Modge Podge Projects

So I have recently come across several posts using Modge Podge. I have never tried it, but kept reading how simple it was to use and thought I would give it a try.

Remember this tray...

It now looks like this... Not bad for the very first try.

I needed three quick gifts for an event I am taking part in this weekend. I will be volunteering at Passion 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia (more on that in a later post) and will be sharing a hotel room with two other volunteers, and thought I would take them a gift to remember the conference by.

I bought three wooden frames and used some scrapbook paper to Modge Podge to the front of each frame.

I painted these wooden crosses with some metallic turquoise paint I had to affix to each of the frames.

Here is the finished pictures frames.

I did not paint the frames because I like the natural wooden look. The verse of the conference this weekend is Isaiah 26:8, which says "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." I wrote that on the back of each frame, and added the conference name, date and location.

The Modge Podge was so easy to use, and I am already thinking of other quick little projects I can do for gifts.

Blessings!

Paige

Jillian Michaels and Thrifting... What a combo!

Wow! It has been a very busy Tuesday. I started this morning with my own living room personal trainer, Jillian Michaels. I got the "30-Minute Shred" video for Christmas, and I started my routine of getting in better shape this morning. I will be waking up to this face every morning...

And might I add that she "kicked my booty" this morning! I felt so out of shape when I finished, but I can't wait to be able to do it full-force and watch the changes in my body.

I also went to a thrift store in a town not too far from us. I have come across some really great projects in the blog world these past few weeks, and I decided to go on a little bit of a treasure hunt of my own today to see if I could find some pieces to re-do and use in my home. Here is what I came home with...

A tray that I am going to redo with black and white scrapbook paper and paint black...

A cute little square basket... A girl can never have too many baskets for organization...

A glass bowl and glass tray to use as serving pieces...

A round silver tray that I am going to make into a chalkboard for my sister's home...

A heavy metal square tray to serve on...

A cute little candle holder that I am eventually gonna paint black...

I am so thrilled with all the things that I found today, and can't wait to re-do the tray and silver platter. I will post pictures once I get them done (which I hope is soon).

I have taken down both of my Christmas trees, and have packed up and reorganized all of my Christmas decor for the year. I have moved my laptop desk downstairs to my living room and have rearranged the guest bedroom and part of my master bedroom with some other pieces of furniture. I am one tired girl and am going to call it a night.

Blessings!

Paige

Making Friends Monday - New Year's Resolutions 2010

**Update: I took one of the first step towards becoming more active and getting in better shape today. I bought myself one of these...

Photo taken from Conair.com

It is a Conair Weight Watchers Body Analysis Scale. I have programmed it to show my weight, body fat weight, body fat percentage, body water percentage, bone mass value, and body mass index (BMI). I plan to weigh every Tuesday morning and journal from week to week my results. Hopefully this will keep me motivated to eat well, drink water and exercise.

Yet, as I write this I am eating the last of the Christmas candy in my house and drinking sweet tea! So glad this starts in the morning!

Amber is hosting another Friend Makin Monday on her blog. This week's topic is New Year's Resolutions. I am not one to really make resolutions because I believe we should always strive to be the best we can be all year long. I do however have a couple of goals for myself this year that I would like to reach:

• Become more absorbed in God's word on a daily basis and apply it each and everyday, not just when I am in a low spot.
• Become more active and get in better physical shape
• Give back more to my community
• Purge the "clutter" in my life and learn to live simply
• Pay off some debts
• Be more proactive with life instead of reacting to my circumstances
• Save and buy myself a nicer camera
• Be a better daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, cousin, friend, and co-worker

I hope each of you and your families have a Happy New Year and that 2010 is one of the best year's ever for you and our nation. I will be back tomorrow with my plans for New Year's. It is going to be great and I can't wait!

Blessings!

Paige

He Is With You..

Still trying to get back in the swing of things from Christmas and the sudden passing of one of my students Kayla. Her service was today, and it was awesome. Yes there were tears and sadness, but she is in heaven with our Lord and Saviour celebrating today, and for that there was also a lot of celebrating and worship. Her father spoke, and did an incredible job. I am so thankful to have known her and to be a small part of her journey with cancer. They played this song today, and before now, I have never really listened to the words. It is now one of my favorite songs and has spoke to my own heart during this time of ending one year and beginning another. Just an awesome reminder that he is with us always...

I will also leave you with a photo of my two sweet nephews and my cousins little girl from Christmas. I got them all shirts with a snowman on them. From left to right is Preston (18 months), Cooper (8 months), and Connor (4 years).

Blessings!

Paige

Christmas Week: Day Six - Happy Birthday Jesus!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

Blessings!

Paige

Christmas Week: Day Five - Silent Night...

Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,

Shepherds quake at the sight;

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night,

Son of God, love’s pure light;

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night

Wondrous star, lend thy light;

With the angels let us sing,

Alleluia to our King;

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born!

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours!

Paige

On a side note.. A Blog Award

Beth over at Laugh Until You Cry awarded me with a blog award this week.

She gave me the Happy 101 Award.

The rules for the Happy 101 Award are to make a list of 10 things that make you happy, try to do at least one of them today, and tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day. For those bloggers who get the award, you will link back to my blog and create your "makes you happy" list.

10 Things That Make Me Happy:

1. My relationship with Jesus and my church family

2. Spending time with my family and friends

3. Hearing the laughter of my two nephews - Connor and Cooper

4. The smell of coffee brewing in the morning

5. Curling up in bed with a good book

6. Getting unexpected mail, e-mail or phone calls from friends

7. Giving back to others and seeing the rewards of those gifts

8. Baking goodies

9. Lazy days with no to-do lists

10. Road trips

10 Blogs That Make Me Happy:

1. The Boren Life

2. Pink Sugar Desserts

3. Little Birdie Secrets

4. Grammy Girlfriend

5. Etsy It Up!

6. As Good As Cake

7. My Little Life

8. AE Filkins

9. A Gift Worth the Wait

10. A Little Tipsy

Go check out all of these blogs! Some I have been following for awhile and others I have just recently discovered. I think you will like them.

Thanks Beth for the award!

Christmas Week: Day Four - Scrapbook Paper Ornaments

It has been a tough couple of days, but my God is good and he is taking care of my family, co-workers and our students during these difficult days. Thank you for your prayers!

Yesterday I had to keep my two nephews unexpectedly. I did not have anything planned for them, so I racked my brain and came up with a simple little craft. We made Christmas ornaments using cookie cutters, scrapbook papers, sequins and a little raffia.

We took the cookie cutters and traced them onto the scrapbook paper. We cut out two pieces of the shape, and glued them together. Then I let Connor glue sequins on them to look like ornaments and the stripes on a candy cane. We punched a hole in the top and put pieces of raffia through to hang on the tree. Here are the five we made:

And here they are hanging on the Christmas tree.

Please remember to cherish your time with family and friends this CHRISTmas season and to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

Blessings!

Paige

Christmas Week: Day Three - A Different Kind of Christmas

**UPDATE: Please remember in your prayers the Darby family today and through this Christmas season. Shortly after posting this morning, I received word that our sweet student Kayla went to be with Jesus this morning. She is whole and is no longer fighting cancer. What a beautiful Christmas morning she will have celebrating with Jesus. Oh to be apart of that birthday party!

My heart is heavy this morning, yet I know that my God is in control and that he will be glorified no matter the outcome. Christmas will have a different meaning in my life this year for so many reasons.. "For God so LOVED the world that he sent his only begotten Son..." John 3:16

One of our students, Kayla, has been battling rhabdomyosarcoma for almost two years. These past couple of weeks have really been a roller coaster ride for her and her family. She was taken on Saturday back to Children's Hospital - Birmingham due to some blood pressure issues caused by the fluid in her abdomen and the drain they just recently placed in. I received a text early this morning that woke me from sleep with the news that they have placed her back in ICU due to fluid in the lining of her lungs. They have put drains in each of her lungs, and she is doing better. Her family is so strong, but I know that even these new physical demands have been overwhelming. Kayla has a fighter's spirit and I just pray this morning that she will remain strong and be able to be home for Christmas. I pray for her family, and ask that God will give them strength, comfort and a peace during her hospital stay and as they try to have a normal Christmas.

My aunt will go today to meet with a surgeon, and we will have a better understanding of her breast cancer diagnosis. She is amazing, and has been a comfort to us as we await the results. My family is ready for this next chapter, and are all rallying to support her and provide during these times of surgery and treatments. I am truly blessed by her life!

Who knew that the word CANCER would be so frequently used during this Christmas season in my life? God allows things to happen for His reasons, whether or not we understand them. Above all, I have to remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us and to the people we love that we simply cannot understand. However, instead of doubting God's goodness, I am placing my trust in him this Christmas season.. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6

Please keep Kayla and my Aunt Cindi in your prayers as you celebrate the blessings God has given to you and your family this year. If you have a family member or friend who your heart is burdened for this Christmas season, please let me know if my comments and I will pray for you and them by name.

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours! I know that this CHRISTmas will be a different kind for us..

Blessings!

Paige

Christmas Week: Day Two - All I Want for Christmas...

Friend Makin Mondays - All I want for Christmas this year is:

One of these...

and one of these...

and a trip to a place like this...

Seriously, I want:

Health and happiness for my family and friends

More time with my two precious nephews

Adventures with old friends and new friends

Making memories that will last a lifetime

Go to Amber's blog and check-out Friend Makin Mondays!

Blessings!

Paige

CHRISTmas Week: Day One

Instead of buying way too many presents that we all didn't need or want this year, we decided to play Dirty Santa with my family. I took a Snuggie! It was so funny to open the different gifts and then try to bargain with and take the gifts back and forth. At the end of the night, I ended up with Mr. Coffee Cocomotion Hot Chocolate Maker. I used it today and love it! It was so easy to use. I added my milk and hot chocolate mix, and then hit the start button. I ended up with a perfect cup of hot chocolate! Yum!

I am finished with all of my Christmas shopping, except picking up some stocking stuffers for my parents, so I plan to take this week easy and do some things I have been putting off doing. I hope to get my gift wrap/craft closet organized, and find a thrift-store table for my TV in the guest bed room. I may also try to rearrange the furniture in my bedroom.

Hope you all have a great CHRISTmas week!

Blessings!

Paige

Pink Glove Dance and Breast Cancer Awareness

On Friday, we got some news that will forever change my family. My Aunt Cindi was diagnosed with breast cancer. My family was all together on Saturday and it was a time of reflecting, praying, celebrating the birth of Jesus, and rallying around my precious aunt to give her strength as she faces these next few days. She will meet with a surgeon on Tuesday for the biopsy results and a plan for treatment. She is in great hands, as she is an employee of the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham and will have the best of the best treating her! Praise God for that blessing!

This afternoon I came across the following video that is posted on YouTube. The employees and administration from Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, put together this video to raise awareness about breast cancer. What a great smile this video brought to my face!

I ask that you keep my family in your thoughts and prayers during this time! We will know more on Tuesday and I will post an update then.

Blessings!

Paige

Glee! (And last minute giveaways...)

I love the show Glee! I was not a member of the choral group in school or college, but I was a member of the marching band. Many of my music major friends were in the choral group/show choir, and we all supported each other. I love the expression of music and have enjoyed this show. Here is a clip from YouTube of Mark Salling - "Puck" - singing a musical tribute to the show Glee and his job! Awesome!

On another note, High-Heeled Foot in the Door has some giveaways on her blog. They will all end tomorrow, Saturday, December 19, at midnight. Go over now and visit her! You will love her blog. The giveaways still open are: One item of your choice from Emerson Made (items are on blog); 2 Gallons of Mythic Paint, a color deck, 2 rolls of Frog tape and 2 Frog tape t-shirts; and one lucky winner will receive an e-decoration package from Effortless Style Interiors from Camila herself (all details are on the blog!).

Also go over and check out Room Remix. She has a great giveaway going on right now as well. But, you will want to follow her blog and check out her posts on ideas for creating a great space within a budget. Her current giveaway is an $80.00 gift certificate to CSNstores.com. Go check it out!

Hope you have a great day! It is rainy and cold here in the South, but I am so thankful for the rain and time spent indoors with family.

Blessings!
Paige

Today Was A To-Do List Kind of Day!

Today was a "check-it-off-your-list-get-it-done" kind of day (throw working in their too!). I accomplished most of my list, but the cleaning and folding clothes just kept getting pushed to the bottom of the list.

I promised my three-year old nephew a craft night. So tonight we made Christmas wreaths out of his handprints and one with my six-month old nephews hands. They turned out really cute!

Then I came home and put together my gifts to take to our school office staff (spiced tea mix) and the teachers (ornaments) who work in the building my office is in. I also had to wrap my present for our Dirty Santa party, and wrap my gift to our school president.

Then I had to make twelve baby Jesus in the manger ornaments for the three and four year olds I teach in Awana Cubbies at church on Wednesday nights. Tomorrow night is our last night, and we are having a milk and cookies party with our kids. They get to wear their pajamas and are suppose to bring their favorite cookies. Should be lots of fun! I made these ornaments for each of the kids to take home with them. The back has Cubbies, our church name and the date.

Here is a close-up.

Blessings!

Paige

Easy Christmas Ornaments

These ornaments are so easy and turn out so cute! I saw these on several other craft and blog sites this season and knew they would make the perfect gift for my four and five year old Sunday School class. I wrote our church's name, the Sunday School class and year on the back of each. Simply fill each ornament with your shredded paper color of choice, use scrapbook stickers or vinyl decals on the outside, and tie a coordinating bow at the top. I am also giving these as gifts to the staff in my school office and the teachers who are in my building.

Blessings!

Paige

Holiday Home Tour 2009

Welcome... Come on in!

Downstairs Tree

Some of my favorite ornaments.

Upstairs Guest Bedroom Tree

This angel topper was the one my grandmother, mom and her three sisters used on their tree when they were little. Last year, my grandmother pass it along to me. My favorite Christmas decoration!

And of course, Christmas is not complete without a little "Fa La La!"

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

Blessings!

Paige

"Happy Birthday Jesus" and a Recipe

We had a "Happy Birthday Jesus" party in Sunday School this morning. I planned to take more photos, but we had a total of nine four and five years old, and I had to help fix plates and get juice.

Are these napkins not the cutest? The plates matched them too...

And a party is not complete without goodie bags! These were for all the children and included information on our church and programs for visitors.

I came home and made quick gifts for our office staff. It is so simple and makes a great, inexpensive gift. Here are the ingredients I used with the recipe following...

Holiday Hot Orange Drink

1 10 oz. jar Tang orange crystals

1/4 c lemonade mix

2 c sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

Mix the above ingredients and store in a covered container.

I found these cute holiday chinese take-out boxes last year on sale, and snagged a few to use for gifts this year.

I put a half-a-cup of the mixture into ziploc bags and placed them in the containers. That is enough mix to enjoy 7-8 cups of hot orange drink. I am working on the tags to place on them as well, and will deliver them to our office staff on Tuesday.

Hope you had a great day! This is a BUSY week for me, but I am really looking forward to it.

Blessings!

Paige