Heart Handle Gift Bag Tutorial

Here's a quick tutorial that's quick, easy and pretty fun I'd say!

What you'll need:

-Brown paper bag (yep, like the kind used as a lunch bag) 

-Washi tape (Buy awesome washi tape here)

-Glitter Paper (or patterned/plain paper-it's your creation!)

-Adhesive

-Rubber stamps (or use no text at all) 

-Miniature size clothespin (Purchase Here)

-Heart shaped punch or Frame lit (These two items can be bought here)

What you'll do to make your mah-valous gift bag:

1. Cut off the end of the lunch bag. You shouldn't be able to stand the lunch bag up after cutting. 

2. Fold the edges at the bottom of the bag toward the back of the bag and secure with washi tape (see pic below).

3. Punch or cut out the heart at the top of the bag to make the "handle".

4. Go to town with your washi tape. Decorate however you like! Would love to see YOUR creations. Leave a comment with a link to watcha made. :) 

5. Add a stamped sentiment or if your good at calligraphy, go for that. 

6. Last, but definitely not least, cut two small strips of glitter paper to fit your clothespin and glue the paper to the front and back of the pin. Fold over the top of your gift bag and clip the clothes pin on to secure. 

This project only took a few minutes. It would be great for a last minute gift! Kids could really get into this too. Their friends will love their personalized gift! My favorite part of this project is the washi tape. Where has this stuff been all my life?! I know it's all the rage now and I'm loving it! 

Grab your lunch bag and get crafty :) 

*Robin  

Moving Forward

It's been a while since I've written. Over a month!

Lyme Update:

Mom and I went to see Dr. Pittman a few weeks ago and I'm still on an intense detox plan. Some things were changed up a bit but overall Dr. P is encouraged with the cleansing protocols. Just have to get the dead stuff out before we start killing again.

I absolutely LOVE accessories so here's a pic of my most recent. I got it on discount...FREE! oh yes. And no, it's not the watch I'm talking about, but I did find that at Loft for $8.00.

My cool bracelet that a nurse took off her arm and handed to me.
Lyme disease DOES hurt in many ways!

No matter what comments are made only the patient knows exactly how it feels. Thankful for the people around the world and especially the ones in my life that care without judging something they can't feel. God knows every nerve that misfires and every immune deficiency. I'm so thankful for my husband and how he trusts what I say I can do and that the pain is real. Lately I haven't felt like writing because of the insecurities the disease brings. It's hard to write and update without sounding like a complainer but also tell it how it is at the same time. I know there are people that care and this is for y'all :) And it also feels pretty good to just let it out. Very cathartic! 

Moving Forward:

SO as far as every day life goes I have ups and downs. The pain levels have decreased to an extent and pain attacks are less frequent. It's hard to get all of the treatments in during the day but Mom and Ken help a lot with that. It's hard to get out of bed still but at least I can walk. Never know when I'll feel OK or when I'll be doubled over in pain.  We still have a long road ahead but I think overall we are closer to the light.

Ken and I were able to move forward to a new stage in life. We moved! I had a huge flare during the move but it's starting to settle down. It was nice that we were able to move things over slowly because of the agreement with our landlords. The decor in the pics below definitely didn't fall into the house over night!

We've made a lot of progress. Of course I want it all Better Homes and Garden-ish right away. Patience!  Here are some pics of what we're doing with the place. Thankful for the new paint we were able to pick out!

Sherwin Williams-Sensuous Gray

Sherwin Williams- Rain Drop

Sherwin Williams- Main Walls: Creamy, Accent Wall: Poised Taupe 

Sherwin Williams- Sea Salt

If you're interested in decorating...a lot of the decor was purchased at Target. All of the bathroom pieces were and so were the window treatments. Gift cards from Christmas and my birthday definitely came in handy. Thanks! .... you know who you are :)

Praising God for taking away fear in my heart of sharing about lyme life and giving me some temporary relief to write this post. Praising God for a home to make memories in and to decorate. You may have seen my station all set up in the craft room. Mom and I are so excited! Maybe next time I'll share some cards.

Blessings,
*Robin 

An Unexpected Blessing: A New Craft Room!

Blessings

We were planning on staying in our apartment for a few more years until we could save for Ken's 2nd degree. And even that "plan" was unsure because of Lyme, living on one paycheck, and other factors. But a rental property came available. Our landlords are letting us rent for a price that we just couldn't pass up. We didn't see this coming at all. So grateful! This will enable us to save money for Ken's schooling and get out of apartment living as well. Although...the people upstairs have provided some of the most unique noises we've ever heard. It'll be so hard to say goodbye to the thumps and dog yelps. Not! 

Craft Room in Progress

Mom and I have always wanted a craft room where we could both work together. Here's the beginning of our workshop! 

We originally planned on painting the room a basic gray but didn't think it would look right with the carpet so we went with Sherwin William's Sensuous Gray. Such an awesome color! My 9th grade science teacher does painting on the side and is doing an awesome job with our three rooms!

Be sure to check out our Etsy shop in the coming months. With this new workshop we should be able to crank out more cards and gifts! 

Aren't these built ins awesome! 

Crafting here we come! So therapeutic.

The next and last paint job will be the master bedroom and bath. I asked for an accent wall. Hoping it'll turn out Pinterest-ly. :)

*Robin

Decorating on a Dime

Yes, I have Lyme disease. That means I can't hold a job so that also means that there isn't a lot of excess at the end of the month from Ken's paycheck. Ever since I could shop, which was when I was about 3 years old, I liked finding a good deal. Since I've gotten old enough to have an apartment it's opened up a whole new aisle at TjMaxx! The decor aisles! 

I don't want to waste money or my Lyme. I want to do as much as I can with the circumstances that God's given me. It's taken a lot of time to get things organized and decorated how I'd like them at our apartment. Gotta start somewhere though so we've been working little by little to make our house a home. I'm definitely no expert at budget decorating but do have a few tips to share.

Decorating on a Budget:

1. Look for what you have on hand FIRST! 

This is a step that I often forget. Over the years we accumulate stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. Look for picture frames, ribbon, fabric, candles, yarn, etc...

Look at my organized mess! I found some burlap ribbon in this box and it was perfect for the mason jars I wanted to use. I also had some of those rocks used for faux flower arrangements, some candles, and a figurine that my grandma gave us for our anniversary that works well on our "ledge". Keep reading to see the finished "budget project." :)

2. Borrow and share items from friends and family

I know everyone's situation is different but in some cases borrowing, sharing, and exchanging works. I'm borrowing the mason jars from my mom. I'm also borrowing some of the candles from her and fabric of course. My fabric container won't fit in our apartment so I store it there. You should see HER fabric collection! It over-flowith! 

I've seen fabric covered books on Pinterest so I thought I'd cover some of my books with pretty fabric! Pick different size books. I used 3 books with the biggest on the bottom and made a tower. 

Make sure your fabrics are large enough to wrap your books. I wrapped mine like a present. Just use some tape. That way you can re-read the book and re-use the fabric too! 

WALA! A fabric covered book tower that didn't cost a dime with a mason jar, rocks, ribbon and candles that didn't cost anything either. Pretty awesome huh?! Just get creative and go on Pinterest ;)

3. Buy pieces that can be used in other seasons. I like to get a "statement" piece. 

My statement piece for this project was a cool rustic bike ($12.99 from BigLots). I also bought some garland ($7.99 also from BigLots too) to use for many years to come. This is the first season I've been able to decorate so I'm gathering pieces for the future. Getting started is the hard part...especially with Lyme. But when the project is finished it makes you smile (well it does that to me). I just love nesting! The project cost $21.00 in total. What are your ideas for budget decorating? Do you use everything you have on hand? 

This project took me about a week to complete. I almost didn't try because it would take too long and too much energy to decorate. But I love decorating. So, I decided to take it at my Lyme pace. Don't waste your Lyme! Don't waste your money and definitely not your life!

*Robin 

Coffee Table Revamp

Finally a post about something really fun: decorating! Really don't know what my personal style is but I like pretty things. Pinterest has revolutionized my world (as it has for many women...and a handful of men I guess???). I was able to get out yesterday so Mom took me to T.J.Maxx! I was able to do one little DIY project with my purchase. 

Here's what I got: 

-One flower arrangement-wasn't sure about the green but I really like it now

-Three pillar candles 

-Copper plated tray it's really heavy and my favorite piece! 

I obviously want to keep my favorite piece looking mahh-valous. So, I needed to put something under the candles but didn't see anything that I liked at the store AND I wanted to save a buck. So here's what I used for the bottom:

-Brown felt
-2 sided tape (My aunt graciously gave me some of this-don't know if she remembers). 
-Sizzix Big Kick cutter (you can purchase items like this cutter and circle dies through my Mom's blog: I Stamp, I Sew
-Sizzix Circle cutting-dies
-Scissors 

Steps:
1. I took a 8"x12" piece of the felt and cut it in half so I could send it through the Big Kick 
2. Cut my circles out. Had a perfect match for the orange candles but had to cut off some of the excess felt around the cream one-that didn't look so great but no one will see it :)  
3. Used my two-sided tape to attach the felt to the bottom of the candles 

 

4. Arranged them on the tray with the flowers and enjoyed the atmosphere-Ken liked it too. He's so supportive!
If I only had a before picture of the table. It was a bowl of candy haha. Like this a lot better!

Although Lyme has so much pain involved I'm thankful for the little windows of time where the fun and beautiful things in life have a stronger presence than the pain. Today was very hard. I was sore from the hour that we were out yesterday. I walked with my cane so, I guess no pain, no gain. Today I tried to rest but it was difficult. 

Thankful for some more progress with the apartment. We're on a 5 year decorating plan. :) 

*Robin*