Thursday, May 31, 2012

Follow Me via Bloglovin

So I have jumped on the bandwagon and have added Everyday with the Jays to Bloglovin, a site where you can keep up with your favorite blogs :)

If you'd like, follow me! Click below:

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Happy almost weekend! We are getting together with Nate's family to celebrate Mother's/Father's Day all at once, and then I'm heading out solo to my parents' home to host my cousin's bridal shower! Have a wonderful day! 


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Fabric Scrap Wreath


I complete forgot to share with you my May front door wreath! First, a look back at February, March, and April wreaths: click on the photo to go to its corresponding post!



Confession time: I had added new adornments to my burlap covered foam wreath... but it was n-o-t cute. I was pretty embarrassed by it, ha! Let's just say I tried to make a sun but it looked like a spider web... Not cute.

Anyways, I had a wreath made with a quilting hoop from forever ago that I never shared. It was hanging on my craft room door, so I said, "Why not?" and put it outside instead.

Peeks from when I made it:

Metal hoop (from Hobby Lobby)
Fabric scraps cut into 1-1.5" (width) strips: length can vary, but obviously not too long

Start tying knots around the hoop...

Push the fabric knots together as you go so the wreath will be as full as it can be.

Ta da! Easy peasy. Lemon squeezy. Yep, I said it.

You can do a variation of colors/themes for various holidays and events. It's SO easy!

I'm glad I had it as a back up for my first fail, but I'm ready to make something new for my June wreath! Stay tuned!


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Cruise Fashion

I am so excited about our upcoming cruise that I wanted to share some fashion ideas that I have "pinned" on Pinterest via my Fashion & Style board.

We went on a cruise in September and I really don't want "repeat" outfits (but let's be honest: my wardrobe is not THAT huge). I'm taking a tip from Kendi @ Kendi Everyday to remix my wardrobe with new accessories so that it will look like new outfits. But first- some inspiration photos!

White with bright accessories (shoes, scarves, belt)

 




I want to make this swimsuit cover-up! Super easy... right?


Shorts with a flowy top, tall shoes, and gold accessories


Bright colored shorts with neutrals (I just bought purple shorts from Old Navy: pretty excited about them)!


All neutrals


Same concept of shorts with a flowy top, but with white shorts and soft/romantic colors


Summery scarves!



And now some sewing projects I **hope** to create before we head out!


Super cute maxi skirt made out of a jersey SHEET. Looks so comfortable!


Two scarves that can be made into a shirt? I'm so curious to see if this works!


This skirt is absolutely darling... and the tutorial is simple enough! Fingers crossed...


Get ready, Nate's side of the closet... I am about to raid!


Can't wait- can't wait- can't wait!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Poufs?

Has anyone made these tissue poufs before?




My sister-in-law had some for her and my brother's wedding, but she ordered hers from Etsy and all we had to do was pull them apart to make the pouf (they came pre-folded/put together). I'm attempting to make some this week for my cousin and his bride-to-be's wedding shower that my mom, aunt, and I are hosting on Sunday. Any suggestions?

(I also saw this pin for tulle poufs: may attempt as well!)



Happy Memorial Day!


Sunday, May 27, 2012

On My Heart Lately

As of lately, it has been on my heart to share about Compassion International. I have shared about this wonderful ministry before, but it doesn't hurt to mention it again :) It is a Christian organization who gives sponsorships to children all over the world. For $38/month, you can benefit a child spiritually, economically, socially, and physically.

From their website:
"When you sponsor a child with Compassion, you change a child’s life — forever! Your support changes every aspect of your sponsored child’s life. Children in Compassion’s program have the opportunity to thrive spiritually, economically, socially and physically. Compassion is committed to helping children in desperate need grow into fulfilled, Christian adults.

When you sponsor a child with Compassion, you help shatter the cycle of poverty. You change the world — one child at a time. Compassion’s long-term holistic approach, along with your encouraging letters, will give your child hope and a new beginning.
 
You can release a child from poverty in Jesus’ name.


More than 22,000 children younger than 5 die from poverty-related causes that often are preventable and treatable. You can help turn these numbers around. Your $38 monthly sponsorship helps provide your child with life-changing benefits that include:
  • nutritious snacks or meals
  • educational opportunities
  • health and hygiene training
  • medical checkups
  • the caring embrace of a local church
  • the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ."

Nate and I knew we wanted to sponsor a child when we first got married. We have sponsored George (he is now 5, from Kenya) for about two years and it is truly a blessing.

Photo of George when we first sponsored him: age 3

Receiving mail from George is so exciting: knowing that he took the time to draw us a picture and talk with his translator to write us mail. And the contribution is minimal: $38 is easily a new shirt/new pair of shoes/date night that can be sacrificed to sponsor a child. We can give a child spiritual, economical, social, and physical support in exchange for simple luxuries that we can so often take for granted.

Please, please think over if you are being called to sponsor a child. It truly is a blessing and helping a child over buying a new shoes or going on a date night out once in a while? I think it's totally worth it.

For more information, head to their website: www.compassion.com

***I wasn't paid to write this post: it has just been on my heart lately to share this opportunity.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Two Weeks Worth of Photo A Day [20 & 21]

Goodness- the end of the school year has made me slack on my Photo a Day posts! Therefore, today will share the past two weeks, weeks twenty & twenty one... whoops!

P.S. I am on summer vacation! I mean, I'll still be working up at the school some... (we are getting a new air conditioning system, therefore our ceilings will be ripped out for probably half of the summer... so I'll be working at home FOR school. Make sense?) I am SO excited! No more "Mrs. Johnson" for 2.5 months! Yay!

Onward with the pictures!



Sunday, May 13th: Mother's Day! A craft we made during children's church :) (found the idea via Pinterest)

Monday, May 14th: Progress shot from our dining room project.

Tuesday, May 15th: Prepping sweet treats to take to school for my aide's birthday. And yes, Brittany Fullwood, those are cool whip cookies- I stole the recipe from you... I just used strawberry cake mix instead of red velvet! Yum!

Wednesday, May 16th: Long day... love to cuddle with my sweet pups though!

Thursday, May 17th: Surprise text from hubs- we are going on a cruise for our anniversary!!!

Friday, May 18th: My parents came and stayed with me while Nate when on a 30 hour off-shore fishing trip. I was able to give my mom her Mother's Day gift from me, Nate, my brother (Michael), and his wife (Claire). A necklace with our initials from Lisa Leonard Designs! It is gorgeous and Lisa has the most beautiful pieces of jewelry!

Saturday, May 19th: Oliver loves to cuddle with his Grandpa Richard (my dad)

Sunday, May 20th: HE'S HOME! A bit smelly from being on a boat for 30 hours... but I was glad to see him!

Monday, May 21st: I gave my girlies their end of the year gifts and here we are modeling our new headbands! They were all so excited :)

Tuesday, May 22nd: One of my sweet students gave me this as an end of the year gift: I am so excited to hang it up in my classroom where everyone can see it!

Wednesday, May 23rd: Another gorgeous gift from a student! Her mom actually made this! It is beautiful and now Nate and I are figuring out where to hang it. So pretty!

Thursday, May 24th: Teacher workday = cleaning up classroom and putting everything away. We are getting a new air conditioning system, so our ceiling is getting ripped out... Fingers crossed it goes smoothly and my room doesn't become a complete disaster!

Friday, May 25th: Last day of school! Nate took me out on a date of shopping (yes) and Pluckers (double yes)!!!

Saturday, May 26th: We were invited to our church members' 50th anniversary party and it was at this beautiful country club! Gorgeous weather for a lovely celebration!


Whew! So sorry for the picture overload but now I am ALL caught up! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend everyone!



Thursday, May 24, 2012

Guest Bathroom Reveal

It's all decorated and done up! Check it out!

After I shared with you my hand painted wallpaper (with a stencil), I went back and put the bathroom all back together again. This piece of art was in our bedroom, but we moved it into this space: it has pops of light blue and we think it looks perfect on this wall space!

This candle holder used to hang where the new art (above) is, but I moved it to this space next to the towel holder.

Here are my "zinc" letters that spell out "bath". I used command strips (3M) to hang them up (they are pretty lightweight).  I have a plug in Scentsy too: it's so nice!

I am ready to find a new light fixture though! These movie star lights are a bit much.

Here is the closet! We took off the door because it was banging into the other door if left open... it was just annoying to have two doors in a super small space. I want to purchase new towels and label my baskets.

But it's looking a bit more organized than it was before!

Now... the floor, yikes! Nate ripped up the old flooring and it revealed old wood. Geez, who covers up wood with tile?! Sheesh. Anyways, the old wood has disgusting glue on it that won't come off, so we are going to have to pull that up too and find new flooring. And we need to paint the baseboards white. More projects for another day.

But isn't it pretty?! We are so pleased with how it came out!

Anyone else redecorating their bathrooms?

See where I link up: What I Whipped Up Wednesday @ Sugar and Dots, Craft-O-Manic Monday @ Craft-O-Manic, Link Party @ Uncommon, Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts, Show Me What Ya Got Linky Party @ Not JUST A Housewife, {Wow Me Wednesday} @ Ginger Snap Crafts, Link Party @ Destination: Craft, The Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello, What I Wore Wednesday @ The Pleated Poppy