The Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge - Day 3

Good morning on this very wet (at least here) Challenge Day Three! Yesterday's challenge was, well, a bit challenging for me---and I'm sorry to say that the laundry did not get put up---and one load didn't even get folded! *Tisk, tisk!* Haha! I'm not going to be too hard on myself though because I know that things come up, and sometimes, no matter how good our intentions are to get things accomplished, we often have to make adjustments for the unexpected, which is what I had to do yesterday. I did work with my hands (though not on the pillows like I had planned, but on a giveaway that I will be doing through one extremely talented lady's blog later on this week!). Oh, I did take time to make a healthy and yummy dinner! Two outta three ain't bad!!! ;)

(Edited to Add: I forgot to mention that our faithful pooch got lots of extra lovin' and treats yesterday. I tried to go out of my way to make him feel like an important part of the family---lots of extra pats, a few more plates to "clean" and plenty of crumbs to lick up!)

I'm going to get straight to today's challenge, since I'm up a bit later than normal and will probably hear the sweet cries of my son before long, wanting to eat his breakfast!

She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms. -Proverbs 31:16 & 17

Challenge - Day 3

I am not considering a big purchase any time soon, but I have realized lately what an impact all my little purchases make overall in our budget. All those little craft materials add up! So, my challenge tasks for today are:

-Look over our budget (and past months expenses) and see where I can be more frugal and where I need to have more discretion. Also, take care of bills that need to be paid (I usually do this on Fridays, but I'll fit it in today to go along with the theme of having some money sense!)

-Work out! There are many forms of working out, and you don't have to be a gym member in order to be fit. I enjoy walking with my son, and believe me, pushing that big ol' stroller in the high winds that we usually have around here is a workout! Plus I get to spend some quality time with him outdoors, which we both love. It's important to stay in shape as mommies. We need it ourselves, our children need to have a mom with enough energy to care for them---and I'm guessing that our husbands won't complain if we're doing what we can to stay tight and trim! ;)

Okay, well that's it for today. Spend Wise. Stay Strong!

Going for a walk with a few extra pounds to carry around - the precious baby boy which are the cute pounds, and the baby-weight which I am proud to say is all off now! Yay for walking!

The Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge - Day 2

I woke up early this morning, and of course one of my first thoughts was the "challenge", wondering what today's goals would be as I strive to live up to the standards that God has set before me. Well, would you just look at the challenge verses for today:

She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants. -Proverbs 31:13-15

I am already on top of things by rising early! Woohoo---now for the providing food part and working with my hands! ;)

I can remember reading these verses in days past and thinking to myself, well, most of these things sound pretty good...but rising while it is still night...I don't think so! But the fact is, the last few weeks I have been getting up quite early (for me), usually around 6:30 or a bit before that, and I love it! I don't know if I'm turning into a morning person or not, but I am enjoying being awake while the house is quiet, the world still sleeping around me, and I can have time to collect my thoughts and sort of plan my day. It's wonderful! Enough of that though, let's get onto the challenge!

Challenge - Day 2

-Find a project that needs to be finished (or started and worked on) that involves working with your hands. I personally have been wanting to make a couple of pillows to add to our living room, and have been putting it off for a week or more. So I will start with those! I also have a couple of loads of laundry that need folding, and seeing that I'll be working with my hands to get that done I'll tackle that first! Yes, laundry counts!

-Plan a thoughtful meal that your whole family will enjoy. Some days I concentrate too much on my own little projects around the house that I tend to rush meal prep time, and the food comes out so-so. Today I want to take time to put a little more effort into preparing meal that's healthy for my family and that tastes great too!

-Most of us don't have servants, but a lot of us have "furry friends" who help us around the house, no questions asked, and would like nothing more than some pats on the head and scratches behind the ears. Our dog, BoBo, will have to be the stand-in for the "maidservants"---he is actually quite handy around the house---he will clean the dishes for me (provided that they're caked with yummy leftovers to lick clean), he is a wonderful crumb-off-of-the-floor remover, and he protects us better than any security system. So, if you have a "servant" who doesn't require wages, take time today to provide a little extra treat for them and give some extra pats and scratches!

Challenge Day 2 is already off to a good start here---I have plenty of time to begin thinking on meal menu ideas, and might even start getting that laundry done---okay, maybe not quite yet, but it will get folded and put up---today!

*Oh, quick re-cap of yesterday: I made my hubby some yummy pancakes and bacon for breakfast...he was very excited about that!...and I tried to go out of my way to make him feel loved and respected. I also tried to stop what I was doing when he would ask me a question or talk to me so that I could concentrate on what he was saying. All in all it was a pretty good challenge day, and I will continue to work on the "challenges" in the days/weeks/months/years to come!*

Our faithful family pooch, BoBo!

Happy Challenge Day 2!!!

The Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge - Day 1

I have been thinking about doing this challenge for a couple of weeks now, and thought to myself why not start today?! I was planning on beginning tomorrow---but today I have my sweet husband home ALL day---and since the first day of the "challenge" centers around honoring my husband---why not begin today where I'll have all day to "practice" being a loving, honoring, virtuous woman.

I have always loved the picture of godly womanhood from Proverbs 31:10-31 in the Bible. I like how the Virtuous Woman respects and honors her life mate, cares for her children and household, enjoys working with her hands and creating things and most importantly how loving the Lord and trusting in Him are seen as top priority. She is my role model and I would like to put into practice what it means to be a virtuous wife.

So, today it begins. My 10 day Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge. Feel free to join in, and as the next week and a half go by I know that our husbands and families will be happier for the fact that we're living up to the standards of the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31...

...Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life. -Proverbs 31:10-12

Challenge - Day 1

-Find practical ways to honor and respect my husband (i.e. taking time to make him breakfast!)

-Go out of my way to shower him with kindness, and make today (and days in the future) special by giving him my undivided attention

-Pray for him! As my thoughts turn to him throughout the day, I want to take time to lift him up in prayer, thanking God for him, asking for guidance to love him the way he needs to be loved, and requesting protection and peace over his life outside of our home---the workplace can be brutal---especially with his job!

-Praise him! Thank him for all the hard work he does for our family.

-Do anything that comes to mind that will make him feel special and loved.

So there is the challenge for day one. Making today a day that is all about respecting/honoring/loving my sweet husband. He might think that I have something up my sleeve, but I will reassure him that there are no strings attached to this special treatment! I'll let you know how it goes, and for those of you who want to participate, fill me in on the details too!

Go LOVE your husband!

Me and my boys, taken last year at Thanksgiving!

Giveaway Winners!

After tallying up all the entries and having the names chosen at random, I am proud to announce the winners of the first Ruby Moon Designs giveaway! And the winners are:
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Kyndal - Nursery Rhyme Bib
Gail - Tiger's Eye & "Mystery" Gemstone Earrings
Jessica R. - Sea Glass Inspired Earrings

Congratulations!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated. And don't worry, there will be more giveaways in the future, so you can always participate again for something unique from RMD.

Winners, please e-mail me your address at rubymoondesigns@gmail.com so that I can mail your giveaway to you!

Edited to Add: All of the items featured in the giveaway are available to purchase here!

Giveaway Entries End Sunday - - - Don't Miss It! ;)

My giveaway is off to a good start...considering this is my first one! Don't miss out on winning one of 3 cute items! See details in yesterday's post! Happy Weekend, y'all!


You Can Win One of These Three Items.......

Sea Glass Inspired Earrings

Tiger's Eye Earrings

Vintage Inspired Nursery Rhyme Bib

It's Giveaway Day!!!

Well folks, it's Friday...and you know what that means...the 1st Giveaway Day here at Ruby Moon Designs in honor of my newly opened ETSY store! I have three items up for grabs...one which you've already seen a preview of unknowingly! So, without further ado, here are my giveaways...............


...............1st) these lovely dangle earrings, crafted with Sterling Silver, Tiger's Eye Gemstones & a "mystery" gemstone. (I have so many beads running around, and I lost the label to these! BUT they are either Howlite or Amazonite...I have a bad memory, sorry!) They measure about 1 1/2 inches in length.


Secondly...yes...my Sea Glass Inspired Earrings. I really love these, and thought that some of you may too...so they are up for grabs as well! They were designed using Sterling Silver earring hooks and pins, antiqued-silver Pewter accent beads, Swarovski Crystal beads & my favorite, seafoamy blue/green Amazonite Gemstones. They measure approx. 2 inches long.


And lastly, this cute little infant bib is ready to be loved by some adorable messy baby. Made with 100% Cotton Vintage inspired Nursery Rhyme fabric and accented with yellow rick-rack and red (adjustable) neck band. Red zig-zag stitch is used around the outside of the bib. The bib, which is reversible, is lined with flannel to help absorb the spills that are sure to happen when baby is eating. Cut with pinking shears along the edge, the bib will fray a bit over time which results in a soft little ruffle along the edge. (Care Instructions: Machine Wash Cold, Tumble Dry Low)

So there you have it, y'all! Okay, here's how to snatch up one of these great offers (just let me know which item you'd like to be in the drawing for so we can share the love and only have one item per winner!):

-Leave a comment on this post - 1 name entry
-Follow my blog - 1 name entry
-Blog about this giveaway and link it to your blog (just let me know you did this) - 2 name entries
-Become a fan of RMD on Facebook - 1 name entry (for those of you who are already Facebook fans you just need to comment about the giveaway on the Ruby Moon Designs Facebook page)
-Comment on Facebook about this giveaway on your profile - 1 name entry (let me know you did this too!)

Okay, I guess that's it. You can enter as many times as you like. Giveaway starts now(!) and will be closed to entries midnight Sunday (Central Standard Time). Winners will be chosen at random and announced on Monday!

Blessings for a happy weekend!

Working my Camera Magic

I have been so anxious about getting up some pictures of my newly completed projects around our home that I have willed my camera to function, albeit improperly, but still, I did manage to snag a few photos of some of my recent masterpieces! I had to remove the batteries in between each shot, turning the camera off and on and listening to a horrible squeal that it made, protesting its use when not in proper working order. However, even with all the trouble it was giving me, I didn't give up, and got a few shots taken "old-school" style since my screen was blank. Obviously the pictures aren't the greatest, but hey, they're all I have right now, so I'm making them work!


A "burlap beauty"...HOME...pretty much says it all!














An old, ugly, book-laden shelf unit takes on a quainter appeal with the burlap curtain I made to hide the bulky medical books and board games on the bottom two shelves. The book case used to stand flat against the wall, but I tucked it into the corner, added a lamp behind it to fill in the empty space and displayed some of my vintage/antique books on the upper shelves along with pictures and items of sentimental value. Top of book case - an old canning jar filled with vintage spools from my great-grandparents. Basket on top right holds small volumes of poetry and essays, also from my great-grandparents. Top shelf - amidst antique books is a photo of my sister, Gloria, in a handmade pottery dish that she made me years ago. Framed picture of my great-grandpa, Dr. Robert Norwood, D.O. sits slightly below an old bell that used to be in his medical practice clinic. Vintage clock sits in the corner. Second shelf - Vintage Inspired childrens books rest with an antique horse figurine sitting on top of them along with C-A-R blocks.





Sun room corner that I added an old clock to...given to me by my grandpa, Papa. It doesn't currently work, but I have the time set to 9:09...the time that Johnathan came into this world on April 1st, 2008! The best single minute of my life!
















Tea lights nestle in coffee beans and smell delicious when the candles are burning!













Inside the glass jars are some vintage recipe cards from my great-grandmother, Grace. Cinnamon sticks and Wine corks lend their appeal to the ensemble.











Wine rack and shelves in our dining room. I love the Demdaco Willow Tree figurines, and have recently fallen in love with little birdie things.

I picked up this lovely blue plate at my favorite store here in CC...Gatherings. I just love it!













Bird tea light holders and glass case holding a little birdie's nest tells of one of my newest loves!













I found this old wooden frame in the garage, atop a pile of junk. I stenciled the words BLESS OUR NEST on burlap, and added the bird nest to the corner. Vintage round buttons serve as the little eggs in the nest. Yellow shelf below coordinates with our dish collection...one of the plates is displayed here in another obsession of mine...baskets!













This wall previously held a collection of plates, but I like it much better like this...a little homier and more unique than just some plates hanging on a wall.











One of my favorite spots - I usually sit here in the kitchen while Johnathan is eating, and will either have my devotional time or read from my favorite magazine...COUNTRY LIVING!

Ruby Moon Designs on Facebook!

Check out the Ruby Moon Designs Facebook fans page on the left...and sign up to be a fan of Ruby Moon Designs! You'll be in the loop, and sure to catch all the news of what's happening with RMD. ;)

Hello from Ruby Moon Designs!

The last several weeks I have started to have a renewed passion for creating things. I'm really getting into decorating my own home, using creative ways to design an environment that reflects who I am and what I cherish. A few years ago, I started a jewelry business called Ruby Moon Designs, with the tagline, Women of Virtue Reflecting the Son...I wanted it to be a business that drew attention to the virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman - Strength, Honor, Character, Industriousness, Wisdom & Love. And, although I was creating outward adornment, I wanted to reflect the true beauty of Christ by using the creative abilities that He gave me to share with others.

Fast forward, August 2009, and I have decided to take Ruby Moon Designs to a whole new level. I am "expanding" my previous inventory to include not only jewelry, but also handmade items for the home. I have started a store on ETSY with the seller name, Proverbs31Woman---if you've never heard of ETSY before, it's an online storefront especially for handmade items. Now, I've just barely got it up and running, and it will be awhile before it's fully stocked. I'd like to specialize in custom orders, using some of the projects I've already completed for my own home as templates for what I can make. I am getting really excited about continuing my passion for creating things.

If you're interested in updates, please subscribe and/or follow my blog here! If you'd like, I can also add you to my e-mail list, so just let me know if you're interested in that. I'm also planning on making a Facebook account for Ruby Moon Designs, and I'll let everyone know here when that happens.

Here's to happy creativity! ;)