30 Days of Hard Work

[LovesYouCrafts]

I am on the brink of a huge opportunity, and I wanted to share my excitement and nervousness with you all because I know there are at least a few of you who've been through similar, or hope to, or will one day, and you are always so good at providing encouragement!

So here it is... My husband recently returned from a deployment (he's a US Marine) and has taken full advantage of the vacation time he was able to take (30 days) even though we don't have plans to travel. We discussed what we wanted to do and one of the big things we decided was that he would help around the house and with our son so that I can work on my shop as if it were a full time job! I now have thirty days to get everything I've been trying to work on done, from making over every aspect of my shop, to producing more stock to post, and trying to get myself ready for a couple of craft fairs. Oh my goodness, is there so much I want to get done!

I am so overwhelmed by the possibilities this time offers that sometimes I can't think straight, but I just take a deep breath and focus on one thing at a time. This is a huge gift, to not only be able to spend so much extra time as a family, but also secure my stay at home Mom and Wife status by being able to bring us some extra income and be there for my family in all the ways I've ever wanted to be.

Thank you guys in advance for any encouragement you can offer, and feel free to share what you're excited about!!!!

*bouncing up and down*

[LeatherandPebbleShop]

So happy your husband is home safe and sound! Being a military wife as well I know how stressful deployments can be.

Your shop and items are beautiful! I look forward to seeing what you create over the next 30 days, having the support of loved ones is always so very important.

Good Luck with it all :)

[Former_Member]

Congrats, Jenn!

What a grat time to do this, with Christmas around the corner. May you have much success! Also, thanks to your hubby for serving our country!

[Former_Member]

Good luck to you! I think the first thing I would do is plan everything out on paper.( your probably already doing this ) I love lists!

I hope you enjoy your time with your hubby and son and you get lots of time doing your beautiful cards!

[SnowOdyty]

CONGRATS! Glad your husband is home to help you out that is very sweet!

Events are so exciting and so much fun they are an excellent way to get some extra cash!!!

[tribomo]

That's great, both, the fact that your husband is so supportive and that you will have that extra time! I totally understand you, I have a full time job, but some weeks ago I was able to get 4 days off in a row (including the weekend) and I spent every single minute working on new products! But I will recommend to plan and organize everything!
Good luck and enjoy those 30 days!!! :)

[AuntBsAttic]

So glad your husband is home safely. How sweet to give you "the gift of time" - that is a true gift from the heart.
Have a Wonderful, Productive 30 Days !
Please hug your hubby for all of us - and tell him we said "Thank you for your service"
Hope you have a Great Holiday Season !!

[GoingPlaces2]

The gift of 'time' is an amazingingly wonderful gift! Decide to act like it's an away from home type of job where you have a set time to start work, a lunch break and a quitting time. It will be really easy to get distracted and pulled into your regular responsibilities. Oh, and be sure to give your hubby a big kiss as you 'leave' for work:)

[RazzleDazzleMe]

You are so lucky! You must have a wonderful husband. I want to make a little suggestion for your shop. You could up the number of items and make some that are not very expensive to get a wider base of customers. Best of luck for your adorable shop.

[LovesYouCrafts]

Samantha- Thank you for your family's sacrifice as well! And thank you for your sweet words about my shop!

Angela- I know, that only hit a little bit ago that I can set my self up for a smooth holiday season! I will tell him right now, he's sitting next to me! :) YAY!

Denise- Thank you so much! And to be honest I didn't think to write down my plan which would probably help with the overwhelming!

Nicole- Thank you! I am so excited to get my feet wet!

Mrs GingerandWasabi- Yay that you got some time off to work, I understand how hard it is to find time sometimes. Thanks for the encouragement!

Barbara- Your message made me tear up! Thank you so much and I will definitely give him a big hug!

Ginger- That's a great idea and might help make it easier for my to separate myself from my normal day. Thanks for the help!

Roslyn- Thank you and I do have an amazing hubby! I will definitely look into that pricing idea as I work through my makeover! Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Lucky you!

Please tell your hubby THANKS for serving!

I'm looking forward to school starting so I can spend my days making and updating. :)

[Former_Member]

What a wonderful opportunity for you. I would treat it as any other full time job. Decide how many hours a day you are going to work, how many days a week, take breaks and a lunch. Plan some things for him to do with the kids while you work and when your work day is over concentrate on your time with them.
You will get so much accomplished and have a renewed spirit when it's time for him to return to work.
Best of luck!

[Former_Member]

How awesome! I would love to have ONE full day...I can't imagine 30!

My recommendation is to maybe try a more neutral background? I was completely anti-white background...until I tried it. The sales are proof enough for me that it works. ;)

[LovesYouCrafts]

Sarah- Thank you and I will tell him right away! Have fun with your extra time!

Natasha- Thanks for your advice, I think a scheduled will help both of us and make it easier for me to concentrate and get work done!

Lauren- I am very excited, and will not let this great opportunity pass me by. Thank you for the tip, my husband helped me make a light box that still uses the colored backgrounds but integrates a white background as well for a more 3-D world for my products.

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

Jenn,
That is great! I'm glad your hubby is home safe!

I would start with writing out a list and then organize it by priority. What is hardest for you to work on normally with the usual distractions you have? If it is pics or tags or working on new items, whatever, then block out an hr or two every day during your most productive time (mine is evening :) ) and concentrate on only that task.
Then block out your second most important/hard to normally accomplish task, ect.
I would go down the list that way and also be sure to check off anything you complete fully so you can have that satisfaction moment of "yay! I finally finished something!"

Also, be sure to enjoy lots of time with your family! All work and no play... :D
Have a great month!

p.s your shop is super cute! So bright and fun!

[LovesYouCrafts]

Lynn- Thank you for your great tips! They will definitely come in handy! And I am glad you like my shop :)

[kijsa]

Thank you and your husband for the sacrifice of serving (while you are not deployed...you serve too holding down the fort at home!)
I am hoping to dive in and try to get ready for my first big Christmas season! (i have had my shop for a while, but left it dormant until last spring)
That is wonderful for you to have a supportive and helpful hubby!
Best wishes!!!

[Former_Member]

That's incredible! Good for you and your family. And what an awesome husband that he not only serves our country, but gives such a great gift to you and your family!

I wish you much success and productiveness, and tell your husband I say "Ooh Rah!" ;)

[LovesYouCrafts]

Kijsa- Thank you for your kind words! That was me too, I let my shop go dormant for quite awhile and am really trying to make a go of it now!

Heather- He is very amazing and I will tell him that! Thank you for your kind wishes and I hope the same for you!