Playing Catch Up

I am so behind on blogging! I've been getting my days all mixed up ;)

Scripture Sunday

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Over the past few weeks the power of prayer has been so relevant in my life. My little brother Cody has been in the hospital and has been a very sick little boy. But, God has been so good. He's getting better everyday and will have his gallbladder surgery next week. My mother who suffers from anxiety and is on kidney dialysis has done remarkably well during this time. This is certainly God showing his power and showing great things that I really didn't think would be possible. Then a few days ago my friend's little girl was rushed into brain surgery and is now doing very well. Prayer is powerful. Prayer changes things. I'm so glad that I have a God who wants to answer my prayers and wants me to ask Him for help. He wants to show us things that we never thought would be possible.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your prayers. It is so awesome to me that I can list a prayer request and within minutes have several comments of people who are praying for my need. You are all too sweet and I am glad I have clietns who also believe in the power of prayer with me!

Tuesday Around Town

Today's "Tuesday Around Town" is a little different than those in the past. There are two things that really excite me when I see them on Facebook. 1 - Seeing photos I've taken as people's profile pictures and/or cover photos and 2 - seeing other photos and then in the background seeing a photo I've taken in a frame or hanging on the wall. Yes, I'm weird and look at the backgrounds of the photos :)

Today, I'm going to show some photos that past clients have sent me of their photos from Memories & Blessings being displayed in their home. If you have photos displayed in your home send a picture to me, I'd love to see them!

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Around Town

Scentsy

Kim Betts

I first met Kim when I photographed her and her husband, Aaron. They celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary last fall and wanted some photos to help commemorate the occasion! We did some of their session at their home and on their property. When I walked in their beautiful house one of the first things I remember was how good it smelled! Honest! I later learned that Kim worked for a company called Scentsy. I had never heard of this business but couldn't wait to look online at their catalog full of beautiful things.

Meet Kim Betts and her husband Aaron. Here's what she had to say about Scentsy!

"There are so many things I LOVE about Scentsy! When I went to a Scentsy party for the very first time it was love at first sight...and smell!!! I bought a warmer, a plug-in and a few bars to get started! Within a week my husband was loving it too and I just had to join Scentsy! I thought this would be a good opportunity to have a great discount on an amazing product but soon after I had friends contacting me to book parties and it took off from there! Whether you are looking for a safe alternative for candles in your home or looking to start a great business...Scentsy is for you!!! Scentsy products are beautifully crafted and easy to use—they’ll enhance your life with fragrance."

Fore more information about Scentsy products or about hosting a Scentsy party please contact Kim!

Kim Betts
Independent Scentsy Consultant
865-386-0868PerfectScents2u@yahoo.com

Check out her website by clicking the link below!



Kim's Website!



Tuesday Around Town

Thirty-One

Who doesn't love Thirty-One? I have just recently fallen in love with their adorable purses and organizational items. My favorite part of their items is the monogramming/personalization. I love anything monogrammed or personalized. I have a few clients who sell Thirty-One but this week's feature will be on Laura Crabtree and Heather Mekelburg.

I have had the opportunity to photograph Laura's sweet family and those adorable little girls of hers! I am so excited about getting to see them again for a Spring mini-session at the end of the month. Thirty-One has allowed Laura to be a stay-at-home Mom while still bringing an income into their family home. If you would like to book a party or browse the online catalog please visit Laura's website. You can also view special offers and updates on her Facebook page.  (Photos taken from the Thirty-One website).

The new Spring catalog.

This month's special offer!

Meet Laura and her family.

Heather Mekelburg is Laura's team leader. I recently just did photos for Heather and her family at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens. They were so much fun to be around. Heather will have a display booth at this week's Jack and Jules Consignment sale. (PS - If you've never been to this consignment sale you need to go! I can't wait to go and see all they have! They are in a new location this Spring and I hear it's better than ever - commercial over now back to Thirty-One). Straight from Heather herself, "Be sure to stop by the Jack and Jules Consignment event March 8-10. And while you're there, make sure you swing by and see me, Heather Mekelburg Thirty-One Independent Executive Director. I will have a display set up with the latest Thirty-One Spring collection. I will be offering special deals to Jack and Jules shoppers, and will also have some products on hand for purchase."

Meet Heather and her family.

So, next time you see a cute Thirty-One item think of Laura Crabtree and Heather Mekelburg! Remember, if you'd like to book a party or browse through the new Spring catalog contact Laura Crabtree. Then don't forget to stop by the Thirty-One table while you're waiting in line at Jack and Jules this week. Tell Heather Megan of Memories & Blessings Photography sent you! Happy Shopping!

Tuesday Around Town

Bradford Designs

By: Sarah Bradford

So, this week's "Tuesday Around Town" isn't really located in town. I wanted to highlight the awesome work of Sarah Bradford from Bradford designs. Sarah is located all the way in Pennsylvania but thankfully she can work with anyone located here via the internet and emails.

Sarah has been a friend of mine since we were in middle school. I never knew how good she was with a computer until I started teaching at our Christian school and she was working in our church Print Shop. She was always designing awesome fliers for the school and for various ministries of our church.

Sarah just recently provided me with a beautiful new logo! She also made my last logo (which was great as well). I was wanting some new and great and I think she outdid herself! I am completely in love with my logo and so thankful to have had a friend (and client) design it for me.

If you are in the need for any type of graphic design please shoot Sarah an email. You won't be disappointed! You can get more information about Bradford Designs by clicking here!

Tuesday Around Town

Mt. Pisgah Christian Academy

Oliver Springs, Tennessee

Principal - Mr. Nathan Barker

Assistant Principals - Mr. Carl Broscious & Mrs. Kendra Walls

Mt. Pisgah Christian Academy (MPCA) will always hold a special place in my heart. It was where I attended school for a few years, it was where I was given the first opportunity to teach and it will be where I send my children one day. MPCA offers grades Kindergarten-12th Grade and is continually growing and helping families in our commnity train their children with Christian education.

From the Mount Pisgah Christian Academy website ...

"Mount Pisgah Christian Academy (MPCA) operates as a ministry of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. MPCA operates with a statement of faith consisting of Bible doctrines that will be taught and maintained. The Academy will assist parents in their responsibility (Deut. 6:6-7) in conforming their children into "the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). As the home, church, and Academy work together, God's plan for each child will be discovered. Our entire Academy program is designed to help parents fulfill this command of God and to lead their children to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and continual growth in Him. The Bible is the basis for our education and is the foundation of the ministry of this Academy. Without God's Word, there can be not true learning.

Our desire is to give the maximum knowledge of Christian living in light of God's Word, "that in all things He might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18).  Even though knowledge is factually the same for the believer and unbeliever, no subject can be taught in its truth if its Originator is ignored. Our teachers are determined to help each parent "train up a child in the way he should go..." as they are instructed in Pro. 22:6. Our standards and regulations are in effect to help us do things decently and for our school to be pleasing to God."

For more information on Mt. Pisgah Christian Academy you can contact them by phone at 865-435-4831, by e-mail, or on Facebook! You can also visit their website, www.mpcapatriots.com.

Mt. Pisgah Christian Academy's staff is like no other teaching staff you'll find. Not only are they well educated and prepared to teach their students, they also incorporate God's word into every aspect of their curriculum. MPCA uses the A-Beka and Bob Jones curriculum. Each class begins their morning with Bible class and prayer.

MPCA Elementary Staff

Mrs. Amanda Barker

Ms. Bethany Frederick

Ms. Becky Taylor

Mr. James Petty

Mrs. Kendra Walls

MPCA Junior High and High School Staff

Mrs. Tracy Webster

Mrs. Janet Johnson

Mrs. Charlotte Adcox 

Mrs. Donna Campbell

Mrs. Leah Powers

Mr. Carl Broscious

Mr. Nathan Barker

Ms. Shannon Trull

Special Area Teachers

Mrs. Beth Whedbee

Mrs. Sandy Petty

Not only does MPCA excel in academics but also in sports. They offer both boys and girls basketball and cheerleading.

Congratulations to the MPCA Varsity Patriots on their TAACS Regional Championship! The Patriots will be competing for the fourth year in a row at the TAACS State Tournament. However, this year they will be entering the tourny with a #1 seed. Show them so love and support by leaving comments on this blog post or on their Facebook page! Go Patriots!

Tuesday Around Town

L & S Boutique

Owned By: Stephanie Arnold

This week's Tuesday Around Town features Stephanie Arnold's L&S Boutique. L & S Boutique began in 2010. L & S Boutique sells anything from hairbows to blankets and every item is hand crafted by Stephanie herself. I have had the privledge to photograph Stephanie and her family a couple of times and her girls are simply adorable. I always look forward to see what their Mom has made them to wear for their photos!

Check out L & S Boutique's Facebook page here. Go "like" her page! Once she receives 500 "likes" she will do a special give-away. Take a look at her work. (Photos were taken from L&S' Facebook page, they were not taken by M&B).

Via e-mail I was able to interview Stephanie.

Meet Stephanie Arnold.

How long has your business been in operation?

I started my boutique about two years ago, but it has just recently began to really take off.

What made you decide to start your own business?

I had the though tto start my boutique after my first daughter was born. I love crafting and making things and It hought what better way to share what I love to do.

What is a goal you have this year for your Boutique?

My goal this year is to have 100 sales on my Etsy page. (Found on her Facebook page.).

If you could make something for anyone in the world who would it be?

It would have to be for my girls. They mean so much to me. They are my inspiration.

How did you come up with your business name?The L & S stands for Lynny & Saigey. They are the middle names of my girls. Saria Lynn and Kairi Saige.



Tuesday Around Town

The Butter Cream Cottage

Owned By: Rachelle Daugherty

The Butter Cream Cottage is a cake baking and decorating business in Oliver Springs. This cake business began in January 2011 by Rachelle Daugherty. I have been blessed enough to photograph Rachelle and her family a couple of different times. They are so much fun to be around. Rachelle herself is as sweet as can be and has decorated some cakes for my "Smash the Cake" sessions. Rachelle does a fantastic job with cakes and cupcakes - she made my Eli's Spongebob cake for his 2nd birthday. As you can tell he was one satisified customer!

You may contact The Butter Cream Cottage by calling Rachelle at 865-661-8514 or you can
 e-mail her. She is also on Facebook. Take a look at her work! (Photos are from TBCC's Facebook page and were not taken by M&B). Weddings, birthday parties or special events - The Butter Cream Cottage has the cake for you!

Check out The Butter Cream Cottage on Facebook for a special deal she'll be announcing soon! You don't want to miss out. Through email, I was able to interview Rachelle and ask her a few questions.

Meet Rachelle Daugherty of The Butter Cream Cottage!

 Why did you start your business?

I started baking cakes when the 3rd company in a row I worked for closed the door. I had been with this last company for 5 years. They closed in November of 2011 and Chase’s birthday was that following December. The lady who normally made my cakes was no longer doing cakes and since I had time on my hands I decided to try to do his cake on my own and realized I could do it and loved it!

What is a goal you have for your business this year?

I would love to be able to take on more orders learn, new techniques and possibly branch out with cookies and candy as well. Who knows maybe even throw some fudge in there somewhere.

If you could bake a cake for anyone in the world, who would it be? Why?

If I could bake a cake for anyone in the world.....I  haven't really thought about that... let's say at this point in time Buddy off the cake boss. Just so I could meet him and he can tell me what I can do to improve.

How did you choose your business name?

My name... I wrote down all kinds of things that had to do with cakes and put them together... I had not planned on doing anything as far as a Facebook page or things like that. I figured it would just be word of mouth but friends and family and people who saw my work kept telling me I needed to make a page... I wanted something different. Not something that someone else had. I wanted to stand out so with that I came up with The Butter Cream Cottage... butter cream is the most common icing and I make them out of my house so that's where the cottage came from  BUT I can't take full credit! I also had help from my Facebook friends and family. I threw a couple names out there and asked everyone what they thought. The Butter Cream Cottage just had a good ring to it.