Well folks, I did it. I completed one year of my “One Second Everyday” Video Diary project. Everyday for 365 consecutive days, I shot one second of video from our lives and mashed it together into a 7 minute, 19 second video. The first clip I took in the car, 31 weeks pregnant, the book *And…
I finally found it. My “one word” for 2017. It eluded me for nearly all of January. While everyone and their mom posted their “one words” on social media, skipping on to new year organization projects and Valentine’s decor, I was left in the dust, surrounded by a heap of burned out strands of Christmas lights (quite…
You know those crafty creative types? The ones that walk around with a glue gun in their apron, a messy bun held up by paint-brushes, and cabinets overflowing with more fabric, glitter, and washi tape than anyone on God’s green earth could ever put to use? (Don’t mind me and my shifty-eyed stare.) Well, these types…
Every summer for the past five years, Mark and I have journeyed to HoneyRock Camp in northern Wisconsin for a week in the woods. Mark attended that camp as a college student, and then worked as a counselor there over a decade ago. Now, we return so that he can serve as camp doctor, stitching up wounds…
Every year I choose a word of the year…or rather, it chooses me. My word for 2016? First allow me to set the scene: My multi-passionate peeps will be able to relate to this, but I’m one of those people who loves to say, “Yes!” And it can be all too easy for me to…
Friends: I think I have created the Clark Kent and Superman of craft projects. A single creation with two unique identities. One that soars high. The other bookish in nature. Are you thoroughly intrigued? Allow me to explain…. A Photo Banner Project You see, once plans for our Orlando baby shower were underway, I was inspired…
My Pop Pop sends me the most profound text messages. They read more like letters penned in calligraphy than digital chatter. Back in November, soon after we had shared our exciting news with my grandparents that they would soon be great-grandparents, Pop Pop sent me this message: I contend if a baby was born only once…
Alrighty, friends. I’m going to be 100% honest with you. I had initially planned to title this blog post, “How to Reupholster a Chair Seat…the Easy Way.” Though after actually tackling this DIY project, I couldn’t in good conscious call it easy. It took an an entire afternoon, two sets of hands, and lots of sweat. (And…
Hey friends! Thanks so much for being a treasured reader of my book, Thinking Outside the Gift Box. I’ve gathered a collection of linked resources from the book and their corresponding chapters, so you have access to my favorite supplies and tutorial resources. Note: I will continually update this page, but these links are not guaranteed for…
When my friend Heather re-shared this beautiful Instagram by Bless’er House, I couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief. “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald Ain’t it the truth? And it’s just one of the many reasons why I love fall. I have such fond…
I’m saying goodbye to the skyline Hello to the sweet pines Gonna see you later street lights I’m headed back to tree lines To free time and starry nights To bonfires and fire flies Pack your bags it’s time to go Cause we got brighter lights back home -“Back Home” by Owl City “Back Home”…
In kindergarten, my friends and I would crouch down on the big black rocks and dedicate our recess hour to scraping the shiny mica with our fingernails. It came off in small, thin sheets that we collected in our jacket pockets. To the teacher looking on, we were just kids being kids. That mica wasn’t worth…
“Oh they say when you marry in June you’re a bride all your life!” My dear younger sister Lisbeth is getting married this June. And it only feels fitting to be humming along to a song from one of our favorite movie musicals, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, as I work on some of her reception…
I’m giddy as a pig in mud when a project creates such a buzz, that it merits a follow-up post. Ever since first publishing my Personalized Etched Glass Bakeware Tutorial, I’ve encountered a slew of “frequently asked questions” about it. I think that the strong chemicals and rubber gloves amp up the intimidation factor. It kind of feels like you’re doing a…
If you enjoy learning what goes on behind the scenes for a blogger or shop owner, you are in for a treat today! Because I’m going to show you what my new-and-improved photo shoots actually look like. {SPOILER ALERT: they involve two DIY pallets of white planked wood, and you’re gonna get the full run-down for how to make…
Okay, this post is totally impromptu (literally, just decided this afternoon to write it), but I’ve got a burst of energy thanks to my signature Starbucks drink and a fresh new haircut, so I’m riding this wave of spontaneous inspiration! Let’s Talk Instagram I’ve always enjoyed Instagram. But the past month that enjoyment has transformed into a slight…
The engagement. I had an inkling of an idea that it might happen this Christmas. And on that inkling, I fired up *the ‘ole Silhouette machine and set to work to make some Bride & Groom gear for my lil’ sis and her beau. My inspiration? Baseball t-shirts. Because that’s the thing about marriage. Together,…
Usually when I see the one-word prompt for Five Minute Friday, a specific story will flash to mind, and I’ll know exactly where to begin when the timer starts. But not today. No, when I saw the word “when“ as the topic on which to write this week, absolutely nothing came to mind. No story. No vision. No ideas….
