Wonder of wonders

Wonder of Wonders

As I sit in my warm living room, watching the snow fall softly outside while our Christmas tree glows with twinkling lights and ornaments, I’m reminded of Christmas memories from years gone by. My table is scattered with scraps of vinyl, glitter, and half-finished projects as I work on custom Christmas orders, and even in the busyness, my heart keeps circling back to the why behind it all.

I think of the wonder and excitement I felt as a child, eagerly anticipating the reward for having been “good” all year. I remember the sleepless Christmas Eve nights, listening for any sound that might mean gifts were being quietly placed under the tree.

Then I think of the sheer joy of watching my own children light up with excitement over the treasures waiting for them on Christmas morning—the squeals, the wrapping paper everywhere, the sparkle in their eyes. Those moments are precious and beautiful.

Yet, as special as those memories are, they are nothing compared to the wonder the shepherds experienced one starry night in Bethlehem.

Just imagine it: a few ordinary men out in the fields, simply doing their job, tending their sheep. It begins as a normal night—quiet, routine, uneventful. Then suddenly, everything changes.

Out of nowhere, a host of angels appears, dazzling in God’s glory, lighting up the night sky. They tell the shepherds not to be afraid, but to rejoice, because a Savior has been born. Not a distant king, not an unreachable ruler—but a Savior for them, for us.

The angels tell them where to go, and the shepherds hurry to find the baby Jesus, just as they were told—wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger, with Mary and Joseph nearby in that humble stable.

What a wonder that first Christmas must have been.

God’s only Son, born not in a palace but in a manger. Born so that we might be saved from our sins. Born to bring hope, light, and life to a broken world. Truly, the best gift ever.

As I create and share handmade gifts during this season—cups, pens, ornaments, little treasures meant to bring a smile—I’m reminded that every gift we give is just a tiny reflection of that greatest gift given to us in Bethlehem. My prayer is that each piece I make carries not just sparkle and color, but also a reminder of the hope and love we have in Jesus.

This holiday season, I hope you are able to slow down, look beyond the wrapping paper and busy schedules, and experience the true wonder of the season—the Savior who came near.

> “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

— Luke 2:11 (KJV)

Counting Blessings in November

It’s hard to believe ten months of 2025 are already behind us—and in just two short months, we’ll be welcoming a brand-new year! The cooler temps, shorter days, trees shedding their colorful leaves, and that unmistakable hint of pumpkin spice in the air are all reminders that fall is in full swing.

November always feels like a month for reflection. It’s a time to pause and really take stock of our blessings. Life moves fast—between work, family, and daily routines, it’s easy to get caught up in what needs to be done instead of appreciating what’s already been given.

When I stop and look around, I realize just how much God has blessed me. A wonderful, supportive husband. Two phenomenal kids. Parents who raised me to have faith and trust in the Lord. Brothers who will drop whatever they’re doing to help their little sister. Beautiful, sassy nieces and nephews who keep life interesting. A village of coworkers and friends who’ve encouraged and supported me through new chapters. A loving church family and a pastor who helps strengthen my walk with God.

And of course, the opportunity to create—to pour my heart into projects that bring a little joy and sparkle to others. I’m also so thankful for you—my customers, followers, and friends—who have cheered me on and supported my small business journey. Whether you’ve ordered from me, shared a post, or simply followed along, please know how much I appreciate you. I may not always say it enough, but I truly thank God for placing you in my life.

As you begin planning your family gatherings and holiday traditions, I encourage you to take a few quiet moments to pause and reflect on the blessings in your life. Big or small, each one is a gift from a God who provides for every need—home, food, clothes, love, and grace upon grace.

If you’re thinking about gifting something handmade and meaningful this Christmas, now’s the perfect time to start planning. Custom orders will be accepted through November 30th, so I can make sure each piece is crafted with the care and detail it deserves.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1

With gratitude and glitter,

💜 Aimee

Footprints Through Fall

Footprints Through the Fall

One of my favorite poems has always been Footprints in the Sand—that image of a single set of footprints on the beach, paired with the author’s desperate question: “Lord, where were You when I needed You most?” Only to learn that in those moments, God wasn’t distant at all—He was carrying them.

Lately, I’ve been living that poem.

October has come in like a whirlwind. I started a new job. My mom fell, broke her arm, and has been in the hospital and rehab. At church, I joined the handbell choir. I was in band over 40 years ago, so now I’m dusting off long-forgotten music skills.

The days are getting shorter, the air is cooler, pumpkins are popping up on porches, and the trees are quietly slipping into their golden farewell before the leaves fall.

And at the end of each day, my body isn’t just tired—it’s exhausted.   In those moments, I catch myself asking God a very honest question:    You promised not to give me more than I can handle… so how much do You think I can handle, exactly?

But then I remember another promise:

“Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Life doesn’t pause when we’re overwhelmed. Yet even in the chaos, God remains in control. He gives us what we need—often before we realize we needed it at all. Sometimes it looks like the wisdom of a doctor. Or help from our village. Or a quiet Sunday afternoon nap. Or simply the beauty of a crisp fall morning that reminds us we’re still being held.

Soon the trees will be bare, and we’ll shift our gaze toward Thanksgiving. But I don’t have to wait for a holiday to be grateful. I can already say this with full certainty: God has carried me through these past few weeks, and I trust Him to keep walking—sometimes beside me, sometimes ahead of me, and sometimes with me cradled in His arms, leaving just one set of footprints in the sand.

Scripture Reminder:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

A Season of Change, A Season of Trust

A Season of Change, A Season of Trust

Fall has always been a season of beauty and transformation. The air grows cooler, the days grow shorter, and the trees paint the world with vibrant shades of gold, crimson, and amber. Every year, creation reminds us of God’s perfect design—there is indeed “a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

This fall feels especially like a season of change for me. After 15 years, my job is being eliminated due to budget reductions. It’s not easy to say goodbye to something that has been such a steady part of my life. Change often brings both pain and possibility, and I am holding both in my heart. At the same time, our church is preparing to say farewell to our pastor, who has accepted an amazing opportunity elsewhere. He is a wonderful shepherd who has poured so much love, wisdom, and truth into our congregation, and he will be deeply missed.

Yet, in the midst of change, God gently reminds me that His plans always prevail. Life on earth may shift and surprise us, but nothing surprises Him. He already knows the road ahead. His Word promises: “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So, while this season comes with some bittersweet goodbyes, I also look forward to what’s ahead: time to create new crafty designs with joy, the anticipation of family gatherings, the beauty and excitement of celebrating our Savior’s birth, and the hope of a brand-new year filled with fresh beginnings.

Change isn’t always easy, but fall reminds us that God makes transitions beautiful. Just as the leaves let go to make way for new life, I’m learning to let go and trust His timing.

Because even when life feels uncertain—God’s plan is certain.

Stronger Than I Look: Finding Strength Through Christ (and a Little Glitter)

Verse of the Month:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." – Philippians 4:13

Let’s just get this out there—I am not what you'd call “physically strong.” I’ve never been athletic. In fact, I used to joke that when God handed out muscle, I must’ve been in the glitter line instead.

A few weeks ago, I had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, and let me tell you... I was reminded (not so gently) of my lack of physical strength. Healing has been slow. My body moves at a different pace these days, and recovery has been humbling. It’s easy to wonder, What if I had taken better care of myself all those years? Would this be easier?

But in the quiet moments—when I can't lift, reach, or do all the physical things I want—I’ve been reminded of something bigger:

God doesn’t measure strength the way we do.

Some people have told me they see strength in me—not in my arms or back, but in my patience, in how I stick with things, how I quietly persevere when life is hard. And truthfully? Those aren’t strengths I naturally recognize in myself. In fact, there have been seasons where I felt so fragile I wondered how I’d make it through another day.

But that’s the key. I didn’t make it through alone.   It’s only because of my faith in God—because He’s given me His Son and the Holy Spirit to walk alongside me—that I’ve made it through the deepest valleys.

We’re empty nesters now, and life’s a little quieter. But challenges still come. And I still need His strength. Every. Single. Day.

God, in His goodness, has also given me the gift of crafting—a place to pour joy, color, and a little sparkle into the world, even when my body is limited. When I create, I feel a kind of strength rise up—not physical strength, but the kind that comes from purpose, peace, and the steady presence of the Holy Spirit.

So no, I’m not a bodybuilder. But through Christ?

I am strong enough.

Stronger than I look. Stronger than I feel.

Because His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and I’ll take that kind of strength any day.

Stronger Than I Look: Finding Strength Through Christ (and a Little Glitter)

Stronger Than I Look: Finding Strength Through Christ (and a Little Glitter)

Verse of the Month:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." – Philippians 4:13

---

Let’s just get this out there—I am not what you'd call “physically strong.” I’ve never been athletic. In fact, I used to joke that when God handed out muscle, I must’ve been in the glitter line instead.

But a few weeks ago, I had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, and let me tell you... I was reminded (not so gently) of my lack of physical strength. Healing has been slow. My body moves at a different pace these days, and recovery has been humbling. It’s easy to wonder, What if I had taken better care of myself all those years? Would this be easier?

But in the quiet moments—when I can't lift, reach, or do all the physical things I want—I’ve been reminded of something bigger:

God doesn’t measure strength the way we do.

Some people have told me they see strength in me—not in my arms or back, but in my patience, in how I stick with things, how I quietly persevere when life is hard. And truthfully? Those aren’t strengths I naturally recognize in myself. In fact, there have been seasons where I felt so fragile I wondered how I’d make it through another day.

But that’s the key. I didn’t make it through alone.  It’s only because of my faith in God—because He’s given me His Son and the Holy Spirit to walk alongside me—that I’ve made it through the deepest valleys.

We’re empty nesters now, and life’s a little quieter. But challenges still come. And I still need His strength. Every. Single. Day.

God, in His goodness, has also given me the gift of crafting—a place to pour joy, color, and a little sparkle into the world, even when my body is limited. When I create, I feel a kind of strength rise up—not physical strength, but the kind that comes from purpose, peace, and the steady presence of the Holy Spirit.

So no, I’m not a bodybuilder. But through Christ?

I am strong enough.

Stronger than I look. Stronger than I feel.

Because His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and I’ll take that kind of strength any day.

🇺🇸 What Does America Mean to You? 🇺🇸

Every July, the smell of grilled hot dogs and the pop of fireworks in the sky mark more than just another holiday. For me, July 4th is a sacred reminder of the incredible heritage we’ve been given as Americans. It’s more than parades and sparklers—it's a celebration of the freedoms that were fought for, bled for, and too often forgotten.

Our forefathers fought and died to give us a nation rooted in liberty:

👉 Freedom to worship without fear.

👉 Freedom to speak our minds—even if we don’t all agree.

👉 Freedom to vote and have a voice in our future.

These freedoms weren’t handed to us wrapped in a bow—they were earned through grit, loss, and an unshakable belief in what this country could be.

> “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

– Psalm 33:12

For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege—and the heartache—of being a Blue Star mom. That means someone I love deeply wears the uniform, serves our nation, and stands ready to defend those very freedoms we sometimes take for granted. And let me tell you, when your child raises their hand to serve, suddenly the word freedom takes on a whole new weight.

I see it all the time—people forgetting. Forgetting that our freedom came at a steep price. That millions perished to give us the right to argue, to worship, to build lives on our own terms. Sometimes I get discouraged when I see people complaining that freedom means “everything should be free”—as if the right to pursue a good life means it should just be handed to us.

Or when freedom of religion gets twisted into an excuse to mock or persecute people of faith—especially Christians and Jews. That’s not freedom. That’s intolerance dressed up in hypocrisy.

And don’t even get me started on the politicians who get rich while claiming they’re “serving the people.” I’m pretty sure our founding fathers didn’t cross an ocean and go to war so someone could pad their bank account in the name of patriotism.

Sometimes I find myself longing for a simpler America—one where hard work was honored, where a person could have a home, a job, and raise their family without fear of being targeted for what they believe. Not a perfect past, but a place where faith, family, and freedom weren’t buzzwords—they were real.

> “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

– Galatians 5:1

And while I love this country and the freedoms it offers, the greatest freedom I have isn’t found in the Constitution—it’s found at the foot of the Cross. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to offer us freedom—freedom from sin, from shame, from eternal separation. Real freedom. Eternal freedom. All He asks in return is that we believe in Him and trust in His plan for our lives.

> “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

– John 8:36

This July, I’m challenging myself—and you—to pause between the fireworks and BBQs and ask:

What does America mean to you?

Not the headlines. Not the politics. But at its core. What do you cherish most about being an American? And even more importantly—what does freedom in Christ mean to you?

Let’s not forget what this country was built on. Let’s remember what so many have sacrificed to give us. And maybe, just maybe, let’s live like we still believe that liberty—both earthly and eternal—is worth defending.

With gratitude and hope,

Aimee

Proud Blue Star Mom, Faith-Fueled Creator, and Lover of All Things Red, White, and Sparkly ✨