Ampersand Wedding Date Art | DIY

When it comes to gifts, I've been on a mission to either give locally made items or make the gift myself, especially since moving to Colorado. Going into Christmas here in a few months, I'm already starting to plan out what I want to make (like more of these & these for my friends), and am really excited for snowy days spent "making". When Morgan and Josh got married this past September, I knew I wanted to make them something. Something that would be unique to them and Morgan's eclectic style--and continuing with the "handmade" approach that their wedding was. Remember when I painted that chartreuse cup and used left over paint to make an ampersand (here)? Well, this is what that became. 

Using the painted canvas, patterned paper, a large frame from Ikea, and the tools below, I made the newlyweds a piece or art that had a hint of their wedding colors and their wedding date framed in a fun way. (I figured ampersands are hard not to like, so I was pretty safe with the idea). 

The amerpsand is a cute way to symbolize the 'and' when you are talking about a newlywed couple. Morgan and Josh are now officially Morgan and Josh--hence, the ampersand. The numbers are their wedding date: 9-7-13. First I traced the matting and centered the patterned paper under it, placing the canvas on top to lay out how I wanted the end result. Then I cut the paper to matting size.

Next, with my paper the exact size of the matting, I could place the canvas directly center and that would center up nicely in the frame. I actually glued the canvas to the paper, allowing it to set for a few minutes before framing it. Then I flipped it over into the frame with the matting down first and replaced that back of the frame.

Orange and chartreuse, I just always love this combo--a bit vintage yet also current, which is a win win. I really like how it turned out. Yes, it is a painting, but it really feels more like a print (which is what I really like about it). Now for a busy week ahead. But get ready, because I'm going to be sharing a few newly styled posts this week. I'm excited to stretch myself a bit! 

Reality and Dreamers

What C.S. Lewis says about reality couldn't be more true. But you know what caught my attention? Do you not agree that dreams can be odd, not as obvious, not at all what we expect, and a bit messy as well? I think to take it even further would be to say, that dreams and reality aren't that far from each other. And that we need to allow them to meet more than we do, allow ourselves to let them, because I think that's when the magic happens. That's when God shows up, or we see Him more--when we let go and allow the messy and complicated reality meet the odd dreams that are on our hearts--those dreams that we can't control. What would happen if those dreams, and reality, did intertwine? How would our world look different? Would the logical dream more? Would the dreamer see potential in the real?

Venturing West (Disclaimer: This One Wanders)

Almost a month ago now, we ventured West. We packed up the car, stuffed Shelby in the backseat, intentionally planned out our music for the 17 hour drive ahead, and mapped out our camp site. Everyday, I plan to write about this trip. Everyday, I plan to get away and reflect on our adventure--finally putting the story in words. Yet, I can never get to it. I have yet to even upload all the photos from the scenic stops where we stood jaws dropped, astounded by our country's beauty--and with the week I've had, I could probably use a little reminder of creation and its majesty.

But life is a little bit jam packed right now. 

And although I'd love it to be, blogging is not my full time job; and writing, editing, and doing both well are on pause for a moment. You see, I decided a while ago that it is better, for me as a writer, to wait for that time I can really get away and focus on whatever creative part of the process it is rather than rush and post something for the sake of having daily content. And my desire is that, as readers, you are okay with that. So, California, and the stories, the camping, the photographic journey--all of that is waiting patiently for the afternoon or moment that I can escape and put pen to paper, fingers to editing tools, and mind to blogging. 

Meet Anne of Anne the Adventurer

You might find yourself curled up on the couch reading their love story, as if it were the latest romance page turner. Or you may begin by perusing her weekend style, and love for lettering, prints, and design. And maybe you'll spend a Saturday morning catching upon her Love Yourself series, filling yourself on warm tea and kind words. But perhaps most of all, when you come across Anne's blog, you will find yourself coming back more, and more, and more...beacuse she writes her life like a story. She shows her brave moments, her joyful times, and the ones where she feels at rock bottom. She values community, one that is authentic--and you will soon feel a part of it. You'll come back for more because Anne is relatable. She is real. And she is a darn good writer. 

Floral Arrangements

The day before Morgan and Josh's wedding day, the flowers arrived. And so, a floral shop emerged in the confines of Jayne's kitchen. I've never played floral shop before, yet now if you were to ask me to trade in my job to be a florist, I may consider it. Seriously, I loved every second. Morgan's floral colors were orange and burgandy--how fitting for an end of summer-almost-fall wedding, right? Everything from the centerpieces to the bouquets were thoughtfully planned out by Morgan and then put together by the caring hands of her closest friends. I feel so blessed to have been a part in that floral shop of a kitchen. Pre-wedding festivities fall into the category of "favorite things in life." It's all about the process, no?

Words For Thought, From Francis Chan

I was first introduced to Francis Chan at our home church in California. He was the pastor there, and shortly after Matt and I got plugged in, he moved to San Francisco. As a pastor, he always made the Word so applicable to how life as a Christian should be lived out. I always left feeling challenged to live a bit more uncomfortably in the name of Jesus. Francis brought perspective to who our God really is in a way that helped me grasp greater understanding specifically living in a city--you should listen to his podcasts or check out a book he wrote if you are looking for something new. Something I have been dwelling on lately are words from his book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. He writes, 

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.” 

Pretty spot on, isn't he? So if you, like me, often weigh your failures against your successes, stop and ask yourself -- what are those failures and successes in the context of what really matters? How are you measuring them? I think if we ask ourselves these questions more often, there would be a lot more good in our realtionships and in our communities, a lot less pride in our hearts, and a new perspective on failure and success entirely --don't you?

Hey Dad, It's Your Birthday.

I once heard someone say that the heart of a dad is nature's masterpiece. Perhaps the curiosity and sense of independence they instill in their little one's is a mirror image of what we were created for--a sense of wonder in this world, and the urge to go out and explore it. Today is my dad's birthday. I haven't seen him in quite some time, but as his one and only daughter, and he my dad (no matter the distance), I thought it only fitting to thank him for those things that made me who I am. The parts which are very much him, are very much me too:

Garden Fresh Basil Pesto

That garden we planted last Spring? Well, the harvest has been a struggle, to say the least. With the heat, and the rain, then the heat, and then the rain again--the unpredictable weather has taken a toll on all chances of getting peppers and cucumbers--yet basil? Basil thrives.  It grows so fast and full that I cannot keep up, as you may have seen here. When we were in California last month, I was talking to Matt's aunt who loves gardening, and she suggested making pesto with all that basil. One, you can freeze it and save it for pizza making, garlic bread spreading, and pasta sauce. Two, who doesn't love garden fresh basil? This isn't ever going to be a cooking blog, but because I've invested in sharing my green thumb aspirations with you and the very start of this garden of ours, I only see it fitting to share about the bounty my garden yields. So, besides the two juicy tomatoes and peanut sized red pepper? Pesto. It yields pesto (woohoo!).

As We Stood There | Love Yourself Linkup

With only a backpack full of what she needed for the day, one pair of shoes, one jacket, and a routine of signing up for a bed each morning with hopes her name will be picked for that night's shelter, she said to me, "I don't fear anything. I only sometimes worry. I know my Lord will take care of me."

Those profound words from a homeless woman, and not just a woman without a home but a woman with courage to wake up every day and live her life with the mindset that she has no fear, that she will be taken care of, and that she won't be stuck in a place of homelessness forever--well those words stopped me in my tracks. Because here I am, with more shoes than I have room for, a jacket for any and every occasion, and a routine of crawling into my very own bed each night, roof over my head, and the choice to even fall asleep on my cozy couch if I'd like--and yet I find myself worrying, or feeling anxious about things, and forgetting that my Lord will take care of me. 

And as we stood there talking, about what life is like for her being a woman with no home, a woman with no job, and how she has been needing shelter for about two weeks now (but that it hasn't always been this way); this woman who to the passer-by might seem like she doesn't have it together, like she needs to figure it out and get back on the grid or else she is not worth the time--well let me say something about this woman: She seems to get life more than I do, most days. She gets that we pass through valleys just as much as we stand a top mountains. She knows that possessions are just things of this world. She believes that she is intelligent, and worth it. She doesn't fear (or let them triumph) and only sometimes worries.

As she looked at me, asking about my life, I could hardly respond. As I've been having ups and downs with anxiety and panic, which could easily be related to fear about the unknown or fear of lacking control, her words could not have spoken greater volumes to my heart. I wanted to just say thank you. Thank you for being brave when sleeping like sardines in a room with 50 other woman. Thank you for teaching me what it looks like to love yourself even without a home, without a shower to feel clean, without a space to call your own--with unknowns in your life. Thank you for not letting fear grab ahold, or triumph. Thank you for loving yourself even with one pair of shoes, one jacket, and a routine where getting a bed each night is determined by the drawing of your name. I wanted to just say thank you, because as I drove off into my Monday morning, after a night at the shelter, her words stuck, and linger still--words that remind me to love myself, worry less, and know that my Lord will take care of me.

Have you been reminded unexpectedly to love yourself this week?

Photo via Pinterest

The In-Law Relationship | Darling Magazine

Last month I wrote a piece for Darling Magazine online which was all about the in-law relationship, and how to break the stigma that is so often associated with the word. You can read the article in full over at Darling Magazine here and browse through the amazing new sight revamp that was just launched last week in celebration of Darling turning one (also, a really fun photo recap of their anniversary party at Anthropologie! ).

There is this stigma that can too often be placed on the in-law relationship. Our world tells the dating and the newlywed—to beware!—that getting married to the one you love also means a commitment to an entire family photo album’s worth of individuals. It tells those who are married that in-laws are here to stay, so get along, stick that smile on your face, you’re stuck whether you like it or not. So what about this stigma? Yes, in-laws are here to stay, and marriage does mean a commitment to your spouse’s family—but to everything else this stigma drags in, I think our world is wrong. Why do we have to beware? Why do we have to choose wisely on the premise of in-laws? Why is it a negative thing that they are here to stay, and what if I want that? Can we not go into our in-law relationships with an unbiased outlook and an open heart, with grace and without preconceived notions? Clearly, the stigma and attitude surrounding the in-law relationship is flawed. It causes walls to build up before we even allow ourselves to be known, our in-laws to be understood, and a relationship to bud—or even flourish.

Meet Christina of Tide and Bloom

It was through Anne's Tuesday Love Yourself Linkup that I cam across Tide and bloom. Christina had been writing about her decision to pursue art as a career, something that went against the grain in her world, and this immediately caught my heart's attention as I myself was going through "against the grain" notions in my own career path. Since first meandering over to Christina's space, I have loved getting to see bits from her sketch book (i.e.. here, and this one here), continuing to hear about the journey in finding herself as an artist and individual, and reading the lovely features she does of other creatives. To top it off, she is so humble and sweet, real and honest, and builds community within her blog.

Meet Christina:

 "At the core of my being, I am an artist. I’ve always had the inexplicable urge to create things and art class was hands-down my favorite part of school at every stage in my life. Now that I’m older and maybe just a tad wiser, I realized that this is never going to go away because I always come back to beauty. It’s what I want more than anything, in everything I do. So instead of trying to fit myself into the professional career box, I decided to accept my fate and pursue it with all the dedication that I would give to any other opportunity."

About Tide and Bloom: 

"Beginning this blog went hand in hand with the decision to get back into making artwork. The words “tide” and “bloom” made sense to me as a description for the constant ebb, flow, and growth we all experience in our day-to-day lives. It is this push, this instinctual desire to move forward, that has brought me here. Tide & bloom is a space to share and inspire creativity, in all forms that reveal themselves to me and you. I’m most inspired by natural wonders, culinary delights, thoughtful films, charming abodes, and of course other creative individuals. It’s my hope that reading this will be like reading letters from a dear friend or colleague and that it might motivate you to seek beauty in your own life and pursue the dreams you didn’t think possible."

Noteworthy Pieces:

Dear Me

The Value of Your Work

Chocolate Fixes Everything

Your Invited

Creative Matters

photos via Tide & Bloom

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In this mini-series you'll get to meet the ladies behind a few of my favorite blogs, and hopefully spend some time exploring their creative spaces, reading their inspiring words, and feeling like you just sat down for coffee with a dear friend. You can read more about the features here.

Meet | A Blogger Feature {mini-series}

One aspect about writing and blogging alike, is that your path crosses with other talented individuals whose writing and work impact you just so, that you keep going back for more. Whether you go back to their blog to be wowed by their latest project or to continue along their story, every reader has their niche. When I first started venturing into the world of html and Blogspot endeavors, I would often find myself scrolling through design spaces, do it yourself havens, and fashion sites--and fell in love with all things "design" when it came to blogging. But as I have matured as a blogger and writer over this past year, what I continue to find is myself being drawn into the creative spaces of those individuals whose writing has so much more depth. A depth that is authentic, real, and honest. A blog space that makes me come back to read more because they are true to themselves, true to tell their unique story, and all very much their own. 

Without truly knowing the full extent of it, the blog spaces that I visit influence my very own writing and creative ventures. So perhaps I owe a thank you to these ladies! As a blogger, I want to surround myself with other writers who take pen to paper, or fingers to keystroke, about those things that lift up, inspire, and cause others to search for something deeper within themselves--just as I want to do the same with a community of friends in all aspects of life. How thankful I am to have that when I visit these blogs: 

Anne The Adventurer

Crazy Bananas

The Lipstick Gospel

Thoughts By Natalie

Tide and Bloom

Sand in My Toes

Over the next few weeks, I want you to meet these ladies. The ones who make me want to read more of their story, see more of their style, and hear more of their honest and true words. Its funny, because I hardly know them from in person interactions, but I feel like I know so much about who they are from what they've been open to write about. So I hope you'll take the time to meet them, explore their space, and read a few of my favorite pieces of theirs. Get excited!

Drawer Pull Tease

When I first decided to redo Matt's tall dresser, the snow came. The second time I bought the materials to strip and sand it, the rain arrived. And now with my third plans to get this dresser done, the 100 year storm turned Colorado upside down for a bit. So, I'm not sure exactly when this dresser will be done, but for now the pretty pulls I bought over a year ago are really just a tease until that diy day finally arrives. 

Rain, Rain, Go Away.

See that man in the photograph? I did that about ten times in multiple parking lots today. It seems to be the way to get about town this week, if you are lucky enough to make it our of your house without a lake seeping into your living room. That and if the streets are even open for you to go anywhere.

You have probably heard about the massive amounts of rainfall we have been having in the state, steadily since Monday, and although Matt and I have not had to do much more than steer clear of large flooded streets and the office closing early, there are others whose homes and businesses are flooding. All of Boulder county was shut down do to the flooding, and the same is happening elsewhere. Pray for those rained out parts of the state. Pray for the areas that most recently experienced harsh burns, and now are being flooded with dangerous mudslides. Pray for the homeless who have no shelter this week and for those who have had to abandon their homes due to heavy rain. 

Denver Metro, where most of my day to day occurs, hasn't had the worst of it thankfully, but with heavy heavy rain comes longer commutes and added inconveniences -- so I apologize for the lack of writing while this rainy start to Fall lingers. 

Stay safe, and dry, fellow Coloradans!

Photo via Pinterest

09.11.01

Today is a somber day in our country as we remember the lives that were taken in 2001. May we stop to think about them and be compelled to live our own lives as if there is no tomorrow--thankful for each breath, each heart beat, each opportunity we are given in this country we live. 

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"When I look out the window, I exhale a prayer of thanks for the color green, for my children's safety, for the simple acts of faith like planting a garden that helped see us through another spring, another summer. And I inhale some kind of promise to protect my kids' hopes and good intentions we began with in this country. Freedom of speech, the protection of diversity -- these are the most important ingredients of American civil life and my own survival. If I ever took them for granted, I don't know." -Barbara Kingsolver

photo via Pinterest

Our Perception in Life's Valleys

Hardships are inevitable. The challenges that life conjures up seem to always find us, at some point, whether faced head on or dealt with when finally catching up to those who try to run. No one is the exception. In a fallen, broken world, sadness and trials settle in as what we have to deal with. But even though hardship comes, what continues to stand out, while challenges make their way barreling through at times, is our perceptions of them. As I myself have no immunity to those things that make me ask "Why, Lord?" what I yearn to grow in and seek greater footing is in the perception I have of the trials I face. Can you relate?

Summer reading has brought me to multiple stops where I just sit and think. One of these moments opened my heart to the perspectives that we build while in life's valleys. In Laura Hillenbrand's book Unbroken, there is a scene where one's perception of hardship becomes the life or death determiner (and rather, this theme holds true throughout the novel depicting Louie Zamperini's life). Louie and two other men find themselves in a dire situation, floating on a makeshift raft, clinging to life day by day, with their unknown fate literally at bay in the middle of the Pacific Ocean:

"Though all three men face the same hardship, their differing perceptions of it appeared to be shaping their fates. Louie and Phil's hope displaced their fear and inspired them to work toward their survival, and each success renewed their physical and emotional vigor. Mac's resignation seemed to paralyze him, and the less he participated in their efforts to survive, the more he slipped. Though he did the least, as the days passed, it was he who faded the most. Louie and Phil's optimism, and Mac's hopelessness, were becoming self-fulfilling" (148).

Perception of hardship brings either renewal and vigor or a slipping and fading away. For Louie and Phil, it was optimism and creating something worth living for, amidst the most unknown and harshest trial of survival. They relied on each other, and for Phil his faith, to shift the minds' focus and hold on tight to a perception that they would defeat the trial they faced.

"The conversations were healing, pulling them out of their suffering and setting the future before them as a concrete thing. As they imagined themselves back in the world again, they willed a happy ending onto their ordeal and made it their expectation. With these talks, they created something to live for" (146).

If currently faced with a hardship, how are you going to shift your perspective to one with something worth living for? 

If you're a friend of someone dealing with life's grievances, how can you find yourself being that individual to help your friend build a renewed perception?

Wedding Week

It has been a hustle and bustle of wedding prepping, family gathering, and celebrating. Matt's sister Morgan married our new brother-in-law Josh this last night. It. was. a. blast. I cannot wait to share some of the details--like the florals that I got be a part of, as well as the table decor. Here are a few little glimpses of Morgan and Josh's amazing day. I still plan to share some of my blogging favorites this week, so stay tuned, that'll be happening as soon as I have some downtime ;)

Have I Ever Shown You Our Tiny Gallery Wall?

I love seeing the little nooks and crannies of a home. You know, the little corners and areas that aren't usually blogged about or photographed. Its those little spaces that are saved for guests and the passings by of everyday living. And then I realized: I haven't really shared those little spaces on here. So why not? Maybe there is another one of you who loves seeing little nooks and crannies too. First up, the tiniest gallery wall.

Two Braids Intertwined

Quite a few of you wanted to know what the front and side of this braided do looked like after posting it on Instagram. My hair has gotten super long, so with the heat, braiding it up and off my neck has become a default. I feel like I need to wear a dirndl when my hair is up like this....

Teacups Teacups!

You are probably wondering why on earth anyone would need these many teacups--really, ever! I promise I am not a hoarder. And as much as I would love to host a tea party for the masses, that is not the why behind the large quantity of glass teacup purchasing either. These delicate little cups will actually become part of wedding decor in less than a week! My sister in law is doing most everything handmade, and repurposed, hence the basket and box loads of teacups.