Baby Steps

I haven't slowed down to write in a while. Do you ever feel like life is just "piling up" on you? I've been under the pile for a while now, and trying to slowly climb out from underneath it. I don't just want to get out, I want to climb out and make my way to the top of it. There, it can't pile on me anymore. Might be a pipe dream...but that's what I'm aiming for. 

Anyway, the rut that I've been in has been largely due to some health issues. I finally found a good doctor here and she actually listens to me and my concerns. So I'm hoping that will have a huge impact on the upcoming weeks. I will spare you the details, but I think I may have some thyroid issues, which in turn seem to affect every. area. of. your. life. Ugh. I just haven't been myself. Haven't had any energy to do what I need to do, much less to do what I love. While the energy isn't there, the wheels are still turning in my little brain, and I am craving some creativity. I still want to cook fabulous meals, repaint the house room by room, whip up a few hundred dozen or so burlap crafts to sell on my etsy shop, rummage through the thrift shops, and accessorize with my little divas. But my body didn't get the memo. I guess it isn't really a black and white type of issue, but this doctor is willing to talk me through the gray areas regarding my treatment options and help me start feeling more like me. 

I think just the hope that I've gained from talking to her multiple times has inspired me to push through the exhaustion and ickiness to accomplish a few little things I've been waiting to do. I managed to wrap up a few loose projects for my burlap customers, including this little gal:

Isn't she a trip? I named her "Elle" the Diva. The sweet lady that requested her waited quite some time for me to get it right in my head and put it on burlap. I'm pretty happy with the results, and she was delighted. Of course, I always criticize my own work and can think of a few things I would change, but I still think its pretty fun. 

The burlap stuff became quite exhausting over Christmas, since I was blessed with so many orders. Now as we head into all things Spring, including Easter...I'm hoping to gather a few more orders and get the creativity churning again. 

Another thing that has inspired a little motivation in me, is a women's event. I'm still working out the final details, but a friend of mine is planning to drive up and join me...and there are still a few spots available the last I heard. I am so excited to get away with a good friend, and also to hear a few of my most favorite bloggers ever speak at this event! I've never met them in real life, in fact, I'm pretty sure they don't know I exist, but I am so thrilled! Paige from the blog Simple Thoughts and Edie from the blog Life in Grace are both going to be there. Soooo excited! There also are other speakers that I don't know too much about, but I'm going to guess that if they are in the same category of friends with these awesome ladies, it will be a weekend to remember. 

So all together with the hope of working with my new doctor, and the excitement from the upcoming Pearl Event , I actually started a few little projects for my own home, outside of my burlap shop. It's still a work in progress, but the fact that I did something at all was progress, so I thought I would share what I've done so far. I was hoping to put a little *Spring* in our step around here. I am aiming to be extremely cost efficient these days, since we are intense in our Dave Ramsey plan, so I had to get creative with the financial portion of it too. I purchased an old window months ago, even before everyone started pinning ideas with them on Pinterest. (I'm totally not bashing that either...I'm admittedly a Pinterest addict.) I don't really care to paint it or turn it into a menu or anything just yet. I am enjoying it leaned up on my mantel. But for Spring, I thought I could at least use it in my decor. Joann Fabrics had the garland on a pretty good sale, and I had most of my other items stashed around from thrifting. I am still hoping to buy one more piece at Hobby Lobby, and I do also still have another idea in my head for that birdcage. But here it is so far:

I considered editing out the fan reflection...then decided that was too much effort. :) Now that I look at the picture, I've decided my sweet little lantern needs to go. I'm going to whip out my coupon and head for that rabbit at Hobby Lobby. Also considering some sort of garland or grass along the bottom. I despise the plastic sticky Easter grass. Maybe some of the more natural feeling stuff or garland might do the trick though. I'm working on some little burlap eggs for the inside of that cage. I'll let you know how that works out too. 

For now, I'm off to finish another wreath order that I received late last night from a sweet lady I've known for years. I love it when I can do these for people I know, and pray over them as I make it. Here's to baby steps ...crawling out from under the pile. We'll chat again soon. 

-Ashley