Some Valentine's Love

I can't say I have ever decorated for Valentine's day, but was inspired by Pinterest to surround myself with some lovin!

After seeing this idea on Pinterest, I couldn't wait to make one for myself! I went to Goodwill and found a gold frame for $2 and used my new chalk paint to give it a fresh look. After it was dry, I sanded it in places to reveal the gold. I printed the "I love you because.." on some fun scrapbook paper and it was finished! It was nice to do an easy and fun project in just one evening!

I just had to take some close-up pictures!

Have you been doing any Valentine's Day decorating?!

A Little Bit of Sunshine

It has been cloudy and rainy here for the past week. Although, the other day the sun peeked out for a minute just in time for me to take some pictures!

I was using my 50mm lens. I love this lens...it is so much fun to experiment with!

I love how this leaf is frozen into the textured ice

I have been working on some Valentine's projects and I have a pink vintage vanity to share. Hopefully I will get more sunshine soon to get pictures...stay tuned! 

A Prayer Shawl

Last week my sister's employer found out she has breast cancer and informed her staff that she would be taking a leave of absence for a few weeks. My Mom came up with the idea to make a prayer shawl for her. We all decided to work on it together through this next week.

I have knitted many scarves and blankets before and it's always just to keep busy while sitting in front of the television. Although, Sunday evening I just sat there in the silence, by myself, with the thunder rolling outside...putting prayer and thought and love into what I was knitting. It was such a good feeling to reflect on what this woman was going to be going through and what I could do with my hands to possibly bring her comfort during that time. I also took the time to be grateful to God for what I have and how fortunate I am for my good health. This is another way of staying close to God. I want to stay focused on using the abilities God gave me to serve others.

I also have to mention that I was struggling with a few mistakes at first and became frustrated. I was praying for the focus on why I was knitting this and that it didn't need to be perfect. My little sister encouraged me later with a quote she found. "As I knit through the creation of the shawl, I gratefully acknowledge the imperfections, weaving them into my prayers and intentions for the one who will be wrapped in and blessed."

Hopefully we can finish it in a week! Thanks for visiting!

Martha Stewart Paint

A few weeks ago I learned that Home Depot was discounting The Martha Stewart Living paint line because they were no longer going to carry it. I was really itching to get over there and stock up on some paint!

The other day, I finally stopped over there and picked out 6 quarts of paint for only $30! I am so excited to have a few different colors to work with. I also feel this gives me a nudge to start painting again! I have really slowed down since winter began.

These are the colors I chose:

Rhododendron Leaf, Ballet Slipper Pink, Tahini

Arrowroot, Spanish Moss, Talc

Also, my Mom and I have researched more about chalk paint and learned that if you add Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) to paint it will create a similar powdered/matte texture. I will be experimenting with this and will let you know how it goes!

If you live near a Home Depot and in need of some paint then you might want to go check it out!
Thanks for stopping by!

Friday Night Baking

I spent my Friday evening glued to the computer browsing the newest blog I have stumbled upon called Get Off Your Butt and Bake!. I am completely smitten by all of the delicious dessert recipes and the pictures are just gorgeous! When I start looking through a few pages of a blog I am interested in I just have to see every page (she has 162 pages). I guess the OCD kicks in and I don't want to miss out on anything!

More than a few caught my eye that I decided to print off and one that I just had to bake that night were these these fabulous Turtle Bars.

TURTLE BARS

From: Jonna at Get Off Your Butt and Bake!

"INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 CUPS FLOUR

1 1/2 CUPS QUICK OATMEAL

1/4 TSP. SALT

1/2 TSP SODA

1 CUP BROWN SUGAR

1 CUP BUTTER OR MARG. MELTED

1 PKG. 8 OZ. CHOCOLATE CHIPS

1 JAR 12-oz. CARAMEL SYRUP

1 CUP CHOPPED PECANS, ALMONDS or other – optional

DIRECTIONS:

Notes: Line your glass 9×13 ” pan with parchment paper, to make the bars easy to remove and even easier to cut.

(If you’re not using parchment paper) When they first come out of the oven, take a knife around the sides of your pan, then they will be much easier to cut and remove.

Combine 1st – 6 ingredients until well blended. Press half of the mixture in a 9×13″ pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Spread over the crust; chocolate chips & nuts. Drizzle the caramel syrup over the top. Sprinkle with the other half of crumb mixture. Bake 15 to minutes more, or until golden brown."

They were so easy to make and absolutely delicious. I can't wait to try more of her recipes!

Happy Baking!

Media Center

Last spring when I was just beginning to restore furniture I ran by this chest of drawers on CL. I really liked the shape of the curves, but this was before I knew what to look for in a piece of furniture. Now, I know it needs to have good bones and made of solid wood. Although this piece is made of particle board, the drawers worked well and I felt it was still worth experimenting with!

BEFORE

AFTER

I decided to take the top drawer out and replace it with a shelf to make it a media center. The shelf took only a few hours to make one evening. I painted it with SW Creamy paint and finished it with Varathane Water-Based Satin Polyurethane .

I found these handles in the hardware clearance aisle at Von Tobel's. I bought them for $1.25 each and spray painted them bronze. My new secret place for less expensive hardware!

When I brought it inside I realized that the sound system box did not fit! For some odd reason I measured the two boxes to fit the width, but not depth. I am trying to find a solution either to replace the sound system or cut a larger hole in the back, but for now the box sticks out a couple of inches. Mistakes come with the territory!

 All around, I love how it turned out and it matches my end tables so well!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a lovely Wednesday!

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My Birthday

I had my 26th birthday this past weekend! I have always been the one to count down the days to my birthday. I love celebrating them, but this one was tough. For some odd reason the idea of being closer to 30 than 20 is giving me the hardest time!

I always tend to evaluate my life on my birthday. I look at where I have been and where I am going. Is where I am good enough? Have I been who I have wanted to be? Have I achieved the goals I set for myself? Should I have more things figured out?

Then I think about the fact that life is always going to be full of questions without answers. ...And having the answers is not the purpose of life. Life is never going to be what you think it "should" be. It is always changing and the plan you have for yourself is guaranteed to encounter bumps and turns. I know I'm growing though and it feels good. I know I am truly finding me more and more everyday.

I feel so blessed that I was surrounded by my family who is always so loving and supportive. I was given such wonderful gifts! I will be able to shop at Anthropologie without feeling guilty. I received some play money to go furniture shopping...to enable a makeover with my new chalk paint I got for Christmas! I also got a gift card to have my nails done and I can't wait to dive into my new book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. That just names a few and the 20 kisses from my niece and nephew as I was leaving was priceless. I would have to say my wish has already come true!

I have been going through a difficult time these past few months. I have had to re-evaluate a relationship that has been so important to me for five years and it is not easy. I'm sure you have noticed my absence on my blog. I hope you have been checking back for me every now and then! I really appreciate you listening today. I have missed sharing my life with you!