loveisnear - Tumblr blog

[loveisnear]

I woke up to the sound of dishes being put away and pancakes being made (after being woken up the first time super early by Maddie). Oh, and @claystansell had the coffee ready. I sure am blessed to call you hubby. Can I just add, how has it been 5 years since this New York trip? That was probably one of the most fun weekends we’ve had just the two of us. While I’m looking forward to the next time we get away, I really do love our everyday-normal-low key weekends. #beating50percent #weekendidos #ilysm https://ift.tt/38btx0A

[loveisnear]

In case you missed my post on @craftedby this print is now listed on my Etsy shop as a printable (i.e. instant download)! I’m creating art every single day and adding products to my Etsy shop each week so please keep checking back for updates! If there’s something you would like to see, please let me know! Even though I’ve been creating via @craftedby for years, I can’t say that I’ve mastered selling prints online! But I see others doing it and know it’s possible so here I am putting my best foot forward! Also, I never pictured myself to be one that would sell art... I still don’t. BUT what I do picture is that each lettered scripture or encouraging word would make it into the hands of someone who just needs a little extra courage and hope. I know how powerful a good word can be and want to get as many of them out there that’s possible!!! • • • • • #craftedby #procreate #gritandvirtue #lettering #handlettering #christiancreative #handmadefont #goodnewsfeed #modernscript #thedailytype #calligrafriends #togetherweletter #modernlettering #faithfilledcaptions #procreateit #watercolorlettering #joyfulmamas #motherhoodrising #momitforward #ig_motherhood #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow #mytinymoments #littlefierceones #dailyparenting #kidsforreal #storytellingmama #createdtoday https://ift.tt/38GwG9X

[loveisnear]

I have been working on a little something and wanted y’all to be the first to know! I just reopened my Etsy shop! If you would be so kind to check it out the link in my bio, I would love to know what you think! Currently, there are just a handful of prints available along with a few custom options!! I will be adding more options very soon! AND keep your eye out for a new product coming later today... especially if you would like to learn or practice modern calligraphy! (Hint, Hint!) A little backstory about my business: I started Crafted By in 2013 with the help of my insanely talented brother @jonathanmoore. I had always dreamed of owning my own business and creating products that people would love! Honestly, I had no clue what I was doing but I just started writing out quotes and scriptures to be sold as wall decor and over time custom orders rolled in. Over the past 7 years, I have been fortunate to have created many custom hand-lettered pieces, taught lettering workshops, and had a blast sharing my own art through social media through @craftedby My heart and goal is to create art that will inspire and uplift others. The words we put into our mind has a big impact on how we live our lives so I figure the more positive and truth filled words we read on a daily basis the better! To this day, the words that were displayed on my wall as a kid have impacted me and I want to create art that will do the same for others. Just about all of the art that I create is inspired by a situation I’m facing or someone around me is walking through. Some of my favorite pieces have come out of some of the darkest seasons. I write out the words that will bring truth and light to the situation. As I write the words on paper it’s like the words are being etched on my heart. I just recently decided to add Etsy as a platform for my shop because I love the community aspect. I love supporting other artists and creatives. I’m excited to be a part! I’ll go into detail another day on why I love the platform so much. ***CONTINUED IN COMMENTS*** PHOTO CRED: @coryohale https://ift.tt/3bfZVlK

[loveisnear]

Our baby is almost ONE! It’s birthday week and I’ve had an extremely wide range of emotions just thinking about how fast she’s growing up! This is so cliche to say but these newborn days feel like yesterday. If you need me, I’ll be here scrolling through photos. • • • • #TheMadisonLayne #stanselladventure #momswithcameras #milestone #babygirl #casadestansell #literalmomgoals #livethelittlethings #joyfulmamas #motherhoodinspired #inspirationintheeveryday #faithfilledcaptions https://ift.tt/2RfDl3v

[loveisnear]

Feeling blessed and so grateful our kids have such an amazing daddy. He works so hard all day but still sneaks time in here and there for little moments like this. • • • • #TheMadisonLayne #stanselladventure #11months #momswithcameras #milestone #babygirl #casadestansell #literalmomgoals #livethelittlethings #joyfulmamas #motherhoodinspired #inspirationintheeveryday #faithfilledcaptions https://ift.tt/30hQrkI

[loveisnear]

10 years ago, this weekend, my life changed in a big way. The month before I had pretty much hit an all time low. I remember crying out in my car asking God, rather telling Him, that I needed Him to do something. I was tired of the way I had been living. A few weeks later, I got asked to go on a date to the First Conference at @gatewaypeople and then we would have cheesecake. TD Jakes spoke that night and he said he had completely scratched his message because God told him to share a different message because one person needed to hear it. It was me! And I’m sure other people needed to hear it too but I know it was directly from God. I prayed the prayer to surrender my life that night. I didn’t go down front and I highly doubt I even stood up but my life was changed forever. It was like the life I had been living was gone and I stepped into a new scene with new friends, a new community, and a new church. People from the past even stopped calling my phone! After not having a home church in years, I decided to make Gateway my home. It was later that year that I met Clay and we became friends. For someone that had grown up in the church my whole life, I never knew one decision to show up to church could literally change everything. Anyways, we just got home from the First Conference and I couldn’t not share this tonight as I’m thinking about how grateful I am for God changing the course of my life. He’s so good. 📷: @coryohale • • • • • #StansellPartyofFour #TheMadisonLayne #TheSamuelLiam #vsco #joyfulmamas #livethelittlethings #StansellPartyofFour #motherhoodrising #letthembelittle #momitforward #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow #mytinymoments #littlefierceones #dailyparenting #kidsforreal #storytellingmama #motherhoodinspired https://ift.tt/39JI85u

[loveisnear]

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Wishing you a joy and peace filled day! 📷: @coryohale • • • • • #StansellPartyofFour #TheMadisonLayne #TheSamuelLiam #vsco #joyfulmamas #livethelittlethings #StansellPartyofFour #motherhoodrising #letthembelittle #momitforward #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow #mytinymoments #littlefierceones #dailyparenting #kidsforreal #storytellingmama #motherhoodinspired #nicoledigipresets #christmas https://ift.tt/2MvqgBr

[loveisnear]

Just taking a moment to think about what this Christmas season is really all about and releasing the things that try to steal the joy of this wonderful season! I love all the Christmas festivities, lights, shopping, gifts, cooking, and hosting! It’s easy to slip into the mindset that things have to be “just so” to experience joy. But that just isn’t the truth! I’ve been thinking about how the Virgin Mary was about to have her first baby, the Savior of the world, and she didn’t even have a place to deliver him. There was no nursery, no cute first outfit, and not even a bed to lay him in. All she had was strips of cloths and hay to lay him on. And it probably stunk! Not the most ideal situation! But can you imagine the joy that filled that place and the hearts of everyone that was there when they laid eyes on the sweet baby that would save the world. I think many of us can relate in that we might not be in the most ideal situation this year. We are supposed to be experiencing joy but it’s hard to see past our less than perfect situations. I just believe that if Christ can enter the world into a less than perfect situation, He can enter into our scene that might be looking a little less than perfect. I’m praying for anyone that’s reading this to be filled with an insurmountable amount of joy and peace no matter what things look like around you. Xx Kristen 📷 @coryohale • • • • #StansellPartyofFour #TheMadisonLayne #TheSamuelLiam #vsco #joyfulmamas #livethelittlethings #StansellPartyofFour #motherhoodrising #letthembelittle #momitforward #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow #mytinymoments #littlefierceones #dailyparenting #kidsforreal #storytellingmama #motherhoodinspired #nicoledigipresets #christmas https://ift.tt/2Mp8xLR

[loveisnear]

When the cookies are so cute you don’t even want to eat them but you do anyways because you can’t resist an @xo_cakery cookie! Look at the little pom pom details on the sweater! @sadlerck you are oh so talented my friend! Thanks for the treats! https://ift.tt/2EJaluX

[loveisnear]

New favorite photo. I don’t say it enough - I am so grateful for you @claystansell We have been dating for 9 years next week! I remember the days when I wasn’t sure if there really was someone out there for me. I prayed, I cried, I gave up, dated the wrong way, and dreamed of what being married would be like. While not every day lives up to those daydreams, married life is good. Really good and I thank God that he brought Clay into my life. Clay, we still might fight about the same things we did 9 years ago (like arranging furniture or how often a car should be washed) but there is no one I would rather do this with than you! Like someone said, “you’re the to my yang”. Photo: @coryohale #weekendidos #beating50percent #ilysm #faithfilledcaptions https://ift.tt/2YAedre

[loveisnear]

Family walk in Abilene! Loved getting to spend time with family and eat lots of yummy food last week. I’m so very thankful for this crew and how easy and fun it is to all hang together. (@kstansell not pictured because she was taking the picture 💁🏽‍♀️) We are home now & despite my usual routine of unpacking as quick as I can, I’ve decided to let vacation last just one more night. I think it’s a good night to get in PJs early and turn the fire on. Maybe even watch a Hallmark if I can convince @claystansell ☺️ https://ift.tt/34GHenk

[loveisnear]

🧡 This year I get to share my birthday with Thanksgiving. So that means one slice of pie for Thanksgiving and one slice of pie for my birthday. I got to start the day off with hot coffee (thanks hubby) and lettering this piece before the kids woke up. I’ve loved the slow pace of today just getting to hang with family. Just feeling a little extra grateful. https://ift.tt/33u7cJx

[loveisnear]

It’s #worldkindnessday today! I shared some thoughts over on @craftedby about how we can be extra kind today! I’m going to just start by saying how grateful I am for those of you who have been such a huge support in my life, my family & my lettering business!! Each kind word matters and means the world to me! • • • • #craftedby #procreate #gritandvirtue #lettering #handlettering #christiancreative #handmadefont #goodnewsfeed #modernscript #thedailytype #calligrafriends #togetherweletter #modernlettering #faithfilledcaptions #procreateit #watercolorlettering #joyfulmamas #motherhoodrising #momitforward #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow #mytinymoments #littlefierceones #dailyparenting #kidsforreal #storytellingmama #createdtoday #kindnessstartswith https://ift.tt/2CEf9Rl

[loveisnear]

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:45‬ ‭ESV‬‬ • • • • This was created with the new skills I learned from @everytuesday latest @procreate watercolor lesson • • • • #craftedby #procreate #gritandvirtue #lettering #handlettering #christiancreative #handmadefont #goodnewsfeed #modernscript #thedailytype #calligrafriends #togetherweletter #modernlettering #faithfilledcaptions #procreateit #watercolorlettering #joyfulmamas #motherhoodrising #momitforward #ig_motherhood #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow #mytinymoments #littlefierceones #dailyparenting #kidsforreal #storytellingmama #createdtoday https://ift.tt/2NFt4wZ

[loveisnear]

Have you ever felt like you are doing all the good things but somehow you aren’t quite where you want to be? You’re putting in hard work with excellence, being consistent, and being a good steward. But still left wondering, “Is it really worth it? I’m working so hard but I’m still in what appears to be the same place?” Let me tell you, it is worth it! All the things you’re doing whether seen or unseen are making a difference under the surface. A little seed that’s planted needs nurturing and time before there’s ever any evidence that there’s anything but dirt in the ground. If you feel like you’re just surrounded by dirt right now, hang in there! Keep doing every little (or big) thing you are doing because you are nurturing that seed that is taking form and about ready to burst above the ground! ⠀ ⠀ I just have to give you a tiny example that has to do with my toddler. For MONTHS he would get into my hair product drawer and look for my bottle of hair powder, remove the lid, and then attempt to fill the bottle with water from the tub. It’s especially annoying because hair powder is the last thing I use and it’s no good to put damp powder on styled hair! Anyways, no matter how many times I corrected him, he kept doing the same thing! Well today, my 9 month got ahold of the hair product and took it into the closet. My toddler ran over to her and said “oh no baby!”, took the hair product and returned it to the drawer. Hallelujah! It took months... maybe a year... lots of correction and discipline but he listened and it finally clicked! ⠀ ⠀ I think this is what it feels like in general when we are daily working so hard to get a certain result that just seems far off. Don’t stop working towards it, believing for it, and nurturing it! It will pay off!⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ #lettering #handlettering #moderncalligraphy #freestylecalligraphy #learncalligraphy #thedailytype #typespire #goodtype #strengthinletters #craftedbyworkshop #brushlettering #brushcalligraphy #handmadefont #modernscript #thedesigntip #socalitydallas #socality #craftedby #thatsdarling #theeverygirl #theinstagramlab #gritandvirtue #christiancreative #pocketfuel #goodnewsfeed #FortWorth #Dallas https://ift.tt/36CdSYF

[loveisnear]

One more from last night before Maddie decided to pull an all nighter. We literally did all we could do to comfort her with her ear pain but nothing would do. She finally fell asleep a little after 4am and I got about two hours of sleep before going to get a crown 👑 🦷 Despite some tired eyes everyone seems to be happy today! I think I’m going to try cooking my own elderberry syrup so that we can be drinking it by the gallon (or tablespoons) and get our fam back to good health! What are your favorite things to keep the family healthy? • • • • #StansellPartyofFour #TheMadisonLayne #9months #TheSamuelLiam #vsco #joyfulmamas #livethelittlethings #StansellPartyofFour #motherhoodrising #letthembelittle #momitforward #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow #mytinymoments #littlefierceones #dailyparenting #kidsforreal #storytellingmama #motherhoodinspired #nicoledigipresets #hannajams https://ift.tt/2N7a6yT

[loveisnear]

The ladies got to celebrate the birthday girl @sadlerck last night! There are so many reasons to celebrate you, friend! You’re thoughtful, fun, and very encouraging on those days I’ve just needed to hear something a little extra positive! Love you sis! https://ift.tt/2paL2hu