RedLetterWords

Chairs and Art

Well here is a project that has been forever on my list that is done and checked off.  Now I am not Layla, Miss Mustard Seed, Traci or the Nester, but I really really love that I could do this and I am super thrilled with the results!!  

See these chairs?  when we bought our cottage 5 years ago they were in the basement.  Really cute chairs but the fabric coverings are a little tired and faded.  Did I just admit that this has been on my to-do list for 5 years?  oh wow, I am really really glad to have this done!!

Alot of our summer is spent at our cottage on the lake.  and most of our time there is spent outside.  So indoor cottage projects are really low on my list. . . but I had decided that it was time to spruce up the sun porch area just a bit . .

Anyway, here was my inspiration . . .

New you are my sunshine art in fun colors that definitely didn't look good with the faded chair covers

All I needed were a few basic tools . . . a screwdriver, some new fabric (found in the most unlikely of places), and a staple gun.  Oh and time.  that was probably the hardest thing to find!

All I needed to do was turn the chairs over, unscrew the seats and staple away!

here is what I found when I turned the chairs over . . a stamp from the Murphy Detroit Chair company. which caused a minor delay in my project because I felt it necesary to immediately google everything I could find out about these chairs.  Which ended up being not very much.  So back to the project. . 

After consulting my good friend Gussy about fabric, she graciously linked me to so many awesome fabric possibilities that I loved every single thing she picked out for me and then I couldn't decide which would be best.  I had them all in my cart!  As it turned out I was at Target later that day and found these. . . 

Yes!  perfectly thick fabric at just the right size and color combinations!  So thick in fact that I did not bother with removing the existing faded fabric on the chairs

but instead pulled it really tight and stapled right over it 

1 chair done.  So so cute!

4 chairs done!  I really love them!  All in all it took me only about an hour and a half!   OK i have to go cut a watermelon and watch my little dude catch a fish!!

Have you completed anything lately that you thought you couldn't do?

Just for Girls Giveaway Winners

Thank you so much for all your heartfelt comments!  I loved reading which scriptures you want your girls to know!

#55 Judith Hall - you won the Wait Hope Expect print

Wait, Hope, Expect...Consider the Lilies...both loving and meaningful sentiments to begin, live with and end each day.  The art reflects the words so beautifully.  I'd love either one of them. They both have particular meaning in my and my husband's life right now.  I liked you and this link on facebook!

#63 Demtria Friberg - you won the Consider the Lilies print

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Love your new product line!!!

Congratulations Judith and Demetria!  Email info@redletterwords.com with your mailing address and I will get your print right out to you:)

And because I want everybody to win . . . here is a coupon code:)

Use the code JFG15 for 15% off your order! Good through midnight Tuesday July 12.  Not valid on Print of the Month. 

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

 

Behind the Design - Just for Girls Collection

We have 2 girls ages 14 and almost 6.  This Just for Girls Collection was created when we re-decorated my oldest girls room a few months ago.  She was ready for a different look, gone were the horses and american girls.  In with the shaggy bean bag, zebra stripes and bright fun colors.  

The scriptures chosen for the collection are just some of many that we want them to hold onto and know that they know that they know.

She loves the original Rubies print. . .  I am passionate about women knowing their true worth and that it comes from the One who created them. 

 
but maybe it would be fun to do something in different fun teenage colors?

Like this . . .

There is one print missing from this picture because well, I forgot to bring it to the photo shoot.  I secretly wanted to keep it instead of giving it away at the end of this post:)

this one . . Consider the Lilies it was supposed to go right there down at the bottom right by that pink frame on the floor - wouldn't that have been soo cute and complete?

So Consider the Lilies. . . watch how they grow.  They don't toil or spin, even King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  If God clothes the grass of the field which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you?  At some point, this verse became alive to me and it is one of my favorite favorites and is one I want my girls to know they know they know in the bottom of their hearts.

Here's the (hopefully condensed) Behind the Design for Consider the Lilies.

Last summer we had just finished up the initial product development for Urban Soul.  Anne is the super amazing product developer at Demdaco who came up with the whole concept of the metal and the magnets and all that fabulousness.  She and I had many many phone calls and emails over several months but we had never met.  She was going to be in Michigan and we made plans to meet for dinner.  When she gets in town she sends me a text that said "ok we will meet you tomorrow.  We are excited!"

Totally normal right?  Well, except for the two words.  W.E.  She said we will meet you.  Now I was nervous anyway.  I thought I was just going to meet with Anne who I had already talked to millions of times before.  We who??  And I started dwelling on wrong thoughts (1st mistake) I mean really what kind of qualifications do I have as an artist?  I didn't go to art school, I am just a wife and mom from Michigan who needed some art for her house.  When I got her text, I immediately envisioned a group of people wearing suits and talking about stuff I know nothing about which sent me into a downward spiral of anxiousness, nervousness, and self doubt.  And since I have nothing to wear when meeting with a group of imaginary people wearing suits, I decided my planned outfit was completely wrong.

Enter emergency trip to Banana Republic.  They know me there.  I used to work in the stock room.  And I like their clothes.  So I went.  It was about 15 minutes to closing and my friend JC was working.  I must have looked white in the face because as soon as she saw me she said "Dee!  what is the matter?"

me:  I have a fashion emergency and I have no idea what to wear!

now this is slightly funny . . . the moment I said that there were no fewer than 3 Banana Republic employees asking What, what is it, we can totally help you!

I explained the situation above and they all said oh so just lunch with maybe 3 or 4 people?  I said right, just lunch.    But the whole time I was talking and explaining and following them around looking at clothes, guess what was playing in my head?

Consider the Lilies, Consider the Lilies, Consider the Lilies

Yes at 40(ish) years old I still have mini crises about my outfit in certain situations.  I was so very thankful to have this truth running through my head as I shopped.  As they grow, I want my girls to have this verse to hold onto as they go about their days and not worry about what they are wearing.

Next Behind the Design . .Wait Hope Expect

Psalm 27:14 - quite possibly my favorite Psalm ever.  This scripure is my instruction for what to do when I don't know what to do.  Wait. .  Hope. .  Expect. .

The scripture before, Psalm 27:13 asks -  what would have become of me if I hadn't seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living? Now that is one question that I don't want answered.

And so . . .I Wait and Hope for the Lord and totally and completely Expect Him to show up strong.  And He always does, in His time, in His own way and according to His own purpose.    As they grow up and live their lives, our girls will have numerous occasions to live this one out. 

oh yeah, one more thing . . .I want them to Dream HUGE

ok so I have a couple of prints to give away!

Wait Hope Expect is a 8x8 (NEW size:) gallery wrapped canvas

Consider the Lilies is an 8x8 Cafe Mount. 

What do you need to do to be in the running to win one of these 2 prints?

Leave a comment with what scripture you want your girls to know they know they know!   Or if you have boys - leave a comment with what scripture you want your boys to know they know they know! 

Or you can just say - I love either one of these prints!

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 July 8th at midnight and the winner will be announced shortly there after! 

The fine print. . .

*Giveaway is open to US residents only!

It's Li-iive!!

Oh wow!  Finally - at long last - the new website is LIVE!  there is alot to show you but first I want to share another part of my heart.  The Why I do this Part.  Here goes. .

and a few more reasons why . . .

Because of the office manager with Joshua 1:9 in her office who had an opportunity to witness to a patient that could read the scripture on the print from the waiting room

Because of the girl(s) who are/have had troubles getting pregnant and Hannah's Prayer is what they are holding onto

Because she needs to know that she is worthy simply because she was Created in His Image

Because when we have dificult circumstances we can choose Hope Over Fear and know that Hope is our Anchor to the Soul and to the One who is always faithful

I think that I could go on forever about how good God is!

I am especially excited about the Just for Girls Collection which includes scriptures with teenagers in mind in fun, bright colors!  I will have some Behind the Design posts on those prints soon:)

Back to the new website . . . Click around. . .let me know what you think!  There are lots of new things!  Remember the Caution above!

Like the Old Woman in the Shoe . . sort of

There once was an old woman who lived in a shoe she had so many children she didn't know what to do.

Today I am relating to that woman.  But only a little bit and only in regards to my blog.  Because I am not old.  I don't live in a shoe. And I don't have too many children.  But I do have so much to blog about I don't know what to do.  And it has been so long since I last blogged, I am really not sure where to start.  That still seems like a stretch though doesn't it? - to relate to a fictional woman who lived in a shoe?

anyway . . . the new website is getting closer and closer to going live!  I am beyond excited about it and I can't wait for you to see it!  I just don't know when!!  Maybe  Tuesday?  SOON!!

There are lots of new prints - a whole new collection Just for Girls.  Think surfer colors (I know COLORS are coming - self professed Queen of Neutral herself)! with specially picked out scriptures with my daughters in mind. 

Here's a little peek. . .

and another one . . .

 and have you seen the Print{s) of the Month yet?  Yes!  there are 2!!  - It's wedding season and sometimes I find it hard to make decisions on these kinds of matters so I couldn't pick between them and I really just love them both:)

in the top picture is me and my honey! - we will be married 18 years this September! and in the bottom picture is Emily and Josh - our all time favorite long time babysitter - since she was in 8th grade! - now she is all 24 and married and she still comes over:)

Have a GREAT weekend!

How do you spell May?

for me I spell it B.U.S.Y.!!  I am not sure what exactly it is about May - but it is crazier than December!  

I love every minute of being a mom of 4 school age kids and all of the craziness that goes along with it!  Here is some of what has been happening since I last posted sometime in April (before Easter even!!)  Thanks for coming back and checking in!!

We have been working really hard on a new website re-design! - There are new designs, new prints, new and easier way to choose which color and size print you would like, a search option and more - super excited to show you everything!!  More details on that later but here is a sneak peek  . . .

I got to have lunch with Carol Roeda and visit her store in GR (the one by Marie Catribs)!  It was such a blessing to sit down and talk with someone whose work I so admire :)  And she sells Urban Soul there!

For Mothers Day my sweet honey surprised us with a weekend away!!  We had a super fun time in . . . .

 

Here we all are!  The first person who comments with the ride we are waiting to go on - I will send something awesome - I don't know what yet - but something from my shop:)

We also got to see an Atlas rocket launch from the beach at Cape Canaveral . . very very cool!

I wrote a post about Grace on Stacey's blog . . and made a print to go along with it

In other family news . . yes that is a real mouse in the Death Star 

a princess and her breakfast . . . yogurt, peanut butter capn crunch and hot chocolate

and finally we have reached a new level of ridiculousness - according to my dog . . 

Don't forget to tell me what ride you think we are waiting for!  

Happy Easter!

Amidst a fun weekend filled with family and eggs and chocolate there is a reason. . . 

The Risen King - its amazing to me how powerful music can be as we listen over and over again and really let the words minister to us

I LOVE this song and this version by Owl City in particular. . . 

In Christ Alone - play it over and over if you want!  Turn it up loud!! I may or may not have brought my daughter in late to afternoon kindergarten a few weeks ago and had to explain that In Christ Alone - my favorite song - came on the radio just as we were pulling in:)

xoxo 

Happy Easter

Need A Few More Mother's Day Ideas?

 

Mom's special day is right around the corner.. we know that it can be hard to figure out the perfect gift for her!  Something she will love.. something that she can keep ... and something really unique to her!!  

We have a few more suggestions for you to find the perfect Mother's Day gift!!  

For those mom's who love to do crafts.. quilting.. stamping.. sewing.. any kind of creative hobby we have cute prints that she would just love!  

On the right we have I'd Rather Be Stamping print!  This is a perfect print for those who love to stamp as a serious hobby or just to have fun decorating!

The Quilts print to the right is one of our new prints and also comes in black!  I love this multi colored print it is so bright and fun..perfect to accent a wall!

 

I love pretty flowers.. the top right is Hope Is An Anchor To The Soul in brown with blue flower and directly next to it is the same brown print with green flower!  It also comes in Black With Green Flower!  

The bottom left is Hope Is An Anchor To The Soul in gray with a yellow flower.  

They are all equally cute.. I want them all  : )   

For some of you.. there are new mamma's you are celebrating with!  We have such a cute variety of new mom prints that are just beyond adorable! 

The top right is one of our most popular prints Hannah's Prayer!  It comes in a lot of great color options black, brown, gray, pink, denim blue and apple green!  

The bottom left is I Love You With Birds in blue which is also featured in pink on the top right of the board!

The middle bottom print is I Am Fearfully And Wonderfully Made which comes in black, brown and gray - perfect for any room!

Keep Calm And Carry On featured on the middle right of the board is a great reminder to new mom's and older mom's .. all mom's!  I like to remind myself of these words now and again! : ) Just remain calm... 

The bottom right of the board is Let Your Dreams Set Sail in gray.

I hope this collection of prints gives you some unique gift ideas that will be just the perfect gift for Mother's Day!

p.s. Last day to order in time for Mothers Day  - cafe mount prints is May 2nd and Gallery Wrap Canvas prints is April 28th!

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!! We Have Ideas for You....

           

We love that there is a day to celebrate mamma's in this world!  Mom's do so much for us everyday and mean so very much!  We wanted to give you some unique ideas to show your mom how special she is to you!

Mathews 7:7 Ask Seek Knock - wise moms know that those who ask receive, those who seek find and those who knock have the door opened. . .  this print has a darling green flower and is extra perfect for the mom who loves flowers. loves the garden.. or loves just a splash of cheerful color!

Coffee is a new print and quickly becoming a favorite!  This is a great print for mom who love their java!!  Great for the kitchen or breakfast nook!  

Here are a few of some favorite scripture prints with mom in mind..

 

 
The top left is Fruit Of The Spirit With A Pear in gray!  This print also comes in black and brown.. so it fits just about anywhere you can think she may like it!  This is something that we pray over our kids every night that they are filled with LoVe joy Peace, patience, kindness goodness, gentleness, Faith and self control and they have every opportunity to develop and cultivate these fruits as they grow up.

The top right is Hebrews 13:2 "Do Not Forget To Show Hospitality To Strangers For In Doing So Some Have Entertained Angels Without Knowing".  I just love this verse it's so true! Perfect for the mom who is always ready for company whether old friends or strangers who just haven't become friends yet!    

The bottom left features Micah 6:8 in brown, " Do Justly Love Mercy and Walk Humbly With Your God" the verse is simply lovely.   Enough Said:)

The bottom right is We Love Because He First Loved Us 1 John 4:19.. An answer to the question - Why do we love each other so much? - simply because He loved us first.

Does your mom love to travel? 

The top right is New York City Sights this print is very popular among those who live in the fabulous NYC or those, like myself, who just want to remember every moment of their surprise 40th birthday weekend in the city!!  This print also comes in black and gray!

The top right London Tube Stops I fell in love with London on a trip there in 2008.  The architecture, the history, the coffee, Portobello Road shops, stop me now . . loved everything about it and I cannot wait for the royal wedding!! - This print is great for anyone who loves London..

The bottom print is Beach Favorites If your mom LOVES the beach then this print is for her!!  It's perfect for the home or cottage.. it reminds me of how much I just love playing in the waves and relaxing at the beach

Be back tomorrow with some more ideas!! 

p.s. Last day to order in time for Mothers Day  - cafe mount prints is May 2nd and Gallery Wrap Canvas prints is April 28th!

 

Easter Is Almost Here - He Is Risen!

If you haven't heard.. We have a brand new easter print He Is Risen which is our April Print of The Month!

I love how Kelly chose to display the print in the dining room/kitchen/living area.  The rooms where everyone gathers to celebrate Easter.  He is Risen is indeed the reason we are celebrating:)

easter! by Dee Kasberger on Polyvore.com

Here is the mantle in my living room! I really like that on a 12x12 size print you can read it from across the room or as soon as you walk in the front door - it is the focal point of the mantle.

We loved the print so much we also made it into notecards!!  Do you send Easter card?  I typically don't - but I think I will this year:)!  The notecards are 5x5 size flat on a watercolor paper and come in sets of 5, the back of the card says Hallelujah!  Perfect for pinning up, framing, on your fridge with a magnet and of course sending to just about anyone you can think of : )

Have a Blessed Easter!! 

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