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Life Update: Where in the World Have I Been?

You guys. Every time I have updated on here in the last year, it has started off with, “So it has been forever since I’ve posted…” and I suppose today is no different! In the last year, I have only posted about five times, and the last time was all the way back in January! I have been slacking to say the least. Things around here have been a little crazy and unpredictable, so I thought I might give a little quick recap of the last year or so.

First, if you follow me on Instagram, you know that we are expecting our first baby this fall. So that alone is enough to have me freaking out. I was feeling pretty sick for a while, and just generally not like myself. I’m feeling much better, and I’ve been able to get back into running and not having to slowly eat pretzels in bed before standing up. 🙂 Now all I can think about is the fact that I am totally and completely unprepared for all of this!

Secondly, because of the baby coming this fall, I won’t be able to do any fall shows. For the last two or so years, I have done several shows per season, while working my full time job. I’ll be taking the fall season off, and after that, I’m not too sure what the future holds. Having a baby will definitely make doing shows a much bigger endeavor, so we will have to see how things go. Meanwhile, I have been selling most of my inventory that I’ve had from my booth, so if you’re local to the North Texas area, shoot me an email or IG message and you can come shop my workshop!

Third, since I’m taking a temporary step back from doing shows, I’ve got my etsy shop back up and running. These hymnal pages have always been my top selling item at my shows and events. I’ve listed them on etsy, because I’ll easily be able to work on them from home, even when I’m home with a newborn. These are my absolute favorite things to decorate with, and they are also my go-to baby and wedding shower gift garnish. If you’d like to check out the shop, click here. 

And, lastly, the thing that has me in the biggest slump is our current living situation. Let me give you the most up to date info. So, we’ve lived in our current rental for just under two years. In fact, our lease ends in just a couple weeks. Since early this year, we have been looking to purchase a home. Our first home! So exciting! Well, it was. And then we found out we were pregnant, and it was even more exciting. We started looking and looking, and well, maybe you need a little backstory. The area we live in is rapidly growing. Which means one thing: the housing market is. out. of. control.

There are so many historic homes in our area, and we would absolutely love to purchase an older home that needs work and slowly bring it back to life. But here’s the thing. Houses sell within a few days. The area is growing faster than homes can be built, and so most homes have multiple offers within a few days, driving up the prices. We’ve lost out on a few houses that we’ve had our hopes set on, because the sellers have chosen other offers.

So, what started as an exciting time has quickly become stressful and disappointing as we loom closer and closer to the end of our lease, and the baby’s due date. I can only plan in theory what the nursery is going to look like because I have literally no idea what the room is going to look like. And I’m a planner. So, it has been incredibly hard not to start working on nursery projects.

Knowing that we’re going to be moving “soonish” but not knowing any type of time frame has put me in a creative slump in our current house. All I’ve been doing is purging, organizing, and throwing things out. I haven’t been doing projects or working on decorating certain areas in new ways because I’ve just been viewing it all as temporary. When we do finally move into our new house, I plan on bringing you all along for the ride! Of course, I’ll still be sharing small decorating DIY projects, but for a while, I’ll be focused on large, full scale projects. I’ll finally be able to do things like paint! I have been waiting SO. LONG.

So, all that to say, who knows what may change before the next time we chat. I’ll try to keep you posted. That’s all for today, friends! Have a fabulous day!

DIY Projects, Home Decor

DIY Scroll Wall Art

Hello, hello! I’m so glad you’re here! Today I’m sharing my favorite kind of project…a free one! (Cue all the praise hands emojis!) Lately, I’ve kind of been giving a certain area in my living room the side eye. As in, it was just driving me crazy and I knew it needed something, but I couldn’t figure out what.

I had these windows hung when we first moved in, and last year after Christmas I hung a paper chain over it that was left from the tree. But it was just so plain it was driving me crazy! I’ve been seeing these cute hand written scrolls around etsy and Pinterest, and I thought I might try and make my own. All you need is some Kraft paper, a Sharpie, twine, and possibly some hot glue. Since I had all these items on hand, it seemed easy enough.

I cut the paper, and let it naturally roll at the top and bottom. I put a dab of hot glue on the corners to help it stay in place. Then I wrote one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite childhood authors, Laura Ingalls Wilder. I’ve always loved the quote, Home is the nicest word there is, and so I figured it would be perfect for our living room.

I wrote with a Sharpie, and strung some twine through the top roll. It took me about twenty minutes total. I free hand wrote this, but if you’re unsure about your writing abilities, you could totally use a stencil!

I had some greenery on hand, so I added that to the top. I still think the sides need a little something, but that’ll come later. For now, this is what I have, and it was free, so I can’t complain.

Now, I will say, if I were to do this again, I would probably use different paper. I had Kraft shipping paper on hand, and that’s what I used, but it is very think, and so it was hard for it to lay flat where I wanted it. If I were to do it again, I think I would try the roll that comes from the painting section to protect edges of floors. It’s much thinner, and so I imagine it would lay flatter.

Even so, this worked out just fine, and I’m happy with this little project. It was easy, and it makes a statement, so it’s a win-win for me! I won’t bore you with more unnecessary details, so that’s it for today! Have a fabulous day, friends!

DIY Projects, Home Decor

Our DIY (Renter-Friendly) Dining Room Chandelier

Hi friends! It’s been a while, I know! I have been busy busy busy, but I missed being here, so I had to hop on! I wanted to share something we did this week to our dining room that was incredibly easy and I am in love with!

As you know, we rent our home, and we recently signed our lease for another year. We’ve been here for almost one full year now and it has been tricky to make this super builder basic home more my style while staying in the confines of our rental agreement. Most of our lighting is the typical low-grade fixtures and haven’t been changed since the house was built fifteen years ago.

Signing that lease for another year made me really think about what I could do to make this house a little bit more me. I came up with this basket chandelier, which is in no way an original idea, but I love it nonetheless.

It was so incredibly easy! We unscrewed the existing hardware which released the old glass dome. Ethan then cut a 2.5in circle in the center of the bottom of the basked using a jigsaw. We then replaced the basket where the glass dome was and re-applied the hardware on the underside of the basket. It took about ten minutes I think!

Seriously, I cannot believe we didn’t do this earlier! It isn’t something I would choose if we owned this home, but it definitely adds a bit of my style within the confines of what we’re allowed to do here. Plus, it was incredibly budget friendly! The only cost was the basket which only cost me a few dollars! It’s a total win-win!

Just because you live in a rental doesn’t mean you can’t make things your own! Sure, there’s a ton you can’t do as a renter, but if you get creative, you can add a bit of your style into your rental home!

So that’s it y’all. I’m in love with this little update and I couldn’t wait to share it with you guys! That’s all for today! Have a fabulous day!