A Wise Woman Said... Make New Throw Pillows!

I've been wanting some new throw pillows for my living room.  But if you've looked at them lately, you know they are NOT inexpensive items.  Eeep!  That doesn't sit well with my thrifty little soul.  So I have been planning to make some covers for the existing ones or just start all over from scratch.   

Until one day while at World Market... inspiration struck!  

Today my post is over at A Wise Woman Said... showing you how I made this lovely pillow by using an item usually found elsewhere in the house.  

http://awisewomansaid.blogspot.com/2014/07/napkin-throw-pillows.html

Come on over and join the crafty fun!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Colorful Monogram Door Decor

My soul is so ready for summer!  Warmer days.  The kids home from school.  Summer vacation.  I can't wait! 

Today I'm blogging over at A Wise Woman Once Said... with a tutorial on how I made this cute little monogram.

http://awisewomansaid.blogspot.com/2013/05/colorful-monogram-door-hanging.html

A touch of color on my front door to dress the house up for those lazy summer days ahead.

A New Venture

I woke up with a sinus headache.  Which doesn't bode very well for the day ahead.  But I wasn't going to let a little pressure stop me.  I drank some coffee, read my Bible, took some decongestant, and headed to the computer. 

I had the brainstorm about a week or two ago to collaborate with my two sisters and the female offspring to launch a new blog! A few text messages, a conversation or two, a little brainstorming later - and  today is launch day!

A Wise Woman Once Said... is what happens when three clever sisters (and maybe a niece or two... or three...) get together to share the tips, tricks, and lessons we are learning along life's journey.  Here, you'll find a hodge-podge of recipes, crafts, decor, style, organization, greener living, and parenting.  With the possibility for just a random thought or two along tossed in for good measure.

I hope each of you will stop by to visit.  And to follow us!

It's (mostly) OK

Linking up with A Complete Waste of Makeup for It's OK Thursday

IT'S OK...

That sometimes I just want an hour or two alone

To hope it really does snow so I have a reason to be lazy and just write and craft all day

To let your kid cut school the day after exams

To start getting ready to go to the gym and decide to forget it because it's rainy, cold, and you have other things to get done.

To have a half dozen (or more) partially completed crochet, craft, and DIY projects

That there are two baskets of clean laundry waiting to be folded

Feeling Crafty

Maybe it's the beginning of the new year.  Or a result of all the work we've done in the living room. Whatever the cause is - my creative spark is flaring up.

I spent far too much time on Pinterest today, scoping out ideas and longing to plan a trip to Michael's, Walmart, and the dollar store!

My mind is swimming with plans for new table runners, organization ideas for my crafting space and other clutter attracting spots around the house, and gifts!

I am sure I could have spent much, much more time browsing through pins, but I finally had to force myself to just close the window before my entire afternoon was sucked into a Pinterest void.!

I am so excited to start some great craft and DIY projects for 2013.  Be sure to stay tuned over at This IS My Day Job (my other blog) for posts about of all my upcoming projects!!

Tell Me What I Want To Hear, Not What You Really Think

I had come up with the name for my crafty dive into entrepreneurship. I was pleased with myself. I thought it was clever. Catchy. I couldn't wait to share my excitement. So, of course I grabbed my phone and shot out a quick text to one of my sisters.

"Honestly, I don't care for it", was her reply. Followed by a parade of name suggestions she thought more appropriate.

I was crushed. My spirit was broken. The spark I had felt fizzled out. I had wanted (and expected) her response to be the same as mine to my idea. I had wanted her excited approval. And when that wasn't what I got. I was hurt. I was disappointed. And yes - I was a little angry.

At 40+ years into my life, I still want the approval and admiration of my sisters. Yes, I know I'm a grown woman. But just because I shouldn't need their admiration and approval, doesn't mean I don't still want it. Or maybe it would be more correct to say that I DON'T need it, but I DO want it. I admit it. Even at my age, I still want my little sisters to look up to me like when we were kids. Call it what you will, but it's just a fact.

Of course she had no idea how she had hurt my feelings. She was trying to be helpful. She was just sharing her opinion. I had left myself open for that. But knowing it wasn't intended to be hurtful didn't take the sting away. Or heal the bruised place inside.

Fortunately, realizing she hadn't meant anything harmful in her words made it possible for me to fight back my knee-jerk reaction to respond in anger with bitter words. I bit my tongue.  I let the initial sting wear off. She is probably going to be completely shocked when she reads this (and she may even be angry with me for a short while for sharing this so publicly).

And in the end, if I'm being honest. I didn't need her approval. I'm still going with the name I had picked out and been so excited about (probably).

Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago - the baby, the peacekeeper, the caretaker, the avoider.... It doesn't seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we've traveled. ~Jane Mersky Leder

More Christmas Crafty-ness

I made these crocheted project totes for the crafters in my life.  Besides the red/turquoise/black one you see pictured here; there was also a coral/winter white/brown one, and one with three shades of blue.