50th Follower Fun!

Hi y'all! I oficially have 50 followers!!! I really would love to do a giveaway to thank those of you who read and follow my blog! It means so much to me that you read what I write. That being said...I've never done a giveway before and don't know where to start! So, those of you who are seasoned vetran bloggers...HELP! I need ideas for a giveaway!!! :-) Any advice is also greatly appreciated! I hope to do a giveaway sometime this week...keep your eyes peeled! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

"For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths." Proverbs 5:21

From Trash to Treasure

Today I'm linking up with Kelly's blog, Kelly's Korner, to share what I make. I'm also linking up to Funky Junk, My Romantic Home, and The Shabby Nest! :-)

Although fixing up furniture doesn't technically count as "making" something, I feel that I transform the furniture into a brand new piece each time I restore or fix it! I'm still a newcomer in the furniture restoration business, so I'm going to share the projects I have completed so far. I am going to start with the first piece of furniture I ever fixed up! I wanted a new headboard, and after much research I found this beauty for $40. I knew that I wanted it to be white, and this old brass headboard was the perfect candidate!

{BEFORE}

{AFTER}

I painted it outside, and had to use my planters to hold down the tarp..it was really windy that day!

Here the headboard is in the bedroom. I just love the way it fits! And with this picture I will introduce my next "rescue" project! I don't know if I've talked about my love for Craigslist before...but I LOVE CRAIGSLIST! My favorite pieces of furniture have come from Craigslist. I had been looking for nightstands FOREVER, when one day I was on Craigslist in my favorite section, Antiques, and I saw these beauties...$30 for both, such a steal!

{BEFORE}

Here they are before I gave them a little TLC, can't you see the potential there?

{AFTER}

All these night stands needed was a little bit of sanding and some wood rejuvinating oil.

 

This is the kind I use, WATCO rejuvenating oil, if you fix up furniture at all I highly recommend it!

Another one of my little projects that I am proud of is an unfinished bookshelf that I stained and finished! I sadly don't have a true before picture because it slipped my mind! Here it is mid-staining!

{BEFORE}

I stained it with Minwax Red Oak, before the wood was VERY light...completly unfinished. Here it is after the second coat of stain and with the lining on the backs of the shelves!

{AFTER}

To line the back of this bookshelf I simply got scrapbook paper and used Modge Podge to apply and seal it! It wasn't as easy as it sounds, I had to use several pieces of scrapbook paper and match up all of the vertical lines. It was quite the process, but I love the end result! Here it is in my bedroom.

I love how it turned out! It's just the perfect size!

This next project was a random Goodwill find. Future Hubster and I were running errands and I saw this sitting outside and just had to go look. It turns out it was only $9! Which I think is a great deal for an ANTIQUE Sears & Roebuck sewing machine cabinet! It didn't include the actual sewing machine, but I was fine with that...I had other plans for it :-)

{BEFORE}

{AFTER}

Here it is in it's current location...as a vanity table in my bedroom!

It's just so cute in the corner of my room! :-)

One of the projects that I am the most proud of is the transformation of my kitchen table and chairs.

 I've already done a blog about them...that story can be found HERE!

Here are a few of my non-furniture projects that I've worked on. The first is a cute little frame that I made myself!

For this I used a frame I already had and backed it with scrapbook paper and then added a "Keep Calm and Carry On" image I got from The Graphics Fairy. If you haven't visited her blog yet...YOU SHOULD!!! :-)

I love chalkboard paint and haven't had enough places to use it...but I did create a cute little chalkboard from an ugly rooster hanging.

I've already blogged about it and you can view the transformation HERE!

I hope you enjoyed looking at a few of my transformations! I love fixing furniture and my obsession has only grown since I started. I'm currently working on several projects that I can't wait to share. I posted a sneek peek of an antique High Back chair I'm working on...you can read about that HERE. I also have an antique vanity and highboy dresser I will be working on soon! I hope you'll keep up with my progress and share any tips or tricks you've learned! Thanks for stopping by!

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23

Creative Future Hubster

Today over at Kelly's Korner she's hosting "Show Us Your Life Friday" and this weeks theme is "show us what you make". As you all know I don't "make" anything, but I do fix up furniture ;-) However, this post isn't about what I do...this post is dedicated to the Future Hubster's creativity! I had no idea when we first started dating that he was so creative! Recently he began making lamps out bottles. He has used wine bottles, whisky bottles, and my favorite is an antique whisky jug that's in my dining room. I have an obsession with lamps, another sign that God chose the right man for me ;-) Here are a few of his lamps. I just LOVE them!

This one is in my kitchen! It's just perfect for the little corner I have it in.

This antique whisky jug lamp is my favorite! It's in my dining room now, in the future I want this one in my kitchen! 

This one is the Future Hubsters favorite, very manly!

Future Hubster is one of the most prepared people I know. He is always planning for our future and constantly adds to our survival supplies. If anything catastrophic ever happened, I would be well taken care of. This is one of the big things I love about this man :-) Anyways, all of that being said...the Future Hubster loves to make bracelets out of paracord! In case of an emergency these would be taken apart and could be used to aid in survival. Each bracelet has about 8 ft. of paracord in it.

Here is one on Future Hubster's arm! He made this one today and just learned how to make a two toned bracelet.

Here are a bunch of the bracelets! He actually made all of these today!

I am just so impressed with my honey!!! He's so talented! :-)

Do any of your fiances/husbands make anything?

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Hello everyone!!! :-) I hope you are all having a great week so far, I sure am. There's a lot that I'm loving this Wednesday....to link up click HERE

{One}

Generous Retired Teachers

While I was eating lunch with my team on Monday a retired teacher came into the teachers lounge. She taught kindergarten for many years and just recently retired. It turns out that she was visiting the school to donate some of her books. I had no clue that she would've donated as many as she did. I was shocked when I went into the book room, there were hundreds of books! She was so sweet and gave me permission to look through them and take some home! I got a bunch of books and I know that my future students will love them! Here's a picture of all of the books I've accumulated thus far in my life...I just sorted and organized ALL of them!!!

I just love books...I think I might be a book-a-holic ;-)

{Two}

Middle of the Week Treats

Today for lunch my mentor teacher had a local resturant deliver our lunch to the school! We got pizza from Rosati's! It was just the perfect middle of the week treat :-)

{Three}

Girl Scout Cookies

I have a box of Girl Scout cookies that I have been enjoying this week! They're actually my best friend Paige's cookies...So Paige, I owe you a box of Girl Scout Cookies. :-)

{Four}

My blog award from Emily

Emily over at Live a Charmed Life gave me a blog award! I was so excited!!! Thank you Emily!!! It made my day :-)

{Five}

The Future Hubster

As always, it wouldn't be a What I'm Loving Wednesday without a little love for the Future Hubster! I am just so thankful that I get to spend my life with him. He is currently waiting to hear from his dream job, and is working hard at a job that he doesn't love. Prayers are welcomed for him to hear about this job soon. He applied for the job over a year ago and is still waiting to hear, it's been a long and tiring process. He amazes me with his good attitude about the whole situation.

"Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." Proverbs 2:11

Miscellany Monday

I decided to link up to Miscellany Monday at Carissa's blog, Lowercase Letters! I linked my blog post from last night :-) You can find that HERE! I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!

“The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”  Isaiah 40:8

Sneek Peek...

This is just a little sneek peek at my newest project! Now remember, I said "sneak peek" therefore no pictures of the whole chair!

Don't you just LOVE the orange velour seat?! ;-) I bought this little beauty at the flea market a couple of weeks ago. I think..no I KNOW the Future Hubster thought I was insane for wanting this chair, but he was a trooper and carried it all the way back to the car for me! I could see beyond the hideous orange velour seat, chips and cracks. The best part....it was only $5!

Yes, that's right.....$5! The man at the flea market had it listed at $59.00 originally, then $14.50..but I got it for $5!

I just love the detail and coloring!

The back of this chair is to die for, it's just so elegant.

Can you tell a girl was working on this project? ;-) There are some places on the back of the chair that needed to be bonded together again, so I got out the trusty wood glue! Gotta love the pink clips to help hold wood glue together!

I went into the fabric store looking for toile, and I came out with this lovely. I am in LOVE with the boldness of this pattern, I think that I am going to like having this in one spot. It's beautiful and I feel like it will fit in nicely in my future kitchen or living room :-) I am obviously in love with blues and yellows, they just jump out at me! I hope you enjoyed the teaser! I should be finishing up the project soon, I just need to recover the chair and it will be done. I am so excited to show you the final product :-) Have a great week everyone!

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" Proverbs 3:3

Praying for Baby Jonathan

One of my blog friends, Gail, over at Sophisticated Steps opened my eyes to a special prayer situation. One of her friends, Rosie, went into labor on February 3rd and her baby boy, Jonathan, was born via emergency c-section at only 30 weeks. He 3 pounds 5 ounces and 16.25". Jonathan is currently in the NICU and is making progress every day! Rosie also has two other young children. Please pray for Jonathan's healthy and speedy development and physical and emotional strength for Rosie and her family.  

"You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous and how well I know it." Psalm 139:13-14

A Rooster & Some Chalkboard Paint

Today I'm linking my post to Funky Junk Interiors "Saturday Night Special"! I am going to share a fun little project that I did last May! My parents had a huge garage sale, but before my mom put everything out for sale I got to look through the goods! I instantly saw this lovely rooster hanging....

Special, right?! I have to say, I know some people LOVE their roosters...they're just not my favorite bird :-) But I had plans for this little beauty! I love the iron detailing on the top.

All it took was a little Chalkboard spraypaint....one of the greatest inventions ever! :-) And voilà, you get this...

How fun is this little chalkboard?! :-) I love it!!!

I have this hanging in my dining room now!

Today I linked up with Kelly's Korner again to talk about my alma mater, Baylor University, you can view this post HERE! It was great to connect with current students and alumni! I am just so thankful for all of the people I've met through this wonderful little blog community! :-)

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in." Psalm: 5:11

Everybody Loves a Baylor Girl

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner's "Show Us Your Life Friday" today to share about my soon to be, Alma Mater...Baylor University. I will be graduating this May! Baylor is the largest Baptist University in the World, as well as the oldest university in Texas, having been founded in 1845! When I made the decision to go to Baylor four years ago I had no idea just how much my life was going to be impacted. God has the ultimate plan for my life and I truly believe that he personally chose Baylor as the right college for me. At Baylor I met my best friends, future husband, and made memories that will last a lifetime.

Here I am on the night I graduated from High School. I wore the "I Know Where I'm Going" shirt proudly. It was the shirt that all furture Baylor students got when they accepted the offer to attend Baylor. My freshman year was full of new and exciting opportunities. In the spring I pledged Alpha Chi Omega and met some of my best friends!

Me with two of my best friends, Bre and Kandyce!

I love these girls! It's because of these wonderful girls that I met my Future Husband. It's a long story...but the short version is that my friends went on Spring Break in Florida and while there they met the Future Hubster. They became friends with him and shortly after they all came back I finally met the Future Hubster and the rest is history ;-) Here is a picture of Kandyce and I right before going to the Pledge Dance where the Future Hubster and I were set up.

We dressed up as the Baywatch Girls..Baylor appropriate of course ;-). You can see Future Hubster in the background! Fast forward to almost two years later to the best day of my life thus far...

I said, "Yes" to the most important question anyone has ever asked me on August 20th, 2010. The Future Hubster proposed on a bridge on campus where we had our first kiss :-) It was perfect. Baylor has been a huge part of our relationship. On our first date we sat on a swing and talked for hours, and we would frequently walk around campus when we first started dating. We still take the occasional long walk around campus to talk and spend some quiet time alone together. We love being a "Baylor Couple" and we embrace all of the silly traditions that come along with that title! :-)

 Another decision that greatly impacted my life was choosing Elementary Education as my major. The next best decision I made was to become Dual Certified in Gifted and Talented education. I am part of an amazing group of girls who I have been lucky enough to work with the past three years.

This picture was taken on our last day of our "TA" (Teaching Associate) year!

I met my best friend Paige through our education classes :-) I don't know what I would've done without her these past few years!


I would not trade my time at Baylor for anything in the world. I have grown more during these past four years than I though possible. I cannot wait to begin my career as a teacher and use all of my knowledge and skills that I learned while at Baylor.

Are there any other Baylor Bears out there? :-) I LOVE connecting with other Bears and Alumni! Sic'em!!! What was your favorite part about being a student at Baylor?

"For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Proverbs 8:11

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today I'm linking up to Jamie's blog, This Kind of Love, to share in "What I'm loving Wednesday"!

To start off...today I'm loving that it's already Wednesday, this week is going so quickly!!! :-)

I'm also loving that I'm almost halfway done with my "full teach" for the semester! For my program I am required to "full teach" (plan AND teach all lessons for an entire week) for four weeks. On Thursday I will be done with my second week! :-)



I'm also loving Sonic's happy hour. Today I definitely needed a strawberry limeaide!

I am LOVING the spring-like weather we are having! It's so nice outside :-) I love that I can open all of my windows!

I am loving that tonight is Wednesday, which means AMERICAN IDOL will be on! I haven't watched in years and did't think that I would like the new judges...but I love it! :-)

As always, I'm loving my sweet fur-babies :-) Didn't think you'd get a "What I'm loving" post without them did ya?

Gracie Bug :-)

Sweet Dixie Lou!

I'm also loving my sweet Future Hubster, he is just so wonderful and I am so lucky I get to marry him!

Isn't he too cute with all of his shooting supplies?

Lastly, I'm loving the bible verses that I get emailed to me each day! I signed up for a Daily Bible Verse e-mail service a couple of weeks ago and I am so glad I did! They are emailed each night at midnight, except for Sundays, and it's a great thing to wake up to each morning. Each morning I shut off my alarm once it's gone off and the next thing I do is open up my daily bible verse. The one I got this morning just really resonated with me. After having a few exhausting weeks teaching it was just the inspirational verse I needed. I truly feel that teaching is my calling, it's where God wants me to be, and this just helped me to remember that.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" Colossians 3:23