DIY Weddings

Our friends Sarah and Mike tied the knot this weekend. So I made them a "knot-tying" gift. Mrs. and Mr. pillows, of course! They are little pillows (about 6 inches by 10 inches or so) and I thought they would look fun on their bed (or whatever else they want to claim as "their" spot). Here are some pictures. The design is a free-use antique pattern that I downloaded from a Flickr embroidery web-album

Haven't blogged in a while...

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I've been busy with a lot of things at work. One of which is a new project. You see, I have been given the pleasure of creating the Boys Ranch yearbook for 2008-2009. As a part of that, I get to create my own backgrounds for the pages, etc. So...I spent some time learning more about making textured papers/background in Photoshop CS4 so I could one day use this yearbook as a part of my "portfolio" of design and PR things. I figure the more I do myself, the more I will be able to show it off!

I got so addicted to playing around on PHotoshop today that I spent the evening making a new background for my blog. I used some free bird brushes (free for commercial and non-commercial use), as well as some free grunge brushes (also free for commercial and non-commercial use). Other than that, it is just a lot of Photoshopping and patience. I'm pretty proud of it. And I think this blog background is a better reflection of me than the previous one. I love green. :)

Watching The Matrix (complete with Rifftrax) right now with Marc and Melanie (Dianna's roommate and our friend). I'm also spending some time with the kitty, Harry. He is so cute! :)

I get to go on a trip this weekend to visit a church in Carthage Texas with some Ambassadors. Interesting way to spend a Saturday night, but it should be fun. Marc gets to come with me this time, so I am excited!

I found a cool website that creates tilt-shift photos for you. If you don't know what tilt-shift is, that is okay! It is a fancy word to describe photographs that look like they are miniature models (like the thing architechts create). It is especially fun to play around with landscape and traffic photos to make them look more exciting. Here is a photo of the falls. I found it on the internet, it is not mine...

BEFORE

AFTER

And another...

BEFORE

AFTER

I especially like it on the second photo. If you want to try the free tool for yourself, click here!

CRAFY CRAZINESS!

First, an idea from a crafty place. I don't like their web design, but I love their ideas. The site is http://www.stumbleupon.com/toolbar/#topic=Crafts&url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.robomargo.com%252Fquickprojects.html... that was a mouthful! :)

This would be fun to give to a couple getting married. I think... :)

Having a crafty day! I started the day with a trip to Esme's, a local treasure/antique/junk shop. Esme's is only open on Saturdays, so I've only been there once before. however, it was a sad day. I got inside and the owner (Esme?) said they were actually closed today, but she would let me look around anyway. And then she dropped the bomb--they are closing next week! SAD!

However, she said that they are having a huge sale next weekend. Everything must go! And this store is FULL of treasures, my friends! I'm excited for next weekend.

And on top of all that, I got a great deal on some fun stuff! I got three frames (no backing or anything, just an empty frame w/o glass. I also got an old index file drawer - I have been eyeing these for about a year now! No, I don't know what I'll hide in it yet. :) Mine is an army green color - I think I'll paint it the same hammered metal color as the tray below.

Speaking of the tray, I got this tray (see picture below)! No, it wasn't nearly this beautiful when I bought it this morning. It was a nasty shade of floral and black ickiness! I painted it a hammered metal color. I'm going to hang it on the wall of my office with a decorative ribbon (glued to the back to hang it). I will use it as a magnet memo board.

Here are the frames (two of them anyway) that I bought today. I painted them a robin's egg blue/green.

I also painted these cork trivets. One is blue and two are yellow gold. They will be strung together with ribbon as a cork board in my craft area.

Here are the gold ones! :) Oh, and I only spent 12 dollars for all this plus a yellow train case to use for a sewing box! :) More pictures later, Marc needs the computer to write a sermon! :)

Fun crafty ideas that make me want to be on vacation...

So, I have some ideas. First, I was looking at craftynest.com and I saw that she had a magnetic board on her dresser with some of those Ikea magnetic clear-top circular metal containers stuck to it. I have always loved those containers and wanted a good way to use them so i could have an excuse to buy them on my next trip to Roundrock, Texas. 

Now I have a reason! :) I have been looking at a better way to keep our dresser top clean (it is ALWAYS full of stuff). I think that I will look for a fun old cookie sheet with a nice patina and see if I can paint it to hang on the wall. Then I'll get some of those cheap Ikea things and put earrings and broaches in them (with the clear tops the earrings will show through so i can see what I have). Then I'll get a few magnetic hooks (Mom, do you remember where you got the ones you have on the fridge for potholders?) and put them on it with necklaces hanging from that. 

Second, I have a reason to head back to Laverty's (an antique store in Waco). The other day I saw these great old doilies there and thought they were so fun looking. But I didn't have a good use for them, so I didn't' buy them. But now, I have an idea thanks to craftynest.com! See this photo? I think it would be a fun decoration in our bedroom. We don't have anything on our bedroom walls and the background paper behind the doilies could add some color to the room.

Then, I can hang the pictures from some nifty old repurposed drawer pulls! Just get old drawer pulls and take out the screw inside and replace it with a 1 1/2 inch long hanger bolt. Then drill a hole and screw it in. Place a ribbon hanger on the frame and hang from the drawer pull. I love it! :) Uh oh! Now I can't wait for the next weekend! :) I can't believe it is almost May! 

Third, I think it would be fun to make some of these accordion books. I remember making some with my Mom back at Family Camp II one year. Remember, Mom? :) I think they make fun gifts. Plus they are a great excuse to keep cute ribbon on hand. :)

Also, should I find myself with some drawers, I would like to do something fun like this sometime. I don't' know where I'd put it...I just like it! :)

That was my crafty inspiration for the night. What fun! :)

Isabelle Grace Hagey

This post is a little overdue, but Isabelle was arguably a little overdue too! :) I haven't met her outside the womb yet, but I have prayed for her every day of her little life. Isabelle Grace, you are a joy. Thank you for gracing our lives and reminding us of what is really important. I can't wait to hold you this weekend!

As soon as I found out that Sean and Theresa were expecting I was on the hunt for fun crafts to do for the little bundle. Over Christmas, Mom and I worked on some crafts for Theresa's upcoming baby shower. This was my gift, a baby sling in the ring-sling style.


Of course, it had to be a pretty shade of purple for Theresa! :) After prayers and waiting, Isabelle joined the outside world on March 14, 2009. She was 8 lbs, 2.9 oz. and about 19 inches long. And boy is she cute!



Now I can finally show of my Isabelle craft projects... but wait...

Sean, that isn't how you spell Isabelle! :)



In all seriousness, I loved painting these letters for Izzy's nursery.


Izzy/Jelly-Belley/Belle/The Bellester, Auntie Carrie and Uncle Marc love you!

Politically Incorrect Harmonica Tunes from my Dad's childhood...

This is from Christmas 2008. I had to post it (because Blogger finally allowed me). I hope you enjoy. :) By the way, Old Black Joe really is a song. Click here for more info on it.

I love you Dad! :) Who would have thought that a $2. 50 harmonica would be your favorite Christmas present? :)

My Birthday, Oscar's present...

Oscar finally found a toy he can't get enough of! :) Thanks Sean and Theresa! Here it is...

Oh, Osc. ;) You're too funny!

And another video... Did you really think I'd let you get away with just one?