What I gave to Lori...

I guess you all know by now that I am totally addicted to swaps. I tried to quit. I really did...
Anyway, y'all already saw all the goodness Lori sent to me, so I wanted to share what I gave her. I love to do stuff for the children, sometimes, too. I decided to make Lori's girls Valentine's aprons and gave them a few treats. I covered old formula cans with scrapbook paper and added wire for handles. I guess I forgot to take a picture of those...bummer...They were very cute.

I made Lori a ruffled apron, a bird tassel since she loves birds and tassels. I also gave her silver XO's, angel wings, love birds, a cherub, apothecary jar with peanut M&M's, and a tag I made.

Here is a close-up of the apron. I loved this one!!

I just painted the tag{it was off-white, originally} and glued shell buttons on.

Here is the tassel I made for Lori. I{my husband} just drilled a hole straight thru the bird and strung the ribbon thru. If you want to make your own tassel you can find a tutorial here.

I had so much fun putting together Lori's package!!

Fun Mail and Crafting

Katy, from The Country Blossom, has recently learned to knit. Since I was wanting more dishcloths and I remembered she liked a tote I made, I contacted her to see if she would be interested in bartering. I just got the dishcloths yesterday. They are awesome!! So soft and have a pretty, delicate, almost lacy edging. I already used one, too!! Thank you Katy!! They are perfect!!

In crafting news...Lilly is turning 4 on Sunday. We are having a birdie party, inspired by looking at the Pottery Barn kids catalog. I have been wanting to make a mobile for some time and this party gave me just the kick I needed. Here are the birds in their in between state.

I also wanted to make a wreath for the door. I thought I might wrap the floral fabric around the grapevine wreath, but didn't care for the way it looked, so I just tied a bow with burlap and strips of the floral. That's a little better...

I thought maybe the birds might give it just what it needed. What do y'all think??

Speaking of wreaths, I just loved the one Joyfullness made. I have so many embroidery hoops that I get from Goodwill and used it. I just tied strips of fabric and ribbon around it. It is my Valentine wreath. I love the way it turned out. You can click on the picture to see it closer up. Again, my photography skills are lacking. My poor camera is so embarrassed to be seen with me.

What kind of craftiness have y'all been up to??

Very Vintage Valentine Swap

Heidi, at Foxgloves, Fabric, and Folly hosted a Very Vintage Valentine Swap. I was so excited to have Lori as my partner!! I love her, she is like the bigger sister I never had!! Above is the way some of the things were packaged. Love the glitter skeleton key!!

Here is the wreath she made, love it!!

These blocks are adorable!! They said KISS on one side and LOVE on another. Look at the fun papers!!

Lori even sent some goodies for the children.

Here is Lilly checking out the goods. "Mom, what I always wanted!!"

Jackson seems in awe...

Look at that gorgeous bracelet!! Lori sells these in her etsy shop, Too Silly Sisters.

What else is here...Martha Stewart Living-the one magazine I don't get!! Twizzlers-they got gone quickly!! The brownie mix-yum!! I was in such a brownie mood too. How did you know, Lori?!?! Love the heart ornament!! Might make a tassel out of it. Hmmm...

Thank you so much Lori!! I love it all!!

FREEDOM!!!

I will start this post by saying that I grew up what I will call a "religious mutt". We went to many types of church's growing up-Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostel, Christian. We've been to almost all of them at one time or another. I don't think one religion is "better" than another.

With that being said, somehow I ended up quite legalistic. I remember being a little girl at the Baptist church and having these offering envelopes. You had to check off whether you read your Bible everyday, brought a friend, etc. I took that to be my holiness meter. I remember thinking if I didn't read my Bible one night and I died then surely I would go to Hell. Its almost funny now, but its really not. How many people are struggling like that now?? I know that God's word doesn't say that anywhere. I also know that the enemy{Satan} comes to kill, steal, and destroy. I struggled my whole life with my salvation. I know{I thought} I was saved when I was around 7. I was at a revival and walked down that aisle and I knew why. I have been baptized 3 times since that. Did it not "take" the first time?? I don't know about that thought process.

After we left the Baptist church we went to the Pentecostel church. I was going to be really spiritual then with my dresses and growing my hair out. Something still didn't totally jive with that, because I still wore my jewelry and pants on my "off days". I remember going there and this lady asking if I had the Holy Ghost. I told her yes and she said, "Then speak in tongues". I tried, I really did. Then the lady said that I did not have the Holy Ghost because I couldn't speak in tongues. I was in fifth grade, y'all. Now I cannot believe how that lady acted. And while I am on the subject, you wearing dresses or not cutting your hair, not watching tv or listening to certain types of music does not define your salvation or what degree of Christian you are. Simply having a relationship with Jesus is the important thing.

When I met my husband he was Pentecostel and we were back to Baptist after a few stops around the religious block. We were moving away from both of our churchs, which were far away from one another as well, we decided to find a happy medium. When I was pentecostel, I thought everyone who wasn't was going to Hell and thought Baptists were a bunch of hypocrites, and then when I was Baptist again, I couldn't believe that I thought that. Of course, I thought Baptists were perfect(as much as a human can be) and that everyone else was wrong.

Anyway, before we were married we found a great church that is non-denomination and its great. No lables=no judgement. Not always and God has worked on my heart and acceptance of other religions. Not one is the perfect one.

On my journey, I still felt like maybe I wasn't really saved. I thought I must be, but I didn't feel like I was. I now know feeling don't really matter, it is the facts that matter. The fact is I know Jesus is the son of God and he came to save my sins. How do I explain that to my children?? I tell them that he died so we can go to Heaven, but also he can take our mean hearts and make them sweet. Kind of like the Grinch. Speaking of the Grinch...I was reading this blog and she seemed so joyful and talked about Jesus and living in his love. I was like that is great but how. I emailed her and she was so kind to email me back. I remember times where I felt like I was losing it and how can I raise these children that God gave me and not totally screw them up like I was. I was in bed praying one August morning in 2007 that God would love them through me because I couldn't and I didn't feel like I had a lot of love to give. They were also waking me up very early and I don't do early. I prayed for God to fill me with his love, and I needed to FEEL it this time. I wanted to get my salvation issue solved once and for all. I am telling y'all once I prayed that I felt like the Grinch in his salvation moment. I felt my chest literally fill up with air, like it was a shriveled raisin into a balloon. Thank God he let me FEEL it because now I know. Its a wonderful feeling and while I know I am not perfect I am forgiven. I still yell at my kids every now and then, but I know I can ask forgiveness and I ask them as well. And you mother's out there, I would encourage you to ask your children to forgive you when you know you have wronged them. I don't feel like my parents did that, that what they did was okay because they were the grown-ups and its okay. They need to know that we need God just as they do, because he helps us all.

I hope y'all understood this okay. I am still learning and to not put other Christians on a pedestal. That came clear to me just around this Christmas season. It was another one of those times where I just thought either me or my children are out of control. I thought well I will just ask one of the children's leaders for advice on parenting. Then I remembered reading in Proverbs where God said anyone who asks for wisdom will be freely given wisdom. That was when I realized I didn't need another parenting book, I just needed to ask God. I think Bible studies are great but I also know that the Bible says not to add or take away and that the God who gave those authors wisdom will also give it to me.

I tell y'all, I am so glad the fog has lifted and God has given me clarity. I also know if you ask, God will give you the peace you need.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me athomeelise{at}yahoo{dot}com.

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Elise

I'm so bright!! And opinions please...

I just realized that its my 100th post!! Wow, I cannot believe I finally got here and I wanted to do a giveaway, but since I haven't even finished the first one I did, I think I will sit on that idea. Okay, so here is the ugly gold chandelier after I painted it. My original idea was to paint it black, but then I saw Amy's white one and loved it. Then, I got a magazine and I absolutely loved a breakfast area in it and that one was white too. I thought I might just paint over what I just painted then. Oh, and yes, it rained on my newly painted chandie. I'm am so bright for leaving it out overnight. Don't you wish you were as smart as me?!?!

In typical fashion I have my photos flip flopped!! This is my breakfast area now. Please don't judge me. I wish I was a neat freak, I really do...I was thinking of moving the hutch out{though I do love having a hutch in the kitchen} and maybe getting a bench to go either along the wall where it is or in front of the windows. Scroll down to see my inspiration room.

I have room in the breakfast area for the hutch, but my table is not centered in the windows or under the chandie{which I know I can swag over.} Oh, I want to paint the hutch really soon. Maybe antique white...

If you want to see a better view of my kitchen you can click here. Of course, there is no furniture, but it will give you an idea of what things look like.

I am so lovin' this room. We probably will not be painting the kitchen yellow, though I love yellow. I just don't think it will look that great with my dark cabinets. Most likely, the kitchen will be the same color as Amy's . I think she and I were separated at birth!!

Okay, bring on the opinions and advice!!

Change is a comin'

Husband is painting the half bath as I type. Yay!! Two rooms down{almost}, many more to go...

What I gave Jen...

Okay, so y'all saw what Jen gave to me for our Valentine swap, so now I am showing y'all what I gave her. Ruffled apron, you can find the tutorial here. I did make a few changes, but for the most part used her directions. An embellished dish towel, salt dough ornies that I made and painted, shutter ornies for Jen's tree, a tassel-Jen said she would like a tassel. That's what is great about being such good friends, you can make special requests and its okay!! I also painted unfinished X's and O's from Michael's. Jen loves typewriters so I gave her some typewriter stickers. I also gave her a tag I made for her and a cherub that started out life as glittery gold, and a G I covered in sheet music scrapbook paper.

Here is a close-up of the tassel. I got the topper at Hobby Lobby. It was a Christmas ornament. I love the zebra print ribbon. Joyfullness got me started on that one!!

The tag...The cherub...Salt dough ornaments...

The shutter slats I stenciled are reversible.

Here is the other side of them. Had I thought about it, I would have made the other side to say something like Joy, Noel, Peace. Hindsight, y'all...

The apron in all its glory. I have a funny story about the iron. Once upon a time, we had a white plastic-y iron and it died. I borrowed my friend, Amy's{different Amy-church Amy}, iron. Well she needed hers back, so I went to Wal-Mart and got one. I loved the old-fashioned look and weight of this one. When my husband got home later that night I still had it sitting out and he said, "Dang, how old is Amy's iron?" I told him that I just bought it. Hee, hee!! I got a good chuckle out of that one!! Love my vintage, wooden ironing board, too!! I just feel so June Cleaver!! Ha, ha, ha!!

A close-up of the G.

I have a question for y'all now...I do plan on opening an etsy shoppe in the very near future. Would y'all like to see things like the letters similar to the G in it?? How about the aprons?? I have quite a few ideas, I would just like to know what y'all would be interested in...

Thanks!!

Happy Saturday!!

Oh, Joy, I will take a picture of my Valentine tree in all her glory hopefully today. I still have to take down the Christmas tree{yes, that thing is still up} and clean off my countertops and then I will share some lovey touches throughout my home. And, I received some of my goodies from Lori today from another swap{yes, I'm an addict!!} and I will post that soon, too!! It has been a very fun mail week!!

Fireside in the Winter

I came home Tuesday after a long day of ballet and shopping{it takes a lot out of a girl, you know!! ;)} and my husband had built a fire for me. I was so excited that I lit the candles to take a picture for y'all. I feel like something is missing up above the mantle, but I really don't want to start randomly nailing holes. For now it will do. I wanted just a simple, serene winter look. I just love cozy, winter evenings, don't you??

Valentine Goodness

Emilie was going to host another mini swap, a Valentine one, but then said to pick a previous partner and swap with them if we wanted. Well Jen and I decided to partner up again. Then Emilie decided that she would do the swap after all. Jen and I had already been conversing about the swap and just kept each other. I have to say I am so glad I did!! My package arrived Tuesday as I was walking out the door to Ballet. I had all afternoon to look forward to opening my package.

Jen had everything wrapped so cute!! I spy a rag garland...

Look at all the loot she made for me!! Wow...that was all I could think as I was opening the goodness. I did let my kids help. They had fun!!

The heart with the wing attached...so cute. Jen also has one in her etsy shoppe. Love it!!

That tag is enormous!! Don't you just love it when people get you?? I was emailing back and forth with Jen and embroidery hoops came up. I sent her a link to where some people had put fabric in them and hung them on the wall for decoration. That February 14 sign is adorable, too!! I seriously don't know where people get all their ideas sometimes. I am a copier, mostly. Though I can come up with a few original ideas myself. :)

Jen found the cute LOVE card at Target and framed it!! A girl after my own heart!! And that R, covered with scrapbook paper is just perfect!! A little bling...The Valentine card is from her great grandmother's collection. Thank you for sharing a bit with me, Jen!!

I was so hoping I would get one of these envelopes with the hearts and key. If you want one for yourself, go to her etsy. Super great price!!

Indulging my love of squirrels with a silhouette of a squirrel with their beloved acorns.

Look at those amazing paperclips that Jen covered with paper. And the cards, so cute!! Somebody loves deer, too!!

Putting some of my goodness to use.

Close-up of my dough bowl with my goodies. The cherub I found at Michael's after Christmas. They were gold and I just painted it silver instead. Much better!! The kids and I made salt dough ornaments a few weeks ago. Some of them were made as bowl fillers, the others are on my Valentine tree. I just inserted wire into the dough before baking them. You can find the inspiration and recipe here.

Hope you weren't too bored listening to me rambling on. Imagine knowing me in real life!!

Thank you so much Jen, for a lovely swap!!

lil' junk jar giveaway and settlin' in??

Jen, over at Lipstick and Laundry has come up with a new line for her etsy shop, Worn Acorn. These lil' junk jars are the cutest, little bit of happy in a jar I have ever seen. She is hosting a giveaway for one of these bits o' sunshine on her blog. So go visit Jen and have a little look see at her cute lil' junk jars, buy one, heck, buy them all!! You will love them and her!!

Rambling Girl, you are so sweet to ask if I am settling in. By the looks of the garage I would have to say no. However, I do have most of my crafty stuff and decor unpacked, so in that way, I say a big yes. I mean if I have the essentials, then what is a few boxes and other piles gonna hurt, right??

Y'all see that ugly brass chandelier staring you in the face?? That thing is getting a makeover as soon as its not rainy outside or 30 below. Who am I kidding...its not 30 below here, never is, but it is c-c-cooold. It will get done before the 31st. Yep, that's my deadline!! So was December 6th, but who's counting...

Okay, go check out Jen's lil' junk jars now!!

***Karol, I got the chandelier at a thrift shop in town called The Potter's House. I don't think they are just local to me, you might look online at Yellow Pages. I have seen them a lot at yard sales, too. In fact, I passed one up this summer because we didn't need it in our rental. Like anything secondhand, its hit or miss.

Ladies, leave your magazines lying around...

Exibit A: On the floor of the half bath. If you surprised me right now, this is what you would find.

Exibit B: On the back of the toilet also. I would hate to be bored on a long trip!!

The result: Chicken Parmesan...cooked by The Husband after reading one of my mags. See...it pays off to leave junk lying around!!

scavenger

I'm never one to turn down free food...I went to my best friend, Amy's{high school Amy}, baby shower today. This is Amy's first baby and they are having a little boy. Anyhow, we played a guess the baby food game and ever so resourceful that I am, I asked if I could take home the rest. Amy's sister in law said, "Sure" Score!! I saved anywhere from $6-$12 today!! I love it when God provides.



Here is Amy and her husband, Matt. Matt normally doesn't have facial hair. Its his Super Bowl look. I am so excited for the two of them-this has been a few years coming. I cannot wait to see Baby Boy B.....