Embracing Neutrals, Custom Designs, Autumn + Our Best Sale of The Year

I have this dear friend named Caitlin who was (and still is) a talented interior designer by career before her current gig as a Stay-at-Home Mama to a darling little girl. She knows EXACTLY what she likes. She is careful and calculated in her approach. Her home is lovely and I ADORE her style and everything she creates.

She stopped by my studio this week to order some prints from my shop. That in itself is such an honor — that she wants to put my work on her walls.

The best part is that we sat down together in front of my computer screen and customized each design to fit her neutral color scheme. It was so much fun! Just a few days earlier, she had borrowed my Pantone color guide and came prepared with very specific color choices. That's just who she is, and I love it!

Caitlin's way of making neutrals just gorgeous is something I kind of envy. {Neutrals are not my generally my go-to, but I'm learning to embrace them!}

She gave the go ahead for me to offer these beautiful options in beige/taupe neutrals and soft antiqued tones to all of you. Turns out she happened to pick three of my favorite designs to frame for her home!

Serve the Lord
Don't Worry About Anything
Great is Thy Faithfulness

So if you are neutral-loving kind of person or need a gift for a someone who's style is hard to define, take a look at these new options, designed with Caitlin's expertise. Then go check them out in my Etsy shop.

Who wants to stop into my studio next to create their own unique wall art?? It will be so much fun!

Have you seen our newest print for Autumn in our shop? It's available as a shipped print in 4 sizes or as an 8x10 instant download. I'm loving this 24x36 version on my mantle this season!

You can find more ideas on my Instagram feed by following @LovelyDwellingDesign.

Also, don't miss our BEST SALE OF THE YEAR – 50% off everything at Lovely Dwelling Design, through Monday, October 19, 11:59 PM EST. Promo code: FALLISON

Blessings,
Erin

FREE {John 3:30} Printable + My Favorite New App!

Hey there! It's been a while. I've been coming to grips with with the end of summer and sending my oldest off on the bus to Kindergarten, becoming my youngest son's playmate during the school day and watching his afternoon naps dwindle. One-on-one time with my Silas is great and all, but oh my is it hard sometimes!

I have two things I've really wanted to share with you!

First of all, back in July I started using a really amazing app called First5, developed by Lysa TerKeurst and a talented group of women. It's one of my all-time favorite apps! The content has been thought-provoking, encouraging, inspiring and full of truth, and really does take just 5 minutes! Over the summer, each devotional was from the book of John. Go check it out!

This leads to the second thing I want to share – a free printable! One devotional on John 3 struck me and I haven't been able to let go of this Scripture:
"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30 (NIV)

Apparently God wants that to be the theme I camp on this fall, but to be honest, I haven't been sure of what to do with it or say about it. But out of what felt like obedience mixed with inspiration, I went ahead and did what I do – I made it into a print and bought a pretty frame for it to sit on my desk as I ponder...

Do I really allow God to be greater than the challenges and obstacles I face? Than what I want my life to look like? Great than the emotions that sometimes overwhelm? Do I make room in my life for the Holy Spirit to speak? What if He has something much bigger and greater for me if only I would just move aside and hand over my "stuff"? This verse has stopped me in my tracks multiple times as I've responded selfishly to situations or allowed myself to wallow in disappointment. It has also moved me beyond myself and changed my perspective.

But part of the struggle can be when you still don't see Him work, despite your obedience. Fear, doubt and discouragement tend to creep in.

I read the following earlier today in that amazing app I just mentioned, which is now going through Genesis. The context: Abram struggled as he waited and waited on God to enact a covenant with him through a sacrifice. Krista Williams writes:

Sometimes when we are obedient and have done what God has told us to do, He seems to delay accepting the sacrifice we have made. That is when the vultures of doubt and discouragement begin circling in our minds. ... All we can do is lay our obedience before God, wait on Him, and protect it as we wait. We must continually drive away vultures of fear, doubt and discouragement that attempt to pick apart our obedience. 

GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD:
John 3:30 / Yellow / 5x7
John 3:30 / Aqua / 5x7

Want it printed and shipped, or a larger size? Purchase the listing in my Etsy shop.

And don't wait to download the First5 app and get started reading truth in Genesis. 

Have you used this app? What do you think? What has God shown you?

NEW DESIGN: Spirit Lead Me {Take 40% off now}

I'm kind of in love.

I just finished up this custom design for my sister-in-law. Her new house is going to be ready next month and she requested the lyrics to one of her favorite worship songs Hillsong UNITED Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail) to be the centerpiece of the main part of her new home.

Here's what it could look like framed.

I totally dig anything in gray tones I think it would be lovely in a rustic frame. I'm definitely ordering one for myself.

Here's how the design process worked:

1. She found an idea she loved with these lyrics and sent me the photo.
2. I mocked it up trying out some different color combinations. I even went a got an engineer print made so she could see it in a frame above my mantel.
3. She sent me links to the paint colors in her kitchen and family room and I matched those as best as I could on screen.
4. We adjusted spacing/colors and I sent a final proof as well as discussing where I thought she could find a great looking frame. It all took about 3 days total. 

Because I love it so much and think these words are amazing, I just made this design available in my shop both as a physical print shipped to your front door and also a PDF instant download.  

Maybe I'm loving these particular lyrics because I just started Beth Moore's study "Breath," and it's all about the Holy Spirit. The study has just begun, so I'll have to let you know more about what I learn, but I have a feeling it's going to be a good one and I'm excited to see how the Spirit leads and speaks through this study.

Now here's the good stuff....
>>Through Wednesday, July 29, take 40% off this design in my shop. Offer applies to both the physical print and the instant download. Use promo code: SPIRITLEAD40

~Erin

Summer Freebie! {We Have This Hope} Printable + Wallpaper Graphic

Hello there and happy summer! I'm been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to share some really fun summer-themed and hope-filled freebies with you!

I have a pretty amazing job as the graphic designer at my church. Last week it was even more amazing, because I got to spend my time creating a set of printables and wallpaper graphics to go along with the theme of our summer message series at Valley Community called "We Have This Hope."

During our planning sessions for this series, we kept coming back to the reality that people want something to place their hope in. They are searching for it all over the place. A quick image search on the internet is packed full of pretty anchor designs about "hope" that "anchors the soul." It's. popular.

For us, the question kept coming back to ... Yeah, but HOPE IN WHAT?? We read Hebrews 6:19 again ... "We have THIS HOPE..." Not just any hope. Not hope for the sake of having hope. Not just a fierce hope that it will all work out in the end. THIS HOPE.

THIS HOPE = HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST and His sacrificial, never-ending LOVE FOR US. Period.

He is the only hope worth anchoring our soul to.

HOPE IN JESUS desperately needs to be shared. He is the hope that cannot be shaken in a world that is ever-changing.

So that's why we are so excited about these printables and wallpaper graphics! They are available as both 5x7 & 8x10 printables, as well as a notecard. The graphics are for a range of desktop resolutions, Kindle, iPad, iPhone and Android. 

Go make this design the wallpaper on your devices this summer and download the printable as your reminder that hope is found in Christ alone.

 

 Isn't it so pretty and perfect for summer?

>>I challenge you to take it a step further and  think of someone to share this with. We've made it so easy to share THIS HOPE! Take the note card template we've created for you and send a note to someone who needs a little encouragement and needs to know how much Jesus loves them.

But wait, before you write this off because it's not your color scheme or get panic attacks thinking about using up all of your ink on your home printer {Not likely, but worth it if you do!} on one pretty printable, never fear, we've also created versions that are black & white or blue on white backgrounds. 

It's also super easy to upload a PDF to your nearest office supply location to have a beautiful print made just for you. Be sure to ask for 100# cardstock and matte finish and you'll love it!

Go download these fun printables and wallpaper graphics now. SO MANY options!  

We have this hope as an anchor to the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

May THIS HOPE anchor your soul this summer,

Erin

"Let All That You Do Be Done In Love" Navy Totes for Summer! {NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS + PROMO CODE}

I'm so excited to announce that Lovely Dwelling Design's canvas totes are back! Our bags were a big hit at Christmas, when we offered two different bags, and with your help we sold out. I really fell in love with the smaller canvas bag and wished I'd kept one for myself. I knew we had to offer these again!

We have a new design that I'm so happy with! It's just perfect for summer! They are the perfect touch as a reusable gift bag to fill with goodies for a friend or to carry around to work, Bible study, or the library. (I have to bring several bags these days when we hit up the library for summer reading!)

Another feature I love about the canvas tote is that it is deep (5"). Go check it out here and let me know what you think! These bags are LIMITED EDITION, so please don't wait to get yours!

Check out all the summer essentials you can carry with you in this lovely tote!

Or for to the library to check off that summer reading list!

BONUS: If you pre-order now, get 25% off retail price with code NAVYTOTE25. **Orders of TWO OR MORE through June 29 get these awesome bags for just $10 a piece!! {Orders will be adjusted after payment is processed.)

Please go ahead and share this with your friends or go to our Facebook Page to like us and share what's new at Lovely Dwelling Design!

"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14

It's Summer Flash Sale! {THINK Prints on sale TODAY ONLY}

Hey guys, So it's officially our "first day of summer," and my kids are already proving to be a huge challenge. We had an outing planned today and I scrapped that due to horrifying behavior. And I wasn't very nice about it. As it turns out one kiddo is hanging out on the couch not feeling so great. Good thing we canceled our plans!

This verse has grounded me today when I needed it most: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1 

So let's turn this day around with a FLASH SALE!! Many of you have expressed interest in my THINK print, so I've updated some color options and changed the 'H' to my personal favorite word, "Honoring." {Helpful can always replace Honoring if you prefer.}

TODAY ONLY it's available to you for $8. That's 50% off! It doesn't get any better than that!! Buy it now.

Go grab this print as a reminder all summer long to use words that are True, Honoring, Inspiring, Necessary & Kind. Put it in your kitchen, your bedroom, your entryway—wherever your family needs the reminder most. I'll work on finding a place for mine too!

DIY Mommy & Me Photoshoot {Mother's Day}

When you are longing for some good photos (not the iPhone kind, although those aren't too bad) of you with your boys who are growing too fast, but don't have the time, energy or budget for a professional photo shoot, you throw some polo shirts on your boys (kicking and screaming) and hand your camera to your husband, with a prayer that you'll get through this with at least one decent photo. Then you head to the backyard after dinner promising play time and dessert if they will sit for a a couple dozen photos.

And this is what we ended up with. Not bad after some photo editing. And absolutely priceless to me! Our yard even looks kind of pretty.
 

 

Then there were rare photos of our Beagle to prove that he is indeed part of the family.

Followed by soccer in the back yard. One of my favorite family activities.

Not a bad way to end to our Mother's Day!

~Erin