This new project has been on my heart for a very long time but I’ve felt unsure how to start.
I’ve seen and felt a need to reach my audience in a closer and more authentic way. To connect with those who want to, to share more of myself and my life, to be a little more vulnerable and real. Maybe to even create a small and intimate community or inner circle folks. To encourage and inspire.
In the years since beginning Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons some things have developed within me that have surprised me.
The first things is a love of writing. I’ve had a lot of practice writing articles about weaving and other topics here on my website. Some have asked me to write a book but I don’t really feel like now is the right time. And yet, the desire to write and give more is there and it’s strong.
The second thing is the desire to share. I will be the first to admit that I’ve never really liked talking about myself, I am quiet and sometimes “closed”. Recently I’ve realised that this reluctance to share myself can be detrimental to myself and my relationships.
And while I still don’t like talking about myself, if sharing more of myself helps others then I’m all in.
Slowly, I am learning that when you open up, allow God to work through you, you can truly make a difference in the lives of others.
I had an idea to make and grow something new, something that feels authentic to me and is helpful to my people. I have a lot of ideas. I’m an ideas girl. Some of my ideas I look back on and realise they were quite daft! Other things that started as the tiny seed of an idea have grown into huge life blessings.
So I had this idea and I became very excited about it. I started working on it. And then I lost confidence. “Why would anyone want to listen to me?” “How presumptuous I am to think that anyone would be interested in this!” And so went the inner voices.
When I can’t make a decision, I give it all entirely to God. So I asked Him to help me discern. I said “if I’m still interested in this idea tomorrow, then I will continue. I will expect nothing to come of it, I will just try”.
I woke up and thought of my idea. I still lacked the confidence. By mid morning I was banging out some thoughts on my keyboard. By mid afternoon I had my first edition finished and ready to go.
You must be wondering at this point – what is the idea?!
It’s a newsletter. Yes, I know, I already have The Weekend Edition. That is my free weekly, weaving related newsletter which will continue.
But this is a new newsletter and it is very different. It is a fortnightly newsletter and it’s the real me.
It feels like a big risk, I have never, in my almost 10 years as a public figure on the internet, put myself out there like this. Maybe it is a bad idea. Maybe no one will sign up or read it. Maybe it will end up on my “failed ideas” pile. But it is on my heart, and I must try.
The newsletter is called The Open Heart. It is about me and my life but it is also very much about you. I will be candidly sharing my life, my thoughts, my hopes and disappointments is a way I have never done.
The Open Heart is very Christian. If you are not a Christian or are not interested, this is not the newsletter for you. There will be bible verses, living out faith discussion, relationship with God discussion, because for me everything stems from my faith in God.
Other topics will include homesteading, fibre arts, weaving (of course!), nature, recipes, encouragement, health, reading and so much more because there is so much I love to do.
The Open Heart will be a paid newsletter. The cost is less than a cup of coffee at $5USD per month. You can subscribe and cancel whenever you wish.
No, this newsletter is not for everyone and that is my intention. I want those of you who desire to connect with me more deeply, to be encouraged and inspired. To be thoughtful, to contemplate and improve your own way of living. A small, invested group of people. That is my hope.
If you are interested in subscribing, I would love to see your name on the list 💖
Hello Kelly,
I would like to subscribe but I somehow can’t pay you. It declines my payment.
Hi Karin, I’ll shoot you an email to discuss 😉
Your idea is really resonating with me. I believe God gives us the desires of our hearts – He gives the desire in the first place, and then He fulfills it. I’ve been pondering how I can combine my love for weaving and blessings others (I hope!!) with a woven gift, and bring a deeper presence with that. This community will be an encouragement in that direction, I think. Looking forward to the journey. I signed up a week or two ago and enjoyed the first post that I saw. (I think I missed the first one…?)
Hi Kelly:
I am not part of your weaving community….yet! However this commitment to our faith has been a positive nudge for me. Oh, yes, you will be blessed and I look forward to your posts.
🥰Joan, an amateur weaver in an non amateur body😁
Thank you for moving forward with your idea Kelly. I am also inspired to include something more ‘spiritual’ into my local fibre group, but have never been able to formulate a way to do it. Hoping I can learn something new from you.
I can feel a significant growth spurt of spiritual enlightenment in mankind and your newsletter is proof to me that it is a real thing.
It will be my pleasure to share ‘a cup of coffee’ with you and join your newsletter.
Vanessa (NZ)
Thank you Vanessa! I feel that so many people at this time are confused. Quite frankly, the world and all its craziness is confusing if God is not your compass. Many are searching for something, they don’t know what. Stability, common sense, meaning? Interesting times we’re living in!
Hi Kelly
I think this is a great idea. I feel as Christians and for me in particular as a RC that we are being marginalised and we should be celebrating our faith. Personally I struggle with faith but it has given me my moral compass and I hope I live as an example of His teachings.
Everytime I hear someone profess their faith in Him it brings me great joy and happiness.
God bless
Kelly, this is a wonderful idea. Thank-you for reaching out to share, encourage, and bless those who already appreciate your excellent weaving classes. I wish you joy today, Sue
Kelly,
Your idea for “The Open Heart” is inspiring. And as a Christ follower I
know He will use it to bless others.
I can’t subscribe right now, but pray you’ll have many followers.
In His Love, Jeanne
Thank you Jeanne 🥰
Kelly, just last night I was at a Relief Society meeting. The Relief Society is the women’s organization in our church which was started in 1840! In the meeting last night the speaker was talking about personal revelation and how we can recognize the Spirit speaking to us. The speaker said if an idea that is good comes to us, it is the Spirit speaking to us. If it is an evil or bad thought I it is the other guy speaking to us. One thing that was said is that the ‘second voice’ is usually not the voice of God or the Spirit but the voice of the devil trying to disuade us or discourage us etc. I am glad you have listened to the first voice and not the second voice.
Hi Kelly
Thank you for this invitation and opportunity to join you on this journey. I look forward to reading what you have to share and I’m glad that I can be part of The Open Heart.
Thank you Marcelle 🥰
Kelly, I am so glad you listened to your heart and let God continue to inspire you. I always feel that you are showing vulnerability as you teach. You take risks and show what can be done. Too few times do we step out and share our faith and where God is leading me, or you. My pastor has a saying: what if the only way anyone knew what a Christian is, was by how you live your life, show by your actions what that means? I say, show it and I would be glad to join your newsletter. Thank you for bringing it forward!
Thank you, I would love to have you join 🥰
Hi Kelly,
I am not a Christian but am an Omnist. I want to say that I have huge respect for you for having the courage to put your real self out there.
I hope your inner circle is blessed!
Thank you! ❤️
I have always looked forward to reading and hearing what you have to say. I respect your thoughts on weaving and I’m encouraged when you share your faith. I had to give up my weaving membership for now, but I can afford the newsletter. I’m so glad I get to keep a connection with you! I’ll be praying that God gives you more inspiration, and the words he wants you to share.
I hear you Kelly. It is so difficult to talk about ourselves, especially if you were raised, as I was, to not even use the word “I” !!
I admire your bravery to try something new and am ready to support you 🙂
The name of of your new venture “The Open Heart” is so very welcoming.
Hi Kelly,
This is a great idea 💡. I feel that the Lord layered this on your heart ❤️ for many reasons. “If HE called you to it HE will WALK you through it.” We grow and heal by sharing our stories in life. You can’t truly heal till you share what you have been through because someone else might need to hear it to give them strength along there journey. “If we didn’t have to STRUGGLE we could never give God the Glory…”
I am here to encourage and uplift you and pray for you along with other’s.
Blessings to you my friend
James 1:2-3
Thank you for the invitation Kelly. It is not for me but I wish you well.
Thank you ☺️
Hi Kelly, sounds like just the thing for me. Is it possible for you to take the money from the credit card I have registered on the weaving school rather than put my info on Facebook
Leonie, this newsletter is nothing to do with Facebook, payments are processed through my email provider, Convertkit 😊
Kelly I am so happy you have decided to take this step…Ive been waiting for you!
Im looking forward to being part of the Open Heart and the adventure with your words and creativity!
That’s exactly the kind of response I’m looking for, thank you for your support Lynda 🥰
I think it’s a good idea.
Great, thank you!
This is a wonderful idea! Looming forward to learning and growing with you.
Thank you for your support 🥰
Kelly, I think your idea of the newsletter is fabulous! I cannot wait to see it. Talking about ourselves may be hard, but you never know who needs to hear the stories.
Thank you Julie ❤️