Remembering The Reason For The Season

As I sit here checking off the last few orders for 2012, I'm breathing a sigh of relief and counting the many blessings that have come my way. What an amazing Christmas season it's been! We have fulfilled almost 200 orders since the end of October - I'm blown away by your support!

My Early Bird Special kicked off this busy season with many of you taking advantage of the extra discount on Christmas cards. I then participated in Christmas Village here in Nashville which was a huge success! My very favorite part of this show is meeting many of my local customers face-to-face who normally conduct business with me through email and over the phone. It's such a treat for me to establish more of a relationship with my customers, and I want to thank those of you who stopped by to 

introduce yourselves!

Beth Hart Designs went on the road the following week to the Junior League's Market in Birmingham, Alabama. This was a smaller show, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of support and business that we received - it too was a very successful market! I was blown away by the warm hospitality that the Junior League showed by helping us unload and load our displays & merchandise, by cooking amazing food for the merchant break room, by walking around to our booths offering food, drink, or relief for a short break, and by greeting people with a warm smile and a true volunteer spirit.

These shows would not have been a success without the helping hands of my husband, my parents, and my sweet friends. These events are a huge under-taking, and I could not have done it without them. "Thank you" seems so very insufficient for the gratitude that I feel!

Following these Christmas markets, my parents were gracious to host an Open House where I was able to sell more of my merchandise and visit with some dear friends who have meant so much to my family. Kim Hudson of Local Color Art Prints also brought some of her beautiful landscape and architecture photographs to sell at the Open House. It was a wonderful night, and I'm very grateful for the friends who came and my parents for hosting!

As the orders were rolling in and the work hours were becoming longer and longer, I'd be telling a fib if I said I wasn't overwhelmed. There were moments when I wondered if I could really get it all done, moments when I had to repeatedly apologize to customers for the longer-than-normal turn around times, moments when I was worn completely out, moments when I thought the whole world had decorated for Christmas while my fall wreath was still on the front door, and moments when I wished I had more time to spend with my husband, family and friends.

Then there were the precious moments when I was reminded of the real Reason for the Season, moments when I was overcome with thankfulness and gratitude for the support of my little business, moments when tears of joy flooded my face because of the blessings I know I have received, moments when my heart was warmed because of the beauty that comes with this time of the year. These moments presented themselves at the perfect times - once at the Women's Christmas Dinner at church when we quietly sang "Silent Night" a-cappella, once at Dickens of a Christmas in downtown Franklin when little children wished me a sweet "Merry Christmas," once when a customer took extra time out of her day to let me know how much her Christmas cards meant to her and how much she loved them, once when Joyce at my printing company spent extra hours to complete a very large round of orders for me, and once on a Sunday morning when we sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness."

I cannot express how appreciative I am for your business and support of Beth Hart Designs. I absolutely love what I do - no matter how overwhelmed I may feel - and I owe it to you for keeping me busy and allowing me to live out my business dreams! I am giddy with excitement for the new designs, merchandise and over-all changes that 2013 will bring! (And I will be looking to hire some part-time help next Christmas in order to shorten those turn-around times!)

I am taking some time off to celebrate this season with my family and friends. Beth Hart Designs will reopen on January 2nd with a renewed spirit and energy for the new year! I hope you find those precious moments this season to remind you of why we celebrate Christmas. The Gift that came so long ago is still the greatest gift of all. May you find joy, love and peace that surpasses all understanding this Christmas and throughout the new year!

November... Tis the Season!

Whew! November sure got here in a hurry... where does the time go? I apologize for the short blog post {and lack of blogging altogether}, but I'm in the midst of preparing for Nashville's Christmas Village and The Market in Birmingham. I hope you can come visit me at one of these shows!

As we enter this busy and sometimes overwhelming time of the year, I'm reminded of how much I have to be thankful for in my life and how much I long to have peace throughout this season. We often overlook Thanksgiving because the Christmas rush becomes so dominant, but this year I really want to make an effort to give thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow. I think I'll find the peace I'm looking for by being grateful rather than anxious and overwhelmed by all that is on my never-ending to-do list. I hope and pray that you'll find this peace and share it with others. I'll leave you with this little verse that carries so much weight... hopefully we can all remember it and take it to heart throughout this time of the year. Tis the Season!

Monday Motivation - Growth

Happy Monday! Well, 'Tis the season... I've got a busy week ahead full of designing, fulfilling customer orders, working on Christmas cards, new merchandise printing for my Christmas shows, and so much more! I love this time of the year because I have the joy of designing many new things and interacting with so many wonderful people!

Although I have a lot going on, I really try my best to maintain perspective. I can easily get wrapped up in the busy-ness of each day, but I truly desire to be intentional... intentional in my relationships with my husband, family & friends, intentional in taking each day as a gift from above, intentional in paying attention to the beauty around me, intentional in remembering those who are hurting or going through hard times, and intentional in my personal and professional growth.

I think it's so important for us to always aim for growth. We become better family members, friends, professionals, and children of the Father when we are constantly and consistently trying to grow. I found the following quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and I'm trying my best to take it to heart. Sometimes it's easier to set life on cruise-control and just get through it - especially during this busy season. But I have so many ways I want to grow both personally and professionally. There are some really exciting endeavors ahead for me and for Beth Hart Designs... but to make these things happen, I must push myself to do something {lots of things} beyond what I've already accomplished and mastered. I challenge you to grow by trying something new, something even a little scary - but something that you know will make you better!

Fall Favorites 2012

Hi there! It's been a busy week, so I apologize for my lack of blogging. So many fun things are happening in the studio this week! I'm gearing up and preparing for my upcoming Christmas shows {Christmas Village in Nashville and The Market in Birmingham}. Lots of new merchandise and designs are in the works... it's crunch time though... these shows are less than a month away! Yikes!

I wanted to take a minute to share some Fall inspiration... I love fall and all the goodness that comes with it! Here are a few of my favorite things...

Don't forget! The Early Bird Christmas Card Special ends October 20th... be sure to get your orders in for a 15% off discount! You don't have to have your photo yet, just send your card design choice, quantity and wording. Happy Fall!

What's Happening Wednesday - Parties & Note Pads

Happy Wednesday! I'm so glad the sun is brightly shining after some dreary, rainy days! I've been a busy designer these past few weeks, so I'm excited to share a little snapshot of my favorites with you! Below are a few custom party designs I've recently done... I'm loving these creative themes that my customers come up with!

I'm also very busy working on my merchandise for both Nashville's Christmas Village and Birmingham's The Market! They are just a little over a month away! One of my new products is this set of notepads to help you plan your meals and grocery shopping for the week. They will be packaged together with 50 sheets per notepad, and they will be available in my Etsy shop very soon! I'm really excited about using these myself... I need all the menu planning help I can get!

Monday Motivation - The New Day

Happy October 1st! I love the fall, which means October is one of my favorite months! Cheerful pumpkins and mums start appearing on porches, the cooler weather sets in, football tailgating is in full force, and I start craving every baked good featuring pumpkin and apple flavors! With the start of a new month, I often think of new beginnings. New beginnings are refreshing and precious, and although September was a great month, I'm looking forward to the wonderful things ahead for October! This quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us that not only with new months, but also with each new day, comes new strength and new thoughts... a time for new beginnings!

Don't forget! The Early Bird Special ends October 20th, so be sure to get those Christmas card orders in for a 15% off discount!

2012 Christmas Cards and Early Bird Special

Happy Wednesday! It's time to kick off the Most Wonderful Time of the Year... The 2012 Beth Hart Designs Christmas Cards are finally here! I'm so excited about these new designs, and I'm happy to share them with you!

The Early Bird Special is officially on! Now through October 20th, you can receive 15% off your Christmas card order... all you have to do is mention "Early Bird," and you're all set! You may either send your order to me at bethhartdesigns@gmail.com, or you may purchase one of the Top 12 designs in my Etsy shop. To view the entire Christmas Card collection, please visit my website by clicking here. Remember that colors, fonts, and wording can easily be changed to your preferences. I look forward to working with you!

I owe a huge thank you to my good friend Molly of SimplyMPhotography for providing the beautiful photographs you see in most of my designs. Be sure to book your Christmas card session with her today!

Monday Motivation - Optimism, Hope & Confidence

Good Monday Morning! I was blessed to spend the weekend in the mountains with our wonderful friends from our community group! We did a little relaxing, hiking, eating, football watching, and of course had lots of fun! My husband and I are so thankful for these people in our lives... Good friends are gifts from above!

Now it's back to reality with a week full of designing, proofs, printing, and checking off the to-do list. I'm so excited about working on my new Christmas cards, and I hope to share those designs with you by the end of the week! The Early Bird Special will run through October 20th... so stay tuned!

Lots of work has to be done this week, but I found comfort in this quotation from Helen Keller. It helps us remember that a positive attitude, faith, hope and confidence can lead us to achieving great things! I'm so much more encouraged to conquer the to-do list when I'm optimistic that everything {and more} can be done! I wish you a very productive week filled with optimism, faith, hope, confidence and lots of achievement!

What's Happening - Bridal Showers and More Chalkboards

Sorry I missed posting this yesterday for a "What's Happening Wednesday" entry... let's just call it "What's Happening Thursday" for this week! Somehow the days keep running away from me!

It's that time of the year when couples get engaged to be married. I'm so excited for my good friend Molly and my neighbor Courtney! Yay for both of you! I've been busy designing new Bridal Shower invitations, and some are now available in my Etsy shop! Here are just a few...

I'm slowly getting into the Christmas spirit so I can finish designing my 2012 Christmas Photo Cards! {I might have to start listening to Christmas music for the extra motivation!} I hope to have the new collection completed within the next week or two, but until then I'd like to share some new chalkboard Christmas prints with you. These were inspired by one of my loyal customers, and they are now available for sale in my Etsy shop as well. Happy Thursday!

Monday Motivation - Uplifting People

Good Monday Morning! I need a little extra motivation today... it's a dreary, rainy morning, and I'm worn out from a fun but very busy weekend! Friday night, my husband and I attended the Homecoming tailgate and football game for my 10 year high school reunion. It was so nice seeing some old familiar faces and catching up with everyone! It's funny how much some things change, but how some things remain the same. I'm thankful to have these people in my life... all of them have contributed in one way or another to my personal growth throughout the years.

A few of us girls from the Class of 2002

Saturday, we traveled to Oxford, Mississippi to see our Ole Miss Rebels take on the Texas Longhorns. It was a game that has been built up for several years now, and the atmosphere was electric! The Grove was busy with excitement, anticipation, school spirit, and of course the tailgating that has made it famous. Although Ole Miss lost the game (after putting forth a good effort), it was fun to be in the midst of the fall football fun! I also loved visiting with my brother whose birthday was yesterday... Happy Birthday, Mark!

My husband and me in the Grove - Yes, I love bringing paper to the Grove! (Homemade banner behind us)

Sunday was topped off with a little relaxation with my parents at Pickwick Lake and coming home to our church's Community Group meeting. I really love our Community Group and the relationships we've established with those friends. They are tremendous blessings to my husband and me, and I wish for everyone in the world to be able to find a group like that with which to "grow up" and experience life. I'm so very thankful for these friends!

This morning as I reflect on the busy weekend with friends & family and look forward to working on my {long} to-do list for the week, I'm reminded that I can be successful because of the amazing people around me. My friends & family are as much a part of my achievements as my hard work and determination. I want to inspire and encourage them in the same way they support me. I'm incredibly blessed, and I urge you to find people around you who will bring out the very best in you! I hope you have a productive and successful week!

Design Inspiration - Black and White Stripes

I'm so very excited to begin this new blog series titled "Design Inspiration!" I really, really love Interior Design and Fashion, and I often find inspiration from both worlds to create new paper products for Beth Hart Designs. At The Stationery Academy, the super talented Emily McCarthy encouraged us to look around and find things we love for design inspiration. I took this advice to heart, and that's why I'm so thrilled to share this new series with you!

I'm planning to share my favorite patterns and trends, while I debut a brand new Stationery Suite design. You can follow my inspiration board on Pinterest to see what's getting my creative juices flowing! I will be adding these designs to my Etsy shop so you can purchase them for yourself or a friend!

And now the debut of the "Black & White Stripes & Dot Suite"

Monday Motivation - Doing the Impossible

Happy Monday! I wish I could have posted this motivation earlier in the day, but thankfully I've been very busy! I was blessed to meet with two creative entrepreneurs this morning to gain inspiration, share ideas, and talk through the day-to-day life of being a business owner - community is so important to me, and I'm grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life! My meetings were followed by a trip to my paper and printing companies, and I'm finally back at the computer cranking out designs!

While I was out and about this morning, my email and phone were blowing up! I'm so grateful for all the business you're sending my way... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! When business really picks up, I often begin to feel overwhelmed - wondering how in the world I will get it all done! But I ran across this motivational quotation that has helped me break down my never-ending to-do list and at the same time has inspired me to move towards making the impossible happen! I feel confident that if we all take a deep breath, say a little prayer, and get busy working, we will make great things happen! So I better get busy... hope you have a fabulous and productive week!

What's Happening Wednesday - Chalkboard Prints & Gift Tags

Happy Wednesday! I've been overwhelmed by your support for my new Etsy Shop! Thanks so much for adding me to your circles and picking me as one of your "Favorites!" I'm so excited about the future of this little business!

I've noticed the recent trend of "chalkboards" being used in weddings, at birthday parties, and as decorative accents for all occasions! I love this style and have started offering poster prints with a chalkboard look and feel. The two prints shown below are available in my Etsy shop, but you may also order custom prints with your own favorite quotations, Bible verses, or memorable information! These posters are sold as 16x20 prints, but you may order other sizes as well. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you wish to order!

Believe it or not, I'm also working on my new products and designs for Christmas! I love Fall and want it to last as long as possible (I dream of Pumpkin Spice Lattes every day), but I also realize that Christmas will sneak up on me if I'm not prepared! So I've added two new designs to the Gift Tag collection - available as tape-on/tie-on cards or as adhesive stickers. They will be for sale in the Etsy shop very soon, and you may order them blank or personalized. I'm dreaming of designing coordinating wrapping paper, but that may have to be a Christmas 2013 project! Stay tuned for the release of my new Christmas card designs along with the famous and well-loved Early Bird special!

What's Happening Wednesday - A Little Thing Called Etsy

Happy Wednesday! I'm so excited to share with you what I've been up to this week! It's this "little" thing called Etsy. I finally opened my shop! Sure it still has a looong way to go, but by gosh I started! {Confession: I actually opened a seller account in February of 2010, but I got a little overwhelmed and never did anything with it! Shame on me...}

After my trip to The Stationery Academy, I decided it was time to get a "real" Etsy shop up and running. I had always thought that being on Etsy would cheapen my brand, but what I discovered was that I've been missing out on reaching a huge audience. I knew Etsy was "big," but I didn't understand just how big - or how beneficial it could be for a designer like me. I'm so excited about the opportunities that may present themselves by having an Etsy shop... and I'm hopeful that I'll reach many new customers and gain a whole new online community!

I'm in the very beginning stages, and all I have listed are baby shower invitations. But I plan to add wedding papers, personalized stationery, matted wall prints, calendars, Christmas cards, children's birthday invitations and party supplies, serving trays, luggage tags, the list goes on! So if you'd be so kind to "follow" my shop or add me to your "favorites" on Etsy, I'd be so thrilled! I'm just a tiny little piece of the Etsy puzzle, but I'm so very excited about what's to come!

The Beth Hart Designs Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BethHartDesigns

Here she is in all her beginning stages glory!

Monday Motivation - The Lumineers

Happy Monday! It's time to get motivated for a productive week! My husband and I love music... especially live music. And living in Nashville is kind of perfect for us! This town is showered with talented musicians offering live performances every single night of the week. Last Tuesday night, we went to the Cannery Ballroom to see The Lumineers. It was an amazing show... I highly recommend seeing them live! One of their songs, "Stubborn Love" is the inspiration for today's Monday Motivation.

I was talking with a fellow entrepreneur last week about how hard it is as a business owner to put yourself "out there" day after day. For me, Beth Hart Designs is a representation of me, my values, and my passions (and I'm working on making it even more that way). So when things don't always go as planned, it can be pretty painful. I hate to "fall short," and although I know that great things are in store for me, the journey can be difficult at times. But this line from "Stubborn Love" reminds us that feeling pain is better than feeling nothing at all. And I totally agree... if we don't feel pain, that means we're not living life to the fullest. Because if we're honest, life is painful sometimes, but at least we're living which means we have the opportunity to make amazing things happen!

The words "The opposite of Love's indifference" also ring true to life and work. If we're not loving what we do or passionate about life, we become "indifferent" which is so far from what I wish to be. I want to live each day with enthusiasm and passion and to be able to spread that passion to others. So I encourage you to put yourself "out there" and work hard to be the best you can... even if it's painful. Because those "growing pains" can be the fuel to your fire which will make you stronger, wiser, more successful and more passionate in everything you do!

Here are a few photos from the concert...

The Lumineers with Old Crow Medicine Show

What's Happening Wednesday - Football Baby Showers

Happy Wednesday! I'm loving this time of the year... Fall is almost here! Which means football is almost here! And as most people know, football is kind of a big deal here in the South. Thanks to a little inspiration from a customer, I have put together a series of baby shower invitations representing none other than fans' favorite football teams! These designs can be customized to your favorite team's colors... what a great way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of another football fan!

Represented Teams: Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee - Others Available!

And now time for my shameless plug... Hotty Toddy! (That's a little thing we say at my beloved Ole Miss)

Monday Motivation - Encouraging Friends

It's Monday! Time for a little motivation to get you through the week! I will be honest, I wasn't feeling overly motivated this morning. I have a LONG to-do list, and it can be slightly overwhelming to think about. I was lacking the ambition to start tackling "the list"... it just seemed to be never-ending! Then I received the most uplifting text message from a friend who said she was praying for me to feel confident and encouraged today and throughout the week. Talk about timing! I so needed her reminder to keep working hard at what I love. Thank you, sweet friend!

My friend's message is the inspiration behind today's motivation. Friends are precious gifts from God, and I hope to be a great friend to others just as I've been blessed by my wonderful friends! I found a quotation about helping others to become what they are capable of being, so I re-worded it to modernize it a little and make it more applicable to my experience today. Encouragement from others can do wonders for the soul, so let's get busy building each other up! Have a fabulous week... and go become what you're capable of being!

What's Happening Wednesday - Birthdays and Calendars

It's Wednesday! Time to fill you in on all the good things happening here at Beth Hart Designs!

I just love working on children's birthday parties! The cute and creative themes that my customers come up with never cease to amaze me! I offer custom children's party designs starting at $25, and these designs can be carried throughout all of the great products I offer... invitations, thank you notes, banners, welcome signs, placemats, favor tags, food place cards, cupcake toppers... the list goes on! Here are a few of the designs I've been working on this week:

The slightly cooler weather has me thinking about the end of the year... Fall and Christmas products are coming soon! I finished up the new 2013 Desk Calendar design this morning, and I'm so excited to share it with you! These calendars are $15 each which includes 12 month-at-a-glance cards measuring 5.25"x5.25" and a clear stand for display. They make the perfect desk accessory! Be sure to order one for you and a friend!

The Stationery Academy...

I can't believe we're already half-way through August... where did July go? One thing I do know is that July brought me a life-changing opportunity called The Stationery Academy. I briefly referenced my experiences in one of my Monday Motivation posts, but now that I've had a little time to think it through and soak {some} of it in, I'm ready to share more!

I began Beth Hart Designs in 2008, but only since I got back from The Stationery Academy have I really understood where I was going to take my business... and I have confidence in that decision. I have always believed in my design abilities, but my biggest fear has been that I won't be able to reach my full potential because I don't know how. Thanks to the amazing speakers at The Stationery Academy, I feel equipped to map out a plan that I feel will allow me to reach higher and achieve the goals that I have for my business.

Here are a few of the things I learned and how I plan to implement them throughout Beth Hart Designs:

• I need to more clearly define my design style which in-turn will define my brand. Emily McCarthy shared some fascinating tips with us that can help us find our true design style. She is an amazingly talented designer and challenged us to find inspiration from things around us that we love - not from other stationery designers. She really built up my confidence, and I am so excited about the possibilities that can come from me looking deeper within myself! I have been working on a few collections that I feel truly represent me and my style. Stay tuned!

• I need to build an Etsy store and increase my online presence. The super-creative Rachel Shingleton of Pencil Shavings Studio is the ultimate social networking genius! I had the pleasure of being one of her roommates, and I learned so much from her. She has such a love for social media, and her positive attitude has started to rub off on me - a person who often feels overwhelmed by the internet! She has built a thriving Etsy business, and Etsy is something I've been afraid to tackle... but I'm learning that I've been missing out by not getting on board. I plan to have an Etsy shop open soon, and I'm increasing my social media presence (slowly, day by day). I'm really excited to see where these steps will take me!

• I need to make my client experience a top priority. I love helping customers by designing just the right "look" for their special events, but I've realized that I'm often in such a hurry to get orders completed and shipped out that I forget to include the special touches. I'm working on my packaging, I want my customers to know how much they mean to me, and I want to add a little something special to my orders that will help set me apart from the rest. Amber Housley has established an impressive client experience in her own business, and she shared so much eye-opening information at The Stationery Academy. I'm so glad she shed some light on this important feature that will help to better establish my brand!

• And last, but certainly not least, I know where Beth Hart Designs is going thanks to our wonderful leaders Whitney English Kolb and Natalie Ellis Chang. I arrived at The Stationery Academy unsure of what direction I was heading. I have so much going on within BHD - I have a wholesale line for retailers, I offer custom party designs, I offer wedding designs, I participate in Christmas retail shows, I offer free-lance work for other businesses, I rent a small retail space at The Shoppes on Main in Franklin, the list goes on... and I feel so busy doing all of this half-heartedly. I want to be great at what I do and give it 110%, not just part of me. Whitney and Natalie challenged us to look deep within ourselves and define who we are, what our values are, what strengths we have, and so much more. I didn't know just how much all of this soul-searching would mean to me. I desperately need to make Beth Hart Designs a true representation of me and all that I have to offer. I'm so very excited about the direction of my business, but there is so much {hard} work to be done! I am planning to spend some time re-reading the homework that we were given and start laying the foundation for the future of the new and improved Beth Hart Designs.

I owe a huge thank you to Whitney and Natalie for putting The Stationery Academy together. I know that my business will be better because of their vision and hard work, and that is so valuable to me. Whitney and Natalie have been my long-time stationery industry heroes, but especially now more than ever! Thank you for "paying it forward."

Look at all these goodies I brought home! Talk about successful branding!

Monday Motivation - What You Become

Good Monday Morning! I hope you enjoyed your weekend and are rested and ready for a productive week ahead! I have so many fun projects to work on this week - projects for both my customers as well as the business development of Beth Hart Designs! Tomorrow, I will be sharing my experiences and lessons learned from The Stationery Academy... so stay tuned!

Since my trip to The Stationery Academy, I've been making lists and setting goals for how to improve my brand. I've been digging deep to figure out what it is I wish to accomplish as the owner and designer of BHD. I know that I want to work hard to provide excellent designs, products and services, and I want to inspire a deep passion for Southern living, style and hospitality. But mostly I want to honor our Father in everything I do. More importantly than what I will receive by reaching my goals, is what I will become by achieving my goals. My business means much more to me than just the products I offer, and I'm so excited about the future of Beth Hart Designs!

So while you're working hard to reach your goals, remember that in the end it's more about who you will become rather than what you will receive. Here's to a great week!

What's Happening Wednesday - A 30th Birthday Par-Tee!

Happy Wednesday! I wanted to take a little time to fill you in on what's been happening around here at Beth Hart Designs. My husband turned 30 yesterday, so I threw him a surprise birthday party last Friday night. We loved having our friends with us to celebrate, and I really enjoyed putting my design skills to use with a "golf par-tee" theme!

While doing some research on the internet one day, I came across a contest titled "Made in the South Awards" hosted by one of my favorite magazines, Garden & Gun. I thought to myself "Oh what the heck, I'll give it a shot!" So I called up my talented friend Molly of SimplyMPhotography to help me by taking some professional photos of the party products I'd made for my husband's birthday. She blew me away with the images she captured, and I was beyond thrilled to submit them for the contest! Whether or not I receive an award from Garden & Gun remains to be seen, but I'm so proud of the beautiful photos that Molly was able to give me! Here are a few of my favorites...

And now for the not so professional photos that I took at the party on Friday night... (I sure am glad I decided to go with paper design rather than take the photography route!)

Monday Motivation - Pursue Righteousness and Love

Good morning! I hope your Monday is off to a great start! I've had a very busy past few days celebrating my husband's 30th birthday, helping some sweet friends move into a new home, celebrating another good friend's graduation, and honoring my great aunt and uncle's 70th wedding anniversary - yes, that's right... 70th wedding anniversary!

My Aunt Rosie and Uncle Larry are the most amazing and admirable people. They love each other, their family, their friends, and life with all of their hearts. They have set such a wonderful example for me with their devotion to God and to each other. They are my inspiration in so many ways. They live righteously with hearts full of love, and they serve God with thankfulness for all of His blessings. They are in their 90's but have such young spirits with sharp minds and healthy bodies. They are a perfect picture of what I desire for my husband and me as we grow older together.

I love these old photos... such treasures!

My sweet aunt and uncle are my inspiration for today's Monday Motivation. I think Proverbs 21:21 sums it up quite nicely. If we live righteously with loving hearts, we will experience life to the fullest. God is great and will bless us abundantly through our service to Him... just as He has blessed Aunt Rosie and Uncle Larry throughout their 70 years of marriage.

Monday Motivation - Failure Does Not Exist

Wow! What a weekend I had! I left Thursday morning for The Stationery Academy feeling a little nervous and unsure of what was to come. I knew that Beth Hart Designs was in need of some guidance  and direction, but what I received was so much more than that. I'm still soaking it all in!

I attended the 2 (full) day workshop with the most amazing business women and designers in the stationery industry, and I learned so much from all of them. I am very excited about the future of my business, and because of the Stationery Academy, I am now confident that I'm capable of doing great things!

The development of the new and improved Beth Hart Designs will be an intentional, fun, detailed, exciting, time-consuming, and slightly scary progression because I'll be laying myself {all of me} out on the line. I'm going to make my business and brand something I'm 100% proud of... and something that will reflect me, my style, my heart, my passions, and my love for Southern living and hospitality. What's going to carry me through this development will be the wonderful support system of family, friends, and clients that I'm so blessed to have around me... Thank you!

I have so much more to share with you about my experiences at The Stationery Academy... it's going to take way more than one blog post! But for today's Monday Motivation, I want to encourage you to pursue your dreams and go reach your potential - knowing that you will not fail. We had to address our fears this weekend, and many ladies feared failure. The wise and encouraging Nicole of Libby Lane Press let us all know that we cannot be afraid of failing, because in our minds we have to know that failure does not exist. Amen, sister!

I came home yesterday to my amazing and supportive husband of 6 years {July 29th is our anniversary} with the knowledge and confidence that my business will be great because I won't fail. I have 22 new friends and motivators from The Stationery Academy, and I'm already so blessed by my family and friends here at home... my cup runneth over!

What's Happening Wednesday - Busy Bee!

Whew! It's already Wednesday! Where do the days go? Thank you so much to all of my customers for keeping this workin' girl in business... I really can't express enough gratitude! I also owe a BIG thank you to my favorite printing company for coming through for me and my customers this week! I'm blessed to be surrounded by so many good people!

It's been a very busy "short" week for me as I am preparing to head to Pensacola, Florida in the morning to attend The Stationery Academy! I am beyond excited about this opportunity! I can't wait to learn from some of my stationery business heroes and meet all of my fellow students! Be sure to tune in next week when I will be sharing about my experiences and introducing you to all of my new friends!

I better run! I've got lots of orders to package and ship out before I leave... I'm a busy busy bee! But before I go, I'll leave you with a photo from my last beach trip. I found this handsome fella at The Red Bar in Grayton Beach. I love his way of thinking!