To My Fellow Americans...

New Art...

Marvelous Nature

Today...

I had an installation to do at our church today.

It's not done but here's a sneak peek.

I'll be going back next week to finish the decals.

Meg Ryan's home in Martha's Vineyard

Any Meg Ryan fans in the house?!

How can you not like her?

I can watch You've Got Mail anytime!

Sleepless in Seattle too.

But this is not about great acting or

movies she did with Tom Hanks

or movies at all. It's about

great style and

great decorating!

I found these photos online today,

apparently published via Elle Decor

although they just randomly showed up

on Yahoo. So, I clicked and found

these gorgeous pics of an all white home.

Layers of white seems to be quite the trend in

decorating lately. I find it interesting but usually a

little on the froo-froo/shabby chic side.

I don't really care for that. Too romantic/girly for me.

This however is tailored. The house has big windows,

chunky beams and a rich dark floor to ground all the white.

Not to mention a couple of industrial touches like

the tables in the sitting area and the big metal

flowers sign in the dining room.

There is nothing about this space I don't like!

Enjoy.

New Art...

I had this text design in my eBay shop forever and

somehow it's just now making its way to Etsy.

You can find it HERE.

Busy Spring!

It's been almost a week since I've blogged!

Yikes!

Life is busy.

I have lots of custom projects happening, as usual.

And it's baseball/softball season.

This year, just the kids are playing.

Mom and Dad and taking a rest.

We've also been working around the house

on the new deck. I think I mentioned it once before.

Well, it's FINISHED!!

Billy's brother is a builder and was the mastermind

behind the project. I just made dinner on the nights he

worked here and stayed out of the way ;)

It's so cool to watch him work.

You can see the ideas churning in his head.

He's whipping out the tape measure here

and there and the buzzing saw and

a few screws later and the structure begins

to take shape. Again, really cool to watch.

The deck is awesome and now it's time for some

furniture and flowers!

You know,

the fun stuff!

Here's a pic of the crew from yesterday.

It was a hot 90* here in Cincy so forgive the

lack of hair and make up. Thankfully the

camera wasn't too close! haha

I'll be back with some more updates soon.

In the pic from left to right:

Billy's Dad, Cole, Mackenzie, Megan (neice),

behind her is Scott (aka Mastermind),

 me, Billy (in the back)

New Art...

Too bad I'm too tall (barely) for a growth chart

'cause this would be in my room ;)

Check it out HERE.

New Art...

One of my favorite scriptures...

Jeremiah 29:11

New Art...

Tweet Birdie on a Leafy Branch

Apron Info

Hey everyone! I thought I'd share a little info about the apron I just made. It all started with a canvas blank from Donna Downey. She's an amazing artist who has branched into selling her own supplies with a little help from Prima Marketing.

You can find a link to Donna's inspiring blog on the right side bar. I do suggest you take a peek around and see what she's up to.

Handmade Spark FEATURE!

We're on Handmade Spark again!

This time telling our Etsy story.

Click on over to check it out.

New Art

Check out our new Roman Column decal!

No-sew FABric Flowers - part duex

I finished up my apron today.
I normally don't work with fabric so

I'm pretty excited that this turned out!!

YAY!

Here are the pics of the finished apron.

How cute are the extra ruffles?!

I'll be making more of these flowers!

No-Sew FABric Flower Tutorial

I have been seeing fabric flower embellishments ALL over Etsy. There are many different types but I'm not one who works with fabric all that much so I went with the easy, no-sew version! No-sew is always a good option for me ;)

These flowers are quick too. I made them in just a few minutes. Um, instant gratification anyone?! Yes, I'll take that. You can make them subtle with softer colors, add some pearls, beads, ribbons, leaves - whatever you desire. I wanted to have fun with some bright colors and mix and match patterns.

The step by step is really simple. You need strips of TORN fabric. You want the raw edges - at least I did. I think it adds some texture and character to them.

I chose a pumpkin polka dot, black and white cats eye and a teal and lime damask. I didn't end up using the lime floral fabric tonight. I'll save that for another project.

SUPPLY LIST:
Fabric - I used quilters cotton.
Felt - for the backing
Hot Glue - or a fabric glue
Scissors


Step 1: Tie a knot in one end of the fabric strip. Put a dab of hot glue on the felt and glue the knot to the felt.

Step 2: Start twisting the fabric strip. You can play with the look a little. Tighter makes it a little cleaner or you can go a little looser/fluffier - totally up to you.

Step 3: As you twist the fabric glue it down with hot glue making a circle around the knot. Keep wrapping until you've come to the end of your rope fabric. The longer the fabric strip the bigger the flower will be. And don't limit yourself to one fabric per flower - you can mix and match them to make them really fun!

Step 4: Trim the felt around the bottom of the flower. I like to cut very close and at a bit of an angle so you do not see the felt peeking out under the flower.

Step 5: Just a photo of the back side once you've trimmed the felt.

Step 6: You're DONE!

I think of a MILLION ways to use these fun flowers. Headbands, flip flops, pillows, t-shirt, bib necklaces. Embellish a fun summer skirt or dress a pair of jeans or a jacket. Canvas sneakers. They bring up the fun factor on anything you might use them on! Oooh a fun lamp shade - I dig it!! 

I used them on a canvas apron I've been working on for a couple of weeks - still a work in progress. I love the colors and mix of patterns and the dimension and texture they add. Just what I was looking for!

Fab Interiors

So I was browsing Flickr (again)

looking for inspiration and today

I GOT LUCKY!

Wow!

All of the following photos are by a designer

who goes by The10CentDesigner on Flickr.

These are just a few inspiring photos of her work.

I love them all!

In love with the bench and surprisingly - the white walls.

I'm so loving the white walls in so many of her interiors.

The chandelier is brilliant. Love the mix.

Proof that trim does not always have to be white or cream!

Love the big B. The bold red jumps off the white wall.

I am a lover of contrast!

This is sophisticated without being stuffy.

Someone really cool lives here.

A white pallete. Beautifully done.

Warm. Clean. Fresh.

I {heart} chunky islands.

Love the texture of the red chair and

the tufting on the cube ottoman.

I love how open, bright, and modern this space is.

I could live here. Forever.

Handmade Spark

I got quite an exciting surprise this morning! We have been featured on Handmade Spark. It's a great blog/e-newsletter about all things handmade. There is a HUGE handmade revolution going on and Handmade Spark is a great place to keep up with it. I'm so excited they chose a piece of my work to feature in today's post!! Click HERE to read the article.

The Mean Time

Have you ever been in one of those places in life where you are a step away from where you were and a step away from where you're going? Where you're in this odd, in-between. A place of waiting. The Bible says we're supposed to rest in our waiting. To be content in all circumstances (Phillipians 4:10-13). Whether we have plenty or are in lack we are to be content and know that we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us".

We are to wait in peace knowing where our strength comes from and that we can do ALL things through it. When you truly believe in your heart this is true, it's much harder for doubt and fear to settle in. And when it does try to rear its ugly head you state the truth to it and it must leave. The truth will set us free. (John 8:32).

Seems as though these in-between places are always dark. Always question-filled. Where am I going? Why did I have to leave what I know and understand? Will taking this step really make something better for me? Will I fail? Will I succeed? If I do fail what are the consequences...just how bad will it be? If I succeed ...what does that look like? What does that feel like? Will I be better for it? What if the success looks and feels much different from what I see my success as? How will I know if it's a success or a failure? And many more questions.

I was watching an interview once with a group of 3 or 4 elderly women. They were a riot. I just remember them being so funny and such good friends. I don't even remember what the interview was about specifically - basically a challenge they had overcome and allowed themselves to be led by their faith through it. One of them was talking about being in that in between state of leaving one place and not yet arriving at the new place. She said "in the meantime...and I do mean the MEAN time." That has always stuck with me.

I feel like, once again, I'm in the mean time. The in-between stage of getting from one place to the next. This diagnosis of type 1 diabetes for Mackenzie has got to be the single hardest thing I'd ever had to endure. I just can't expain the hurt and confusion. At the same time I thank God that diabetes is all we're dealing with. Many parents deal with much more devastating diagnosis'.

This morning was a tough one for her. She was tired. Still catching up on all the school work she missed. Trying to keep up with the school work still coming. Trying to deal with her feelings and the constant needles and lifestyle changes from the diagnosis. It's not fair. I wish it were me. It would be so much easier. The mean time can be really mean.

As I go through this place, I wonder. Where will this take us? What purpose does this serve? How I can, through my faith, ensure that the purpose is fulfilled? The only answer I see in front of me is to keep going. Dont stop in the darkness. Continue on till you see the light. Be content and know that his grace is sufficient and his strength made perfect in my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9). And to know that by living the truth, the word of God, we will be set free. I look forward to the new freedom this mean place leads us into for we are walking by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7).

In the last couple of weeks I've expressed my (and Billy's and both kids) faith and belief that Mackenzie will be healed to many people. Nearly everyone has tried to "warn" me that it might not happen. That I am in denial, or it's just my way of coping. I'm ok with that. I don't need them to believe with me. I can believe it all on my own. To be honest, those kind of words make my faith even stronger that God wants to use this situation in big ways.

Living audaciously

just took on

a whole new meaning

for me.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Celebrating Mother's one day a year - Wonderful.

Getting handmade cards and gifts - Touching.

Being a mom everyday - Priceless.

Happy Mother's Day!

Matt and Shari

Check out our latest article at

MattandShari.com

conquering the challenge

So, I looked up this song today because I love it.
It's titled More Like Falling In Love
by Jason Gray.

Little did I know, this artist has a
 speech impediment,

as seen in the second video. 

I think this is just amazing,

not to mention brave,

that he chooses to sing

for a living. But then again,

does he choose to sing or

does the song choose him?

It's hard to put it all out there for your art.

It's hard to put yourself out there to be judged.

And when we have something so obvious about

us that is different, well, it's just all that much harder.

We all have things we don't want to put on display 

for people to see. Some of them legit.

Many of them we're just insecure about

for the sake of being insecure and we simply

need to get over ourselves.

No matter what our challenges, we

owe it to ourselves to take those

challenges and turn them into

stepping stones. Or better yet -

a launching pad.

Take it and turn it around.

Make it our victory.

After all, I believe, that's why they

are there in the first place.

It's their purpose.

And part of our development

so we can achieve
our purpose.

Our choice in conquering
the challenge or ignoring it
is the difference of us

living in excellence or

living a default life.

Our challenges may not go

away completely,

like Jason's stuttering, but

it doesn't rule him.

It doesn't determine his life,

he does. And he chooses

to express his faith and triumph

in life through music.

Awesome music.

And never stutters a word

he sings. 

New Art...

A little more inspiration from

Dr. Seuss

New Art...

A custom design

I decided to put

in the shop.

Work. In. Progress.

Here are a few photos of Cole's room.

It still needs a few things -

a rug, pillows on the couch

maybe something else??

The loft bed is a piece
Billy and I built about
5 years ago.
I love it!

One of my favorite things
in our house. I love how
chunky it is,
the exposed hardware,
the rough finish. And it was
really fun to do together.

The plans cost $10 to download,
about $125 for lumber and hardware,
and 3 weekends of our lives
to cut, drill, paint, sand
and assemble.

When we moved we took it apart in
large sections. It's very heavy
and does not budge.

The room is still a
work in progress
but Cole is very happy with

the direction it's going :)