Practice Your Craft: Imperfectly Perfect

Practice makes perfect. — Unknown

Do you hear that phrase in the back of your head whenever you know you need to practice something? That sing-songy voice that says "practice makes perfect!" I don't know about you, but for me that voice is nagging. As a perfectionist and procrastinator, it keeps me from starting many projects and from finishing others. But as I wrote last week, forcing myself to practice my craft proves to give me more confidence and greater flexibility when I actually NEED the skills I'm building.

I love the following quote from football great, Vince Lombardi. 

Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.

You see, it's not perfection that I'm after when I'm practicing my craft. It's just practice. It's building skills. It's experiencing the movement of the pencil around a curve. It's playing with paragraph spacing and rhythm in my writing. Practice may not make perfect, but practice makes better.

I may not always share my practice. But there's no reason not to. Some of it is terrible in my opinion. Like this. 

Version 1: I really wanted to make sign with a southern twist that featured a banner that said "First Rodeo."

And I try methods that don't always work out.

Version 2: I also love the details in this leather-stamp font and could see that being interesting.
They remind me of a rodeo belt I can imagine my dad wearing when he was younger.
 The curly letters didn't flow here at all. And I still haven't mastered this banner thing. 

But in the end, I usually come up with a design that I love and will probably use in a future project.

And those designs that didn't work? I'll probably revisit parts of them later and try something with them again. 

I'd love to see pictures of your imperfectly perfect work!

Liz

Inspired by: Our Front Yard Swing

I hope you've all had a relaxing, restful Sunday! We sure did!

We went to a new church today. One we've seen a hundred times and heard about and noticed on bumper stickers. We had just never been. 

The worship and Word were awesome. It was right on point with what God has been speaking to us lately. It was so refreshing for my hubby to have a Sunday off and be able to all go to church together. After the service we met the Pastor and – get this – he lives on our street! Not just in the same area of town or a nearby neighborhood – the very same street, y'all! 

It was like meeting someone who asks where you're from and you say, "Originally? Louisiana. South Louisiana, actually." And they say their family is from South Louisiana, too, near Baton Rouge. So you elaborate a little further, "Mine is in East Baton Rouge Parish... You probably haven't heard of it. A little town called Pride." Then their eyes light up with a familiarity that only someone from that area would know and they say, "Mine is in Zachary!!" For those of you who aren't from there and don't know how crazy that is, the road my family lives on joins our town to theirs less than 10 miles away! 

So that's how we met our neighbors who happened to be the Pastors of the small church we happened to go to today. The Pastor said, "Hey, is y'all's the house with the tree swing out front?" Thankful that he recognized our quaint gesture to welcome others in, we said, "Yeah!" He said, "Every time we walk by there my little girl asks me if we can stop and swing." And, y'all! At that, we melted! See, it's our desire, through that little swing, to hear children's laughter and see friends playing. We love to peek out and see sisters pushing each other or twisting it around and around only to walk away dizzy, giggling. "Oh, please, let her!" I said. "That's why it's there out front and not tucked away in the back yard... So everyone who wants to can enjoy it!"

Somehow, that'll preach!

But in case you can't hear your own little mini-sermon in there somewhere, allow me to share one of my own...

The love of God is free! It's available to all who are willing to receive it! He makes it easy to get to. He puts it right out front. It doesn't require a ticket or a pass or a card. Not a key or a lock or a gate. It just requires you. You, surrendering to the freedom that He wants so desperately to give you.  

He's a good, good Father. 

It's who He is!

And you are loved by Him. 

It's who you are!

Have you heard this song? http://youtu.be/djrY_eFDOwE

Blessings this week, friends!

Liz

Practice Your Craft: Intentional Practice

I once had a coworker, an Art Director, whose calendar I occasionally had to manage. Every Wednesday he had lunch blocked off with the title, "Comic Wednesday." Was this a time when he snuck off to hear his favorite stand-up? Time he saved to read the Funny Papers? Or some new yoga-laughter routine?

No. (Although that laughter thing can burn off some calories!) It was an appointment he made with himself to practice his craft. He would sketch comics.

It wasn't his job. It was a hobby. But the simple practice of drawing comics kept his mind sharp and his hand nimble. It kept him engaged with his own creativity and likely provided an escape from the "real" world around him.

His intentional practice still inspires me to do the same. It may not be an hour every Wednesday (although, if that works for you, then by all means, do it!) but I find that the more intentional I am about practicing art, the more easily it comes to me.

Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine. — Ludwig van Beethoven

Don't get me wrong; there are days and times when writing and drawing are the last things I want to do. But I try my best to force myself to do them regularly. I watch others as they draw. I read blogs that others write. I use drawing and writing hand-in-hand and find that one inspires the other. I also know that when I don't want to, and force myself to, I usually come up with some of my favorite ideas! Like this one...

Be intentional about practicing your craft. Whether it's writing or sketching or sewing socks for chickens.

What's your craft? How often do you practice it? What do you do to overcome the hurdle of stagnation?

Liz

Inspired by: The Fixer Upper Queen

Is it any secret to anyone who knows me that Joanna Gaines is one of my heroes?

Any time I'm working on a design project, I often think "WWJJD?" – What Would Jo Jo Do?

And while I do love her and Chip's show on network television, I love their heart for God even more!

Almost two weeks ago a video started going around from The Gathering and it took a lot of prayer for me to write about how it affected me. It features Joanna Gaines giving her testimony about what God did for her in her business and if you read last Sunday's post, you know that I've been struggling to find God's direction for my own. It's no coincidence that I saw this video for the first time on the day after the bummer job rejection.

I have big dreams (like her) and a wonderfully supportive husband (like her) and a passion for helping people (like her). And while I don't want to BE her, I dream for God to use me like He has used her! I know exactly what she meant when she said she knew she would be given a platform one day. It's just a matter of waiting... and in the waiting, "going about our assigned tasks, confident that God will provide the meaning and the conclusions." (See last week's post).

I have been meditating on her wisdom for two weeks now:

God, Your promise that You spoke years ago, I'm now seeing. I trusted You with my dream and You've taken it farther than what I ever could've imagined. I can look back on the pattern of my life and really believe God has a purpose for me. But He also has a purpose for you and on the other side of that is the enemy. He knows where to hit. He knows to hit below the below the belt. He's gonna have that fear be - what if you fail? What if you fail in front of all these people? What if you fail and don't find someone in the lunchroom? What if your business fails? Whether you're staying home with children and raising beautiful babies or you're the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, let God speak into your life. Let His Father heart come and say 'This is what I have for you'. And I think that's the key – Not believing the lies, fixing our eyes on Jesus and believing His truth.

When she said "He also has a purpose for you... let his Father Heart come in and lead you into what He has for you" I lost it! It really is His Father Heart that is what I can lean on. Hide in. Take refuge under.

I know that as I trust Him, He will take Liz Hill & Co further than we ever dreamed! Wanna come with us?

Liz

Picture This! Candid Family Photos

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a gold thread to the meaning of life.

~ Isadora James

It's hard to believe it was a year ago that I was photographing this beautiful family's gender reveal! Sweet Baby Ella is barely five months old now and just learned to roll over all by herself. And Big Sister, Lizzie is potty training! Both are growing so quickly and mom and dad are doing a great job of rolling with the waves of parenthood!

I use photographs of this family so often, you may mistake them for my own loved ones. And you wouldn't be completely wrong. They are as close as friends can be to us without being biological! They let me snap photos anytime I want. But my favorite way to photograph them, and any family, really, is from afar. While they are having their moment, I am sometimes up to 30 feet away, capturing the joy as it happens in a real, honest way.

If your family is in the Charlotte and surrounding areas and you'd like some candid photos taken of you and your little ones as they enjoy life together, consider booking a session with Liz Hill & Co. I offer competitive rates and packages and pride myself on being low key and laid back while still focusing on the details that matter.

This time of year is perfect for outdoor sessions in the park or just in your yard. For April and May 2015, when you and a friend both book photography sessions, I'll give you each 15% off our normal rates!

Normal Rates:

60 minute Session Fee - $75

You get all your photo files (even the "bad" ones)

I'll pick a 10-15 shots that I think are the best and give them to you ready to print.

You can have them printed yourself or I will help you have them printed at a lab.

90 minute Session Fee - $150

Great for large families or Group photos

Up to an hour and a half of photography. You still get all your photo files.

I'll pick one shot of each pose for you to choose from and then retouch up to 10 images.

As always, I'll give them to you ready to print or help you have them printed at a lab.

I'll also load all pictures on a sharing website so that family can purchase as they please.

120 minute Session Fee - $300

For bridal parties, family reunions and birthday parties*

Up to 2 hours of photography. You get all your photo files.

We will work together before hand to develop a shot list and agree on an image selection from there.

Printing will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Sharing website applies here, too.

*Photography waivers must be signed for children before sharing in an online library.

General Notes:
50% deposit is due when you book the session. Balance due on the day of the shoot.

All major credit cards accepted.

Larger Session Packages and add-ons available upon request.

Mention this blog post when you call to take advantage of the April and May 2015 special for you and a friend!

Happy Hump Day!

Liz

It's Still Rock 'n Roll to Me!

Hot punk, cool funk, even if it's old junk it's still rock and roll to me! ~Billy Joel

It's no secret that we love old junk around here! And we know you do, too! But more than the old junk, we love the stories the old junk can tell. Take the Singer sewing machine table in the foyer. It belonged to my great grandmother and could tell some stories for sure! Or the step stool/seat that lives in my kitchen now. It probably helped someone reach the top shelf of a cabinet a few hundred times in its lifetime before I got it!

Then there are my chairs. I told you a while back that I'd tell you the story behind these twins. You see, as much as they look alike, they came from completely different places!

One sat beside the refrigerator in my grandparents' South Louisiana kitchen. If you know anything about South Louisiana in the summertime, "hot" is not enough to describe it. It's sticky. Muggy. Humid. But the refrigerator wasn't the reason I remember it. It was also next to a window that housed the air conditioning unit. Under that window sat a gas furnace. So no matter whether it was the middle of summer or the dead of winter, it was a popular place to stand. I say stand because we didn't usually sit in this chair. I'm sure it got its fair share of use but the way I remember it is with newspapers on the seat. Newspapers that my Paw Paw E D had already read. Funny papers that my Maw Maw Lula Belle was saving for a time when she could enjoy them without being pulled in five different directions by a child or grandchild. Crossword sections that I imagine they shared. And maybe a find-a-word book or two. A notebook of prayer requests my Maw Maw poured over every single day. Maybe a WalMart ad or two in later years when they made their weekly shopping trips into town. I wish I had sifted through that stack of papers more, now that I'm trying to tell you what was in them. I just know they were there. And any time the table was full, you could bet that old folding chair got pulled up and squeezed in with the rest of them!

I just happened to see this tell-tail mark a few days ago. Someone (ahem) wrote their name on the seat back... probably while sitting in a time out of sorts, within reach of Maw Maw as she worked in the kitchen.

This is the easiest way I can tell which one isn't my Maw Maw's. I bought it from a second hand store in Orange, VA.

A few years ago, while picking through an old second hand store in Orange, VA, I found a chair just like the one my Maw Maw and Paw Paw had. It was just like I remembered theirs and with a price tag of $3, I had to have it. You see, when I'm picking out home decor, I don't really mind if it wasn't my family members' piece as long as it reminds me of them. The step stool wasn't a hand-me-down. In fact, it came from that same store in Orange. But it reminds me so much of one my Maw Maw had in her kitchen, and pulled up to reach the high cabinets above her pie safe and over the stove. It sat right in front of the shelf with the Moon Pies and Lance crackers. :)

The same name but with different design labels is on the underside of the seat on both of them.

The lamp on this logo reminds me of some of the Mason symbols. My Paw Paw was a Mason but this chair isn't the one from his house, so it's even more of a mystery.

Maw Maw and Paw Paw's chair had metal rungs.

These wooden rungs are in great shape considering the age they must be.

You see, it's not the items that hold me. It's the memories and emotions they evoke. And as long as I can keep those memories alive and make new ones with the loved ones I have left, it's worth every moment!

I hope you find something this week that reminds you of a time gone by. Because it might be old junk but it's still worth it to me!

Happy Junkin'!
Liz

Inspired by: Eyes That See

My sister, Courtney, read Mary Beth Chapman & Ellen Vaughn's book "Choosing to SEE" over the Spring Break. It must've been great because she had it on an app on her phone and as we were touring the Nature Museum on Wednesday I could see in her eyes this desire to just plop down on a bench and escape from the world to read it! I'm starting it as soon as I finish Lysa Turkhurst's "The Best Yes" in a few days.

I wanted to share with you some inspiration from my sister, by way of the book.

"Waiting does not mean doing nothing.... 

It means going about our assigned tasks, 

confident that God will provide the meaning and the conclusions." 

~Eugene H. Peterson

Some of you know but many of you don't. But the past two weeks has been extra trying for our little family. Not in the life-threatening way or we don't know how we'll make it way but just a little extra stress to make ends meet. While I pursue this passion of mine, my husband is working his cutie patootie off every day on a freelancer's schedule to bring home the bacon. So I have been doing everything I can to earn extra income. Liz Hill & Co is a great dream but, let's face it – what new business hits the ground running? It's not like we planned for years for me to do this and finally made the leap. My business venture came out of the loss of a job and lack of a new one. So while I am ecstatic to be helping the clients I have and making the pieces I make, it certainly doesn't make up for the lack of my MBA-level salary.

A couple of weeks ago I thought I had the perfect lead. A position with a company I've worked with before, in a job that I have wanted for a long time, with potential coworkers who I knew and loved already. The position came available and I had to wait for the interview. Then the interview came and I had to wait for the answer. Then the answer came and I found out they offered it to someone else. Such a bummer! But I knew all along that if it wasn't God's perfect plan, He would protect me from it.

So it was back to the drawing board. Back to dreaming. Back to wondering and praying about what God would have this business look like. Was it just a hobby? Was it not meant to be a dream big kind of venture?

A few days of praying and seeking counsel and thinking big picture led me to the conclusion that, while this is a great, meaningful adventure, I do need the income of a J-O-B to fund the plans I have laid out. So will you pray with me while I seek that perfect position, whether full-time or part-time, that allows me to be happy at work and leave it there to be happy at home as well? One that leaves me with the energy and excitement I need to continue Liz Hill & Co's schedule?

I don't want my waiting to be doing nothing. I want it to show that I have the confidence in my Heavenly Father to give me the direction and reveal the meaning. I want to be busy about His business.

I want to have eyes that choose to see Him working in every situation... even when it means waiting.

Liz