It's been awhile....

So.....life has been so crazy that it's been awhile since my last post.   Like, over a year type of awhile!  Let's not dwell on that!  In the past year I've been getting in touch with my crafty and creative side.  Thank goodness for pinterest!   Here is a little something I painted yesterday.

A friend of mine sent me a similar flag painted pallet that she saw on pinterest.   Since I live at the lake I have been making and buying coastal decor.  I love this twist on the American flag!  The pin my friend sent me had only one starfish,  but that resembled the Texas flag a little bit and since I live in Oklahoma I couldn't chance that!

Stay tuned,   I hope to start posting more of my fun projects!

Gettin' Crafty

Aside from making jewelry, I'm not the typical crafty type of gal.  And, I haven't even had the chance to make some fun jewelry in a long time.  However, a month (or two or three) ago, I had someone contact me via my etsy store and asked if I could make several of these particular little gems for her upcoming wedding.

I was ecstatic!  A valid excuse to dig all of my jewelry making supplies out from their hiding spot, plus my first custom order! 

All together, I made three adult and two child sized bracelets.   My picture's not the greatest, but trust me, they were pretty cute!

Way back in February I made this cute beach arrangement!  I'm slowly trying to give my home a beachy feel, and this work of art makes its home on top of my refrigerator.  The "real" sand actually comes from the beach near my house!  A big thanks goes out to my mom, because as she witnessed me at Walls (one of my fave stores!) with my internal struggle as to whether or not I should splurge and spend $25 on the vase, she finally said she'd buy it for me!  (Yes, I am a tight wad)  I'm so glad she did!

Now, for some more current projects!

A few weeks ago we went to a beautiful wedding and this is the item I made for the bride and groom.

I have been obsessed with family name signs for a long time now, and still don't even have one of my own.  However, I've ordered several off of etsy for various wedding presents, but I saw a great tip on pinterest about how to paint letters onto wood.  I figured I'd test it out, and this was the result.  Not super great (I wish the letters were a little bigger), but it worked!  And, I saw the bride recently and she told me it was hanging up above their door, which means it didn't end up as firewood, which is great!

The piece de resistance is the satin minky blanket I made for my sister-in-law.  I followed the instructions that I again found on pinterest.  Now, let me just say, that although I know how to sew, I do not particularly like to sew.  And, I don't do it often enough, so when I do try to whip out an awesome creation attempt to make something, it always seems like I have to re-teach myself a tip or two.  Thankfully I still have the owners manual of my sewing machine along with the required sewing book I had to make in college.  Several days and a few glasses of wine later, I wound up with this.

To find the instructions on how to make your own blanket click here.

Granted, I'm afraid it may not last through more than two trips to the washing machine, and if one were to look at the corners carefully one would see that the ruffles are tacked inside (that's what I get for thinking I would "make it easier" on myself....note to self: next time just make one continuous stitch).  Oh well.  I'd say she was happy when she opened her gift at her baby shower and I hope the softness of the fabric makes my sweet new niece happy!

 

May your life be sewn with Love.
 

Yesterday I ordered the last supply I need to begin a venture on a new craft.  I'd tell you what it is, but it will also be a birthday present, so I better wait to post a pic or two later next month.  Tune in!

 

 

My newest crush!

Wanna know what my latest obsession is? It's pinterest! And I am in LOVE! First, who doesn't love looking at awesome pictures of items that peak ones interest? I know I sure do! But this website takes it one step further. I can plug in a word, say driftwood, for example, and it pulls up all kinds of pictures with driftwood. Pretty cool, huh?

I discovered pinterest when a friend of mine suggested I check it out after I posted a question on facebook asking where I could get ideas for remodeling our lake house. When I think of a "lake house" I picture a cabin with lots of decor involving fish. Maybe because that's what every lake house that I've been in at Lake Texoma is like. Since I'm not that into fish, I figured I had to do something different. Since there is a beautiful sandy beach within walking distance from our lake house, I figured why not have our "lake house" look like a "beach house"? I may not be able to see the beach, but at least I'll know I'm close by and can still feel like I'm "at the beach" or "on vacation" when I'm inside!

We're going to begin a total renovation of our "beach house" beginning in late August and Pinterest has absolutely been a good source of inspiration for Greg and I. I'm not the type of person who can instantly visualize what a room or house will look like. I like to see pictures and drawings. This is where pinterest has been a huge help. My thinking is that we'll have the main area of the house painted in a pale gray (my new favorite neutral) and hopefully we can find some cool "beachy" flooring. Then, I'll accent with pops of turquoise and orange, along with some lush greenery. (I'd love some actual palm leaves if anyone wants to mail me some!

With that being said, here is the board I curated on Pinterest with ideas for our "beach house"!