Divine Imperfections

Project Life: Take Two

 

 

Last year I decided to tackle Project Life for the first time.

I’ve been scrapbooking seriously since 2002 (yes I’m that old, and that nerdy), but I inadvertently took a few years off to deal with moves, and planning a wedding, and then adjusting to life as a married woman (who could no longer live on cereal alone).

 

While I learned to cook, and work-from-home, and find my way around the metroplex my lovely (hoarded) scrapbooking supplies went mostly untouched. And as a result a lot of personal stories went untold.

 

It was no way to live my life.

 (Oh, you know what I mean.)

 

Enter #ProjectLife. It’s a so-called simplified scrapbooking system, in which people use page protectors to store photos and journaling. It’s mean to be a quick way to preserve memories.

 

I was super excited to give it a try.

And then I got started.

 

The first few weeks I overthought every little thing, confused at the idea of mixing elements in divided page protectors.

 

Having gotten used to the gigantic canvas that is a 12x12 piece of cardstock, it felt unnatural and weird trying to limit my decorations and journaling to tiny 4x6 (or 3x4!) cards.

  

January and February from last year remain unfinished notes about what photos to print and put where. 

But, by March, I had started to get the hang of things. And actually completed several weeks worth of layouts.

 

 

Then things got busy, and my layouts starting getting less… completed.

I still have weeks and weeks of partially filled pages from 2013.

 And do not get me started on the “ephemera.” Oh. The. Ephemera.

 

 

Business cards and grocery lists. Band stickers and folded shopping bags. Things saved with the intention of placing them neatly in my album.

They’re now a mess of unsorted, unused “junk” to most people. But to me they represent stories still waiting to be told.

 Memories I intended to capture, before my overly-ambitious plans got the better of me.

 
What a mess. What an unfinished mess.

 

 

Honestly, I’m a natural scrapbooker. (And hoarder, but that’s a story for another day.)

I love taking photos. I love writing, telling stories.

I love playing with stickers. And colors. And patterns. And glue dots.

 

That's precisely why scrapbooking was such a great creative outlet for me.

So it surprised me that I really struggled to find my groove with Project Life.

 

I just couldn’t find my scrapping mojo (it’s a real thing!). And it started to really get me down. 

When the new year started approaching that unfinished album of mine taunted me more and more.

 

And seeing it so disappointingly incomplete left me with a lot of questions to consider.

  

Do I even do Project Life again?

 

If so, do I change my approach?

 

Do I keep collecting stuff?

 

Do I go to a smaller album size?

 

Do I go back to traditional scrapbooking?

 

Do I try to do them both?

 

Or go digital?

 

Or do I give it up altogether?

 

 

Does this hobby I once loved have a place in my new life?

 

Is it worth the trouble?

 

Can it be fun again?

 

 

 

I think the decision I’ve come to is that it’s time to get back to the root of what I loved about this hobby in the first place.

 

I loved telling stories, through pictures and words (and stickers!).

I loved creating things with my hands, albums that I could treasure (and share with my family) for years to come.

 

 

It wasn’t about capturing every detail of every day, but telling the stories that should be retold.

It was about fully experiencing my life, with gratitude and awareness. Then preserving the highlights for future generations (or a forgetful, older version of me).

 

Mostly, though, it was about having fun doing it!!!

 

I loved scrapbooking.

And I really think I can love it again.

I just can't tackle this project - Project Life - like I did last year.

 

I can't have another year of jumbled receipts and clothing tags, and incomplete layouts.

I can't have hours of stressing over design ideas, instead of simply telling the stories I want to tell. 

 

Last year I spent so much time perusing Pinterest for ideas about how to tackle Project Life that I lost sight of what I was really trying to do.

This year I don’t want to worry about trends, or techniques. I want to get back to the basics. 

I want to create a scrapbook I can be proud of, one that’s completed. That’s really important to me.

 

And I want it to accurately tell the story of our life. Notsomuch what we ate for lunch each day, but what passions we were pursuing, and what new adventures we were taking.

I want to celebrate the little things that make our life special, and document the daily things we’re doing to grow, and learn, and love each other more.

 

 

I also want to enjoy creating again.

And I know, to do that, whatever I make must come from the heart.

 

Inspiration is great, but it shouldn’t drive my every move.

 

Art is about trusting one’s own instincts.

And I’ve got to let mine have some say again.

 

  

This year I’m tackling Project Life again, but not because it's trending. Or supposedly simple. Or quick.

This year I'm trying it because I think it’s the best vehicle for telling the stories I want to tell.

 

Little ones. Big ones. 

Everyday. Extraordinary.

 

Stories that are ours. 

Stories that are us.

 

That’s what I thing scrapbooking is really about.

And that's what I want to pursue with this project. Take two.

 

Telling more of our stories, in the ways I deem fun, and good.

Being driven by passion, and fun, not fear (of lost memories, or imperfect pages).

 

 

This was a note I found tucked away with my Project Life "stuff" from last year.

 

"Doubt kills more dreams than fear ever will." 

 

I think it's a good motto moving forward, both for scrapbooking and life.

 

More than anything I want 2014 to be the year I tackle things without fear.

A year for stepping out of my comfort zone, trusting my instincts (instead of second guessing every move, or sticker placement).

 

A year for more doing, as The Home Depot would put it.

A year of conquering. Completing. Trying again, and if that fails, trying harder.

A year of less looking on from the sidelines, and more living.

 

Now wish me luck crafty friends!

And thanks, as always, for your sweet support!

Life Lessons from December Daily

 

I finally got around to finishing, or mostly finishing, my December Daily album this week. The one I started last year.

I’m a big believer in the better-late-than-never principle, clearly.

 

That said, one of my take-aways from putting the finishing touches on last year’s album just weeks before I decide to tackle another, is realizing how quickly things really can change, and how important it is (at least for me) to take stock of what worked, and what didn’t, in order to avoid repeating mistakes.

  

While working on the album I started a super-simple, two column list. At the top I simply wrote, Like and Change, ‘cause really that’s all I need to know. 

 

 

All this scrappy reflection got me thinking about my life, too. And what I’d do differently, if given the chance to do this past year again.

Obviously I won’t get a redo on 2013, but since I do get a chance to be a bit more intentional in how I approach 2014, I think now’s the perfect time to figure out what worked, what didn’t, and how I’d like to approach this next year.

  

Here are a few of my life take-aways, from 2013. 

 

 1.)  It’s always a good idea to invest in experiences with loved ones.

Two Mumford & Sons concerts in a week’s span, an out-of-town bachelorette weekend, and our crazy family road trip to Delaware are a few of my favorite memories from 2013! All cost money, and some personal sacrifice, but the payoff was so totally worth it.

 

2.)   Don’t fret the details. 

I have a super bad tendency to get bogged down in minute details, while losing sight of the big picture. 

Details can be fun, but they shouldn’t be something that keeps me up nights. I’ve got to learn to let the little stuff go, in order to enjoy my life a little more freely.

 

3.)  I can’t please everyone, so I need to trust my instincts and not give anyone else control over my life.

Trusted loved ones can have input, but they don’t get to be the deciding factor in how I live my life. And the peanut gallery? It's time they stopped getting a second thought, when it comes to what is right for me.

This might be common sense for some, but for me, it’s revelation, and something I desperately need to remember.

 

4.)  “Nothing worth anything, ever comes down easy.”

At least that’s how one of my favorite singers, Mat Kearney, puts it.

This year I’m finally, reluctantly, coming to terms with the fact that life isn’t gonna get easier, no matter how much I wish it would.

And most of the stuff that’s the most important – building and maintaining healthy relationships, treating my body with the respect it requires to function at its fullest, continuing to learn instead of growing stagnant – doesn’t come easily. It requires work, a lot of work.

I don’t want miss out on the important stuff in life because it requires time and effort. Instead I want to start with, and focus on the tough stuff, ‘cause it really is what matters most.

 

5.)  I need to accept the LOVE I’ve been given, if I want to exude grace, acceptance and gratitude to those around me.

That might sound cheesy, or cliché, but I’ve learned this year that LOVE can’t start with anyone else. I can’t give anyone that which I haven’t “owned” for myself.

Self-acceptance isn’t about self-help. It’s about allowing LOVE to change you, before trying to share it with anyone else.

It’s like the instructions on a plane; put your air mask on before assisting those around you. Not because that makes you a selfish, butthead. But because that’s the only way you’ll actually be of any help to those those around you. You know, if you stay alive.

If you’re trying to be a good wife, mom, sister, friend, without first being kind to yourself, you’re not gonna get very far. That is truth. And it's something I’m trying very hard to rewire into my brain.

 

 

Honestly, aren't fresh starts just the absolute best?

I think that's one (of many reasons) I love this time of year.

 

Maybe it's lame to reflect so much on the past, but I really do feel good taking some time in December to figure out what worked and what didn't in this past year, so I can approach the next one with renewed hope and vigor.

 

What are you thinking you'll do differently in this coming year?

 

And, in case you need some inspiring music to sort out your thoughts, or just to survive a long Monday, you can't go wrong with words from John Lennon, as performed by...  

 

Five Minute Friday: In Between

I like to think of life as these big moments, these bookmark events.

 

Pre and post college. 

Before and after the wedding.

 

 

It’s easy to remember the big stuff, the dates circled on calendars.

We don’t soon forget the events planned for months in advance.

 

 

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, births… those are the things we’re taught to remember. The dates we celebrate, honor, with cards and cake.

 

But life is so much more than the holidays, what Hallmark tells us.

There is so much more to be celebrated, if we stop and see with fresh eyes.

 

 

Like a husband learning to make his wife a latte, ‘cause she loves them and could use a pick-me-up.

Or a daughter taking her dad by the hand to lead him into The Coolest Part of Legoland.

 

A mom making her son laugh.

Or a son making his mom smile.

 

 

A wife washing her groom’s stinky, dirty clothes.

A friend checking in, after a few weeks of quiet.

 

 

There aren’t Hallmark cards for those things. Or special candle toppers.

 

They’re just tiny fragments, but also chances to recognize that the stuff truly worth celebrating happens in between a lot of those big events.

 

Like the quiet of the evening before the Fourth of July fireworks start.

And all those incredible, unexpected moments that come after the “I do’s” have been said.

 

 

The in-betweens matter more than we might think, I think.

Though I’m not knocking any excuses to eat cake.

 

 

But it’s the in between where we find the real story.

The juicy details.

The stuff we really want to know.

 

 

The heart.

The depth.

The struggle and triumph.

 

 

The in between is everything.

Everything but the bookmarks.

 

The in between is where real life happens.

Messy, beautiful life.

 - 30 - 

 

This post is a response to Lisa Jo Baker's weekly blog linkup, a chance to free write for five minutes flat, about a new prompt each week.

It's a wonderful chance to revive atrophied creative muscles. 

 

And the photo above seemed fitting, as it is both proof of my husband's first barista(o) efforts, and a shot of my "Craft Room" in its own in between.

I've been working off and on for weeks to transform the spare bedroom that was once stuffed to the brim with boxes, into a usable space for scrapbooking and other nerdy creative pursuits.

And it's come a long way from the air-conditioned storage space it was. Still I'm quick to dismiss projects/ideas/rooms as not ready to share, when I feel like they're trapped in limbo between start and finish.

But this prompt reminded me to celebrate my works in progress, like this space, and me.

And I'm thankful for that. And the latte. And the creative escape.

And, a lot of things (when I stop and take a second to realize it).

 

I'm thankful for a lot.

Now, Happy Almost Monday.

Better Late Than Never: Valentine's Edition

Yesterday my poor MacBook got really sick. Like, it wouldn't charge, and said "service battery." Which was a bummer for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that I had spent the previous two days working on a roundup of cute Valentine printables which I planned on sharing.

#LifeIsHard  #FirstWorldProblems  #NerdAlert

 

In fact, I went to bed last night very distraught about my poor computer's ill fate (and that's an understatement, and a half).

 

Some days it just feels like nothing seems to go right. Ya know?

Your Plan A falls through. And then you remember your backup plan is either non-esistent, or sucky.

And... you just want to throw your hands in the air and yell "Wow is me."

 

"The world is crumbling," you think, 'cause it feels that way to you.

And no amount of reasoning - it's only a computer, it's not that big of a deal - seems to help.

 

So you sob. Uncontrollably. 'Til your chest hurts, like an elephant's been dancing on it.

All while your husband tries to comfort you, though he presumably thinks that you're completely crazy (and understandably so).

 

Eventually you drift off to a light, unpeaceful sleep, like a toddler after a really nasty, unsuccessful tantrum for candy.

Only you're crying about a computer, and your general bad luck with electronics/cars and (secretly) also about your inability to effectively deal with your emotions before you become a full-out basketcase. #WhenWillILearn

 

So yea, last night, not my finest hour. And I'm hoping some of you can relate, though not quite so specifically.

But today, do you know what happened?

 

The world didn't implode. You know that much (despite my predictions last night).

But also I discovered that not only was my computer salvageable, the two repairs it needed were covered free under my warranty. 

 

Today I discovered that last night's troubles, the ones that had kept me up late into the night, thinking nothing would ever go right again, and that I was doomed to live in despair... ended up being nothing more than an a 30-minute fix, plus an excuse to walk around the mall, have dinner in the food court, and to spend an entire day with my husband.

Running errands, laughing at bad pop songs, and holding hands with a man I was lucky enough to marry. A man that held me close as I cried myself to sleep, telling me all the while that things would work out. A man that didn't say "I told you so" when we got the good news that the repairs would be free. He just stuck out his hand for a fist bump. And then we went on our merry way, not a cent less rich.

 

In a weird way I guess I'm grateful that all my struggle to post something Valentine's Day-ish has led me here.

To this post, this strange and winding one, that began about printable Valentine's art, but ended up being partly about a broken computer, partly about an irrational and overly emotional meltdown by me, and mostly (underlyingly, if that's a word) about LOVE itself.

Love that shows up to hold us, and to comfort us when we need it most.

And Love that also cheers us on, when we've got news worth celebrating.

Love that commits to going through the highs and the lows, together, as a team.

Love that doesn't leave you to wallow in self-pity, or sadness. But drags you back up to the surface, for fresh air. And perspective.

 

Love that's willing to get its hands dirty lifting you out of the muck and mire, but then cleans up real nice and maybe even walks around the mall (for two hours!!!) with you.

And Love that requires vulnerability, a willingness to be seen (even at your worst). But Love that makes all that scary letting-your-guard-down more than worth it.

Love that makes you grateful you're alive, even though life is sometimes hard.

Love that reminds you, encourages you, gives you extra reasons to breathe.

Since I can't go back and tell last night me to calm the heck down, and to let tomorrow worry about itself... to stop panicking and just be present and grateful for the many blessings in my life (regardless of how I felt at the time)...

Since I can't go back and tell my husband in that moment how much I appreciate him, and the great, big giant heart he has, or praise him for having so much more patience than I often give him credit for...

Since I can't do that I'll settle instead for passing along this story about the sick computer and the strange, panicky girl, in hopes it might save you a little trouble/time of your own.

And in hopes it might encourage you to listen a little closer to that voice assuring you "things will be fine."

 

Let tomorrow worry about itself.

Enjoy where you're at, even if it's not where you want to be.

Life might not be perfect - it never, ever is - but it's life.

It's up and down, joy and sorrow, sickness and healing...
it's a packaged deal.

Accept the good with the bad...
or something like that.

And be grateful for the company, most of all, 'cause that's what life is really about.

 

That's my Valentine's message, rolled up in a nearly incoherent nutshell. (Above.)

But because I'm stubborn (and 'cause I spent such a long time on them, and possibly blew my computer's brains out working on them) I'm also going to share the much cuter, saner graphics I rounded up. (Below.)

1. The typerwriter stole my heart in this set by AmyIsTheParty.
2. Candy & a game make for a super fun design by Dixie Delights,
found via another great Valentine roundup from TatertotsandJello.
3. These would make such cute stickers; thanks SecretAgentJosephine.
4. These adorable cards from MerMag make me want a button machine!

1. What girl doesn't love owls, like this pretty one from MineForTheMaking?
2. A set of four classic-looking cards from FPGirl on Flickr are perfect for coworkers or old friends.
3. Twig & Thistle's cute, grown-up goodie bags would be a great excuse to buy chocolate.
4. I love these nerdy chic NPR Valentines found via Katie Armour, with even more at NPR.org.




1. For the hipsters, a Converse-clad cartoon from EatDrinkChic seems perfect. 
2. Here's a slightly sappy, very sweet greeting from SimpleAsThat.
3. Plain old awesomeness from TheRockinBoysClub!
4. A simple, straightforward sentiment from 74LimeLane.

 

I hope a few of you will use these digital goodies (or others) to surprise someone special.

 

Print something pretty for your coworkers. Email an encouraging salutation to your single friends. Or tell your Significant Other you love him/her with a doodle.

More importantly, I hope all of you will make sure and send some love, or better yet offer a hug this Valentine's Day.

 

A good hug makes almost anything better. And you can trust me on this, 'cause I was dealing with a sick MacBook yesterday, so clearly, I know all about grief, and comfort...     #Don'tWorryI'mKidding #Mostly

I think the collage above means I must also be an expert on love. So this must all be very good advice.

In fact, I watched a Hallmark Channel movie Saturday, so yea; I'd say I've learned pretty much all there is to know about life.

All joking aside, using the world's most overly-marketed chocolate holiday as an excuse to spread some cheer, some encouragement, some lovely greetings, seems like a pretty good idea in my book.

So consider this my #HappyValentine'sEve/Day to you.


I hope it's a good one, overflowing with sweetness, both the cavity-kind and the comforting kind.

#WishingYouAllGoodThings

 

No Business Like SNOW Business

When I worked at the newspaper (feels like ages ago now) I had the honor of working on our Christmas window displays each year.

The office is located in one of those quaint little towns that still has citywide events (like Christmas tree lightings and patriotic parades)  and so making sure our windows were pretty came with the job of being a community journalist.

 

When I left I knew I wouldn't miss council meetings (ick!) or tight deadlines (ewww!) but I was sad to lose such an interesting creative outlet.

Thankfully, this year my friend (and former coworker) invited me out to help! (And since I wasn't planning my wedding, like this time last year, I was happy to oblige.)

 

But while I do enjoy the project, working on window decorations always stresses me out a bit (a lot).

You see, while creating windows is fun, it is also a lot of work. Here’s what I mean.

First there’s the idea phase – this I love. Brainstorming whacky or whimsical display concepts is super fun. That’s the anything is possible phase… seeking out inspiration, collecting ideas, sketching snow scenes… it’s like being a kid again.

You get to stretch your imagination muscles. This part is awesome!

 

But then comes reality. Reality is way less fun!

 

Reality is procrastinating the task (for fear of failure!!!) until the last possible moment.

And reality is me rushing to the dollar store in an attempt to find something that can pass as carrots, frantically purchasing anything snow-related, hoping the wacky ideas end up working out. Buying into a vision that may or may not work, one kid glove and plastic snowflake at a time.

 

Reality is an office floor filled with fallen branches, scrap paper, and glue blobs. And a boss wondering why on earth you’ve destroyed the place.

 

Reality is sketching a plan D of snow people, which at the time are mere laundry baskets that look nothing like Frosty and friends.

And reality is a 9-hour shift duct taping, hot gluing, and trying to “make it work” as they say, praying all the while that it actually does work… that a mess of material and a head overflowing with ideas actually come together in a way that make sense to the outside world… praying at some point others can see what you see, not a pile of junk but a Winter Wonderland come to life... not a hodgepodge of recyclables and dollar store finds, but Christmas magic sure to delight the young at heart.

 

Reality is utter delirium, Christmas tunes for inspiration, a worry-filled DQ break, and an awful mess to clean up.

And reality is figuring out what doesn’t work, wanting to give up, and pressing on anyways.

Even when the lights you spent an hour wrapping around the tree limbs turn out to be burnt out, even when the spray snow won’t dry on the Styrofoam, and even when a woman outside the window laughs after seeing Momma Snow Lady still in progress, a skeleton of plastic and tape.

 

To everyone else this basket-boned Snow Lady is still a faceless piece of trash. She’s characterless to the outside world. And yet you’re already old friends (after all, she’s been a part of you since that first day dreaming up ideas).

It’s no wonder you’re pleading with her to stop losing her head, literally.

But it is a wonder that you don't abandon snow ship after several dozen setbacks. It's a wonder that anyone accomplishes anything the least bit creative without retreating at the first sign of trouble (or potentional embarrassment).

 

If you’re fortunate, with a lot of work and a little luck, when you finally take a step outside… when you get the perspective of the passersby, instead of the perspective of the Creator… you’ll discover that somewhere along the way magic happened.

 

 

Something without shape or form will have become something precious, someone really.

An array of recyclables and Goodwill gear will have become a family.

The crazy ideas will have met reality, and actually found common ground.

 

 

What I thought about life, while covered in “snow” and glitter, looking at a hodgepodge of junk littering the office floor, is that sometimes you have to ignore what you see, in order to believe in what can be.

 

I’ve often heard that sculptors look at blocks of wood or stone, and ask what must be taken away to reveal what’s really there, hidden inside. Where others see raw materials, maybe even junk, they see something precious... Something awe inspiring… Beauty just waiting to be revealed.

 

It reminds me of the story of creation, of a God that creates light out of nothing, order out of chaos... and later fashions human beings out of dirt and clay.

It's a God we’re told continues to see value in people, even the ones the world has deemed lost, expendable, useless.

A God who called His creation good.

 

I think it’s really easy to see ourselves as we are, as flawed human beings, with our struggles and scars… people trying to “make it work” while praying not to be found out… coming apart at the seams, held together by duct tape and smiles…

But deep down, below my own fear and doubt, I believe we are made to be more than the sum of our parts.

 

In many ways I think we spend our entire lives as blocks still being chipped away at, not as punishment, but so true Beauty can be revealed.

 

And maybe that’s too much to take from a day of playing with paper and glue.

But maybe, just maybe, it’s a wake up call.

 

For those of you who long to do something creative, I hope this will be an encouragement to keep pursuing your “crazy” ideas...

To work past the fears of failure and put something on paper…

Glue the sequin, pen the note, stitch the fabric, play the chord…

Just don't give up.

 

The world desperately needs to see more Beauty revealed.

And no attempt at unveiling It will be void.

(Even if your "snow" sculptures fall each time the door opens, make 'em anyways.)

The One With the More Doing

You may or may not have noticed I’ve been pretty absent as of late.

I’m not sure if it’s too nerdy or just nerdy enough to admit I really miss blogging, but I do. A lot.

In fact I shared that fact with a friend recently*, as we crafted up some fall decorations and a random jewelry holder I’ve been slated to make for my sister since July.

 

It felt good to finally give some projects a try, to get my hands in some glue. It felt really good.

 

I’m not sure what it is about this Summer* (So yea; I wrote this in August!), but I've spent much of it worrying that I’m somehow behind.

Like I should probably have accomplished a lot by now, but all I’ve really done is waste most of the Summer incessantly perusing Pinterest and blowing up Instagram (and watching old Friends episodes on Nick at Night... how weird is that?).

 

It’s too late to go back and do things differently, I know that of course. But I can still kick my butt into high gear… to soak up every last bit of this lovely (but unbelievably sweaty) season, and of course, to get around to Do-It-Myselfing at least some of those crafty projects I’ve been pinning.

 

Craft Night inspired me to finally start doing the stuff I've been putting off, like gluing together Goodwill plates and saying "hi" to my poor, neglected little cyber space.

I hope you can handle seeing a few more projects around here for the next little bit. (Eyeroll as necessary guys!)

 

I don’t want to sound too much like a Home Depot commercial, but I think this is my “More Doing” post.

The one where I challenge myself to start tackling (long overdue) projects and to enjoy late night strolls and guzzle iced tea and wear flip flops … while I still can, before Summer completely passes me by.

And, for those of you interested, we used three Pinterest ideas for our girls' night/Craft Night.

1.) Giada's Pesto Pasta for dinner. (Cleavage not included with recipe.)

2.) DIY Decoupage Glue. (That's right, we made our own "glue.")

3.) Plate Stand/Jewelry Holder.

 

And here are the verdicts on the projects.

1.) This is a bold-flavored pasta. If you love avocado and basil you'll like it. Plus, I made it unsupervised which means it's simple enough for even a novice cook. You will need a great blender or a food processor though!

Tips: Choose dark, soft (but not mushy) avocadoes. Minced, cannged garlic is perfect. We always substitute spinach for the arugala. It's a bit milder flavor and super nutritious. Feel free to choose almost any nut you like in lieu of the pine nuts. (We've tried it with almonds, peanuts and pistachios and all worked well.)

 

2.) This project came out of pure desperation. I invited my friend to come over and decoupage (yes, I'm that cool!) then realized I didn't have any decoupage glue. Instead of driving 15 minutes (one way) to pick some up, we walked to the dollar store then made our own.

Mix equal parts Elmer's glue and water in a sealable container, stir well and voila! You have decoupage glue that's actually less irritatingly sticky than the expensive stuff at the craft store.

My friend and I both liked this version better, as it was easier to work with (without getting stuck to the project), less expensive AND far more matte. The newspaper we used looked almost untouched when we were finished, as opposed to the gloppy and slightly shiny finish that generally occurs with the store-bought kind.

 

3.) Choose a handful of cheap dishes that stack well. Use E600 or an equally super glue to stick them together and you've got yourself a pretty jewelry stand. Or, if you opt to stack only one plate on each cup you can create cute mini cake stands! Martha recently ran an entire article about how to create your own stands with three methods... she said if you use hot gun glue instead you can take the dishes apart as desired.

The Happening

I’ve never had much of a green thumb. And that just might be the understatement of my life.

When my mom came to visit me not so long ago, I asked her why my once pretty potted plant was dying fast.

“’Cause it’s a shrub,” she told me. “It’s a shrub!”

That should give you a general idea of how well-educated I am when it comes to plants.

 

Still, the one thing I always knew is that plants need water. Enter me with an extra large Dickey’s cup, watering them daily, ‘til they were swimming in my attempts at TLC.

When the plants started looking a little too well-loved, I laid off. A lot. For like weeks at a time.

 

Yeaaaa…. (said in my best Office Space voice.)

As you might suspect this never ended well.

 

In fact, this mostly ended in me throwing away what were once living plants.

Ivies. Marigolds. Unidentified Shrubs. Cacti. I didn’t discriminate.

I’ve killed just about everything. From just about everywhere.

Grocery Stores. Hardware Stores. Bix box stores.  It didn’t matter… they all shared the same fate.

 

I’ve killed a lot of little green lives is what I’m saying.

I’m not proud of it. It’s just fact.

 

I see dead plants.

(Shyamalan reference track: 2, if you're counting.)

 

But two things came to mind Sunday as I tried my hand at potting some new planty friends. Well three things if you count, “I really hope I don’t kill you guys.”

 

1. You can’t give up.
   
   Even when experience tells you that you should. You can’t give up. It’ll keep you from a lot of really good stuff. 
   
   My basketball coach used to put it this way “You’ll miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
   
   So maybe you have Shaq-like freethrow stats. Keep shooting. You’ll make more – learn more – grow more – trying, than if you take yourself out of the game entirely.
2. Overcompensating for an error is rarely the way to fix it.
   
   Overcompensating for an error is rarely the way to fix it. It works about as well in gardening as it does in driving – which isn’t well. Instead of making a knee-jerk reaction to a mistake, figure out what went wrong then respond wisely. (In the case of overwatering, as in life, the fix is usually moderation. Not quitting altogether.)

 

This past week I’ve been thinking a lot about moderation and about what it means to truly fix something that’s wrong.

At church they said fixing issues is the difference between confession and repentance. Confession is an admission “I was wrong.” But repentance goes a step farther, to say “I’m gonna do better.”

 

I’ve always been pretty good at the apologizing part. In fact, I used to get in trouble for being overly apologetic. Not surprisingly, my response to those rebukes was always, “I’m sorry.” (I'm not a fast learner.)

 

But, quick as I am to apologize for my shortcomings, I’ve always had a tendency to get stuck somewhere between the confession and repentance. Instead of moving forward, having learned from my mistake, and vowing to do better next time… I tend to wallow in the guilt and shame of having messed up in the first place.

 

This doesn’t ever fix things. It just makes me stuck. It just keeps me from trying again.

 It's not as fun as it sounds, feeling stuck.

 

Change is hard. Brushing ourselves off, especially after an epic fail, is especially tough.

But, I’m becoming increasingly convinced that the times we dare to try again are some of the most important times in our lives.

 I'm thinking that confession is of little good, if we don't learn and move forward.

I'm wondering if shame isn't a nasty trick to keep us stuck where we're at, instead of getting better.

Going in a different direction... I find myself very curious what that means.

 

Right now, I'm trying again. This time with a new game plan, and with three little green pots under a carport outside.

For me change has come in the aromatic form of rosemary, garlic chives, and parsley hanging out, hoping not to die.

And the $4.97 investment in organic fertilizer, was also a sign of faith in my ability to develop a green thumb. A commitment to do my best, and to see how things go.

 

Change means taking a break from punishing my past planting mistakes, in favor of learning, really learning what it takes to be a “gardener.”

 

Three herbs (an indoor Arugala plant and Tom -my Tom Thumb cacti) and I have set out on an adventure now. There’s no turning back or giving up.

From here there's only once choice - to grow - and I'm slightly excited about that.

 

This is happening!

Craft Night - Bleachy Keen

Hey crafty friends.

I finally got around to trying something I saw on Pinterest ages ago. (Instead of just hoarding the idea like I usually do.) And I'm so glad I took the plunge.

 

This was one project that was faster, easier, and had better results than I expected.

Not too shabby, I'd say, for $3.19 (plus tax) and 30-minutes of hands on work (plus another 20 mins. raiding my closet for stuff to play with)!
 

Here's the deal. If you've got a bleach pen, and some cotton blend tees ready for an update, you're all set for a simple craft.

You'll wanna put cardboard under the tee so the bleach doesn't seep through. Also, the "ink" bleeds quite a bit, so make sure you leave plenty of "white" space for parts you want to remain untouched.

 
Basically you just doodle a design. Let the bleach do its thing (for about an hour in the sun). (HAND WASH and dry your bleachy stuff separately before wearing, or throwing it in with other stuff.)

Then, TA DA!

You're ready to rock out your SUPER COOL (or fairly ridiculous, but perhaps adorable?) new look.

 

If you want a more detailed tutorial, check out my favorite here.

I Had a Dream

This is it right here.

This is what I always hoped for.

 

*Please don't mind the fact that he looks like he's selling I Can't Believe It's Not Butter... or a romance novel.

Our apartment is a disaster. I am covered in paint. It's almost midnight and instead of getting ready for bed I'm drinking a cup of coffee. (Always a good sign.)

My toenails have a scary reverse French tip thing going on, meaning the paint has slowly worked its way to the tips it's been so long since I touched them up. (TMI yet? I thought it was an interesting observation. Don't get me started on my legs!)

 

There are dishes piled up in the sink. And half-done DIY projects all over our floors. A stack of DVD's we keep saying we'll watch are about to topple over by the tv...

 

And where is my husband in all this chaos?

*No; he's not fist bumping MLK as I type.

He's in our orange chair, the one I've been "meaning to" get recovered since I bought it.

He's playing his guitar, and wracking his brain for lyrics, all in preparation for tomorrow night's show. (His first as a solo artist.)

 

And why could I not be happier that our life is such a mess?

That it's looking like an all-nighter, and of us in separate corners no less?

 

Because...

 

This is the dream come true.

At least for me.

It's each of us, doing what we love. Together. As a couple.

 

It's hard to explain how difficult its' been getting here. And I can't guarantee myself or you that it will be like this often.

 

I for one tend to shy away from my dreams, particularly if they're big. And especially when even a modest amount of creativity - much less self revelation - is required.

But seeing my husband chase his dreams. Seeing him pour himself out through song - and recognizing how brave he is to do that - has not just inspired but compelled me to do the same.

 

After all, I can't honesty encourage him to pursue what he loves, if I am too chicken to step out of the sidelines.

If I'm going to ask him to give of himself that way - to use the gifts he's clearly been given. Then I too must give of myself. Because that is what he needs. That is what I need.

And frankly, it's what the world needs.

 

I'm entering cliche territory here. In fact I've probably said it before on this tiny little blog.

But it's something that bears repeating.

And something my soul desperately needs to be reminded of frequently.

"What the world needs is people who have come alive."

Does that resonate with you the way it does me?

 

Funny that a quote I've heard often I've never been able to attribute until tonight.

And even now that I know his name - Howard Thurman - I still don't know much about the man. Only what a little Google searching has taught me (which is actually quite fascinating).

 

I can't say for fact if he was a "saint." If he was a good dad to his two daughters. Or if he was a morally upright guy, the kind we "good girls" are supposed to look to for advice. (Though all signs point to yes.)

I do know that along with impressive personal achievements, graduating valedictorian of Morehouse college, being ordained as a minister and authoring 20-or-so books, perhaps his most crowning achievement was helping to mentor and shape a certain man by the name of Martin Luther King Jr.

In fact, according to Wikipedia (which I KNOW, isn't the best source but it's late so I need some grace on this,) "Walter Fluker, who has studied Thurman's writings, has stated, 'I don't believe you'd get a Martin Luther King, Jr. without a Howard Thurman.'"

And that amazes me.

 

A man dedicated his life to teaching and preaching and... his ultimate legacy came not from his name, but someone who followed in his shoes. Who learned from him.

Isn't it crazy the power of influence?

 

Tonight I'm utterly grateful that my husband's influence has led me to pursue some of my own long dormant passions. To step out in faith and dare to do things I've been longing to do for ages - like spraypaint! (So risky. :) )

 

And, there is this. The hacking away in an effort to really write. To pour out my soul in mostly non-sensical, yet still somehow freeing "written" words.

Yes; he has greatly encouraged me to stick with the writing.

 

Now I don't know what it is you might be afraid to do. If it involves putting yourself out there in a big way, like going on stage or asking someone out. Or scarier still, admitting a wrong.

Maybe you're dorky enough to have some of the same fears of me, like drip lines on a craft project... oh the horror!

 

But whatever it is that you're avoding - and potentially hating yourself for - I do HOPE you might muster up just enough courage to take a baby step towards your goal.

I HOPE you might give yourself permission to pursue something you truly love. Something that makes you feel most yourself. (Assuming it's not killing people or tattoing dogs or something.)

And, I HOPE, how I HOPE, that you might find yourself blessed with the kind of good friends - and family - that influence you in just such a postive direction.

 

That way, you might someday find yourself in a position to pay that forward, encouraging someone else to pursue a dream.

It's Beginning to Look a LOT Like Christmas

   

Last week my friend/coworker/bridesmaid extraordinnaire, a.k.a. Gwen, and I decided to deck the halls at the place where we punch the clock.

The teal tinsel tree was rescued from my room back home - which still had my Christmas decorations up from last year, thanks to a hasty January move - but everything else came straight from the supply room (or coffee bar).

Don't worry. We'll eat or return it all after the holidays.

I wish I could take credit for the really clever stuff - the PostIt note ornaments, the colorful paperclip garland, the patched together paper tree skirt... but that was all Gwen.

What I can say I contributed, though, was a lot. It was a whale in fact.

Afterall, nothing says "Merry Christmas" quite like a Shamu angel (complete with wonky paperclip halo).

Now, I'm off to the boondocks to see some Christmas lights and pay too much for hot chocolate.

"Merry so-close-I-can-smell-it Christmas," friends.

Can't wait to be home for the holidays and to hug you all.