happy friday.

another week- flew by.  this is the weekend of finishing projects for me.  for starters, let's talk lamps.
Remember this beaut?

 Well... I have this shade in my living room and decided it could use some sprucing.

So - I visited my local Hancock and got a few fabrics from the remnants bin. Picked out 3 fabric sections for under $3.  The first was a felt like fabric.  I cut small circles out of this one... 

 Then, I folded the circle in half, the in half again, and clipped the point off of the folded fabric.   This allowed for a flat surface for me to apply hot glue to.  So, I glued the flat surface to a circle cut out, starting in the center and working my way out...

this was the finished first flower.... 

And here it is in relation to the shade... 

I went with this method from memory of random flower research.  But... decided it didn't have the impact I needed.  So, I refreshed my memory by visiting Jones Design Company and remembered to do this ... 

cut out flower shapes.  this is fabric #2.  semi- linen

and I combined the cut out flowers with the cut out circles for this flower... 

Anyway, I repeated method one to made a linen smaller flower and combined the 3 to make this cluster...

extremely pleased.  i'm ready to put flowers on everything.  

Welp. It's Friday. So. hopefully I'll have more to come.... until then, cheers!

-Sar

lovely things.

is this not to-die-for?

crap... I don't even remember where I stole this from!  I'll keep you posted... 

anyway.  been working on a few weekend projects. i  will sure let you in on the details...when my precious MacBook returns from the doctor!

a month later...

So it's been nearly a month since my last post.  bless my heart.  in the words of Sister Hazel - Life Got in the Way.  I guess, I've somewhat been ashamed because [somehow] i have zero creative inspiration.  Regardless, I'm going to plow through and come out stronger.

For starters.  I finally put a Santa gift into use.: knobs!

 I decide to use 2 different knobs on the piece.  The above floral and the below glass knobs.  I kept the old ones of the drawers.

 This has added a special little touch to the hutch.  I will say - I am still itching to paint it. It looks great now.  But you'll notice above, you can see the outline of the previous knob.  That's not gonna leave unless it's covered.  The color in my mind is a taupe... more gray than brown. And a color on the interior.... we'll see...

I also got a cute little hanger for our aprons.  Loving that the kitchen is FINALLY coming together....

http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/12/was-dining-room-now-living-room.html

So check it out.  I've become re-addicted to my blog roll lately... and this week I stumbled across this beauty.  You and I both know - flowers are sure something special.  After seeing this pic, I was completely inspired.  I have just the lamp.  So - my Friday-day-off-project will include something like the above.... stay tuned!
{in case you're keeping track, this Friday-day-off-project list is growing incredibly long!  I have 2 end tables, 1 chair, 1 bookshelf, several curtains, etc on this list.  #workcutoutforme [i never use hashtags in twitter world so wanted to throw one in]}

Welp.  Wednesday night church.  Tonight's going to be a party!!  Baptism!  So, more later!
Cheers.

i decided to cook?

I came home today and notice this...the snowman remains: a wilted baby carrot, wet scarf, and dirty hat.  The snow is officially gone...
In other news...Tuesday and it's already been a full week!  Love that.
Went Shopping with Mom this weekend [go figure].  We visited Pier1 - a personal fav.  Anyway, this lamp is like the epitome of my taste! I was totally inspired and yes- I would expect to see something along the lines of this shade in my home asap [via homemade design]. Isn't it gorgeous?

Anyway- I want to share with you this Daniel Fast inspired recipe I tried tonight that turned out pretty wonderful [considering it lacked dairy and meat].  Def worth the extra effort in making dinner happen.

 Pizza Sauce

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

3 tablespoons minced garlic, jar ok

3 tablespoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon fennel seed [I used Rosemary]

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup water

1 pinch salt

Instructions:

 Whole Grain Pizza Crust

2 cups whole grain, whole wheat flour (I used Spelt flour)

1/3 cup olive oil

1 cup water

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon fennel seed (I used Rosemary instead)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon olive oil for pan

Use some freedom as you pick the toppings for your pizza.
I used the following:
1/2 red bell pepper [diced]
Spinach
Red onion
3 oz Mushrooms
Sun Dried Tomatoes

Bake for about 30 min [or until crust is crispy] at 375 degrees.  I rubbed the bottom of the pan with some extra virgin olive oil to prevent stick.

Welp.  Thats about all the inspiration I have for ya today.  Enjoy your pizza!
Chao.
-Sar

winter wonderland.

somehow, this week is already coming to a close.  I enjoyed the snow day with the rest of the south on Monday while being lazy, catching up on my Lifetime movies and getting some quality roommate time.
Luckily, I had found this little gem at the local Goodwill over the weekend ready for some tlc.

$6

Decided I could use some remaining fabric from my recovered ottoman to give the chair a new life.  Considered painting the chair...then couldn't decide on a color.  So. Natural it is!

Not bad for a little afternoon project, huh?
So. After fun Monday. It was back to work.  1 1/2 day behind. But had to gear up for Wednesday night church returning.  Made over 100 of these suckers....

[so great except i'm not eating sweets.  aka torture].  I had some wonderful friends help decorate the kids room like a crazy [somewhat tacky] child's party. Streamers and balloons galore.  And let me tell you. Though the night was major hectic [take that as a dropped hint to a need for volunteers!!], it was a blast.  Total success.

So now. I'm sitting back, enjoying some Grey's Anatomy- excited for the weekend!  If you're reading this and a Creeker- take a moment to consider joining us for morning prayer!  7am during the week and 9am on Saturdays for the next 2 weeks.  It has made my week beyond productive and focused.
Well. hope you're week ends perfectly.
Cheers.
-Sar

be inspired.

I sat down at my computer this perfect Saturday morning with my cup of coffee hoping to crank out a wonderful blog update for all of you steady followers.  But of course, I got started down my blog roll and got engrossed in all the beautiful posts from designers out in blog land.  So.  Why not share my two favorites of the day.

Jenny at Little Green Notebook

I may even go as far to stay that Jenny got me started on it all. I discovered her blog [who knows how] back in July and have been faithfully following ever since.  All throughout the home renovation- I sought inspiration from her DIY projects and awesome flea market finds.

Laurel- Dawn at Abode Love

I discover this blog today through another one that I follow.  She uses this subtle glamor that just makes my heart melt.  Def adding her to my blog roll immediately after this post.

This week, in one of our staff meetings at Stevens Creek Church, we listed to a sermon by Bill Hybels called "Whatever you do, Inspire Me!". I find myself continuing to refer to some of his major points.  It was the perfect new years talk: motivation.  Don't we all search for that one way or another from time to time?  So- I am going to include the 10 points he shared on how to stay in an inspired state:
1.  Stay crystal clear on your calling from God.
2. Make sure you leverage spiritual gifts the way God wants
- He has entrusted us with a mission that He wants us to see through
3. Make sure the players on your teams are inspiring people
- find people that give a positive emotional jolt
4.  Read Books - people who commit themselves to good works and push through
5. Make it a point hang out with exceptionally inspiring people
6. Take the time to participate in exceptionally inspiring events
7.  Paying attention to physical disciplines (20% energy gain when you're physically active)
8. Pay attention to your working environment
- work space can add or subtract from motivation
- lift spirits so you can do your absolute best work day to day
- take responsibility of motivation
9. Having an inspiring recreation outside your work world
- recreates energy inside - gets ya pumped
10.  Practicing daily spiritual disciplines to keep spirit fresh.


So.  Be inspired today! Be motivated to go do something creative.
With love,
Sar

lifetime.

I have a few words to sum up the last weekend of my life.  Lifetime Christmas movies.  They have reeled me in and got me hooked!  And I've certainly enjoyed every second.  Top runner? Sunday's at Tiffanys.  Oh it just got me giddy inside while filling my head with big dreams of fairytale type love. Aside from that, I got this new recliner....well actually the prior owner of my home left the recliner when she moved.  And then we left it in the middle of the house while we renovated...through ceiling scraping, wall paintings, new drywall, and then of course new floors.  So you can imagine, the chair has history.  Lots of history.  Well, I stuck it in a spare bedroom and finally decided, what the hey, lets test the sucker.  So, now, it's planted in the living room adorned in a bedsheet "slip cover" and now I find myself adorning the recliner as well.  It. is. perfect. If you have yet to consider a recliner for your living room, oh boy are you missing out.

All this being said, I've been busy with work [believe it or not]. It's a good thing I love it.  Come to think of it, I believe the work makes me giddy inside like the love stories on tv.  Its an incredible peace to be doing what you love.

While I'm on the "current obsessions" bandwagon, I'll go ahead and add some other favorites....
1.  Words with Friends [somehow- I am significantly better at this game than Scrabble]

2.  Oatmeal [flavored. any brand. mostly "lower sugar". it sure warms the soul]
3.  Revlon Plum Night nail polish

4.  And yes...I gotta add....jeggings.
5.  Tacky Christmas outfits.

Ok, I'm done now.
Though I realize this post is major lacking photos & major substance, I'm gonna leave you with what's been heavy on my heart lately.  Dream big.
xoxo