CreativeMrsK

In Case You Were Wondering...

2010-11-29T20:37:00.001-08:00

This is what I have been doing this month.

And make no mistake, I am not above bragging. :-D

Crafts and re-do's to follow!

Showin' Some HomeGoods Love

2010-11-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, we all love the awesome re-do.

Of course.

I'm not going to argue with you.

But where would we be without some inspiration?

Enter in one of my favorite stores: HomeGoods. Don't know what it is? Well, go look for one! Think of a Marshalls or TJ Maxx or Ross or ... (you get the point,) where everything inside is ONLY stuff for your house. Home decor, pots and pans, dishes, bath towels, FURNITURE, mirrors, aNyThInG. Magic.

Here are some pix of some things I fell in love with at the most recent HomeGoods that opened up fairly close to home... (oh the danger!)

Some Parisian love!

Is this buffet not to-die-for??

Love!

These are my mom's colors. I just had to put them on here.

Again, just amazing.

OK, are you officially convinced? They had a ton more, but I was trying to edit. Hope you enjoyed!!!

Curtains

2010-11-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the huge delay. It seems my day-time job has taken it's toll and I'm officially restricted in the amount of time I can throw into projects. That being said, I have started and actually completed some curtains that I would love to show you. :)

So the colors in my current living room are this relatively bright blue and some browns. Not my ideal, but hey, I didn't purchase one bit of furniture. (Thank you landlord and roomies!) So I found a blue toile that I loved, (I've always loved toile.) But when you live with 3 men, you can't use an ultra-feminine fabric like toile. So enter in geometric brown and blue patterns and voila!

What do you think??

Bar Stools Before and After

2010-10-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

So the other day I finally went and bought a ton of fabric, (thank you Joann's Fabrics Columbus day sale.) Here is project number one.

Enter in boring, stained bar stool.

Hello New Fabric!

I couldn't stand to do all my bar stools the same way, so I have the stripes going both horizontally and vertically. Thought it would add more appeal. I have 4 of them all together, so I feel the vertical and horizontal even out. :-)

BTW, I love using my staple gun.

What about you guys? What's your favorite tool to work with? Or favorite project to work on?

In Honor of Columbus Day...

2010-10-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

I bring you a crocheting project that has been months in the making. I am finally able to post it because I was finally able to GIVE it to the recipient this past week. Yay!

So let's check it out. A little boy's sweater, a sailor cardigan, crocheted by yours truly. (The pattern was from the book entitled "Crochet for Babies.")

My favorite part about this cardigan (other than it's obvious cute-ness) is the details.

Love it! What do you guys think? Ever tried your hand at the needle-arts? ;-) No worries though, I should be back to re-upholstering and re-doing furniture in no time! I have lots of projects in the works... Blessings!

Dying

2010-10-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

Not in the bad way.

In the Rachel Zoe kind of way.

"I die."

I think I'm obsessed with furniture and fabric the way Rachel Zoe is obsessed with fashion. Who knows, maybe.

But after looking at tons of pictures online today... I think I found some of my inspiration picto's. Aka pictures. Keep up with the MrsK-slang people!

Enter in linen and burlap.... and the amazing Aidan Gray.

Did you know I want to do a bench soon??

And as the grand finale... Enter in Restoration Hardware...

I think Aidan Gray will be my personal interior decorator in heaven. Or even better, maybe we both work at Restoration Hardware together!

I'm just loving the laid-back style of using linens all over the place. And I'll admit when I saw chairs that were made with grain sacks and the like a few months ago I thought it was crazy. Now I'm seeing these pictures and I'm insanely in love with them. And the idea of linen drapes... my word, I think the heavens have opened up my mind! Needless to say, I am more than dying, and loving every second of it.

Plus I think I just fell in love with a $4,000 couch. Just don't tell my husband!

Fabric Angst

2010-10-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

So you might read other *wonderful* blogs that give you straight before-and-afters, and while I am in love with them... I've decided this blog is just not one of them.

For instance, today I am going to share with you the angst I get when I am trying to undergo a project.

Lately the angst has largely come in fabric form. Boo on fabric. Specifically, boo on fabric from fabric.com. Yep, you heard me, I just bashed the website that sells the most inexpensive fabric out there... and gives you free shipping. Why? Because my past two orders have not been fulfilled because the quantities of fabric they show on their website is NOT ACCURATE. Basically, if you see that a fabric has 15 yards of fabric or less... it means that by the time they come around to processing your order IT WON'T BE THERE. Boogers. I can't tell you how upset I was about these facts.

Twice I was stabbed in the heart...

First by a beautiful yellow jacquard that I planned to make curtains out of and the show you pictures of my beautiful living room.

Then by an amazing textured, cream-colored fabric for a chair re-do...

But instead. Here are my projects. Left abandoned. Waiting...

The Undressed Living Room

The Dingy Old Chair

Boogers, I guess I just have to stop being so cheap and refusing to pay more than like $5-7 a yard on amazing quality fabric that would have literally cost me at least $20-40 a yard at a Joann's fabric anyday. I guess I have to up my price to about $9-11 a yard...

Do I?

Maybe I'll just forego all of that and return to Target, where I found the fabric for these beautiful chairs. They turned out just fine didn't they??

But seriously, all of you who are out there in blog land... Please offer some help. Specifically for the Dingy Old Chair. I don't know what to do... the logical woman in me says "find a neutral colored fabric to re-upholster it in so you can have it forever, no matter what color you decide to change your decor to." The other side says, "Are you kidding? Have fun with it! Pick two different fabrics, mix and match! Go Big or Go HOME!!!" What do you think?? Anybody??

Etsy Fun!

2010-09-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay, ( I was going to post this yesterday...) but I guess life just snuck up on me. (AKA my husband was home from work last night. Translation? I do nothing when my hubby is home. We just hang. smile!)

So I figure we'll feature some Etsy love. I just recently ordered a beautiful (handmade, custom) bag from Paulina Carcach!! I had been waiting what seemed like an eternity (honestly when you have to wait at all for something you really want doesn't it always seem like forever?) I received a package in the mail yesterday. Take a deep breath, you're going to want it before you squeal!

And because I'm becoming more and more like a girl the older I get... I asked her if I could have some bright colored feminine fabric...

Enter pink! ALLELUIA! (ppsssst! Can you see the dragon bag? Of course I did that on purpose! Silly!)

Needless to say, when I was able to make my first *big* expensive bag purchase I passed up the chance to buy a Coach bag (to the utter surprise of my mom,) to order from Paulina. Instead I have a classic amazing quality leather bag that was HAND-MADE for me at a fraction of the price of a Coach bag! And I was even able to have it customized! And let me tell you, my mom was GUSHING over the bag when she saw it. And now my only decision is... what color will my next Paulina bag be?? Because she has the most WONDERFUL selections of colored leather to chose from, EVER!!! :) Plus I'm super excited because when Paulina has a handbag line that is as big as Coach my customized Paulina bag is going to be worth mega-bucks. ;) I can just see myself now...

"Oh yes I have one of Paulina's first bags. It was hand-made by her. You know that's how she originally made all of her bags..." ;-)

I think I might make featuring Etsy profiles a regular THANG... not because people are paying me, but because I think it is IMPERATIVE that we give props to the other amazingly creative people out there who are also doing it on their own. And also because I have an Etsy shop that I am super in love with right now... That I'll wait to comment on until I have bought some scrumptuous things of my own. Until then... can you guess what I'm working on??

I'm an IDIOT!

2010-09-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

I feel like such an idiot.

I just glanced at my comments and I was like "ok, I guess I'll just get rid of them."

And selected them all and DELETED THEM.

UGH! I'm a jerk-face. I thought I would just delete like the NOTIFICATION part of them on blogger... not delete the VERY FEW comments I actually have! I am currently heart-broken. I'll report back later with some things that make my heart go pitter-patter. Until then... boogers! :(

Dragon Bag Lady

2010-09-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

I did a small little craft in preparation for my new handbag that is in the process of being hand-made from Etsy. (insert huge smile here!) It's from Paulina Carcach and I can't even tell you how excited I am about it.

Note about Etsy: SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW CREATIVE FOLK. BUY FROM THE LITTLE GUYS!

That being said, I have full hopes of treating my new purse like *gold,* shimmering *gold* to be specific. One way I am going to do this is that everything I put in my new purse I want to be in its own cosmetic case or something of the sort.

Thank you Design Sponge for this wonderful tutorial at the most perfect time.

Check out my Dragon Bag!!! :)

Get in the bag you miscellany that might ruin my new purse!

Taking White to a Whole New Level

2010-09-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love the basic before and after of taking a junky piece of run-down furniture, (like said side table,) and turning it into something classic and wonderful by updating the hardware and painting it white??

But for this DIY'er... it's not enough. After seeing a piece of furniture a while back at Home Goods (God, I love that store!) painted flat black with a stenciled high-gloss black design over it, I fell in love. But months passed and I forgot about the concept. In comes Bethany's BEAUTIFUL Kitchen re-do on Sawdust and Embryos... with an accent wall painted with (you guessed it!) a flat color with a hand-painted accent in the same color with a high gloss. Strokes of genius!

So this isn't any ordinary white re-do...

Because if you look a little closer...

You might find the gem of the subtle patterns painted in high-gloss. For those of you who enjoy elegance without the fuss of being too over-the-top. :)

::uber proud::

I think I officially have to quit my full-time job so I can do this all the time. And with more amazing colors. :)

What do you think? :) Have something you want to try this on? Have something you want ME to try this on? :)

I've had ENOUGH!

2010-09-17T04:44:00.000-07:00

Of myself!

Being LAZY alllllll week.

It has to end.

TODAY!

After work I am going directly to Home Depot... I will not pass Go. I will not collect $200. I am going to Home Depot to buy a can of flat-white spray paint if it KILLS ME.

And hopefully, just hopefully...

I will be able to at least put a single coat on the primed nightstand that has been sitting outside on my balcony for a week. And maybe even start some of my fancy-shmancy detailing too...

Before people come over for the weekly hang-out at 6.

Yikes, 6??

Like 6 PM? TONIGHT??

And I have to clean too???

::prayingiwillmoveatwarpspeed::

WHOOSH!!!

The Unwritten, Unnamed Book

2010-09-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

Some of you might know (giggles... who reads this blog anyway?) that at the beginning of the summer one of my goals was to write my book.

(Guttural laugh!)

How silly I was. I must be honest, I haven't been able to add to my book nearly as much as I want to. I know part of the reason is honestly because I try to do a bit of everything.

Want to see the trees I put up in my foyer?

How about the plate arrangement I have in my kitchen?

My chandelier and drapes I just hung up?

Not to mention the almost-finished garment I am crocheting, or the nightstand that I have primed, the sheets I have to return because I decided I am NOT using them for the curtains I want to make...

So to be honest, while writing is absolutely in my heart, (I seriously crave writing sometimes... like I know there is too much on my mind that I have to get out,) I absolutely have not had the intentional time of sitting down to write.

My poor book. You know it doesn't even have a name? Isn't that a sad thing for a book? It's like the unnamed puppy that needs to be loved and cared for so that it can become a loving, obedient dog. And it's as innocent (seeming) as a puppy, big eyes and all, looking back up at me from my computer screen saying "Please mommy, please come and love me."

Oh darling little (unnamed) book. I will take care of you soon sweetheart.

I just have to make a list and go grocery shopping... And I can't miss my favorite work-out class at 5:30 if I ever think I am going to lose weight. And I have to pick up a new can of spray paint so the primed nightstand outside doesn't bother the neighbors.... and pick up a new hook for the frame I painted... and do laundry... and make dinner...

All of a sudden I feel like I have officially orphaned my book... poor unwritten book.

Live and Learn: Go Big or FAIL

2010-09-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

So after a long time.... aka MONTHS... I have finished the hand-tied spring chairs that I claimed as my first ever reupholstering project.

And guess what?

I HATE them. Great right? I finished them last night, and in my opinion they are completely terrible and awful.

But let's do an appropriate before and after.

And now... well, I hate them. Like I said. Why? Because the frame is bold, but the fabric is safe. The fabric does nothing for the piece. Nor does the fabric make the buttons pop at all. So now I am faced with a dilemma: either update the fabric and make it more graphic and bold or make the frame softer.

Boogers.

I am more than annoyed.

Moral of the story? Don't be afraid to go big... or seriously, GO HOME. So either go safe and soft throughout your piece, or go big and bold.

Any-who, look forward to another "before and after" within the next few days...

Nightstands

2010-08-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

So in lieu of updating you about my original summer project: the chairs that I bought almost a year ago, I'm going to share with you a wonderfully finished project instead.

Just for the record, I feel like I can breath a sigh of relief when I say *finished* project. I mean seriously, thank the Lord! Those chairs have been taking the life out of me partially because I have extended the life of the project *much* past their prime.

Any-who, my husband and I recently moved into an awesome apartment. With a much bigger master bedroom, and we had NO bedroom furniture! So I wanted side tables. And I found this:

The most wonderful nightstand in the world! How fun! How different!!

How expensive!

OK, so I found a nightstand I loved, but couldn't bare to spend more money to buy the matching table... I figured, what the heck? I'll paint a table and do what they did. In a matching motif. That's gotta be cheaper, right??

Of course!

Enter in Before/After of nightstand Numero Uno:

But hey? Why am I paying for an expensive nightstand when I can just do it myself?? So back went the "inspiration" and in came the Before/After of nightstand Numero Duo.

And just to make it more girly, (i.e. more appropriate for MY side of the bed!) I went with a different motif.

Tah-dah! And here are a few close-ups of the details for those who care. The only thing I am sad about was how the color I picked to "match" my inspiration table ended up being a lighter than the original side table. Oh well, I still love them and am proud of my money-saving techniques, (and the new hardware! I love glass knobs and things!)

Yay for new nightstands!!!!!

Craigslist Chairs, Before and After!

2010-08-21T05:26:00.001-07:00

Well this week has been a harrowing week to say the least. I have been spending it at my parent's house, helping them as they are away on vacation. And doing some amazing reupholstering projects!!! Sadly, the week has gone a bit slower than I initially thought it would, and I have not been able to finish all the projects that I wanted to ::cough, cough, chairs, cough, cough:: though I have picked up another set of chairs! Yikes! My husband looked at me in my face this past week when I was getting overwhelmed and said "You took too much on." Boooooo!! Can't I do it all? Who really needs to sleep??

Anyway so at the beginning of the week my little heart leapt in joy when I found these on Craigslist for $35. Despite some hesitations, (I knew this would totally make my week much more hectic taking them on,) I absolutely HAD TO HAVE THEM. I've seen too many cool chairs re-done like this on my favorite blogs like betterafter.blogspot.com and designsponge.com to pass them up. So here it is, my very own project! Yay for BEFORE AND AFTER!!

Honestly, the chairs were pretty awesome on their own. And as much as I absolutely LOVE to paint wood I can hear the little voice of my parents in my head "Why do you paint wood? Wood is so beautiful. " And this wood was in great condition, so I kept it. I just made the chairs more youthful. :)

It's all in the details! I heart tufting. I am always left devastated when somebody decides to nix the tufting on a before and after...

So for a first DIY upholstery job, I'm happy. They look great. Though I know I can do better. You know what that means right?? MORE CHAIRS TO COME! YAY!

Stay tuned for the next set of chairs... (ie the chairs I've previously posted about!)

For the record, I decided to paint those. AND I'm using springs and hand-tying them. Oh boy! Do you understand why my husband said I was overwhelming myself? LOL

Beaten and Worn Down

2010-06-25T04:47:00.000-07:00

Well hello everyone out there in blog world... aka like 2 of you who might actually read *my*blog, (thank heavens this is more therapeutic than necessary!) This is how the chair has been doing...

Yikes! He's all scratched up! ;) And so is the process of redoing a chair... to paint or refinish you have to sand up your surface. And well, can you tell I'm leaning towards keeping the wood natural? I'm actually going to try and lighten up the stain on the wood. So here enters sand paper stage right. And dry, man hands...

And a tired me!

After I spent a night of me sanding down the frame and thinking that indeed I am completely crazy for wanting to go all professional on my own first chair project... (side note, I must name them, any ideas?) I finally ask my husband, "Where is that hand sander you have?"

"In its box somewhere."

Oysh...

But surprisingly, and super thankfully, it was at the very top of our amazingly packed closets! (We live in an apartment with virtually NO storage space...) So I pull it out, and get to work.

YAY palm sander!

And I'm getting excited... because all of a sudden, this project now seems doable. And the sanding is doing a WONDERFUL job taking off the finish of the chair (at least on the flat surfaces, lol...) And then, my conscience gets the better of me...

When I look at the clock...

Hmmmm... It is before 8am... and my husband is asleep in the other room...

OK, I'll just have to hold my excitement until after 8am... does 8:01 work? :oP

The Help

2010-06-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have just completed about 70 pages of The Help by Kathryn Stockett. You know what I realized? In a book, you can write about whatever you want. There is no reason for me to be self-conscious about what I write. I can have little short stories or thoughts from the past, I can have the main character's thoughts run in a tangent that is sometimes difficult to trace back to reality. My book can be as unique and creative as its author-- and yet even more so. It's ok. I can write, without the fear of people.

Thanks, book.

What I really mean to say is thank you Jesus for allowing me the freedom to be even a fraction as creative as you are. Imagine what joy the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had during the time of creation? When the earth was fresh and new, before any sin had entered the world? Imagine how much God truly labored to get to that end result? Though it might not have been the same type of labor that we have on this world, truly he must have labored if it is even mentioned that on the 7th day He did, in all of His glory, stop to rest.

I got a phone call today from the school district that I work for. Turns out they do indeed want help for their summer school program. I am very thankful for this call, and was truly expecting it to come... because it means that I will have a "job" for a month... June to July. And it is a job that is only about 2.5 hrs every day for the afternoon, which is indeed wonderful, and what is even more fabulous is that they pay splendidly. For the amount of money that I would have made if I worked at a summer day camp for 8 weeks from 9-4pm, I'll make in one month working 12:30-3:00pm. Thank you Jesus! While this will put a little bit of a time crunch on all of the things I wanted to do this summer, (which if you have read this post you'll remember is quite a lot,) it will provide me with a little bit more structure... which I feel that I need. And it will get me out of the house (the school is only 3.5 miles away from my house!) and thus provide me with a more scheduled time for when I will work out everyday. And it is at a time that my husband, if he is working, will be away. (He works retail, so you never quite know what days he will have off.) Can you see the Lord's hand? Surely this can only be His work!

Plus, the extra money will make me feel not so guilty about purchasing the materials I needed for the chairs... and the other crafts that I want to make this summer! :-D

Help! I'm Nakey!!!

2010-06-23T04:49:00.001-07:00

My chair is officially nakey. Why hello chair in all your birthday glory. :) I found some interesting things as I completely took apart the chair. I noticed that the chair had been redone once, but only by the upholsterer using fresh webbing, (this is the foundational layer to a chair with springs.) And I have decided and committed (meaning I spent money!) to how I am going to re-do the chair. Will I use foam? Will I go the old fashioned route and use springs? Stay tuned!!!

But before I move on to my next step I have to decide what in tarnations I will do with the frame of my chair. These chairs are not perfect... (this one in particular has a crack in the frame that I must glue,) and I am completely ok with that because it is my first project, and I fully expect my work to not be perfect. Is this setting myself up for disaster? I don't think so, just building in the freedom of messing up on a first try. I mean honestly, who is perfect?

Anyway back to the frame... Should I paint it? Sand it and restain it? I am not sure yet... though I love this idea that I found over at designspongeonline.com, where part of the chair was left so that you can see the original woodwork. I know painting furniture is so popular right now but my gut says that painted furniture is just a passing fad, and within the next few years everyone will fall in love with natural wood again... and all of us who have painted furniture will be left to learn how to strip it down and stain it. But hey, us DIYer's are ready for exactly that aren't we? A new project is always welcome!

Anyway here is the link to the original post on designsponge that I fell in love with this idea in the first place. If anyone is out there, let me know what you think!

Nervous!

2010-06-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of Vacay

I can't help it. I'm nervous!

There has been a project that I have been wanting to work on all year... I know how wonderfully reupholstery projects look when done well... but I also know how ambitious I want to be with this project... and I'm nervous!!

Here are my two parlor chairs that I fell in love with. Notice that I started the deconstruction process? I want do completely re-do them. And well... there is a lot to them. There are buttons... which can be an adventure in and of itself. And I really really want to redo the springs that it has as well.. but I am tempted to just buy high density foam and well, kind of cheat... because not only will this project be lengthly but it will also be costly... well, costly for the cheapest woman in the world. LOL...

I'm half tempted to just get rid of them and try again. But I've already bought some things that I will need for the project. Now it's decision time... should I go the whole way and change out the springs? Or should I just "cheap out" and buy some foam, and go from there?? Oysh! I don't know!! Feedback?

A Summer's Focus

2010-06-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

I am on the eve of the rest of my summer. Today was my last day working for a school district as a 10 month employee, therefore I have 2 months off to do as I wish.

But I do not want this summer to be like other summers, ones that just pass by you so quickly that you forget what you did all those days of July and August. I want my summer to have purpose, and I want to note how much I’ve grown during them.

So here it is. The first blog post of the summer. I have already decided what my two main foci will be, (and I say only 2 because I recently read you can’t fully commit to more than 2 goals at a time. One is actually optimal.) My 2 goals are:

· Focus on Relationships

o That’s right… I love people but I am a very task-oriented kind of person. So guess what? I have made it my task to be focused on developing relationships with people around me. Friends old and new, I hope to reconnect and strengthen those friendships that are around me. I also want to embrace as many opportunities as possible that will help me meet this focus. For example, I have decided to be a part of a book club. First book up: The Help! (How exciting! Yay books!)

· Write a book

o I have an idea… for a series of books… that I am very excited about. I know there are a lot of books out there, but well, I’m passionate and I love writing. I just have to get over my self-doubt to take a plunge. I am very excited, very excited.

While these are my two foci for the summer, I also intend to make a daily schedule for myself. These are the things that I will try to incorporate into my daily schedule:

· Do a bible study/devotional daily.

· Work out daily (try for at least 5-6 days a week… those ten extra pounds need some help moving out.)

· Work on a project daily. I don’t necessarily have to complete a project daily… but I want to work on one daily. I have a laundry list of things I want to do… So I want to set aside time everyday to pursue and complete these projects. Staying focused will probably be my biggest challenge in this category.

· Work towards developing a relationship everyday. Meaning: meet up with someone, invest in someone’s life, write a note or letter… every day. Make it a daily goal.

· Do at least 15 minutes of cleaning everyday… ::GASP:: Oh man? Has it come to this? My husband is indeed the tidier out of the two of us, and I must honor him by trying to make an effort… however feeble attempt it may be.

· And of course… write or work on my book everyday. This might not be so stringent (not because it is not an absolute passion of mine,) but more because I realize that the creative process comes with its ebbs and flows… Meaning I don’t want to get down on myself because I had a slow day of writing… when in two or three days I could just go to town and whip out a strew of well-written, inspired pages. Don’t fake it, just make it.

So there it is! It might seem simple, but to me it is indeed very complex. Maybe I should make a calendar of all the projects I want to do and the things I want to accomplish to set mini-deadlines for myself. What do you think? I don’t want to get legalistic, but I don’t want to lose sight of my daily goals either. J We’ll see how it all goes…

By the way, don’t you just love the bright blue toes? Totally weird pic, but I couldn’t resist. I’m so excited about them! Yay summer toes!

TheCreativeMrsK goes Global!!!

2010-03-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Ha, ha. Actually it's not sooo extreme. Rather, after a bit of encouragement from friends and family alike (more family, thanks mom!), I am officially working on launching "TheCreativeMrsK" onto Etsy.com and hopefully a few local stores. I will mostly start off with the pins I have created, and work from there. I have lots of ideas and will keep you posted! Will send off a link when I'm comfortable (aka more confident) with the appearance of my online store. Until then-- thanks to anyone who has been a support!

Opinions on Facebook

2010-02-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

Lately, a group of believers that I am a part of have taken on the task to discuss issues that God has laid upon their hearts. These issues are ones that are a bit controversial, and thus need to be spoken of in a well-educated light.

Last night was one such discussion. The topic was "Technology" but more specifically, it was technology in the form of social networking. Here are a few points I took away from it.

1) Facebook can be an avenue of sin for many. It is difficult for people to see other friends with smiling faces and not be jealous of their situations. Either seeing pictures and developing jealousy, or even judgment, upon others has cause the deletion of some users accounts in the Christian realm.

2) Many other users have noted how much time they can spend on Facebook. Oftentimes Facebook can take away our valuable time that might be better focused on school work, careers, or general lifestyle maintenance.

3) Facebook "Friends" can often be people you have not spoken to for years, and if you see casually, might not even say hi to. What are they then? A false acquaintance? A memory of a time you once knew them? Do you have them as friends only to indulge your self-importance?

4) Facebook status updates diminish the need for you to actually contact people you care about. "Oh wow, how is so-and-so doing? Well let me look at their wall and find out..." Thus decreasing human interaction.

5) The general "Best to Worst" ways of communicating are: Face to face, phone, letters, messaging (e-mail, text), and then "Pokes." Pokes are the ultimate in sterile contact with another human being. Thus, when you do go out of your way to visit someone, or to write them a physical letter it shows much more intentionality and care.

6) The diminished use of face to face interaction as a means of communication is greatly diminishing the skill of people (especially children) to interact with one another. It is also causing the loss of courage when dealing with difficult situations. These situations might include pursuing an apology, speaking when shy, or the ability to face rejection.

These few points being stated, I currently have a Facebook account and enjoy it! This discussion does make me question my motives. My husband just took steps to delete his Facebook account. Is that what I should do? I do not think so but I do think I will be more mindful of the time I spend on Facebook.

What do you think? I really would love to hear any input!! Maybe if you see me in person, we can talk about it! ;)

Flower Pin Pictures

2010-02-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my flower pin! (sorry it is washed out!)

And this is a detail picture of one of the petals, in case it is hard for you to visualize my instructions!

Flower Pin

2010-02-05T04:17:00.000-08:00

So this week has flown by for me. Like craziness, honestly. I work at a school district and I had two afterschool programs this week, one right after the other. It was craziness! Long days, but definitely blessed ones. My hubby Troy and I were able to hang out with our friends mid-week, and see a bunch of people yesterday (as per the norm on Thursdays,) and I'm SUPER excited about having people over tonight.

I did want to post these instructions to make a flower pin. My mom asked me this past week "what easy craft can I do?" because she was getting together with a few women who crochet, and knit, and paint, and she didn't know what to do! This is a great craft for kids, maybe middle school girls. I made my flower (with a few feathers!) into a pin, but you can use it as an applique on your clothes. Who knows! Get creative!!! The instructions are for using a hot glue gun, but I sewed my flower together to make it a bit more secure.

You need:

1 piece of felt (8"x11") cut into 6 circles

Hot glue gun

Brooch Pin

1 Button (optional)

Only the Best

2009-09-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

So the last time I had a blog I was in high school. Some things have changed (residence, marital status, puppy ownership ;), college!), others haven't, (the same me, the same guy, the same fingerprints.) ;-) But one thing that has never changed.... is my creative little mind. How quickly it moves sometimes! I intend to fill this blog with interesting opinions, reviews, and fun projects that I might be working on. ;) Hopefully, you'll receive only the best.

Currently I'm working in Philadelphia while my husband admirably pursues a graduate degree. I am so excited for him. Biblically, a woman is called to respect her husband... Or in a worldly sense, your man. This wouldn't be so difficult if a woman's core sinful desire is to control and manipulate her man, and his position as the head of the household. And I confess, I have struggled with such desires.

I am an independent woman to say the least; honestly I feel like my husband is trying to train a wild beast most of the time, and I don't know how he can be so patient with me! From my wild thoughts to my stubborn (and often wrong) ways, I might as well be a native member of your local jungle. I was raised in a household where criticism and free thought were coveted. Therefore I tend to look upon my husband with a very critical eye. Much more so than I should, as I am called to as a woman of God.

But lately there has been a change in the proverbial winds. I look upon my husband and his work fondly. I am more attracted to him than I ever have been. I wonder, is it because we have successfully completed the first year of marriage, infamous for its hardship? Or because I am working a job in my field that I love? Or maybe the slightly improved income?

No, it is not any of these things. And I can truly say this with confidence. My husband is pursuing God's call on his life: he is attending seminary where he is studying to earn his Masters in Divinity, so that he may become a chaplain in the Air Force. Basically, he would be a pastor or a "priest" of the Protestant Christian faith within the Air Force. And I could not be more proud! I now look upon my husband each day and fondly see a man who is being conformed into the likeness of Christ in order to humbly serve the men and women of our armed forces.

I now understand why it is so important to find a man who has a similar outlook and overall goal in their life. Truly, how can you ever grow together if you are not a team, working towards a similar goal? I'm proud of my husband because I am united in his excitement for his future goal. I respect him because he is working diligently, in humility and with thanksgiving, towards a degree. And I am in love with him because of his person, that he does not forget those around him and is constantly looking towards his brothers and sisters in Christ with love and care.

I do not mean to outrightly brag, but well, I do love my husband. And not to say that he isn't flawed, but he is also humbly aware of this fact. But I exhort you brothers and sisters, look upon the character and heart of those whom you are dating with a wise eye. Will you grow together? Do you have a similar goal and focus? Women, do you respect and rejoice over the work of a potential mate? The psalmist states "For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the work of your hands," (Ps 92:4.) As we rejoice over the deeds and work of our heavenly bridegroom, so should we not also rejoice over the works of our earthly bridegroom? Therefore men and women, be mindful that you share a similar heart with the one you are with.

I've included a picture of my husband thinking and staring off into the distance. I laughed outright when I saw him kneeling on the ground, pondering the mysteries of an infinite God because I can see how ridiculous these actions might be. But, oh! How it brings me joy to see the work of our Father's hands on my earthly head.