I create

I have been trying to do something for myself everyday …… even if it is sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee. or reading a magazine. or making a phone call. or painting my nails. quick….yet, very satisfying. One thing that refuels me is…. painting. 

I still can't get over my art space at home that Andy helped create with/for me! I have been on a water-color kick for painting :)  …. Friday, I took a break from the craziness and painted…..

obsessed with this song……SINKING DEEP by Hillsong Young & Free. I needed it hung in my creative space. I made a 11x14 painting! 

 I also made this fun and playful print! It is 8.5x11 

I am excited to frame it! It is HAPPY! 

Awhile back, i shared these on instagram…. but, had to show you the terra-cotta pots I bought! I taped off triangles and used copper and gold leaf on them. After that, I sealed them with a glossy sealant to help protect them! I put cactus' and succulents in them! My fav!!!!!

I am loving them on my mantel! Happy plants for SUMMER!

Have you been creating anything lately!? Please share….. Summer inspires me like nobody's biz. 

Happy Monday!!! I am off to camp with the youth group……… I have a big post for ya ready for Lock Love Wednesday! 

Homemade Monogrammed Pillows!

Today, I am sharing with you the finished pillows that I made this past weekend! I have been wanting to make these for over a year now for the girls! I am a VERY beginner sewer and was scared to even attempt this project! My gracious mama helped me with the details and steps! BLESS HER HEART! I am soooooooo proud of myself and love how they turned out! I, of course, love my daughters names and was stoked to make the personal gift for them! 

Are they not so presh? I can't wait for them to have their room in the next few months with bunk beds and these pillows!!!!! 

My mom made the strawberry pillow for Zion for Christmas too! I made the floral and chevron pillow too! (back when I was nesting with Zakiyah) The quilt is made by my mom and the polka dot pillow is Pottery Barn Kids. 

Materials needed: 

fabric for letters! ( I used Joel Dewberry, that match the quilt) I got strips of fabric that were 6-8" wide.

pillow fabric- I used white minky. I bought 1.5 yards 

pom-poms (3+ yards)

pellan paper or freezer paper

Elmer's glue

scissors

thread

ruler

stuffing for pillows

Pillow measurements:  Zion / 20" width and 10" height, Zakiyah / 26" width and 10" height

Add at least 1" on each side for sewing. I based my size off the letters. I free hand drew the letters with a ruler. I went with around 3.5" in height for the letters. After cutting the letters out, trace them on the paper and cut out the paper too. Iron on the letters to the paper, this will help with sewing, so your fabric doesn't slide around. 

Above is a photo of the letters resting on the pillows. I ironed on the letters (paper side on back) to secure the placement. Now you are ready to sew….. I used my machine for Zion (doing a small zigzag stitch with pink thread), for Zakiyah, I used my mom's cadillac machine (blanket stitch and blue thread) I am not a good sewer but I made it happen! 

so profresh! 

After sewing the letters on, we used the glue to place the pom-poms on the edging. Why glue? No pins needed! AMEN. Glue, and iron the glue on to seal the deal. Make sure you face the pom-poms inward/since you want it outward. (always opposite). 

a close up the glued pom-poms. 

Now, take the back and put it on top of the front. (The backside showing). I went around and pinned the front/pom poms/ back with pins being around 1" apart. I sewed this 2 separate times. Making 2 stitches. Leave a 5-6" gap to stuff pillow. 

Now flip your pillow so you can see it and stuff away! 

 After it is stuffed to your liking, hand sew (whip stitch) the gap closed! And…. you, my friends, have a lovely pillow! 

 What do you think? Do you like it? I am so excited for my girls to have these!!!!!!! 

I create

I decided to switch up some art in my home this week. Zion and I had a creative morning and wanted to paint over some old paintings in my living room! 

Original- Mark Rathko wannabe. I painted over it with a cream to start over!

I love how its now more colorful and matches my house! What do you think? I am still working on another piece that I will share with you in the next week!

It's pretty abstract for me, but I am loving it!

What do you think? You like?

Happy Thursday!

heart patches on my elbows! LOVE

last night, after finding this awesome tutorial on a beautiful mess. i was inspired! it was so easy....a little putsy with the hand stiching but worth it.  isn't it cute? i love it! i even wore it today!!! love....for those of you that are interested...the fabric is from Amy Butler's new line lark, which i m obsessed with. my BFF just so happens to sell it on etsy :)

valentines love

I have an obsession with holiday/seasonal decor. I am not one of those people to go overboard through the whole house but I love to add colors to pair with the season. Having a mantel--is my love. It is a great focal point. I love that it can showcase a collection/theme of what I have for the season. Today I started decorating for love day. I love V day. Why? Andy and Zion's birthday is on Feb. 19 so I like that it goes along with it. I love teaching my girls what is to love. How to love? Who to love? God's love. I love red. It is my favorite color. I love hearts. They make me happy. Here is my mantel love. I am going to post later on my past year of mantels to show you my obsession :)

Yesterday, I started a painting. Andy and I had stretched this canvas a few years back for our old house. It has been sitting in storage since we moved in. So I painted over it with cream acrylic paint and let it dry before going for it. I used all acrylic paint. I mod podged some paper doilies on there too. I wrote random words/phrases from I Corinthians 13. MY FAV. It is a reminder for me in how I choose to live.

The feather/mirror/heart wreath are Target. The clock is TJ MAXX. The C is Restoration Hardware. THe birdie is Hobby Lobby, spray painted by me with red. The Candle sticks are a wedding gift from Marshall Fields. The 3 books are from my Great Grandma Edna. They are very special to me. I made the felt garland last v day at a art night! I used felt/embroidery floss/and yarn. I duct taped the wreath to the mirror back.

 I am planning on doing some fun V day theme craft, "pro-jecks" with Zion too. While I painted yesterday, She made this painting. I just gave her 4 colors and let her go to town. I then took stamps and put the word "love" on it in 5 places. I had pink leather ribbon and taped it on to hang the masterpiece. That Z is so proud. LOVE.

Are you doing anything fun for the holiday? Do you have any traditions you would like to share? Loves.

i create

I have been really annoyed with our lack of a "system" for the girls to have their hair pretties in a nice arrangement. Easy to see and grab. We have tried random things I owned, but none made me happy. So this past week I took a old frame that was in my storage room and wrapped twine around it going both directions. 

twine I used.

the frame and twine.

the finished product.

I decided to hang in the bathroom next to Kiyah and Zion's room above the towel rod. Perfect spot, considering they have baths etc in here. Here is a before shot below.

and after! Doesn't it look awesome. Someday I will get rid of the boring beige on the walls.

Some of the hair pretties were hanging over this bowl on the counter. ugly.

After Shot of the clean counter! AMEN.

I have an obsession with trays in pretty much every room in our house. Here is my bathroom tray.

I got it at TJ MAXX and have kleenex, q tips/cotton balls in the stainless steel containers from Target. I have foot and hand cream. a clock from Hobby Lobby. and the candle. This bathroom gets used for guests too. So I like to have items for them to use.

Pix of the pretties in their glory. I used mini clothespins from Michaels.

More change..I added some new art and pix in the girls rooms. I have photo collages/galleries in many spots in our house. In Zakiyah's room, I hung her t shirt stretched art with her pictures above the crib. The art says, "we look out for each other" with a big lion and little lion. aka Zi and Ki!

I also updated pictures in the frames. The photography is done by friends of ours. LOVE.

Some pictures of the sister love. Kiyah was 7 days old in these. Precious.

Kiyah was hanging out when I was taking these! Hi bubbas.

Back in December, Zion made this painting with Aunt Katie for Zakiyah's room. We love it. I finally hung it up.

How cute is the little rocking horse? I got it as a baby gift from my dear friend, Marissa. It is so special.

In Zion's room we added her art work that she painted in the top left. It is in a vintage frame from my Grandma Cherie. I love it. Zion is amazing at art. just sayin' We also hung up the Barney loop art from Christmas. Zion is obsessed with Barney and that stinkin song. But, it is so cute when she runs up to us and hugs and kisses us with the song. It can't get any cuter.

I have really enjoyed decorating their rooms. I love the youthfulness and vibrancy of their rooms. We still have some stuff to do in Zi's room....with time....money and energy. :)

A while back I made 2 canvases for our main floor 1/2 bath. I wanted something bright and fun. I painted streaks of bold colors with acrylic paint. Then stenciled on the verse:  The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still. AMEN.

Here is it is hanging in the bathroom.

A close up of the hoop art. Simple. Makes my Zi Pie happy..end of story.

When driving to see Andy's fam last weekend I made some hoop art for the ladies. I used fabric from my friend Jody. It is adorable! I love it. I just stretched the fabric/burlap and cut a felt heart and hand stitched it.  Have you been making anything with hoop art?

I thought would throw this picture on too. Sister helping sister. Kiyah cut a tooth on New Years day and has been loving her teething toys. Zi has been my little helper. Bless her heart. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.