January Schmanuary

Dear January,

   You and I have been at odds for quite some time.  I don't know how to make friends with you, I don't.  But gosh-darn-it, I'm not giving up.

I will fight for your love.  Huzzah!

I will fight with one Lucy and  12 fresh flowers and two sweater-wearing dogs.

I will fight with one Handsome Husband, our musical instruments, red toenail polish and the warmest sweaters I own.

So be prepared.  Cause I'm coming for you.

With love and fierce determination.


I was going to write "How to fix your January in 10 Easy Steps" but then I realized that I really don't know.

Swag. There. I said it.

I am here today, on Ashley Baker's (sweet) blog.  Come say hi and enter for a chance to win some goodies*!


* I originally put "swag" but then I felt stupid.  I really, really wanted to put swag, though.

As you can see, the dogs can hardly contain their excitement.

How to make a Reusable Door Wreath for Every Season

I just love a good door wreath, don't you?

Today, I'm going to show you how I've managed to have a wreath for every season without the hassle of storing them all during the off-seasons.

And all for roughly $20 or less.

This is the wreath I hung on our door this fall.

So simple.  Unassuming.

Until I show you my secret weapon....

 Yep.  I just used Dollar-Store, plastic "hair claws" and some hot glue to make embellishments for various seasons.

    In this post, I'll show you how I EASILY and CHEAPLY transformed a "Give Thanks" wreath into a Christmas/Winter Time wreath- all of which can be used year after year!

Let's get Started!

In the fall, I purchased one frame and some chalkboard paint from a local craft store.

Then, I purchased TWO 'grape vine' wreaths, some ribbon and whatever trinkets I could find in the holiday decor/craft section of our local Dollar Store!

Next,  I glued the two wreaths together because I wanted a fuller look.  Then, I attached the frame to the back using lots & lots of hot glue.

Afterwards, I sprayed the glass with chalkboard paint.

With that being said, your 'base' should look like this.

  If you're new to chalkboard paint, here are some things I learned the hard way (haha).

     It has to have several coats of paint and dry for SEVERAL DAYS.  Be sure to do some research about "seasoning" your chalkboard.  If you don't do it right, the leftover words will still show up after you've erased.

      I can't really share much about that, since I haven't mastered that trick either.  (Notice how you can still see the word THANKS on the board). Oops!

*     *     *     *     *

      This is what I used for the Winter Wreath.  I already had the fabric, but at The Dollar Tree, all this  cost about $4 total.  That's the truth! (The third hair claw was used for a previous project)!

    Next, you're going to take your embellishments (I love that word), and hot glue them to your hair claws.  The plastic snowflakes were a little trickier to maneuver. Make sure you have plenty of materials.  I ended up pulling pieces off/apart/starting over about twice.

Next time, I might try those "alligator clips" for your hair...you know the ones?

Here's an example!

 I found that ribbon and fabric work well for covering up any part of the claw you may be able to see.

Then, arrange the claws onto the wreath as you wish.

The last step involves writing a message on your chalkboard.

Before you write on it...

dip the chalk in water first- I didn't believe this trick would work, but it REALLY does.

It looks very thin/faded at first, but it DARKENS as it dries.

I found this post via pinterest and found it to be super helpful.  Handy Dandy!

Here's the finished product and a "Before/After."

*     *     *     *     *

     The possibilities really are endless.

     I'm thinking a "Go Bucks" one would be fun for football season, but I've got Valentine's Day on the brain right now.

     Just so you know, by the time I got all my materials out and organized, it took me about an hour to get it all right.  I just turned on the t.v. and hot glued my little heart out.

     Wouldn't this make SUCH a cute gift?  One wreath/frame with "claws" for every season and a box of white chalk!  Who else is with me!?!?!

Of course, once I started browsing pinterest, I got 1,000 more ideas.

What will you use?

Linking up Here: 

Classy Clutter                      Raegunwear
Six Sisters                             Clean & Scentsible
Funky Junk Interiors           Lil' Luna
It's Overflowing
Bacon Time
Craft-o-maniac
Alderberry Hill 

A Post About Jake

This guy deserves his own post.

This is Jake.  My sister's dog.






































One of Lucy's first complete sentences was, "So soft, buddy."

Yes.

So soft, indeed.

Heather always says Jake & Scarlett are cut from the same cloth, and it is so true.

Imagine Scarlett- just 50 pounds heavier and a whole lot more determined, and that's Jake in a nutshell.

And should they ever team up?  Well, look out world.

Love, and we're for dogs.
H.

Here's to you, 2013!

 Happy New Year!

We're excited about 2013.  It's going to be a good year, and we know this because God is a dad who takes care of His kids. 

This week, I'm posting one of my most favorite craft projects.  I can't wait for you all to share your ideas.  Yippee! 

Here's our tribute to 2012... in 3 pictures.

Oh, how he misbehaves.

Actually, I'm sure it's the other way around.

Source: scott-thewhippet.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

Love & a good laugh,
H.

And Then I Knew it Would Be Good

     About two months ago, Tim and I had the privilege of being invited to a wedding** in a very large, very old (read: very gorgeous) Catholic church.  We sat very quietly for a few minutes, waiting for the ceremony to begin, and I started doing that Sinking Into The Pews Thing I sometimes like to do.


Sometimes, I like need church because it just gives me time to think.

About Jesus and how much He loves me.

About how much I love Cincinnati and am so thankful for the call to Stay.

About all those "I knew it would be good....things."

For example, I knew Aunthood would be good....but I didn't know it would be this good.

For me, those things are Marriage, and Lucy, and dog-ownership.

When God is this good to us, why do we angst over the idea that He's going to give us anything less?

Love and I don't know either.
H.

What are some of your "I knew it would be good...things?"

**The bride & groom love The Reds....and the wedding was baseball-themed.  It was one of the best receptions, but- being the photographer that I am (Read: am NOT), none of my pictures turned out super-great.  Use your imagination!

But first, this.

I am trying to do a Much Better Job of Listening to My Soul.  I have stifled it for far too many years.  The Stifling has resulted in everything from over-eating to under-eating to anxiety to an I-can't-put-my-finger-on-it sort of discontent at various times.

For months, I thought my soul was saying, "Baby."

But then, on a whim, Tim ordered a ukelele for me.  I know roughly 4 chords, but the second my fingers hit those strings, a sense of peace and contentment fills my heart in a way I can't explain.

Perhaps it was my head- looking at the calendar- and realizing that the number of rings on my tree wasn't getting any shorter- that was saying, "Baby."

And all the while, my soul and my heart were shouting,

 "Music.  Make Music."

So, music is what we shall make.

For now.

Love and his name is Eddy Finn,
H.

Thanks be to Casey.