Newspaper decorations…sort of :)

After 2+ years with no decorations on our bedroom walls, I FINALLY had a vision.

I was worried, though, that once all the decorations were hung, I wouldn’t like the placement, would end up changing it, and have several unnecessary nail holes in the wall.

So, I began brainstorming what I could do…I remembered coming across a magazine or newspaper years ago that suggested using parchment paper. Simply cut it to the size of the pictures you’re hanging and tape it to the wall. No unnecessary nail holes!

I didn’t have parchment paper, but I did have newspaper. Continue reading »

Helpful Painting Tips

I really enjoy painting, especially cutting in! I guess you could say it’s therapeutic for me…odd, I know :). Anyway, here are some tips I’ve learned from painting with my gma throughout the years that will hopefully help you enjoy painting, too.

Pictures below!

  1. Buy a GOOD QUALITY trim brush. The most resent one I bought was a Purdy (cute name, huh?). I don’t even tape off trim anymore, I just freehand it. Having a quality trim brush is what makes cutting in enjoyable!      Continue reading »

Office Redo – Part I

Well, I’ve started another project…

…painting my office. This color is dark! I’ve only done the trimming and can tell this is going to take several coats of paint. Luckily, only one wall is getting this ‘Sensual Jade’ color. Weird name, huh?

I’m really excited about this project :). I’ll keep you updated!

Did you think to pray?

I noticed I was smiling the other day as I saw these words on Pinterest. This is something similar to what my husband often says to me – “Did you pray about it?” he’ll ask, as I’m crying, worrying, or frantic about something. And I’ll stop, look at him and, more often than I’d like to admit, say – “No, not yet.”

In the midst of troubles it’s easy to forget to pray, but that should be the first thing we do! Too often we use it as our last resort. Our mentality (at least mine oftentimes) seems to be, “Well, since there’s nothing else I can do, I’ll just pray about it.” That is sooooo backwards! Prayer is sooooo powerful! We are calling on the One who parted the sea, who healed the leper, who raised Lazarus from the grave…the list goes on! Why do we feel prayer is our last resort? It’s like saying, “Jesus, I believe I can handle this better than you, so I’ll try my plan first. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll ask you for help.” That makes absolutely NO sense! Prayer, Jesus, Our Savior – THIS is what we should turn to first and foremost.

And on that note, Lord, I pray that you would guide me in everything I do and help me to think to pray first and foremost. Amen.

Tasty (& Simple) Fruit Dip

I’m all about easy recipes, and this fruit dip is no exception. It’s something I make often when having company or going to a cookout.

Three ingredients:

  • 1 Vanilla Instant Pudding Packet (just the powder, do not make the pudding)
  • 1 Tub of Cool Whip (or less, but who would want less Cool Whip?!?)
  • 16 oz Vanilla or Plain Yogurt

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

I usually eat this with strawberries and grapes. It’s good by itself, too. Others have put it on their brownies and said it was tasty; I have yet to try that.

You could make this in a low-fat version as well by using low-fat/fat-free Cool Whip and yogurt.

Brass Be Gone!

Our whole house is was filled with brass door knobs. I was tired of it. They were ugly and worn. I wanted a new look, but didn’t want to spend the money for all new hardware. I opted to spray paint these ugly knobs (and hinges), but wasn’t sure what color to use. Just by chance I saw on Pinterest where a woman used Oil Rubbed Bronze Rust-Oleum spray paint for her knobs.

Continue reading »

Personalized Wedding Gift

Good friends of ours were getting married, and we wanted to give them something special. Pinterest to the rescue! These two projects were my inspiration…

Here’s what I came up with, and luckily, they loved it!

Continue reading »

Old Window Turned New Frame

While on the hunt at rummage sales for old frames, I stumbled across this dusty old window. I knew this $6 find had potential.

I cleaned it up and decided to use it as a picture frame (I just know I’ve seen this done before, but can’t remember where). I ordered my prints, totaling about $16, using Wal-Mart’s online photo printing site. I found scrapbook paper at Michaels to use as a mat for the pictures—about $2 total. Unfortunately, the scrapbook paper was 12”x12” and the frames of the window were 9”x13”, so I had to do a little piecing together of the scrapbook paper. It worked out fine, though.

Continue reading »