DIY Push Pin Map

Since I've been selling on Etsy, I've thought it would be so cool to document the states and towns that I've had sales in.  Even after selling on Etsy.com for over a year now, I still do a happy dance with every order and I think it's so cool to see where each of my handmade with love items are going!

Lately I've been looking everywhere for some sort of cute map to document all of the states and towns that I've had sales in.  One of my other maker friends (@ psalm91studio) and I have both been looking for a map with some sort of frame.

Last week, when I was at Hobby Lobby, I came across the scrapbook paper aisle and I had an epiphany!

If I had a cute map, I could make this on my own!  Just like all of my pallet signs!  So, I just had to get this darling paper map.

I came home and got in my pallet stash and with the help of my handy husband, cut five pallet boards into approximately 17x18 inch pieces.

After the pieces were cut, I laid five of them side by side, choosing the side that I wanted facing out.  I taped them together to easily flip all five over at the same time and to help hold them together for now.

 


I placed two boards across the back (one approximately an inch from the top and one approximately an inch from the bottom).  I used Gorilla Glue wood glue to initially adhere it to the five pallets and then used five nails across the top and the bottom to hold it and secure it together.

I loved how the wood looked, but I felt like a white or gray color wood, would look better with my white office decor.  So, I decided to white wash mine.

I poured white acrylic paint into a cup and simply added some water to give it a thinner consistency.  I used an old rag to wipe the white paint and water mixture across the boards. I ended up putting three layers on until I was happy with the color.

The next day, I got two 12x12 sheets of cork board and used scrapbook/crafter's tape to adhere the maps to the cork board.  You can buy the 12x12 sheets at Hobby Lobby.

Then, I used double sided tape squares to stick the paper and cork boards to the pallet boards.

Here are the finished products!  I am so in love with how they turned out!

To mark the sale locations, I used short sewing pins with pearls on them as the push pins.  Ah!  How adorable is that?!

If you don't consider yourself a DIY'er, message me!  I would love to make one for you!

Happy crafting sweet friends!

What the Bible says about Tassels

Last weekend, I had the awesome opportunity to be a vendor at the Refresh Conference at Simpsonville First Baptist.  The weekend long conference was dedicated to creating community for adoption and foster parents.  I met so many wonderful ladies and I feel like I learned so much about how God calls on people to love and serve one another.

Another thing that I learned last weekend, was the symbol of the tassel and I was so surprised when I found out that the Bible mentions tassels in numerous places!

• Matthew 9:20 "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe (tassel) of his cloak." Verse 22 reads, "Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you."  

• Numbers 15:39-41 "It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes...so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.  I am the Lord, your God."

How amazing is that?   From now on, the significance of a tassel will not just be an idea of something "trendy" to me.   It now has a beautiful meaning of our importance to God, and how it can always be a reminder of Him.

I've loved creating tassel jewelry and pretty much all things tassel!   This week, I shipped out a custom tassel keychain and included these verses on a card for my client.  How amazing to do what you love and share God's word too!

Check out my Etsy shop for all things tassel, and even some tassel bookmarks for your Bible!

New Desk Space

In 2015, I wrote a blog post explaining my first DIY furniture refinishing experience.  I loved refinishing an antique China cabinet from my great aunt and a table that was my great grandmother's.
I'm one of those people that actually really enjoys painting!  Walls, furniture, a canvas.  It doesn't matter!  

Yes, I'm the friend that everyone calls on when they're painting their house, because they know I like to do it...  

Anywho!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend posted on Facebook that she was getting rid of a desk.  I jumped on this opportunity, because I've been using my small computer desk, and drawing table in my office for over two years.   I usually sat on the floor to wrap up items or strand beads.  I really didn't realize how excited I would be to actually have more desktop space!  It also has brought back all the feelings of going to work in an office.  All of my cute desk decor that I used when I worked as a Marketing Director have just been stuck in the closet because of the stinging reminder of how hard it hurt to lose my job.  Now, I'm getting those things out and thinking about how far I've come and what God has next for me and this adventure!

Here's how I did it!

The items that I used to refinish the desk are:

• Kilz primer
• Valspar white interior paint
• Small cabinet paint roller and tray
• Paint brush

First, I removed all of the drawer pulls.  Then, I brushed one coat of Kilz over the entire desk.

I waited 24 hours and rolled the desk with the Valspar white paint.  I ended up applying 4 coats of white paint.  I really wanted to make sure that it was coated thoroughly!

Here's the finished product!  I'm still getting this side of my office decorated and situated, but I love it!

1.7.18 Friday Favorites - Happy New Year

Happy New Year sweet friends!

It has been way too long since I've posted.  Life and the craziness that was holiday craft markets happened at the end of the year, and while it was marvelous, it was also exhausting and left little time to compile these blogs that I love!   However, I had such an awesome time meeting everyone that came out to the markets and I can't wait to do them all again this year!

Since it is a New Year, I'm starting off with a whole new list and look for my Friday Favorites.

As always, it's a list the things, products, people, or places that caught my eye and made me swoon throughout the week.

1. Psalm 91 Studio

From the moment that Cheryl (owner of Psalm 91 Studio) and I met, I knew we were going to be friends!  She has the kindest heart and loves to use her gift of jewelry making as a way to bring women to the Lord.  This girl makes beautiful jewelry, that is fashionable and functional.  She even carries a line of jewelry that works perfectly with essential oils, which I think is the coolest thing! The image below shows some of her essential oil jewelry.  I have this necklace and use it often with essential oils for anxiety.  I love it!  Check her out on Instagram @psalm91studio 

2. Bishop & Branch Body Cream

I had the opportunity to meet this sweet girl at two of the holiday markets that I was in last year.  Lydia, owner of Bishop & Branch Body Cream, makes the most amazing body creams, soaps, and candles.  Her "Holiday Spirit" candle burned all throughout the holidays at my house, and still has some wax left!  Plus, it is my new favorite scent! The body butter is perfect for super dry skin and a little bit goes a long way.  I love it! 

3. Color Street by Michelle Jones

I had never used any type of nail color strips before, until Michelle Jones sent me a sample of Color Street nail strips.  They're amazing and so easy to apply!  Michelle Jones always posts the most gorgeous nail inspo pictures (all Color Street of course) on her Instagram.  Plus, she's a South Carolina girl!  How gorgeous are these black and gold abstract nails?!

4.  House Fenway

I've been following House Fenway on Instagram for a while now and I always love her decor inspo and cozy pictures!  Throughout the holidays, it was gorgeous buffalo plaid images, and cozy flatlays with greenery.  During the fall months, it was dreamy pumpkin shots,  coffee, and plaid.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for us throughout the New Year!

5. The Adorned Fox

Tabathia, owner of The Adorned Fox, and I have been friends for over a year now.  She's so sweet and I've seen her business and her, grow so much throughout this past year.  What she's doing with her talent is such an inspiration.  Many of her videos have been viewed and shared over thousands of times.  Her wood burning and hand lettering is gorgeous.  Plus, what she's doing now with paint will blow your mind!  Check out this adorable mason jar snow scene!

6. Ashley Brooke Designs

Every Sunday, I look to see which Bible verse Ashley Brooke has posted on Instagram.  I feel like too often in our society, people are hesitant to share their faith.  So, when someone does, and isn't afraid to share it, I appreciate it so much!  Other than Ashley Brooke sharing gorgeous images like the one below, and always having a perfect manicure, she also posts the most dreamy fashion, make up, and home inspiration.  Just looking through her pictures, you can't help but want to be friends with her!