Because I Said

Pinterest

I've had a love hate relationship with Pinterest for a long time now!  Of course more love then hate!  I guess the hard part for me is I get so caught up in it and then realize I have spent too much time looking and dreaming, instead of doing or creating!  I think this next year I need to make an extra effort about trying and reading or learning about all the fun things I find on Pintrest!

Well just recently I was going through some items that I have been wanting to repaint or refinish.  I figured using something small would be the perfect chance to try something new that I've had pinned for a long time now.  One of the many things that I enjoy is repainting or refinishing furniture.  I love finding an old piece or using an existing piece and giving it a whole new look.  So I read through several of my saved pins about "chalk paint" and decided to give it a try.

I decided to paint a small jewelry box that I had on hand.  I don't have a before shot of it, but this is what it looked like once I fnished it.  It was a simple and fun project to do.  I just took the little handles off and sprayed them white.  While they dried I mixed up the paint and went to town.  I did find several different formulas for the paint mixture.  I had plaster of paris on hand so I went with a recipe that used it.  The mixture is using acrylic paint, water, and plaster of paris.  Since I didn't need a large amount I kind of just eyed it and mixed up what I needed.  When I put the first coat of paint on it went on very thin.  At first I wasn't really liking it.  I had used a smaller paint brush and traded it in for a thicker one.  Once I did that the paint went on much easier and gave better coverage.

Once the paint is dry it does look slightly different.  It is more chalky looking.  I followed this with a quick sanding on the edges with some fine sand paper.  I followed that step with a natural finishing wax and buffed clean.

I haven't decided if I "love" the home made chalk paint or not.  I think I'm going to try it on something bigger next time and then see how I  like it!  I of course will let you know.  I do think though this was a quick and fun project.  It makes for a cute accessory to a bedroom or even a gift.  I love the color of this one.  It's one of the colors I'm using in Aliya's bedroom.  I'm sure we will paint her one in the future, but for now this one is for sale.  It's at a local shop, but if your interested let me know and we can mail it!

Just a few more photos below.  A few new pieces that have been taken to the shop.  Thinking of working on some Christmas ornaments this week.  Just sounds good!  What fun projects are you working on?

Have a great week! Kim

Hello...

Is anyone there???

I know it's been a long time since I've posted here!  After Kelsey passed away I stopped doing a lot of things!  Blogging was just one of them!  I could make you a long list of things that I stopped doing, but I'm sure you don't want to hear them all!  Some of them though included anything creative.  I just couldn't bring myself to do things that I enjoyed or that brought me happiness!  I felt like I could barely breath, let alone doing anything that took effort or that I enjoyed!  I know that it was just part of my process and I just had to accept it!  I thought it would only be a small break from things.  From creating, from my Etsy store, from blogging, from selling localy, etc!  Of course things never seem to go as planned and I found that my break was a lot longer then I had planned! 

When I finally started feeling the need to create or be creative  I couldn't bring myself to do the things I had done before.  I didn't feel like working with my wood, or mixed media, paper crafting, jewelry, art journaling (even though it sounds like it would've helped) anything that I had done before Kelsey passed away.  I needed something new to do.  So I found myself crocheting a bit and making hair accessories. 

Before Kelsey passed away creating was something that we spent a lot of time doing together!  Im sure that's part of the reason I had to let those things take a back seat for awhile!  A few months before she passed away she had been working on some jewelry ideas.  One of which sits patiently waiting in a box for me to pick it up and finish for her someday and see it through to the end for her!  The other project she started were pieces that her and I shared the same taste for!  She had finished her first piece and was waiting for me to take it to the local shop where we sold stuff.  She was so excited about completing her first piece for sale!  It didn't ever make it to the shop though!  She passed away before I was able to take it down there and afterwards I just couldn't bring myself to let it go!  It's something that holds many memories and a special meaning and to me is priceless! 

Several months ago when I needed a creative outlet and started making the hair accessories, I decided to sale them in a local shop.  I small space that lets me stay busy enough to not feel too overwhelmed!  A few months ago though I found myself craving those other creative outlets that I had put on the back seat!  I picked up the jewelry again for the first time in over a year!  It just felt right and was able to help fill a small void that I don't think anything else could have!  It's been a few months and I love and cherish the time that I take to spend creating jewelry and for now it's something I want to continue to do.  Even though I've been enjoying this time I still feel like I'm missing something in my creativity.  I guess I'm slowly adding back in the things that I had to take out.   I have really missed working with my wood, vintage papers, and vintage findings!  If you know me I love vintage items and the little treasures I can find!  Finding those things fills a space just as creating with them does! 

I still have so many things packed away waiting to be shared and used in someones fun projects!  So I've decided that I'm going to work my way back into having my Etsy shop once again!  I don't know any specifics yet, and if you know me I usually make decisions kind of by the seat of my pants!  Sometimes that gets me into trouble, but I figure I just need to jump in with both feet and give it a try!  For now I will be selling my jewelry and hair accessories in my Etsy shop and then will add my wood and other kits back in as I have time to put them there.  I've debated about putting them all in the same shop, because it's such a variety of so many things, but for now I think it's the easiest way to do it!  I can always change it if I need to!

I'm so excited about this new path I am on and hope that you will join me!  I hope we can encourage and inspire each other along the way! 

Check back soon for updates on the reopening of my Etsy shop!  Hopefully sometime next week!  Thanks so much! Kim

Random Example

random - in no particular order. unpredictable. in a haphazard way.

example - not the main thing in influencing others. it's the only thing.

I decided to start up a new blog in memory of Kelsey.  I've been asked by so many of her friends to leave up her Facebook page so they can remember her.  For now it will stay active.  I thought it would be nice though to have a place to compile all the things about Kels.  A place that I hope others can learn more about her life.

In picking the name of the blog I knew it needed to be something unique and a bit quirky as Kels wouldn't want it any other way.  She loved to be and was random in the things that she said.  If you knew Kels you could appreciate this about her.  It was part of who she was.  So I knew somehow the word random needed to be a part of the title.  As I thought of other things that reminded me of her the word example came to mind.  I know in my own personal life Kels was a wonderful example in the way she handled some of her struggles.  Since she passed I've had an overwhelming amount of people letting me know in some way how Kels touched there life.  So of course it had to be example! So it just stuck and became Random Example. 

During this difficult time we have had so much love and support!  It has been so amazing and a blessing in our lives!  I cannot express how much I am grateful for everything.  The amount of emails, texts, facebook comments, and cards has been so overwhelming.  I am so grateful to have these as they are a wonderful reminder of a beautiful daughter that went home earlier then any of us would have liked!

I hope you will follow along and hopefully find something that will make you laugh, cry, smile, or inspire you.  Again thank you so much for the love and support we have received.  We are forever grateful.

Random Example

 

Sweet 16...

This saying has a whole new meaning for me.  This past Tuesday, March 8th my sweet daughter Kels was taken home to be with her Father in Heaven.

 

She had just turned 16 in Dec and has the sweetest soul and spirit about her.  Her services were held yesterday March 12th.  I was grateful and amazed by the support and the turnout of people we had come to share with us this special yet difficult time.  I'm so wishing now that I had recorded at least the life history that my brother did. It was absolutely amazing.  I've never been in a funeral where you could hear so much laughter and I mean laughter.  It warmed my heart.  I was glad that people were able to see into how kels is and yet if they knew her well that they were able to remember these things and feel that connection and love.

 

She has been such a wonderful example to me in my life as well.  I appreciate this so much and it helps give me the strength to know she is now doing work in a different place.  She has a new task at hand.  We may not know what it is, but I know we can find comfort and peace in knowing that she is doing the Lords work on the other side.  I can not even describe the peace and joy I have felt the past few days.  It almost feels weird to feel this way after losing my child.  I know that the rough days will come as well, but  I know  that she is where she is needed and is being watched over as she continues on.  I'm grateful that one day we will see her again and I will be able to look into her beautiful eyes and feel her warm embrace. 

 
There is so much more that I could and want to share. I'm just afraid I would be here all day typing.  I'm thinking of setting up another blog in memory of kels to post more things on.  When I decide on this I will post this.  I just wanted to share with so many friends and loved ones this time in our life.  I am so grateful for the love and support that we have received and continue to receive.  We have felt the prayers and spirt so strong this week.  We are grateful to each one of you that has reached out in any way.  I'm just so glad to know that my baby is now without her diabetes and other trials that she had her.  That she is happy, dancing, taking care of others and doing the Lords work.

We love you Kooks!

 

Gentle Reminders

As I look at this past week there have been several things that have happened to remind me of what is important to me.  Little reminders I suppose...of course they come at times most often when I need them!  I'm grateful for the reminders no matter how big or small they are.  Some are harder then others, but I know they have a purpose.

 
I made this plaque that reminds me of life, laugh, and love.  I set it close to my front door yesterday as a reminder as we are coming and going.  I think it's good to have these gentle little reminders around.

Today at church we sang one of my favorite hymns "Because I Have Been Given Much"  I love this song and it is yet another reminder to me.  Part of it says "Because I have been given much I to must give"  What a great reminder!  I'm hoping as I go throughout this next week that I can work on applying this gentle reminder.

What gentle reminders have you come across?  I'm sure they are there!

 

Well It wasn't meant to be...

My most recent post that is.  Just finished it up and then it was gone. Not sure where it went, but it's not here anymore.

So this time around it's simple and to the point...maybe that's better.

Have you seen this class...Soul Restoration?  I was on the fence until the last night possible to sign up for it.  I told myself that I needed to take some more time to myself...one of my goals for the New Year.  So this was the perfect start.  I jumped in and signed up.  I was sad when it started because I was pretty sick for several days.  I found out Monday that I had pneumonia.  Yuck.  It really kicked my butt last week!  Now that I've got the meds I'm feeling so much better...just waiting for more energy to return.  My mom keeps reminding me to take it easy so I thought spending time on this class would help keep me busy, but at the same time taking it easy.

In this class I've already found my "one little word" reminding me!  I'm finding I need the inner "strength" to journal.  I'm not very good when it comes to writing.  My mom didn't pass on that talent.  I do however love the art part of it!  It's been so long since I've taken out my art journals.  I've really been enjoying the process.

 
I'm also finding that I will be able to gain strength in areas of my life that are really lacking it.  I've been taking time out everyday to spend painting, journaling, and just enjoying it.  It's been wonderful working on this so far.

 
In this journal I'm not worrying about it looking perfect or just right.  I'm really trying to enjoy the process and try new things on my pages.  It's been fun letting go and just letting it happen.

In between all the germs, kiddos, house stuff, and whatever else goes on I've been squeezing in some time to put some new stuff together for the shop in Mesa.  I've also been working on some new stuff with Kels.  I will be adding that to the shop as well as Etsy here soon.  Yep it's time for another Etsy update!  Need to get my camera out!

I hope you take some time to yourself this weekend and some time to enjoy some of your favorite things!

Strength

Just popping in real quick.  Wanted to share a quote I found this morning while I was doing some reading.  I'm going to try to read something about my one little word on a daily basis.  Some days it may be longer then others.  Today was a wonderful talk.

"In the strength of the Lord we can do and endure and overcome all things" David A. Bednar

 
I've let the past past week and a half of January slip by.  The days just seem to come and go so fast anymore.  Tonight we are setting our goals for the year.  Looking forward to it!

2011

So happy to have this new year here!  This past year had a lot of bumps in the road for our family. There is just something about having January come around.  The feeling of a fresh start and recommitting or committing to goals and new changes.

The past several years I have picked a word to focus on for the year.  You can read more about it here.  Ali Edwards does such a great job with this.  If you look here she has a list of tons of words you can choose from if you are having a hard time coming up with your own.

I usually start thinking ahead of time about my new word, but this year I completely forgot about it until I saw new words popping up everywhere.  The past few years my choice has been very easy.  This year I struggled with it and the ones I had been thinking just didn't seem to fit.  Then it finally hit. 

 
My word for 2011 is STRENGTH.  At first I just shrugged it off and tried to think of a new one, but I found it coming back over and over through out the past few days.  So I finally decided to just go with it!  Tonight I took sometime to play around with some photos and the word a bit.  It was nice to take some time for just me!  Something I need to work on more this year!

So have you thought of one little word that will help you to push yourself into a new direction and hopefully better your life?  I may need to have this photo printed up and hang it as a daily reminder!

"Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing"

 

So Much...

to be grateful for!

 
This past 4 weeks a lot has happened here at home.  It reminded me how grateful I am for the simple things that we have!  I guess when you have a trial it really can put things into perspective, if you allow it to! 

I'm so grateful for my family and close friends for the strength and support we recieved from them during this time.  We truely have been blessed with so many things.  I need to try and remember them all year long and not just around the holidays!

We will be spending time with family and friends for the holidays and enjoying ourselves while remembering the many blessings that we've been given.  I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Bit of Everything!

Well it's been another crazy week!  I think they might all be like this just in different ways.  We had a family emergency this past week and it took up several of my days.  Things are settling back to a normal pace again.  I'm so grateful for family and friends that have been there during this time!

Last week I headed down to the shop and redid my space.  I wanted to give it a Halloween feel.  With paint, goodies, sodas, dinner, and good friend I headed down to get busy!

 
We used the black paint to dry brush every other fence slat.  I thought it would add a fun stripe pattern to the space. Cob webs, spiders, mini skeletons, and crows also help add to the Halloween theme.

 
For the back wall I hand painted a silhouette of a haunted house, a tree with an owl and a bat.  This was so much fun to do.  I love painting like this it really makes me happy!  I think it adds a fun touch to the space.

 
It was a fun night hanging out and revamping the space.  Now I just need to finish up some of the goodies I've started on and get them down to the shop.

 
I know there are several of you that have emailed or sent a message. I apologize for getting to you so late. I'm working on getting caught up on those still after this past week and not getting much done for several days while dealing with stuff. I am hoping to be caught up this next week.

 
Some of you may remember when I shared these little houses I had been working on.  I took most of them to the shop.  I have some left that I will soon be adding to my Etsy.  And along with those I will be adding the unfinished ones.  I've had so many ladies ask about these and have orders already for them.  Yes they will be done and added this week to!  Melissa Phillips had bought some extra ones from me and has done so many cute things with them.  Including this little fall set below.

You can see her post about them and the list of goodies she used here

Melissa and the other girls on the design team did some projects for me a bit ago with the houses as well.  I will be sharing those as well this next week for you to get more ideas from.  I'm thinking they would also make cute little Halloween houses, well and of course with Christmas around the corner...

Enjoy your weekend and check back soon.  Thanks for stopping by..