Spring News From LLH Designs

A letter for my wonderful clients

{and anyone else who's curious about work-life balance decisions}:

HAPPY SPRING TO YOU!

Thank you for your patience and sweet encouragement during my little break from LLH Designs. I've been enjoying life to the full these last few months, yet in a still and quiet way. It's been a very inspiring and refreshing season!

I have some news for you. {Don't worry! I'm not closing up shop...just simplifying.} But first, a little "behind the scenes" scoop.

There were moments when I wasn't sure if re-opening LLH Designs would even happen. Not that I wanted to give it up, but I was just enjoying the present moment so much that future thoughts weren't racing around and stealing my present joy {a very rare, new thing for me!}. One thing I knew for sure: if I returned, I wanted to be intentional and purposeful...to honor my family, to use my gifts well and to serve you well.

As I began to ponder what LLH Designs should look like going forward, I asked my oldest daughter her thoughts. Here's part of our sunny-day conversation:

I've really enjoyed the extra time with you this Spring.

Me, too. Mama. I love being with you.

I'm praying about what God wants me to do next.

What do you mean?

Well...just wondering if I should go back to making cards or if I should give it up.

Oh, no, Mama! That's your gift! God gave it to you to bless others. You have to use it! 

What precious words of wisdom from a ten year old! So after much prayer, I finally have peace about what's next for LLH Designs.

With renewed passion, I will begin my 8th Christmas card season in September. I've always felt that my unique, God-given gifts and passions are most clearly reflected in my custom Christmas card designs. I'm honored to serve you in this way. 

I will also continue designing my favorite non-personalized stationery items {thank you notes, Scripture note cards, gift tags, etc.} as time allows and will offer them to you at my Spring and Christmas Open House. I hope to see you in early May for the Spring Open House! Details to come.

Now for the part I'll be giving up: invitations, announcements and personalized stationery. As I sit in my studio surveying all I've designed, it seems crazy to give these things up. But as I look out the window and consider my children, I see how quickly they are growing up. These are precious years. I know that in giving up, I'm really gaining. 

The good news: there are a number of fabulously talented independent designers who've cropped up since I first started. I'd be happy to help you find a good designer for invitations, announcements and personalized stationery.

Here are two who I know would take good care of you: Alston Wise of b.wise papers is a personal friend. And Megan Davis of Toast and Laurel is a young designer I've just discovered in Houston. I love the freshness of their design work. 

THANK YOU for all of the amazing design opportunities you've given me. I've enjoyed every single project. But most of all, I've enjoyed you. I really do have the most amazing clients! 

With joy and thanksgiving,

P.S. Something I've learned through this Spring: Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. But with prayer and intentionality, what you SHOULD do becomes refreshingly clear!