Crafting

While I was growing up I tried so hard to find my talent. It seemed like everyone had something but me. Some people could sing, or draw, or play an instrument; and I tried them all. Drawing, painting, singing, guitar, poetry; anything I could think of. And there was never really anything that I was really good at. I got really into photography for awhile and I still very much enjoy it on a daily basis. But what I really enjoy doing, what I get completely lost in is crafting. Taking this, that and that and creating something awesome. When the inspiration hits I can spend hours working with my hands and not even realize it. So this happens quite a bit:

I start a project before work, get to working on it, look up and realize three hours have gone by and I should already been ready to leave for work.

It has taken almost 23 years but I have finally found my talent, what I'm really good at. What soothes my soul and quiets my mind. And honestly I couldn't be any happier with it.

Here Comes The Sun

 Oh man! The other night I stepped outside and could have sworn I caught a sniff of that sweet sweet spring air! And the past two days have been close to 70 degrees here. <3 Today I went and got some potting soil and potted some plants I've been meaning to pot; and I CAN NOT tell you how GOOOOD it felt to be barefoot outside with the sun on my back and dirt on my hands! Ahhh spring! 

This winter has been a rough one on me, I've fallen victim to life and probably seasonal affective disorder and have been somewhat depressed. But spring is coming, I can feel it in my bones. I feel like everything is waking up inside me! I WANT to clean the house and do laundry and give the dogs baths. I'm inspired and eager to create, and am just feeling all around good again. I'm day dreaming of camping and hiking trips, planting a garden and some flower beds and making our backyard and deck a cozy little outside home for us to relax in! (Because with this new house we have the perfect backyard and a nice sized back porch! Eeep!) 

So be on the look out for my garden planning and some awesome DIY/upcycling projects for my backyard! I can't wait to get started and share all the goodness with you fine folks!

DIY: Boot Stretching Technique

So while shopping at Forever 21 not too long ago I found a pair of those boots, you know the perfect booties that are marked half off and there are only two left and by some miracle they happen to be in your size! Ya, those boots...well booties. I quickly snatched them up and tried them on and of course they were a little snug. But they are the perfect pair and half off, there's got to be some way I can work with that. So I got home and paraded around for a bit and found they were a bit more than a little snug. Straight to the internet I went! Where I found that rubbing Rubbing Alcohol on the insides of the boot can help stretch them out. Well we didn't have any alcohol, bummer. And I'm one of those people who like instant satisfaction so I didn't want to wait till I could get some. So I used body mist! which is pretty high in alcohol content.

This is what ya do:

 Get your boots, body mist and two pairs of socks! Now spray the mist on the spots that are tight ( I recommend doing a little at a time because once they are stretched there's no going back ) Once you've got them sprayed put on both pairs of socks and clean your house, yup you heard me work those puppies in! Look at you multi tasking! :) Every now and then you can stop and take off the second pair of socks and see how they feel and just keep working with them. 

 I stopped when they were still a little snug because once you start wearing them they will continue to stretch with regular wear. I've been wearing mine for a few weeks now and they fit perfectly!

This method can also be applied to heels and other shoes made with similar material (i.e. leather and pleather). I hope this will help you guys keep your feet cute AND comfy!

A New Year

2013 has been one hell of a year. We have moved three times, gotten married, traveled, worked like crazy and lost two people very close to us. These last few months have been crazy. We were working two jobs each and not getting any quality time together. For three years we have had Sundays of together, while working that other job I had to work Sundays and it put a huge strain on our relationship. I was also very unhappy at this second job. So when Phillip was offered a full time position at the body shop we both gave up the second jobs and are finally getting in the hang of this new schedule. He works during the day and I at night so it's been a lot of adjusting to spend some real time together.  I now have time to blog again! Here's a couple Instagram pictures from our year.

Blogging is very frustrating when the only way you can do it is on your smart phone. I have two resolutions this year: one is to go back to school and the other is get an Etsy shop going….which means we will have the internet at some point this year! Yay! And then it is on! I can't wait to fill this space and share my life with you guys! Here's to another year!

Bits N Pieces

Bits N Pieces is a blog post done by Miss James Bluebird and I just love the idea. Lately I started working another job during the day AND we just moved...again. This time we are renting from someone we know and trust and we are outside city limits so there are no pitbull laws! Yay! Plus this house is at least twice as big with a huge backyard with a nice big deck! Since I've been so absent I thought I'd share some Bits N Pieces of my last week or so. 

Lots of leaves, caffeine, yarn, moving/settling, AND a new haircut!! That I LOVE! I never gone this short and I've always wanted too and this week I got to cross it off the ole' bucket list! I always get to the point I want to just chop it all off but never fully get the nerve. I've been having to constantly wear my hair up for work and it was giving me horrible headaches and long thick hair is no fun to up everyday so it helped to give me the courage, and I am so glad! I never really  realized how much of a hassle it is to have long hair until I lost it. I chopped off a little over a foot and half and after some research have decided to donate it to Wigs 4 Kids.

Anyone else cross off a bucket list item recently?

Miss Bluebirds blog can be found here:

http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/

• The Ultimate Fall To Do List •

I really really love October. I love when you can start to feel the change in the air. It stirs up something inside of you. It ,also, makes me extremely nostalgic which is a nice feeling. Mainly I LOVE Halloween. I love that everything odd is accepted as normal. Most years I say I'm going to do all the amazing things that come with this season but rarely get anywhere close to finishing the list. So this year is THE YEAR! The year I am going to conquer the ultimate fall to do list! 

And here's what I'm gunna do:

• play as much disc golf as I can before it gets cold +

• find the PERFECT pair of boots (this has been a big thing I've wanted to do but haven't these last few years)

• go to the pumpkin patch +

• go to a haunted house +

• make halloween decorations + 

• give out candy (hopefully I'll get some in this new neighborhood, I've ALWAYS wanted trick or treaters)

• decorate my yard and tiny front porch in order to get trick or treaters

    • make the trash bag pumpkins and spiders that you fill with leaves

• take a motorcycle ride out to the Ozarks after the leaves change

• find those little orange fuzzy balls on fallen leaves

• take Houdini on a lot of walks +

• drink hot tea 

• have coffee with a friend on a patio snuggled in a scarf

• take Houdini to Pinnacle Mountain after the leaves change

• find my crochet rhythm (make my dads birthday present) 

• give knitting another try

• carve pumpkins

• have scary movie marathons +

• eat baked pumpkin as much as possible +

• paint my face like a sugar skull

• learn to alter jeans

• add some more homemade pieces to my wardrobe