Pinspiration- Gallery Shelves

 I've seen really awesome gallery shelves all over Pinterest, and decided I needed a set. I followed the instructions in this link- http://ana-white.com/2010/10/plans/ten-dollar-ledges . There were a few modifications that were necessary however.

I started with enough material for six shelves, the man at Home Depot was nice enough to cut it to size for me. Cost for the wood $9.00.

My husband turned it into a father daughter project with our 11 year old. With a few instructions she was able to drill all the pocket holes for the shelves. This is where the instructions I found on the internet needed to be altered. The video I watched said to use 2 inch screws, well these were to long,  we ended up using 1 inch screws.

To drill pocket holes you need a special jig, that comes in a kit and was super simple to use. The kit comes with everything you need and it was $39.00. This is what I used as bribery when recruiting my husbands help, new tools always works.

I had these frames that I picked up for $10.00 at Walmart during Christmas. Up until now they have been hanging out under my bed with the dust bunnies. I new I needed them at the time, I am glad listened to my inner voice when the rest of my family was telling me I didn't need them.

Black is not my favorite color, so I gave the frames a quick paint job with some white spray paint. Since he broke his foot and is no longer using his bike ramp the slanted surface was great for painting.

Lucy asked if she could do rest of the painting, which I was more than happy to let her.

The only thing left to do was pick up my pictures from Walgreens and hang the shelves. Total cost for the shelves $60.00 this included the wood, jig, and paint. If you have the jig they could be done for $20.00.

My Smash Journal Pages for the Past Month

Stitchy Love

 Lately it has felt my creative time has come to a halt because of preparation for the upcoming school year. Ethel however claimed that I rarely make anything for her, and stated she wanted something with whales. At the time I only had a dishtowel on hand so I sketched something out, then got her approval, and got stitchy.

Vintage Sewing Case

 When I found this suitcase  I didn't know how I would use it, but after a few days I knew what I was going to do with it. It has now become my sewing case. When I'm working on a project I like to hangout in the same room with my family so this allows me to carry the necessities with me.I

I found this suitcase at the local antique store for $7.50, the case was a little beat up on the inside so I decided to tear it out and start from scratch.

After tearing out the lining, I used a cardboard box and a vintage sheet to fashion a new lining that would become a peg board for my sewing tools.

I used some paint that was left over from my daughters room redo to spruce up the interior. Then all I needed to do was add some pretty fabric, a box to hold piece work, bottles to hold pins, and a pin cushion. Finally, after a day of work and $8.50 my sewing case was complete. Now onto the larger suitcase.

Don't Ask Me if I've Gained Weight

      I created this album to record the journey of becoming a healthier person, and the lessons I learned along the way. Before my 40th birthday my weight hit an all time high at 168 pounds (I am 5'7"), I felt ugly and uncomfortable, so I decided I needed to do something about it. I began by taking little steps, eliminating pop and working out with the Wii fit, this helped me lose about 10  pounds. I still felt as though I needed to lose more, so after we returned from our vacation in March I began to run, I could only run about 30 seconds a time, but over time I was slowly able to increase my time and distance. On July 4th I ran my first 5K, and my weight was at 150 pounds, but I still felt like I needed to lose more weight, so I added mountain biking, and increased my distance running, and I was able to continue my weight loss, by the end of summer I had reached 131 pounds. Now time to be honest, I had developed an obsession over my weight, and I was far from the happiness I was searching for. It is hard to admit this, but my weight and appearance became my main focus. During this time I was determined to maintain this weight, but to do this I had to work out two to three hours a day, and turn down ice cream, birthday cake and pizza. Even though I was at a weight society considers beautiful I was miserable. I continued at this pace until a medical condition forced me to stop for 6 weeks. It was agonizing to take this time off, and after two weeks I started to run again and I caused the condition to worsen, so now the doctor let me know I would be out for a couple months. This forced me to slow down and I actually started to reflect on what the goal should actually be.
       The initial goal was to become healthy, and lose weight so that I would be happier. I felt that if I could achieve the goal weight I had set in my mind everything else would fall into place. In reality my health actually began to suffer from lack of rest and pushing too hard. Also, my relationships seemed to suffer because I didn't have time to devote to them, and the problems that I had in other relationships didn't improve with my new look. Finally a light bulb went off and I knew that this was not the change I wanted, so I needed to try a different approach. When I was able to exercise again I didn't return to my previous regimen instead I started by decreasing the amount that I was running too 3 miles, three times a week, and one longer run a week that is about 5 miles. I will occasionally run a 5K race, but I am not obsessed about my times I do it for the camaraderie and the positive energy. I still try to eat a healthier diet, but I am not turning down pizza or cupcakes. My weight did increase, it settled at 148 pounds which does not give me cellulite free legs, or a completely flat stomach, but I feel healthier, my hair is no longer falling out and my skin looks better. I also am more balanced, I have time to spend with my kids, and enjoy other hobbies. I am proud of the races that I finished that summer, but I also look back and I realize they came with a cost.
   Today I am definitely curvier, but I am also happier.

Yard Sale Finds

One of the sales that I look forward to each year, are the annual yard sales in the town of Romeo. Romeo is a lovely town with older Victorian homes, and gorgeous gardens, which makes for a lovely walk. Each year I always seem to find some wonderful inexpensive items and this year was no different. Some of my lucky finds were this green Hawkeye basket for $1.25, a vintage dishtowel for .25, and a complete set of vintage flatware for $5.00 were. I love when I can find something that I was planning to buy new and Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 fit that description.  This was the real steal of the day I paid $25.00 and to buy it new it would be $180.00, Lucy is now all set for math next year. The last item I scooped up was this cedar chest for $20.00, it needs work and a home, but it will fit the need when I start too feel the urge for a project. What I loved most about everything I bought is that it was made in America, which is helping me with my goal of replacing most of the items in my home with items that have been made in the United States.

A Missed Gem

I have lived in the same town for 10 years and have driven by 4th Street Antiques at least once a week, but had never stopped in. This past week I decided to take a few extra minutes and stop in.

Of course Lucy and Ethel tagged along. Sorry for the blurry pic but they just can't sit still when they're stimulated by so many things that need to be touched and examined.

I felt that I really needed this vintage chicken feeder, but since I only have six lovely ladies and it was a feeder for sixty, alas I left it behind.

I did manage to find these lovely cases, which I hadn't known 

I wanted until I met them.