Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I just discovered Outright.com and I love it
Outright.com is the best Internet business website ever! I linked my paypal account so it automatically inputs my etsy transactions and sales, my receipts that are uploaded on shoeboxed.com, and am going to the bank to link my business checking tomorrow. Everything will be automated and outright even estimates how much you'll have to pay in taxes each quarter. Best of all, it's free! It's got a section to input gas mileage so that's the only thing I'll have to manually track. I love the business aspect of owning a small business but hate it when it interferes with the creative aspect. This will be perfect. Outright calculates my profit and loss statements, taxes, revenue, categorizes my expenses, and is completely automatic.
I'm featured in Trendhunter Magazine!
Yay for me! I'm so excited and proud when I googled myself the other day and found a whole article dedicated to Reclaimed Wreckage and my work by Trendhunter Magazine. I absolutely loved the magazine but reading the article was exactly what I needed to kick the motivation up today and come up with even more amazing products. Thanks Trendhunter!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Susan G Komen 3 Day Inspiration - Stacey Malis
I have taken on an incredible challenge. On Nov. 19-21, I'll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with thousands of other women and men taking this journey with me.
A couple years ago my sister Stacey, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s been through countless chemotherapy and radiation sessions, and a big surgery and has never stopped fighting or lost hope. Through everything she’s remained my mentor and friend and guided me through all my major life decisions from having a baby to getting married. Growing up she was the one who always gave the best Christmas presents, potty-trained me, and took me to all the best theme parks. Stacey has been more than a sister to me. She’s been my friend, my role model, and teacher. She is currently in Phase 4 and just started going to City of Hope last month. I would do anything to make her life easier. One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That's why I'm walking in the 3-Day for the Cure. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.
It's for an event called the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. Net proceeds from the Komen 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs. Komen for the Cure® works hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I have pledged to raise $2,300 to help bring us closer to that goal.
Please consider making a donation of at least $75. If you can't give this amount all at once, you can spread it out over four months, using the payment plan option, if you donate online at The3Day.org. Please also ask your employer if they will double your donation with a matching gift.
Just follow this link to visit my personal fundraising Web page and make a donation. If you don't want to donate online, please download and print a donation form from my Web page and mail it to the address on the form. Or you can call 800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone.
Sincerely,
Lisa
P.S. please don’t wait.
A couple years ago my sister Stacey, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s been through countless chemotherapy and radiation sessions, and a big surgery and has never stopped fighting or lost hope. Through everything she’s remained my mentor and friend and guided me through all my major life decisions from having a baby to getting married. Growing up she was the one who always gave the best Christmas presents, potty-trained me, and took me to all the best theme parks. Stacey has been more than a sister to me. She’s been my friend, my role model, and teacher. She is currently in Phase 4 and just started going to City of Hope last month. I would do anything to make her life easier. One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That's why I'm walking in the 3-Day for the Cure. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.
It's for an event called the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. Net proceeds from the Komen 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs. Komen for the Cure® works hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I have pledged to raise $2,300 to help bring us closer to that goal.
Please consider making a donation of at least $75. If you can't give this amount all at once, you can spread it out over four months, using the payment plan option, if you donate online at The3Day.org. Please also ask your employer if they will double your donation with a matching gift.
Just follow this link to visit my personal fundraising Web page and make a donation. If you don't want to donate online, please download and print a donation form from my Web page and mail it to the address on the form. Or you can call 800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone.
Sincerely,
Lisa
P.S. please don’t wait.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Inspiration behind the Corrine Clutch
My mom has been the most amazing support with my business. From watching the baby to cutting fabric, making linings, and prepping zippers, my projects have come along so much faster with her help. Her input has shaped most of my bags from the hobo bag to the Corrine clutch. She loved the design and we switched roles as I made fabric, cut patterns and prepped zippers and she sewed the pieces together. She was so proud of the finished product it was as if the bag named itself: the Corrine Clutch.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Inspiration...
The house has been on hold... too much going on with my day job! Yet, it's still on my mind. I still frequent blogs and check HGTV more often that I should. After talking with Abby (friend and fellow artist for my family's company), I have decided to make the formal living room a den/craft room that can be used for multiple things. I just don't ever see Nate and I using a formal living/dining room except for a few times a year. To us, that seems like a waste. When we decide to purchase our much-needed barstools, we will be able to fit 12 people in our dining room area. That is more than enough. Here is a little inspiration I found on a website for the den/craft room (there is even a pug in the photo!):
I am on the search for some unique french doors, fun table, and a piece of furniture that would allow me to store my craft items (sewing machine and the new Cricut). I would also like a fun and funky bench to go in our entrance. Such as this one that is in the yoga studio that I go to:
Lots to do... once summer hits!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
11 Hours With God
On Monday morning, May 3, 2010, Carman woke up very ill. She had gone to bed early the night before, which is highly unusual for her. She has always been a night owl, but because we have been so busy with school finals and prom, we didn't think much about it.
Just after 1 AM, I awoke to hear her calling for me. She was nauseated and experiencing strong pains in her abdomen, on the lower right side. She began vomiting, and for the next two hours, could not hold down any liquids. She also shuddered uncontrollably, not with chills, just shuddering throughout her whole body.
During that time, we layed hands on her and prayed together, commanding the sickness and symptoms to go from her body.
I checked the internet several times for a list of symptoms of appendicitis, but her symptoms did not clearly indicate this illness. Also, as the first two hours passed, and she threw up repeatedly, her abdominal pain steadily decreased to the point where she was in almost no pain.
Her symptoms seemed more like a stomach flu. She had no fever, her pains lessened, and her countenance lifted. She became more herself, cheerful and peaceful. But I did not have peace.
As I was asking the Lord what to do, the Holy Spirit reminded me that Carman has a high tolerance for pain. The vommiting and shuddering were clear indicators that she had been in severe pain, so we decided to take her to the hospital to be checked, just in case. It was about 3:30 or 4 when we left.
By that time, she felt so well that she didn't think she needed to go. She even told me that she would go, "just because I wanted her to", but that she did not think it necessary. By the time we packed a bag, got dressed, and loaded her in the car, her pain was almost completely gone, and there were NO SYMPTOMS in her body.
When we arrived, the doctor pressed and pressed on her abdomen, back and sides, looking for something other than the appendicitis. She was no longer nauseated, had basically no pain, and was very chipper. After they ran the blood work, they ordered a CT scan because the white blood count was high.
We were laughing and talking, listening to ipods, and visiting with each other, when they finally came to take the scan. She had to drink the barium liquid, which she found quite disgusting, then wait one hour before the actual scan. Afterwards, we were told there was another one hour waitng period before the results would be ready.
Within 45 minutes the doctor came back in and said Carman would need surgery. They notified the surgeon on call, and said that he would be in to speak with us shortly. He never came. Soon, a different surgeon, a Spirit-filled Christian from Church On The Move, came in to examine Carman and speak with us. We were never told why we got this surgeon instead of the other one, but we believe it was by God's design. As he examined her, he said her symptoms were "unimpressive", and that he needed to take a look at the CT scan for himself.
He came back a few minutes later and said that she, indeed, would need to have her appendix removed. He seemed surprised as well, because of the lack of symptoms.
He had another emergency appendectomy to perfom before Carman's, and said that surgery should last about an hour. It was after 7 AM by this time. They started Carman on a saline IV, but other than Pepcid and Regulan, which they gave her as a precaution before the Barium liquid, they didn't have to give her ANY meds; no pain meds or antibiotics were ever needed before the surgery!
About 8:45 the tech came in and started the pre-op checklist. They wheeled her to surgical waiting by 9 AM, and at 9:15 we were asked to leave and they wheeled her into surgery.
At 9:45, only thirty minutes later, they said the doctor was ready to see us. We met him in a private waiting room, and he said she was finished and could go home later that morning, or early afternoon. The entire procedure took less than 30 minutes, and was a completely textbook case!
We were able to see her at 11 AM, and she was awake, smiling, and drinking water. By 11:45 AM, they had her out of the bed and walking to the bathroom. Just after noon, she was dressed and in the wheelchair on the way to the car.
Other than being tired from the pain meds, and three small incisions covered with band-aids, she is completely well.
It was only by the leading of the Holy Spirit that we knew to take her to the ER. If we had gone by our own understanding of her symptoms, we could be telling a very different story. Thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit, working in the lives of believers!!!
John 16 says, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you."
We rejoice in our Father's faithfulness to us!
Just after 1 AM, I awoke to hear her calling for me. She was nauseated and experiencing strong pains in her abdomen, on the lower right side. She began vomiting, and for the next two hours, could not hold down any liquids. She also shuddered uncontrollably, not with chills, just shuddering throughout her whole body.
During that time, we layed hands on her and prayed together, commanding the sickness and symptoms to go from her body.
I checked the internet several times for a list of symptoms of appendicitis, but her symptoms did not clearly indicate this illness. Also, as the first two hours passed, and she threw up repeatedly, her abdominal pain steadily decreased to the point where she was in almost no pain.
Her symptoms seemed more like a stomach flu. She had no fever, her pains lessened, and her countenance lifted. She became more herself, cheerful and peaceful. But I did not have peace.
As I was asking the Lord what to do, the Holy Spirit reminded me that Carman has a high tolerance for pain. The vommiting and shuddering were clear indicators that she had been in severe pain, so we decided to take her to the hospital to be checked, just in case. It was about 3:30 or 4 when we left.
By that time, she felt so well that she didn't think she needed to go. She even told me that she would go, "just because I wanted her to", but that she did not think it necessary. By the time we packed a bag, got dressed, and loaded her in the car, her pain was almost completely gone, and there were NO SYMPTOMS in her body.
When we arrived, the doctor pressed and pressed on her abdomen, back and sides, looking for something other than the appendicitis. She was no longer nauseated, had basically no pain, and was very chipper. After they ran the blood work, they ordered a CT scan because the white blood count was high.
We were laughing and talking, listening to ipods, and visiting with each other, when they finally came to take the scan. She had to drink the barium liquid, which she found quite disgusting, then wait one hour before the actual scan. Afterwards, we were told there was another one hour waitng period before the results would be ready.
Within 45 minutes the doctor came back in and said Carman would need surgery. They notified the surgeon on call, and said that he would be in to speak with us shortly. He never came. Soon, a different surgeon, a Spirit-filled Christian from Church On The Move, came in to examine Carman and speak with us. We were never told why we got this surgeon instead of the other one, but we believe it was by God's design. As he examined her, he said her symptoms were "unimpressive", and that he needed to take a look at the CT scan for himself.
He came back a few minutes later and said that she, indeed, would need to have her appendix removed. He seemed surprised as well, because of the lack of symptoms.
He had another emergency appendectomy to perfom before Carman's, and said that surgery should last about an hour. It was after 7 AM by this time. They started Carman on a saline IV, but other than Pepcid and Regulan, which they gave her as a precaution before the Barium liquid, they didn't have to give her ANY meds; no pain meds or antibiotics were ever needed before the surgery!
About 8:45 the tech came in and started the pre-op checklist. They wheeled her to surgical waiting by 9 AM, and at 9:15 we were asked to leave and they wheeled her into surgery.
At 9:45, only thirty minutes later, they said the doctor was ready to see us. We met him in a private waiting room, and he said she was finished and could go home later that morning, or early afternoon. The entire procedure took less than 30 minutes, and was a completely textbook case!
We were able to see her at 11 AM, and she was awake, smiling, and drinking water. By 11:45 AM, they had her out of the bed and walking to the bathroom. Just after noon, she was dressed and in the wheelchair on the way to the car.
Other than being tired from the pain meds, and three small incisions covered with band-aids, she is completely well.
It was only by the leading of the Holy Spirit that we knew to take her to the ER. If we had gone by our own understanding of her symptoms, we could be telling a very different story. Thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit, working in the lives of believers!!!
John 16 says, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you."
We rejoice in our Father's faithfulness to us!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: Let Record Store Day Inspire You
Joann mentioned my work in their blog and included a link to my shop. I'm so proud!
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: Let Record Store Day Inspire You
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: Let Record Store Day Inspire You
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