Some BIG News and BIG Savings!

Well hello there!  MIA blogger here.  I’ve been working very hard on something the last few months and can finally share it with you guys!  I officially started my own little business called JOYFUL ART DESIGNS!  I design custom wall art, primarily for home décor, children, and your office. 



I have worked very hard these last few months, learning A LOT, in order to make it perfect…remember my perfectionist problem?  Haha.  I’m really proud of myself and excited to take this journey.  My Etsy shop is officially open as of yesterday and is already in business!!!  I cannot wait to add more designs to my shop.  I have several waiting to be perfected and added.  And a few custom designs in the making.  I wanted to open before Father’s Day because I had three designs that were perfect for gifts.  If you’re into sports, I have an awesome piece I just started working on.  I can’t wait to share.  It’s obviously close to my heart as an avid soccer player and lover of sports!  Here are my Father’s Day designs.  There are color variations also.  Check them out HERE.



Specifically, I sell the JPEG/PDF file and the buyer has freedom to print as they please for personal use.  There are FOUR things I really like about this as a buyer:

1. YOU GET IT FAST!  You’re emailed the product within 48 hours (much sooner in most cases), unless it’s a custom order and even then, you get it pretty quick.  Since there is no shipping, you don’t have to wait additional time for it to arrive.

2.  NO SHIPPING COSTS!  Shipping costs bother me…they bother me badly!  I can’t stand seeing the price of an item and then adding another cost on top of it to ship. 

3.  IT’S AFFORDABLE!  This has to be my favorite as you know I’m frugal.  I love to shop and love to buy things, but since we do keep a budget, I have limits.  I wanted to create a product that people would not only enJOY, but be able to afford.  A lot of my designs offer an 8x10 AND an 11x14 at no additional cost.  Umm, c’mon, that is saaa-weet!  You do print the design yourself, but the cost is VERY low, which leads me to…

4. PRINTING FREEDOM!  When you purchase a product, I attach printing suggestions for the best quality print in the email.  This way if you have no clue where you should go or what paper you should print on, you can follow the suggestions.  On the other hand, you can print on whatever paper you want – matte, glossy, textured, thin, thick, etc…  The cost to print it is definitely affordable.  For example, an 8x10 colored print on card stock is about $.60.  Add a frame and you’ve got the entire wall art for about $20 (depending on your frame).  Most of my designs will be bought to be printed, but you can also use them as photo gifts if the design and photo item are compatible.   

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately.  I can’t wait to share more!  If you want to stay updated with new designs, discount/coupon offers, and find great gift ideas, LIKE Joyful Art Designs’ FACEBOOK PAGE. 

Click HERE to Like Joyful Art Designs on Facebook

(https://www.facebook.com/JoyfulArtDesigns)

Click HERE to shop on ETSY

(http://www.etsy.com/shop/JoyfulArtDesigns)

What about the “BIG Savings” I mentioned in the title?  We have been making some changes to our finances lately due to the absurd increase in health care costs that are about to hit us hard!!!  Our insurance is about to go up to over $1000 a month with a higher deductible ($2400) for 2 adults/1 kid.  That is almost twice as much as we are currently paying a month in addition to a higher deductible.  And, no, my husband’s salary is not increasing $400/month so we had to find an alternative.  We will actually save $200/month from what we’re currently paying with our new switch!  And $400/month based on next year’s increase.  We also increased our insurance coverage but saved money by switching insurance companies.  We’ve also allocated our funds differently to better investments with the help of a financial planner.  All this to say, I have some great tips coming soon for how to save money.  It all starts with how you view money, but will get to that later. 

Day 31 – A Vivid Memory

The last and final post for the Blog Everyday in May Challenge is “share a vivid memory.”  This may be predictable, but I have to go with the day Beckham was born.  I am going to be super lazy with this last post and simply share the link that describes my vivid memory.  I am extremely busy lately, but did not want to skip the last day of this challenge.  Click HERE to read my vivid memory of when Beckham was born.

Here are some pictures though and the cliff notes:

Just found out we were going to meet our baby…Ryan had just arrived from Houston…eek!

And the drugs have set in.  Shaking and cold!

I heard his precious cry!  The suspense was killing me.

Nervous

Best OBGYN’s in Dallas…literally (according to D magazine). 

I was so relieved he looked normal.  I had a dream a couple weeks prior to this that he was a bald 2 year old baby at birth (with no knee cap).  I thought he was perfect.

I perked up once he was born (those drugs knock you out)

I couldn’t wait to snuggle.

Our little family of 3

I’ve never seen Ryan so happy.  He got to hang with him a lot while I got stitched back up.

"When can I eat?"

My first time holding him!  THE best feeling in the world.

And I’ve been staring at him ever since.  Can’t keep my eyes off of him…

…well I guess I don’t keep eyes on him enough!  Yes, that is Sharpie…and no, it did not come off the walls.

Day 30–Letting Go…

Today’s post for the May Challenge is “React to this term: Letting Go.”  I have two reactions when I think of this.

1. Sometimes I wish I would let go of trying to do everything so perfect.  Just roll with the punches.  If anything teaches you that, it’s motherhood!

2. I also think of when I’ll have to let Beckham go…grow up…start his own life.  I love him so much and I really am nervous about what choices he will make in his future.  He will have to deal with things much more difficult than I did growing up and I pray he chooses wisely.  The biggest anticipation I have is who he will choose to marry.  Aside from choosing to become a believer, this will be the most important choice he makes.  I have already started praying for his future wife!  It will definitely be a time of letting go.

First time I held him!

 

 

First time I had to let him go so he could get checked out.  That was hard.  

Only one more day!

Day 29 – Songs That Speak

Posting this last minute.  I’ve had some computer problems today.  Plus it was hubby’s late night at work, so I’ve been busy with little man.  Today’s topic for the May Challenge is “five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories.”  I’m only doing three because I just am.  Haha.

Carrie Underwood – So Small:

I love the message behind this song.  Makes you look at some of the struggles in your life as small compared to what is really important.

 

Building 429 – You Carried Me:

This is the ultimate song about how Jesus loves us and carries our burden.  This is one of the biggest differences between the way a follower of Christ handles struggles versus a non-believer.  I was talking to my brother about this the other day and we were wondering how non-believers can get through the hardest of struggles, when there seems like no hope.  Make sure to listen at minute 4:40 to the end. 

 

Newsong & Natalie Grant – When God Made You:

The first time I heard this song, I immediately thought about Ryan.  I was just mad I hadn’t heard it before we married.  It’s the perfect wedding song.

Day 28 – Lately via iPhone Camera

Today’s post for the Blog Everyday in May Challenge is “only pictures.”  Makes it kind of easy. 

Day 27 – This is for YOU, readers!

Today’s topic is “write a letter to your readers.”  I’ve been waiting for this topic because I wanted to let you guys know how I feel about you.


Dear Reader,

I think the most exciting part of a blogger’s “job” is having readers.  Whether it’s a Facebook message, an email, a comment, or in person.  If I had no readers, this blog would not be near as important to me.  Yes, I go back and re-read some of my pregnancy or baby posts for fun, but I primarily write for other people…you guys! 

I want you to know that I truly am grateful for those who “follow this site.”  For those who read one, a few, or all of my posts!  For your sweet comments (I have yet to receive a nasty one…oh geez, knock on wood…I think I might cry).  For each and every new follower on my Facebook page.  For your personal emails that ask a question or encourage me.  When I get a new email in my inbox for this blog, I get so excited to read it.  They are VERY important to me because I know that person took the time to sit down and personally write me a letter.  Plus, I love getting to know you guys through my blog.  It may take me a while to reply, but I make an effort to answer your questions or thank you for your sweet words.     

I think it’s easier to follow a blog that has many followers already because it shows it’s worth right away, but for a smaller blog such as mine, means people who read it really do find value/entertainment in what I say, or at least some of it (not just because it’s a popular blog).  So all of you reading this, you are flipping awesome!  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support.  I hope to keep entertaining you and sharing helpful information you can use!  Oh and I love learning from you guys also.  I certainly don’t know everything about money (far from it), so I’ve loved getting tips and suggestions from you guys too! 

I LOVE to hear from you, like I said above.  Please do not ever think your email isn’t read, that your comment is read without thought, or that your “Like” goes unnoticed.  If there is anything you ever want to know or have an idea for a topic, please contact me and let me know. 

Much Love,
Olivia

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza!

I can’t even put into words how good this pizza is.  If you know me, you know that the taste of food is very important.  It must taste good if I'm going to spend time making it or spend money buying it.  I know I shouldn’t look at food that way (as it’s a source of fuel), but I do.  I hate dieting, I usually hate whole wheat alternatives, and spaghetti squash is NOT the same thing as spaghetti…it taste like squash…bleh.  That being said, I do still try to eat healthy out of a desire for a good looking body, both inside and out. 

I emphasize the "taste of food", so you know that I do not post recipes on my blog, just for the sake of posting recipes.  If they’re on my blog, you better believe they WILL taste good. 

Pizza is my favorite food.  Move over filet mignon, get me a pizza!  The other day I wanted to make a BBQ pulled pork pizza (similar to California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ chicken pizza), since we had a ton of pulled pork from THIS recipe.  So I looked up a homemade pizza crust on Pinterest and I found the perfect one.  So here’s a pizza you must try!

Ingredients for Crust:
1 Tbsp. Honey (I used Agave Nectar)
Packet of Active Dry Yeast (don’t be scared of this ingredient, pour into water and let it do its magic)
1 1/4 cup warm water
1 tsp. salt
3 cups All Purpose Flour (I’m sure you could use whole wheat or mix the two)
1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I usually use coconut oil, but figured olive oil would work better in a pizza)

Toppings for BBQ Pulled Pork (or Chicken) Pizza:
*No measurements, just eyeball it.

Olive oil
BBQ sauce (I didn’t measure, I just drizzled over crust)
Mozzarella Cheese
Pulled Pork or Chopped Chicken
Onion (I used a yellow onion, but could also use red)

Directions for Pizza:
I recommend following the step by step visual directions HERE, but here’s what I did.  She made a different pizza, but it also looked really good, healthy too.

1. Add agave nectar and yeast to the warm water (microwave water for about 30 seconds to get it warm, then add nectar and yeast).
2. Stir all of it together and let it sit for 5 minutes until foam appears on top.
3. In the meanwhile, pulse flour and salt in a food mixer.  I used a blender and it worked fine.  I just used the pulse mode and had to shake it up once in a while.
4. Add the yeast mixture AND olive oil to the flour in blender or mixer.  This will get thick and sticky.
5. Dump onto a floured surface and knead for 3 minutes, adding flour to prevent sticking when needed.
6. Cut ball of dough into two sections to have two different balls. 
7. Place on a floured baking sheet, covered with plastic (spray plastic so it doesn’t stick), and let rise for 45 minutes.  It should be in a warm place to help it rise.  I put mine by the window since it’s warm outside.  Mine rose pretty quickly.
8. Grease a pizza pan and/or foiled baking sheet.  I used both because I was baking both dough balls. 
9. Stretch the dough with your fingers.  It spreads pretty quick.  Just stretch it out to a circle or rectangle, depending on how thick you want it.
10. Brush about 1 tsp. over each crust.  You can use your fingers if you don’t have a brush.
11. Drizzle BBQ sauce over crust, sprinkle cheese on dough, add pork or chicken, add onions, and then sprinkle a little more cheese on top (just a little).  I topped the other dough with spaghetti sauce, cheese, sausage, green pepper, and onion.
12. Bake pizza at 475 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  She says 500, but I think my oven cooks faster, so I only set it to 475.

I couldn’t even wait before I took this picture.  Ryan doesn’t like cheese on his pizza, so one side is cheeseless…weirdo!

 

 

I’m serious, you must go try this pizza!  The crust is light and soft!  I’m making it again this week!