oh december daily, here we go...

The little box holds extra journal cards and a few embellishments and the suitcase holds extra papers, stamps, ink, and my star punch

I'm diving into December Daily, for real this time. Each year I'm inspired by Ali and each year I never quite get organized enough to begin.

But this year, I decided to just do it. Here's a little peek in my preparation:

Each open spread is one day but because the pockets are clear and the photos aren't in yet, you can see through to other "days"

I'm not one to really be prepared for much when it comes to crafty projects, but I know this has to be my way right now. I want the journal cards already ready for me to use. And I knew I had to stamp all the numbers 1-31 because I have to be able to know what day it is. In many cases, I'm using my star punch and put the numbers right on it (with these stamps) so that I can staple it to a photo or journal card later.

I'm using a Simple Stories binder with several styles of page protectors so that I can easily move things around based on the photos I take. Meaning, if I have two Instagram square photos I want to use for one day, I can grab a page protector for that size and then just move the journal cards around a bit. But something tells me I'm just going to make it work each day with what is already there.

The journal cards I'm using include Ali's digital cards that I printed out, Ali's story cards in grey (that I'm also using in Project Life but I might have to get the red ones too!), paper from this paper pack and a few other random sheets that caught my eye at Two Peas, and a few of Pam's cute printables.

I'm going with a Project Life feel to it all to keep things in my "memory keeping" comfort zone. I also cut up a little shopping bag from Starbucks and plan to use their "rekindle" phrase (from this year's holiday campaign) as part of my cover page I haven't made yet. Because this is the first year in a long time I've felt physically, mentally, and soulfully ready to lean into the holidays this year and I truly do feel a "rekindling" inside.

the tiny attacher, Smash pen, washi tape, and tags cut from this paper are going to be my go-to tools and embellishments

One thing I've had a bit of a teeny panic about with page protectors with Project Life and now this album is how easy it would be for a toddler to pick up the whole album and turn it upside down and then there would go all the inserts and I would have no idea where they go. Though I have to admit that I think I might just start laughing because really I'm not being a perfectionist about any of this and it feels so freeing to just get the memories out of my camera and my head and somewhere else.

Anyway, I'm thinking about ways to deal with this because I really want Ellie Jane to be able to look through these journals whenever she wants to. In many cases, this isn't a problem because I've cut the inserts to exactly the size of the pocket and they can't really move. One thought I have is to staple certain pockets if I know I won't be pulling the insert out again. For now, with Project Life, I'm stamping the first day of the week date on the back of that week's inserts. For this album, I might do the same thing. I also think clear washi tape might be a good idea for some pockets. I'm guessing there might be a whole thread about this somewhere full of ideas that I just need to find. (And really, taking a quick iphone photo of each layout might be the fastest option.)

Are you joining in? If December Daily seems like too much right now but the idea speaks to you, one idea would be to join in on Instagram or on your blog and just share one photo a day. You could then print them out and have a little album full of December moments.

Learn more about December Daily at Ali's site here.

why water your soul?

Watch on Vimeo

Recently I was asked, "Why a program in December?" 

My answer: Because we teach what we most need

In today's video, I share a story about how being neck deep in survival mode and wearing guilt like a shawl brought me to a place of not wanting to do anything for the holidays. Which led me to deeply see how we make our expectations of this time of year a thick layer on top of all the day-to-day living that continues in December. 

What if you let go of some of those expectations and in doing so created more space for joy, light, and the truth of what you most need right now?

Water Your Soul is an invitation to trust you are not alone in feeling whatever this time of year brings up for you.

It's about making simple moves in December that will help take away from the chaos, not add to it.

It's about being right here giving yourself the gift of replenishing you even as you also give to others.

A beautiful group is already gathering in our private Facebook space where we are checking in each day and beginning to share stories and connect. We "officially" begin December 1.

Click here to learn more and join us.

Please email me any questions you have.

a shop sale

Use coupon code HOLIDAY12 to receive 20% everything in the shop today and tomorrow!

To use the code, find "Apply Coupon Code" in blue writing right above your total on the checkout page, click on it, and type in the code HOLIDAY12.

new trust necklace (also customizable)

Note the customizable section in the shop where you can customize your Soul Mantra and I will create a special necklace just for you or someone you love. There are also new "one word" designs if you are already thinking about your word of the year necklace.

And you will see my poem note postcards and a few of the Chickadee Road temporary tattoos now in the shop too. These would make fun stocking stuffers!

Thank you so much for your continued support. The opportunity to send these items I create in my studio out into the world for you to hold in your hands is such a gift to me. It is one way I feel so deeply connected to those who are walking beside me. And I love knowing that you have a Soul Mantra talisman to carry with you on your journey to remind you that you are not alone.

Blessings and love,
Liz 

what would happen?

In February of 2011, I was having a day that invited me to question my worthiness, my enoughness. I was feeling stuck in an old story of not being able to hear the kindness of others because my own self-doubt was so loud.

This contrast pushed me to give myself a pep talk of sorts. I turned on my microphone and recorded the words I would say to you if you were sitting across from me at my kitchen table needing an invitation to see that you are enough. The words became a love note to myself, to you, and when I came across the recording again this past weekend, I transcribed it (with a few little edits) and felt moved to share these words with you today (you can hear the original recording by clicking on "what would happen" at the end of this post):

As you sit in your corner today, what would happen if you just believed that your story matters?

What would happen if you just owned all the phrases that you say to others, the way you sign your emails to the ones you love, the way you encourage your friends with all of their pursuits in their life, what would happen if you owned that same belief that you have for your friends for yourself?

What would happen if you looked in the mirror and saw the beauty that others see when they look at you?

What would happen if you gave yourself permission to let hope bloom inside you?

What would happen if you listened to yourself when you experienced joy, if you listened to why, if you noticed why the joy comes up inside you when it does?

What would happen if you let go of wishing you were someone else and walked to the mirror and met for the first time the real you whose waiting inside you?

What would happen if you believed the kind things people say and write about you?

What would happen if you took the next compliment someone gives you and believed it?

What would happen if you quit looking at the phrase “I am enough” and thinking “oh yeah one day I’ll believe that” and instead just took it as part of your personal truth?

What would happen if you believed the phrase I am enough was part of your personal truth?

What would happen if you walked to the mirror right now and looked at yourself and saw the beauty that those who love you see?

What would happen if you walked to the mirror and let go of looking at the person reflected back at you and thinking “oh I wish her hair looked…if only she was…if only she was…” and instead of thinking if only she was, if you looked at the person reflected back at you and saw who she is?

What would happen if the next time the little girl inside you who loves to play with paint and paper or fabric or color or her camera or words, what would happen if you listened to her and let her play?

What would happen if you stopped trying to be that person that you aren’t and don’t want to be?

What would happen if instead you just were yourself?

What would happen if you walked across the room, down the hall, and found that mirror and looked at the person reflected back at you and chose love?

What would happen if you believed people when they paid you a compliment?

What would happen if you said, “you’re welcome” when someone said, “thank you” instead of saying, “oh it was no big deal”?

What would happen if you walked down the hall and looked in the mirror and chose to see love and chose to use love when you looked at the person reflected back at you?

What would happen if you spoke to yourself as softly and calmly as you speak to those you love? 

What would happen if you gave yourself the same space to just do the best you can that you give so many others?

What would happen if you walked down the hall and looked in the mirror and chose love when you looked at that reflection?

What would happen if you just believed that in this moment, in your corner, you are enough?

***

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What Would Happen

gift goodness

There is something really delightful about being able to shop for holiday gifts while still in my pajamas as everyone else is asleep. I've been doing that this weekend and here are some of the ideas I have on my list:

We love using our "Cuppow" lids on canning jars to turn them into travel mugs. And they now have lids that fit a straw, which is perfect for Ellie! A few people are getting these in their stockings. Just received a Cyber Monday email from them and all their lids are 25% off.

This year all retreat participants received mugs from The Universe Knows. I LOVE these mugs. My mugs often appear on my Instagram feed and someone always asks me about them. Be Like Water is my favorite. They are having a big Cyber Monday sale too with everything 25% off. I have one of their hooded sweatshirts and love it. Please note I am an affiliate for The Universe Knows because I really recommend their products and customer service! I'm going to be giving a few mugs this holiday season.

On Etsy I am in LOVE with:

• Lori Portka's calendar
• Catherine Odell's squirrel holiday cards (don't miss the story!) + skating Big Foot cards
• Kelly's misfit baubles
• Pam Garrison's You Are Loved print + her awesome stamps
• The constellation necklace from My Sunset Road (Jon got it for me for Mother's Day. It is lovely.) 

And oh my gosh have you seen these day-by-day calendars made from Instagram photos. Favorite idea ever.

More gift ideas are over on my Luvocracy page. (They have free shipping right now.) I've been creating a board all about gift ideas for my sci-fi loving husband and another board for other gift ideas catching my eye. I love the visual of these boards! 

I plan to share a few more gift ideas as we get closer to the holidays. I think it is such fun to see gift idea lists like these from bloggers. And of course there are lots of fun gift boards popping up over on Pinterest!

here: deeply blessed

Ellie waiting for at the cardiologists on Wednesday. Wanting me to take her photo because "I look cu-ute!"

Today, I have the best news to share.

The best.

Ellie is off her of heart medication for good.

As in everything points to her heart being healed.

As in we don't have to go back to the cardiologist for a year!

(Although I don't really know how to be a parent who no longer takes her child to the doctor every few weeks/months.)

We are soaking up all this goodness over here and enjoying our time just the three of us as we settle in to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then make a feast.

Sending you so much love and light today. Thank you for your support and kindness along the way and for all the support and stories you will continue to share. I adore you.

Blessings,
Liz

PS Kelly is sharing a beautiful free download of her art over on Chickadee Road through the weekend. Check it out here.

so i fly necklaces in the shop

I'm working like a little elf over here having so much fun updating the shop (and feeling so much gratitude for those buying handmade this holiday season).

a few of the new so i fly necklaces in the shop

This week I uncovered a few more butterfly and bird pendants in my studio and created a new collection of "So I Fly" necklaces. Last year around this time, a few words came to me that inspired this favorite soul mantra phrase:

When life pushes me beyond what I know
When the joy fills me up 
When the fear tries to settle in
When I am holding on to hope with each breath
When all this and more leads me to feel unsure of the next step,
sometimes I step outside, feel the warm sun upon my shoulders, look up at the blue sky, and decide it is time: 
So I fly.

I also added a handful of simple earrings and a couple of other necklaces.

For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I'm thinking about you as you begin to gather with family and make final choices about your plans and menus and sink into the goodness and intensity that this time of year brings. Sending light and love as you find your way.

the true stories

This afternoon I was working in the studio and went into my storage area to grab a few shipping supplies and there it was. This box that I somehow still have in my home after thinking we had gotten rid of it on at least five different occasions.

When I saw it there buried under a box of tags I send with my jewelry, my mind whirled for a minute and then I said aloud, "It's okay to tell the true stories."

So here I am telling it. This piece of the bigger story I just keep unpacking a little at a time as I heal and crack open and mend.

This is the story of a cardboard box that holds the infant CPR DVD and inflatable infant "manikin" that they sent home with us after Ellie Jane was hospitalized at five weeks old.

She was only 7.75 pounds and we were trying to comprehend all that was happening with her heart. Trying to understand that she now had two unrelated heart issues and that she would be going on four medications.

I remember the moment when Jon explained that we had to watch the DVD before they would let us go home. I wonder if he thought I looked like a ghost in that moment when I looked up from holding Ellie who was attached to so many things and just stared at him.

So often during those five days, I felt like a floating head as I stuffed all my feelings into my big toe so I could be ready to make whatever decisions were coming our way.

This is why I started taking mirror photos of how I really felt...so I would know I wasn't disappearing.

When I read about other mothers nuzzling with their little ones who are just weeks old and how they are amazed at how fast they are growing, I think about that ghost of a woman who looked at the nurse and said, "Yes, we will watch the DVD. But I am not practicing on that baby in that box right now." I think about that ghost of a woman who was trying to heal from a c-section while navigating motherhood and all that newborn life brings, and I want to hold her gently in my arms and run my fingers through her hair while she cries herself to sleep.

The true story is that I ache every now and then when I think about the first year of Ellie's life. The true story is that we were sent home with an inflatable baby three days after our own baby almost died and all I could think about was if I didn't keep her alive all I would have left was that box. The true story is that the mending is messy. The true story is that somewhere between there and here I began to realize I need to gently keep mothering myself. 

Sometimes the triggers, the boxes buried under the everyday, become moments where we can just breathe in the truth of what we know and notice what comes up and honor all of it as we create the space to heal just a little bit more.