Keep your New Year's Resolutions!

As one year is closing and another is on the horizon, many people take the new year as an opportunity to improve themselves. There’s something about a fresh start and clean slate that empowers one to make changes. 

I’m sure most of us would love a smaller waistline, healthier relationships with those we love, a cleaner house, less debt, more cash and a longer list of books we’ve read. Whatever the goal is we all have challenges in reaching them. I read a stat that said 75% of people abandon their New Year’s Resolutions. Here are a few tips to help you not become a statistic. 

1. Recognize the magnitude of making changes

If it were easy to make changes, all of us would be the people we aspire to be. Change is never easy even when know it’s necessary or worthwhile. When you set New Year’s Resolutions or goals, recognize that it is no easy task to change your life even if it’s something small. Making changes typically involve changing habits. It’s commonly said that it takes about 21 days to create a new habit. What means to me - is there a process to change. With this mind, if you fall off the path, you’ll know that’s a part of the process ad not a sign that what you are trying to change is too hard.

2. Change your mind first. 

Christian evangelist Joyce Meyer says, “where the mind goes, the body follows.” I think most of our actions start with a thought. Many times we try to make changes physically without ever addressing them mentally. You can do several things to help start changes mentally. Hang notes around your house or office with reminders of your goals. Stick post it notes in your car with motivational statements. Put reminder alerts on your cell phone or the screensaver on your computer. If you can get your mind on board, you’re body will likely follow. 

3. Tell someone your goal. 

We are more likely to make changes with moral support. Call a friend, tell a relative your goal. They don’t have to be an expert in the area you’re trying to improve or even know how you can reach your resolution. They simply need to be someone who check in on you time to time and ask you how it’s going. Sometimes someone we care about is going to ask how our exercise plan is going provides motivation to get up and hit the gym rather than the snooze button. 

I hope these tips help. Happy New Year’s! Happy Goal Reaching! 

Roasting My First Turkey

This Thanksgiving I stayed at school in St. Paul, Minnesota for the holiday. Flights were too expensive. And the short break throws off my academic swing. The Saturday of that weekend, another Resident Advisor, Anna, and I made a Thanksgiving Dinner for the students who were staying on campus for the holiday. Area Coordinator, Gaith also helped.

Here's how we roasted our first turkey.

We started by cleaning out the inside of the turkey.

Then we wiped the turkey off in Apple Cider Vinegar, lemon juice and oil. We used each one of the liquids separately. 

We wanted a non-traditional stuffing to jazz things up a bit. So, we chopped up pineapples, pears, apples and pomegranate. Gaith, who is from Jordan, grew up with pomegranate trees in his backyard.

We sliced a lemon, tossed in a few fresh cranberries, mixed all the fruit and stuffed the turkey. 

We seasoned the turkey with spices I had on hand like basil, lemon pepper and garlic powder. We then poured Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette on top for additional flavor. 

I wanted to see if turkey slowed cooked as well as a whole chicken so we set the oven on 250 and let it cooked for about five hours. 

What we got was a delicious, tender turkey. (We got busy getting the dinner ready and forgot to take a picture of the turkey before we sliced it, but you can use your imagination:)

This was Gaith's and mine first turkey, but from the smiles of the residents, I think we did a decent job. It's basically the same as baking a whole chicken. Try our recipe and see how it works for you. 

New Cards at Coffee Grounds

These past couple of weeks have been overwhelming. My job as an Resident Advisor has intensified and I am at the point of the semester where it’s time to dig in my heels and step it up an notch. However, it’s also the time folks start their holiday shopping. This weekend was quiet - finally! I made a few new cards to take to Coffee Grounds, a St. Paul coffee shop where my cards are sold. 

Coffee Grounds is a neighborhood coffee shop near Como Park and Falcon Heights. A variety of artwork from local artists is featured like mittens and jewelry so stop by and do a some shopping and grab a cup of joe. Their address is 1579 Hamline Ave. in St. Paul. 

 I stocked several holiday cards for the approaching season. 

I have 24 types of cards from birthday to baby to holiday and I changed many of them out to give fresh inventory.

Stop by and pick up a couple cards. Support a local business. Get an early start on your holiday card shopping. 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a splendid day. 

Yours Sincerely

Chasity

Support Breast Cancer Awareness

                                            

Most of you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. This Sunday I am doing what I can to reduce the number of those affected by this condition. 

This Sunday, I will be participating in a craft and bake sale where money will be raised to support breast cancer awareness. The event is sponsored by The Breast Yet, which is a group of friends, family and sometimes complete strangers united in the fight against breast cancer. They have logged roughly 180 event miles and 1650 training miles per team member in addition to collectively raising over $50,000 since forming in 2009. 

In 2012, they hope to raise $3,300. Vendors will be giving a portion of their sales to their cause. I will be donating 15%. 

                                              

The event is Sunday Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at The Movement Minneapolis in Uptown: 2100 Lyndale Avenue South, Suite B, MPLS 55405. The event is free so bring a free and help be a part of a cause that saves lives. 

Visit their Website: http://thebreastyet.comto learn more. 

See you there!

Yours Sincerely,

Chasity 

Latest cards

Hello, Readers

This past week has been busy with school and work, but I wanted to update you with I've been working on lately. Today's post will be a photo blog of my recent cards. Enjoy!

Don't forget to stop by Etsy shop where you can purchase the cards you see featured on my blog:

www.etsy.com/shop/yourssincerelygifts

Don't overthink. Just do it.

Last night, a friend asked me to make a baptism card. I have never made one before. Immediately, my mind got on the worry wheel wondering how I could make the card and thinking of which store I could buy stamps related to baptism. Then suddenly, I got a revelation.

STOP!

All you need, you have. Keep it simple. Trust your talent. That's what I did. I finished my homework last night and got up this morning and took less than 15 minutes to design and make the card. I had everything I needed and my friend loved the card.


Sometimes life isn't about having all the bells and whistles but making the most of what you have.


Thanks for reading.

Yours Sincerely
Chasity

Etsy: What's that?

A couple of years ago when I told my journalist buddy Kalen Ponche that I wanted to sell my handmade cards, she asked me if I had heard of Etsy.

I hadn't. As I browsed the site and learned more, I found it be an ideal place for me to share my creativity with the rest of the world without hopping on a place. Many times when I tell folks I have an Etsy shop, most are unfamiliar. Here's some information on what Etsy is.

According to their site, Etsy is "the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace." It features millions of items made by the hands of crafters all across the world. Etsy is the perfect place to find one of a kind gift items and every day needs. From custom wedding dresses to wall art to hoodies to feather earrings to makeup to baked chocolate chip cookies. The possibilities are endless.

What I appreciate about Etsy is the vastness of its offerings and it has created an accessible bridge between those who love to create and those who love to buy handmade items made with a purpose and with care behind them. Thousands of shops exist on Etsy. You can support local handmade artists in your area by checking out this link: http://www.etsy.com/local?ref=fp_nav_local

If you have a few minutes, take some time and explore Etsy. You're bound to find something special, unique and heartfelt.

Have a great day.

Yours Sincerely
Chasity

The Process: Card making

Sympathy cards probably are the hardest to make. I think sympathy cards should be simple in design and in warm colors appropriate for the occasion. I tend to avoid bows and buttons in my sympathy cards. 

Although they are difficult to make, sympathy cards are very much needed for a person who is mourning. 

Here’s a step by step process for how I made this card. 

I started with a blank pre-folded white card and stamped a pattern along the edge. I used Close to my Heart Creme Brulee. I like Close to My Heart inks pads because the colors are vibrant and don’t fade easily. 

I cut out a patterned piece of paper and adhered it to purple card stock. 

I stamped ‘With Sympathy’ in embossing ink and covered with brown embossing powder. 

The paper I stamped the sentiment on is the back side of the patterned paper. I love double sided papers. They take a lot of the guess work out. Finding coordinating papers can be tricky. It also reduces how much paper I have to buy and waste because I have fewer papers. It also helps with organization. 

I adhered the sentiment on purple card stock and adhered to the front of the card. 

I stamped a sentiment on the inside of the card.

Now I’m done. 

Thanks for reading. Take care.

Yours Sincerely

Chasity 

Thank You Cards = the Great Equalizer

It doesn't matter if you're 15 or 55. Single or Widowed. If you have a house full of kids or none at all. If you make $25,000 a year or $250,000. Male or Female.

We ALL need to say thank you at some point in our lives. William Bennett, a politician, said: "Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is a indeed a virtue."
Thank you cards are a tangible way of expressing one's gratitude and gives the recipient a keepsake.

Any occasion can warrant a thank you card: a job interview, help moving, a kind act or for a gift.

Thank you cards are also one of those things we don't always have on hand when we need them. Why not plan ahead to give thanks and have cards available?

Here are some thank you cards I made last week before I visited friends in Chicago. I kept the design the same but changed the color scheme.

Hope you enjoy. Tell someone thank you today.

Yours Sincerely,
Chasity

Something for you. Something for me.

Hey, guys

I have almost reached a milestone - 100 items sold on Etsy!!! It's still pretty crazy that I have taken a hobby and an activity I did to de-stress and is now a small business. It's been a road filled with bumps and bruises but also smiles and wonderful compliments. So far I have sold 98 items in my Etsy store, and I am hoping to reach 100 items this week.

To help me reach my goal, I want to help you. Pick any item, as many as you want, and save 15% off. This is a great time to buy those card sets you have been eyeing. Card sets are already cheaper than the single card rate, but with this coupon you save even more. Buy your Christmas cards early.

This wonderful celebration lasts until Wed. It can be used on any items in my store, except custom orders.

Let me know if you have questions. Have a great day.

Yours Sincerely

Chasity

Be 1 of 30

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I written a blog. A lot of has happened in the past couple months. I have moved into a new room, went through two weeks of intense Resident Advisor training, started school, began physical therapy, did a poetry slam and the list goes on and on. 

Now I’m back and ready to blog more consistently. 

Starting today, I begin a campaign “30 likes in 30 days.” Currently, I have 70 people who like Yours Sincerely Facebook page. I would like to get that number to 100. If one person a day likes my page, I will reach my goal. 

You can become of one of the 30 here. By clicking here and liking the page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yours-Sincerely/202323343132191

I use my Facebook page to let you know about my new products. Sometimes before they hit my Etsy store. I also promote specials and coupons via Facebook But my page is more than a place for me get you to buy my products, it’s also a place where we become partners. Over the past couple of weeks, I have uploaded pictures of cards that I am working on and asked people their opinions. I have changed the designs based on people’s feedback. 

Be one of the 30. 

Have a great day. 

Yours Sincerely

Chasity 

All Occasion Card Sets released!

Ever been in a rush and had no time to buy a card?

Got the card but forgot the stamp?

I have created something to solve both of those problems for you. I am so excited to announce the release of FOUR brand spanking new all occasion card sets. These babies are handmade, unique and one of a kind. 

The first set is basic. It's called Notes and includes 8 cards - 4 birthday, 1 wedding, 1 baby and 1 congrats. 

The second set is designed for folks who send cards more frequently. Letters features 16 cards - 5 birthday, 1 get well, 2 wedding, 2 sympathy, 2 baby, 2 congrats and 2 thank you. 

The third set Pages has 25 cards - 7 birthday, 2 Mother’s Day, 2 Father’s Day, 1 get well, 2 wedding, 2 sympathy, 2 baby, 1 graduation, 3 congrats/blank cards, 3 thank you. 

The final set is Novel is my favorite. It is designed for someone who gives cards frequently. The set comes with 40 cards - 7 birthday, 2 Mother’s Day, 2 Father’s Day, 1 get well, 2 wedding, 2 sympathy, 2 baby, 1 graduation, 3 congrats/blank cards, 6 thank you and 12 Christmas/holiday cards

Now that you know what comes in each set, let’s talk money. How much is it gonna cost ya???

Typically my single cards cost $4.50 but I'm shaving down that price for the card set. The more cards in the set the cheaper price per card. 

The Notes set of 8 cards is $32 making each card $4. Now if you want to add 8 Forever stamps to your set, no problem. The Notes set with stamps is only $35.99.

Next is the Letters set of 16 cards. It only costs $60.75 making each card $3.75. Want stamps? Your total is only $67.99.

For Pages, a whole dollar is shaved off the regular price. For the 25-card set, you only pay $87.50. Throw in some stamps, it’s only $98.99.

Last but definitely not least is the Novel. This 40 card set is $125 and with stamps, it’s $142.99. Buying this set saves your a whooping $55 off the single card price. 

Maybe you are loving the all occasion card set but would like to customize it to fit your needs even more? I like to give people choices so from Aug. 1 through Aug. 9 you can customize ANY of these to your likening without an additional charge. 

Let’s say 8 cards is all you need but you have a lot of weddings and baby showers coming up - you can get a set of all wedding and baby cards. Or maybe you want to get a head start on your Christmas cards this year. No problem. I can would love to do a set just for you. 

Visit my online store and purchase your set today at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/yourssincerelygifts?section_id=7147456

If you’re scratching your head because you have questions, just shoot me an email at yourssincerelygifts@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Birthday cards to the rescue!

Nowadays life is busy and buying a birthday card is often the last thing on the list of things to do. But it's something that's important. 

I'm here to help you save time and give unique handmade cards. 

Check out this set of four birthday cards I created this morning. 

What I LOVE about this set is that is perfect for ANY age or GENDER.

What's even neater is that on the inside of each card there is a sentiment. Now you don't have to figure out what you are going to say. 

These cards are ready to be shipped to you. 

Order here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78031001/birthday-card-set

Have a great day! 

Yours Sincerely

Chasity 

Craft fair this Saturday

Hey, Guys

For the past two weeks, I have been busy getting ready for a craft fair this Saturday. All the artists featured make handmade items like paper goods, jewelry, clothing, handbags, bath and body products. I'm excited to be among so many talented people.

I decided to branch out from cards.

Here's an item I call inspirational word art. As a writer, I love words and as a spoken word artist, I know the great power they hold when spoken aloud. This word art is crafted on canvas so it's perfect for hanging on your wall - adding inspiration to your work space or any other room in your home or office.

Although it seems like summer just started, school will be in session in no time. Here are some post-it note holders that will make a great teacher gift. This is also a goodie for you to put on your desk.

This is another office item and a great teacher gift. This is a post-it note organizer. It includes two types of post-it notes, a pen and a pocket. This is great to carry in your purse to make grocery lists, keep track of errands you need to do and store receipts and coupons.

I had a ball making these babies - clothes pins magnets. These are great to hold your child's art, notes, bills or recipes. The patterned paper gives the clothes pin a jazzy look. The magnet on the back allows you to stick them on your fridge.

Check out these items and my cards at the fair.
The event is: Saturday July 16
10 am - 3 pm
Roseville Rainbow Community Pavilion
1201 Larpenteur Ave. West
St. Paul, MN

See you soon!

Yours Sincerely
Chasity