RedLetterWords

Giveway Winner! + a coupon code + free shipping:)

I loved loved loved reading your comments! - so many of you shared happy memories of singing these hymns, many shared struggles and sorrows and were comforted by the truths in the lyrics.  God is so good!

Well since I have to pick one random winner . . .here she is . . . 

#211 Erin - who said her favorite hymn was . . Great is Thy Faithfulness. A beautiful daily reminder.

Congratulations Erin!  Email me at info@redletterwords.com with your mailing address and which print you would like!!

But. . really everybody wins because. . .

Use nester15 code for 15% off the entire site* + free shipping** all weekend long!

Good through midnight Sunday January 29.    

 *Excludes custom prints and print of the month

**Continental US orders only qualify for free shipping.

Thank you so so much for your encouragement, support and LoVe!!

It's Giveaway Day!!

How exciting!!  The new Hymn Collection!!  Have you seen it yet?... 

Here's a few more of my favs . . . (really though - they are ALL my favs:)

Great is Thy Faithfulness -  How awesome is it that our God is always faithful, provides everything we need and gives new mercies every morning?

  

You are My Sunshine - I know its not a hymn - but its a classic and beloved folk song with extra special meaning to me as we often describe our youngest one's personality as "all sunshine and rainbows"  all the time.  She loves this song and loves to sing it to us.  And anybody else who will listen:)

It is Well  It is well with my soul . . True that and Amen.  

We are celebrating by giving away a $155 store credit to anything in the hymn and folk song collection!:)  Welcome to everyone who is coming over from The Nester!  Love herl! 

Won't you join us?  

Leave a comment with your favorite hymn!   Or you can just say - I love this collection and would really like to win!

For extra entries you can follow RedLetterWords on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.  Return here and leave an additional comment that you tweeted.

Become a fan of RedLetterWords on Facebook and post a link to this giveaway on your facebook page.  Return here and leave an additional comment that you Facebooked!

The Giveaway is open until Thursday January 26 at midnight and the winner will be announced on Saturday the 28th!  

The fine print. . .

*Giveaway is open to US residents only *

 Be sure to head back over to The Nester to find out who else is giving stuff away!! - you can enter as many giveaways as you like!!!   Fabulous stuff there!!

 

The Hymn Collection - Behind the Design

Hymns.  Where do I start?

this collection has been such a blessing for me to create.  I've been researching them, learning the story behind who, when and why they were written, singing them, my husband will come up to see what I've been working on and he's been signing them -

insert loud deep voice . . It is welllllllll with my soulllll

my 6 yo daughter has been sounding out and reading them  - i need to record that - sweetest this ever!

I love them all - most were written several hundred years ago and the truth in the lyrics is timeless and unchanging.  here's a little bit more about some of them . . .

here's my heart - my favorite line from Come Thou Fount

In Christ Alone - really the one that started this whole collection.  I love this newer hymn

Amazing Grace - designed as single prints or as a set of 2.

my all time favorite.  The first 2 lines are beautiful . . .  Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound

but its the last 2 lines where the story is for me . .

how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

I need to back up now and tell you about the hour I first believed.  December 5, 1997 we were married 41/2 years with a 5 month old baby.  Both my husband and I had grown up in church but as we got to be older teenagers with jobs and drivers licenses!  we had slowly stopped going.  We were very good Creasters though (church on Christmas and Easter for sure) but didn't see the importance the rest of the year.  We were extremely busy having parties.  We both knew that something was missing but didn't know what exactly to do about it.  So we decided it must be the weather. Surely warm sunny weather would make us happy.  We sold everything we owned and made plans to head west to San Diego with half baked plans to start a photography studio once we arrived. 

We had lots of goodbye parties.  But one of them was different than the rest.  Our friends Jeff and Michelle came over for dinner and said wow we are going to miss you and we are real excited for you and all but we just can't let you leave without sharing this with you.  Poured out the love of Christ with the gospel and right then and there holding hands around our little kitchen table we turned away from our old ways and asked Jesus into our hearts.  That was the moment we knew that  no matter what that everything was going to be ok.  That's all we knew.

How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

that was also the moment we knew that the timing was off for our move.  Both of us were too scared to say anything to each other.  It was all planned out.  The house was sold.  The moving truck was in the driveway.  We didn't know what to do.  So we went.   the rest of the story is quite loooong but since it wasn't the right time for us to be there, it's no surprise that things didn't go as planned.  We moved back to Michigan 3 months later.  We have been blessed ever since.  There have been some rocky patches, and some huge storms of course, but my husband started an extremely successful photography studio (which we later sold) but I still think he's the best that ever was:) that led him into his current printing business wwww.colorincprolab.com.  God's got some other things working behind the scenes right now - including us being in of all places - Southern California for this semester (more on that later when I tell you about my word of the year- I know it.  I can feel it.  I don't know what though and that's ok.

I think on that hour I first believed quite often.  God never fails to bring a smile to my face or a tear to my eye -  usually both at the same time.  That is why you will see me with streaky mascara and a big smile whenever I hear this song- just in case you were wondering.  

What about you?  do you think about the hour you first believed?  I would love to hear your story.   

 

2011 in Review!

Wow!  I know I'm out of order.  I already posted and announced what's new for Urban Soul in 2012 but I couldn't go forward anymore without reflecting back on all the awesomeness that God brought in 2011:)

January 2011 - Urban Soul debuts at the Atlanta Gift Market!

Here's what I originally wrote . . Made of metal and wood with cool rivets - I LoVe LoVe LoVe everything about it.  I cannot even put into words how Amazed and Humbled I feel to be writing this blog post.  God has taken this hobby, my creative outlet where all I wanted to do was glorify Him in my spare time and through the awesome team at Demdaco has turned it into this amazing product line that will reach so many people.   I will be forever grateful to them for seeing something in what I do that could become something like this. 

And I am forever Thankful that

God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes  Psalm 18:24 The Message

Incidentally - my One Little Word of 2011 was THANKFUL!

January was also incredibly busy with custom prints!  so much so that I couldn't take any more orders for a couple of months! 

February 2011

A new section called Love is Everything and a cute room by Emily from Decor Chick

I also got a Looong awaited house project done! - these photos were actually 2 years old before I even got them hung on the wall! - still LOVE LOVE LOVE them:)

March 2011

Here's one of the custom prints that has totally helped me whenever I have a ton of things to do I always find myself remembering making this! -  

and another house project I had wanted to do FOREVER got finished! - 

 April 2011

April is special.  It's not only Easter time which I love - but I made a new design in April that remains among my all time favs!

this She Knew card and the Behind the Design

May 2011

My honey surprised me with a trip here

for Mother's Day!

Great great relaxing time!  We had lots of fun with the kids and made a super important and exciting family decision - a 14 year dream has come true! (more later:)

June 2011

A new website goes LIVE!!!!!  Here I shared a little bit about why I do what I do

July 2011

The Just for Girls collection is ready!  Here's the Behind the Design

August 2011

The 2nd Urban Soul collection is out!  Mirrors and crosses and prayer boxes and more are added to the line!  

Here's the collection in Baker Book House

September 2011

The Heart Collection is here!

My friend Holley and I collaberated together on this collection.  She is an author,blogger, encourager, friend and I love her to pieces!   The short story of THe Heart Collection is this. . .

Her words, my art. I love everything about this.  and have you read Holley's book yet?  

October 2011

Fall candles + more have arrived!  and an answer to the question . . 

In God's heart, I am ______________

November 2011

My daughter and I got to get away to Chicago for a much needed weekend of relaxation, shopping and girl time! Our first ever!  I Loved this time with her and can't wait to do it again:)

December 2011

My favorite time of the whole year was crazy busy!!  

I have had a chance recently to reflect on everything God has accomplished in me and through Redletterwords.  Thankful that He is using art over the internet to connect with your heart and mine. Thankful that He is being glorifed through art over the internet in whatever time He gives me to devote to Redletterwords.  Thankful for the ideas and the inspiration from the study of His Word.  Thankful for you who read this and comment and email me with your prayers and encouragement!  Thankful that you are hanging scripture in your homes!

Thankful.  One Little Word.

In the last newsletter I mentioned that I had picked my word for 2012.  It's part of that super important family decision we made back in May.  

Together is my word for 2012.  I can't wait to tell you ALL about it!  We are on an adventure this semester!  But first . . .

there is a new collection coming out!  Watch for it in the next week or so!!

New Urban Soul is out!!

Oh wow am I excited!!  The Atlanta Gift Market is happening right now and there is so much fabulousness going on!  Here's a sneak peak of the latest and greatest from Demdaco!!  

 

I love everything about this and am so beyond thrilled and thankful to be a part of this company and its amazing group of artists!!!

Last year the Atlanta Gift Market was a blast!! - I wasn't able to make it this year - but Jonathan from Demdaco sent me these pics of Urban Soul in the showroom yesterday!!

New Urban Soul Pics!

Check at your local gift store soon!!  

My heart is full

So awhile back I posted about why I do what I do 

here's another reason!  Tommy's mom sent me this video last week of her son reading the Christmas story from the Greatest Story Set and said I could share it with you.  It's absolutely totally precious. 

My heart is full.

 

Christmas Mantel - Behind the Design

I loved last years mantle.  But hanging that True Love canvas high up there on the stone wall was not easy.  I needed something simple this year. 

I knew I wanted to make a new Christmas print and as I was pondering and sorting through the 17 million ideas I had in my head, my friend Holly emailed and asked if I could make Oh Holy Night in gray and scripty, something flourishy.  LOVE Oh Holy Night -  reflects what exactly we are celebrating with all the food and the gifts and the decorations.  The gray was easy too.  I already do lots of gray prints.  The scripty part was a bit harder for me.   It makes me think of fancy which I love but I am decidedly not fancy.  My hair is normally quite messy and I like nothing better than a tshirt, scarf and jeans and either cute boots or sandals depending on the season.  I don't stray much from that.  I am beyond thankful to Holly for suggesting Oh Holy Night and encouraging me to try something new!!

So how to stay true to my own style but also break out of my box (just a little?)  

How to satisfy the itch to do something a little bit different?

So I did what I do always.  I thought and prayed about what it was I was trying to accomplish.  Something new, something different.  I thought about how John Sullivan Dwight might have written it out and what writing instrument he would have used in the 1800's when he translated it from the original french.

and then anwered the question - what would I put in my house?  that is the most important.  I am passionate about the Word, and passionate about what I put in my house.  Does it fit our family lifestyle?  Am I still going to love it in 10 years?  Can I move it around to different areas of my house?

You may have seen Oh Holy Night on the Nester's blog as well.  She liked the scripty best.  And thank you so much to all the english teachers who let me know about the missing apostrophe!! - Nester and I are the only ones who are still missing it! - So thankful her motto is . . .It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!!

Onto the rest of the mantle! - Remember I said I needed easy?  I didn't buy a thing! - Shopped the house found some trees, one is the fancy mercury glass from Pottery Barn ( I guess I do like a little fancy:), the one with the star I received as a gift along with the angel at least 10 years ago, and the other tree I bought at the Beneath the Tree art show last year.

The old small bibles were my Grandmas.  The tree is usually on the hearth part of the fireplace but I looked at him, thought he might work so I lifted him up about 5 feet and now he is on the shelf.  The metal stars are from Carol Roeda several years ago.  LoVe everything she makes!

I'm linking up with Rhoda's Holiday Home and Beth From A to Z! Have you seen all the fabulous mantels??

Christmas Ordering Guidelines

Well Hello there!  This is an especially busy time of year! - With so many activities and parties and different things calling for your attention - I would like to encourage you to pick the things that will mean the most to your family!

I know how important it is to get gifts both bought and shipped to friends and family!  So.... here are the 2001 dates for Christmas ordering.  I like to make it as easy as possible for you to get everything done! Let me know how I can help:)

So here they are. . .

Custom Print orders must be received by December 9.

Regular Print Orders must be received by December 19.

After the 19th, express shipping is available.  email me info@redletterwords.com:)

Thank you so much!!  Happy Shopping!

My Favorite Things!

Linking up with Nester and Tiny Twig and showing a few of my favorite things today!

Here's they are . . .

Roma crochet and lace earrings handmade by Kate DeKoster.  I got mine from Lee and Birch - a local boutique!  I LOVE these earrings -  they go with everything I have

 odd sized measuring spoons - from MIU france on Amazon

odd sized measuring cups from MIU on Amazon too - I bake ALOT and I double recipes so I love both of these - there is a 2 teaspoon spoon and a 2/3 cup and a 3/4 cup so these save me soo much time! my mom in law got me these for Christmas last year:)

this lip balm at Sephora is the best!  I think it came as a free sample somewhere so I tried it and now am addicted to it.  Its really sheer, but not sticky and the tiny tiny tiniest bit of color

 This Beehouse Teapot is not mine.  It's my daughters.  She bought it with her own money when we were in Chicago a few weeks ago.  But I love it - seriously makes the BEST loose leaf tea.

and speaking of tea my favorite is Rooibos Chai at Argo Tea

and one very special thing that I just came across this morning . . .my new favorite necklace from Laura Beth Love.  Here is her Etsy Store

I seriously love everything she makes!  Love that she uses broken china.  Love that she will make a piece of jewelry from your broken china.  

We went with some friends last week to see Owl City.  Love this band.  Have you ever heard him sing In Christ Alone?.. My fav song new song is Galixies.

and finally . . . 

Loved the book.  Loved the movie.  the Help DVD comes out on Tuesday:)

Ok thats my favs!  that was fun to compile that list!

xoxo

Hot Chocolate!

Are you in your jammies today?  Good. . . I am too:)  

Every fall I make a giant batch of hot chocolate mix.  and we drink ALOT of it!  I'll put the recipe in a minute but I got something new last week when we went to Crate and Barrel and let me tell you it has revolutionized our family hot chocolate experience!  I can now make 6 cups at once and carry them wherever on their own tray!  I thought that was the cutest kitchen item I have seen in a long time:)

so here's the recipe - it makes a BIG batch!  I use my big broiler pan to mix it up (its the biggest bowl? I have:)

1 box dry milk

1 container Ovaltine

1 Container hot chocolate mix (NO Marshmallows)

I 4 pack of King Peppermints crushed fine

1 containter coffee creamer

Mix it all up.  Put in a large glass container and use 1/3-1/2 cup mix for each cup hot chocolate.  Lasts forever!!  Makes a great gift in a jar as well!  If you don't like mints - don't add them - no worries!

Make some!  Let me know if you love it!

We are having a giant Black Friday sale all weekend at RedLetterWords!- Use code BF20GIFT for 20% off your order (excludes custom prints and print of the month) + receive a free gift (while supplies last)