52-Week Poem Challenge! Markets of Sunshine Podcast Episode 10

 Hello Writing Friends!

 Welcome to the 52-Week Poem Challenge hosted by Markets of Sunshine and featured in episode 10 of our weekly podcast.  I hope you are all doing well this week.  It's been so exciting to see all of you listening to the podcast here each week.  Thank You so much!  

Calling All Writers and Want To Be Poets

Today we are kicking off part two in our 52-Week Snail Mail Challenge.  It is called the 52-Week Poem Challenge.  So it goes hand and hand with the other challenge.  It will be so easy to do and for you to take part in as well.  

Are you ready?  Let's go!  If you would like to take part in the challenge all you need to do is sign-up for my email newsletter.  Or, if you are already a subscriber then be on the lookout for your invitation to take part in this challenge via email soon.

I'll have all the details for you coming in an email on Monday, October 11, 2021.

That gives me the weekend to finalize all the details and to contact those who are already on my email list and respond back to me.  I am looking for 51 or more friends to join in the challenge.  I hope you will be one of them.

Be sure to check out the YouTube video coming in the next blog post that explains how to participate in further details.  Stay tuned!

Next, I have launched a brand new 10-piece product line in my Etsy shop, Markets of Sunshine.

I hope you will come on over to take a look at this collection that I made just for you.  It's called the Cozy Season Collection.  It has everything you need to keep in touch with friends and family through good old-fashioned snail mail.  

So that's it. Short and sweet.  I would love to hear from you that you want to join in the challenge.  Just leave me a comment below and I'll be sure to get you all the details.

Keep Creating In the Sunshine,

Marsha

Daydreaming Does Wonders For Your Creativity - Episode 7 Markets of Sunshine Podcast

7 Creative habits to unlock your creativity - #6 Daydreaming 

We are talking about the "7 Creative Habits to Unlock Your Creativity" through various quick and easy ways that you can incorporate into your life each day.  Let's dive into habit #6 on our list of seven.  It's all about daydreaming and using our imagination just like we did when we were young.  Do you remember that?

I can remember back in 3rd grade and getting in trouble many times for daydreaming.  The problem was my eyes.  I sat at the back of the classroom and could not see the writing on the blackboard.  I would squint until my eyes went blurry, and then I'd get bored and start looking out the window and start daydreaming.  

Between the teacher and my Mother, the problem was finally figured out, and a trip to the eye doctor and a pair of glasses solved the issue.  So the moral of the story is that we all have the inborn ability to use our imagination to take us somewhere when we are feeling stuck.

So here is what I want you to do this week.  Get out in nature or look out a window at nature and let your imagination take you to a place you love or would like to visit in the future.  Set a timer, and when the timer goes off, your brain will automatically bring you back to reality.  Next, I want you to do whatever you love to do that makes you feel creative.  Set the timer again for however long you have to devote to this thing.  

Get on the list for lots of creative goodness

Start doing this regularly with all of the Creative Habits that I've shared with you thus far, and before you know it, they will become a natural part of your daily routine.  Isn't that cool!  Want to get the list of "7 Creative Habits To Unlock Your Creativity" delivered to your email inbox?  Simply sign-up for our free newsletter here!  

I hope that you have been enjoying this new podcast addition to the Markets of Sunshine family.  We love bringing you useful content that helps you feel joy and gratitude through nature.

Keep Creating In The Sunshine!

Stay Safe!

Marsha

Week 46: Six Weeks Left To Finish The Snail Mail Challenge

 Markets Of Sunshine

#52weeksnailmailchallenge is coming to an end in just six weeks.  We are on week 46 and the clock is counting down.  How did you do with this challenge?  I got a little behind and am working hard to get caught up so I can finish the challenge on time and have 52 cards to show for my hard work.  
I have 24 more cards to send out in the next six weeks.  I started making the new cards a few weeks ago and have a stack sitting next to me on the couch.  Things have gotten a little hectic at times which through me off my game.  
I finally have things back under control and am back to my regular routine.  I am feeling pretty good health wise and have reached my target goal for my weight for 2018.  I am just one pound away from where I was back in 2015.  

So now the big question on my mind is what kind of challenge should we do for 2019?

Here is where you come in.  I will be sending out an email next week with a survey.  It will give you three options to choose from for our challenge for 2019.  It will be a monthly challenge instead of a weekly challenge.  This gives you four weeks to get that's month challenge accomplished.

What I need from you now is some ideas.  Just post below and tell me what is your biggest challenge for keeping up with your daily routine.  You don't have to go in to a lot of detail just give me a few words like....organize tips, relationships, budgeting, gratitude etc...

You get the idea.  So help a sister out and give me your ideas.
Have you been by my Etsy shop lately?  I have lots of new patterns for you to choose from.
I've even added some new products.  Come and see what I have for you to make your life awesome!>>>>>>  Markets Of Sunshine <<<<<< makes your life an adventure!

Are you on my mailing list?  Don't miss out on getting in on this challenge survey.  Sign-up below at this link to give me your two cents.

Hero Adventures Starts Here!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and share your thoughts with us.

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha J.

Week 36: How To Get Rid Of Stress Using Creativity

Creativity Gets Rid Of Stress

Do you think of yourself as a creative person?  I'd say it's about a 50/50 split among my reader's.

Some of you don't feel like you are a creative person when it comes to making things with your hands.  While some of you are avid crafter's of all types of handmade products.  I get so excited when I've worked on a project and it turns out well.  I want to share it with all of my friends and family.

The reaction can be anywhere from that's beautiful to that's nice.  One friend asked me, "Are you doing another craft now?"  Like it was a totally weird thing to do.  If you are a true blue artisan at heart you can't just stick to one medium.  You have to try your hand at a new one every now and again or you'll get bored with the same old thing day in and day out.

It's kinda like eating.  Would you eat oatmeal every morning 365 days a year?  Year in and year out?  If you do, you are in for a big and rude awakening one day.  Your body will revolt on you one day and decide it has had enough.  You'll either get a health problem like diabetes or an allergic reaction.

No one likes the same food every day and no one likes making the same crafts every time either.

If you had to make a quilt over and over again all your life.  You'd go nuts!!! 

Here is your challenge for the week...

Creative Challenge

I challenge you to find a craft that you can start this week and complete within a short period of time.  Don't go join a quilting class if you've never sown a day in your life.  Start off with hand sewing a little pillow or pin cushion first.

Get an adult coloring book and a pack of crayons at the dollar store.  That counts for getting rid of stress.  It totally takes your mind off your problems.  After a few minutes you'll only be thinking happy thoughts and all the negative ones will fly away.

After you complete your project send it to a friend or family member.  That will count as one of your cards in our #52weeksnailmailchallenge too.

Have you seen my latest product line that I just added to my Etsy shop, Markets Of Sunshine today?

It's eco-friendly and sustainable handmade recycled paper cards.

"Blooming Gifts" Collection

Thanks for joining me this week for yet another

 "Hero Adventures" episode.

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

Sign up today!

 Get 20% off your first purchase when you join.

   

Week 33: How I Keep A Positive Attitude So I Can Reach My Goals

How I Keep A Positive Attitude So I Can Reach My Goals

Here we are at week 33 and it's already September too.  I've been busy making more cards to send out to my list of friends and family members for my #52weeksnailmailchallenge.  To help me keep a positive attitude while I reach my goals for 2018 I've been participating in swaps over at my favorite forum MaryJanesFarm.  It's a place where like minded women can share their life and take part in fun activities that are all suited for the farm girl at heart organic living lifestyle.  

 Daily Scripture Inspiration

For our 30th wedding anniversary on June 11th our daughter made me a daily scripture journal.  You can see the cover of it in the photo on the left side with the whale on the front.  She is an artist and I love everything that she draws for me.  Our 2018 regional convention was themed "Be Courageous" so that was the appropriate theme she gave this journal gift.  Every night I either write a new verse that will help me to maintain a positive attitude or I just read what I've already written and meditate on the ones that I need the most that day.

I also like to surround myself with positive quotes that remind me of just how blessed I am like the "Mother" quote on this towel.  There is no greater joy than to be a wife and mother.  I get to take care of a family and teach lots of life lessons along the way from the principles I've learned from my daily bible reading.  It's the best guide and it's free!

 

 You Are My Happy

The greatest gift a Mother can have is know that she has created a happy place for her family and friends to enjoy every time they enter her home.  The smiles on our faces is a true testament to the life we live and enjoy together.  It didn't happen by chance it came about from a lot of hard work and from living by the standards of God's word and not the worlds or our own.

 Woman's Best Friend

I've always found that you can't trust people who don't like animals or plants. Giggle!  That might seem like a bit of an exaggeration but I have always found it to be true.  We were created to live on the earth and to take care of the creatures and plants God put here for us to enjoy.  

When I work in my garden I feel like I'm in my happy place.  When I watch animals play or come to my feeders it gives me the greatest since of fulfillment as a care giver.  One of the gifts I was given by my creator.  Life isn't all about me.  It's about helping and taking care of others as well as myself.

Encouragement

Another gift I was given that I'll share with you, of how I keep a positive attitude so I can reach my goals, is by encouraging others.  When I sit down to write a letter on one of my handmade cards I want to upbuild and lift the spirits of the person who will read it.  I like to update them on how I'm doing and then tell them all the things they do that I admire about them.  I don't want anyone to feel forgotten or to feel lonely or that no one cares.  There are people who do care.  It's our job to let them know that they are valued to us and to give something of value to them from us in return.  

When I read successful people saying things like: "If you are starting a business just to make money you will never be happy or successful."  Or, on social media people who are trying to get out of debt saying:

"I'm not any happier now that I paid off my debt than I was while I was in debt."

It reminds me of another reason I have to be thankful each day.  And, that is for all the loving family and friends I have in my life.  I have true friends and that is not easy to come by these days.  So, knowing that helps me to keep a positive attitude and helps me keep going to reach my goals.  

That makes me truly happy each and every day!

My number one goal is to declutter my house by the end of 2018.  I've been selling things off little by little and I can finally see some progress.  I made a worksheet that helps me do a little bit each day.

Feel free to join my Hero Adventures newsletter and I'll send you the worksheet.

Free Day Planner Worksheet

 

 Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha 

 

 

Week 31: Be An Every Day Hero Of Your Own Life!

It's time to be your own every day hero!

 

Here we are at week 31 of my #52weeksnailmailchallenge.  I am so proud of myself for sticking with it and making it to over half way through the year.

I have to be honest and say that I didn't get as much support from my friends as I was hoping to.  But, that is not discouraging me or stopping me from continuing on my journey and finishing my goal.  

 

After all it was my challenge that I started to keep myself positive and to help me focus on others and not just myself.  My daughter pointed that out to me the other day when we were talking about where I am on my list of 52.   She is one of my loyal supporters and she has done fabulous with her letters.  She even has a few pen pals now which is very exciting to see.  I am so happy for her!

________________________ 🦋🦋 ________________________ 

So we cheer each other on and help each other stay focused so we can reach our goal and have sent 52 cards and letters by the end of 2018.  We have discovered a whole new world of letter writing.  There are many others out there that feel just like we do and who are turning letter writing into an art form.

 

You don't just write a letter on a few pieces of paper and stick it in a plain envelope anymore.  You embellish the envelope and the letter and send little goodies along with your hand written message.

Remember this one that I made earlier in the year?

This is one of our favorite ways to send our letters and goodies.  You'll notice the card is in the middle and the pockets are on the sides for you to fill with goodies.  Then you just fold the flaps in and wrap washi tape around it to keep it closed.  

 

This one is my second favorite way to send a letter.

 You'll find this one on my week 2 regarding pen pal pocket letter's.

 So what do you need to get started on your own #52weeksnailmailchallenge?

First, start with the mindset that you're going to do this with or without the support of your friends or family members.  But, if you can find at least one person to do this with it will really help you complete the task.

 

Second, gather all your supplies.  I joined Stampin Up! and they have a monthly card making kit called Paper Pumpkin subscription box.  I took advantage of the prepaid subscription so I could get one month free.  You can join by click here: Paper Pumpkin. 

If you need any help you may contact me at: marsha@marketsofsunshine.com

_______________________________💮💮 __________________________________

Third, grab my worksheet so you can fill in the 52 names and address and put it in your planner or notebook.  Click here for worksheet.  After you fill in the form I'll email you the worksheet to the email address you submitted.

_______________________________ 🌤🌤 _________________________________

Fourth, sit down and get started writing your first penpal letter using any of the methods I've shown you over the last 31 weeks of posts.  You can go back to Week 1 Mail Art: here. 

 Are you ready to be your own every day hero?  Join me and follow along on my adventures and make your life meaningful.  

 

Week 27: List of 10 Must Have Gift Ideas For July Gift Giving

Welcome to Week 27

#52weeksnailmailchallenge

You don't have to face the extreme heat or pouring rain when you need a gift.  Shop from the comfort of your home with artisans with established businesses online.

I have personally made purchases from most of these seller's shop on Etsy.  They are honest folks and aim to please.

I've put together a list of 10 must have gift ideas for your July gift giving needs.  All of these gifts are found on Etsy and are either handmade or vintage finds.  Enjoy!

1.  Mystery grab bag gift collection for baby shower gifts and get well gifts or other special occasion that require something soft to cuddle. 

 Pioneer Fundraiser Etsy Shop 

click the shop name above

2.  Mystery grab bag for pen pal or letter writing

Markets of Sunshine Etsy Shop 

3.  Mystery Fabric Sampler Bag

Icky Chic Designs Etsy Shop

4.  Tea Sampler

Happie Coconut Etsy Shop

5.  Creamed Soap Sampler

Creamed Soap Etsy Shop

6.  Family Name Wood Coaster

Wildflower Lettering Etsy Shop

7.  Maui Earrings

 Mellow Yellow Jewelry Etsy Shop

 8. Handmade Buttons

Bumble Beads Buttons Etsy Shop

9.  Hand Painted Keepsake Box

Essence of the South Etsy Shop

10.  Raw Honey

Hillside Bees Etsy Shop

 If you want to receive a discount from our shop we invite you to join our mailing list so you never miss one of our big sales events.

See you next time.  

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

Week 19 - Week 26: How To Stay Focused On Your Debt-Free Journey

How To Stay Focused On Your Debt-Free Journey

Week 19- Week 26

I know I have gotten a little behind in doing my week by week posts for my #52weeksnailmailchallenge. Even though I have not been posting weekly for a few weeks I have been sending out my weekly cards to family and friends.

June is a very special month for my husband and I.  We are celebrating 30 years of marriage and I wanted this to be an extra special and memorable occasion.  So, we are giving gifts to each other for 30 days.  At the same time, we are spending more time together working on our debt-free journey.

We held our first garage sale in May and had a few people show up and sold a few items.  Yay!  I also have been posting in Facebook groups on a weekly basis and have sold even more things to folks in several counties.  WooHoo!  It really feels good to be getting rid of things we don't use and having them go to families that will use them.

I am seeing the floor again in my garage storage area along with opening up space along the wall of the garage where bigger items were before.  

The fact that people are keeping their word and actually showing up at the time they say is truly refreshing and it is encouraging me to keep going on this debt-free journey. 

So, here's how we stay focused on our debt-free journey.

First, I use my Living Well Spending Less planner and write down the main 3 goals for the year, the month, the week and the day.  This year was pretty simple.  There are 3 main goals that I write down each month.  

1.  Selling off unused items around the house

2.  Working on my Etsy business and blog posts (MarketsofSunshine and PioneerFundraiser)

3.  Mailing my cards and letters each week

 #52weeksnailmailchallenge

Second, we discuss our progress each night along with what we are grateful for that day.  This helps us stay focused and keeps us positive.  At the end of the day we can see our hard work paying off with good results. 

I have to admit it took some doing to get my husband on board with this whole new way of doing things.  He is not a goal setter or planner keeping kind of man.  But, he has slowly seen the light over time.  Now, when he hears the ka-ching on my phone from my Etsy shop getting another sale he gets just as happy as I do.

When I tell him someone is coming to pick up xyz item that sold on Facebook he does a happy dance right along with me.

The hardest thing has been to have him let go of his possessions like his bike of 30 plus years.  His tools and equipment that he might need for a future job etc...

Third, I say a prayer for what I am grateful for at the end of each day.  Having faith that you are not doing things on your own power but on that of God's, is why I know we will be successful and reach each and every goal that we write down.

As you can see it does not have to be complicated to start a debt-free journey.  You just have to be committed and communicate with your partner every day.

Newsletter Revamp

I am starting fresh with my newsletter starting in July 2018.  It will have four main themes each month as follows:

• Gluten free recipes
• How To's
• Customer Reviews, Sales and Product Launches
• PDF Worksheet for budgeting and organizing

 Thanks for taking the time to read this week's post at Markets of Sunshine website.  If you have something you need help with that I focus on just leave me a comment below.  Or, open your newsletter and leave a comment there.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.




                                    Sending You Sunshine,
                                    Marsha J.
 

Week 17: Chosen Farm Girl Of Month May 2018 On MaryJane's Farm Forum

Week 17: Farm Girl of Month May 2018

Howdy! my lovely reader's.  It is so nice to have you stop by today and take a peek into my life.  I know some of you are celebrating this special occasion with me.  Yet others are wondering what in the world is a farm girl of month.  What is MaryJane's Farm forum?

 This was a big event for me because I have been active on this forum for over 10 years.  It was a total surprise for sure.  I have taken part in so many fun swaps with other farm girl's at heart, as we are affectionately known, for all kinds of craft items and tea party themed swaps.

Here are a few of the sweet gifts I received from my dear farm girl's at heart aka sisterhood friends.

In her own words: "Congratulations Marsha, you are so sweet, special and deserving. Think of you often when I have tea, remembering the Farm Girl Tea get to gather we had. Enjoy your special month. Hugs and Love Karla"

In her own words: "Congratulations Marsha as our FGOTM for May!! I hope you enjoy this special month and have some extra Farmgirl fun!! Farmgirl Hugs to you from Sunny Florida!!"

The Congrats! keep coming in on the thread daily from farm girls from all over the USA.  The head Sister, MaryJane even surprised me with a gift in the mail.  Here it is:

I have not heard from MaryJane yet on the forum.  She took a month off for some R&R.  Just the fact that she took the time out of her very busy schedule to acknowledge me was very much appreciated.

If you'd like to read what the other farm girls Congrats! to me you can head on over to the MJF website discussion thread Farm Girl of Month, here.  Go to page 92.

The reason I am sharing this part of my life with you is to encourage you to start your own local sisterhood chapter with your friends and family members.

Have your own craft days and swap events.  Getting together with friends and family to just do fun things is a big stress reliever for us all.

If, you say you don't have stress you are not telling the truth.  Just to keep up with the daily routine is stressful.  Why not take the time to get together with a few of your friends.  

Invite ones you don't know very well and get to know them better.  Step out of your normal circle of friends and invite a totally new group of acquaintances over and get to know each other better.  You might just strike up a few new friendships in the process. 

I made a challenge this year to send out one card and letter every week to my circle of friends and acquaintances.  I didn't know how much this would impact me until now.  Every card and every letter I have sent out was just what that person needed at that moment in their life.

I called it: #52weeksnailmailchallenge you can read week 1, here.

It has evolved into a whole new craft from for me.  The old fashioned pen pal movement is back in full swing.  You don't just send a plain card and stick it in an envelope.  Oh! no.  That is old school for sure.

Here is the new way.  Pocket Letter's.

 I plan on adding them to my Etsy shop, MarketsofSunshine in the very near future.

In the meantime, I invite you to join my StampinUP! click here >>>>> Paper Pumpkin subscription box.

click here to receive your first card making box of goodies in the mail for next month.  You'll be so glad you did.

You can thank me later.

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

P. S. I'd love to have you follow my blog.  Just click the follow button on the right side bar. 

Week 16: How To Start An Indoor Miniature Garden On A Budget

Have you caught the miniature garden bug yet?

I have!  I had it long before it became popular.  I have always been fasinated with miniature figurines.

Here is what I started with. I searched through my house and collected all of my miniature figurines that I had purchased over the years.

 It is a collection of all the things I enjoy doing in my life.

Birdhouse, butterfly, camping, flowers, nature, gardening, needlework, tea and a little tractor to keep the grass mowed.

Where To Start?

1.  Search your own collection room by room

2.  Ask friends and family if they have any miniatures they want to give away and do a swap

3.  Go to garage sales or thrift stores

4.  Ask in online forums and groups and do a swap

5.  Save up a $1 a week for your miniature collection

Most of these cute miniatures were under $5 each.  Some were gifted to me and some I bought at garage sales and thrift stores.

Others, I made myself from a kit.

#52WeekSnailMailChallenge - Week 16

 Sending out my pocket letters to friends was so much fun.  They are filled with so many goodies and surprises. 

What did you send out this past week?  I'd love to see.
Just in case you missed Week 1 you can catch it here:
Mail Art Week 1

Have you seen my newest product line?

Paris Collection!

Wallets and Coin Purse Sets

 You'll find them in my Etsy shop, MarketsofSunshine

Click Here!

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

Week 14: Teach Cursive Writing At Home #52WeekSnailMailChallenge

What You Can Do

• Send your child or grandchildren letters by mail
• Make a day to teach them cursive writing
• Start with signing their legal name
• Start a pen pal challenge

You'll find many new styles for sending letters by mail like stuffed envelopes, pocket letters and more in my Etsy shop, 

MarketsofSunshine.

 Check out my pen pal letters I've started sending this year in past blog posts like this one, Mail Art. 
Don't miss any of my posts.  Sign-up for my mailing list here:
 
 Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

P.S. If you can read my cursive writing above leave me a comment below and tell me your age.