Wednesday, December 28, 2011

DIY Gift Card Potter


Back when I was in probably in 4th Grade at a church VBS... we made homemade decorative pots for our moms.

Years later, while decorating a friend's classroom Western-style, I needed to make a very belated gift for her...

The above is what I came up with!

Start with some fabric of your choosing. You can mix different patterns or colors. Cut in deisgns, squares, or use special scissors to cut small pieces of fabric. I used pinking sheers for this project....

Back in 2008, when I made this... I had no idea what Mod Podge was, so I used a mixture of Elmer's glue and water. If you google or search Pinterest for homemade Mod Podge, they'll give you the directions to make your own using the same two products! (It's 50/50 water and glue.) So much cheaper!

Put a thin layer of your glue down on a plain, terracotta pot using a foam brush or paint brush. Start putting down your fabric piece by piece onto the pot. I placed mine "whopperjawed"... cocked a bit to the side and placing where it looked good and where it would fit. As you go along, use the glue and paint the edges down and smooth out bubbles.

I put on a thick layer, so it was harder to the touch once dry.

I found the letters at Hobby Lobby. They are the fabric backed letters, used for normally, ironing on to tees, etc... glue these down as you would the fabric.

Let dry overnight or until clear and no longer tacky to the touch.

Fill with whatever you like! For hers, I used some straw and silk flowers on top of a block of foam in the pot. I purchased gift cards in $10 amounts to some places I knew she would like. I'd recommend just using sticks with a glue dot to hold them up. Here, I used the plastic card holders you find in flower arrangements, but I broke a couple and they didn't hold like I had hoped...

You could use this for candy or cookie bouqets, a plant, office supplies, and so much more! Make a cuute decoration for later too!

The most expensive part is the gift cards!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

First Craft Project in Ages!

I didn't do step by step photos since this was my first project, but I can't wait to do more!

Thanks to my Sister-in-Law Amy for getting me the materials to make this! I probably never would have done it on my own and I enjoyed it so very much!

To make your own, it's simple...

You need a wreath, foam or straw (I left the plastic wrap on the straw wreath) and wrap the yarn around in whatever design you wish. It does take a bit of time... especially for someone as impatient as me!

For flowers, I typed in "felt flower tutorials" in google and in youtube. I tried a few of my own while watching and learning!

I found the 'H' at Michael's and just painted it with grey and yellow.

I'm obesessed with Yellow and Grey right now and I love, love, love buttons!

Can't wait to change the theme of my kitchen and hang this in there!


I see a few flaws that I wish I had fixed, but overall, I love it! What a fun project!


Friday, December 23, 2011

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

I've never been the best blogger. This year, specifically though, I've not had time to live my life... much less write about it.

As 2011 is about to close, I look back on the past year and simply... sigh.

Nothing major has happened really. In comparison to so many others' lives, we've had a great year actually. But, I'm tired.

I was an overachiever in high school, so I don't know why I am shocked at the following statement.... but, I'm a work-a-holic. I slacked off majorly in college, so much so, I didn't finish it and to be honest, that carried over into my first couple of jobs. In the past four years though... that's all I know how to do. I'm a secretary, you wouldn't think I would be so OCD about my job. No matter how hard I try to get ahead and make things "perfect"... I never am and they never are.

So with budget cuts and a new year... hello 2012... I'm going to start living more!

The work will be there the next day. (I cringe as I say that.)

I will work my allotted 30 hours, go in January 2nd at 9:00 am... and leave at 3:00 pm on the dot. (Panic attack is setting in right now. But what if you aren't done? What if you have a newsletter to finish up or an email to answer?) I'll stick to that all the way until Friday and then, enjoy my weekend. I'll start again the following week.... and so on.

What is that like exactly? Not finishing up on Saturday or working until 8 pm on something? I vow to come home to my husband and not make him come up there with me "because after all, he has stuff HE could be doing too."

We live on Duke Circle. Not at the church.

I'm not complaining mind you. We do it to ourselves. But things have to change. So often, we tend to dred certain projects or outings or duties, purely because we have spent so much time on church stuff already. I'm so burnt out, being the secretary, being a church member, on this or that committee, and being the Youth Minister's wife.

It hit me that in a few days, I'll be 27. Chris and I have spent our marriage (almost 6 years now) dealing with family or friend happenings, mostly worrying about bills or arguing about money, working and doing for others before ourselves.

I'm done with that... for awhile. I don't want to consume myself with selfishness, but don't we deserve it... just a little?

Back in August, events transpired that have left me brokenhearted and down in Spirit. I still am and find new reasons daily to remain that way, though oftentimes too, there are equally as many reasons as to feel better about it all.

We all know the bad outweighs to good, in most instances. I am hurt to the core, I am angry, I am confused. I'm figuring people out and being shocked by others.

One thing I can say however.... we'll make it. I have so much faith remaining in the good of people, in that the truth and the security that'll things happen for a reason, and most of all, I have the promise of God's backing in all things. I try and remember that when things still get ugly.

We all small, but we are mighty. What a blessing!

Between finances, stress, feeling bad, Chris quitting his job, no insurance, car troubles, change after change, and on top if at all, my depression showing it's ugly face over and over again... I've hard more dark days than bright. Days when I think, 'it'll never get better.' I'm still in that mode now... to a point.

I have zero Christmas Spirit this year. In fact, I've turned off my usual Christmas station numerous times because the songs were annoying. Gasp!

But we all know Christmas isn't just about the gifts, the songs, the decorations (I have none up this year).... but instead, about our Savior's birth.

I've caught myself hearing stories of His birth, seeing a moving video or photo about the true meaning of Christmas and over and over...

I give thanks. I say "AMEN!" in my head and sometimes, out loud.

I've stuggled more than I have in my life with my faith this year and still do. It's SO huge. Especially now....

This baby.
Jesus Christ.
Was born... like so many other children are, every day...
But he was born for a purpose.
HE was born to save us.
To save me.
Later, he was persecuted.
and KILLED.
FOR ME.
He conquered death and rose from the grave.
Ascended into heaven to prepare a room.
FOR ME.
And when the world is no more,
(or at least my life)
HE is there waiting for me.
Seated beside our Father.
And I will live FOREVER.
In Him.

Doesn't that blow your mind?!?!

It's crazy actually.

It's so far-fetched, so not of this world. I can't even fathom it.

But it's the greatest truth there is.


....so maybe it IS the MOST wonderful time of the year after all.

Despite everything else... a baby changed everything.

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, my Savior. Thank you, Lord!

Suddenly, I'm not quite as 'tired' as I was. :)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Overhaulin'

I really need to do better with this blog. Not that there is SO much going in my life that I feel like I need to post it, but nonetheless, I think I should do better.

So, with that... the blog is about to get a makeover!

To my multitude of non existant readers.... hang tight, I'll be back soon!

Maybe a goal of a post a week would do me good. Maybe one per month? Once quarterly?

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

It’s 2011 already? Where did the time go? In only two years, I will have been out of high school for ten. That blows my mind. It genuinely feels like yesterday. It feels like yesterday that I met my husband, Chris. It feels like yesterday that we got engaged, got married.


You know, folks keep telling me that once you hit 30, life goes by faster than you could ever imagine. I have four more years to go… and it already feels like a whirlwind. 2010 wasn’t the absolute worst year, but it certainly could have ended better.

Let’s face it. I’m not the ideal blogger. I tend to blog when things are on my heart. In the past months though, it seems too much is on my heart to even begin to write. I’ve spoken some of them aloud, some I’ve kept silent. I think I’m in a weird place, an odd growing up phase. You’ve probably been there… where you go through the motions and do what you have to do at that time, but in reality, the processing of it all doesn’t hit for a long time. And… when it does, it takes awhile for it to all click. I’m there, in a big way.

I’m reflective. Not just about 2010 in general, but about life, my life. Things I’ve done that I wish I could take back. Things others have said to me. The person who I have become (sometimes good, sometimes bad) and the person I want to be. The first couple days of the New Year, I was pumped. READY for a change, ready for a fresh start… but in reality, I’ve sunken back into a “eh, I’d rather curl up in a ball and be a hermit.”

I’m talking both literally and figuratively here.

November 22, 2010 brought a heartache in my life that I truly never really thought would be as bad as it was. My Maw Maw, my grandmother Rozell Miles, passed away that afternoon. I’ve not been around death tons in my life, so when it happens, I’m thrown. I had prepared myself a little, because I knew her 91 years would soon be coming to a close. Still, I was angry (with God), I was sad, I was confused, and I was joyful. That last emotion really made me think. Joyful? Yes.

Throughout her final time with us, she called out to Jesus. She called to our Lord to help her. We prayed with her as my husband knelt down beside her bed. She wanted to go Home.

I am joyful she entered into Heaven with a warm reception. She is no longer in pain. She received the most beautiful crown of glory. She no longer uses a walker. She is reunited with her parents, her sisters, her brother… her beloved Coleman, my grandfather.

I’ll be 100% honest with you. I took her for granted. I could have visited her much more than I did. I got annoyed when she was forgetful or snippy. I didn’t try and really learn from her. I was angry when she’d speak of other family with praise, when I knew what they were really like.

That all doesn’t matter now though. One thing I did learn after my Paw Paw Thorne passed away is that there is sense in living in the past, with regrets. Sure, it’s hard. Kind of late to change it now, huh? So I’m trying not to this time around. Instead, I will go on with my life, taking what I do of my Maw Maw. The way I remembered her. The lady I am discovering now. The one who has an old autograph book filled with loving friends and family… applauding her faith in God, writing silly poems, the grandmother who obviously wasn’t happy with someone when she scribbled out their note and name.

She wasn’t all too different than me in ways and I have a lot to learn from Rozell Miles. My years with her flew by, but her legacy will remain with me, forever. She is in that room that Jesus went to prepare for her… and I just know it is fabulous!

Here is my Maw Maw, Rozell (Tucker) Miles.
May 18th, 1919 – November 22nd, 2010
Wasn’t she beautiful? I love and miss you so much!



The year wasn’t all bad though. I landed my job here at the church and it has been such a blessing. I can’t begin to describe what a wonderful feeling it is to get out of bed (since I have to and all) and go to work and be, for the most part, happy about it. I get to be creative. I get to interact with great people. God answered my prayers in a big way!


Chris was recommended, accepted, and installed as a Youth Minister within our church. As with any ministry, he has his ups and downs… but truly, he is so wonderful at it. He loves doing it too. I never would have imagined the doors God has opened for him (and me) since we joined in January, two years ago.


 
We had good times with friends, good parties, good dinners…

(This is Chris and me at Halloween this year. He is Alan from The Hangover. I'm the Geico pig, Maxwell. I probably did go Weee, Weee, Weeeeee all the way home that night.)

(This is my best friend, Keri and her husband Ryan. Chris and I LOVE hanging out with these two!)

(This is the 2009 YMT Christmas Party from church. LOVE these folks!)

(This is another best friend, Sarah. This photo is old, but I love it! Her first fish ever and it was so small! Love this lady! Definitely good times!)


We welcomed our newest neice, Hudsyn, into the world by driving to Shreveport on our 4 year Anniversary!
(This is Hudsyn! Isn't she a total doll?)

I had a wonderful birthday and a wonderful Christmas. It’s funny how when you grown up you still want “toys” but they are more like appliances and household items. I love that this year was truly the first year that I was humbled by my parents and the gifts they gave us. It’s not the amount of presents they gave (which were entirely too many), it’s not even the specific items… but instead, the love and thoughtfulness put behind them. That part really got me this year. The Christmas Eve service was outstanding at church, Christmas morning at my Bambi’s was wonderful, even amid tension. My parents took me to Cheesecake Factory rather than Chili’s for my birthday dinner, and I was shocked with perfume…. Chanel No 5, which I have wanted for a long while.
(Loooooooove it!!!)
I participated this year in the 6th Annual Operation: Rowlett Reindeer. Throughout setup, collection, buying for my “angels”, helping interview a couple families, and finally, wrapping presents with the families on distribution night… I was touched. The families kept telling us what a blessing we were, when in all reality… it was them that blessed us. It’s amazing the response we get from the community, the donations, the help, the support. This ministry is so outstanding and certainly shows God’s hand in it all.




So… for 2011, I have high hopes. Higher hopes in fact. I’m not making resolutions, I never stick to them. Instead, I think I’ll have a to-do list… things I would hope to accomplish or change. If I don’t… there’s always next year, right?



• I hope to begin eating better, cooking at home more.

• I hope to begin walking a minimum of two nights a week with my Fur-Babies and the hubs.

• I want to spend more time at home- enjoying my marriage.

• I want to speak kinder and have more patience.

• I want to take more photos and capture this life that is always in overdrive.

• I want to begin pulling ourselves out of debt.

• I want to get on the “baby-track”… fixing what needs to be fixed, so we can hopefully have a baby in a few years.

• I want to enjoy family more, take trips, make more calls.

• I want to cut loose ends and bad relationships. I want to be mindful however, to still pray for them.

• I want to grown closer in my walk with God. I want to read His word more and follow His path.

• I hope to keep my house, my car, my purse… more organized and cleaner!

• I want to judge less and love more.

• I want to come to terms with the ME I have become, flaws and all, and embrace her.



Wishing you the Happiest New Year around! I also hope to blog more… but we’ve seen how well that goes. I'll close with a few photos from Christmas this year

(Our tree!)

(Pretty fireplace! I love the rays of light!)

(The plant from my Maw Maw's funeral, repotted for me, by Chris!)

(Our table and buffett.)

(Another fireplace shot...with allllll the stockings!)

(Corner by the window, the REASON for the SEASON!)

(On top of the TV. The more glitter items, the better!)

(Just a few random things.)


(Hallway by our bedroom. Excuse the mud on the wall from the dog.)

(Entryway.)

(Entry table and the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!)

(Meet me under the mistletoe!)

(We baked an excessive amount of cookies to fill gift tins.)

(Picture doesn't do the house justice, nor does the hideous car in front. Chris did so good!)

(I went overboard on the tortilla rolls at 3:00 a.m.)

(Christmas morning at Bambi's.)

(The adorable sugar cookies my cousin Stacy made. She is so talented!)

(We went to Scott & Amy's for New Years, here's Hud in the backseat, with my sunglasses on.)

(This is where we went New Years Day, so relaxing!)

(Lady Hud Bug on the swing!)

(Moondoggie went on his first -and last- roadtrip with us. He's helping Chris drive.)

(Sinatra was so glad Mommy was back home! He snuggled up and purred for a long time.)

(The boys resting. Duke was still at the vet, so they are enjoying a little peace and quiet.)

(Moondoggie the next morning. I couldn't bare to crate him that day!)

(THIS is what I still have to pack up. Ugh, anyone wanna' do it for me?)

AND let's remember....


Let's go Aggies! BTHO LSU!
 Whoohoo! Gig'em!!!

Until next time...