Theme: Valentine's Day

It’s not my favorite holiday, but I do like all the hearts and candy that come along with it. Of course, I have to have some holiday decorations, so…as promised, here are a couple of my most recent completed crafting projects:

I bought twine, burlap, clothespins, and felt for this project. It was ridiculously cheap and easy to make, and it definitely added a little Valentine’s Day flair to my living room.

This one was a little more time consuming but still very cost effective. I bought a wreath in the floral department and wrapped it in yarn. This was the time consuming part…it took me about four days to complete it because my hand would start cramping from having to hold and wrap the entire pound (yes, I bought the pound…not sure why!) of yarn through the wreath repeatedly. Then I cut circles out of felt and began cutting in a spiral around the edge of the circle. I then wound it around and used hot glue to hold the rosette together. The rosettes were extremely easy to make and connect to the wreath. I finished it off with some ribbon at the top. I now have a festive door wreath that cost under $10, and I got to have fun making it myself.

Gettin' My Craft On

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to simply do more and make better use of my time. One of the things that I enjoy doing is crafting. I rarely have time for it but I love to get creative (by this I mean copy ideas I see) and save money on homemade decorations and gifts. You will see many of these crafts over the next several weeks, hopefully. My first project was to make use of the space over my new borrowed (Thanks Meredith!!) desk. I got a printer and a laminator fro Christmas, thus needed somewhere to put them. A friend graciously offered to let me use her adorable desk, but of course, I needed to find desk-appropriate things to put over it. Well, here are the before and after pictures:

Before

After

Soup Can Creation

I made use of a shelf that was lying around in my closet and made adorable (if I do say so myself) canisters for my supplies using soup cans and scrapbook paper. I also bought clothes pins from a craft store and painted them, adding flowers to give them something extra. I used leftover shower-board (used for my student’s Christmas gifts) to provide a space for me to write notes, reminders, or my weekly Bible verse to memorize (another New Year’s Resolution). Last, but not least, I made the ribbon bulletin board by purchasing fiberboard from Lowe’s and stapling batting, fabric, and ribbon to it. All of the things mentioned above cost approximately $15 using coupons and materials I already owned. I’m kinda proud of my crafty creations, but would like to give all the credit to my heavy-duty staple gun and hot glue gun; two items that make life a whole lot easier!! More to come! I’ve been inspired.

A Weekend With Family

I spent this past weekend in my favorite Alabama city…Auburn. It holds so many dear memories and every time I return I am reminded of why I love it so. It was my home for four years, and I find comfort in knowing that I will remain a part of the Auburn family forever. I went down to “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” to celebrate our National Championship (can I get a woot woot??) and watch my first basketball game in the new Auburn Arena, which happened to be Auburn vs. Alabama and the ODK ceremony. It was sure was nice hearing a “bammer” singing our fight song!

An estimated 78,000 people showed up!!

Auburn Arena

Auburn vs. Alabama Basketball Game

I love Auburn!! I LOVE Auburn! Why, you ask? I’m honestly not quite sure. I’ve never been able to explain it. From the moment I stepped onto the campus for Camp War Eagle, I was hooked. It just gets in your blood and becomes a part of who you are! The Auburn Creed, Bodda Getta, our fight song, Samford Hall, Toomer’s Corner, Bo Jackson, War Eagle, Go Tigers, Haley Center, Foy (person and place)…these are some of the things that make Auburn what it is and some of the things that make me who I am. In my opinion, only one man has ever been able to capture, in words, the essence of Auburn, and as he read these words Saturday I had chills on my arms and tears in my eyes. Our previous athletic director, David Housel, once said:

“What is Auburn?

Far be it from me to try to answer that question. There are as many definitions of Auburn as there are Auburn men and women.

It would be safe to say, however, that Auburn is much more than a football game. It is much more than winning and losing.

It is a spirit. It is an attitude. It is a way of looking at life and at one another. It is, almost, a way of living. Unless you have experienced it, you will never know what it is; you will never understand it. Once you have experienced it, you will never be the same. A part of you will, forevermore, be an Auburn man or an Auburn woman.”

Farewell Friend

My dear, sweet roommate (who is leaving me to move home..booo!) and I decided we are going to make 2011 our best year yet!! We have established a variety of goals and mottos to motivate us and began our “living” last night. We had a date to watch the Golden Globes, but I was late…and Hollywood is crude, so we decided to go to Target and get ingredients to make our favorite snack…Puppy Chow. While browsing the isles we decided to get brownie mix also. Why not?? We came home and prepared our indulgences. Then we decided we wanted to watch The Social Network, so we hopped back in the car and drove right back to where we had just been to rent a movie. On the way there I said, “It’s 9:15 and we are going to rent a movie while our puppy chow chills and our brownies bake. What the heck??” Kait said, “That’s what the old Stephanie would have said. We are living now!” We laughed together, but I was saddened at the thought that she is leaving me in four days! Anyway, we had a fun night stuffing our faces and being bored to death by the movie that never ended. Strangely enough the movie took home the award for best motion picture. I should have known it would be no good! Regardless, it was a fun night with one of my best friends. I am going to miss her more than she knows, but am going to make every effort to “live” as much as I can even after she leaves. I want to experience more and actually enjoy life. I’m such a task-oriented person and I need to learn to let loose and enjoy the journey! Kait has helped me do that. She has been an inspiration to me of someone who really loves life and doesn’t take it for granted. She is happy in all circumstances and makes the most of every situation. Thanks for being such an awesome roommate, friend, and sister in Christ. I love you so much and will miss you tremendously. We’ve made good memories that will last a lifetime! I love you, girl.

Why am I still here?

I was told to stop quoting my favorite songs and actually update my blog. I have been avoiding it because I feel like my life is in a state of chaos right now and I don’t quite know how much to write or share. Anyway, here is what’s going on with me…in the words of yours truly.

God has really been trying to show me for a long time now that He has got me taken care of. I always try to do things on my own. I think I'm giving things over to Him, but He continues to take away my "comforts" to create more reliance on Him. It makes me kinda angry at first. I always try to figure out how I'm gonna handle all of the change and uncertainty (and lately there has been a lot!). I make scenarios in my head and try to play out each one so I can make plans. As I did this the other day I heard (in as close to an audible voice as possible), "Rely on ME!" How many times have I heard that before? Too many to count! Why am I STILL here? Why have I not learned this lesson that He so badly wants to teach me??? I broke down crying and thought of how badly I just wanted to give up. Again I heard God say, “DO! Give up. Give it to me. I love you and can take care of it all. You are in my hands and I will always protect you. It may not be easy, but trust me!” This truth has been reiterated to me many times since then and from different people who play a variety of roles in my life. So…I am giving up and giving over. I am going to stop worrying about the future so much and trust that God has got my back. I am going to focus more on today! I am going to live…and I’m so excited!!

Rediscovered

I love going through old CD’s and rediscovering songs that meant so much to me in the past. Natalie Grant’s entire Awaken CD was on repeat in my car most of 2005. It’s safe to say it will be on repeat much of 2011 too since I was just reacquainted with ole Natalie. One song in particular that I really love right now is “Make Me Over” and since I am no good with words, I’ll let someone else describe the way I feel.

I've been silent instead of speaking up

Gave my advice instead of giving love

I have been unfair, faithless and unkind

I have shut my eyes just so I would stay blind

It's not what I meant to do

'Cause I wanna honor you

Make me over, make me new

Make me a mirror, a reflection of you

Take me all apart

Take me to your heart and pull me closer

Oh, Jesus, make me over

Take away the pride that whispers in the dark

Take the stone out of the middle of my heart

Hidden underneath my insecurities

Is the servant that you've destined me to be

But day after precious day

I get in my own way

Make me over, make me new

Make me a mirror, a reflection of you

Take me all apart

Take me to your heart and pull me closer

Sweet savior, make me over

I am only made of your imagining

I'm dust and clay on the wind

Wash me in the river of your sacrifice

Until I'm changed, purified

Take me all apart

Take me to your heart and pull me closer

My Jesus, make me over

Make me over