Find Joy in Giving

Until last April, I worked part time as an MRI/ X-ray tech.  I was good at patient care.  Most of my patients were in pain or  had fear of the MRI.  Person to person interaction is much easier for me because I can tell from their facial expressions what is really going on.

The majority of the time, people were annoyed by the time I took care of them. Long waits to see the doctor for 2 minutes, then wait again for their x-rays.  The room is cold and the table is hard and then I have to position them in ways that make their pain surface more.

I could tell who was really hurt or who was trying to get away with fraud of some kind.   There are other things that health care workers see day in and day out that would make you doubt the morals of our society.   That is how this doubter was born.

I have a really good friend that does her best to keep me accountable on all things customer service related.  She has got a tough job and I am blessed that she is sooooooo patient.  With that I have to confess that I have a problem with being told what to do.  My inner child comes out and says, "You can't make me!"

Our last conversation, which I call reality checks, she told me that I need to give people the benefit of the doubt.  After 23 years in the health care industry, doubt is hard to let go.    So, needless to say, I find it difficult to follow her advice.  All she was hearing from me was, "But, but..."  She was sooooooo patient.  I am sure if I was in the same room with her she would have smacked me in the back of the head.

I promised her that I would do better at GIVING the benefit of the doubt.   I doubted that I was going to fulfill my promise.   Then God sent me validation in what she was saying.  He definitely has a sense of humor when He tries to humble us.   I was getting ready to post my next card when I realized what the sentiment on my card said.  Now keep in mind, I made this card 3-4 weeks ago.

God definitely has great timing.

Snow Globe Christmas Ornament

My Sweet Little Petunia and I went shopping today for a new Christmas tree.  I have tried for the last 3 years to buy a tree after Christmas and have been unsuccessful.  So this year I thought I would try early.

I am sure that the deals are better after Christmas, but I have already spent time and gas on looking for my new tree.  I thought that it would be crazy out there.  Surprisingly, it was not.

We wanted to get a pre-lit tree so that it would be easier to assemble.  I also wanted a fancy one that could switch between white lights and colored.  We finally came across two trees that would qualify.  From the two, I let Little Petunia pick.  Of course she has to pick the one that only had the floor model left.  So we got 20% off the tree because it was on sale and an additional $50 off for the floor model.

Now we have a new tree to hang this cute little ornament on.  It was hard to come up with something original because you can only put so much in the shaker globe.  I had not seen anyone do a see through snow globe.

Hope you like it and that you remember the reason for the season.

Black Friday Sale

Sales price is NOT retroactive.

This does include the two magnets that comes with the MISTI.

New Secret Product Sweepstakes

Hey everyone -

We are very excited about a product we have under wraps until after Christmas. So excited that we want to give some away - and cooked up a little contest for you so that you can be the first ones to get your hands on it.

Here's how it will work.

• Make a Christmas/holiday card
• Send it to us at My Sweet Petunia, PO Box 122, Sherrard, Illinois 61281
• For every 100 cards we receive, we will draw a winner from the cardmakers.
• Cards have to be postmarked by December 24th
• You can enter as many times as you'd like, but each card has to be different, and each card has to be handmade by YOU.
• Leave the cards blank (cards will be donated to Splitcoast card drives) and on a post it note inside include your name, mailing address and email address so we can send you your prize.
• In addition to a random drawing for all cards received, I will also choose my three FAVORITE cards from those sent in, and those cardmakers will also win the new secret product.
• ANYONE can enter.

The new product will be revealed at CHA in January - and that's also where we'll do the drawing live on Periscope - we will post the video of the drawing here.

Go get to stamping!

Read more here.

Share Handmade Kindness

Let me tell you I was so excited when I got a box of goodies from the sweet Jennifer McGuire.  She has launched a month long of Sharing Handmade Kindness.  Please visit her blog for more details to her challenges and prizes.

I tried to come up with something original.  It is hard since there are so many creative and talented crafters out there.

Sorry for the short post as I want to get back to crafting this beautiful Saturday morning.

Wholesale

Now accepting applications for licensed retailers.  Please email  hello@mysweetpetunia.com

Silvery Blue Christmas

Did you miss me?  Since my last post a lot has happened.  I prepared for my first big shipment of MISTIs.   Researching for boxes to mail out orders, ordering inventory, homeschooling, maintaining a home, answering emails on when the MISTIs would get here and a little crafting.  I promise I have done crafting.

I have several videos waiting to be edited.  It just takes forever to edit and narrate videos.  Especially, finding time when the house is quiet to do the voice overs.  

The morning that my shipment arrived we were headed out of town.  We hurried to the warehouse.  I was a little overwhelmed by the site.   One year ago, I was drowning in plexi parts trying to assemble MISTIs and sell them as fast as I could.  At the same time I was answering angry emails because someone did not get to order one.   Now, there would be plenty of MISTIs to last a while.

That afternoon, we made a four hour drive to St. Louis.  We had to catch a flight at the crack of dawn to head to Texas.  My in-laws were moving to Missouri.  We helped them finish up the clean up after the movers came.  The next morning we were on the road, driving in two separate vehicles hauling my father-in-laws tools.  We left at 9 a.m. Sunday morning and drove until 4 p.m. Monday afternoon.  We had to drive the minimum speed limit and taking a break at a rest stop.  My poor husband drove straight through with only 3 hours sleep.  He did not want me driving the trailer.

Luckily, I was able to use my hot spot on my cellphone and answer emails and submit orders to the warehouse.  I want to thank everyone for being patient on getting their orders.  I hope that you love the new packaging and the laser MISTIs.

I finally had time to edit this very long video.  There are so many projects in this one video.  I hope you enjoy it.

Just keep in mind it took forever to edit and narrate.  Please be sure to give it a thumbs up and share with your friends.

The list of supplies is located in the product description below the video.