Virtual Craft Fair with Giveaways!

Hi folks, come on in and get ready to shop.  It is kick-off time!

 I am so excited to be bringing you A Very Crafty Christmas - Virtual Craft Fair.   We have 10 shops represented to bring you their crafts, talents, and products.  Shop from the comfort of your home and eliminate the holiday shopping stress.

I don't know about you, but I love going to craft fairs and have even organized my fair share of them in years past.  I still have several Christmas items that I have purchased at craft fairs over the years. So, when I first saw this idea, it made perfect sense to me.

Let's see who our booth owners are:

1)  Store Name:  We Are Crafts
     Owner:  Regina Partain
     www.Etsy.com/Shop/WeAreCrafts
     Event Special:  Participants will receive 20% off orders throughout the fair using the code
     VCF2013 at checkout.
     Giveaway Items:  3' Red and White Spirit Worm
                               Nativity Christmas Necklace and Earrings Set
     Value:  $25.00 Each

2)  Store Name:  A Welcoming House Blog
     Owner:  Heather Estey
     www.Etsy.com/Shop/AWelcoming House
     Event Special:  Participants will receive 20% off on all orders by including Virtual Craft Fair in their      personal not to me when purchasing an item.
     Giveaway Items:  Three Crocheted Star Ornaments
     Value:  $6.00

3)  Store Name: Butterfly Angels Quilting
     www.ButterflyAngels.Storenvy.com
     Owner:  Amy Gay
     Giveaway:  Quilted Denim Table Runner
     Value $25.00

4)  Author:  Darlene Shortridge, Contemporary Christian Fiction
     www.Darlene Shortridge.blogspot.com

     Event Special:  Purchase two or more books and receive $1.00 off each book purchased.
     Giveaway Item:  Paperback copy of Until Forever - A Christian novel that tackles the tough subject      of alcoholism and its effects on the family unit.
     Value:  $15.00

5)  Product:  Thirty-One Gifts

     Consultant:  Lisa Barnett

     www.MyThirtyOne.com/LisaBarnett  (Click on "My Parties" tab, then "Craft Fair Christmas"

     Giveaway Item:  Large Utility Tote

     Value:  $35.00

      

6)  Store:  MaMade Creations

     Owner:  Michelle Williams

     www.Etsy.com/Shop/MaMadeCreations

     Event Special:  Free Shipping with Promo Code:  CRAFTSHOW

     Three Giveaway Items:  3 Sets of 3 Tulle Dish Scrubbies

     Value:  $15.00 Total, $5.00 per winner

7)  Store Name:  Backyard Originals
     Owner:  Debbie Scott
     www.Facebook.com/BackyardOriginals
     Giveaway Item:  Fleur De Lis Mertal Art Piece
     Value:  $24.00

8)  Store Owner:  Shirley Wood, Consultant
     www.Shop.Avon.com/Default.aspx 
     Giveaway Item:  Advent Christmas Countdown Tree
     Special Instructions:  Please enter the code APVCCHRISTMAS at checkout.

9) Author: Elaine Littau, Christian Fiction, Humor and Devotions

www.ElaineLittau.com

     Giveaway Item:  A copy of her book "Christmas in Nashville".  This is the second book in her              Nashville series.

     Value: $12.00

10) Store Name:  Brand It Boutique

      Owner:  Brenda Bradford

      www.BranditBoutique.com

      Giveaway Items:  One Large Monogrammed Southern Sippers
                                One Small Monogrammed Southern Sippers
      Value:  $12.00  Large
                 $10.00  Small

WOW!  Aren't these some wonderful doorprize/giveaway items.  So, enter to win through the box below.  Then, visit all the stores and have fun shopping.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thank you for visiting! Merry Christmas!  Have fun shopping.

To shop for discounted books, visit my website. www.darleneshortridge.com

Transformation Takes Time

My son guzzled his breakfast replacement shake then asked “Mom, aren’t we supposed to take ‘after’ pictures?"

I started laughing. Just like a ten year old to think that transformation takes place after drinking his very first shake. You see, our family has committed to transforming our health. We have changed our eating habits as well as our exercise routines. We are watching what we eat and when we eat it and we are exercising every day. Already we feel better. And yes, we have lost some of those extra pounds we have been carrying for years.

The thing is, we didn’t get this way overnight and it’s going to take longer than a day to correct the problem. We’ve been abusing our bodies for years. Transformation will take time.

Anything worth doing takes time. Whether you want to lose weight, build a business, write a book, or attain financial security, you will do well if you remember, transformation takes time.

Why is it then, we always want what we want when we want it and we expect God to get it, or do it, or fix it, or answer it the very minute we ask?

Maybe God has something else in mind. Maybe God is working on us as a fine artist works on his painting, or a woodworker on his wood. God isn’t in to quick fixes. He isn’t in to masking problems without dealing with the root issues.

Often times I get discouraged with something I have or haven’t done and while I know God covers me with His grace and mercy, I become restless in my quest to become more like Him. Therefore I become discouraged with myself. I expect more. I expect change to happen faster. I expect Him to snap His fingers and like a puff of smoke, I expect my character flaw to disappear.

Yet God is working through my flaws to make the real me shine. He is using my insecurities to show Himself faithful and true. He is using my imperfection to show the world His perfection. He is using my weakness to illustrate His strength.

Transformation takes time. He’s still working on me. He’s still bending and molding, shaping and plying me and when I am finished, what a sight that will be. Not because of anything I am or capable of, but because of Him and His ability to create and perfect will I shine like never before.

I am but clay in the Potter’s hands.

Transforation. Takes. Time.

Target Practice

Do you have a target on your back?

If you are a Christian, I should hope so!

I was at an event this past weekend and as I was sharing about my latest book release, Forever Loved, the children’s pastor of this particular church told me I have a target on my back. She went on to talk about the message her pastor shared on Sunday about as Christians, we should have a target on our back.

Kind of like…Here’s your sign! An open door policy to the stuff I believe. Or perhaps putting it all out there for the world to see? Being courageous enough to stand up for what you believe in? Speaking the truth especially when the truth is unpopular?

Whatever you call it, or however you describe it, are you doing it? Are you placing that target on your back? Are you being bold for Christ?

I told her about my books in order. “You see, my first one, Until Forever, deals with a dad who drives drunk with his four year old son in the backseat. No one will argue with how absurd that is. As for Forever Blessed, not too many people would openly admit they think domestic violence is a good thing. Know what I mean?” She heartily agreed. “And The Letter deals with healing broken relationships. That is a good thing no matter what your political or religious beliefs are.” I made a face. “But, Forever Loved deals with homosexuality. And that will stir lots of emotions. Trust me on that. And I’ll get lots of grief for writing it.”

She pointed to my new book. “This is your target.” She smiled, congratulating me on being bold for Christ.

Why do so many Christians today want to hide amongst the “regular” folk and not make waves?

We’re not regular. We’ll always be a peculiar people.

Are the darts the problem? Are we afraid we might get nicked with a poison tip? We very well may be, but are we that weak that we can’t take one for Christ? I mean, how many did He take for us? Let’s see…nails in both hands and feet, a sword in his side, a crown of thorns on his head, lashes across his back, and let’s not forget hanging on the cross. The pain had to be unbearable. Even for God. But He did it anyway.

He took every arrow that had any power behind it at all, that was aimed straight at our backs, all upon Him. How is that for a target?

Still apprehensive about putting that target on your back? I didn’t think so.