Ode to the Cashier Girl and a DIY project

Dear Hobby Lobby Cashier-Girl,
          I was pleasantly surprised this afternoon by your kindness. I have shopped at this particular Hobby Lobby for over 10 years, and I used to dread checking out when I was finished shopping. You see, there used to be a woman at register #1, where you were at today, that absolutely hated life. She was bitter, moody, never complimented my kids (she was obviously blind, because come on, everyone knows they're precious; maybe she could make a really wicked pie though), and was generally a disgruntled woman. I am not very confrontational, but she would bring out the "excuse-me-I-will-not-have-that-attitude" in me every single time. She was the only one that could do returns and it seemed like she took it personally, like I was inconveniencing her and acted as though I shouldn't be asking her to do her job. She would huff and puff, and literally talk to herself under her breath. She made me grit my teeth and in my head sing "Be patient, be patient with everyone. Be patient with everyone First Thessalonians 5 verse 14" (one of the kids songs that they LOVE and sing all the time). 
But you were there today at register #1 and I was so happy to see your smiling face. You struck up conversation. You smiled and waved at my girls. And you asked me what I was going to be making with all the things I was buying. That's a fantastic question for a craft store employee, by the way. When I proceeded to tell you that I was buying a decorative knob for our re-purposed hutch, ribbon for a gift I was making a girlfriend and fabric for a project I have for our living room, you were genuinely interested. You complimented the fabric and said it was very soothing. And I told you "thank you" because I was going for something subtle and was hoping it wasn't too bold. And then you told me to take a picture so that you could see it when I was done. I about laughed out loud at that one. I almost told you, "well, in fact, I will probably post it on my blog because I'm a total freak, and then hopefully pin it to pinterest. Are you on pinterest? You should be, if you're not already. It's awesome, inspiring and a total waste of time." But all of that stayed in my head. I just smiled and nodded and told you, "I might just have to do that. Thank you so much. Have a great day!" So, thank you Hobby-Lobby-cashier-girl. You made my time there so lovely and I look forward to not getting harassed if I have to return something or for even asking a question. And in honor of you, here are the pictures from one of those projects.

 

friday favorites pinterest project

I'm sure everyone is well aware of my obsession with pinterest, and how much time I've wasted inspiration it has given me. 

Well, one of my favorite things about it, is actually completing a project that I started. Here is one more I finished after seeing this on pinterest.
We have a small bathroom for the kids and it is quite comical when ALL 5 of us are in there trying to get the kids ready for bed. I was getting tired of the Reederator always getting his toothbrush and scrubbing the sink with it! So I was so happy to finish this project that has saved space and kept their things organized at the same time. I am so happy with how they turned out! 

 

 

Happy Friday, y'all!

 

Hutch CPR

This old hutch has been in my family for a long time. It was my grandmother's and then my mother's and I acquired it about 5 years ago. When my grandmother passed away, I crammed all of her tea cups in it and on it, because I just couldn't part with any of them.

 With that being said, I have never liked the color and always toyed around with the idea of painting it. But felt like I would be ruining a family heirloom and defacing a piece of history. So it stayed in its sad shape for awhile. 

 

 When Patrick went to Seattle to climb Mt. Ranier, my in-laws kept the kids for a couple of nights. So this gave me the perfect opportunity to take on a big project. I impulsively decided to redo the old hutch and bring it back to life.

 

I am not usually the type to do these things on my own, because when I run into a problem, I always ask Patrick for help. But this time, I had to turn to google. I was stripping the old screws, making it difficult to get them out. But I found the solution.

source

  I ended up using a combination of the rubber band and needle nose pliers. And I was so proud of myself. I did it without needing someone else's help.

Here are the after shots. They are not the best photos in the world, but they'll do. And please note my desire to keep all of Granny's things. One day, I will clear it off and make it simplier, but I am just not sure what I want to get rid of yet. So, until then, this is their home.

 

Hope you were inspired to do something pinteresting. Have you done anything any projects lately? I would love to see them.

Happy Friday!

I'm on a roll, people - another DIY post

I recently got this gorgeous mirror, that at one time hung in my grandmothers house. I love antiques. But there is just one thing. It's gold. I'm not a huge fan of gold.

  

And then I remembered seeing these on pinterest: 

pinterest

Stunning, no?

That's when I decided that I would deface re-purpose a perfectly old, antique mirror.

 

So I went to Lowe's and this was the spray paint I chose.

 

 This was what it looked like after I nearly got high from the fumes. No wonder they card you when you buy that stuff.

 

And this is what it looks like in my house. It's much darker inside and this was actually the color I was hoping for — a grayish blue.

 

The wall it's hanging on is not its final destination. Because as I mentioned before, I have commitment issues, and I have yet to decide where it should be hung to reach its maximum perfectness in our house. I did decide on it being in the living room, so that is a step in the right direction. I texted these pictures to some friends last night, with these words:

I need your help! The mirror - over fireplace (it would be lower) or in that blank space to the left of the tv? Also, I am debating spray painting the other big mirror white (that used to be over fireplace) and putting it back over fireplace. Whatcha think?

So what do YOU think? I need to make a decision soon before Patrick tells me he's done and won't get the hammer back out.

Oh, and we would get a mantle because who doesn't have a mantle? Oh, the lady that lived here before us, that's right.

Thank you in advance for any feedback!

  

an actual DIY post

 I don't claim to be an expert blogger that shares all the tips that I come up with on how to save money and make creative decorations for your home out of pinecones, spray paint and a glue gun. I am generally pretty unorganized and I have commitment issues, so I hardly ever get anything done that I intend to do. 

But this is one attempt I made recently at saving money:

DIY Laundry Detergent

1 cup Super Washing Soda

1 cup Borax

1 bar of mild soap (I have used Fels Naptha and Dove on different occasions)

(***Update*** here is a helpful link if you would like better instructions)

It's not necessary, but the handy grater from Ikea in the picture below is pretty helpful, because you have to shave the soap so that it will dissolve easily. This is the only annoying part of saving money — it usually involves work of some kind. I don't look forward to shaving it because my hand gets all sweaty and slimy. But it could just have something to do with the record breaking heat we have been experiencing ALL summer. 

For average size loads, I only use 2 tbsp, so this recipe gives me about 24 loads. If I was smart and more organized I would make a double batch. But I have yet to do that...

If I have heavily stained clothes, I throw in 1-2 tbsp of OxyClean.

So far this has worked for us.

Do you make your own detergent? If so, what recipe do you use? I am interested in knowing other ways to do it. And if it's worked for you.

Miscellany Monday {a good book, HP & a 7D}

Have you read this little gem of a book, Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl? If not, well let me be the first one to tell you that it. is. so. good. It's clever, intelligent, funny, and full of wisdom. I won't spoil the entire book for you because frankly, it's just better to read it than to hear about it. But there is one portion in the book, where N.D. Wilson talks about how life would be sterile and boring if there wasn't heartache or tragedy. We complain and throw our fists in the air at God and tell Him we would do it differently, we would change the way the world works. But he challenges that notion by saying:

"Where would you improve it?... Looking out of your eyes, the world could easily be improved. Fewer people could die. Death could be banished. Hunger slaked. Thirst quenched. Evil, that which displeases God, should be gone. So it should. But how? When? What is it that you are assessing? Would Pride and Prejudice be improved by throwing away every page prior to the resolution, by erasing every character flaw, every misunderstanding and dispute?" (page 84)

I thought about that this weekend when I saw the last Harry Potter film. When it ended and people starting clapping, (myself included because it was terrific and yes, I have read all 7 books) the young man behind me said in fun, "Well, there's the end of my childhood." These books have been a huge part of many peoples lives because of the sheer amount of time from the first book to the last, I think about 10 years. Why did Harry Potter have that affect? I believe it's the age old theme that gets us every time. Good vs. Evil. Everyone who likes the series, fell in love with Harry, Hermione and Ron. J.K. Rowling did an excellent job of character building and she weaved the various themes throughout the seven books in such an amazing way. But can you imagine reading those books or watching those films without Lord Voldemort?
And what would The Lord of the Rings be without Lord Sauron? Or Narnia without the White Witch? Some things to think about . . . 

Speaking of Harry Potter, here is an excellent review by Andrew Peterson over at The Rabbit Room. If you've read the books, I think you will enjoy the article. If you've never read the books, for whatever reason, I think you should really read the article.

"Let me be clear: Harry Potter is NOT Jesus. This story isn’t inspired, at least not in the sense that Scripture is inspired; but because I believe that all truth is God’s truth, that the resurrection is at the heart of the Christian story, and the main character of the Christian story is Christ, because I believe in God the Father, almighty maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ his only begotten son—and because I believe that he inhabits my heart and has adopted me as his son, into his family, his kingdom, his church—I have the freedom to rejoice in the Harry Potter story, because even there, Christ is King. Wherever we see beauty, light, truth, goodness, we see Christ. Do we think him so small that he couldn’t invade a series of books about a boy wizard?"

The Canon EOS 7D. That is what is coming in the mail this week. That is what my amazing husband bought me with some of the money he made after selling all our earthly goods. Well, almost all of them, at least the ones we don't want anymore. And I CAN'T WAIT. I have at least 3 posts waiting in wings because I want to take good pictures for them. One post is about the hutch I repainted, one is a recipe and one is my reorganized craft room. I know, you can all just hardly wait. But please try to be patient. Seriously... you're embarrassing yourselves with all the emails asking me what I'm going to post next. You should really get a life.




What did you do this weekend?

another sewing success

I am beginning to really enjoy sewing. I didn't think it was possible but with the help of a friend's mother, I have become pretty confident in the basics.
I was inspired by what I saw here, so I decided to give-it-a-go. I purchased these towels from the Target $ bins. Cheap. Gotta love that.

I am proud of the way they turned out and the girls love them. Another sewing success.

~cheryl~