Mr. Black & Decker

My Monday's usually begin by dreading getting out of bed. Today was no different. But then I get to work and I round the corner and there is a tiny little toddler standing smiling at me in his jammies with bed head and I forget just how tired I am. That doesn't set back in again until about three or four in the afternoon. Then I leave work and I get a second wind. Thankfully, or I would be worthless every evening.


Knowing I have projects in mind to start I head to one of my top five favorite stores; Michaels. Are you thinking, "what could you possible need that you don't already have?" Well there is stuff, okay. Then I go to Lowes. Why do I love that store? I mean its so manly and huge and then you smell the lumber and all the pretty floor samples and hardware and you get the point its a good store. 

I was very glad to see Mr. Black and Decker again! I remember a while back we had a few good nights together and I'm not sure why we split. I vaguely remember an 'its me not you, can we still be friends?' conversation that ended things. I sanded away and while I did I had some great and random thoughts I'd like to share.

• I do not miss buying college books this time of year. I overheard a college student behind me in the check out line at Michaels mention she dropped six hundo on books. Eek.
• I'm glad my younger brother taught me to wipe down wood after you sand it the first time. This will let the grain raise from moisture, let dry, and resand. Then when you put the first coat of paint on the grain won't rise messing up the paint job. Make sense? I like learning these little tidbits of info. 
• I like power tools and feel like super woman when using them. 
• I'm going to ask BD to be my business partner. I think once I run my great idea by him he can't say no. Especially considering at this point in time neither one of us have a job this fall and because I know he doesn't like to tell me no, but he might.
• The previous thought reminded me of my Ah Ha moment that I'm glad I've slept on for over a month. Well since I'm not going to pursue it at this time I'll share. I wanted to start a blog that networks all kinds of blogs and had a new guest poster every day. Did you know there are already TONS of those out there? Glad I passed on the job that would have been.
• I really really love the smell of the lumber aisle at home stores and I left a few pieces I purchased in my car as an air freshener.
• Another great idea popped into my head (in the shower like the last time) but I may wait and sleep on this one for a while too. Although I'm pretty confident if executed properly it could be something pretty neat. Its like friendship bread only it doesn't include a bag of dough and a 14 day process.

So all that happened between the sanding and painting. Gotta get all my crafting in early this week because I finally get to see my fiancee aka future husband aka new business partner this weekend! 

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Cleaning Up

I cleaned this weekend and did some organizing. One particular area needed it more than others. My ribbon box was puking everywhere.

First I found this organizing tip on Pinterest, of course, and knew that would be perfect for some recently acquired embroidery floss used for friendship bracelets and other craft needs. I love how neat this looks and easy to access too with out getting knots and tangles.

Then I tackled the ribbon box. I had to figure out what to do with the mass amounts of ribbon I had. I bought a ribbon rack last year from Michaels that failed me. Some spools have a huge hole in the center and some are tiny and the rod wouldn't fit through them all.


I had to come up with my own idea for all the scraps of ribbon I had. Once I started going through them I found I had quite a bit of ribbon shoved in a Ziploc bag. I didn't have enough extra spools for the widths of all the scrap ribbon. I got the bright idea to reuse some tubes that my mom had for some of her vinyl and other cutting materials.

Problem solved. I can fit the lid on the ribbon box! When I relocate I can hang the tubes on a rod or some fishing line. For now the box is FULL so I won't allow myself to buy anymore ribbon. Just kidding people. I just discovered a new way to organize and be sufficient and you think I'm gonna QUIT buying ribbon? Okay maybe I will take it easy for a while though, hows that sound?  Have I ever shown you my work space? No. Oh okay then sorry for being rude. Now that it is cleaned up I'll show you. Look at the huge empty table for crafting. I love a clean organized office work space. I actually think I did show you a glimpse. This is what used to be on the left where the storage containers and table are. All that good storage is at the future abode. You liked those letters thingys? Well I'm going to be making some more like those and these for a baby's nursery this week. Love to get my paint on! 

I better get down there and mess it up again. I can't have it looking that good always or it means I'm not working!

One more itty bitty teeny tiny thing. Did you go vote for my link over at Little Miss Momma? I'm number 59 Epic Fail [almost]. If it isn't too much trouble please do, and as many times as you want. Thanks friends!!!


ooops two more...want to see where I'm getting married go look out My Wedding Window?!!

I love a Challenge

This week I took a small challenge I failed to complete I'm human. I'm busy. I'm trying to plan a wedding for Pete's sake.  One of my daily reads - Little Miss Momma - had a headband challenge last week. I love this blog because its fun, fresh, and real. Anyways as a result  of the challenge I wore a headband  a few days once. I did accomplish a few things I wanted to for my blog and hopefully a future successful shop. 


A tutorial:
I created my own headbands and a tutorial on how to make them. My first ever on my sloooooooowly growing little blog. 


Got Re-inspired:
Having headbands on the mind made me dig back in the archives to these headband photos that I shoved away. I love making these fun blossoms to go on headbands but lately I haven't been focused on that. I think maybe I should stick to them and keep developing to see what they could turn into.

[Wearing a spring Blossom]

Well thats that. Here are my photos from the headband challenge week.

[ Photo from tutorial - easy easy easy]

[Twist on an old headband I made and now love.]

The last photo is a photo of another headband I made this week. Fall is almost here and I love wearing felt. It is going to be tolerable when this one hundred degree weather fades. So excited to be creating fun fabulous headbands again. Thanks Ashley for the kick in the caboose, not that I needed anything else to distract from wedding planning. 


If it isn't to much trouble for you could you head over and 'like' my link for a chance to get featured on her blog? Thanks friends. 

The Beginning

Well I just couldn't wait to post about our two wonderful years together, so I did on Tuesday. Instead today I'm sharing our very first photo together. Cell phone quality + editing makes this one not so bad. I love that I still have it. 

I did a little researching to figure out the specifics of how this whole shindig went down. BD (we will call him that cause sometimes his name is too long to type) was on a seven day road trip before he returned home on August 3rd.That night or early morning he asked me to go steady with him. Yep folks, he used those words. "Will you go steady with me?" He denies it, but in his attempt to be cute and win me over, which he has and continues to do, I know he absolutely said it. 


The next seven days we spent every moment we could together sneaking around some silly work policy but in the end all is well and no one (me) lost their internship. This picture was taken before he left on his next road trip which was eight days and he insisted on having a photo of us before he left and I am a bit glad he did. 


Oh yeah one more tiny little thing. As an anniversary gift for him, I have made some BIG wedding decisions, finally. I am also getting him a pair of new sneakers. Strangely enough, I think he likes the first gift best. Of course you will see what I picked out after I get back from visiting in a week. You picking up what I'm laying down? We pick our own gifts. Is that weird? Well I don't care if it is. He likes me to be happy and I decided I'll help him out a tad the first few years. 


So there is the nitty gritty on how this guy became my guy and I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy Anniversary!

With a Twist

If I come across an idea and I know I can create something similar, I usually don't waste any time. If you follow me on Pinterest you will see this on my Make It board. It is fun to take something you see and put a twist on it, making it your own. Some twists work better than others but its fun to experiment sometimes at the cost of frustration along the way. Trial and error is not optional in creating. Have a little looksy.

I'm sure you'll see these again maybe in a little shop I've tried starting twice, third times a charm. You know football season is just around the corner, I'm thinking some school pride color combos. MIZ..... anybody, anybody? Well okay then. Go Tigers!

365 x 2

Thursday Brandon and I will be celebrating two years together. We have been reflecting a lot on the beginning lately just reminding each other of funny things that happened. The last time I saw him was when I kissed him goodbye at the hotel in STL on July 7th. This is perfect timing because even though we can't be with one another we have lots of memories to talk about that makes me feel close to him. So here we go some snippets of the last two years. Be prepared if you don't like mushy stuff.

via

Most Memorable: Our first kiss we both will remember forever. He asked permission to kiss me. Awwww. He then waited for what seemed like eternity to do it. It was probably close to an hour and half. Not joking. Then, after the kiss he claims he did this on purpose. Now that I know him a little better, I know for a fact that he did. The kiss was awesome by the way. 

Most Annoyed: We were playing 20 questions on a road trip and he picked a pen. The pen I was holding in my hand. We ended the game after that. I never guessed it. Okay that probably wasn't the most annoyed but it was funny for him and not for me.

He is most happy when:  He is at home and doing anything outdoors especially if I tag along.

He gets agitated with me: When I am late or cause us to be late. Oops.

I get agitated with him: When he makes me try new food. He is a persistent little bugger. And of course, I always give in.


Nicknames: Cotton, BD, My Brandon ( because my little brother's name is also Brandon and he is 'our Brandon.' My nicknames are Sunshine every morning, Darlin, and Babe. I never thought I would be in a relationship where I called my man, or was called Babe and I love it. 


First Date: In secret to Texas Roadhouse & Mini Golf (I lost)


Most FAQ: How did you two meet? I was working in Springfield and he was playing Double A ball.


Kindest Gesture: My southern boy always gets the door for me. I love it.


Favorite Feature: My babe's BLUE eyes. I could stare forever.


Something Sweet: I like to hold hands when we pray.


Fun Fact:  I said " I love you" first. 

This photo: Doesn't show you how much he loves my kisses.  Especially a soft one on each cheek. He makes me do it. Its his thing. And if I try to get kisses from him on each cheek he doesn't give in. Ever.

I appreciate this most: His love for God above everything else. Knowing this brings me comfort for our future together that there is nothing we can't get through.


Happiest Moment: When Brandon asked me to marry him. Next in line is the day he got called up. I have a feeling November 5th will trump both of these days.


I got lucky:  He likes to cuddle.


He got lucky: I give an excellent back massage.


We got lucky: God brought us together.

Shower (re)Cap

My eyes are always open for things to make, DIY projects, or fun photos to take especially since I started taking this blog thing so serious.  The bridal shower of my dear friend offered up all kinds of goodness besides catching up with old friends. When I walked through the door I felt like some of my favorite blog's party ideas had come to life. I snatched the camera and started clicking away. 

[Sweets Table - the Pink cup candlestick was homemade. Glue, spray paint, and some cheap cups from a flea market. Great idea]

[Cupcake Wrapper PomPom]

[Strawberry, Banana, Angel Food Cake Kabobs eat with Chocolate Mousse]

[Pretty drinks]

[Yumazing Cupcakes]

[Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil]

[Pretty hostesses and Bride]