Arts and Crafts

I'm about to let you all in on a little secret. I learned it from my mama. This secret has the potential to change your life. Or at least your gift giving routines. If your child has received a gift from my family in the past 10 years, it has come from my a stash of toys in my hall closet, aka the gift closet. The box in the gift closet is filled with puzzles, play-doh products, art sets, baby outfits, and popular candles. I even have gifts for specific people - my nieces and nephews and my own children - stored in this closet. All of it was bought on sale. "But wait", you say, "The biggest gift giving...

I have been eyeing the beautiful red wreaths at Target for the past several years. Don't ask me why I never bought one. I guess partly because I didn't want to spend $30 on something that I would only get to enjoy one month out of the year, partly because I'm usually grocery shopping and I see it as I pass by in a hurry to get to the baby aisles. Regardless, I never did bite the bullet but the other day I was in Hobby Lobby and an idea hit me. I would make my own DIY wreath. I love crafting so this would be fun! It's super simple. You need only 4 items. A 12" floral foam circle -...

My 3 year old is a lot like most 3 year old girls, obsessed with all things dressy, and sparkly, and princessy. As the tutus and crowns started to pile up, I found myself needing a good storage solution.  Her dress-up box was bursting at the seams. Of course, I started by scouring the internet.  After checking out all of the options, I decided that DIY was the way to go.  I found examples made out of old entertainment centers and dressers. Despite my best Craigslist skills, I couldn't quite find anything that met all of my criteria.  Then it hit me! The perfect piece was already in her room.  Her bookcase was exactly what I was looking for...

Recently a wise friend told me that I had to be brave.  We were having a conversation about feeling pulled in multiple directions, and she said that “Brave” was my word.  She then asked me what that meant in my life.  After some thought, I replied, “To write and call myself a writer.” Quite simple really, or it looks that way when typed out in front of me, but truthfully it is much harder.  Writing has been a simmering passion in me since I was ten years old.  Repeatedly though, I have turned down the flame only for it to bubble back up to the surface.  Whether it is fear that turns the knob or doubt or busyness or procrastination, one...

Other possible titles for this blog post included Chalk Paint for Beginners or Chalk Paint for Preggo in the Third Trimester…all three descriptors accurately reflect me at the present time, however I'm pretty much always a slacker when it comes to DIY projects. Which is why Chalk Paint has always been so appealing. Ever since a friend discovered it years ago and redid her bedroom set from in the 80s in a day with ease and amazing results, I have wanted to try it myself. I have PLENTY of pieces that could use a paint job. But it was the changing table I recently salvaged (and a baby on the way) that was the motivator to finally give it a try. My friend was...