Old Drawer Work Station

When inspiration hits, a girl has to build. And even though I have had these drawers for a few years, when I spied in them under my work table I knew exactly what I was going to make.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! So I know you have heard the saying the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but what does that have to do with our faith? We are shown in the Bible several times that persistence pays: the blind men sought Jesus to be healed, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus, we are told to pray without ceasing, Moses persisted for Israel, Hannah consistently asked God for a child. I believe we need to be "squeaky" with God--we need to continually seek Him and go to Him with our problems and our lives. We shouldn't wait until things get so bad to call on Jesus. Be "squeaky" with Jesus, seek Him before the problem gets too big and He will be the grease to silence and ease the squeak.

MORE Rustic Crosses and Finding Waldo

I tell y'all, the things we bloggers do to try and get a decent picture: we have more holes than you can count in our walls, we rearrange furniture, we perform gymnastics to get the right angle.  And after all that, sometimes the shot still is not quite what we wanted.

Thus, this post will also be known as "Where's Waldo, the Christian Cross Version".

Talk of the Town Link Party #8

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!

Before we look at this week's wonderful features, here are a few little tips about how to get featured at Talk of the Town, and improve your blog at the same time. We really want to feature you!

How to Get Featured at Talk of the Town (or any link party!)

As everyone knows a picture is worth a thousand words, and that's so true for blog photography.

No matter how awesome your project, recipe, or post is, if you don't have great photos, you aren't doing it justice.

Here are some problems we frequently see in photos linked up at the party.

1 - The photos are too small.

I guarantee you, you are more likely to get featured if your photos are LARGER.

We frequently see great projects we'd love to feature, but the photos are just too small.

2 - The photos are either too dark, or too bright.

A cloudy day outdoors, or a well-lit spot indoors tend to make the best places to take photos. Along that line, don't use your flash. It ruins otherwise great photos.

3 - Create a "scene".

Dress up your photos with props that make your photo more interesting.

4 - Use a foam board as a backdrop.

A white foam boardmakes a crisp, bright background for small projects and instantly makes the photo POP!

Those are just a few little tips we hope will help. Now, on to the party!

Reclaimed Wood Island

I haven't made an island in a while so yesterday I decided it was time and I created this one from reclaimed wood. (Sorry, pictures were taken in my booth, no natural light.)

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Does your family like to play games? We do! But, when playing games it is usually one person against another, one winner and one or more losers. In the game of life Jesus calls us to not be rivals fighting and competing against each other, but rather He wants us to work together. There is power in working together, in supporting each other. In our marriages, workplaces, friendships, churches, communities, and homes let's stop playing the competition game. Let's STOP the "every man for himself" attitudes. Let's work together and get a better and stronger return for that work and win the life game as a team instead as individuals. Have a great week and GO TEAM!

Foodie Friday: Gluten Free Chocolate Revel Bars

Barnwood & Lathe Cross Sign

Today I played more in the workshop and made five more crosses (I will show you those next week) and this cross sign.

Rustic, Reclaimed Wood Crosses

Today was a playing in the workshop day--nothing that HAD to be done.  But, I do need to be prepping for my next show, so that is what I did.  

I want to bring 10 crosses to the show and today I made five of them.

Each one is different.

Talk of the Town #7, Link Party

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!

Before we get into the featured posts from last week, let's take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Building Lessons: Pallet Coffee Table

I have been building furniture for more than a dozen years now, and I have learned a lot over the years, but I have discovered I still have plenty to learn.

And so, while building this special order coffee table I learned: 1.) Screwing a bunch of random pallet 2x4's together does take quite a bit longer than one may think (like 3 or 4 times longer) 2.) Building a large coffee table by joining wood together takes much more time than one may think and 3.) DO NOT quote someone a price for something until you build it, especially if it is the first time you are building the item.

Sunday Verses

Happy Valentine's Day! These verses are familiar to us, I bet many of us even had them read at our weddings. But, even though I have these verses committed to memory, I can tell you I fail daily at loving others like this. I forget to be patient, I have a "me first" attitude with the ones I love, I don't always look for the best in others, I am rude to the ones I love. Imagine how much better our relationships would be if loved each other with God's perfect love. Let's try to remember the amazing example of love Jesus showed people and gives to us and let's try to really love each other the way God intended us to!

Foodie Friday: Gluten Free Mud Pie

We have always loved ice cream pies, but since my hubby was diagnosed with Celiacs, ice cream pies are our go to dessert for birthdays.  They are easy and oh so delicious!

State Shield

I've had a couple interviews this week for my book (Crafting with Wood Pallets) and I was asked both times where I get my inspiration.  I answered with the truth--everywhere.

Sometimes I will see a color that inspires me, sometimes it is the shape of an object, something in nature, sometimes it is a t-shirt with a saying or design.

As I was turning into the thrift store parking lot the other day I saw a sticker on a car that had two arrows crossed (which has been around for awhile) and the school initials on the side and then lacrosse equipment on the top and bottom.

Talk of the Town Link Party

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!

Take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Checkers Table

Y'all, I work for the best people.  My job is a small job, and I call it play because I so enjoy doing it. I merchandise/decorate for an antique place (The Antique Barn in Gallatin Gateway, MT) and I only work a few hours a week.  

While at work each week, I have been eyeing this awesome checkers table in another dealer's booth.

It reminds me of the checkers table that my grandparents had in their upstairs hallway landing in their old farmhouse.  

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Do you ever feel like you are waiting to hear from God, but don't? You are waiting for an answer, waiting for some good news "God mail" and it doesn't seem to come? I am learning that when I am not hearing from God it means I am usually not listening very well. Maybe I am not listening because I am waiting to hear what I WANT to hear. Or, maybe my feelings are clouding what I am hearing and I am not believing what God is telling me. I am learning that when I can't seem to hear God's voice, I need to dig into his Word more and talk to him more in prayer. I am also learning to "force" myself to hear from God during those times when maybe I don't want to listen by asking, "God, what are you saying to me about this?" And when we listen and hear from God we get the added bonus of increased faith which always makes life better. Have a great week!

Foodie Friday: Protein Packed, Gluten Free Granola

My Celiac diseased, granola loving husband was a happy man when, about a year ago,  I started making homemade granola. 

Talk of the Town Link Party #5

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!

Take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Wooden Shutters for My Entryway

A-DOOR-able Bench

So, last night at 9 o'clock I spied this half door piece that I have had for quite awhile.

And knowing that I needed something new in my booth, I decided to quickly piece together a bench.