my homeschool room will be very happy about this

You know how I'm super psyched about re-designing my homeschool room?

... and more specifically about the chalkboard wall {because they're just too fun}

Source: Roddy and Ginger

Well I'm now even MORE excited because look what Lowes just started carrying:

that's right, DRY ERASE PAINT!

I picked some up, along with some chalkboard paint

It's quite a bit more expensive than chalkboard paint, {$30 for 6 sq ft. compared to $15 for a quart of chalkboard}

But it will be perfect for something adorable like this:

Source: Idea Paint

HOW FUN!! I'm SO excited to get started!

PS... Here's my lemon wreath from yesterday hung up! Love it!

a wreath and a verdict

Did you see a few days ago I was featured on the lovely Centsational Girl? Did you also see the amazing tutorials featured alongside me? Like this lemon wreath from Ordy and Joon...

Well I decided right then and there that I must make one for myself, so I did:

{with a few modifications: a grapevine wreath instead of foam, and smaller lemons}

And incase you were wondering how in the world I managed to make them so perfectly random... I had some help.

What a happy wreath!

{and a really fun project to have kids help with}

...

And on a completely unrelated note... I have a verdict:

Do you recall when I couldn't decide what to do with my desk? I took some of your advise and am going to paint it black.




And will use this adorable hardware from Hobby Lobby:

{50% off for $3 a piece}

Can't wait to see the finished product!

painted floor love {never say never}

I love my painted floor.

So much so... 

That I'm thinking of continuing the trend through my house...

You know how wood floors can be ruined by pet stains? {to the point where you can't even re-finish them to hide the stains?}

Well we have that problem in our upstairs hallway.

lovely huh? {don't get me started on the trim and doors also in need of a giant makeover}

And ideally I'd carpet, but carpet is expensive. Next up I would buy a nice runner, but again, expensive {at least for the big pretty ones} all to say I'm a little scared to paint because I always said I would never paint hardwood floors.

But never say never

This may very well be our next project.

You know I would have already started it but am choosing to honor my husband and getting my other projects done first... it's very hard for me. 

Here are some floors that inspire me.

{sources from left to right} No. 1 Country Living, No. 2 Paisley Wallpaper, No. 3 Hamptons, No. 4 Design Amour {Royal Design Studios}, No. 5 unknown 

I'm thinking of something similar to the yellow one... just for fun! {Keep in mind the trim and doors will all be white soon} What do you think?

our dining room {& panel tutorial}

Remember the 'stay-cation' we took ages ago? {You know, the time when we allotted to start and finish all our house projects?} Well we rolled over some of those projects to our everyday life {doesn't it always happen that way?} Anyway, we've just completed the dining room and I'm so excited to share it! 

{that is- finished minus the decor, curtains, and lighting... next on the agenda}

{I should say long before... this photo was taken when we first moved to the house four years ago}

And here it is now:

{Remember it is still in need of curtains, decor, and quarter round... oh and light switches and outlet covers of course}

But you get the idea...

Here's how we did it: 

First made a line around the room for where to place the boards. I was painfully talked out of making my rail much higher. {Marriage is about compromise, remember} But I am still VERY happy with how it turned out. 

We cut boards as we went using our handy dandy mitre saw we got for Christmas. {Actually Ben got it for Christmas even though I asked for it. He wanted books, but this is way more practical, right?...}

We used little plastic anchors for boards that didn't have a stud behind them {otherwise they would have pulled away from the wall}

The wider boards on top and bottom are 1x4's and the vertical boards are 1x2's

Note too that we took out the existing trim and replaced it with the 1x4.

Filled holes...

Then sanded like crazy! Oh and I forgot to include pictures of the caulking {We lined between the wood and wall with caulk}



And then slapped on some paint... then realized it was the wrong color and tried again.

Despite my initial choosing of gray for our color on the walls, we went with a steel blue instead. {Gray ended up being too close to the living room color and the kitchen floor color when it was on the walls}.

I love it. Totally transformed from the cookie-cutter dining room it once was.

PS... I'm thinking of making some bright curtain panels for the window and door in white and yellow... has anyone seen any amazing fabric I should know about?

a business

You know how I mentioned I love genealogy?

In researching I found out that up to 5 generations back in my family have been entrepreneurs {and I've always wondered why I've been so business-starting minded}.

So in the last few {years, months & days} I've been praying and brainstorming {and praying some more} for business ideas. I have lots. But not a lot I can do right now, or a lot that would be good for me {as a stay-at-home mama} to do. Although I really believe that it's only a matter of time before I get something started.

With all that said I think the best way to start is just to put some hand-made stuff up on the blog. So keep a look out for my blog "shop" and I would be honored if you would support me in my business venture!


PS... If you have any ideas for me  P L E A S E  feel free to shoot them this way! I'm all ears!

my desk makeover {and tutorial}

I'm giving my little brown desk a makeover.

I decoupaged the top with cut up paper from Paper Source {where else?}

I love this vintage post card paper! I cut out all the individual post cards so I could lay them in different directions across the desk.

Spread on the Mod Podge and lay the paper down.

I let the post cards hang over the edges, then cut them when I was finished {I also used the access to fill in gaps}

I put several layers of Mod Podge on top to seal it.

But I need help...

What to paint it the desk?? If I should paint it... or maybe just change out the hardware?

Any suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

** UPDATE **

Thank you for all your suggestions! I decided to go with black for the desk with white hardware: here's the finished product:

Click here to see more of the finished desk.

ruby {a true story}

My sister works for a non-profit nursing home not too far from here. 

{Actually it's a really great organization that's trying to make nursing homes much more enjoyable in many ways, but that's another story for another day}

She told me this story today that I have to share with you.

There's a lady that lives at this nursing home named Ruby. Ruby loves the Lord. She constantly talks about Him, and how she is so excited to "go home." My sister told me Ruby will commonly raise her hands and say, "Hallelujah! Praise Jesus!" 

A few years ago on her 103rd birthday she told everyone that on her 105th birthday she would go home to be with Jesus. Ever since then, she's kept to the same story, {despite the understanding smiles from everyone}.

A few days ago was her 105th birthday. At around midnight a few nurses came into her room to see her wide awake. "Ruby, what are you doing awake?" they asked her. "Waiting for my chariot," she responded.

Only an hour and half later, precisely as predicted, Ruby went to be with the Lord on her 105th birthday.

...

I thought this was such an amazing story, and it reminded me why I'm living: for Jesus.  After all, our home is not here, but Heaven. I'm reminded to look to eternity in my day to day. How exciting! I as well can't wait to be with Jesus, but in the mean time I will live for Him and His purposes. {And honestly, our chariot could be much sooner than a few years away}.

Anyway I just wanted to say that as much as I love house projects and design and whatever else, God will always be first, and these things won't ever consume me, but He will. My number one goal in all my life is to glorify the Lord in everything I do, and I want to encourage you to do the same: live for Him, you'll never regret that you did.