It's time to take a break!

I am very blessed to live a life surrounded by people and things that I love. A life so full in the joy of The Lord. Full of beauty and grace - it makes the struggles worth it. The day to day frustrations and overwhelming sorrows alike. I can say this in full confidence because I was dead in the world and I am now so alive in Christ! I'm not trying to preach to you or act all holier that thou, I hate that shit ("Why you acting so holy, can't you see I'm full of holes?"). It's just at sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. I just want to shout it from the rooftops! I see what happened to Robin Williams and it breaks my heart. My newsfeed is full of overdoses, shootings, war and pain. If only I could find some way to share the freedom of life in Christ. To open the eyes of the skeptics and unbelievers. Not to force feed some prepackaged notion of "Christianity", the religion, but Christ, the son of God.

I am getting completely off track here, but sometimes it's difficult to stop myself. Why do I create? Because I was born to. I'm not bragging, I'm not some super talented famous artist. I'm not even comfortable calling myself an artist. I just love to make. I'm about to send my first scripture canvas overseas (to London!) and I am just so grateful for this platform I have been given. Just blown away that my work is now starting to spread across the world, sharing God's word!! Who knows who might see it and be moved, be encouraged? Think about the words on the canvas for a moment.

"As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord." Joshua 24:15

That is a declaration of faith, a dedication, a pledge. Now these words are across the globe. There is power in that, in art. It doesn't come from me, but from the Holy Spirit working through me. Some of the people I have met through my work have touched my life in ways they'll never even know. I see God at work and I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of it! So I've been going non stop - making, sharing, working, teaching. Putting my tool belt on and sweating it out all day; then coming home, making dinner, and setting up in the studio. It has been a long summer. Granted it has been one of those most amazing and exciting times in my life, but it has taken a toll on me. I've pushed as hard as I can and relied on His strength when I had none. I only have a few open orders right now and once I finish those up I'm going to put the shop on vacation and take a much needed break. I've come to this decision after much prayer and deliberation and I know that this is His will for me and my family. I have faith that he will carry us financially and I will return renewed, refreshed and ready to make you lovely people some beautiful art!

I want to focus on making art for myself, not for sale or show. A creative jump start, if you will. That said, I also plan on fleshing out my fall and holiday lines (I already have some super cute stuff in store for you guys!) and revamping my business model. I will still be available via email (thehipsterhousewife@gmail.com) and rest assured those of you who have open orders, they will be completed and shipped in the time frame promised.

I am so excited about what God has in store for the future of The Hipster Housewife and my family! I plan on relaxing with my husband, playing with my kids (and getting them ready to go back to school!), and just enjoying the gifts that God has given me. I will be returning in September. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and general awesomeness!! Love you!

Party Planning in Ten Easy Steps (Michelle's Birthday Surprise!)

Party Planning in ten easy steps, Hipster Housewife style. You guys ready for it?! Great! It's super easy I promise. And I'm only being slightly sarcastic when I say that. We'll break it down into a few, easy to follow steps.

 

Ok, step one - have an amazing, compassionate, talented, beautiful, friend whose 32 years on this spinning thing you want to celebrate with much hurrah and what not. For the sake of this instruction manual we'll call her Michelle.

This is Michelle (told you she's beautiful)

Step two - have another amazing friend (I'm blessed with these super awesome, talented women!) with whom which you'll plan the party and do things like make the sweetest invitations and most adorable favors. You'll also be making lists. Many, many, lists. You're writing hand is going to hurt.

Lovely Lindsey

Step three - call up (or group Facebook message, you know, whatevs) the incredible tribe of women you're blessed to call you're friends, and ask them all to bring something yummy. You know these women, so you know they'll pull out all the stops and bring some delish goods. Food, check.

The Tribe

Step four - make it pretty. It's all in the details people. Lots of flowers, loose color scheme (you gotta have one, but seriously, if it looks good, it doesn't have to match), and you're good to go. Put up pictures and hang garlands. Use what you have. You'd be surprised at what you already have in your house that can be repurposed as party gear.

Step 5 - enlist you're birthday girl's equally amazing sister to get her there in such a manner that it's a complete surprise. (A blindfold was involved.) Then yell SURPRISE really loud and make sure your camera is ready!

SURPRISE!!

Steps 6-10 - eat cake, drink champagne (cry a little while you're toasting, it's gonna happen and it's ok), open presents, laugh, take selfies (hashtag #itsmichellesday), listen to good music, talk, hug, and just enjoy the heck out of each others company. Cuz that's what friends do.

And there you have it folks, party planning in ten easy steps, and one happy birthday girl! That's what it's all about anyway; you're decor could be non existent and your food not so great, but if there is love in the room, you're going to have an awesome party. I promise.

 

P.S. Photo credit goes to the lovely Lindsey of Lindsey Mae Photography (beautiful and talented). A couple of them are mine, but you can tell which ones - they just don't look as good!