Block Words Tutorial

I have been asked to do a tutorial on these and show ya all how easy they are to make. So, here I go....

Okay, first use a 2x4 and cut blocks of random sizes, don't try and make them perfect!! I wouldn't make them bigger than about 6in. tall. spray paint all sides whatever color you want. I choose espresso brown.

 Next they need to be sanded for that rustic look and to get rid of the roughness. Some blocks I use more pressure, others not as much. You just don't want them looking identical. Next use a damp cloth to remove all the dust from sanding.

 Here's what you need next, scissors, MODGE PODGE ( i love this stuff ) a paint brush or I used a stain brush, the paper you want to use. Set the blocks out how you want them and figure out what piece of paper you want on each block.

 Cut the paper a little bigger than the block and put a light coat of modge podge on the block. Put the paper on the block and with your hand smooth the paper down. I then put a little modge podge on my finger and put a light coat on the edge of the paper. This softens the paper so you can sand the edges a bit for that distressed look.

 Another way to do it would be to gently rip the paper and then set it on the block. The next step to to put the letters on. You can do this however you choose. I use a sharpie marker and write on them, you could use stickers, stamps, whatever floats your boat. Once you have the letters on, I put another thin coat of modge podge over the front of the block. Then you're done!! Let them dry a few hours and set them out how you choose.

You could also use fabric instead of paper, I have done that as well. You could use these as photo props, seasonal decor, kids names for their rooms, lots of fun possibilities!! Have fun!!

a quick before and after...

From old and used to redone and new!! I did this in a very short amount of time yesterday and was pretty happy with how it turned out. I just added a small amount of new padding, new heavy fabric, and fresh coats of espresso spray paint. Oh, how I love fun fabric. This one is from JoAnns in case you're wondering.

more fall decorations and 7 years....

I keep adding fall things! My fav time of year and my favorite decor! I have learned that adding a few drops of food coloring to some modge podge, you get the jars you see in the pic. I painted the insides and when I am sick of that color, I can peel it out and do another look!!

Dont put it on too thick, it does take a long time to dry.

This is Punch Needle Embroidery, another winter craft I love and is so easy!
I took a class last winter and was hooked! Yes, I am only in my 30s...not 75 like you might be thinking.

 These are my two favorite little girls and now two favorite tiny boys! My precious nephews Preston and Jackson. I cant believe how fast they all grow and how much they mean to me.

Seven years ago today Emma Grace came and went from this world. You were here for a reason and you live on in so many ways. So often I get to share your story and tell how Gods loving, faithful hand was in it all and continues to be. To God be all the Glory!! Happy Birthday sweet baby girl!!! We miss and love you and so thankful for Heaven where we will meet again!!

few new crafts...

Thanks to Pinterest, I have made a few new things at home this weekend. I loved the idea of having a "lost sock" sign. Socks normally sit in my bedroom and now they have a place of their own. lol!

These are just a few extra blocks I had sitting around from the baby shower ones I made. I used fabric for these instead of paper and they turned out pretty cute! I love that falls coming and I can decorate for it! Its my favorite time of year!!!

My latest crafty obsession is crocheting. I have always wanted to make big blankets for people or baby blankets. So, I have been sucked to You Tube and learning what all the stitches mean and how to do a granny square. I  have learned how to do one version and I am going to keep practicing...probably making a small blanket for the cats but its a start!! (this is just a pic of one I like)

Pinterest addiction

Oops, its been a while again since my last blog. We recently had a great family vacation!!! It was great to get away and be with just the 4 of us!! The girls did great which made it even better, I wasn't sure how they were going to do in the van riding for so long.

Inside a butterfly garden, the girls loved being in here

So really this blogs turned more into my crafts than my life, well crafting is definetly part of my life! :) My latest addiction is Pinterest. If you dont have an account get one, even if you dont craft. Its awesome for everyone!! It has recipes, vacations spots, books, wedding ideas, fashion....its just fab! Pretty much, its like bookmarking a page you find on line but organizing it on your own page!!

 So what I have done is find some cool things to try and make and when I have time. Here are a few things I did this week.

I cant seem get this bigger but you can look on pinterest! This is a tea ring that I made for the teachers lounge at my girls' school.

I made a few different versions of this for the teachers. It was so cheap and turned out so cute!

I am so ready for the school year to begin, I know its busy but I love being involved at school while they think its still cool to have me there. I love that i will have more free time while they're in their classes learning! I cant wait for ellie to start reading!! I pray they have a great year and learn and grow and stay healthy!! I love hearing about their days and friends. This is a great time in our lives!! Hope you all have a great back to school month!! Blessings!!

Baby Shower with Argyle

 Sorry its been a while. Summer is busy...swimming lessons, VBS, beach days, pool days, and just being outside enjoying the heat that we wait so long for during the winter! I love this summer!! Each year the girls are older and can do so much more with us and its less work for me! Love it!


We recently had a baby shower for my sister kristie who is due with a baby boy in September! I found some napkins I liked and went from there. It was a fun theme to work with!!

Kristie with our beautiful Aunts!!

Preston came to visit, aunts got to admire how adorable he is!!

I am going to try and post sometime soon about the blocks behind the sink. So easy and cute to make!

I like to keep the food simple but cute! Making these trail mix bags were a hit!

My sisters and my girls.

gluten free questions

I was asked how I got started with getting rid of the gluten in my life...

I am still learning a lot!! First, fresh fruits and veggies are great!! I know they are safe and I eat lots and lots!! Thank goodness its summer and I have many options!

Plan on a longer grocery shopping day. I read lots of labels now which is great to raise your awareness of what you're putting into your body!! Visit a natural food store. Yes, its more expensive but if you do this with someone else you can share and split the cost!

The grocery store I use has a growing section of GF foods that are pretty good. My sister made me a GF chocolate cake for my birthday and it was fabulous!! No funny aftertaste just pure yummoness!! It was just a betty crocker mix!! Check this out ... http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free-baking-mixes

Part of the energy I think, comes from just eating better and healthier. Food from the ground, not with all the additives! The biggest things that I have been told to avoid is WHEY, MALT, WHEAT.

Mexican food is something I get often when going out, corn shells are safe! I love as a snack blue corn chips and GF guacamole! MMM!!!  When we go out to eat, I use my phone! Say were headed to Wendys. I type in Gluten Free menu and Wendys, and a list pops up. The chili is gf and baked potatoes! (theres more but I love those two) and you just don't add the crackers to the soup like I did the first time!! Its a learning process!!

So theres some of the things that can help you get started!!! Let me know if you have more questions that I can maybe help with!  For the anxiety/antidepression medication people, this may not make a big change but even a little more energy is huge for me!! I hope it helps with you too!!

Gluten free is ME

So, this is my new thing! I have been thinking about going gluten free for about 6 months and finally took the plunge. To be completely honest I was sick of having to know where the bathrooms were everywhere I went...for me, not for my kids! I used to work in a hair salon and there was this sweet old lady who had the walking farts something fierce and we would all quietly laugh....that was turning into me and Im only 30!!!! My dad decided to try it, I have a few cousins, and an aunt that all really notice a difference. I have been doing it for almost two weeks and can totally notice a difference. The biggest difference for me is the energy, that alone has been worth it! I feel so motivated! I just thought taking zoloft for my anxiety/depression was just going to make me sleepy all the time but the past few weeks have been great!!! I am so thankful. Things have been better in the potty room too! Yes, this is all a lot of TMI but this has been so great and so good for me to be reading labels and what I am putting into my body! I will let you know how it continues to go for me!

My Nephew is here!!

Preston Kendall has arrived!! 6 weeks early but doing so good and his mommy is too!! Hes going to have to be in the NICU for a bit until he figures things out on his own a little more but other than that hes in so healthy! Praise God!!!! Here are a few pictures of the new little man. He is just so precious and cute and soft and makes the sweetest little faces, and wiggly, and I could go on and on. I am a very proud auntie!!

 Preston Kendall, 5pds 10oz. 18inches

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.

Author Unknown

Love you buddy! Cant wait to watch you grow!!!

Vintage Dick and Jane Baby Shower!

This Sunday we got to celebrate my sister who is due to have a little guy soon!! I had it in my head to do a vintage dick and jane/ABC shower. Thankfully my mother in law saves absolutely everything and finding old things was easy. Here are a few pics of the get together.

Alphabet Sugar Cookies

The Goodies

Sisters! Love them!!

Outfits that my Grandpa wore when he was a baby! Precious Treasures!!

Yummy Yummy Yummy Cupcakes and Gluten free cake from brown sugar bake shop. They were marble with chocolate ganache in the center. heavenly!!

My two little helpers with their auntie and the baby they call bubba!

Fixed blog!!!

Meet Katie, I adore her! Thanks to her I have my blog back. She fixed it and now I can keep everyone up to date on whatever it is I do! I wont be trying to change anything with templates any time soon, or I will just call Katie if I want to do something to it! This is her little kiddo Grayden and he likes to say "I appeeeeciate you" and its stinking cute! So Katie...."I appeeeeciate you"!!

Old window turned chalkboard!!!

I have been wanting to find and redo some old windows for the house. I love the look and love to refinish things lately! So, I found this big old window at a garage sale for 5.00! I took it home and sanded it with my hubby's sander so it was easy(glass too)! I put a light layer of paint over the frame and re sanded the edges. Next I bought chalkboard paint and sprayed a few layers on. When it was hung up I thought it needed just a little more and asked one of my creative friends what she thought. It just so happened that she had the perfect thing at home that she wasn't using and cost only 1.00. A tiny metal bird and little flowers.I loved it and took it home to paint a little and added it to the chalkboard! I love it! To top it off I found chalkboard markers from Fris Office Supply. It writes so much better and looks fabulous!!



the finished product!

one of the cute little flowers

3.00 garage sale redo...I don't like how I have it decorated yet. Ideas??

I re did two of these and love the new look

spray paint and sand paper are my friends!!

Field Trips and Trees

I think we can officially say that winter is over and we are finally into spring!! Hallelujah!! Trees are full, the woods in our backyard are thick again, and if we had grass it would be green!! Ha ha! Birds are singing their songs and I love to hear them!!!! I love this time of year! May is always busy with school field trips, they gotta pack them in while the weathers nice. Ellies had a few and one I got to go along with was the Outdoor Discovery Center. Its one of our favorite places as a family to visit. This time was great with a tour guide to teach the kids (and mom) so much stuff.

Who has been here before?

Mr. Jamie showing the kids a minty smelling flower.

Looking for a leopard frog.

Looking for creatures.

I took this picture because Ellie is standing next to her buddy Parker here. She is quite a fan of Parker and I get to hear a lot about him. Its so cute!

Our little quiet road has had lots of activity lately. Next year our road will get paved! It will be so great to not have such a dirty van and take bike rides but its super sad to see these very old, large trees go down. I'm not really a tree hugger but still, it looks so bare around here. I am begging Dan to get some pine trees in here to fill it in a little!!

Before removing the big ones.

there it goes (tear, tear)

So bare, and I don't think they are done yet.

painting on pillows!

Hope everyone had a blessed easter!! We had a great one celebrating Jesus!!! I have been busy with redoing some furniture. I have done two end tables and I love how they have turned out. I am hoping to tackle a bench this week! Not a lot of sewing happend this week. What I have done has been combined with painting. I love to paint and wish I was better at it!! Here are a few and a ruffled fun one!