How do you define SUCCESS?

Good Morning Miss Jenny!  I made it!  Yes mam, I sure did! I am sooo glad to be here today too! I am sorry I am running late, but I had to run an errand with Cousin Mary this morning to the thrift store to look for more props.  I just couldn't wait to get here, though.  Yes mam, I know I told ya I may not be able to make on account of cousin Mary looking for a job, but guess what she's got one, and I might still be able to make it to class!  Ain't that great?

Yes Mam!  She sure did!  Do you remember last week when I told you about an opportunity that she wanted to do that was risky and you thought that was my "R" word?  Then I told you no mam, that ain't my "R" word that Retail Therapy was my "R" word and..What?  Oh yes mam, I'll stick to the point.  Okay, so my point here is that crazy old cousin of mine went for the Risky job.  She decided this was the right time in her life to just go for it! 

 Mam?  Well yes mam, I'm gonna tell ya, gosh, gimme a minute here will ya? No mam, I ain't being sassy..huh uh, no, not me, I'm just so excited!  She is going to sell custom engraved jewelry and embroidered gifts through a home party sales company called Initial Outfitters!  She even gets to make sales online with her own website, for those people she can't travel that far to have parties for.

Yes Mam, she said I can just call her an outfitter now!  I said, what's that?  She said somebody who helps others choose personalized accessories to wear and then sells it to them.  I said,  oh I get it, but I really didn't. Then she just laughed and said, it's the same as an independent sales consultant silly!  Then she said let me just show you a few things I am going to be selling.

I'm gonna sell custom engraved jewelry like this.

And, I can sell embroidered accessories like these!

I said, Wow!  That's purty stuff, cousin Mary!  I love it!  I think your business is gonna go well, then you will be a BIG SUCCESS!  Well, I thought for sure cousin Mary was gonna kiss me, but she didn't!  She just looked at me and shook her head.  She said, You sure gotta a lot to learn girl!  Let me tell you what being successful is.  Successful is all about your attitude, what's deep inside of you. 

Success is when you got a heart of humility that ain't (I mean she said isn't) afraid to help others out when you've got the resources to do it!  She said, one thing she loves about this company that she is going to sell products for is they know about giving back.

She said, they help support a ministry called Charlies Lunch.   Cousin Mary said, for every lunchbox and cookbook she sells, her business is gonna donate the proceeds to help feed hungry children all around the world.

 She said, and that's not all, I can even collect straight money donations to turn in or let my customers round up there purchases to help out because even that little bit of money will feed lots of hungry children.   She said, it sure makes her proud to be working for a company again that understands about giving back.

Then she said, there's all sorts of ways people can help out others and each of us should look deep in our hearts to figure out how we can help another.

  She said, take shopping at Goodwill for example.  They are helping out many!  Lots of folks get to shop there and that money really does go far.  I said, maybe, but what about those people that complain about them getting too expensive then the poor people can't shop there anymore.  She said, it takes money honey to make world go round!  I said, What?  She said, they are trying to stay low but they've got to pay people to work for them and they do hire people that might not be able to work other places and help provide education for them too.  They help out in ways most of us don't even know about.  Besides, you know good and well, most of us find plenty of bargains through that business, and can well afford it.   Every purchase we make is helping another in some way, it all goes around.  I said, okay I see, but I really didn't get exactly what she was talking about.  Then she said, come on hop in the car, let's go hunting for some props.

So we drove to this store here!  I said, cousin Mary what kinda props are you gonna find in here!  She said, you just stick with me child and you'll learn quite a bit.  I want to show you this store.

She said, there's bound to be something here I can use.  I said, Cousin Mary!  But before I could say another word, she said, let me tell you about this store.  It sells donated items where all the proceeds go back to help another charity called, Good Works.  Good Works helps those who are really needy to make repairs and fix up their homes that are literally falling apart.  They started that charity and right away started collecting items to help do the repairs and the work on homes.

  Before you knew it there was so many people donating and so many things coming in that the donations were all over the main building.  Eventually, the folks over at Good Works realized that God was giving them so much and there was another way they could continue to give back, so this store was opened.  I told cousin Mary, oh I get it, it's for the poor people only then.  I thought cousin Mary was going to loose her head.  She said, NO Mam!  It's for anyone!  You just don't get it do ya girl?  Of course you are gonna have poor people shop here, but why in the world would you cut off one hand that could help the other, when you don't have too?

  If this business was only for the poor people it may not last, or make nearly as much money.  But if you let others in they will keep popping by and keep helping out by buying things, and then that money continues to help out too!  It all counts! 

 Then she said, there is always a way to help another when you have a spirit of humility.  Mam? No mam!  My "S" word is not spirit, I told you it was SUCCESS didn't I?  Well, I thought I did!  Yes Mam, I'm wrapping it up here, I promise, right now.  Cousin Mary said, SUCCESS is when you keep a sense of gratitude for all that you have and a spirit of humility about all those things that got you there along the way.  Now that, little girl, it what I call a BIG SUCCESS! 

Then cousin Mary smiled at me and said, come on get back in the car, we've got to get you on to class for Alphabet Thursday.

So there's my homework Miss Jenny, and I hope I get to see you next week too, because it looks like Cousin Mary is going to be able to do her work around helping me and others out too.  Isn't that great news?

I sure think so!

Hope you have a great day!

"Little Missy"

Props or Bust?

Here's a peek at what I've been working on.  Props for my new business, selling jewelry and embroidered gifts with Initial Outfitters.  Just in case you missed it and I know most of you did, I am having a giveaway that I told you about yesterday. I am sure those who entered do not mind if you don't since that increases their odds, but if you like monogrammed gifts you may want to go back to that post here. 

Most of my sales will be through home party's in addition to my website.  Since I am selling jewelry I really needed a way to display my pieces.  I already have a few of my own jewelry displays I plan to use but I wanted to make a few new displays as well.

Do you remember I showed you this wooden CD rack I bought from one of my favorite antique/resale stores?  I told you about it here in this post.  Well, I bought it to use specifically for my new business.

Here it is after I spray painted it white.

I love how after just a few sprays you could still see the grain of the wood.  I didn't want to cover that.

Then I added burlap on the inside to give the background more texture.  I used the modge podge method our friend Kim at SSS showed us she used on her sideboard.  Thanks Kim, that was easy!

Then I added a Mocha glaze from Valspar.  This is why I wanted to keep the wood grain showing.  I just love this natural warn look!

This is going to stand up right on tables.  The burlap is a wonderful neutral background against silver and beaded chains.

These dowels will be perfect for hanging necklaces, don't you think?  I also think this piece is going to tie in very nicely with the next prop I made.

I was very inspired, after looking through the catalog that I had from last year.  Even though burlap is not used on the cover here, this is the reason I thought of using the burlap for the background texture on the previous prop.

Because I knew I wanted to try to make one of these busts in burlap too.  First, I cut out the shape I planned to use, by folding the burlap before cutting.

Then cut a strip for the bottom, and sewed them all together.  I stuffed it with several scraps of old fabric I already had on hand so I would'nt have to buy polyfill.

Then I sewed a collar and hand stitched it on.

And here is my standing bust!  What do you think?

  I know most of you sewers are probably giggling out loud by now, but I am pleased as punch!

 I think this is going to look great with the jewelry displayed on it too.  I can hardly wait until my samples arrive, just so I can see them here on my displays.

See that extra burlap there on the table I am playing with the idea of making a runner too. 

I have had such fun making these display and have a few more ideas for more, like something to display the bracelets and earrings.  Fun!  Fun!

I am linking this post to the following party's, please be sure to check them out for;

Transformation Thursday

Inspiration Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Met Monday

I gotta run, now and hit those thrift stores to find more pieces for props!

Have a great day!

Mary

An Announcement and A Giveaway

Hi Friends!  I am so excited!  I just cannot wait any longer to share this with you!  I have officially launched my new business adventure with Initial Outfitters.  I am now an official independent consultant/outfitter!  That means, I am now able to sell beautiful custom engraved jewelry and embroidered gift items directly to you.

I will primarily be selling through home and office party's, but also individual sales through my website online.  This means you also will be able to purchase directly from me as well!  Isn't that great?  I certainly think so!

I love these products!

I have been researching this company for over 3 years now.  I cannot believe I didn't sign up last year when I considered joining them immediately after my retail employment business closed. Talk about procrastinating!

  As you may remember in my previous employment I worked in a small local embroidery shop that sold many items similar to what I am now able to sell directly to you.   However, we did not carry jewelry, not for my lack of trying though!  My heart has been is this business for some time now and I am so excited to now be able to continue selling affordable personalized gifts.

Have I tempted you enough with a sampling of our jewelry?  Perhaps you would be more interested in the embroidered gifts.

  

Or maybe you prefer engraved soaps?

Or maybe a custom personalized license plate...

..or vinyl monograms!  Whew!  There is so much good stuff here to offer!

  I am also very happy to be able to make my own schedule and pace.  This is something that I have been praying about heavily for the last few months as we are dealing with many health challenges in our family with our parents.  I have spent time yesterday and this morning getting my website up and running, adding a blog page and creating a fan page on Facebook all geared towards helping me successfully sell my products.  I am sure I will be tweaking my blog page under my header often.   So please, be sure and check it out often as when you visit me here at The Decorative Dreamer! Also, I could use all of your prayers as well that my business will be a success and a blessing to our family. 

If you are interested in seeing more gifts or shopping now, please visit my website at

 http://www.initialoutfitters.net/marykeels/

Just click on "shop now" to browse through our many selections. 

Since I am centrally located, I am happy to travel throughout most of South Carolina for my blog friends who are interested in hosting a party for your friends. I have great incentives to offer you and would love to speak with you personally.  For any of my blog friends who are also interested in selling Initial Outfitters in your own state or even in SC, I would love to add you to my team. I would be happy to speak with you personally as well,  about our organization! 

Finally!  Here's the fun part! In order to help me celebrate I am having a giveaway!  I haven't yet decided what I will be offering but I can promise you it will be from Initial Outfitters and personalized just for you! 

 And if that isn't enough, I am also offering another giveaway soon from CSN Stores to celebrate reaching over 100 followers again.  That giveaway coming up later this week!  Woohoo!  Exciting times here at The Decorative Dreamer.

  If you would like to enter this contest;

1.  You must be a follower, please leave me a comment reminding me you are to enter = 1 chance

  2.   Please go over to my Initial Ouftitters website and browse through our gifts.  Then come back here and tell me in a second entry what you would like to win = 2nd chance

3. Copy the first photo on this post of our catalog cover and add my giveaway to your blog, then come back here and leave a separate message letting me know = 3 chances.

This contest will officially close on February 28th, 2011.

I am joining Elements Interiors for Wassup Wednesday, cause this is what I've been up too, and to Kim's WUW party at SSS, because this jewelry will definitely Wow YOU!

Thanks for visiting today and I am hoping you are glad you did too!

May God Bless!

Mary

My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

Good Morning!  Happy Valentines Day blogger friends! You are so special to me, and I hope each of you has a great day and enjoys reconfirming your love of others!  How simple a gift, and soooo easy to give! 

Yay!  Now it's time for "My Favorite Kitchen Gadget Party" over at Happier than a Pig in Mud's place.  I hope you will join me in all the fun.  Let's see what you got okay?

Can you believe I am brave enough to show you this?  Yes mam!  This is my very messy kitchen gadget drawer!  Let's see, what I can dig out of here.

There we go!  I knew the beaters to my handheld were in there somewhere.  I LUV this thing!  I don't have a standing mixer but am able to do all I need with this little handheld. 

Here's another favorite.  It doesn't get used as often as it used to, but I really love it when we do.  It's a great way to add some wonderful smells to the kitchen too.  I love the smell of freshly ground coffee beans, don't you?

Now to be honest, this is my most favorite gadget of all!  The gadget that holds all my most used gadgets!

I love having my utensils out and handy so I am not digging through that horrible drawer!

This is my second most used gadget, our cutting knife caddy.  Again, I cannot imagine having knives in a drawer, or digging around for my kitchen scissors either!

My most romantic gadget was purchased for me by the Mr. as either a Valentines or Anniversary gift, I really cannot remember.

I do love my wine but used to have a horrible time trying to uncork a bottle.

I still keep it stored in it's easy flip top box.  I keep the whole box in my pantry for easy access.  It's also quite fun to whip out when guests are over and listen to all the Ooouu's and Ahhh's!  LOL!

I'm sure I'll be using this tonight!

Be sure and watch for two very exciting giveaways coming up soon!  I am celebrating reaching over 100 again on this blog and the start of a new adventure for me.

Meanwhile, have you heard about Joss & Main?

I received an email from our friends at CSN Stores telling me about this wonderful new site, here's what it said.

 Josh and Main is an exclusive private sale site
that CSN Stores recently launched. It offers exclusive sales on top brands and
designers for the home at up to 70% off retail. Sales only last 72 hours, but
new ones are launched daily and all are backed by the high levels of customer
service and quality that you’ve grown to value from CSN.

This sounds like a lot of fun to me! It's free and I joined right away.  You may be put on a waitlist but you will eventually get in, then you can access the daily discounts.  So far the merchandise looks wonderful.  If you are interested in joining please use my special invitation link here or on my sidebar, I'd really appreciate it!  What have you got to loose? 

Thanks for visiting with me today, be sure and let me know if you do.

I'd love to hear from ya!

Mary

  

Oh my aching back!

How many times have you said that?  It seems all I have done lately is move furniture for everyone.  First, I moved furniture around at my mothers house the week before last, after helping her pack up her Christmas decor, finally! Last week I was moving furniture at my FIL's to make room for a hospital bed, that was unexpectedly and urgently needed.

  Today while the Mr. was doing our taxes, I decided to alter our world in the den.  The way this room is designed, leaves very little room for different arrangements of furniture.  It is a massive sized den but very hard to rearrange due to the location of the fireplace smack in the middle of the room.

Anyway, I can't help but try every so often.  So here's where we are with our arrangement today.

I moved both of the sofas together to try to create a more intimate setting.

Then on one side of the fireplace I put our two rattan and wood chairs.  They used to be on either side of the hutch that the TV is on.  Sorry people but our arrangements in the den absolutely must center around this large screen TV, even though I am fully aware the fireplace should be our focal point.  Speaking of, what in the world is that on my TV..Allew?

I moved one of the sofas over more to the right and now you pass through the room closer to the fireplace.  I put two of our club chairs upstairs and brought these two smaller chairs down.

I tried to create another sitting area over here by the screened porch, though really, who is going to sit way over here by themselves.  IDK!  LOL!

Okay, I have to admit this is sorta cozy over here and is where I am currently sitting as I blog away.

Cozy because I lit a fire.  I love my little "lady" logs!  No  fuss, no mess!

This should be interesting to see how well we adjust.  The Mr. said let me try it out awhile, that's not a bad sign.  The youngest came through after work and didn't say anything.  I said, HELLO???  Did you see the den, what do you think?  He said, Oh yeah, it looks a all cramped up Mom!  Urrgghhh!

I guess, I'll try it out for a few days and see where we go from here.  My back is aching, but I do think it's good exercise, don't you?

Linking this post up with BNOTP for

Met Monday.

Thanks for stopping by and if you do, let me know what you think?

Be kind though!  I'm tired and cranky now.  LOL!

Hope your having a good weekend!

Mary