Jewelry Organizer

I'm reposting this from last summer so I can share it with the Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello!  It's also one of my favorite DIY projects I have done because it's been so useful.

I spotted this idea in a DIY magazine and was in love!  It was so easy, fairly cheap, and totally useful!  I made one for myself, and then my mom wanted one too.  She and my dad are spending their retirement in an RV, and she needed something for her jewelry! 

Here's mine:

And here's how I made my mom's:

1.  Grab a board!  I made mine with a piece of scrap wood I found in my basement.  I made my mom's using a piece of wood I picked up at AC Moore for a couple bucks.

2.  Choose your handles.  I got mine at Target and Lowe's.

3.  Paint your board.  I used a coat of white paint followed by a coat of pearlish paint.

4.  Lay out your pieces.

5.  Measure and mark before you drill!

6. For mine, I stapled a piece of ribbon as a hanger. For my mom's, I found an old wooden hanger and drilled that into the top so she could hang it in the RV closet.

7.  Drill your holes and attach your handles.

8.  Hang your jewelry!

Add to the list...

I have another book to add to my summer reading list.  I am so excited about this book that it kinda makes me want to squeal.  It's also possible that I did that the minute I read it was coming out.

I wrote earlier about why I love Jeremy Camp.  Well, his new book "I Still Believe" just came out today.  You can read the first chapter on his website.  I read the prologue and was already tearing up.  I think this book, which shares his testimony - including the story of his first wife Melissa - is going to hit really close to home.  I know that it will be encouraging to my heart as well, and I can't wait to read it.  I've never met anyone who has gone through something so similar to me, and I'm excited to read how God spoke to Jeremy through his journey.

I'll let you know what I think when I finish it!

A Different Kind of Hunger

Have you ever hungered for God's Word?  Just wanted more of it?  Felt like the words were leaping off the page at you?  I have been having that feeling lately and I am anxious to do something with it!

I was calling last summer the "Summer of YES".  I had determined to say yes to invitations, go on trips, visit friends, do fun things, and just stay busy.  And, I accomplished that and I NEEDED that.  I needed to paint rooms in my house, to go different places, and to just stay busy.

This summer I'm dubbing the "Summer of Spiritual Growth".  Ok - that's kind of a lame title.  Maybe I'll come up with something better, but probably not.  Anyway - like I said earlier, I have been really feeling like I need some serious time in the Word.  I've also been desiring to strengthen my prayer life. 

In order to do this, I've armed myself with a few books and studies, and I'm hoping you'll suggest some more of your favorites to me!  Here's my list so far:

1. The Bible (um..duh.  Couldn't do this without that - for sure!)
2. "Get Off Your Knees and Pray" by Sheila Walsh
3. "The Power of a Praying Woman" (the workbook/study) by Stormie Omartian
4. "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore - can't wait to do this study with some of my girlfriends!!
5. "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp
6. "The Fitting Room" by Kelly Minter (I'm reading this one with the Bloom Book Club online)
7. "Rain on Me - 40 Day Devotional" by Holly Gerth (she writes for (in)courage and I loved the previews she gave on their blog)

That's my list.  What are your favorites?  Any suggestions for me to add to my list? I can hardly wait for coffee and quiet time SUMMER mornings!

Sharing this with Courtney @ Women Living Well!

Just Another Mantle Monday

One of the things I love about my house is that I have a great fireplace with a HUGE mantle that I can decorate! The problem with this is, the mantle is so giant that many of the things I wanted to use to decorate it look dwarfed in comparison.  I've lived in the house for a year and a half, and I think I finally have it (almost) just the way I want it.

Here's the mantle before I did my living room makeover:

(Christmas 2009)

And here it is after I painted it...

This was my Christmas 2010 mantle...

And finally, here it is today:

I love it!  I painted my giant mirror from an old dresser set loosely following this tutorial.

Those jersey ruffles on the candles are SO EASY.  

1.  Cut strips of t-shirt/jersey fabric

2. Set your sewing machine on the HIGHEST tension and the LONGEST length.

3.  Sew!  It ruffles perfectly without any work!

 

I made my yarn wreath using this tutorial.  It was really easy too.  Expect to see more of these - the possibilities are endless!

These might be my favorite part.  I just love them.  I spray painted wooden candle sticks for the bases.  The "kissing ball" on the left is made following this tutorial.  The one on the right is made following this tutorial...and used more felt circles than I ever wanted to cut out in my life.

I posted my mantle pic on Facebook and asked for suggestions about what to put inside the fireplace.  The big suggestion was candles.  However - there are 5 candles on the top of the mantle.  Plus, I used oil based primer on the bricks and I'm not sure oil based primer and fire are a good mix.

My friend's mom suggested a fluffy Boston fern plant - and I love that idea!  It will tie in my green color, fill up the space, and be easy to care for (since I'm planning to buy a FAKE one!).  

Stubborn and Strong

If you ask my parents to describe me, the word "stubborn" would certainly be among their descriptors.  I was a heck of a child to deal with growing up! (and sometimes still)  But, the older I get, the more I appreciate my stubbornness...and the more I appreciate my parents.

Thank you for letting me be stubborn, Mom.

By letting me be stubborn...I grew up to be strong.

I couldn't have made it through the last year and half without that strength.  Or without you by my side.

I love you!

(and let's be honest, you really didn't stand a chance trying to undo my stubbornness.)

65 Days of Reshaping It All

Have you heard of the book "Reshaping It All"?  If not, maybe you've heard of Candace Cameron Bure?  If you haven't heard of her, surely you remember DJ from "Full House"?  Well, DJ is all grown-up and has recently published the book "Reshaping It All"!

source

In "Reshaping It All," Candace inspires "women to embrace a healthier lifestyle by moving faith to the forefront, making wise choices, and finding their worth in the eyes of God. " (from the Reshaping It All website)  

The book is similar to Lysa TerKeurst's awesome book "Made to Crave".  I've read both books recently, and the key thing I have gotten from both books is the idea of linking my relationship with my health (nutrition, fitness, sleep, etc.) with my relationship with the Lord.  I know, this is kind of a "DUH" type revelation.  As in - why have I not done this before?  

ReshapingItAll.com is doing a 65- Day event led by co-author Darlene Schacht!  The 65 Days starts TODAY!  Every day, Darlene and Candace will share a post that may include an article, video, or challenge.  They will be reading through 2 chapters of the book a week, but you don't have to have the book to participate.

I'm signing up and will be blogging along...are any of you?