PEACE...

I have been working on a few projects over the last couple of weeks and have anxiously been waiting to show you. All of these projects have been very simple and fun. Not only are they festive decorations for your own home, but would make a perfect gift for someone special. I am coming up with all kinds of ideas for letter stencils and burlap! My inspiration for these PEACE plaques came from this project at Shanty2Chic.

You will need...

candlesticks (# depends on the word you are using but you already knew that)

wooden discs (same # of candlesticks)

finials (one for each candlestick)

1x4 piece of wood (these were cut into 5 1/2 inch pieces because of the size of the stencil)

letter stencils 

burlap

ribbon

upholstery tacks

paint

spray paint 

wood glue

spray adhesive

*I found all my supplies (except the candlesticks which came from Michaels') at Hobby Lobby.

The next thing you will need to do is glue the candlestick to the disc. Make sure you use a clamp to hold it together so it doesn't slip around as it dries. Next, glue the wood block to the candlestick. My husband and son then drilled the finial to the block. You could glue this but we found that drilling it together was going to hold better. When you are finished, it will look like this...

Now, grab the spray paint and paint away. Once you have that done and they are drying,  you can start your letters. Measure out a piece of burlap that will be a little smaller than the wood blocks. Then, start stenciling...

Once everything is good and dry, use the spray adhesive (on the back of the burlap) to attach them to the wood blocks. I then used upholstery tacks in each of the corners for a little extra decoration. I think little buttons would be fun too. I also added some ribbon around the candlestick. Be creative by using ribbon, jute, or fabric. You could also add little ornaments or jingle bells like Shanty2Chic.

And there you have your finished project...

Have a wonderful day!

12...

Happy Birthday to our silly, thoughtful, out-going, creative, and so very special son.

We love you!

The Perfect Spot...

Of all the places to sit, why is is that when a laundry basket is left out, Sam makes himself all comfy...

Maybe it goes back to the days of when he was little and I would tie a rope on the handle and pull him through the house.

I guess Sam forgot to call "seat check" because look who's in it now. Or maybe Ben wishes he was like Anabelle, the dog, who also likes to curl up in baskets.

I don't know what I love more - the fact that even though they are growing up they do these things like they were little again, or the fact that Ben loves wearing my Dad's sailor hat around the house.

My Prayer...

These last few months have found me in a place of some emotional and spiritual up's and down's. Being a woman of patience, consistency, and discipline isn't always easy. I have wanted to throw in the towel at times and start waving the white flag of surrender. Through it all, I do know with everything I have God is there, and He is faithful. I keep clinging to Him, trusting His character, and believing Him at His word.

There are several new and exciting challenges that I am facing as a wife and mom - places of discovery, growth, and freedom. Places where love can grow deeper and stronger; encouragement and understanding comes sooner than later; and guidance and wisdom take the lead. They are places of surrender and trust so that in the end, I look a little more like Him.

The circumstances that happen throughout the day are far from predictable. Hard and difficult days that make me reach out to Him to be carried because on my own, I may not stand. Days filled with joy and laughter that cause me to cry out with gratitude and thankfulness. I don't know what each day will hold, but I do have a Father in heaven who does. He will carry me through with His love, strength, wisdom, and endless grace.

I am seeing and feeling the hope again. Jesus breathing life in and around me again. Oh, I knew that it never stopped, but I was just so tired. I am tired of worrying, wondering, and wanting to have all the answers.

Sometimes, I just don't have the words to pray. So, I open my Bible, read, and so much of the time, the prayers begin - the cries and desires of my heart.

Which is the case today...

Teach me O LORD, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.

Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.

Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life!

Psalm 119:33-40 (ESV)