Happy Day for some

In case you didn't already know, I am a Mormon. I believe that death is not the end, but the beginning of the next life. Does that mean it isn't sad when I lose someone I love? No.

It means I know I will see them again, but I'm going to miss them lots in the mean time, because I don't plan on seeing them for a while.


 4 generations

Anyone that knows me well knows that I have always been very close to my Grandma Anna. As a child I would roller blade or ride my bike to her house almost everyday, because we lived only a few blocks apart, and she always had a cookie and a hug waiting for me.

When I turned 16 and began to date she would always ask about my friends. When I was 17 and met a cute boy named Craig Hall she wanted to meet him too, and she told me he was a good one. When Craig turned 19 Grandma had us over for a birthday breakfast, and she introduced him to aeblaskeva (pancake balls), a favorite Danish family tradition we have.

Grandma had prime real estate when it came to parking. She lived across the street from the Institute of religion on the ISU campass. Only vehicles with a special permit could park at grandmas house, and she always reserved one of those valuable little gems for me.

I usually didn't have time to visit before class, but I would always go see her during my break, and I always left her home with a full tummy and a happy heart.

I happened to choose a preschool for my children that wasn't far from grandmas house, so it would perfect to go visit while Carter was at school. We continued the tradition with Layla. Drop her off, go pick up a cinnamon roll from Geraldine's bakery, eat and visit with grandma, pick up Layla, and on with the day. We had a routine. I liked it.

On February 16, 2012 Grandma Anna Streeper said farewell to her long, full life on Earth.

I cried.

That was a hard day, but something else followed that hard day.

Images of my amazing little Grandma Anna rejoicing as she hugged my amazing little Mother filled my mind. I know I am going to miss Grandma so much, but I can't describe how happy it makes me feel to know my Mom gets to be with her Mom again.

I have been filled with a comfort and peace I didn't expect to find so soon.

I am so thankful for eternal families!

DIY Stenciled Curtains

Have you ever had exactly what you wanted pictured in your mind, but you couldn't find it anywhere? So frustrating right?!? I had this problem a year or so ago when I was looking for curtains for my front room. I wanted white curtains with a bold pattern on them in orange...but they were no where to be found. One night I had this stroke of genius, so I had to try it to see if it would actually work. Guess what...Shut the front door! It did. I only regret not using an even more bold pattern, but I still love them:)

Curtains Tutorial


You will need:
1.curtains
2.a stencil
3.fabric paint (I used the same paint we used on the orange wall because I wanted it to match, but now I will have to hand wash the curtains. fyi)
4.stencil brush (I liked the foam ones better, and they were .89 for a two pack)
5.tape

step one:

Lay out your curtains and figure out what pattern you are going to use with your stencil. practice on a scrap piece of fabric to get the hang of it. When you are comfortable, tape your stencil to the curtains starting at the bottom of the curtain (so if you make a mistake it won't be as noticeable)

step two:

dip the end of your stencil brush in your paint, and begin to gently fill in your stencil by using a dabbing motion.

Step three:

                               

after the stencil is filled in, remove the tape, and slowly peel the stencil up. Rinse the paint off your stencil, and repeat steps 1-3 in your desired pattern.

Step four:

When paint is dry, hang your curtains, dish yourself a bowl of ice cream, put your feet up, eat your ice cream, and admire your insane crafty skills.



tea party in a tent

My brother & his family, who I Love to pieces, were here from Indiana for about a week. One day it ended up just being me and the girls here, and Benson was taking a nap. I started thinking about how fun I thought forts were back in the day, and the great memories I have building them with my Mom.

Suddenly out of no where an idea struck me.

The girls were watching a movie on my bed, so I closed the door and told them to stay put for a few minutes. I rushed down to Laylas' room and snatched all her blankets and sheets off her bed. I ran back upstairs to the office, and constructed a princess fort with all the pink, purple, and teal pillows and blankets on the premises. 

Then, another idea struck, so I ran back downstairs and grabbed and princess dress ups and tea party supplies. 

I took the dress ups in to the girls and told them I had someplace magical to show them, but only princess' were allowed, so they needed to put their gear on...and come up with their princess names, of course.

For the rest of the evening they were princess Pink, and Princess Purple. 

I had them close their eyes as I led them to the fort, and I wish I had recorded their faces when they opened their eyes....so adorable! It was way more whimsical in person...for real.

In fact, the magic in the air was so thick.....

That I turned into their Fairy God Mother. hahaha

We finished our tea party, then painted our nails, and did a little make up (blush and lip gloss) before heading to the ball. This was a special ball though, so we played freeze dance;) and I taught them the ballet positions, and a couple basics. I actually got way into it, hehehe.

I LOVE these girls, and hope we can make some good lasting memories together. It only would have been better if all the girl cousins could have been there:( next time I'll have to actually plan it before hand;)

Our World In A Nutshell: Reveal...for real! $10 makover#links

Reveal...for real! $10 makover

                           After- so, have I mentioned that I had a budget of $10 for this little makeover?

True story....$10, do you think it was worth it? I totally do. I'll show you some of the projects closer up, but I just realized I have 2 more walls you really can't see in this picture....so I'll just have to show those another day;)

                                           I made curtains and a dust ruffle with some cute sheets, and found the right sticks to use as the curtain rods. I think the material brought just the right amount of color into the room.

This shot shows the dust ruffle, and the other ruffle cuteness:) What would you call it?

I found this adorable little birdie at a vintage shop for $1.00, and fell in love with it.

This is our handcast (done by http://www.firstimpressionshandcasts.com/ of course) ;) I LOVE it because we did this back when Craig and I both still had our original wedding rings.

The "capiz shell" like chandelier I made with wax paper:) that was a fun project.

The yarn and push pin tree, I love what it adds to the room.

Yarn and push pin birdie

And there you have it:) It was lots of fun redecorating my room, and a fun challenge to do it with only $10

I hope this can inspire you do get creative, and make something beautiful.

Reveal????

Before!

 It wasn't a bad looking room to start with, but it just didn't have any charector...and that wouldn't do!

Ok, so I took some great shots of the "After" Room, and my camera has turned up missing. Grrrr!

I'm sure one of my "little helpers" has just put my camera in a "special place" (Layla in particular is known for her "special places", thinking back to my lost wedding ring) ;). As soon as it turns up I'll post the "Afters".

Have a great weekend:)

DIY ruffle Throw

Today I have two sweet little sickies home from school, so I'm going to take the easy way out. Instead of writing my own tutorial I'm just going to give you the link to another one that is great, and I'm sure you will love muchly;)

To make this cutie for your bed go to

www.do-it-yourselfdesign.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-ruffle-throw.html

Guess how much money I spent on this project.......$0! Wooohoooo, that's right, it was free. Want to know how? Most hotels love to give their sheets to others that want them when they start to look a little tattered or worn. My sister and I got 3 big garbage bags full of clean white sheets from the Marriott last year for a project we were doing at the time, and I had a couple left over. I used one of my free white sheets from Marriott to make my ruffle throw, and thank you Judy for helping me get started on this:) It was much more fun to make with your company.

Tomorrow I'll show you something else I made with Sheets;)

TTFN