Dinner's Ready

Right before dinner was served, I got a few pictures of my put-together table. I know it's a pretty tiny table, but for our first home, it's pretty great!

Napkin Rings on the Cheap

I wanted to be able to put together a pretty table for dinner when my mom visits, so I saved a toilet paper roll and went to town.

So here's how to make toilet paper roll napkin rings (diet coke is optional).

Did you know that a roll of toilet paper is exactly 4 inches? I first tried to cut the roll using kitchen shears...this did not work very well. I then tried our new, fancy, expensive knives and it worked like a charm (don't tell my husband. I thought I was being resourceful...he would think otherwise.)

I cut four 1-inch rings.

I used plain old white ribbon from the dollar store to cover the rings. I put a dollop of hot glue on the inside and started wrapping.

At first, I glued the ribbon down periodically. I don't suggest this. It worked much better when I just wrapped them in one big swoop.

Now I had four white rings...but I wasn't impressed. I took some thick black ribbon and wrapped it around the outside of the rings.

Perfect!

Come back Sunday for a look at my completed table!

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While I was crafting, Kyle found another use for toilet paper rolls.

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For a list of parties I usually participate in, check out the bottom of my blog.

Don't Forget

Walk Around the Block

What an amazing day!

My hall is about a 20 minute walk from our main Residential Life office and my mailbox. Normally I dread this walk, but now that spring is here, I couldn't wait to get outside. I grabbed my camera, strapped on my Ssekos, and took pictures until I ran out of battery.

Read more here.

I love living and working on a college campus because it is so active and vibrant. There are always hundreds of people traveling in hundreds of different directions. I love being part of that.

But I also love it when they go home for a week and I have a quiet campus (almost) all to myself.

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Check out this awesome giveaway at The Rusted Chain. How great is our God!

Treasures

I thought I'd share a few treasures that I found recently at Goodwill and a local garage sale.

Usually I don't find much at Goodwill, but a few weeks ago I scored big! My mom comes this Wednesday so I'm preparing for our craft-aganza. We will be turning the cork board into something for my parents' newly renovated kitchen. The pineapple thing will be painted for their living room. The little stars are perfect for their rustic living room.

Oh the possibilities!

And I picked up a few crafting supplies at a garage sale. Pretty fabric, ribbon, and lace and some great necklaces. I am going to add fabric flowers and ribbon to the two pearl necklaces and mod-podge the wooden necklace. Can't wait!

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Speaking of treasures, I won the 300th post giveaway at the Hometown Girl! I won a beautiful apron, enamel flower pin, and some amazing postcards of Susan's photography. You, of course, should be jealous.

It all came beautifully wrapped in a sewing pattern. How creative!!

Jupiter loved it, too.

Thanks Susan!

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What Faith Can Do

[source]

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

What Faith Can Do: Kutless

Handkerchief Necklace, Tutorial, Giveaway, Oh My!

In 2007, Kyle's grandfather passed away. At the funeral, Kyle's grandma gave each woman in the family a handkerchief that we carried with us. I have kept the handkerchief in my dresser drawer for a while (where I keep other special items) but I thought I could make it even more special.

It's such a beautiful piece with such special meaning. I love wearing it close to my heart.

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I love making these flowers. I have been putting them on necklaces, hair pins, bracelets, earrings, and just about anything I can think of.

They're so simple!

1. Cut out circles (I cut out 2 each of 3 sizes)

2. Fold one circle in half, right sides touching. Sew a few stitches. Now fold the other say, right side touching and sew a few stitches.

3. Your flower should look something like this. The closer in you stitch the ruffle-ier the flower.

4. Repeat with the rest of your circles.

Now all you do is stack the circles in size order (small ones on top) and hand stitch them together. Once they feel secure, add the pearls.

I hot glued a circle of felt on the back and stitched on a pin.

One you get the basic flower down, the possibilities are endless!

(for the bracelet, I used hot glue instead of needle and thread. it wasn't as clean looking, but it was even easier.)

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And now for a giveaway...

Wouldn't it be fun to make your very own handkerchief necklace? Now you can!!

Giveaway includes supplies to make a vintage handkerchief necklace,

AND

materials to make your very own flower pin,

AND

a soft blue flower pin and a pair of my vintage button earrings.

The total package includes:

vintage handkerchief and felt

chain, jump rings, lobster clasp

needle and thread

pearls and other beads

fabric and felt

pin back

vintage button earrings

soft blue flower pin

I'd love it if you won!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered! The giveaway is now closed.

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For a list of blogs I usually link to, check out the bottom of my blog.