DIY [ "wallpaper" ]

During this past weekend trip to Ikea, I knew I wanted to get two oversized white frames for the wall you see when you walk in our bedroom.  At first, I thought of putting pictures of me and Joel (our hands and feet pic thanks to Amanda Causey)  and then switching it out as the family grows or we get older, but then it hit me.  Do I really need to see a blown up version of myself first thing when I walk into our room--even if it is more abstract??

The answer was a big, resounding "absolutely not."

I've had this idea in mind since before we bought our house, but I haven't had a space for it--until now.  Where else is the perfect place to be reminded of not only our wedding day, but a verse that is very dear to us as a couple and individually?  So that was it.

I took the last part of the verse and got inspiration from a fabric I saw at Ikea (can't find it online) and this Ballard outdoor rug:

I love the "under fancified" (it makes sense to me) scribble type fonts and how it looks like an art piece when standing away from it, but then it's legible when you get closer. And I'm on a big tilting kick right now with my designs, as I'm sure you noticed.  The verse is cut in half vertically and reads as one between the two frames.  I absolutely love when things in my mind turn out how I want it and can't wait to get them up on the wall!  I'll be sure to update this post when that happens.  Joel is hard at work assembling everything else we got this weekend, so I might just have to give it a shot myself. 

Also, because I'm always thinking of how I can turn anything into a gift, this would be a great, inexpensive Valentine's Day gift:

• Create a text box in Word
• Paste the verse or quote you want inside
• Make that nasty shape outline clear or white
• Play around with different fonts, sizes, and spacing
• Enlarge the box or shrink to match your frame (under the "format" tab in word, you can make it an exact size you want--see image)

You could even save this gift idea for someone's birthday or Christmas.  I bet if you find out now what verse is meaningful to your future gift recipient then they won't even remember by the time December rolls around!

30 before 30 [christmas cheer]

Well I finally did it!  I finally sent a Christmas card!  (Without a hint of procrastination might I add.) I normally design one and then get cold feet because I felt weird just sending a card with me and Joel's picture on it.  And then there is the whole thought of: how do I celebrate the birth of our Savior with a 5 x 7 pic of me and Joel, complete with an overused Christmas phrase--but in a great font choice and color combo of course!

And then I just had to stop thinking so hard about it. I came to the conclusion that designing is a passion of mine, and it's rare that I get to express it within my own limits, so I saw this as an opportunity to show love to those around me in my own way and reflect on the great and joyful life we are able to have because of Him, His birth, His life, and ultimately His sacrifice.  Plus, I know I LOVE getting Christmas cards in the mail and seeing families grow--just to be thought of is such a great feeling.  So I decided to go for it, and I'm so glad I did.

Which brings me to cross out list item #13 from my 30 before 30 list:

13. send out a Christmas card 

(I design one every year, but then never follow through)

The response was overwhelming, and it just went to show me that people were touched and excited to receive a card from us for the first time.  I quickly realized that something so simple as a picture with words can bring someone love and meaning. 

glass glamour

i just had to share this!  my future sister-in-law saw my gift post and decided she wanted to attempt the wine glass gift for a few of her girlfriends. they are on a budget (planning a wedding and all!) but still wanted to give them something thoughtful and personal.  aren't they adorable?!?

i think she did such a great job, and i especially love how she added the tissue paper to present them.  i know her friends will love/are loving these!

can you believe people sell these for $20-30??? 

have a great weekend! :)

looking back [2010]

wow.  another year has come and gone!  time really does fly, and i couldn't be more thankful for every year God gives me to be with family and friends, so in honor of 2010, here are a few of our favorite and most memorable moments.  happy new year!!! 

i painted with my mom and friends (she just had to be different)

 hung out or went to dinner with my best friends from high school every month (well almost)

 

 the civic finally hit 100,000 miles after 9 years. (i thank dorm life and close campus living for the longevity of our little green hornet)

 in exchange for the design of her logo, we had our pictures taken by our wonderfully talented and good friend amanda causey

i witnessed the beginnings of riskapades and baked dozens upon dozens of chocolate chip cookies

me and betsy got to cheer for our husbands while they played softball for not one but two different leagues

 

we got stranded at the beach with great company

 said "see you later" to a best friend who moved to nashville

 sent out a number of these to my sweet and wonderful new and old friends (you know who you are)

 

celebrated my parent's 30th anniversary

 

headed up to nashville for a visit!

 

 

 celebrated our 3rd anniversary

went to go see a play centered around a place that joel knows all too well

went on a vacation to celebrate previously mentioned anniversary

 got to watch a best friend experience her first shower

went on a fun beach trip/bachelorette weekend 

   
bought a car.  finally.

got to hang out with friends when they came in to visit

 

 

 

 watched a best friend transform and glow like no one else on her wedding day

 

photo by jason cohen

rewarded myself regularly for finishing my weekly to do lists i created at work

 

and just ate lots of ice cream in general for no apparent reason

said goodbye to our community group that we'd been in for the last 2 years over make-your-own french bread pizza--great memories and even better people

 came home to flowers joel saw growing and thought i would like...just because

went on lots of dates

 watched one of our favorite TV personalities do stand up

 w

helped host a very special baby shower

took a calligraphy class with a best friend from the cutest little lady i've ever met

 

 introduced my youngest cousin to the importance of list making and thrift store shopping

 

and ugly face picture taking

dressed up and went to our church's halloweenie roast

carved pumpkins together for the first time

with the help from a couple friends, we discovered a disc golf course, which made joel love our little town even more than he already did

 

 got to hang out with joel's hilarious younger brother

started, finished, and didn't finish many DIY projects

 

 

visited and prayed for my mom and her hip and knee surgeries

joel continued to talk on his phone like it's a parrot because it only works on speakerphone (and it cracks me up every time)

we painted ceramics with the millers

cut down our Christmas tree

finally used our chiminea during the first cold night (complete with hot chocolate for added warmth)

 went to the annual ornament party

 and came home with the cutest little owl (thanks ashley!)

spent Christmas together and visited family

and celebrated the new year with joel's awesome display of fireworks and fun friends

 

 

now to start capturing memories for twenty eleven!!  :)