Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Gracey Lou Designs {Clearance Sale}

Isnt my new Etsy Banner so Cute!!!!

I love it!
(Thanks Gina)

I am clearanceing out some of my inventory in My shop.
I will be adding more things to the ON SALE items this week
I have more pillow cases, crayon rolls, skirts, and Ties. All that will be
ON SALE!!!
Check it out! The good thing is everything is already made and can be shipped or pick up when sold!!


Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas 2010

I was totally a bad picture taker this Christmas!!! I am a little disappointed at myself. We had a great Christmas though!!!


Some cute Christmas Pictures of the kids!!! They are both growing up so fast.

Ainzleys Proof that Santa came to visit!
Ainzleys Favorite Present was her dress up clothes!!

Izaaks Proof that Santa came!!
Izaaks Favorite Present was his new remote control Monster Truck!

My Favorite Present was my new phone!!!! Yeah I really needed a new one and Santa pick a good one! I also go the most amazing shelf ever. Ok well he had made one for the craft fair and we didn't sell it so I hung it up in my kitchen and then my neighbor wanted to give his wife one for her birthday so I had to take that one off my wall and give it to them which was no big deal I didn't intend on keeping it, but I guess Santa new that I really really like it. So he made me my own. This picture really doesn't do it justice (i took it with my phone). But its really super cute. I will post more picture when I get it one my wall.


I hope you all had a Wonderful Holiday!!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Don't Forget

{Don't forget that we are hosting a 12 days of Christmas Giveaways on our other blog!!}


We are giving ways some way cute things!!! You really dont want to miss it. Vintage Restorations will be doing a HUGE giveaway at the end of the 12 Days. But to enter in that giveaway you will have had to enter in the previous days. I hope you wall go over and Enter!!!! Hope you are all enjoying this Holiday Season!!!


Sunday, December 12, 2010

Day 6 - How can I improve my Thoughts?

Read:
D&C 6:16
Alma 37:36-37
D&C 121:45-46

Ponder: Do I keep all idle, unclean, or negative thoughts out of my mind? What would Jesus think about? How can I improve my thoughts? Do my thoughts affect my attitude? What do I think about when I have nothing to think about?

Myself
I have to live with myself, and so,
I want to be fit for myself to know;
I want to be able as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I've done.
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself as I come and go
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of man I really am;
I don't want to dress myself up in sham.
I want to deserve all men's respect;
But here in this struggle for fame and pelf,
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to think as I come and go
That I'm for bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me,
I see what others may never see,
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself -- and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free

By
EA Guest

WOW!!!! I love this! It says everything. I am going to hang this in my bathroom so I am reminded everyday!!!

Sorry I got A little Behind _ Day 5 Am I a light to the world?

Read: Matthew 5

Ponder: Am I setting a righteous example for others? How can I let my light shine? Do my actions glorify God?

Have you ever stopped to think that perhaps you are the light sent by Heavenly Father to lead another safely home or to be a beacon from a distance to show the way back to the straight and narrow path the leads to eternal life? Your light is a beacon and should never stop burning or lead those who are looking for a way home. Let the lower light keep burning-- you may save a struggling seaman in the turbulent sea of life.

It isn't just nice to be a light for others; it is essential for their exaltation as well as for our own. "Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16)

We are children of light. As children of light, we walk in the light and choose the right and stand for the right.

Choosing the right is a decision-making process. Choose to learn what is the right way to live you life, learning principles and keeping the commandments and covenants that guide and protect you as you exercise your agency in daily choices.

Choose to do what is right because your greatest desire it to love the Lord and to be obedient to his laws, ordinances and commandments so that you can return back into his presence eternally. Choose to do what is right because you love yourself and because you honor those who love you.

Help other to do what is right. CHoose to be of service and be an example of what is right by lifting and strengthening others to do what is right because you care.

Choose to turn around and repent immediately if you ever depart from the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. Repentance is a merciful result of our Savior's atoning sacrifice because of the love our Father in Heaven and his Son Jesus Christ have for each of us.

From: "That Ye May Be the Children of Light"
Robert D Hales

As I ponder the questions that have been asked to ponder I am kinda feeling a little guilty. I know that I can do better to set a righteous example for others. I am going to work on that and strive to do better. I do hope that I have been the light in someone's life. I know there have been several people in my life that have been the light. One impractical is a neighbor of mine that befriended me the first day I went to church. If it hadn't been for her and her extending her hand in friendship with me I am not sure that I would have kept going to church. I know she has no idea the what an impact that had on me. I love her dearly. and hope that one day she will see what a great example she is to me and by her example she gives me hope and strength that things do happen for a reason and to have patience and trust in the lord and things will work out. I am grateful for many people that have been the light in my life.

Vintage Restorations 12 Days of Christmas Day 1

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!! WE ARE SO EXCITED TO DO THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAYS..... I HOPE YOU WILL ALL ENJOY IT AND MAYBE BE ONE OF THE LUCKY WINNERS. AT THE END OF THE TWELVE DAYS VINTAGE RESTORATIONS WILL BE DOING A HUGE GIVEAWAY YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS.... BUT THERE IS A CATCH TO ENTER YOU MUST HAVE ENTERED IN THE PREVIOUS DAYS GIVEAWAYS. SO WITH THAT SAID GOOD LUCK!!! AND SHOW THE GIVEAWAY HOST SOME MUCH NEEDED LOVE AND SUPPORT.


{Todays Giveaway is from Sarah at Papercutz}

She will be giving one Post-it note holder and a $10.00 Gift Certificate.

The holder is a 4 x 6 holder, with a 3 x 3 note pad and a coordinating pen.

She has some other cute things in her shop!!!



To enter in this Giveaway!!

Head on over to are other Blog!!!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Day 4- Am I a daughter of Christ?

Read:
D&C 19:15-24
Mosiah 4:2-3
Mosiah 5:7-9

Ponder: How can I get rid of guilt? How can I put myself in a position to have the power of the atonement cover my sins? Do I understand what Christ did for me? Do I comprehend the great love He has for me?

To those who may feel they have somehow forfeited their place at the table of the Lord, we say again with the Prophet Joseph Smith that God has "a forgiving disposition,"16 that Christ is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, [is] long-suffering and full of goodness."17 I have always loved that when Matthew records Jesus' great injunction, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,"18 Luke adds the Savior's additional commentary: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful"19--as if to suggest that mercy is at least a beginning synonym for the perfection God has and for which all of us must strive. Mercy, with its sister virtue forgiveness, is at the very heart of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the eternal plan of salvation. Everything in the gospel teaches us that we can change if we need to, that we can be helped if we truly want it, that we can be made whole, whatever the problems of the past.

Now, if you feel too spiritually maimed to come to the feast, please realize that the Church is not a monastery for perfect people, though all of us ought to be striving on the road to godliness. No, at least one aspect of the Church is more like a hospital or an aid station, provided for those who are ill and want to get well, where one can get an infusion of spiritual nutrition and a supply of sustaining water
in order to keep on climbing.

Those who will receive the Lord Jesus Christ as the source of their salvation will always lie down in green pastures, no matter how barren and bleak the winter has been. And the waters of their refreshment will always be still waters, no matter how turbulent the storms of life. In walking His path of righteousness, our souls will be forever restored; and though that path may for us, as it did for Him, lead through the very valley of the shadow of death, yet we will fear no evil. The rod of His priesthood and the staff of His Spirit will always comfort us. And when we hunger and thirst in the effort, He will prepare a veritable feast before us, a table spread even in the presence of our enemies--contemporary enemies--which might include fear or family worries, sickness or personal sorrow of a hundred different kinds. In a crowning act of compassion at such a supper He anoints our head with oil and administers a blessing of strength to our soul. Our cup runneth over with His kindness, and our tears runneth over with joy. We weep to know that such goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and that we will, if we desire it, dwell in the house of the Lord forever.23

Jeffry R. Holland

I will get back to you tomorrow on this one. I need a little more time to really think about this.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wish I had the Ambition to Make these!

Oh how I wish I had the Ambition to make these cute little snow man kits. But unfortunately this year I dont. Maybe next year. So no one go take my idea :) Because next year you will get another one.

These are over at The Fickle Pickle

ARENT THESE SUPER DUPER CUTE! YEP I THINK SO!




Check out her absolutely adorable mantel. I AM IN LOVE WITH IT!!!!

What are you doing for neighbor gifts. I am looking for something quick and easy but not cheesy!!! I am worn out this year. So help a sister out. Send me some links!!!
Thanks

Day 3 - Do I Really Understand Repentance

Read:
D&c 58:41-43
Mosiah 4:9-12
Mosiah 2:38

Ponder : Have I truly sought forgiveness from the Lord? Do I really believe He will forgive me?

I learned about the great plan of happiness, that we are on earth to be tested. We will all make mistakes. The Apostle John taught, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Fortunately he added, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."4 I paid particular attention to that word cleanse.

I thought that repentance, like soap, should be used frequently. I found that when I apologized for mistakes, things were better. But for serious mistakes, an apology was not enough--sometimes not even possible. While these mistakes were, for the most part, not major ones, the spiritual pain called guilt invariably set in. Sooner or later they must be resolved, but I didn't know what to do. That happens when you break something that you alone can't fix.

Among you young people are those who are "vexed," as Peter said, "with the filthy conversation of the wicked."5 Some of you joke about standards and see no need to change behavior. You tell yourselves it doesn't matter because "everybody's doing it."

But that doesn't work because you, by nature, are good. How many times have you heard someone say, after doing some generous or heroic deed or simply helping others, how good it made them feel? Like any natural feeling or emotion, that reaction is inborn in you. Surely you have experienced that yourself! Happiness is inseparably connected with decent, clean behavior.

The prophet Alma bluntly told his wayward son that because he transgressed he was "in a state contrary to the nature of happiness" and that "wickedness never was happiness."6 Those who don't know how to erase mistakes often feel cornered and rebellious and lose themselves in unworthy living. If you travel with transgressors, you will suffer much more than I did in that restaurant.

It was through reading the scriptures, and listening, that I could understand, at least in part, the power of the Atonement. Can you imagine how I felt when finally I could see that if I followed whatever conditions the Redeemer had set, I need never endure the agony of being spiritually unclean? Imagine the consoling, liberating, exalting feeling that will come to you when you see the reality of the Atonement and the practical everyday value of it to you individually.

You need not know everything before the power of the Atonement will work for you. Have faith in Christ; it begins to work the day you ask! The scripture speaks of "obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."9 We all pretty well know what it means to obey laws. But how are we to obey ordinances?

Generally we understand that, conditioned upon repentance, the ordinance of baptism washes our sins away. Some wonder if they were baptized too soon. If only they could be baptized now and have a clean start. But that is not necessary! Through the ordinance of the sacrament you renew the covenants made at baptism. When you meet all of the conditions of repentance, however difficult, you may be forgiven and your transgressions will trouble your mind no more.

From "Washed Clean"
President Boyd K Packer

As I have pondered "Repentance" today. I have kinda had a guilty feeling. That maybe I am not truly repenting and that I do not repent often enough. So my goal is to seriously every week before I partake in the sacrament to truly seek out what I need to repent about and put forth more effort.
I love that when we talk about repentance it seem as tho we talk about forgiveness. I love the ability to forgive. Forgiving has played a huge part in my life. I have had several people in my life that not matter what they have done and what they continue to do to me I can forgive. Sometimes you have to forgive for your self and move on. I know that by forgiving that I am following my Heavenly Father. He forgives us a million times. And for me to forgive is only asking one small thing. I wish everyone could do just that FORGIVE. I know so many people out there that hold all these negative feelings inside for years about people and it would only take forgiving the other person for what they may have done to them. In reality I think sometimes you are only hurting and torturing yourself. I have been there before and its not a pleasant feeling. But as I grow and learn more about the power to forgive I have come to realized it truly is a beautiful thing and I am grateful for it.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Day 2

Read: John 15

Ponder: From whom do I get my strength> Am I abiding in Christ? How can I bring forth much fruit Lord? Can He call me a friend?

As a Saint you say, "I think I understand my duty, and I am doing very well." That may be so. You see the little twig: it is green; it flourishes and it is the very picture of life. It bears its part and proportion in the tree, and is connected with the stem, branches, and root. But could the tree live without it? Yes it could. It need not boast itself and get uplifted and say, 'How green I am! and how I flourish! and what a healthy position I am in! How well I am doing! and I am in my proper place and doing right.' But could you do without the root! No: you bear your proper part and position in the tree. Just so with this people. When they are doing their part when they are magnifying their calling, living there religion, and walking in obedience to the Spirit of the Lord, they have a portion of his Spirit given them to profit withal. And while they are humble, faithful, diligent, and observe the laws and commandments of God, they stand in their proper position on the tree: they are flourishing, the buds blossoms, leaves, and everything about them are all right, and they form a part and parcel of the tree...." (John Taylor, in Journal of Discourses, 6:108)

As I have ponder this today the thoughts of I am I truly doing what is asked of me am I really giving my 100% to my callings. My calling in the church as and Activity Days leader is so rewarding and so fun. I love it and I love the girls they bring a special spirit with them. I always feel a warm comforted feeling when they leave and all my hard work has made off. Just to see that the girls enjoy coming. Is worth it all. I am probably not the best leader and have the best ideas, but I try. My calling as a visiting teacher has been a huge blessing for me. I get excited every month when its time to go and go wether it the best time or not and I always so grateful that I made the time to see those ladies. I am so grateful for my partner she is great and I have learned so much from her. The ladies I visit are awesome I am grateful for them and the love that they show me.

But not only my church callings, but the calling I have as a mother to my children and a wife to my husband. Sometimes I feel like I am truly giving my all and and couldn't possible do one more thing then I realize that maybe that ONE more thing I could do or ONE more thing I could say. To take the time and read that one more book before bed. And to hold and love my children more. Would make a huge difference and the I think YES! I can these things are more important that I sometimes realize. And these little things are what's going to hold my family together in these trying times. Again I am so grateful to have been reminded of these things and to be able to re prioritize my life with the things that truly matter and are most important.

Monday, December 6, 2010

The "WALK" with Christ - DAY 1

Sunday in Relief Society each sister was given this little pack of papers with the note that says " As each of us participate in this "walk" may we build a sure foundation in christ so that we may be immovable in times of trial, strengthen each other and our families, and develop a strong sisterhood." The only way we think that we can really know another person is to walk in there shoes: think what they think. learn what they know, and what they would say. do what they would do.

I wasn't sure what this was all about so today when I open my first day and found this letter. Tears suddenly streamed down my cheeks. And I felt a like my prayers had been answered. I really can not explain how I felt. This is exactly what I needed at this point in my life. Regarding an earlier post of not know where I am at in life and how I was supposed to get my life in the right direction. So the next 14 days I want share with you each little message. And to write my feelings down for myself so I can look back and remember this. I am not very good at keeping a journal so this is close enough.

Day 1- Am I seeking Christ's Help?

Read:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Jacob 4:7
Ether 12:27

Ponder:
Am I seeking the Lord's help in all I think and do? How can He help me overcome my weaknesses?

Dear Friend,

I just had to send you a note to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me also. It hurt me, but I still love you because I am your friend.
I saw you fall asleep last night, and longed to touch your brow. So I spilled moon light on your pillow and your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so that we could talk. I have so many gifts for you, but you awakened late the next day and rushed off to school. My tears were in the rain.
Today you look sad, so alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me so many times too. But I love you. Oh, if you would only listen to me. I really love you. I try to tell you in the blue sky and green grass. I whisper in the leaves on the trees, and breathe it in the color of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing, clothe you in warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature scents. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need in your heart.
If only you knew how much I want to help you. I want you to meet my Father. He wants to help you too. My Father is that way, you know. Just call me, ask me, talk with me. Please, please don't forget me. I have so much to share with you. But I wont hassle you an further. You are free to call me. Its up to you. I'll wait because I love you.

Your Brother,
Christ


As I have pondered this it kinda put in to perspective for me that Christ really does love me and that he wants to help and be my friend. And that if I just ask he will help and comfort me. Prayer is kinda hard for me. Not really sure why, but maybe thats just what I need to do is pray a little more often and to ask for guidance because obviously I can not do this on my own. I do need help with the things I struggle with. Another thing that came to my mind is praying for others. If I don't pray for other that I know do not faithfully say prayers then how will they be blessed. I pray for my family often. But I am going to make it a point to pray for those people I know that need a little extra strength or comfort. I am so grateful for this one little piece of paper and the message it brought to me.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Our Special Event

We are so lucky to have been Invited to the Vintage Pig Trunk show. Hope you all will come see us. Seriously EVERYONE is invite so wether you know anyone or not come and meet us. I would love to meet all of you. Its going to be tonz of fun and there will be tonz of great things. Finish up your christmas shopping in one place!!! So grab your girlfriends and come have a girls night out. ITs going to be way fun.


If you need direction send me an email and will give them to you.

Find these Great People On Facbook

Miss Izzie Lu
Vintage Pig


FYI
Vintage Pig is doing a giveaway on there face book page once they reach 150 fans hope on over there and become a fan for your chance to win!!!!!

Hope to see everyone there And you never know we might even be having a Special Event Sale that you wont want to miss!!! *WINK*WINK*