Craft Room Envy

I'm having major craft room envy! Look at these amazing crafting spaces! I'm getting tired of spreading out on the floor or couch while crafting and then having a sore back the next day- oh boy, I'm getting old. Let's just say that a craft room/space is definitely included in my dream house. I'd spend far too much time in this space, but just think of all of the beautiful things I could create. Never hurts to dream right?

  

 

 Here's an example of one of my craft corners/shelves. When it's craft time, I just spread out all over the apartment. There's at least 2 other random bookcases with craft supplies + a stash in our storage closet.

On another note: I just finished having roughly 6 days off!!! Though I sure don't have much to show for it, the time off almost makes up for working a crazy holiday schedule & I'm thankful to have seen my husband a bit more over the past few days.

Girlfriend Dates & Current Projects

 Every girl loves a good pampering! I enjoyed a fabulous pedicure with my dear friend Laura this week. It was JUST what I needed! A rainy, tired, icky day was made so much better by friend dates with both Laura and my friend Anna (I didn't get any photos- but we enjoyed a tasty lunch and catch up session at Noah's Bagels in Bridgeport). 

Inspiring women: 

Laura- She's following through with her life dreams of becoming a pharmacist! I'm so proud of this girl and continually impressed by her persistent hard work. AND, I can't wait for another year and a half to have her live in Portland. 

Anna- My beautiful engaged friend also works so hard & just happens to be on her way to Africa! She's on her way to becoming an elementary school teacher & to marrying her sweetheart. She's my fellow military "soon-to-be-wife" and I look forward to staying in touch with her throughout the years and maybe ending up around the same posts!

I'm so excited for what God has in store for these beautiful women and I'm blessed to have them as my friends. 

Though I'm wide awake and it's 3:30am... I'm looking forward to a date night tonight with my man & a quick weekend friend trip to Tacoma/Seattle. Then it's back to work... (you'd think with all of these blog posts that I never work... trust me.. I do.)

*** Current Project***

This is my current project! A t-shirt quilt for Andrew (these are just the cut-outs lying on the floor). I have no idea what I'm doing, but I have a plan and I think all will work out fine. At least that's what I told Andrew so that he'd let me cut up his t-shirts. He had tons of old neglected soccer shirts in his closet. So- this is where they're going! I have some surprises in store for the back... stay tuned!

When I'm randomly up in the middle of the night (like now & most nights), this is what I'll work on.

DIY: Memento Ornaments

This simple DIY project could be the perfect gift for so many occasions! Have a friend getting married? A friend having a baby (baby shower invitation)? Do you have left over family photo Christmas cards from the past few years? This is what you can do with them! Cut them up & put them into a clear glass ornament! Then, you can enjoy them in a new creative way time and time again (on your Christmas tree or hanging in your house somewhere).

 I'm excited to continue doing this with special invitations or mementos to place on our Christmas tree each year. 

... When Andrew saw it, he said:  "You killed one of our invitations??!!!?" I think he likes it... 

And... If I know you... you may be receiving a variation of this as gifts throughout the years :) 

If you make one of these, send me photos to share! I'm sure there's much variation possible! 

This was the first one I made for my brother & sister in-law as their 1 year anniversary is this month. I unfortunately did not use a pencil/pen to curl the paper and it doesn't have as polished of a look. Sorry guys! I then found this step to be an important one when making an ornament out of the invitation from my own wedding.

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This was my inspiration found via Pinterest from this gal's Blog. 

Daddy Daughter Date

My dad and I headed to Cannon Beach (from Seaside) last weekend for a quick daddy/daughter date. Two the things we have in common: we like photography & art. So, we did a little photo shoot of Dad's recent ceramic creation that I previously blogged about here.

We planned on doing a quick water color painting while on the beach, but it was too cold! So, Dad had the great idea of scooping up some sea water with the tea pot and heading back to the hotel to paint using the salt water! Below are our painting creations. Let's just say, I haven't water colored since elementary school, but it's the perfect quick art project. I need more practice for sure!

 *** Painting Adventure***

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The large one is mine, the small one is Dad's... I'm so thankful for a Father that loves us kids equally yet individually and knows us each so well. Thanks for a fun little date Dad!

Read/see more about Beyond Jordan Studio (this tea pot & more) here! 

My Happy Place

 

Welcome to my happy place. The beach has always been a place I love & some of my happiest days have been spent here. I was thankful to have gotten to spend a brief 24 hours at the Oregon Coast this weekend. We went right after work on Friday and came home in time for some new years celebration time with Andrew's fam.

Here are just a few photos from our mini-trip. I wish I was still there.... much better than working and the LOADS of laundry and cleaning I have stacked up. 

Watched War Horse (great movie!)

Walked along the beach

Had a Daddy/daughter Date

Hot tub for nearly 2 hours... it was fabulous!

Caught up with my Mom & Brother

Ate good food

= a great 24 hours!

PS- I really want to go whale watching after watching a crazy documentary about a killer whale who killed a great white shark. Awesome!

 Rain Boots are the perfect beach-feet-gear! I don't know why I never thought of this before!

We used to do this all the time as kids! Still got it!

 

A bit of honesty: These past 2 weeks have been jam packed with family and fun which has been so great! However.... this guy and I have literally spent 1 night together (just us) in our apartment in two weeks thanks to working nights and holiday stuff.  I miss him just a little..... okay... a lot! I'm aching for time away with just us.... But the holiday "break" is over. Looks like a weekend getaway is in order!