2020 Vision LIVE ONLINE Workshop Register for an 18 week (Jan-April 2020) online accountability/creativity/spiritual growth workshop with Stephanie Ackerman to Inspire, Ignite, Increase, Awake and Motivate you to live the extraordinary life God has planned for you.
I am very excited to share with you two things I have been working on for the past few months. Actually it has been a lot longer because I have been over thinking, procrastinating and well, simply shrinking back but today, I am showing up, offering out what I have created, sharing some of the ways I have used these things and leaving the rest up to God.
First up is "The Makers Prayer" stitchable panel.
Remember, the meaning of "stitchable" is something that is already printed on fabric and all you have to do is add stitches to it, well and whatever you'd like to do with it!
Here are my tips and tricks to how I stitch:
My favorite DMC Embroidery Floss color for the words is #3799 (dark gray)
I use 2-3 strands to go over the letters
I keep my stitches short and the same length (or as close as possible)
I back the printed piece with a piece of Muslin before I start stitching
I added eyelets to the margin of my stitched piece and added it to my Stitch Binder
"The Makers Prayer" Panel is approx. 7" x 9 " with light gray printing. Each panel is $12.00
Next up is "The Word" fabric. Something I have looked for and couldn't find and like I mentioned at the top, something I have been working on for awhile.
Each dark gray with white type panel is approx. 8 x 10 and has a little over 200 words printed on it.
Use the panel as a whole or cut into little pieces to embellish your Mixed and Stitched Journaling Bible Cover. I am working on a new Mixed & Stitched project and stitched the words right onto it with the help of a rotary cutter, a glue stick and some of my favorite #3799 embroidery floss.
Wilson refuses to let me sit and stitch so I have taken up standing and stitching.
"The Word" 8 x 10 panel is $12.00
You can purchase each of these things separately or together. All orders will be shipped via USPS and ships within 2-3 business days to the address listed on your PayPal account.
Three years ago I started to share my story in a series of posts named "The Story Of Me" and then I got in my own way and believed my thoughts of "who cares" and "nobody reads blog anymore" and I stopped sharing.
Here's the thing, God cares.
As much as it is "The Story of Me" it's not just about me.
It's more about HE and what HE is doing in and through me, how I am growing and what I am learning. We learn, grow and experience things not just for us but to share with others without having to know who it may affect. Our job is to just share. He will do the footwork of getting it to who needs it.
So with that, I continue on with "The Story Of Me"
I left off in part five talking about the creative part of my life and how the ebbs and flows of the industry were a creative curve ball for me and while I was successful at the things I was designing, creating and making, the marketing hustle part of the business was extremely difficult for me. I did it, but it was not natural. I was uncomfortable, out of my comfort zone and really struggled through several years of it. It may not have appeared that way on the outside but it was taking a bit of a toll on the inside.
I really did try to overcome, practice, learn and make it happen, but again, the lights, the videos, the take one, take two and take three's and the "buy my stuff" made me overwhelmingly stressed and anxious. I guess this is where the saying "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" comes in.
I chose to get "out of the kitchen." I did not feel I had given up, that I was too weak or that I had failed. I exhausted every effort to grow into what the industry and my jobs demanded but when "you know, you just know" and it took me right back to 20 years prior when I had taken that giant leap of faith (see "The Story of Me - Between 1 & 2) and made a decision to change. The really hard thing is and was that I did not know "what" that change was.
Here is what I want you to hear:
Just because my business was shifting did not mean my purpose had changed or that I had lost the talents and skills God had given me. On the contrary, I believe that making the hard decisions was strengthening and defining my purpose. I am grateful for the opportunities I was given by some great people and companies but knew that as much as I was changing, so was the industry. Once again, the steps I had taken were leading me to new places...I just couldn't get a clear visual on it yet.
In the November 52 Pickup email I stated that by this time each year, I usually have all of the verses for the following year but 2019 has been a much different year.
I have gone back and forth on what to do, how to do it and quite frankly, IF I should do it but after spending many hours working, studying and writing, I am changing things up again. The name might sound familiar but things are a little different in a good and simple way.
Just stay with me for a minute.
Six years ago I created and taught an online and in-store workshop called 52 PickUp based on 52 weeks in one year and creating a card per week (or 4-5 per month) with a verse, quote or focus word to use as a reminder to ourselves and for others of something we might have already have known, just forgot to remember.
Five years ago I re-created the workshop still based on the 52 weeks and started to incorporate more of the 52 weeks of Documented Faith weekly verses along with the monthly focus words.
Two years ago I started something new called Documented Faith Mixed Media Monthly combining all the above and adding in the finished cards so that those who either did not have time to create or simply did not want to create could just download, print & cut.
In 2019, I gave you all of the above where you can do all of the creating yourself OR do none of the creating and just print & trim!
I had based my decision on not to do the online class in 2020 based on a few things "I told myself" without knowing what you liked. It is not that I need approval, but I do not hear from you on what you like and what you want more of. I only hear about what you don't like and what you are unhappy with.
I also based my thoughts on Email statistics. UGH. BAD idea but I am being honest.
EMAILS
Technology is always changing, browsers connect and then sometimes they don't. I am convinced that some emails are with the "other socks" that get lost in the dryer and with the containers that have no lids or vice versa. Some of you got emails, some of you didn't, some of you never open them, some of you unsubscribed, some of you created, some of you didn't.
VIDEOS
I did not know you cared about them. I had a really good heart to heart conversation with someone in the class that gave me "student viewpoint" Here is what I didn't know: You want to see what and how I create regardless of whether or not you have seen it before.
52 Words/52 verses will be provided in a PDF and posted at the BEGINNING OF THE YEAR in the online classroom. We all need God's word in our life and we all need different truths and reminders at different times.
52 Card Color Backgrounds will be provided in a PDF and posted at the BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. These will be available for you to print out on sticker paper, card stock or plain ol' paper. You can add WHATEVER VERSES you want or need to these card backgrounds and tape into your planner, tuck in your wallet, share with someone who needs encouragement or just leave them around where someone may find it.
WORDS - A PDF to download and cut with "good words" I have cut and torn from books and devotionals.
Monthly Process Video - At the beginning of each month, a short process video with password will be posted in the classroom. Whether you receive an email or it gets lost in space, all you need to do is go straight the the classroom. The password will be post right above the video.
52 PickUp 2019 - You will gain access to the 2019 Classroom to mix up your cards to create a variety of cards, colors and mediums.
TheRIGHT NOW price is $52.00 for the entire year (That is $1.00 per week)
Here is the catch....
You need to sign up NOW so you get the best price. The price is going to go up on January 1st to $75.00 for the year (which is still only $1.44 per week)
The supplies are basic. I will be including and updating a general supply list but always encourage you to use what you have. Here is a quick look at what I have on my worktable:
White Cardstock cut into playing cards sizes (or a deck of cards) - To create backgrounds on that can be embellished with words
Assorted brands and colors of acrylic paints (for backgrounds)
Tom Holtz "chit chat" and "Small Chat" stickers (to add sentiments)
Assorted washi tapes (to add color and pattern in small ways)
Signo Uniball White Pigment Paint Pen (to make marks)
Black Charcoal Pencil (to scribble with)
Matte Medium (to stick stuff down)
Baby wipes (for dirty fingers)
WORDS - lots of words cut and torn from books and devotionals (a download of "good words" will be posted)
Here are some examples of the past years cards:
So, are you ready?
Let's create through another year together!
Register HERE NOW!
If you have questions, please contact me at homegrown1@att.net or leave a comment here and I will respond just as soon as I see it.
This weeks 20 sweater Tuesday comes on a Monday because of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Remember, all you have to do is add stitches. If you don't stitch or do not want to stitch, a little bit of glue here and there will work just fine. This is perfect for creating with kids.
Two Sweater Duo Kit Includes:
Two sweaters with arm cuff, waist cuff and neck already tacked on
Holly & Berries with clear seed beads
Felt tree and truck with coordinating buttons and seed beads
Two names stamped on white felt (one for each sweater)
two handmade hangers
FREE access to my "not so ugly Christmas sweater" Online workshop
Two Sweater Duo Kit $28.00
The option you have for this week is to have a name stamped on a little piece of felt for each sweater. I use 2 strands of embroidery floss to stitch right over the stamped image to darken the name. This little touch adds so much and it looks AMAZING!
Just like each week, there are LIMITED KITS AVAILABLE and once they are gone, they gone!
We believe we are better together. We wanted to create something that the world needs more of. We used what we have to create something to offer to you. We applied our gifts, skills and abilities that God gave us to collaborate on a special project we have been working on not only for ourselves, but for all of us. We all want peace. We all need wisdom. We all need to learn how important acceptance is for our heart, mind, body and soul and we are excited to share our collaboration with you.
The Serenity Prayer has been a staple in the AA recovery community for decades, but it's powerful words can serve as a reminder to all of us... as we navigate life on earth and daily overcome the obstacles in front of us. We hope this creative offering will be a blessing to you or whoever you share it with!
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference
The framable art print featuring the Serenity Prayer is reversible with two sides for different aesthetic options. One side features Stephanie's colorful mixed media art and the second side features a simple white and cream word collage.
PLUS you will receive TWO prints so you can share one with a friend or display them in multiple places.
In addition, you will receive a set of 12 mini art cards with words of encouragement to keep for yourself or pass along to someone who needs it! Each card was created from a piece of Stephanie's artwork with words cut form the AA Big Book.
