my house is trashed - sorry

I find myself apologizing a lot when people come over the house lately.  

Maybe it's the giant cardboard Charlie Brown house spilling open with My Little Ponies that greets you in the foyer.  Or perhaps it is the front room sewing room that is a piled mess of fabric, thread, and ribbons.  Then there is the perilous journey from the front door to the family room jumping over the Thomas the Train tracks.  

I'm sorry that you might need help moving mountains before you can sit on the sofa.  It is often littered with football cards, legos and such.  

Looking for clean clothes, dishes or such - I might say sorry there too.

It's not that the house is filthy, It is just not Better Homes and Gardens perfect.  

But what it is is life.  

A good life.

A real life. 

 A recognition that the kids won't remember how many loads of laundry that were put up but rather homemade meals around the table together.

  

They won't look back on childhood thankful that we had a pristine dining room that never housed a fancy meal but rather a room full of imagination and laughter. 

This house is real, and the door is always opened.  

It doesn't matter that the floors are polished and that the toys are picked up. 

What matters is that you know you are welcomed.  No matter the time, you are welcomed.  And we are thankful that you came.  

This is real life, this is a good life - a life meant to be shared. 

So when I say sorry I'm not.  I'm not sorry that we are enjoying life.  I'm not sorry that I choose time with my children over folding laundry.  I'm sorry, I'm not sorry. 

Riding the Elevator

Part of a business series I am writing for those of you (especially mamas) thinking of starting a handmade business.  Hopefully we can connect soon!  

The Elevator Speech.  

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Ah the 30 seconds, at best that you give it your all.  You sell yourself in less time then it takes to spell your name out loud.  The elevator speech is so so very important as you market your business outside the internets.  

The elevator speech really doesn't need to take place in an elevator but it does have certain components to every time you say it.  

How to recognize the time for the elevator speech opportunity.

1. you are with total strangers

2. you are with people who know you but don't know what you do

3. you have 20 - 30- seconds to answer the question, "what do you do."

4. there is no one to speak "above."

Nuts and Bolts of the Speech

1. who are you?
2. what do you do?
3. how do you do it?
4. when do you do it?
5. why do you do it? 

The basics we learned in 2nd grade.  This is where you are.  You have 20-30 seconds to let someone know how passionate you are about what you create.  Why you spend sleepless nights doing what you do.  And how they can buy your goods (uber importante!).

I am constantly changing my elevator speech.  Every week I evaluate what my speech looks like.  It keeps in me in touch with my business, it affords opportunity for me to dream, and maybe it will show in a sale.  

Right now, #sofour's elevator speech often looks something like this.

Hi I'm Heather.  I sell and blog about my art filled sewn pieces of everyday items that promote a positive message in a bright and colorful way.  You can find my pieces on Etsy, Facebook and by using the hashtag #sofour.  (then the traditional handing of the business card).  

It's not perfect, but right now it is me.  My elevator speech keeps in line with tag line.  It holds true to my branding ideals. This elevator speech can be changed based on my audience - a very important details.  

I have used my elevator speech at the kid's schools, at a recent craft show, at the local cafe - the possibilities of telling people about what you do are infinite.  

As much as the elevator speech is a very important part of your package, what it more important is that your audience leaves interested and inspired.  

The #sofour community would love to hear your speech - share it!  That is the best practice! 

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I really wanted to rip his throat out......

The other night my husband had the coconuts to say, "landing pad."  Just hearing those words made me unglue.  

Are you serious?  Another temporary situation?  Can we find somewhere to make memories?  Can't we have enough time to change the paint color?  A landing pad just isn't in my vocabulary.  What the heck was he thinking?  I send him to a landing pad - on his rear end.  

But there is truth in finding a "landing pad".  We need a place to land.  A place to find refuge.  Somewhere to experience safety.  Somewhere to rest.  Some time to find out what and who we really are.  

But parking on a landing pad is near impossible.  You can't stay - not for long - you have to keep moving in threat of getting run over.  A landing pad is the place to gather strength for the next take off - and you always need to be ready to go! 

Your landing pad might be in your significant other's arms.  It might be in a phone call with your dad.  Landing pads can be large and small.  There can be crashing waves and white sand in your landing pad.  Children will find laughter at your landing pad.  Life will continue to grow while resting on the landing pad.  Real friends will be found and lost when you find your landing pad.  Faith will be tested. 

In the last three years, Michael and I have had a ton of take offs and landings.  We found a landing pad in a small group of loyal faithful friends.  Landing in a new church has given us the chance to find a place of rest and refuge as we find out how much faith we really have.  Our community has stepped up to act as a family in a time when ours turned their backs.  Simple times have lead to a landing pad for our marriage to discover something new about our commitment.  

So as our family begins to take off again I'm praying that we recognize the landing pad that God has stepped ahead and prepared for us.

Business as Usual

Now that the kids are back in school and chaos of everyday life ensues, I find that my creative muscles flex in a more productive way.  I know, I know - that sounds nuts.  But I was the college student who could knock out 40 page papers the night before they were due and sneak away with an A.  There is always a plan behind the madness, but the execution might be last minute.  

It looks extrememely romantic from the sidelines but running a handmade business is hustle.  Behind the scenes of whimsy and wonder are many components you never do see (for real).  

- There are the countless sleepless nights finishing orders, producing product, writing, publishing, and just thinking

- A army of journals follow me wherever I go.  There is one in the car (you never know what strikes you at a red light).  I carry a 2 journals in my bag.  One for business ideas, the other is a gratitude journal where I often write sermon notes or other things to think about.  A legal size notepad hangs on a clipboard in my sewing area.  And at the kitchen family desk area, yet another journal.

  

- Research.  Seriously I am still doing research - just not writing the papers to go with it.  I spend a bit of everyday seeing what other artists are doing.  Reading helpful articles on Etsy.  Sometimes I can be found digging into the trenches of social media to get a pulse on trends.  



- Then there is my love hate relationship with marketing.  I love to brainstorm about it, scared as hell to implement it.  See when you make something and ask people to buy it, you are being judged.  Really, you are asking people to judge you.  Scary.  Extremely vunerable.  But at the same time so fun.  I mean who doesn't like business card design, connecting with people, blogging.  The list goes on and on. 



There are so many exciting converstaions I have with dreamers that want to jump into a handmade business.  I love these convos -- they keep me going.  But in all honesty, you have to love what you do to do this on your own.  It is a ton of hardwork.  A bit of a marriage if you will.  You must love it.  I do.  

FInding Inspiration

How do you find inspiration?  Do you seek it?  Pray for it?  Yearn for it? 

Or does inspiration find you?  When you are driving, does it pop in front of the car?  Does inspiration come from someone's words?  

Inspiration seems to find me as much as I venture to find it.  It is a fortunate, and sometimes, overwhelming gift to accept.

Saturday mornings are my "meeting with myself" days.  I quietly stow away in the early hours, leaving my hipster hubby to manage the minions.

I am fortunate enough to live near a beautiful town square. You know the kind with a three tier fountain, flower lined central park, and tons of local stores.

Right off one of the brick paved side streets is the littlest blue door to the best hippie coffee shop around.  It has the worn wooden floors.  The staff looks like they just jumped off the plane from Portland.  The clientele is a mix of 50 something yuppie want a Be's to classic southern women.  It is an interesting meld that automatically opens your senses.

Thru the backyard of the coffee shop is the most broken up brick courtyard you will ever see.  It a mess of old tree roots and historic bricks.  It is always cool (even in the Atlanta sun).  The metal chairs and tables cast a shadow that seems to dance in the morning sun.  I love it there and wish that "progress" wasn't planning on ripping up it's imperfection soon.

 It is there that I pen on old fashion legal pads.  I dream.  It is an amazing gift.  Words flow, pictures develop, plans get tagged.  These are road maps for life.  Good stuff.

This is just one of the ways I debrief from the busyness of life.  There are a few others that I will share soon.  In the meantime, I encourage you to find an inspiration place.  The place where you feel so alone, yet so not alone.  The place to dream.  The place to plan.  

2014 Goals

Resolutions, everyone does resolutions. 

They all say, "I'm going to eat healthy, lose 20 lbs, run a marathon, organize my home, and spend more time with my family." but not until a crystal ball drops and the motivation switch suddenly turns on.

That crystal ball time line worked well for Cinderella, and I am pretty sure that she is the only one that it worked for.  

A resolution is a proclamation for change. 

Fine and dandy but how are you going to get to that change?  I can shout to the world, "I'm going to Hawaii!"  Do I just start walking and I will figure out a way or does that trip require a road map of sorts?  Resolutions have the great opportunity to turn into empty promises with no, result.

So goals, goals work better for me.  

A goal is actually the end result.  Goals are the umbrellas to a series of intentions.  Intentions are your road maps leading to your goals.  Kind of like building a house -- you wouldn't start at the roof would you?  

My goals can be broken into two sections of the world - business & personal.  My 
intentions will follow in another blog post. :)

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Personal goals for 2014 

Seeking God - Jesus.  I don't know if he is on the back burner in my little world, but I certainly know that he isn't the lead.  This goal is the scariest in ways because he is calling this family to take a crazy leap of faith and I'm still holding on with bloody knuckles.  This needs fixing - now.

Intentional Self Care - This includes getting back to working out, eating healthy, and crazy to think sleep!

Relationships - there are few (very few) that are healthy.  Time to evaluate. This is not limited to adults, as my children get older, I need to evaluate where our relationships are as well.  

Stewardship- this word is thrown out a lot in church.  Usually it involves money, and that is important.  But we are stewards of every gift from above - time, love, money, our bodies the list is endless.  I want to be a good steward of all.

Business Goals for 2014

Money - to take better care of it and grow.  (it is a business)

Giving - if it is growing, we are giving more.  Intentionally, meaty giving.  

Involvement -  the message of #sofour is (so) important. It is about people.  It is vitally important that people are involved in what we are doing.  Win, win for everyone.  

Growth - If the prior three are healthy, this will be organic (my favorite word)

Then there are things that I would just like to do.  They might work, they might not.  I do not have a list of intentions to back them up right now but I need to keep my eyes open for opportunity to say - "yes!  I did that!  It was awesome"

1- sing in public. 
2- speak to a large crowd
3- run a marathon (I'm shaped like a weeble wooble)
4- travel with purpose

So, what are your GOALS for 2014?  How are you going to execute those goals?  Ready to hustle?  I am - let's GO! 

Business - what's in a name

What to name a business.  It can back fire or set you into jet fuel propelling.  It is something people agonize over as if they are giving birth to a baby all over again.  

I have been"professionally" sewing for 10+ years.  In that time there have been three business names.  I think each reflects a period of where and why the art was focused. 

First there was "Cotton Kisses".  Cotton Kisses was named after the sweetest yellow lab ever.  She always knew how to love people.  She took care of us.  And I knew as I sewed tote bags to bring home our Russian daughter that she would be the dog to watch over our new baby.  Cotton's Kisses lasted for a few years.  That business raised 10's of thousands of dollars to get the artist home.  It was an opportunity to learn.

Then "Nina Bina" was born.  She was again a result of prayer - a cry for provision for a family and the need to be a Proverbs 31 woman.  Nina Bina was always a happy business.  It was focused on monogram and applique in a time that was perfect.  I loved, loved, loved being a part of special moments in life. But there was an artist part of me that wasn't being fed.  Thankful, just not fed.

September 2013, an idea that had been on my heart for a long time starting to come to fruition.  It was great thanks to a dynamic group of people and once again, prayer.  It has all been a lot of hard work but fun work.  And once again - this Proverbs 31 woman is encouraged.  "So Four" means exactly what it says, so four.  So, I am the mom of four now - that basically means the sky is the limit.  God has pretty much given me some crazy superhero powers.  I am thankful.  

My four are so encouraging.

My four are so loving.

My four are a tight tribe.

My four are a blessing from above.

My four are a gift.

A gift of joy that I hope encourages you in your daily life.

So, when picking a name for a business you might be dreaming of.  Keep it simple.  Keep it close to your heart.  Because after all there can be a million people that do what you do but only one you who will be you.  

Hard Times and Art Therapy

It has royally stunk around here. 
Seriously smelly - Literally.  

The sewer line to the house exploded last week leaving a brown fountain in my guest bath.  I spent the evening getting very intimate with my wet dry vac.  We then spent the next five days waiting on help.  Only to be able to flush "when needed".  I spent five days without being able to do laundry ((insert reminder of 4 children)).  The dishes won the battle within the first 12 hours.

Then the tenants called.  They have been having "issues" in the house for a few months and are moving out.  Seriously, the called within 24 hours of the toilet fountain happening.  The "issues" they were having warranted a phone call 2 months ago but they just didn't seem to do that.  

I went over to see the house and all I saw was dollar signs.  It was overwhelming.  I was sad.  

Right now - this all seems impossible.  With a tight budget, a husband who travels all week and four very busy kids - there is a little voice inside my head screaming THIS seems impossible.  

But that little voice is remaining just a whisper.  Because in the midst of the most stress I have had in years, I feel stronger than I ever have.  It is like God has given me a super cape to fly through these problems.  

My cape consists of a daily quiet time.  There are a few close confidants that he has placed in my life to bounce ideas off of.  My husband has exercised a great deal of empathy when dealing with me and that is amazing.  My children even understand the need to bound together and fight thru.  

Then there is the art.  I am almost nervous about calling it that.  I always thought of artists as people who could paint or sculpt.  That is not me.  But according to Webster this is art - 

: something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings

My art has been a gift of therapy lately.  It transcends around happiness, joy, faith, and enjoying all that life has to offer - the good and the bad.  

I am incredibly grateful that God gave me the gift to do what I do.  I pray that everyone who receives one of my pieces knows that life is wonderful - if we choose. 

Fall Mantel Reminder

I love to decorate - just don't have the time.  

Maybe because it is in the most used room of the house?  Maybe it is just always screaming to be loved?

This fall I decided to keep it really simple and really budget friendly.  The window was an old yard sale find for 5.00.  The glass vases I have had forever.  Inside the vases are some drift wood pieces that I snagged at the lake - free!  The & sign came from Michaels for 3.00 and has a nice coat of chalkboard paint.  The little white pumpkins came from the grocery store for a 1.00 a piece.  But the most important piece of the mantel is that banner.

The banner says simply - in everything give thanks.  Soon after I made that banner a lot of really big things started to fall apart around here.  The rental house imploded, our house imploded, nothing is going right.  That all happened after I hung this banner.  And everyday as I stress about it all, I have no choice to but to see this natural canvas reminder and bring myself back to earth.

It is such a sweet reminder that trials are not in vain, they produce an end.  

I hope if you are climbing a mountain that seems impossible to summit that you will look behind you and realize how many steps you have already take to get to the point you are at.  You can finish!  

Redirecting Focus

I have been blogging and sewing for a couple of years now.  Every minute of it has been incredibly enjoyable.  But there was something, something missing.  I couldn't quite put my finger on it until recently.  

The message I had in my heart was not getting out.  There was a general disconnect between my work, my art and my writing.  It wasn't bad - but it wasn't all it could be.  I have been a bit dismayed by the whole thing.

Until recently, when I discovered that disappointment was part of the process of getting me where I am right now.  I wouldn't say that I am sitting onto of the mountain of success, but for one of the few times in my life I am content in what I am doing, what direction this little business adventure is taking.  And the biggest joy out of the whole thing is that it has absolutely nothing to do with me -- it is all about you!

So Four is in a position to change someone's day.  

Do I seriously think a dish towel will change your life - no.  But I hope that the message my art and this blog bring, remind you to hold onto the little pleasures of life.  I hope it reminds you no matter how small those may seem - they can grow with a little bit of nurturing.  

In the next few weeks, I plan on sharing how So FoUr "enjoys everyday".  I am excited to intentionally shift this family's focus by taking the chaotic mess life pulls us down to and changing it into creatively meaningful moments.  For the mama's who dream on having a Proverbs 31 business, I hope to share with you a story of successfully living out that verse.  For the times where it seems to be too much, I hope that you can find a place for a little rest.  This blog and my shop will be honest, intentional, nurturing, empathetic, giving, and focused on making reality a prettier place.  

I can't wait to share the real stories and hope that you all are ready to share some of yours as well.  

This life is meant to be enjoyed!  Let's do that together!  

xo 

Heather

What I know about Middle School

My first middle school orientation as a parent.  Being that I was by far the youngest parent there (jab, jab) I had a lot to learn on my first trip to the big house.

So for the newbies who have yet to dive into the waters of puberty piranas I offer my observations.  For the parents who have been there done that gotten the shirt I offer perspective.  

- Home room is the biggest room in the 6th grade hall.  I don't know why, but it feels like trumpets players are announcing your arrival and it should be that way.

- Classes don't necessarily need textbooks — that is old school.  You know, the whole reading from paper thing kind of left the world in the ice ages.

- some teachers were born the year I graduated high school (might be stretching a bit)

- Other teachers are obviously struggling with "personal summers". Hence the 5,000,000 fans in a 10 x 10 room. 

- Certain people don't always know why they teach, and they really can't hide it.

- 3 minutes between "classes" certainly doesn't give one enough time to socialize.  

- Finding the bathroom is really the first item on your list everyday.  That is after you locate the cafeteria.

- Boys and girls obviously don't sit near each other in class, because most parents do not know who each other are.  

- Reading 6+ teachers blogs everyday really interferes with my design blog reading and I am not sure how I feel about it.

- The orchestra teacher will beginning playing ,randomly.

- and my favorite from the evening - social studies!  How fun is that lady.  She has traveled around the world and "experienced" a lot of different things.  It totally shows!  

School is going to be great this year! 
Perfect no, because both N and I are still learning. 
When you are done learning — then you can call it perfect.  Just never strive to be perfect - that means you aren't learning.  

Tips from the Perfect Parent

My second grader came bouncing out of his Sunday school class this week over the moon happy.  In his right hand he held a tattered relic of a book.  
"I finally got one!" he says. 
"My teacher gave me my very first bible."
There is was, pages missing, cover torn, but it was his to keep.
My fail - to just realize that at almost 8, the child never owned his own bible.  

But it is in the ten steps I take back that I realize it wasn't a fail.

I am not a perfect parent. 
I don't want to be. 

God equipts me to care for my children in the way they need. And while I strive for all tens - it isn't always going to happen.  

That is where HE steps in -- providing "gap holders in times of need.

I'm not saying that it is society's responsibility to raise my children - it is mine. But in all truth, I can't be everything, everywhere, all the time. 

That is why God throws us into community.  A community of trusted people who are there to stand in the gaps, because honestly - there will be gaps.  

As much as I strive for perfection, there is only one perfect person to walk this earth.
Thankfully he has provided people to help this mom along. 

I can only help but picture in my mind, the families that will gather their children to 
"not look" when the Cloudt family runs the halls of church this week.  That really doesn't bother me.  Because I can be honest and transparent that I am not the perfect parent.  

What I am, is the parent that God wants me to be - bible forgetting, sandwich for dinner 2x a week,t-shirt wearing to church kind of mom.  He knows my weaknesses and knows my strengths.  That fact, doesn't give me an excuse --it gives me strength.

We are a mess, a beautiful mess - just dive right in and join my club.  

School's In

The little league schedule tipped my scale.
Who ever knew that u8 ball would throw this ninja mom into tears.

It started a few weeks ago.

The first day of school was announced.
The supply lists were sent.
The church schedules were set.
The dance academy registrations took place.
Consignment sales were beginning.
My husband's insane commute singed its face.
Middle school instrument fairs began.
Work.
Three open houses scheduled.
Preschool registration.
Choi Kwang Do once a week. 

Then little league.  

Little league sucked whatever there was left dry. 

I begin to cringe at what life looked like it would become.
A life of missed family meals.
A life of countless hours in the car.
A life that is beginning to blur.

My heart began to harden. 

Then I remember to be thankful. 

Thankful that my little boy is healthy and can play.
Thankful that my big girl has a dance teacher who not only trains her to dance.
Thankful that my boys have a Choi Kwang Do instructor who allows me to join the class and connect with so many wonderful children.
Thankful for our sweet little school and that my children have the opportunity to learn.
Thankful for my husband's new career.
Thankful that my big girl wants explore art. 
Thankful that God provides the opportunity to provide for my family as a Proverbs 31 woman.
Thankful that I can be present for everything.

Thankful that I am aware ahead of the schedule that it can take over our family's life and thankful that I have the full power not to let it.