With Joy

Hi "With Joy" Friends,

I realize I haven't been around these parts in a while. I wanted to remind you that I now blog over

If you are a blogger you might be interested in doing a review of my daily devotional product for moms with Litfuse Publicity Group. You can apply here.

You only have a few more days to apply. So go ahead, do it today!

For the party planners I do have some fun party pictures from the launch party here.

I am also on Pintrest.

Evy's Tree Giveaway

I have a giveaway for a Evy's Tree Hoodie going on at Cravings.

Get yourself entered to WIN!!!!

Fresh Chick Designs Giveaway

If you LOVE the invitations I use for parties then you will be thrilled about this giveaway!

The creator of the Cookies and Milk, Teddy Bear Picnic, Butterfly Garden Party and most recently my sons ABC & 123 party is giving away shop credit over at Cravings.

There are also tons of other goodies.
Make sure you get entered to WIN a bundle of good stuff.

Guest Post {Silhouette Invitation}

I am thrilled to be sharing a guest post with you from Cristen of Sassy and Chic. She WON a custom designed party by THE Kate Landers!!!! Can anyone say JEALOUS???? You can check out all the details of the incredible party on her site. We are privileged to get a tutorial of the adorable invitation.
Without any further adieu...

carriefayphotography.com

Cristen says...
This Vintage Silhouette Party was so much fun to create. In creating this party with Kate Landers, she gave me the advice to take one design element and continue it throughout the party. Great advice that translates perfectly to any party theme!

I chose to go with 2 main elements: Silhouette and Doilies
You'll see these 2 items used throughout the entire party. One or the other or both is used in nearly every aspect along with the color scheme of light blue and peach.
It made for a very cohesive, beautiful look when all was said and done.

The Invitations:

The invitation sets the tone for the entire party. It gives the guests a peek into what they can expect at the event. I knew I wanted to incorporate both the main elements.

STEP 1: After a few trials and errors the invites came together. I used a simple light blue paisley scrapbook paper that I cut into 5x7 rectangles for the base.
STEP 2: I then printed the invitation wording onto 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of light blue cardstock. I then cut them into 4x6 sizes to allow the border to still be seen.
STEP 3: I changed the coloring of Savannah's silhouette (created by Yes'm Creative on Etsy) to a light blue and printed it onto a sheet of velum. I cut these into 4x6 sizes as well.
STEP 4: The fun part - putting it all together! I laid the blue cardstock and velum together on top of the 5x7 paisley and once I got it where I wanted it, I punched 2 holes about an inch apart.
STEP 5: I slipped 7/8" blue satin ribbon through both the holes on top so only a solid strip was showing. I didn't want anything to fancy here.
STEP 6: I laid the invitation on a 12" doily and cut the bottom and top of the doily so it only stuck out on the sides. I centered the invite on the doily and wrapped the 2 sides of the doily around the invite so they overlaped just slightly.
STEP 7: Another idea I took from Kate was to add some type of ribbon around the invite like it was a little present. I love any excuse to use a bow and ribbon so I was in. I think it really gave the invite that final touch it needed.

Fabulous, huh? Thank you for sharing Cristen!
Don't forget to enter the giveaway going on at Cravings!

linking with: Craftomaniac, Skip to My Lou, Creative Girl, Type A, DIY Showoff

Giveaway WOOT! WOOT!

I wasn't expecting it or planning it but a fun giveaway popped in my lap over at Cravings!

Come check it out!

31daystoclean.com

Cravings is LIVE!!!

Two years ago I began a little project that God put on my to-do list! Today it becomes real!!!

It is crazy what can happen when you step out despite fear, have lots of encouragement and simply do what God asks of you.

I would love it if you would join me on the journey over at Cravings. I will continue to use With Joy for my crafting and party adventures but my primary postings will be shifting over to Cravings.

If you are a mama craving God in the midst of motherhood this is the place for you!

Website // Blog // Facebook

dream BIG: week nine

I bring you some quotes from Taking Flight by Kelley Ray Roberts

" Fears are pesky and persuasive little buggers. If we're not careful, they help themselves to the creative landscape of our hearts, planting roots and spreading their tangled web of weeds all over our creative dreams."

"When we delay our creative yearnings, we, in essence, live in a world of procrastinating our creative truth because we are afraid of it. We, maybe without even knowing it, continue to allow our fears and doubts to swallow our creative spirit"

"We must embrace that the idea that our creative dreams can begin from the very place we stand today, not "after this" or "after that" or when everything else in our lives line up perfectly."

What small step can you take today?