I Almost Deleted This Blog

Honest to goodness!

You know, I started blogging to share funny stories about my girls, share crafts and my love of all things creative, and most importantly...have an outlet to share my love for God.  Before I started blogging I was virtually anonymous.  I remember friends trying to hunt me down from high school to invite me to our 15 year reunion. No one could fine me! But then I was sucked in by the vortex of the webby world and I suddenly found myself on FB and with this here blog.

I was skeptical initially because the safety of my children was everything to me.  I had seen other blogs with cute code names for their kids and husbands, some blogs who did not have any photos on them, etc.  I knew that whatever I put out there would become permanently...out there.  I knew it and I have been incredibly careful. And in all honesty, I just assume that people who visit me here are just like me...somewhat normal. ;) They see photos of my kids and tell me they are beautiful or sweet or funny.  I do the same on other blogs.  This is a wonderful community of people who share their lives publicly.

But when I got spam on a post I wrote about a year ago referencing my girls doing things that no words should be ever written about anyone's children...the rage of a mama lioness began an emotion in me so primal that I was even a little scared about where those emotions took me.  Even now I am carefully choosing my word so that no traffic will be directed towards this blog that is UNWANTED traffic. 

In those moments, as I read those horrific words, I knew that this blog was not worth more than the safety of my children.  And know this.  I am not overreacting.  I know that I could put a spam filter on my blog.  I know that I could have it where I need to give approval for every comment.  That is not it.

My concern lies in the fact that innocent photos of my girls could be a source of evil, psychotic delight for someone and there is nothing I can do about it except remove photos that I innocently wanted to be a legacy for my kids.  This was for them to see what I have written, made, done, etc. To have the ability to go back in time and read words written from me that I would not be able to commit to memory. And this is also for me too.  I have met incredible people along this journey.  I have made wonderful friends.  My word, my first Christmas card this year was from a bloggy friend...thanks sweet Prudy).

But what do you do?  What do I do?  Do I just assume it was icky spam and let it go?  Do I refocus this blog?  I love crafts and I love to write.  But I love my kids more than anything else.  And perhaps I am being overly sensitive but do you blame me? What would you do? I don't feel my girls are in danger but it sickens me to think they could be a source of interest for a VERY WRONG person.

I am just curious about the thoughts you all have.  Again, I realize so much of this is not in my control.  But I guess I was so upset by it that I have really not sorted it out in my own head and wondered what you all think.
I love this blog and I love all of you.  You encourage me, inspire me and amaze me. And I value your opinion.

So please help me by giving me some insight and thoughts.

Thanks friends!

Tiny Hands Christmas Ornaments

Just wanted to pop in real quick and show you  these Christmas hand ornaments I made for the girls last year. I was inspired because I love hand and footprints in their memory books...they are so teeny! So I thought it would be so cute to  make them with felt and hang them on the tree.

Gift Wrap Ideas: Day 3

Felt +Yarn on Kraft Paper

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Thank you to everyone who entered this amazing giveaway. 

According to a Random Number Generator, the winner is...

Melifaif, email me so I can give you the details and Keren can contact you. 

So excited for you!

For the rest of you, check out our sweet winner's gorgeous blog here.

Gift Wrap Ideas: Day 2

Using paper + Material  Embellishments

I love the simplicity of these wrapping ideas because they can be made from such everyday and natural materials. And I like the purity of neutral color schemes. It is calming, peaceful...just beautiful. 

(And you don't need to sew to make them...YIPPEE!)

Gift Wrap Ideas: Day 1

I am so excited to share some simple and frugal ideas for gift wrapping presents that can be ideas to use throughout the year!  I am still not done with the week's line up but I plan to have a few tutorials throughout the week showing you how to make some easy little gift adornments.

Gift Wrap Ideas Coming Soon!

 

Oh My Word Y'all!

I can not believe we are upon the HOLIDAY SEASON!

I mean...

THANKSGIVING is TOMORROW!  

And I don't know about any of you but we decorate the day after Turkey Day which is so fun that I almost want to climb up in the attic and haul everything down right this instant!

But I will maintain some self control since THAT job belongs to the HUBSTER.

I will just makes things pretty. :)

In the meantime, I have been trying to come up with some fun ideas for gift wrap.  

Are they all practical?  

Maybe.  Maybe not.  

Some may be a teeny tiny bit ambitious.  

Some are a bit whimsical.  

Some are just unique and simple.

But totally worth checking out.

 Here is a sneak peek of day one...

Oooohhh...I can hardly wait!

P.S.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway 

for 

$50 from Pretty Things for You

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