The First Sale is the Sweetest

In honor of Small Business month, I've been linking up to Three's 4 Me and having a great time meeting new crafty people!

This upcoming week, the prompt is "Your first sale." And boy do I remember it! Here was the very first card I ever sold:

My shop had only been open for three days - the first sale came on my BIRTHDAY! So I was truly beyond excited. There may have been squealing. My hubby came into the office (where I was pointing at the computer monitor) to give me a hug and congratulate me!

A couple things I notice here. First, I had no idea what to charge for shipping - a dollar wasn't nearly enough to cover that expense. Second, my completely non-descriptive title ... what's up with that? Third, my picture is not great quality. It took about six months for me to get the hang of great pictures with lots of natural light.

One more touching thing I remember about that day: my husband was relieved. He confessed to me a little later that day that he had this whole elaborate plan with a fake email address, and a fake paypal account -- he was planning on buying something from my shop anonymously if I didn't get any sales after a week or two and got really discouraged!

I seriously married a sweetie pie.

What do you remember about your first sale?

Undeserved Blessings

I was in the living room when my husband Max called to me from the backyard.

"Sarah, come see this before the cats destroy it!"

There, to the side of our rather unkempt lawn was a thing of unexpected beauty:

We didn't plant it. We didn't know the green stalk that was growing there was getting ready to bloom. But we did delight in it!

How often do stop and take stock of all of our blessings, both the expected and the unexpected? Do I have an attitude of gratitude or do I go through my life taking blessings for granted and always wanting.... more?

" ...  I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. " Phillippians 4: 11-12

Favorite Fall Projects - for KIDS

When I saw that Gussy's Inspiration Workshop prompt was "Fall", I knew that I wanted to share some really fun projects that I want to do in my classroom. (I'll have to see if I can squeeze something in despite our structured curriculum!)

Below is a little roundup of Fall projects for the young... or young at heart!

Bean Leaf Craft

Corn Craft

Tissue Paper Leaf

Pumpkin Seed Craft

Rice Krispy Turkeys

(I think I might make those turkeys just for myself.... ) What does Fall make you think of?

Making the Most out of a Linky Party

Linky parties / Blog hops are a great way to grow your blog readership, discover new blogs to follow, and participate in the fabulous online blogging community.

via

Here's a short list of helpful tips to maximize your linky party/blog hop experience:

- Make sure to follow the rules of the link-up.
- Visit other blogs who have linked up - and leave them some comment love!
- If you see a new-to-you blog that you like, don't hesitate to follow!
- Make sure that the post you link up follows the theme (ex: don't link your outfit post to a recipe linky party). This is basic common sense but still needs to be said.
- Update your About Me page ... you may be getting some new traffic - make it easy for them to get to know you!
- If someone comments on the post you linked up, visit their blog and return the favor!
- Leave some comment love for the blogger hosting the link up :)

Did I leave anything out? If you have any other tips or tricks, I'd love to hear them in the comments!

If you're looking for fun linky parties to join, here's a great list. It's a little older so it doesn't include Gussy's Inspiration Workshop or Casey's On My Heart. And of course, don't forget Tickle Me Tuesday! {wink!}

Oh and PS: I have a $25 gift certificate giveaway going on over here! And you can score free set of mini cards over here! Go enter :)

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 38th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Shutter Wall Hooks from Pier 1

Cloth Napkins from JAQstudio

Fabric Rose Grapevine Wreath from Fa Sew La Stitches

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#454545"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=109827" type="text/javascript"></script></font></span></div></div>

Missionary Kid Monday: to go for it or not?

In reflecting on this little ol' blog of mine, I find that I want to share more of myself. Be more open. Share my story. But as soon as I started thinking on this track, the peanut gallery of my soul popped up:

People will think you're bragging.

It's too complicated to write.

People won't understand.

It'll be too hard.

Nobody cares.

Don't.

I'm a Missionary Kid. (I technically still am: my parents are Christian missionaries in France.) It's not the only thing that defines me, but for years it was. So I have some stories to tell: about adapting, belonging, relationships, loss, transitions, and faith.

via

And as you can tell from all the reasons I came up with, I'm a little nervous about starting this venture. I hope you'll stick with me.... Look for the first post coming up next Monday!

Shopping FAIL and Shopping WIN

Yesterday I wandered over to Wet Seal's clearance section to look for some cute tops. I was excited because they were offering an extra 30% off clearance prices plus 99 cent shipping.

I was practically giddy when I added this little number to my shopping cart:

But then I hit some buttons a little too quickly and failed to notice that the 99 cent shipping only applied with a minimum order of $15. Of course, it didn't help that their fine print was in 6 point font and in white text against black. But whatever. The shirt is still cute - it was just a little more than I wanted to pay for it.

Fast forward to later that evening when I read this blog post about Sharlie and the efforts of the blogging community to raise money for her double lung/heart transplant. Proceeds from Shop for Sharlie are going to help pay those medical expenses!

I had a really great feeling that the money I spent on these cute printables went to such a great cause. And I know just where I'm going to hang these beauties. I'll share pictures when it's all said and done!

You can help Sharlie by shopping here! Happy weekend, everyone!