Picture Perfect Barrette Holder

I made this for a little friend's birthday. She has many barrettes, but no place for them to call home. So after seeing all the cute barrette holders here and there in Blogland, I decided to make one. Here is the end result, not to shabby, right? Here's what I did.

I took a cheap black dollar store frame and gave it a basecoat of avocado green. I then used crackle medium followed by a coat of white paint. Then I gave it a light coating of matte sealant. I've never used the crackle medium before, that stuff is pretty cool. I can see lots of chippy stuff in my future.

I removed the glass completely, and then took the backer board and covered it with a layer of quilt batting. I then covered it with some green floral fabric and then chose three matching ribbons. After hot gluing everything in place I was pretty much done.

I decided to make a few quick barrettes to hang on the ribbons. I took some baby clippie barrettes from the dollar store and hot glued on some felt, followed by a few rhinestones. Easy, simple and pretty cute.

I took some sheer white ribbon and a bit of tulle and ran it through two eye screws I hot glued to the back of the frame as the hanger. That's it, very easy assembly actually. I am definitely making on of these for my daughter.

Please click on "Linky Parties I Love" to see where I'll be sharing this idea. Also linking up at this special "Celebrating Girls" month linky party here:

And linking up for the first time at "fix it up friday" here:

What fun project do you have in the works?

Just Checking In

I'm still around, in case you were totally worried about me ;) We've just been busy getting back into our routines. I'm also on a whirlwind cleaning, organizing, purging run. I tend to get in this frame of mind at the beginning of a new year. I think lots of us are, right? If not, that's ok too.

So the other day I walked into the kids room and found my daughter in her doll's cradle.

Decided it would be fun to get down there with her for a photo. Oldest has a loft bed, so the space underneath is daughter's "hidey hole", her doll's cradle is there.

"Um, what is that smell, did you toot?"

"Ya", she said. Laughter all around.

"Ok, Mommy I'm stuck, will you help me out?" She is a goofball for sure. I remember when I was pregnant with our first, my Hubby asked me, "What if the kids think we are weird?" Yeah, we don't need to worry about that.

On another note, to those of you interested I've started up again trying to regularly post on my gratitude blog, "Today's Top Three Thankful Things." While I can't promise I'll do it on a daily basis, (as you can see that hasn't been going well) I am going to TrY and be more consistent. If your just overwhelmed with curiosity to see what my thankful thoughts are, please click here .

I'm in the process of prettying up the living room, going with a nature slash neutral tone look. I've even mixed in some branches. When it's more photo ready, I'll post a picture. I still have Christmas decoration boxes in the room, although it's packed the boxes haven't made it to the garage yet.

Peace on Earth Begins at Home

So here we are, another new year. I feel myself both excited at the prospect of a new year beginning and a bit sad that one has ended.

When I was younger, I was always excited that a new chance was beginning, a year to go on to bigger and better things. Things to look forward too, things to leave behind.

I still feel that way somewhat, but I definitely find myself a bit nostalgic for the year that I'm leaving behind. The memories that were made, the stages of life that are sometimes left behind.

I also find myself feeling guilt and frustration over things that I didn't accomplish in the previous year. Vowing that this year will be better, I will finally do those things that I've vowed to do in years past but not accomplished. Less yelling, less swearing, more patience, more self control, being more intentional.

But lately I've really been trying to think things a bit differently. I don't have to do those things that I want to or think I should. Yes, it would be nice to do some if not all of them, but I don't have to. I am loved just the way I am. My husband loves me just as I am, my family loves me just as I am, my children love me just as I am, and most importantly God loves me just as I am.

I remember a message from an old pastor quite awhile back on the subject of God's grace, and he explained it this way; "There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more or any less, that is the grace of God." I remember hiding that away in my head, but I don't find myself hiding it in my heart.

I am VeRy hard on myself, I am great at listing all my shortcomings. Those shortcomings that keep me back, that make me say to myself that I must remedy them before I can more on. Things will get better once those go away, the guilt that I feel will clear up once those "weaknesses" do.

When I remember that I am loved by God just as I am, and my favor with Him does not rest in how I feel about myself I feel the guilt subside. I feel that He will use me in spite of my weakness and my failures. That I can fulfill my purpose here no matter whether or not I have my act together. Not only do I not have to have it all together, I can use my brokenness to God's glory.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9


I am excited to see what the new year holds for me, for my family and those I love. I'm excited to see how my walk with God will deepen. How my transparency can lead to greater peace and less guilt. I am praying for peace, in my head, in my heart, and for this world in the upcoming year.