I, like many of you, can look around at where this life has taken me and be left utterly speechless. Each path I’ve taken or decision I’ve made is a page in a chapter that has become the story of my life. Unlike an actual book, the day-to-day conflicts or big decisions in my story can feel even more overwhelming because I can’t look ahead to see what happens next. I can’t jump ahead 2-3 pages or flip to the next chapter to ease the uncertainty I’m experiencing at any given time. But I know the author of my story. I need not fear what happens next, rather I cling to verses that remind me ...
Chapters End
My Social Media Break: What Happened?
I’ve thought and thought about this post for about a week now. My social media break was coming to an end and so many questions came to mind: How much do I share? Do I recap my journal entries for the month, letting you in on every single detail? Do I simply wrap it all up in a bow, sparing you the annoying details, and only leaving you with my take-aways? I’m still processing everything I’ve learned so it feels premature to come to you with “all the answers” or a perfectly outlined blog post sharing every lesson I’ve learned and how you can apply it in your own life. This ...
Expectations, Deadlines, and Showing Up Anyway
I work best with a deadline. I always have. A standard to-do list doesn’t usually work for me unless there are due dates attached to it! I wanted to be consistent with blogging this year so I asked my friend Jennifer to hold me accountable with this “Not Just Scraps” series of blogs. Per her instructions, I am to submit my blogs for editing by the second Tuesday of the month. This blogging assignment is a little different in that the blog actually accompanies the monthly process I’ve undertaken with this “Not Just Scraps” project. Ideally, each month, I will have dug through the ...
Rings and Things
Way back when I was on Instagram (yes, just a couple of weeks ago), I showed you a sneak peek hinting at things to come! My friend, Lyndsey, and I had a creative session in the workshop. We spent the evening digging through the “Not Just Scraps” bucket brainstorming all the ways we could make and execute rings! Lyndsey and I stepped out of the workshop that night wearing our new leather rings, certain we had nailed it! We decided to wear our rings to test out the design, taking notes of how the rings felt on our fingers, how they held up, etc. Well… They didn’t work. I know! I am so ...
A Break and an Update
I always thought it was silly to announce to the internet that you are going to take a break from social media…and yet here we are. I’m taking a break from all the socials. I have been denying this step away for months and months, trying to convince myself that it wasn’t really necessary, that I don’t need the break, and I just need better boundaries. While I definitely need better boundaries, I think I need to step away completely in order to make that happen. Why? I struggle with managing all the "noise" amongst the beautiful things that happen on social media. I think that is ...
Bookmarks!
I made it to the second blog entry! Is anyone out there happy dancing like me? I know this doesn’t seem like a big deal but as I said last time, this serial starter and not so great finisher is ecstatic and it’s worth celebrating! So, happy dance away! If you’ve been following along you know that this year, 2022, I am pulling down the tin scrap bucket and I’m making all the things. What am I making? I’m not sure yet but I’m going to get creative with my scraps and take you along on the journey here on my blog and on social media. You can read the first blog entry here. Okay, so how did ...
Not Just Scraps
Well, hello New Year, with your fresh start and alluring invitation to start something new. And hello, blog. The forgotten corner of The Stamped Lily which begins each new year with the best of intentions…we meet again! Just like the previous years, here I am attempting to remain consistent with this craft that I enjoy but also dread each time I lay my fingers on the keys. Writing is a tricky business y’all. Why is this? Only God knows, but alas here I am. This time I really do want to share! (As if the last two years I didn’t…sheesh) But, I have the coolest idea and it will be so fun to ...
Mimi’s Legacy
It starts with a belt. It's always a privilege to create keepsake jewelry pieces for you and your loved ones and this special order is no different. Lynn asked me to create these special keychains in remembrance of her friend Melanie Moniz-Jefferson (Mimi). Here is Melanie's story as told by her friend Lynn: Melanie passed on February 3, 2021 after losing her battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. What an amazing human being she was. She was my friend since our kids were in grade school. She was a teacher at Phoenix Academy of Math, Social Studies and AVID for the 8th grade. She was ...