Happy Sunday! I love a backroad and when I have the time, I usually prefer to take the unbeaten path. Sometimes the road takes me somewhere new and unfamiliar. Our choices in life are often compared to roads we are on. One decision leads us down a certain path and another option takes us somewhere else. Whatever road we are on, Jesus walks beside us, whether we recognize it or not. Like the disciples walking on the road to Damascus, when we do realize Jesus is with on the road, when we encounter him, we are changed. Know this, no matter what path you are walking, God is with you and he longs for you to see him, to walk arm in arm with him, to lead you down new ways.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Rustic Farmhouse Grain Seed Bucket
I recently stocked up on some of my favorite stencils, Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils. (BUY HERE).
Her newest line are these wonderful GRAIN SACK stencils.
(this post contains affiliate links)
The grain stencil was the first one I played with. I love these stencils--they are high quality, they have great registration marks, and are unique and perfect for today's farmhouse decor.
I recently found this galvanized bucket at the thrift store for a few dollars and knew it would be perfect for the grain stencil. I used a white porch paint to stencil with since the bucket may be used outdoors.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Sunday Verses
Happy Sunday! A recent drive on backroads led us to this abandoned schoolhouse. I hate seeing it deteriorating and wish that I could I restore it. I imagine the children who played and learned in this "lovely to me" school. Do you remember being taught the golden rule in school? I can picture the neatly lettered sign in my first grade classroom and I remember having to recite it. It seems like a pretty simple rule to live by, but darn, applying it is not always that easy. Everything Jesus taught was this golden rule principle: love each other, bless people, don't judge, be kind. Being human is messy and hard and hurtful sometimes, but before we act, before we speak, we need to pause and ask ourselves, are we treating this individual how we would want to be treated?
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Sunday Verses
Happy Sunday! We finally got some days of sunshine this past week and I am loving it. The other morning the much welcomed morning sun was shining through the window and casting a shadow on the wall that looked almost iridescent. Light--it makes such a difference in how we see and in how we feel and react to things. We are called to be a light to each other every day. We don't need to wait for the big gestures to shine for others. Be a daily light in the small things and in small ways: include rather than exclude, be positive instead of someone who complains and is negative, be polite in your interactions not short and rude, listen to someone rather than talking at them, give grace instead of impatience, smile. People notice light, they notice the subtle differences in people who let Jesus shine through them.
Friday, March 15, 2019
Spring Signs
Supposedly robins have been spotted in the area. However, I haven't seen any yet and as we speak, my hubby is helping to clear the high school track of two feet of snow. But, I know spring will arrive eventually. In the meantime I made some signs for spring.
(affiliate links)
These signs are approximately 15" x 15" and painted using These Folk Art Stencils (BUY HERE) and Funky Junk Old Sign Stencils (BUY HERE).
I painted them on some salvaged plywood and framed each one out. Each sign is a little different and I am selling them locally.
Which is your favorite?
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Thrifty Thursday Planters
Spring is upon us, although looking outside it is hard to tell because it is still a sea of white snow. But, inside I am ready for color and new life and green.
When I bought this small, silver chafing dish I had no idea what I was going to use it for, but soon found a use for it.
This Thrifty Thursday project is not really a project at all. But, the thrift store is one of the best places to get unique planters for house plants. LOOK for tarnished silver containers, metal buckets, vintage pottery, kid's galoshes, great baskets, pretty teacups, cowboy boots.
If you have something that you can't drill drainage holes in, be sure to put a little gravel in the bottom or use a plastic planter with a saucer inside the thrift store item.
The sunny yellow pot and the green make me feel a little warmer and I love a simple, thrift store repurpose!
Monday, March 11, 2019
Rustic Indian Paintbrush Painting
Last summer the Indian Paintbrush flourished in Montana. I love it, but hubby has a tough time seeing it because he is color blind and the red is hard for him to see amidst the green. We joke about it and he often has to be right on top of it to notice it.
I snapped this picture of the Indian Paintbrush on one of our hikes. It was a day that was hotter than we expected, and we got lost going to our destination (the helicopter pad at the top of Bridger Mountain) so we hiked a few more miles than planned, and we didn't have enough water. But, we finally made it to the top and the views were spectacular.
I decided to paint some Indian Paintbrush, using ONLY wood scraps as my paintbrushes and a piece of plywood as my canvas.
I have shad some people ask about a tutorial on my process. I am not sure I am ready to share that yet, nor do I know if it is something I can teach. But, I will say I just grab little craps of wood from around my chopsaw and dip it into paint--some craft, some latex, and paint. I layer the colors.
When I am done. I do a little sanding, add a frame and stain the whole piece.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Sunday Verses
Happy Sunday! This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time before Easter where we focus on Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. Many people give up something for Lent or fast during the season to refocus their relationship with Jesus and to remember he gave up. After realizing I have been doing too much complaining lately, I have decided to do my best to give it up (and hopefully it will become a permanent habit!). I am working on focusing on the positive, on seeing the good in tough situations, on turning negative conversations around. And while I know I will still have moments where I grumble, I am keeping this verse close by.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Great Growler Makeover
So, here's a fun fact for you: Montana ranks second in the nation for number of microbrews per capita. Y'all, we like our beer. And as a result, there are all types of growlers in the thrift stores. For those of you who do not know, a growler is a container for beer bought by the measure (official definition there!). People take their growlers to the breweries to get them filled and take their beer home.
I had been keeping my eye open for a clear one because many of them are brown (which are a fun, warm color for display). I finally found a clear one that looks like it might have been used for home brewing.
After removing the label, I painted the growler with Martha Stewart glass paint. Mine is at least five years old, but I think you can still get it at craft stores.
I decided to build a wood crate for the growler. Using scrap wood, wood glue, and my brad nailer, I hobbled together a crate for the jug. Historically, large 5 gallon jugs would be shipped in a wood crate that looked similar to this mini one I built for my growler.
I clipped some bamboo branches from our solarium to add a bit of green to our otherwise too snowy, too white world. Bamboo is supposed to bring good luck. It grows like crazy.
Always look at the jars and for growlers at the thrift store. There are so many different ones and they make great display pieces. Line up a bunch on a sunny windowsill, use wide mouth jars for STUFF, or use them for a centerpiece like I am.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Sunday Verses
Happy Sunday! I have been studying this past week for some online work I am trying to do. I have to take a test to be approved to do the work and I am nervous. I graduated from college 31 years ago and other than some continuing ed. classes, I have not had to study, let alone take a test in a long time. I have been busy scribbling illegible notes on scratch paper to try to trigger the ol' memory keeper. And let me tell you, I have said more than once, "I can't do this!" and have felt like I am not smart enough. We all have times when we feel like we are not enough--not smart enough, not pretty enough, not a good enough parent or partner, not rich enough. Sometimes it is our inner dialogue and sometimes it is someone else who makes us feel like we are not enough. STOP! God says with him, you are enough. He doesn't see you as a fixer-upper project, but loves you and honors you just as you are. With Jesus on your side, YOU ARE ENOUGH! Believe it, know it, and live like it.
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