Home Update: Craft Room

It's been a while since I've done a home update.

I'm still trying to piece together our home, but it's coming along slowly.
It's expensive to furnish a home, so I've got to find deals when I can.

I automatically knew that I wanted a pink craft room.
It's my favorite color.
But before we moved into our house, I got a teal Ikea cart.
My inspiration then came to mind.

Without further ado...welcome to my craft room!

Chalkboard made by me for my bff's bridal shower.

I asked for shelving and a table for Christmas and it went right in here!

Bow Garland made by me.  Hoop made by Canfieldhouse.

I have hopes to one day paint the bookshelf that I acquired at my very first estate sale.  
I kept the color splotch off of the Ikea box to hopefully match the color. :)
Anyhow,  Sally the Singer lives here as well as Charlee the Cricut.

You are Beautiful blocks from Bubblewrappd.

My mom made me my block name.  I forgot I had it until just recently!

Bible Verse Print from Katy Girl Designs.  Love canvas from Pen and Paint.  I painted the butterfly at Firehouse Pottery.

I absolutely love the chair that I found!  
Target, people!
Isn't it adorable?!?

Well, that's just about it!  
I hope to get to sit down and sew again one day.
It seems that we've just been completely busy.
I have hope to make myself a quilt, so I will see what I can do about that! ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Home Update: Guest Bath!

Well, we've lived in our house for almost 5 months now.  I really can't believe it's been that long!  I am so thankful that we left our apartment when we did, because if we waited until our lease was up, we wouldn't be moving for another 2 weeks.

Coming from a 900 square foot apartment to a 2400 square foot house has been a wonderful challenge.  It's taken a bit of time to get settled (we still don't have every box unpacked), but we're slowly working on filling the rooms.

One vision I had right away was for the guest bathroom on the second floor. 

I knew that I wanted to do it in white and black.  I got all of the bathroom rugs and towels for Christmas, which was a HUGE help because those things are expensive!

I had several different shower curtains picked out, but I couldn't decide on which one to get!  I originally wanted a ruffled curtain, but they were back ordered every time I went to buy it.  I soon found one in Target, fell in love, and bought it.

I really love how it turned out.  Some of Tyler's friends gave us the gorgeous "Love" picture that is now hanging in the bathroom as a house warming gift.  I knew it would go perfectly in there.

I may still purchase a soap dispenser, but for now this will work.  Now we just need some guests to come stay with us!! :)

Towels:  Here
Shower Curtain:  Here
Rugs: Thomas O'Brien...looks like they aren't sold online anymore (from Target)

Refined

While rummaging through thrift stores and antique stores, I've heard so many people say "I gonna do...this...with it," with whatever treasure they've found.  I'm just in awe of how people can see what it could be instead of just seeing it as it is.  I'm not like that...maybe it's because I'm left-brained. 

God can see it...and for that, I'm so thankful.

There's a passage in 1 Samuel that talks about finding a new King.

Samuel would be anointing the man that God had indicated to him.

Each man that was brought before Samuel wasn't the man that God wanted.

When they brought the boy from the field, the Lord told Samuel that he was the one.

In the chapter 16, verse 7b it says,

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"

God sees what we can be.

He sees what is inside of us.

He sees our potential.

Sometimes it takes a little refining...tests, trials, struggles.

God will use whatever it takes for us to grow closer to Him.

Psalm 66:10--

For you, God, tested us;

    you refined us like silver.

Sometimes I just don't get it.

Sometimes I totally miss the mark.

Sometimes it takes me more than one time in the same trial.

But in the end, what I learned is a valuable lesson.

What I learned can help refine me into that beautiful person that the Lord sees in me...even when no one else can see it right now.

And those lessons...the ones that help make me more beautiful...

Those will make gorgeous accessories for my personality.

2 Corinthians 5:17--

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

**P.S.  This was an old picture frame that I found at Goodwill on Saturday...but I didn't see it as a picture frame. :)

Scrappy Coasters

I don't get to craft or sew much during the week since I work full time.
So on my weekends, I try to get something done...especially while football is on. :)
Today I sat down at the computer to see what I could make with the fabric I already have on hand.  Of course, that's where Pinterest comes in. 

I had already pinned some things to make with fat quarters, one of those things being these coasters.  They seemed simple, and I didn't need much fabric, which is good because I only tend to purchase fat quarters or remnants.  So I went to my fabric stash and picked out my fabric and 15 minutes later, I had one already finished!!

What you need:

• Sewing machine and thread
• Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler (not necessary, but highly suggested)
• 2-3 prints of fabric
• Iron/ironing board
• Cotton quilter's batting or felt
• Pins
• Scissors

What you do:

• Pick out your fabric and cut them into 4" x 4" squares.

• Next, choose which pieces will go on the top of the coaster.  Iron those in half.

 Isn't this the cutest "ironing board" you ever did see? My mom and dad gave it to me for Christmas!  It folds up into a cute little purse!

• Next, layer the pieces, keeping the top pieces close together in the middle.  Layer the felt or batting (I used felt) on bottom, the full square (which will be the bottom of the coaster) in the middle, and the top pieces on top. 

•  Pin to keep in place.

• Next, sew around the entire square.  It doesn't even matter what color of thread you use...you won't see it! (I used pink because it was still threaded in my machine.)

• Cut the corners off.

• From the middle, turn the coaster inside out.  I used a crochet hook to poke my corners out.

Wa-la!! You're finished!  Now you have super cute coasters for your home! :)

Valentine's Day Mantel

I think the vision for my "after Christmas" mantel is complete.

All it needed was our new canvas.

And check out that name sign...

it's upcycled from a cabinet door!

{Thanks Mom and Dad for the awesome Christmas gift!}

Also, I have my grandma's {my mom's mom...I never knew her, but I have a sewing machine named after her} blue pitcher that I wanted to showcase, and it tied in with the sign nicely.

You can purchase the "LOVE" banner here.

And yes, that is our unity candle from our wedding.

Maybe this is a "Valentine's Day Mantel?"