Last Day to Save 25% {On Everything!}

Today marks the last day of my Grand Opening Sale. Use the Coupon Code GNG2012 to Save 25% on your total order. Thanks and Happy Saturday, y'all!

Blessings, Grace

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Hello to Another Monday! {And Bragging on my Brother!}

Hello all, and Happy Monday!  I don't have much to inspire you today, but I do have something to share that inspired me over the weekend. 

Aside from the gorgeous wedding of my sister that I was able to take part in I was also able to attend the Winter Jam 2012 concert at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.  There was a great line up of Christian music artists, and I was blessed to be able to watch my own brother perform with Kari Jobe during their set on stage.  My brother is an amazing pianist, as was evident when Kari was called back on stage after performing for an encore.  Grant, my brother, was able to accompany her as she sang a beautiful song.  It was such a neat moment for me especially, and I am the proudest sister ever.  As I sat there watching my brother worship our Lord through music in front of thousands of people I couldn't help but tear up.  It was amazing.  Love you, bro! 

Hope everyone has a happy and productive week!  I am feeling the call of some Raspberry Sangria...but not the kind you drink...the kind you make into Soy Wax Melts!  :-)

Blessings, Grace


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Repurposing a Lost Tree {Tree Bark Vase}

Several weeks ago I was at my sister's home for our bi-weekly sisters & sons playdate.  Between the 3 of us sisters that are married (there are 6 of us in all-with just one brother!) we have 5 little boys among us...all 4 years old and under!  So, you can imagine when get together it's craziness, tons of energy and little boy testosterone running rampant, and oh so much fun!

Being that boys like to go outside we tempered our little dudes' wild spirits with some time outdoors.  In doing so I noticed a sad little tree in my sister's yard that had succumbed to last years drought.  We had record breaking temperatures here in the South last summer...something like 70 days over 100 degrees...many days with crazy temps like 107 and 108!  Couple that with little to no rain and that amounted to a lot of plants & trees suffering..and that brings me to my sister's tree.

The bark was falling off and was all over the ground near where our boys were playing.  I saw it and immediately knew I could do something with it...I wasn't sure just what at the moment, but I gathered it up with the excitement of a child picking up candy from a pinata!  Seriously, I was thrilled over it!  I love natural elements and enjoy incorporating them in our home.

When I got home I began to think of what I could do with the lovely bark, and this is what I came up with.....

I didn't take any before pics, but what I simply did was to hot glue various pieces of bark to a tall cylindrical vase that I already had.  Then I tucked in some reindeer moss to cover up some of the gaps, and voila!  A lovely, repurposed portion of an otherwise forgotten tree. 

I just love how it turned out, and I like remembering that there can be new life after death...fitting since Resurrection Day is just around the corner!

I'm linking up to:

Blessings, Grace

I Feel So Tech Savvy {I Made My Blog Button!}

It only took me a few hours, haha, but I finally have my new blog button!  You can check it out in the left column side-bar of my blog!  Isn't she pretty?!!  ;)

Blessings, Grace

The Best Kind of Scents {and they're NOT Candles!}

I am a scent addict...good ones, that is...and ever since I can remember I have had a love of wonderful fragrances.  In fact, when I was just a little girl, probably 4ish or so I would walk around with my little purse, and I would stash my mom's leftover gum wrappers in it.  I called them my "smellies" and would go around and sniff them and enjoy their scent...and, if people were lucky I'd even give them a sniff...but I would never let them keep my smellies, or so I've been told!  So, you can see my love of happy fragrances began very early!  :)

However, there are some scents that I would consider my very favorite...and they are the kind you just can't bottle up or put into a candle or even try to come close to imitating.  Good, God-given smells that I just love:

The smell right before a storm...fresh and wet and earthy and clean.  Love it!

  (Image Source)

The scent of my little boys' hair right after their naps...sort of a sweet, baby sweat scent mixed with cotton.  You might think I'm weird, but I love when my boys smell "like a nap"...maybe it's a crazy mom thing, but I love it!

 

 (My own image, please don't copy!)

The smell of a brand new book...you can just sense the story that is about to unfold as you flip through the crisp pages.

  (Image Source)

There are so many wonderful fragrances that God has given us, and I am just thankful that I get to enjoy them!  Hope y'all are doing well.  I am off to work on some Etsy inventory and to finish up my son's wedding attire for my sister's wedding this weekend...he is going to be the cutest ring-bearer (along with his cousin!).  Can't wait!

Blessings, Grace


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FREE SAMPLE Soy Wax Melts, Soy Wax Tarts Your Pick of up to 3 FREE, Soy Tarts, Soy Melts, Soy Wax Tarts, Soy Wax Melts - $0.20

St. Patty's Day Weekend Special ends today. Try before you buy...3 fragrances of your choice to sample for free OR 3 additional fragrances to try in addition to your purchase!

Blessings, Grace

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

{FREE STUFF} Friday!

TGIF!  The weekend is here, y'all!  And boy, am I glad!  Not that the weeks are bad around here, I rather like them, but there's something about Saturday and Sunday that is special...probably the extended time I get to spend with my hard-working hubby!  Gotta love that!

Today I want to share with you a little something that's going on in my shop that I like to call {FREE STUFF} Friday!  I am offering up Samples of my wonderfully fragrant  Soy Wax Melts - - - for FREE!  (You only have to pay for shipping!)  I currently have 11 fragrances in my line of Soy Melts and you may choose any 3 sample cubes (.5 oz each) that you like!  This promo will last all St. Patty's Day Weekend and will end Monday, March 19th.

Hope that everyone is having a good Friday.  Around here we have a little tradition called Thai Fri(day)...we get some yummy take-out from our favorite local Thai restaurant and have a tasty dinner as a family.  My current favorite is the Yellow Curry...Mmm, Mmm Good!

Have a blessed weekend!
-Grace

Blueberry Cobbler Soy Candle

Blueberry Cobbler: Mouth-watering like it just came out of the oven. If you love sweet, berry scents you'll love this one! Dye Free. Wax is a creamy white color.

Favorite Fact: When I have this scent going all I need is a cup of coffee and the scent of the candle is my dessert!

Soy Wax Candle in 8 oz. Mason Jar. Total Nt. Wt. of candle is 6.1 ounces. All cotton wick. Dye free. Burn time of 40 hours. Trim wick to 1/4 inch before each use and burn no longer than 4 hours at a time. Please use with caution if you have children or pets.

I am a proud stay-at-home mom who {LoVeS} candles, wax tarts and all things wonderfully fragrant! This is what you can expect when you purchase from me:
All natural soy wax candles made using richly scented, high quality fragrance oil. All cotton, lead-free wicks.

I scent my wax with premium fragrance oils at the highest possible fragrance oil/wax ratio for the particular soy waxes that I use. Typically that is between 9-12% fragrance load for each lb. of wax.

Characteristics of Soy Wax: Soy wax is a vegetable wax, made from the oils of soybeans. I use soy wax from USA grown soybeans. Soy wax candles and wax melts are like wine, the longer they age, or cure, the stronger the scent throw during use. You may notice whitish "frost" marks on the sides or tops of your candle/wax melts. Not to worry, this is a natural occurrence when using soy wax and in no way effects the burn rate or scent throw of your candle/wax melts. It is just one of the many unique characteristics of soy! Soy candles burn longer and cleaner than traditional paraffin candles resulting in more for your money fragrance-wise and less soot being emitted during use. Did you know that soy wax is completely biodegradable?!

All items are packaged carefully and shipped via USPS.

Shipping discount applied when two or more items are purchased. NOTE: Shipping reimbursement for charges that are $1 or more over actual shipping amount!
Please allow 3-5 business days for completed packaging/shipment.




Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Blessings, Grace

Handcrafted Beaded Bracelet with Butterfly Charm, Handmade Green Beaded Bracelet with Daisies - $15.00

*****Grand Opening Sale!!! Enter Coupon Code GNG2012 at Checkout for 25% Discount on ALL Items!!!!!*****

Handcrafted Bracelet made with Green Glass Beads featuring Daisies on them, Metal Chain for a bit of funky and a Cute Butterfly Charm added for a bit of whimsey! Stretchy Bracelet, fits most wrist sizes. Measures approximately 7.5 inches around.

I handmade this bracelet and can make items to match upon request. You can contact me at gracenotegifts@gmail.com with your questions!

This bracelet will come sweetly wrapped and will be shipped carefully via USPS First Class.

Please check out the other items in my shop! Thanks and have a blessed day!

-Grace

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

My Handy Little Helper {Custom Self-Inking Stamp}

Today I received a little something special in the mail...

 My very own custom made self-inking stamp!  I am so excited to be able to use this product to label my shop items.  I like to be hands-on, so I am glad that I get to be a part of each process of my business...coming up with ideas, making my products, labeling each item by hand, wrapping up my sweet little treasures when a purchase is made and finally a trip to the post office to send them on their way!  Hands-on all the way!

Isn't she pretty?!!

 

Blessings, Grace

A {Gift} For Me! DIY Typography Canvas

The last few weeks I've been focused on creating my inventory for Etsy, but today I decided to take a break from all that and just make a gift for me!   I wanted to try my hand at painting even though I am absolutely NOT an artist with a paintbrush...however, I can draw stick figures with the best of 'em, so I figured drawing a tree was right up my alley!  I also wanted to include one of my favorite Bible verses in my project, and this is what I came up with:

I started with a blank canvas and literally just dropped blobs of various shades of blue for the sky, green for the grass and then blue and gray for the water.  I simply wiped it all around with a dry cloth until the canvas was covered.

Here are the paint colors I used:

And the paintbrushes...just some from a starter kit at Hobby Lobby. 

After I had my background I drew my tree...my sticks!...with 3 different sized brushes.  I mixed together a mixture of black and gray paint for sort of a charcoal colored hue. 

Then I added some leaves by mixing together some green and gray paints and just used the dry end of a brush to tap them on the branches. 

Close up of the leaves...they sort of blend in to the background. 

Then, I grabbed my set of vintage Anagrams letter tiles that I purchased on Etsy and went to work with my verse.  I simply hot-glued them to my (drying!) painting...yes, I was impatient!

And there we have it!  A beautiful gift for ME!!!  ;)

My abbreviated version of Psalm 1:1-3

Blessings, Grace

Linking up to Home Stories A to Z!

 

 

Cupcake Handmade Stationery Card Set of 4, Birthday Card, Baby Shower Card, Just Because Card - $6.00

****Grand Opening Sale!!! Enter Coupon Code GNG2012 at Checkout for 25% Discount on ALL Items!!!!!*****

This listing is for 4 sweet, handmade cards. Each card features a cupcake on a stand. Good for Birthday Cards, Baby Showers or Just Because. Insides of cards are blank. Cards come with matching brown craft paper envelopes and measure approximately 5.5 inches by 4 inches.

These cards come sweetly wrapped and will be mailed to you via USPS First Class.

Please check out my other items that would make great gifts! Soy Wax Tarts/Melts, Vintage Goodies, Jewelry and More!

Blessings, Grace

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Hello Monday! & {3 Things} I discovered over the weekend

Hello y'all!  It's a beautiful Monday afternoon over here and I thought I'd pop in to say hi...although at this point of my blog, I am pretty sure that I am just talking to myself, but that's okay, I do that sometimes!  :)

We had a pretty good weekend here, plenty of down time and chill time with my 3 favorite boys (Hubby, my Big Boy and Little Man, that means you!).  There are 3 things that I learned during the course of the last few days...

1) I am a horrible sales person...I kind of already knew that, but it was pretty obvious yesterday when someone asked me about my candles, and I got all bashful about it and just couldn't bring myself to try to make a sale.  Sometimes I think it would be easier just to give them all away, but then the whole point of trying to start a home business would be lost!

2) I am incredibly picky when it comes to selecting what scents I will eventually sell.  Okay, so I already knew this too, but going over the items I've made so far and trying to narrow down the ones that will "make the cut" has opened my eyes to the fact that maybe I'm pickier than I thought, and I guess that can be a good thing!

 (I just listed these today & they are one of my favorites!)

3) I get way too distracted with wanting to buy stuff on Etsy when I am supposed to be working on selling on Etsy...there is just so much talent out there!  If you've never checked it out you really should just browse some of the amazing listings on Etsy.com.  (I've already purchased several things since I started this whole new business venture!  I have to help my fellow Etsy sellers out you know!).

Okay, off to make some new coffee scented wax melts!  Have a great Monday!

Blessings, Grace

Special Offer - FREE Coupon Code

Use coupon code "GNG2012" and receive a 25% discount on your next order from my shop!

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Hand Poured Southern KEY LIME PIE Scented Soy Wax Melts Tarts - $3.50

Southern Key Lime Pie: This is the ultimate summer scent with top notes of zesty lime blending with creamy coconut and finishing off with hints of vanilla. Your mouth will wish this was something to eat! Infused with essential lime oil. Phthalate free. Wax color is ivory.  Favorite Fact: I love this scent in my kitchen…in my living room…in my bedroom…anywhere!  It is a happy fragrance that brings summertime indoors…use it in the winter & spring to reminisce of summers past and to anticipate summers to come! 

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Hand Poured STRUDEL & SPICE Soy Wax Melts Tarts - $3.50

Strudel & Spice: These melts are infused with natural essential oils, and will make your mouth water with the delicious scents of cinnamon sugar and vanilla. Seriously, it is almost yummy enough to eat…but please don't! Phthalate free. Wax color is light tan.


Favorite Fact: When you have this going you can trick people into thinking you’re a fabulous baker! I love it in my kitchen!
Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Grand Opening Sale! Get 25% Off ALL Items!

My shop is up and running, and to launch the creation of Grace Note Gifts on Etsy I am offering a 25% discount as part of my Grand Opening Sale!  Enter Coupon Code GNG2012 at Checkout!

Blessings, Grace

A Little Bird Told Me That...

...Cold and dreary days are good for Etsy listing!  Here is a snippet of what you'll find now at Grace Note Gifts on Etsy!

Enjoy your Friday!

Blessings, Grace

Candle Drama! {What I'm learning about Soy Wax}

I am a candle lover...a fanatic really, so when I decided a few months ago to start making my own I just pictured it going smoothly, no bumps in the road, and myself in scent heaven....umm, not so much.

I decided on using Soy wax for my candles, and boy is soy tricky!  I like soy for its sustainability, the fact that it's biodegradable, I love that it is cleaner burning (not as much if any black soot when burning) than the traditional paraffin, but it is hard to work with.  I like a good challenge and I am bound and determined to make the "perfect" soy candle if it kills me.  Soy has so many unique characteristics, and I'm trying to distance myself from what I "think" soy should be like and just embrace it as it is! 

So far I'm still in the testing phase, which is why I only have my Soy Wax Melts listed in my shop...no wick, no jar, a much simpler way to enjoy fragrance.  I will not sell any candles until I am happy with the results, and so far I am still making adjustments, but I think I am close!  Luckily I have a sister who is crazy about candles like I am and she is my tester.  I have about 20 or so candles that need to be tested at the moment, and surely the right combination of wick size, fragrance load and wax type are among them!

Anyways, in the meantime I am loving using my brain again to try and figure this whole soy candle making out.  It's a nice break from changing diapers, wiping sticky fingers, drying tears and saying "no" every five seconds.  Motherhood is great, but I am a firm believer in having a hobby to keep you sane!  Everything I read about soy candle making says something different, so it's really a try-it-for-yourself-and-see kind of endeavor.  So I'm trying...and trying and trying...and sooner or later it's going to pay off!

I'm off to test my latest theory...maybe this will be the one that ends all the drama!

Blessings,
Grace