipline
• Determination

Here is what we are not going to be able to do to achieve success:

• We are not going to be able to do it on our own. Our will power is not going to be enough.

I do not know what your “___fill in the blank___________” is, but I am willing to bet that you have something you are sick and tired of. 

We all do, in fact we may have a few things BUT we are not going to attempt to change everything.  We are going to work slow and steady on one thing at a time.

You can have 1001 “reasons” (a.k.a excuses) why you aren’t ready to make a big decision or change but really, there is only one thing standing in your way and that is you.

You and your mind/thoughts.

Here is something you might already know, just forgot to remember: You do not have to believe everything you think.

• You may think you are not capable, but you are. You just need to stop telling yourself you aren’t.
• You may think that you are not worthy but again, you are, and you need to stop telling yourself that as well.
• You may think that you don’t have enough will power and actually, you are correct.

That one thought is true because we were not created to do life on our own. The problem lies in the thought that we think we can and then when we do not succeed, we automatically tear ourselves down, look at it as failure and usually give up or quit. (The antidote to this is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Guilty as charged.

Here is something else that you may know but forgot to remember and is worded perfectly by Alisa Keeton in The Wellness Revelation:

“Desperation and disgust are powerful motivators for change, but they do not lead to lasting results and increasing joy.”

GULP, again.

You might need to stand in front of a mirror, point your own finger at yourself or dare I suggest talk out loud to yourself…whatever you need to do, do it because once you release yourself from your own chains, once you knock down the wall that you have built around yourself and as soon as you get out of your own way, God has got great plans for you to start working on and the sense of freedom you will feel from being free from you is amazing.

You have NOTHING to lose and everything to gain by doing three things:

Show up 

Do The work

Be Real

That’s it.

Ready?

Let’s seek spiritual obedience so that we can have physical discipline. It is a win win!

 Details on The Wellness Revelation Online Book & Bible Study:

• 9 Week Online Study & discussion online via Zoom (we will all see each other in real time!)
• Wednesday evenings from 5:00-6:30 PST beginning  1/20/21 - 3/23/21
• Weekly Homework/Bible Study for following week discussion
• Weekly video from Alisa Keeton on that weeks chapter
• Assigned prayer partners
• Support, ideas, and tips from Revelation Wellness.

Cost for 9 week study all above: $98.00* per person

*book not included (But I just noticed it is on sale via Amazon here!)

Take a moment to watch this video here from Alisa Keeton, Author and Founder of Revelation Wellness: https://vimeo.com/revwell/review/222767074/47fade93a4

Are you ready?

Register here for The Wellness Revelation Online Book & Bible Study that begins Wed. January 20 at 5:00 PST.

Crossroads Panel Instructions & Kit

I created a new panel using twelve of the assorted 4" x 4" fabric pieces.  Like all of my other panels, using a straight stitch on a machine, I stitched four squares together down and three across. I press the seams open on the reverse side so that everything lies flat on the front.

Before we get started on the Crossroads Panel, I wanted to share with you my inspiration for this panel. I saw these two pictures on Instagram posted by Emma Di Stefano of Tree House Textiles in Australia and my heart skipped a beat. 

Now that you have an idea of what I was aiming for and you have your panel sewn and ready, get out your scissors, glue stick and your needle and threads. 

Each cross will have two strips. You will need to place your crosses on top of each square and play around with the patterns until you find what you like. Once you have a layout, use your phone to take a picture of it so you can remember it. 

NOTE: I placed the bottom strips vertical and all of the top strips horizontal. YOU get to decide how you want yours to look.

Using a glue stick, tack all pieces into place. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GLUE THE ENTIRE STRIP DOWN. Just add a dab on the top, center and bottom of the strip to keep it in place.

NOTE: I was so excited about stitching the crosses on that I completely forgot to cut out red square centers for the center of each block. (see photos above to view red center squares)

If you are going to add red center squares, cut 12 small red squares to fit the centers and glue stick those into place before stitching.

Now it is time to stitch.

For each cross, I used 2 strands of coordinating color embroidery floss and stitched up and down each side of each cross right up to the red center square.  Use 2 strands of coordinating red floss to complete each cross once all of the squares have been stitched.

If you did not get a kit in my ETSY shop when they were added, please check back soon as more kits will be added this week!

I will be adding more photos as my panel progresses..

Here are the panels I have been working on during quarantine:  

Countdown To Christmas 2020 Instructions & Kit Information

I know it is only July but as I always say, once 4th of July passes, Christmas will be here before you know it. Really, the way this year is going, we just want to fast forward onto a new year in hopes that things might be better. 

I just added a new Christmas themed "Just The Pieces" kit similar to the past "Little Stitched Houses" and "Little Stitched Hearts" kits and they are available now via my ETSY shop

This kit is a little different because I have included my "Good Words" fabric panel along with an 8" x 8" piece of fabric that has numbers on it so you get to decide whether you do a countdown project or focus on words..or both. It's fun to have options and like before, all the instructions are posted here so that you can create your own project with your scraps. 

Each "Countdown" Kit includes:

• TWELVE 4"x4" patterned squares in reds, greens, creams and blacks
• TWELVE 2" coordinating patterned hearts in same colors
• ONE 7" x 9" "Good Word" fabric panel
• ONE 8 x 8 Numbers fabric

Supplies needed (not included)
Scissors
Needle & embroidery floss
Embroidery hoop
Sewing machine

NOTE: This is a "just the pieces" kit. A sewing machine and/or hand sewing is required.

As always, I encourage you to "do you" and remind you that you never have to create something the way I do. I provide you with "Just The Pieces" and give you free creative license to create the way you create. 

Here are my basic instructions:

Before I sew anything, I play around with the placement of the pieces to see what I like best

TAKE A PICTURE OF IT WITH YOUR PHONE SO YOU REMEMBER IT.

Using a sewing machine, I sewed all the 4 x 4 pieces together.  Three across, four down.

I always iron my seams open on the reverse side.

Before I start my hand stitching, I cut "good words" and " place hearts in several different configurations and then, to remember it, took a picture with my phone. Then I set all the pieces aside and go to work. NOTE: for this Christmas panel, consider cutting numbers 1 -12 from the 8 x 8 number fabric to create a "countdown to Christmas"

 

Using a glue stick, I adhered the hearts to coordinating squares and stitched those on using 2-3 strands of embroidery floss in coordinating colors. 

Once all of the hearts were stitched on I grabbed my glue stick again and adhered one word/one number per heart. I use 2 strands of embroidery floss to stitch the words on.

Lastly, using several coordinating embroidery floss colors, I added little short stitches to each seam around each square.

A few ideas to change this up a little:

Use your own scraps to cut squares and triangles to create "little houses" and make it a countdown with the numbers:

Instead of machine sewing the 4 x 4 squares together, use them individually to create really cute ornaments with a small 3" embroidery hoop, a heart and a word. 

I am excited to see what you create. If you share on social media platforms, please use the hashtag #mixedandstitched so that I can see what you are creating.

Follow along with me:

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Little Stitched Houses Instructions & A Kit **UPDATED 6/17**

Almost three months ago I released my Little Stitched Houses Kit and provided the DIY Instructions here.  Thank you to all of you who purchased the kits and are hopefully stitching little houses as we continue to be "safer-at-home" with a little relief of getting out of the house a little more often than we were.. Honestly, I dropped the 100 days of houses ball at 48 but will pick it back up soon..its doesn't mean I haven't been stitching...

Two months ago I also ordered yards of the "Good Words" panels and well, up until about 10 minutes ago, was still waiting. As the world shut down, so did printing and production but I am so excited to pretty much SCREAM..the fabric is on its way to me and I can start to release new kits!  It was a test of patience for all of us and I want to thank you for your patience.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a second order of the same "Good Words" that I am awaiting and will be listed separately in 1-2 weeks. 

I have a limited amount of TWO "Just the Pieces" KITS that are going to be added to my ETSY shop today and will ship next week.

Each Multicolor Kit includes 12 4x4 patterned squares, 12 coordinating hearts and 1 "Good Word" Panel.

Each Black & White Kits includes 12 4x4 patterned squares, 12 coordinating hearts and 1 "Good Word" Panel.

The instructions continue to be the same as for the Little Stitched Houses and are posted below. As always, I encourage you to "do you" and remind you that you never have to create something the way I do. I provide you with "Just The Pieces" and give you free creative license to create the way you create. 

Below are examples of how I stitched each kit:

 

1. Using a sewing machine, I sewed all the 4 x 4 pieces together.  Three across, four down. Before I start my handstiching, I cut "good words" and "placed" hearts in several different configurations and then, to remember it, took a picture with my phone. Then I set all the pieces aside and got to work.

 

2. Using a glue stick, I adhered the hearts to coordinating squares and stitched those on using 2-3 strands of embroidery floss in coordinating colors. 

 

3. Once all of the hearts were stitched on I grabbed my glue stick again and adhered one word per heart. I use 2 strands of embroidery floss to stitch the words on.

4. Lastly, using several coordinating embroidery floss colors, I added little short stitches to each seam around each square.

Now it is your turn to stitch! I would love to see what you create so be sure to use the hashtag #mixedandstitched if you post photos to social media. 

 

Below is the original "Little Stitched Houses" post & instructions.  More kits will be posted to the shop soon!

Originally, this project started as a “Safer at Home” quarantine project to keep my hands busy and my mind at peace.

I laid out a ½ yard of fabric and honestly just grabbed a pile of scraps and started cutting squares, rectangles and triangles. It looked to be a big project, but honestly, the “safer at home” looked equally as long so what the heck.
Just about the same time, I had remembered that the yearly online project called The 100 Day Project was going to begin soon and since I had not yet decided what I wanted to do for 100 consecutive days, I had decided to do 100 little stitched houses but I had already started and I didn’t want to cheat.

That’s how this all began.

I set my ½ yard aside and pulled out all the scraps and came up with a different idea. Remember, use what you have.

I know a lot of you have scraps. I also know a lot of you don’t want to mess with the mess so that’s why I am making kits.

If you have the scraps and just want the instructions on how I created this, here you go: 

It is very difficult for me to write instructions for a project like this because my techniques are almost too simple and very random. That does not sit well with ya’ll that like specifics. I will try to be as specific as I can be but at the same time, I’d love for you to enter into this project with an open mind and less perfection.

MY BACKGROUND

I cut twelve 4” x 4” squares and using a machine, simply stitched them together. 3 across, 4 down. YOU DO YOU. If you want to cut the squares bigger, go for it. If you want to sew 100 together, yay! You get to choose. I don’t know why I chose to do 12. Just did.

P.S: My houses have little numbers on them to align with the 100 Day Project.

That may not apply to your project. Consider stitching little words on your houses if you have fabric that has little words on it.  If you want numbers and have rubber stamps. Stamp the number on fabric and use that!

Here are some important things I want you to read, recite and possibly even repeat: 

• If you find yourself trying to coordinate fabrics and or threads, try NOT to. I go by my own quote of “the worse the better” and just try to go with the flow. If that gives you a rash even thinking that, you do you.

 

• I don’t measure. It overwhelms me and this is why I am not a quilter. The only measuring I did was the 4 x 4 squares I cut to create the background panel of 12. When I sew them together on the machine, I just line up the presser foot with the edge of the fabric. If that is a measurement, yay me. Otherwise, I don’t know what my seams measure and honestly, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that there is a background. If you do not want a 12 square background, just use a piece of fabric and go.

• Each little house consists of a square for the house, a triangle for the roof and a heart that I stitch onto the house. I hand cut all of these. I think it lends to the look but by all means, if you want to measure or have a die cutting system that will give you exact, go for it. Again, you do you.  

 

• First, I cut a square (or sometimes a little more rectanglish) for the house that will fit the square on my background. If you don’t have a square background, you don’t have to worry about it.  Then I cut a triangle for the roof that will fit the house approximately. If you want me to be the boss of you, DON’T MAKE IT EXACT. Please note that there may be lots of trimming to make things align or fit into your square. If you don’t have a square background, it won’t matter.

 

• Let’s just assume we all have a 12 square panel background for the sake of instructions so I don’t have to keep typing the phrase “If you don’t have a square background, it won’t matter”

 

• Once I have my little house & roof, I tack them into place with a glue stick.

IMPORTANT: Look at the photo above. Little house #2 is slightly crooked. Guess what? IT’S OKAY.

• Using scraps, I cut hearts to place onto each house. This will take a little trimming to get it to sorta fit into the house. Again, the worse the better. Try again not to coordinate UNLESS YOU WANT TO. Tack the hearts into place with a glue stick.

 

•  I usually cut and place 3-6 houses at a time and then start to stitch them on.

 

• Remember, I am not doing anything fancy when it comes to stitching them on. The hardest part of this step is usually threading the needle, well and deciding what color floss to use.

 

•  If you find yourself fussing over what color to use, close your eyes and pick a color. Unless it’s the color you just used, USE IT. I use 2-3 strands of one color embroidery floss to stitch on the house. 2-3 strands of another color for the roof and another 2-3 strands for the heart.

 

• Okay, stitch away!

Remember we are assuming that we all have 12 square backgrounds. Once I had my first 12 squares done, I just happily stared at it for a few days. Well, and ran my hands over it several times because I love all the little stitches.

The more I looked at it, I felt like it needed a little something else because the seams in-between looked lonely.

I decided to add little stitches over all the seams and then all was right with the world.

I know you are wondering “What are you going to do with it?” and my answer right now is “I’m not sure.”  

What I do know is that it is keeping my hands busy in the evenings and my mind in alignment.  I will say that I am excited to see 16-17 of these panels all filled up with little numbered houses!

Ok, have fun and be sure to use the hashtag #1o0littlestitchedhouses if you share them on social media so we can all see what we are creating!

The Little Stitched Houses Kit

The kit includes the following:

• One already SEWN 12 panel background 
• FIFTEEN 3x3” patterned squares to create houses and roofs.
• TWELVE hand cut patterned fabric hearts.

PLEASE NOTE: NO TWO KITS ARE THE SAME. THERE ARE SEVERAL PATTERNED FABRICS IN EACH KIT.

 

Online Workshop "Bible Journaling & Lettering" Re-Release 2020

NOTE: This is not a brand new workshop. This workshop was released on November 2017.

Thank you for coming over and checking out my "Bible Journaling & Lettering" Online Workshop. I released this in 2017 but everything that I teach in the class are the tips and techniques that I still use today in my Bible Journaling. That is why I have not written a new workshop.

Starting today, April 7, 2020, as we are in the midst of a global pandemic, I have decided to join in #the100dayproject and will be doodling and Bible Journaling The Good News, because well, we all need it! Here is day 1 of 100 referencing Romans 5:2-4

I did my lettering on an "Alternate Page" which you will learn about in the workshop and then used Washi Tape to adhere it into my Bible. For many of us, this eliminates the "worry" or thought of "What if I mess up?"

In honor of "Safer @ Home", the 100 day project, Bible Journaling and well honestly, trying to keep a small business afloat in these times, I decided to re-release this workshop and have marked down to $19.00.  Once you register, all of the content information, login, and password is automatically sent to you.  It is yours to work on at your own pace for the rest of your life. 

Bible Journaling & Lettering Online Workshop

• Bible Journaling & Lettering Inside & Outside the Margins is a self paced online workshop.  Once you register, the content is all yours and you can work on it all at once or a little at a time whenever you want, wherever you are in the world.
• Supplies - the supplies are pretty simple and chances are you may already have what you need.  Content - All of the content is in the classroom and ready for you to begin. Again, this is a self-paced workshop.  There are 10 step-by-step videos on the "How, What & Why of Bible Journaling, basic lettering, doodling, basic coloring using watercolors in and out of the margins, downloads of traceables and worksheets, photos, challenges and encouragement.
  
  
  

There is a tie for the #1 most asked question: "Do you have to do it in a bible/What if I don't have a Journaling Bible?? and here is my answer:

"The purpose of this workshop is two-fold.  The first and most important part is to get deeper into the word so whether you create in a 2" margin of the Bible, in a journal, a planner, on a Project Life card, in your scrapbooking or on a plain ol' piece of paper, the key is that you are learning something or reminding yourself of something you might already know, just forgot to remember..."

okay, are you ready?

The workshop price is $39.00 $29.00 Re Release Discounted Price: $19.00

 

IMPORTANT STUFF RIGHT HERE:

• When you register, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure that you use the email address that you would like the content to be sent to.  
• All of the login information will be on your order confirmation including login, password and supply information.  PLEASE save and/or print this information so that you can login.
• PLEASE DO NOT "pin" any of the class content including downloads, pages, traceables. etc. to Pinterest as this will allow others to get right into the classroom,  If you want to promote via social media, please refer them to this post so that it leads them to the registration information. 
• All of this junk will be on your receipt of registration too.

okay, here is the registration button..

Bible Journaling & Lettering $39.00 $29.00 $19.00

(click the BUY NOW button below) :

 

• Bible Journaling & Lettering Inside & Outside the Margins is a self paced online workshop.  Once you register, the content is all yours and you can work on it all at once or a little at a time whenever you want, wherever you are in the world.
• Supplies - the supplies are pretty simple and chances are you may already have what you need.  Content - All of the content is in the classroom and ready for you to begin. Again, this is a self-paced workshop.  There are 10 step-by-step videos on the "How, What & Why of Bible Journaling, basic lettering, doodling, basic coloring using watercolors in and out of the margins, downloads of traceables and worksheets, photos, challenges and encouragement.
  
  
  

There is a tie for the #1 most asked question: "Do you have to do it in a bible/What if I don't have a Journaling Bible?? and here is my answer:

"The purpose of this workshop is two-fold.  The first and most important part is to get deeper into the word so whether you create in a 2" margin of the Bible, in a journal, a planner, on a Project Life card, in your scrapbooking or on a plain ol' piece of paper, the key is that you are learning something or reminding yourself of something you might already know, just forgot to remember..."

okay, are you ready?

The workshop price is $39.00 $29.00 Re Release Discounted Price: $19.00

 

IMPORTANT STUFF RIGHT HERE:

• When you register, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure that you use the email address that you would like the content to be sent to.  
• All of the login information will be on your order confirmation including login, password and supply information.  PLEASE save and/or print this information so that you can login.
• PLEASE DO NOT "pin" any of the class content including downloads, pages, traceables. etc. to Pinterest as this will allow others to get right into the classroom,  If you want to promote via social media, please refer them to this post so that it leads them to the registration information. 
• All of this junk will be on your receipt of registration too.

okay, here is the registration button..

Bible Journaling & Lettering $39.00 $29.00 $19.00

(click the BUY NOW button below) :

 

"Just Add Stitches" Mini Kit & Instructions

You know me.

I am going to tell you to use what you have.

I also run a small business that is dealing with all of the issues that the rest of us are and being stuck at home.

You know me.

I'd rather just give it to you. 

I also need to pay my bills like the rest of us but I came up with what I want to say is a win win for both of us. 

I created a "Just Add Stitches" Mini Kit that is perfect for the first time stitcher, seasoned stitcher and for your kiddos at home...with supervison because, needles..duh.

The kit comes with:

• One 3" wooden embroidery hoop with a stamped piece of muslin "It's a Promise" already in place and ready for stitches. 
• A mini handmade fabric rainbow
• White & Grey Embroidery Floss
• Needle

Each kit is $19.00 and includes US shipping. There are 17 ready for purchase and immediate shipping and another 50 on deck and ready to ship in 5 days. 

SOLD OUT! THANK YOU....MORE COMING SOON.

For the win win, I am going to give you all the instructions right here, right now.

Chances are you have some alphabet stamps and a black stamp pad to stamp out a sentiment.  You might not have my mini lil'rainbow but you certainly could make one and you might have your grandmas or moms embroidery floss so here you go:

Just Add Stitches Mini Kit

“It’s A Promise”

By Stephanie Ackerman

Threading Your Needle

Sometimes this is the most difficult part! PLEASE NOTE: the embroidery floss has 6 stands. For the letters, I used 2 strands. Separate the strands by slowing dividing them with your fingers and pulling them SLOWLY apart. Thread your needle from one end and pull through about 2-3 inches to create a “tail.”  

Make a small knot on the opposite end of your thread so that when you make you first stitch, it does not pull through your fabric.

SMALL STITCHES TIP: try to keep your stitches all the same length. This will create a very tidy/ neat looking project.

Make Your First Stitch

Start at the edge of any letter. For this project, start with the “I”

Place your needle underneath the hoop and line up the tip of your needle with the place in the letter you are going to start. You will be coming up from the back so that the knot will be on the back.

Bring your needle up and through the fabric and pull through slowly until it stops at the knot.  

Now you will carry over your thread just a little and go back down through the fabric to create your first stitch.

NOTICE THE LENGTH OF THE STITCH. Try and keep your stitches all the same length to keep it tidy. This is the first stitch of what is referred to as a back stitch.

Making The Second Stitch.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO COME UP WHERE YOU JUST WENT DOWN. You are going to move out past your first stitch (about the same length as your first stitch) and come up through the fabric from the bottom. Pull slow until your thread stops and then come back toward the stitch you just made and go down the hole that ended your first stitch. You should now have TWO STITCHES that are the same or very close to being the same length.

This is a back stitch.

From here on out, you are going to continue this process, following the stamped lines of your letters until all letters are stitched.

Make A  Knot

When you start to run short on thread, you will want to make a knot on the back of the piece. Simply run your needle through your closest stitch on the back (do not come up through the fabric) just slide it through a stitch already made and before you pull it all the way through, create a knot by catching the loop with your needle and pull until it stops. This will create a knot. Clip thread close to the knot, rethread your needle and keep on stitching.

Adding The Rainbow

I tacked on my rainbow using a small bit of glue stick just to keep it in place.

Thread your needle using 2 strands of white. Create a 2-3” tail and then add a knot to the very end of your floss.

Choose a place to make your first stitch and come up from the bottom on the outside edge of the rainbow. Pull your thread all the up until it stops and then come over onto the rainbow directly across from where your thread came up and go back down through the rainbow and pull through slowly. This is your first stitch. 

Continue to add stitches until you have gone all the way around the rainbow.

SMALL STITCHES TIP: Keep your stitches the same distance apart from each other and the same length to keep things tidy.

Now remember, if you want to order a kit, you can do so here..or go for it yourself!

Either way, thank you, happy stitching and keep the faith..If He said it, He'll do it...IT'S A PROMISE.