Introducing Flat Rate Design Services

After much research and consideration, I am excited to introduce flat rate design & decorating services from Beth Hart Designs - a way to deliver concise, streamlined & budget-conscious design services for my clients. 

I’ll be honest: I do not like paying hourly rates nor do I like charging hourly rates. If I were my own client, I would appreciate knowing the up-front estimated costs of a project before entering into an agreement for design & decorating services. I have learned that hourly projects tend to be open-ended and linger longer than anyone wants them to... So I personally feel that it’s best to put a precise budget and finish line on design projects - in order to preserve the sanity of all parties involved.

Here’s how I plan to make this happen...

1. Complimentary Phone Consultations:

   Before I accept any projects, and before my client agrees to any design services, I will schedule a free phone consultation to see if we are a match made in heaven. This eliminates the need for in-home consultations until we know that we want to work together - which saves time & money for everyone. 

2. Defined Design Fees & Budgets:

   Once the scope of the project has been defined, I will provide a flat rate estimate for my time and design services needed to complete the outlined project. This flat rate will be combined with the client’s budget for the cost to purchase new items. Of course there are “unexpected costs” that can occasionally pop up, but the overall goal is to let clients know the expected design costs of a project on the front-end. Whenever possible, I will extend my designer discount to clients, and no mark-ups will be added to the products I purchase. Please see the equation below for clarity:

   Flat Rate Designer Fee + Cost of Products Purchased = Total Design Budget*

   *If the project requires additional services from other professionals such as painters, electricians, plumbers, etc. those bills will be paid separately outside of the design fees.

3. Efficient Execution of Precise Design Plans:

   Once the scope of the project has been defined, I will provide a precise design plan for the client to review. Minor edits will be allowed, but after finalizing this plan, I will execute the purchasing and installation of products in the most efficient and timely manner possible. Because I wish to provide focussed & efficient customer service, I will only accept one or two projects at a time.

At this time, I no longer offer hourly consultations. Please send inquiries to: bethhartdesigns@gmail.com - I look forward to working with you!

Budget-Friendly Guest Bathroom Makeover

Our guest bathroom has been pretty pitiful-looking for the past 4 years that we've lived in our home. We painted the walls and installed a new faucet and some cheap sconces right away, but otherwise it just kept getting knocked down the to-do list. As is the case with many young families, our time, money and energy have been spent on more important things for our children. During my recent maternity leave, I needed a creative outlet and decided it was time to tackle the guest bathroom. 

Although I have great plans to renovate and reconfigure our guest bedroom, bathroom and laundry room, those plans are on hold for the (distant) future. In the meantime, we have been making budget-friendly cosmetic and decorative improvements to put our stamp on these spaces without breaking the bank. Both personally and professionally, I try my best to be budget-conscious and respectful of my resources. You can read more about that on my Philosophy page. 

So I set out to design a budget-friendly guest bathroom - full of personality and classic sophistication - without doing renovations. I'm thrilled with the outcome, and I'm excited to share these photos with you! Keep scrolling to see some before and after images - including the original condition of this bathroom when we purchased our house.

The top photo is this bathroom's original condition when we bought the house 4 years ago.

Christmas Card Orders for 2017

I'm quickly approaching my due date with our baby boy, so I'm accepting a limited number of Christmas card orders next week only - October 22nd through the 28th. This is your only chance to order for 2017. I'll be honoring my annual Early Bird Special discount of 20% off. To place your order and receive the discount, you must select a design and submit your wording, photo(s), and quantity needed no later than Saturday, October 28th. I will not be offering any built-from-scratch custom designs this year - only designs seen on my website here. Orders can be submitted through email at bethhartdesigns@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your support throughout the years, Christmas cards are my very favorite products to offer because I love seeing photos of your beautiful families!

Photos by Molly of SimplyMPhotography

An Audience of One...

Who are you trying to please? Or maybe I should ask... For what audience are you performing? These are questions I’ve been asking myself lately - and I challenge you to ask these questions of yourself: Are you trying to please or perform for your friends? your family? your co-workers? your boss? your clients? your “friends” on Facebook or Instagram? your ideal social circle? the culture in general? What audience determines your choices? your decisions? your purchases? your involvement? your posts on social media? your overall direction in life? In other words, for what or for whom are you living?

We all fall victim to outside influences... it’s part of living this life on earth. Some influences are good and some are bad, some influences are helpful and some are hurtful, some influences are life-giving and some suck the life right out of us. What influences are impacting you?

I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflecting and self-editing lately. I’ve been reading books, searching God’s Word, seeking professional guidance, and listening to people around me. I’ve realized that for a long time (as long as I can remember), I’ve been trying to please someone or perform for some audience - whether it be my family, my friends, my teachers or school, my church members or church, my clients, my professional connections, my social media audience, or just the culture in general. And to be honest, I’m tired... I’m tired of pushing myself to meet unattainable expectations of people or audiences that will never allow me to feel fully satisfied. Everyone has an opinion about what you should be doing, what status you should be achieving, or who you should be trying to become. But what really matters?

As a designer and business owner, I’ve always tried to find the best way to serve my clients - and I truly desire for them to be pleased with the products or services I offer. But lately I’ve gotten off-track, and I’ve had to eat a lot of humble pie. I’ve had to apologize more than I’ve been able to please my clients. Why? Because I started listening to the wrong voices - the voices that told me that success is achieved by working a lot, pushing really far, and taking on as many projects as possible. I saw images on social media that made me crave taking on “more” so I could produce pretty pictures like the ones I saw and admired. I didn’t feel like I measured up to other interior designers, and I wasn’t offering all the full-service bells & whistles that I thought the design industry required of me if I wanted to be considered a “real” designer. So I dove in head-first without thinking, and I started offering too many services - more than I could handle by myself (with an occasional handy-man for installations). I did some projects really well, but I’ve failed at some too - not neccessarily from the design standpoint but more in the communication and time-line departments. All of my striving for “more” has left me feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, empty and extremely frustrated with myself. 

So what am I doing about it? I’m (slowly) getting back to the basics, I’m learning to accept my limited capacity at this stage in my life, I’m making some significant edits - both personally and professionally, and I’m trying to listen to the only voice that really matters - an Audience of One - our heavenly Father. I recently read Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist, which I highly recommend if you struggle with busy-ness or trying to achieve “more.” The book left me yearning for a simpler and more intentional way of life. While I won’t go into all the personal edits I’m trying to make, I do want to catch you up to speed on the changes I’m making in my business:

I’ve already edited and updated my website with the home design services I’m currently offering. At this time, I’m only providing consultation services and room design plans - both locally and virtually. I will no longer offer shopping and installation services, and I cannot take on any long-term projects like large-scale renovations and new construction. I recently met with a client who was in need of some decorating and design direction - she was willing and able to shop for and install the items herself, but she needed specific recommendations and measurements. I was able to assist her efficiently and in a very timely manner which left her feeling very satisfied and left me feeling energized and helpful. That consultation was a gift from above - it was the wake-up call I needed to realize what I’m capable of doing well and that I need to focus only on that - especially during this sweet stage of my life with an almost 3-year-old daughter and a baby boy due in November!

This shift in my business will leave me with less pretty pictures to post on social media and add to my portfolio, but I’m okay with that - knowing that in the end, I’ll have time for more of what really matters - time with my Father, time with my family, and time to do what I am capable of doing well - both in my business and personal life. And that’s why I’m choosing to perform for my most important Audience of One.

Creating a Warm Home

The greatest compliment I can receive from a guest in my home is not “Oh, how beautiful your home is!” but “I really love how warm and welcoming your home is!” Yes, I’m a designer so I appreciate beauty and strive to create beauty in my clients’ homes, but more importantly I strive to create warmth and a welcoming environment. I’ve referenced this idea on my Philosophy page, but I think it’s important for me to expand on this topic...

I’ve had the privilege of being in a multi-generational Bible study of women where I’ve gained so much knowledge of God’s word and perspective from women who’ve gone before me. The book we are studying (True Woman 101) lays out God’s devine design plan for creating the male and female genders. In our most recent lesson, I was excited to read this quite perfect description of why it matters so much (especially to women) to create a home:

“Creating a home is not about checking chores off a list or about filling a house with material possessions – it’s ultimately about people. It’s about creating a warm, nurturing, orderly, stable place that promotes well-being and fosters physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth. It’s about welcoming others in. It’s about ministering to the soul. It’s about community. It’s about cultivating relationships.

When we create a home, we provide a “cover” where family and friends can retreat and be sheltered from the cold cruel world outside. A place where they can rest and recharge from the daily grind. A place where they can flourish. A place that foreshadows the welcome believers will receive in heaven. A place that calls and beckons us to our eternal Home.”

Can I get an Amen? When I was reading those words in the book, I was like “Yes!! This is why I’m doing what I do!” What a sweet gift from the Father to read right there on those pages the very reason I feel called to help clients make their homes a warm, beautiful, life-giving retreat and safe-haven for all who enter. 

So what makes a home warm in addition to being beautiful? Each home requires a different amount of attention to the details that create warmth - depending on ceiling height, architectural features, finishes, lighting, etc. But there are a few common factors that I personally feel are required to create warmth:

How to Create a Warm Home...

1. Color: I know a lot of people are afraid of color, and I’m not saying you have to go all out with bright, bold, over-the-top colors. I’m simply saying that even subtle hints of soft muted colors go a long way - and by “color” I don’t mean black, white, or gray. It’s okay if you love neutrals (I love neutrals), and you can still have a generally neutral room - but that tiny splash of color makes all the difference in adding warmth to a room. See examples below:

All Images from Pinterest

2. Fabric: I love the softness that fabric and upholstery add to a room - especially fabrics used for window treatments and pillows. These details are critical in making a room feel warm, comfortable and more complete - not to mention that fabrics also help absorb sound and reduce echoes. See examples below:

All Images from Pinterest

3. Warm Wood Tones: I believe every room needs rich & natural wood tones - found most often in wood flooring and furnishings. But if you’re able to add some other natural wooden elements through ceiling beams, fireplace mantels, stained wooden doors, or even wooden roman shades - that takes it up a notch. I personally love adding warmth and character to a room with at least one antique/vintage piece of wooden furniture - in its original finish (not painted). See examples of warm wood tones below:

All Images from Pinterest

4. Lamp Lighting: You might say I have an obsession with lamps. During a consultation, I can sense when my clients start feeling uncertain about the number of lamps I’m recommending... but I just ask them to trust me! I think lamps are critical to creating warmth - especially at night. I hardly ever use overhead lighting, and when I do I have those lights on a dimmer. Warm lamp lighting creates a soft, cozy environment with just the right amount of light. I recommend at least 2 to 3 lamps per small room (larger rooms require more). See examples below:

All Images from Pinterest

5. Balancing Formal & Informal: I absolutely love French design and traditional antique furnishings, but I know that those styles can tend to be quite formal and stiff. So I always recommend balancing formal furnishings and details with more informal styles to create a space that’s rich with character but also comfortable. You want your guests to feel at home - not like they are in a museum where nothing can be touched. Comfortable seating is especially important - both in a living room and at the dinner table. I find myself constantly saying to my clients, “You want to be sure to balance rustic with refined.” See examples below: 

All Images from Pinterest

6. Layering Textures & Meaningful Decorative Items:  There is a very fine line between not enough and too much when it comes to decorating. Not having enough layers makes a house feel cold and too staged - like real people don’t live there. Having too many pieces makes a home feel cluttered and uncomfortable - like there isn’t enough room for you. The key is choosing thoughtful, meaningful and appropriately sized decorative items like rugs, art & accessories.  This is where most of my clients struggle because there is such a fine line (and it happens to be one of my favorite parts of my job). See examples of carefully curated spaces below:

All Images from Pinterest

I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a designer, and I love making homes beautiful - but more importantly I love making homes warm, welcoming, comfortable, and life-giving for the family and friends who enjoy them.

2016 Christmas Card Early Bird Special

It's that time of the year again! I'm happy to announce the return of my annual Christmas Card Early Bird Special! Now through November 6th, receive 20% off Christmas card orders. Your high-resolution photo(s), card design selection & greeting/personalization must be submitted by this date. Please email your order to bethhartdesigns@gmail.com and you'll receive a proof to review before printing. All Christmas card orders must be submitted by December 9th to guarantee delivery before Christmas. Although my focus has shifted from paper to home interiors this year, I'm so excited to continue offering Christmas cards during this sweet season. I greatly appreciate your support of my business throughout the years, and I look forward to working with you!

All Christmas card designs can be viewed here.

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Photos by SimplyMPhotography.com

Why I'm doing what I'm doing...

I've been helping clients with their homes for about 2 years now, but I've mostly provided consultation services and design plans for DIY clients as well as renovation plans for contractors. I have loved offering design guidance and creative ideas that empower my clients to decorate their homes essentially on their own. But I rarely get to see a project through from start to finish... until now.

I recently met with a client who unfortunately struggles with health issues and needs my hands-on assistance from beginning to end - shopping, decorating, installation, etc. I'm thrilled to assist her with making her home beautiful, warm and welcoming. After presenting my ideas to her at our consultation, she smiled and said with excitement that she can't wait to love living in her home. I was immediately able to see a positive shift in her mood, and she shared her enthusiasm to entertain guests in her home once we have it decorated.

That consultation was such a gift for me - I felt God was telling me loud and clear exactly why I feel called to make homes beautiful. Our living environment can drastically affect us whether we realize it or not. And I want to improve people's lives by providing them with well-designed spaces that they love and can be proud to share with their family and friends. My client was grateful for my design ideas and services, but I was even more grateful for the gift that she gave me.

I look forward to sharing the before & after photos with you soon, but until then I'll share the inspirational design boards that I presented to my client...

Change is in the Air...

It's become pretty clear to me - it's time for a change. Although change can be so good for you in the long run, it doesn't always come easily... and I've been resisting this change for a while. Eight years ago, Beth Hart Designs was born - as a custom stationery & invitations business. I've learned a lot as a designer & entrepreneur, and my business has grown so much - thanks to your loyal support. I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity you've provided for me.

Over the past 2 years, my business has slowly been shifting... from Paper Design to Home Design. I've always been passionate about making our own home warm, gracious & beautiful, but I never dreamed I'd get to make a career out of helping others achieve that same goal. I really appreciate those of you who have trusted me and invested in my Home Design services as I've set out on this new journey - you've built my confidence and taught me so much along the way.

I've been trying to provide both services for a while - both Paper & Home Design, but I'm starting to wear thin. I've been working late, late nights and on the weekends just to try to keep up, but lately I've realized that no one is getting the best of me - not my paper clients, not my home design clients, and sadly not even my family. So something's gotta give...

I've been praying for God to show me clear signs for which direction to take my business, and he has answered these prayers in numerous ways. All of which point to Home Design. So change is happening - I'm taking a break from paper to fully invest in my Home Design business. I will still be offering Christmas Cards in October, November & December but no other paper products at this time.

I'm so very excited about this new business opportunity, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous and scared. In some ways, I feel like I'm starting all over again. Choosing Home Design is definitely the more challenging path to take, but I love it - my heart is in the work, and I'm passionate about helping others find peace & beauty in their own homes. You can read more about my love for Home Design & Southern Hospitality here. 

"Thank You" feels insufficient for how much I appreciate your support of Beth Hart Designs. I hope you'll stick around with me as I dive head-first into Delightfully Southern Home Design.

A photo of our fireplace mantle recently re-posted on House Beautiful's Instagram Account

Perfect Imperfection...

Making your house a home is a process - it doesn't happen overnight, and it shouldn't happen overnight. In a world that often demands instant gratification, it can be difficult to be patient and take your time when putting together the rooms of your home.

As a designer helping others renovate and decorate their homes, I find it difficult to accept the imperfect and unfinished state of my own home. I'm a designer, my house should be perfect, right? We purchased a 1950's ranch in 2014, and although many renovations took place before we moved in, our house is a never-ending project - which happens to be one of the reasons I love it so much. I follow many talented designers on Instagram, and I love browsing through the beautiful photos on Pinterest and Houzz - mainly to gain business knowledge and inspiration - however I'd be lying if I told you that I leave these Social Media platforms feeling completely satisfied with my own home. 

I'm reading Phoebe Howard's book Room by Room, and she addresses the importance of taking your time. "Always keep in mind that decorating is a complicated process that takes time, planning, and money. It is an expensive undertaking, and it is easy to make costly mistakes. The more planning and thoughtful collaboration that you allow, the better the result will be. Be patient and take your time - it should not happen overnight. Let your house show who you are, what you like, and where you are going." Well said, Mrs. Howard.

So now I want to (very hesitantly) show you some photos of unfinished spaces in our home - as an effort to accept this perfectly acceptable imperfection. Gulp. First up, the Dining Room: We opened up 4 rooms in the center of our house by knocking down walls - leaving a walk-around, see-through fireplace. I've only posted photos of the kitchen and what's on the other side of this fireplace because the dining space is so very unfinished. The table, parsons chairs and china hutch are from our last house, and like many couples our age, my husband and I are in the process of replacing our "newlywed furniture" with more lasting furniture. I do have a plan for this space which involves buying new chairs, painting the china hutch and the French doors, installing wainscoting on the walls and wood beams on the ceiling, addressing the mantle decor and replacing the table with a rustic trestle table in a lighter wood finish. But until we find the time and save the money to do all of this, the room will look like this:

And here are 2 other areas of this large open room - the Foyer and the "Clock Corner." Both spaces contain furniture that I found at the Nashville Flea Market, and these pieces are in need of some TLC. The mirrors need to be hung on the walls, wainscoting needs to be installed on the foyer wall, and the pair of lamps on the Jackson Press need more appropriately sized shades. The seagrass chair is also from our last house, and I'm saving up for the perfect sweep-arm slipcovered chair & ottoman. Oh and that picture frame needs a family photo asap... the list is long, but there is a plan so I know what I'm aiming to accomplish.

Hopefully, this blog post will encourage you to be patient and take your time when decorating your home. If you need help forming a plan to follow, I'd love to work with you... Nashville area residents can view my In-Home Design Services page, and all other clients can view the Virtual Design Services page. However long it may take, I hope you find contentment in the perfectly imperfect process of making your house a home.

Home Design Consultations in 2016

I'm so very grateful and blown away by the amazing support you've given me in my first year providing Home Design services. I'm thankful to say that I'm officially booked for in-home consultations & virtual design projects through the end of the year. A few changes have been taking place in my business, and those changes will be reflected on my website in January - be sure to check back then! 

I'm now booking consultations & virtual projects for 2016, so please contact me for availability. During this month of thanksgiving, please know how thankful I am for you!

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Client home design plans

2015 Christmas Card Early Bird Special

I'm excited to finally announce the official launch of the 2015 Christmas Card Early Bird Special! Now through October 31st, receive 20% off your Christmas card order. Your high-resolution photo(s), card design selection & greeting/personalization must be submitted by this date. Please email your order to bethhartdesigns@gmail.com and you'll receive a proof within 2 to 3 business days. All Christmas card orders must be submitted by December 10th to guarantee delivery before Christmas. I greatly appreciate your business throughout the years, and I look forward to working with you this year!

All Christmas card designs can be viewed here.

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Photos provided by SimplyMPhotography

Hippity Hoppity...

It's Holy Week, the week of Easter, and I love this time of the year because I'm reminded of how much our Father loves us. It's fitting that Easter takes place in the Spring - a time to celebrate new life and resurrection. Nature (in my opinion) is God's way of showing us His own creativity... He is an amazing artist - especially in the Spring - painting canvases full of bright, vivid colors with clear blue skies, spring green grass, pink Cherry Blossom trees, yellow Buttercups and Forsythia, soft white & pink Dogwoods, and so much more. It's a magical time, and I'm thankful for the beauty that surrounds us.

While I realize that Easter holds so much more meaning than bunnies, eggs and pastels. I do appreciate these sweet symbols of this time of celebration. I'm not one to go crazy decorating for the holidays, but I do appreciate a decorative accent here and there.

We have a large L-shaped kitchen island that was desperately needing a focal point. I'm a huge, HUGE fan of the HGTV show Fixer Upper featuring the perfectly paired husband and wife team of Joanna and Chip Gaines from Waco, Texas. I'm inspired not only by their show and design style, but also by their love for God, family and adventure. Their business, Magnolia Homes, has flourished and expanded in many ways, including an online extension of their shop called The Magnolia Market. I spotted a reclaimed wooden tray that I knew would be the perfect focal point of our kitchen island. It provides a contained space to rotate seasonal decor throughout the year.

Below is a photo of the tray all set for Easter. The contents are as follows: 2 stacked hardback cookbooks, a white ceramic pitcher from our Juliska everyday pattern filled with flowers, a small green flower pot with fresh Thyme, a metal letter "H" I found at Michael's, a 3-wick candle from TJMaxx/Homegoods, and the rustic wooden bunny I found at the new home superstore, At Home. I look forward to changing out the decor of this tray throughout the seasons, and I hope these decorating tips inspire you to make your home a little more Delightfully Southern! Happy Easter!

Home Design Services Now Available!

Well, it's officially official! Beth Hart Designs is now offering Home Design services... It's only been a work in progress for almost 2 years! Some very gracious clients have offered to be "guinea pigs" along the way to help me figure out what services I would be providing. A huge THANK YOU to those of you who were so patient with me while I worked through your projects!

So what has led me to offering these services? You could say it started when I was a little girl - my favorite thing to do was "play house" by carefully planning my "set-up." This "set-up" consisted of lightweight furniture and decorative accessories that I gathered from around our home and brought together in my own formation to make up my pretend house. I still love the careful planning of choosing just the right items and bringing them together in one warm and beautiful composition. As a designer of paper and invitations which are a key part of Southern Hospitality, I see offering Home Design services as a way of extending my love for hospitality and making our everyday lives a little more delightful.

My husband and I are still working away on our "new" home, so I promise to post photos of before & after renovations along with a virtual home tour soon. I was waiting to have everything "just so" in our house before officially launching these services, but I realized that if I keep waiting for the perfect opportunity to dive in, I'd never do it. So here it is, the beginning of another beautiful and exciting way to make life a little more Delightfully Southern...

Home Design Services by Beth Hart Designs

Back To Work...

It's finally March - hallelujah! It means Spring is just around the corner - a sign of new life and fresh beginnings. I'm back to work after a wonderful time off with our precious baby girl (who's growing like a weed!) and time spent reflecting on business and settling into our "new" home. I feel like March is a fresh beginning for me, and I'm taking advantage!

I've made a few changes to my website - several categories and products have been removed. I used to think I should offer everything to everyone. But someone once said to me that just because you can do everything, doesn't mean you should do everything. I know that I'm a much happier person and a better designer when I'm working on things that I love... therefore I've removed products and categories that I don't feel allow me to offer the best version of myself.

I no long offer wedding invitations, but I still love designing invitations for wedding parties, showers, and rehearsal dinners. Frame-able Art Prints for your home have been taken off my website but in-stock and ready-to-ship options will be available in my Etsy shop very soon! I will no longer be offering logo and branding design, and I've removed address stamps, acrylic serving trays, and a few other products that weren't quite right for my brand. 

I know that seems like a long list of what I am no longer offering, but all of these changes will allow me to focus on what will provide you with the best service and best version of me as a designer. These changes will also make room for a new service that I've been wanting to offer for almost two years now - Home Design. I am still ironing out the final details, but I expect the official launch to happen next week! Stay tuned!

One last note: Beth Hart Designs has new office hours... Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thank you for supporting my business and allowing me to make every day a little more delightful - one design at at time!

Last Day to Order for the Season

Thank you so much for keeping me busy this season! I'm very grateful for your support of my little business, and I hope ordering from Beth Hart Designs has made your Christmas a little merrier! I love what I do, and that's because of you!

Just a little reminder that TODAY is the last day to order for the season. I'm wrapping up Christmas orders and will be closed in January and February to spend a little time with the best Christmas gift - our baby girl, Madison! Beth Hart Designs will reopen in March with a few changes to the website along with the official launch of our Home Design services! Thank you again for your business, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The 2014 Early Bird Special

It's that time of year again! I'm excited to launch the Annual Early Bird Christmas Card Special! The 2014 Collection includes 8 new designs, and as always the colors and wording can be customized to your preferences. This 20% off special runs from October 20th through November 3rd. To order, please email your card design choice, high resolution photo, and personalization (greeting & names) to bethhartdesigns@gmail.com. Be sure to mention the "Early Bird Special" in order to receive your discount. Also, please note that in order to take advantage of this offer, you must have your photo(s) submitted no later than November 7th.

All available Christmas card designs can be viewed on my website here. Thank you for your support... I look forward to working with you!

Beautiful photos provided by Molly at SimplyMPhotography

Fall & Winter Schedule for Beth Hart Designs

I realize it's been forever since I've posted on the blog… we've had a few things going on! My husband and I were blessed to discover in January that a baby was on the way! Our sweet little girl is due September 24th… right around the corner! Also in January, we were given the opportunity to buy a fixer-upper (a 1950's ranch home) in our favorite part of Nashville. There's an amazing story behind all of this which I will share another day...

Due to the renovations happening at our new home, we've been living with my gracious and hospitable parents since late April… so our lives have been "in transition" for a little while. I'll be honest, managing the renovations and maintaining my business throughout my pregnancy all while trying to prepare for our little girl's arrival has been a lot to juggle. And sadly, my business usually ends up taking the hardest hit. But I'm still here working away, and I'm so very grateful to my amazing clients who have been so faithful and patient with me! I also realize how blessed I am to receive so many gifts from the Father at one time - so I'm determined to keep a heart of gratitude and praise the one from whom all blessings flow!

I've had several people ask about my business schedule for the fall and winter. The good news is that I'll still be offering Christmas cards and will have the annual Early Bird Special again this year! I'll also be returning to Christmas Village at the Fairgrounds in Nashville November 13-16. Due to our upcoming move into the new house along with our baby girl's arrival in late September, I will be taking a little time off... September 8th will be the last day to place orders until October 20th when I return to work for the Christmas season. See below for more schedule details:

I greatly appreciate your patience and understanding during this busy season of our lives… I look forward to working with you this Fall and am so thankful for your business and support!

Letting Go of Fear and Dreaming Big...

Happy New Year! I love the fresh starts and new beginnings that a brand new year brings - there's something so exciting about it! But I'll be honest - I've been a little sluggish in writing down my goals (both personal and professional) for 2014. I think the reason I've been procrastinating is because of a tiny little word that has a big impact: fear.

Fear holds us back in many ways and comes in many forms. There's fear of failure, fear of success, fear of letting others down, fear of commitment, fear of change, fear of comparison & judgement, fear of the future, fear of being alone, the list goes on... But I think we must remember that the only way to overcome our fears is to face them. The best things in life don't come easy - you have to work hard for them and make sacrifices. Sometimes the most rewarding accomplishments in life start with big, scary and fearful dreams.

I have big dreams for 2014. Scary dreams. Personally, I need to change my lifestyle so that I can be healthier, more productive and live life to the fullest in my everyday endeavors. Beth Hart Designs will undergo several changes. Scary changes because of big dreams. I'm afraid of failure, and I'm afraid of what others will think. But I feel in my heart that I'm making the right decisions, and so I must carry on! 

Is fear holding you back from making 2014 a great year? Don't be afraid to dream big. Really big. Because on the other side of scary dreams are sometimes the greatest rewards and accomplishments. And as you pursue your dreams, know that our heavenly Father is with us and wants only the best for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Cheers to making 2014 the best year yet!

Last Day for Personalized Orders and Holiday Schedule

Wow... December is already here! I hope you and your family had a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! Just a little reminder that this Friday, December 6th is the last day to order Christmas cards and personalized gifts to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas! Also, we will be closed December 20th through January 5th to enjoy time with family and friends. Thank you for supporting Beth Hart Designs this year!

Reminder: Early Bird Special Ends Soon!

Just sending out a friendly little reminder that the Early Bird Special for 20% off Christmas Cards ends this Friday, October 18th! I'm so thankful for and amazed by the number of you who have already taken advantage of this discount... Thank you VERY much!

Here's a little recap of the ordering details:  Please email your card design choice, wording/names, quantity needed, and high-resolution photo(s) to me at bethhartdesigns@gmail.com. I will send a proof for you to review, and your invoice (which will include the 20% discount) will be emailed to you for payment online. If you don't have your photos ready just yet, please email them as soon as you can! Please note: I gladly offer wording and color changes for no extra charge, but custom designs (built from scratch designs) are not offered during the months of October, November, and December.

An Insider's Tip:  We are thankfully already processing oodles of Christmas card orders, so the sooner you can get your photos to me, the better! I'm afraid that the typical turn-around time will have to be extended as we get closer to November - and I aim to provide you with the best service and turn-around that I possibly can! Also, please note that we will be participating in 3 Christmas Shows this year - 2 of which are out-of town, so orders placed in November will have an extended turn-around time of 3 to 4 business days. Thanks so much for your support... I love this time of the year, and it's because of YOU!

Photos for Christmas cards are provided by Simply M Photography