New Hobby

I know, it's crazy, because I already have enough unfinished projects laying around, but... I have discovered that I LOVE stamping. I decided to give it a try when we went to Missouri two summers ago and I saw what Dawn had done. She made some pretty incredible things, and she gave me her catalog to look at while I was there. I think I spent the entire week just carrying that catalog around gawking at all the adorable things that stamp creators had thought of! This past fall, I found myself gawking at the 50th wedding anniversary celebration invitations Dawn had made with a stamp. Several of us drove up to Missouri for the party, and I got another catalog. This time it was mine to keep! When my mom asked me for additional things I wanted for Christmas this past year, I just handed her the catalog with my favorite stamps listed! Thankfully, I got several and was so excited. Unfortunately, with all the new house excitement and life in general, I haven't had a chance to do much with them. I decided this week to save myself some money and make thank you cards instead of purchasing them after I ran out last week. So, I made my way to the Rubber Stamp Fantasy on the Square (amazing!) and bought blank cards and envelopes. This afternoon, I went to town. It was the only productive thing I've done all day, and it didn't even take that long! Take a look...
You'll notice that I stuck with the same three or four stamps, but changed the ink colors. Obviously, they're not the greatest things ever made, but I still think they're pretty cute. I cannot wait for other occasions that are coming up that will allow me to make some different cards.

These next ones are my favorites. I kept having to clean off my stamps on a scrap piece of paper, and most of the time, I found that I liked the softened stamp too. So I decided to experiment and try it out. Of course, the orange and blue one is my favorite out of these three...

Now I just have to hope that I don't get too caught up in stamping to forget about my scrapbooking! I am really hoping to just bring stamping into my scrapbooking and then I'll be doing two things that are fun and that I love. I am really hoping to get back into that during my Spring Break because I don't have any major plans - which is fine! My first major project before I can start will be to sort my printed pictures. Maybe I'll plan to get THAT done during Spring Break... one step at a time... one step at a time... I need to keep reminding myself of that!

So there ya go! I have a new hobby that I discovered today! Watch for some fun cards coming your way soon...

The One You've Been Waiting For...

Pictures of My House!

Here is my front steps... Auburn garden flag to greet everyone, as well as the pansies (thanks Ashley!!), and my St. Patrick's Day door hanging. I have made it a goal to have something cute to hang on the door each month. I think I've been successful so far... maybe I could have a "running" blog entry of my door hangings!! Full view of house from across the street...

Close-up of house from the driveway...

My barn a.k.a. my dad's workshop... Yes, I have decided to be a gracious daughter and allow my dad's dreams of having a woodshop come true in my own backyard. Honestly, I have a three bedroom house - what would I need all that space for?! I may be regretting this decision later in life when I have too much junk, but for now, I think it'll be fun!

Haha, my swing - no worries, I haven't tried to sit in it. The plan is to buy a new one and paint it orange and blue (war eagle!)!

Before: Dining Room

After: Dining Room

My sister and I plastered this room in one day! It's called Venetian Plaster and the awesome people at Home Depot will color it for you. Then, you slap it on the wall with a trowel and move it around. You can then burnish it and/or glaze it... I just left it alone and love it!! I plan on getting some new lamp shades for the chandelier.

Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

You can't really tell from this picture, but the wall on the left is striped. My plan was to use a flat paint and a glosst paint to achieve this effect, but again, the awesome Home Depot workers told me to buy a glaze instead and just paint over the original paint. So, Kristen helped me tape it off after my mom and I painted it. We put about 4 layers of glaze to get this subtle effect. The door on the far right is my front door... in case you were wondering.

Another shot of the living room...

I have decided to start collecting crosses, so here are the beginnings of my wall of crosses.

Before: Kitchen

After: Kitchen

Painted by my mom and me...

Before: Kitchen

(this is Richard in the picture... the guy that sold me my new refrigerator AND fixed my cabinets - notice how low they are and then notice the height of the cabinets in the next picture PLUS the new fridge)

After: Kitchen

Before: Kitchen

After: Kitchen

The amazing calendar is compliments of my sister - it was my Christmas present, and I LOVE it! My plan for the kitchen table is to paint it bright colors like the calendar. I'm thinking to do a cool design on the legs of the table and chairs.

Before: Den

After: Den

Painted by my mom, Kristen, Kaitlin, Katie, and me. The curtains look purple in this picture, but they are denim (like the loveseat) and have a yellow and white stripe. Curtains were hung by Brian Johnson - thanks! The quilt on the sofa is my Very Hungry Caterpillar quilt - love it!

Before: Den

After: Den

Before: Laundry Room

(Gotta love the rooster curtains!)

After: Laundry Room

(There was no door on this room before we started - my dad and brother had to dig it out of the barn, and my mom had to paint it.)

Painted by my mom, Kristen - ALL the way around the hot water heater (impressive work!), and me.Before: My Bedroom

After: My Bedroom

Painted by my mom, Mrs. Lewis, Sarah, Katie, Kaitlin, Elise, and me. (The whole thing had to be paint brushed because of the paneling).

Before: My Bedroom

After: My Bedroom

My armoire from college was ruined in storage and is now awaiting repair work in the barn, but it will go where the TV is now. My intention is to get another piece of furniture (like a dresser of some sort) to go under the shelves on the wall.

Before: My Closet

After: My Closet

Painted by Elise and me.

I love elfa shelving - sold at The Container Store - amazing store!

Before: My Bathroom

After: My Bathroom

Painted by me. Before: My Bathroom

After: My Bathroom

Yes, the little sign says "Laugh until you tinkle in your panties." ;) Haha!

Before: Guest Room

After: Guest Room

Painted by Katie, Sarah, Elise, Kaitlin, my mom, and me. Fun night - thanks so much girls!

The furniture was my grandparents' and I had it when I lived with my parents. They graciously allowed me to take it causing them to buy a new bed (oops). The quilt is another one made by my mom. Before: Guest Room

After: Guest Room
Gotta give credit where it's due... my initials were hung by Brian Johnson - thanks again!

Another view of the guest room...

Before: Hall Bathroom

After: Hall Bathroom

Surprisingly... NOT painted!!

Another view of the hall bathroom: "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." Song of Solomon 4:7 Another view of the hall bathroom: my monogrammed shower curtain! Before: Craft Room/Office/Guest Room

After: Craft Room/Office/Guest Room

Painted by - haha! - first shade of pink: Elise and me, then I decided I hated it, so I changed the color and it was painted by my mom, Kristen, and me. I am SO excited about this room and the things I hope to get accomplished in it! I am about 5 years behind on my scrapbook now, so I have LOTS of time to catch up on... maybe one day it will happen.

Before: Craft Room/Office/Guest Room

After: Craft Room/Office/Guest Room

Another view of my craft Room/office/guest room...

SO, that's my house! I clearly had LOTS of help to make my Open House happen this past weekend. I never would have this house painted if it had not been for my family and friends that helped - all of you are a blessing to me!

My house obviously needs some work still, but it is coming together really well, and I am fully enjoying it. Yes, there are the joys of homeownership that keep sneaking up on me, but as someone said to me the other day, my life can't be boring - I wouldn't know what to do! So, I'll take it.

I hope you enjoyed these photos, but I promise it's a lot more exciting in person, so PLEASE come visit! If you don't live near Marietta, I've given you proof that I have plenty of room for you to visit, so do it!