Painting Kitchen Cupboards

I am making the jump--the jump on to the painting my kitchen cupboards bandwagon. 

I know, some of you are cringing right now, but hear me out. Our cupboards are stained cherry--they are NOT cherry wood, but cherry stain. They are too red and too formal and too not me.

Old Tin Glory

We (we, meaning my husband, who did the work) recently took some old, corrugated tin off the roof of a shed. I used some on a potting bench and a hall tree. I had a smaller, leftover piece.

I knew it would make a perfect flag.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Have you ever been told to, "Cry a river, build a bridge, and GET OVER IT!"? It is harsh advice, but there is truth and wisdom in it too. We all have something we need to "get over"--a relationship, a job situation, an injustice, or something WE did. God did not create us to live in the past. Dwelling on former things keeps us from being who we are meant to be. Getting on with life does not mean what was done to us was okay, but it does mean that we forgive and that we choose to enjoy and be present in the moment. We need to leave those things behind that prevent us from moving forward. Give it to God and let him help you get over it.

DIY Distressed Flag Sign

I cannot believe it is almost the fourth of July. We have had so much rain, it hasn't really felt like summer yet. But, June is almost over, and it is time to decorate for Independence Day.

Using a rectangular scrap of plywood painted dark brown to make a distressed flag sign is a great place to start on your summer decorations.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Summer is officially here--three months of warmer weather and longer days. There are years when the change of seasons seem to come slowly. But, even when the seasons don't change on my timetable, I trust that they eventually will. This verse reminds me that God has his own timetable to work in our lives. We may be going through a season where everything seems hard. We may feel like we are praying without getting answers and we grow impatient and discouraged. Do not give up--be patient, rest and trust that God will bring you through the current season and that he will work everything out in his perfect timing.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday and Happy Father's Day! Today, some of us remember and know that we are blessed to have had good fathers and we know we have good men raising our children. But, for far too many, today is a tough day and too many feel alone and cheated of a loving father. For those who feel that way, hear this truth-- you have a Father who has chosen and adopted you, who loves you unconditionally with open arms, who accepts you, who cares about you. God is a father who wants to have relationship with YOU. Call out to him and let your heavenly daddy comfort you, guide you, and love you.

Old Drawer and Luggage Rack Upccyle

I love when those random items I pick up at garage sales find a purpose. This luggage rack,

and a drawer purchased at another garage sale wanted to join together to become a fantastic storage piece.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Yesterday, my son would have been eighteen. I have learned so many lessons through his death--probably enough to fill a year's worth of Sunday verses. The one that I tend to forget, but thought about this past week, is that life can change instantly. It's something we have all heard, but what does it mean for our every day living? It means we should enjoy life, practice gratitude daily, forgive that person, delight in small joys, seek beauty, share kindness. Life is hard and constantly changing, but let's not take for granted the gift that it is.

Upcycled Thrift Store Wine Cart

Hmmm, to buy or not to buy, that was the question when I spied this wine cart at the thrift store.

On the plus side, it was priced decently, had locking wheels, the tray was removeable for serving, it would be quick to upcycle for an upcoming show, and was in good shape. On the negative side, it is cheaply made, would be a pain to prep and paint, and was not anything unique or spectacular.

But, the need to get some things done for an upcoming show won out and I bought it. After a few tries, I came up with a plan that worked to upcycle this find.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! While hiking,I spied this tree that looks like it was hit by lightning. Others may see a dead tree, but I noticed a charred spot that looked like a heart. Looking at things in a different way changes what we think about them. God wants us to look at life through his eyes. When we see through the eyes of faith and apply God's perspective to situations, we look beyond what we "know", and we realize the hope and power that we have available to us because of Jesus. God opens our hearts to see what is important.