feed your soul (free art) and piperkins

I found this print in the Feed Your Soul free art project on Indie Fixx. It is by Cori Dantini and you can find her etsy shop here. Here is one of the other prints that she is selling in her shop:

I want so much for Piper to have art on her walls and I think that these prints would be perfect. Feed Your Soul has so many other lovely prints that would be just right for a little girl's room (I didn't really look for anything that a boy might like, but I am sure there are plenty of choices). I especially love the message of the last print (beauty on the inside, not coridantini2010).

I guess the reason that I am writing about all this is because I have so many things I want to do in my home to continue the dynamic, living process of making it our own. One of the issues of sewing for other people is that you don't often have the time to sew things for you or your own family. This is difficult because I cherish and value a handmade lifestyle. I want Piper to learn the art of repurposing, making do and mending, redeeming broken things and giving them new life. I want her to understand the value of a handmade thing. I think I have been getting caught up in the profit side of things (because we honestly need the money) and forgetting about WHY I love to sew and create in the first place. I think I have allowed my to-do list to take over my heart. I need to find a balance. I still want to work well, work wisely. I just want to make time for the things that matter, like a nourishing, thoughtfully prepared meal... or a handmade dress for my little girl... or beginning to make Christmas decorations... or working on Piper's room with my mom, filling it with special things that she will appreciate one day (like these prints). 

I visited my sister in Little Rock (as I have mentioned), and wow... if I ever feel busy, or tired, or working hard, I need to remind myself of what her daily life is like. She has twin boys that will be 3 in February, a newborn, and is running an etsy business. That doesn't mean that my experience of tiredness or busyness isn't valid... it is just a reminder to be thankful for the time that I do have, and it prompts me to evaluate my time schedule, because I really can re-arrange and re-prioritize.  Because....

...this little girl is only little for a short time. 

This reminder of what matters is the gentle voice of my Savior. The most important thing that I can do with my time, but too often neglect (especially lately), is to meet with him in his Bible. He is the Beautiful One and he satisfies my soul, he gives me new life, he fills me with purpose and vision, and he sets me free, renewed, to create and work and love. Why does it matter that we can take something broken and give it new life? Because it is an acting out, in a small, fragile, human way, of the gospel. It is speaking about grace in another language. I am so thankful for his loving correction in my life. 

I also just want to mention.... there are enough sites and sources out there to tell women what they should be doing different or better, and I realize that there is a place for that kind of resource. I don't want this space to be like that. I don't want my words to make you feel discouraged. There are simply seasons of life where you have to be busy. Things have to go undone. There are times when you are not the mom or woman you want to be... you are just getting by. Please know that I am not criticizing you if that's where you are. I am writing this because I just came out of that season. This is just a way for me to work out what I am learning and put it down on paper (virtual paper).

love to you, sweet readers. 

paige