Nailed it.

This was the first ever pin I pinned on Pinterest. I really though this project was way out of my reach when I pinned it. Surprisingly, it was not that hard. 

I learned a lot during this project. Like, maybe I should know the measurement of the final quilt before I start piecing together the thing (I ended up having to cut more fabric and extend the whole thing so it would fall nicely over our Queen size bed.)

Overall the cutting was the most trying part - it just took a long time. Once it started coming together it was so exciting. I paid to have it quilted by a local woman because the quilt is too big for my little machine (total measurements are 92x96). She did such a great job. I couldn't believe it when it was finished. I could hardly wait to put it on our bed!

Here are some iphone shots of the making process: 

Aaaannnd, the finished product: 

We love it. I can't stop staring at it when I'm in the bedroom. I keep giving myself little pats on the back - I'm pretty proud.

Someday we'll have this and maybe these but for now a beautiful new quilt makes me happy.

p.s. this is where you can find the (free!) pattern

Do what you love.

I've been trying to get a bit more organized lately hoping that eventually my closet will reap the benefits. I got a dry erase board and it fit in this old frame that I had, so it's pretty and functional. 

I work two retail jobs and the hours are different every week (p.s. can I be done working retail already?). It helps especially if I work late and Dan doesn't know where I'm working or what time I'll be home. BAM. Calendar. 

Plus, I found that cute little sign on clearance at Target. Perfect, no? 

Although, retail is certainly not what I love. 

I found a little note Joanna left for me. It's not gonna be easy leaving the friends we've made here when we move. 

Mr. Darcy + a free Download

I made a little print using Word the other day when I should have been researching my paper on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. 

Oh well, I like this little addition to our apartment. 

Pride & Prejudice was one of the first classics I read. My Aunt Peggy used to get us all books as gifts and one year I got the teen edition of Jane Austen's famous novel. I read the original version later in life and it was pretty much the same thing. 

I'm not really sure what was so teen-ish about it.

Anyway, I love this line from the movie (I'm not even sure it's actually in the book). 

Plus, it looks so pretty next to the Sunflowers Dan brought me the other night. 

Want to Download it? 

Click on this link!

(there should be a 'file' dropbox - click 'download')

I just had mine printed at a Walmart. It is an 11x14 :)

Old Frame: $20, Mat: $5, Print: $6

Total: $31 

p.s. I made this

I wanted a little framed chalkboard. I looked around on Etsy and, while all the prices were reasonable, I realized I could very easily make it myself. So I did. And for about $10, too! Although, I already had an empty frame at home so that cut down on expenses but I always see deals for cheap frames at craft stores and wal-mart so I'm sure you could do it for under $15 total. 

Materials: 

Thin 8 1/2 x 10 wood (I got mine at AC Moore but I'm sure you could get it at any craft store) $1.99

Chalkboard Spray Paint $6.99 (Good investment, I'll be using it again)

Tacky Glue $1.39

Chalk $0.59

Total: $10.96

First I had to very craftily force the wood to fit my frame using scissors (Not perfect but it worked). Then I spray painted the wood outside and let it sit for about an hour and a half. Then I glued the dry wood to the frame. And, voila! Chalkboard frame. I'll be using it for a photo prop but then I'll probably mount it on the wall at our new place! We are moving to a new apartment at the end of this month, it has a fireplace -- perfection.

p.s. I will be writing on the chalkboard but it suggests waiting 24 hours so it can fully dry before writing on it. 

thrifty finds

Except, it was antique-ing which, as we all know, is way more expensive than thrifting. When my in-laws came out a couple months ago, Lisa and I went to a few antique stores and ever since I've wanted to go back and explore. There is a huge antique community out here that I haven't noticed as much on the West Coast, probably because the East Coast has way more history than the West Coast and therefore more old stuff. I went to a few shops today looking for some type of trunk or chest that I could store blankets in since we have zero closet space. This proved difficult since, as previously stated, antique shops tend to be expensive. 

And then I found that beauty. He was residing in an old church turned antique store. He was hidden under tons of knick-knacks and stowed behind an old rocking horse. I fell in love. It's blue and distressed. It traveled the Cunard Line. It's huge. And it's just beautiful. Best part? A good $50-100 cheaper than other trunks/chests that I have found that were smaller. I was actually expecting to find an old wooden trunk, and there were some fabulous ones, but this steamer trunk has my heart. 

p.s. I am considering changing my name to match the initials of the original owner. Suggestions are welcome. 

p.s. I made this

The other day Dan picked up two handfuls of jewelry that had been lying in various places all over the house and said: "Here, I don't know where they go but they've been out here for about two weeks." The reason he didn't know where they went is because they didn't have a specific place to go. I usually just pile my jewelry on a shelf, waiting for the day when I would recreate the jewelry frame I found in a Real Simple issue... like a year ago. Well, now seemed like the perfect time to make it. The insect pins are on their way from Amazon but I couldn't resist putting up pictures! I kinda love it. Now all I need is a Greek bust. 

Wanna make your own? 

Here's what you need:

1 Foam Core board (I just got a presentation board from OfficeMax)

Velvet Fabric

A Frame (I used an 18x24)

Insect Pins (You can order them on Amazon)

Here's how I did it:

Cut your foam board to the size you need. I just used scissors -- it didn't look perfect but you are covering the thing, don't worry. Pull the fabric taut around the front of the board and secure in the back. I was going to staple the fabric onto the back but I couldn't find our stapler so instead I used duck tape (classy, no?) but can you tell? Neither can I. Remove the glass and cardboard from the frame and insert your velvet covered board. Place pins wherever and accessorize with your fabulous jewelry. And voila, you're done! Easy huh? Send me a link if you re-create it, I want to see!

taking care of business

This is my life right now. 

I have a deadline for a first draft of my paper due in about a week and a half and so far I have about 2 paragraphs -- I need 20 pages. A little behind is an understatement. I think I just got so caught up in the research aspect that I didn't realize my time was running short. 

Oh, and that oversized chair you see behind me? Yesterday I decided I wanted that chair out of the office and into the living room -- probably should've waited until Dan got home to help, my back surely would've appreciated it. But see, I have a bit of a complex. I grew up in a house with all girls; I have three sisters. My dad always needed help carrying the heavy things around the house or putting things up in the closet for storage and who do you think got enlisted to help? The softball playing, muscular-armed daughter. That would be me. I was nicknamed "the boy" in the family. Talk about psychological issues, if Dan catches me trying on his clothes one more time I think he might leave me -- just kidding, I don't do that. But seriously, people think I'm much weaker than I am. So, yesterday I got to work moving the big chair into the living room and it took about 15 minutes just to situate it out the door of the office -- all that and now it just looks kinda awkward in the living room. Dan got home; he looked at it, looked at me and I raised my hands and said, "I don't want to talk about it."

I think we'll leave it right where it is for now. 


Alright, I have to get back to work now. That twenty page paper won't write itself. Stop distracting me!


p.s. I got that cropped sweater from Guess as a gift from my sister-in-law. I love it! So cute and comfy, perfect for a sunny, breezy day like today. 

give it to me straight

All of this needs to be in our apartment. Now.

Spring break rocks.

We were driving to the book store after church on Sunday and I saw these antique-y furniture shops and I was so excited I almost made Dan stop right then! But then I realized that I had all this week to go explore. There were two shops and the first one I went to the lady was so nice and the selection was amazing and I just loved it. Who doesn't need a mosaic jester in their home? Don't act like you're not impressed. But I was on a mission. 

I have done absolutely no decorating in our bedroom:

This could be attributed to laziness or a serious lack of fundulation. Judging by the unmade bed, I'm gonna bet on the former. Either way, I decided we need a headboard, or something like it. I was going to make one but the whole project was going to run me about $400 dollars so that will be a project for the future me who has money to burn and a garage with a power saw. I decided to go for a more eclectic look and found some amazing shutters and windows and huge frames and doors and well, I just can't decide what to do. I'm taking the mister with me this week because I want to get his artistic opinion as well as the okay to spend what could be seen as enough money to necessitate the approval of both spouses -- at least in our starving-student little world. So guys, do me a solid and give me your honest opinion -- do you see any options that you love?

Wedding Wednesday

A lot of the inspiration for my wedding came from blogs (specifically this one) so I thought it might be nice to put up pictures and info about my wedding -- just in case anyone was interested. I planned my wedding in about 5 months with the major help of my sister, Julia -- she was the one who came up with the brilliant color scheme for the wedding. Our budget was small but I think the event came out wonderfully, it helps that my in-laws have a fabulous piece of vineyard property. Overall it was perfect for us. I actually preferred working with a smaller budget and it was pretty easy to find ways to cheat the wedding industry system. I had a fabulous time planning the wedding and I'm pretty proud of it (that is not to say that there were not stressful times, there were!)

Etsy Sign

We bought card stock and stamps and Julia designed the postcard invitations and wedding programs

My Uncle built our Chuppa

DIY Mason Jar Lanterns

Custom Boutonnieres from Etsy

My hair piece was from Etsy

Each of my bridesmaids got a unique piece of jewelry from etsy
Clockwise from the top: Ring, Necklace, Necklace, Hair Pins, Ring, Necklace, Bracelet, Bracelet

Why is she laughing so hard? Our communion grape juice was actually prune juice! Oops

   

We did not have a chance to take any dance classes -- I'm sure it showed 

 

Brandilyn's parents let us borrow their International as a getaway car

Well that's the wedding. As you can see I LOVE Etsy and I used so many Etsy products in my wedding. I love looking at weddings and if you have knowledge of any wedding blogs you think I might like send them my way! 


*Wedding Photography by Patrick Wilson