$12 Man Gift
All products were purchased at Dollar Tree & Aldi.
My favorite gift was the glass with blackboard paint so I could write a special message.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Do you want to build a snowman?
Once again I have to paint, craft, and repurpose whatever piece of wood I find worthy!
Plus with the recent light dusting of snow I felt inspired to make my own snowman!
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Keeping Track of Memories
Yes I realize this can all be done with technology. But I love sitting, writing, and reading events from years past. Plus the boys seem to enjoy them as well!!
My grandma used to keep all of this information on The family calendar. When she passed away I found a stack of those calendars. Perhaps that is why I enjoy writing things down as well.
Many blessings!!
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Turning Two with Tow Mater
This precious boy turned two, and here are some pictures of the way we celebrated. Hope they inspire you and your Mater birthday too!!
Clearance fabric I later turned into a blanket.
Aren't these amazing? My sweet parents created these and they were a hit!!!
Traffic lights snacks.
Believe it or not this passed for Mater!
Many blessings!!
$3 Upscale Lamp
$3 Garage Sale Lamp + Extra Fabric = Fabulous Classroom Lamp
First I tore off the ruffle which left the plastic shade.
Then I cut up squares of the extra coordinating fabric I have an arsenal of. I used fabric/craft glue to secure the fabric.
I used multiple coats of modge podge, allowing time to dry between coats.
To finish it of I used burlap with gold ribbon (once again from my personal supply). Now I am tempted to spray paint the lampstand, but at this point in time I'm happy with the finished product.
Hope this inspires you to 'upscale' your lamp for your home or classroom.
Blessings!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Texas Flag from a pallet
Yes! Finally! Thanks to my husband I finally finished our Texas Flag!! Just in time for the State Fair of Texas!!
Bigger & Greener
I made this sign for my Mom after a very special conversation with my 101 year old Grandmother. My Grandma wanted it to be clear that she loves us all "bigger and greener". 
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Wall Art
If you're anything like me there certain areas of your home that are hard to decorate. I find that problem a lot with big walls.
So to solve that problem I went to Hobby Lobby to the clearance section and at 90% off purchased this once $119 frame for only $11.92. 
Wow- perfect shape takes up the whole space but what to fill it with? It is a custom frame so the size made it hard to fill the space.
Fortunately the solution was found by purchasing thick upholstery fabric that matched the rest of the room. The fabric was stapled to and reinforced by a cardboard box that I cut into the proper dimensions. Now I know what you're thinking- why didn't I use a more durable substance? Yes wood or even metal cut to the right dimensions would have worked, but I was trying to get it all done as soon as possible because we had and company coming over.
As a result of my rush, I did accidentally staple through some of the wood. So now you know, but hopefully nobody notices when they come over.
Originally I thought I would use it as a picture frame. That I would actually pin pictures to the board. But because of the bold patterns I've decided to leave it as a work of art. Or at least a work of wall art.
Blessings!!
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Toddler Vacation Tips: Books
From a very young age my boys have enjoyed reading. Thus, books & especially new to them books are a must for any long car trip.
My sweet motherinlaw found this book and it held both my 6 year old & 20 month old's attention.
There are multiple scenes for the kids to create their stories.
Prestonwood Christian Academy Shoes
Ya-da!!! Since I've accepted a new position I've decided to fully embrace being in early education and spreading school spirit!!
Monday, July 7, 2014
100... No, 101 Years of Love
Just realized I never published this post from last September when my wonderful Grandma Fitzgerald celebrated her 100th birthday. 
How amazing is it that we just celebrated her 101st birthday?
Please take to read a brief overview of her legacy. God has truly blessed our family with this strong, stubborn, and special lady! I love her more than words can convey.
Lela Rae Fitzgerald was born on September 28, 1913, in Coleman County Texas to George Elliott and Lillie Mae Maughan Rae. She is the second oldest of six children. On her maternal grandmother's side she is a fifth generation Texan with the following notable ancestors: David Burkett - one of the first families of Texas and a member of the DeWitt Colony who settled under Impresario Stephen F. Austin;
William Fisher - Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773; Samuel R. Fisher - signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and first Secretary of the Navy for the Republic of Texas; Andrew Jackson Kent - defender of the Alamo; Nathan Boone Burkett - Texas Ranger (named after Daniel Boone's son because of a close family relationship with the Boone’s). On Lela’s paternal grandfather’s side she is a second generation Texan. Her grandfather was a Scottish immigrant and came to Texas in 1876. It is documented that he imported the first Border Collies to work the sheep in South and West Texas. Lela herself could ride a horse with the best of them, and in her early years lived on a ranch next door to neighbors Lyndon and Ladybird Johnson.
Lela has three daughters, Nell Ray - deceased, Grace Martinez and husband Sam of San Antonio, and Lela Wade and husband Neil of Iredell. She has 17 grandchildren, 41 great- grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren. Lela has lived in several towns in Texas, Colorado, California, and in France.
She has worked as a saddle maker, a seamstress and in various other jobs. She loved gardening, sewing, needlework, and reading. She taught Sunday School until the age of 90 at First Baptist Church - Hico and drove until 93.
To family and friends, she has been a second mother, counselor,confidant, and has always been known for her great sense of humor. As evidence , an oft told story is when she was picking cotton with her father and knowing that he was deathly afraid of snakes, she decided to put a small garden snake in the next cotton plants he was going to pick. When he saw the snake and started hollering, Lelaand her siblings could not control their laugher.
Recently when ask for a bit of wisdom to pass along she said, "just keep giving away your blessings." I think that statement sums up her life. She always took care of her family, and after the death of her mother when Lela was 17, she helped raise her four younger siblings. Mom always wanted to make sure needs were met, and that you saw the good in every situation. She believed you should have time to laugh and have fun in everything you do. When reminded that she would be 101 years old in a week, she grinned and said, “I guess I’d better straighten up!”
William Fisher - Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773; Samuel R. Fisher - signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and first Secretary of the Navy for the Republic of Texas; Andrew Jackson Kent - defender of the Alamo; Nathan Boone Burkett - Texas Ranger (named after Daniel Boone's son because of a close family relationship with the Boone’s). On Lela’s paternal grandfather’s side she is a second generation Texan. Her grandfather was a Scottish immigrant and came to Texas in 1876. It is documented that he imported the first Border Collies to work the sheep in South and West Texas. Lela herself could ride a horse with the best of them, and in her early years lived on a ranch next door to neighbors Lyndon and Ladybird Johnson.
Lela has three daughters, Nell Ray - deceased, Grace Martinez and husband Sam of San Antonio, and Lela Wade and husband Neil of Iredell. She has 17 grandchildren, 41 great- grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren. Lela has lived in several towns in Texas, Colorado, California, and in France.
She has worked as a saddle maker, a seamstress and in various other jobs. She loved gardening, sewing, needlework, and reading. She taught Sunday School until the age of 90 at First Baptist Church - Hico and drove until 93.
To family and friends, she has been a second mother, counselor,confidant, and has always been known for her great sense of humor. As evidence , an oft told story is when she was picking cotton with her father and knowing that he was deathly afraid of snakes, she decided to put a small garden snake in the next cotton plants he was going to pick. When he saw the snake and started hollering, Lelaand her siblings could not control their laugher.
Recently when ask for a bit of wisdom to pass along she said, "just keep giving away your blessings." I think that statement sums up her life. She always took care of her family, and after the death of her mother when Lela was 17, she helped raise her four younger siblings. Mom always wanted to make sure needs were met, and that you saw the good in every situation. She believed you should have time to laugh and have fun in everything you do. When reminded that she would be 101 years old in a week, she grinned and said, “I guess I’d better straighten up!”
$10 Book Nook
So, my sweet Caleb desperately needs a bookcase, but I have yet to find (or have my husband make) the right one. In the meantime, I came up with this idea, and I must admit, I kinda like it!
Because I haven't given up on my idea of a great bookcase I did not want to spend a lot of money, so this $10 Book Nook was perfect!
I paid $1.12 for each cinderblock and then in my attempt to find the right size length of wood I found this wooden step for a little less than $8 and was very excited! Not only is the right size, it is thicker and therefore can support more weight. Thus the bookcase has become a book nook, perfect for my little man to sit, read, and store his favorite books!
Many Blessings!!