Garage Sale finds Friday 9

Welcome to another week of garage sale finds! Where I share with you some of my favorite finds from garage sales.

Ready? O.k. Let's get started.

I'm still tweaking and decorating my laundry room. When I saw this wash board for $1 I couldn't pass it up. The scale that is pictured came from a garage sale last year for $2.

I also found this old Dairyland drawer for $2. I haven't put anything in it yet. Any suggestions?

Here's the hodge podge of random garage sale finds that are slowly finding their way around my laundry room sink.

Like I said, it's still a work in progress. What did you find this weekend?

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Personalized Subway Art

Last week, our pastor gave an amazing sermon on parenthood. It was such a great reminder (especially during the summer when all three kids are home full time!) of what a blessing my children are.

It was also a great reminder of why my husband and I parent the way we do and that although sometimes making the right choices in parenthood aren't easy, they are such a great validation for our children and their worth in our family.

So when I saw these personalized subway art canvases by The Creative Imperative I thought they were a perfect addition to any kids room.

We often forget to focus on all of the positive characteristics of our children. I think this is such a great reminder for our kids to see just how valued they are in the family.

If you want to listen to the sermon you can go here. To see the tutorial for the subway art go here.

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Super cool table

I'm a sucker for cool vintage up cycled pieces, so when I saw this Number 5 table at The Painted Turtle , I knew I had to share it with you.

The color choices are amazing together and the distressing is perfect. I think it looks like the side of an old race car.

Head on over to The Painted Turtle and see how to make one yourself.

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Books worth reading

I'm a big reader. I like to have a good book waiting for me when I settle into bed at night. So, I wanted to share with you a few books that I have read this month.

I borrowed each of the books at my local library and the summary's below were all found on Google. I highly recommend reading all three of these book selections when you get a chance.

By Ron Hall, Denver Moore, Lynn Vincent - Thomas Nelson (2008) - Paperback - 245 pages - ISBN 084991910X

Describes how the co-author, a man held under plantation-style slavery until he fled in the 1960s, suffered homelessness for an additional eighteen years before the wife of the other co-author, an art dealer accustomed to privilege, intervened to save the former's life.

By Susan Gregg Gilmore - Crown Publishing Group (2009) - Paperback - 304 pages - ISBN 0307395022

Sometimes you have to return to the place where you began, to arrive at the place where you belong. It's the early 1970s. The town of Ringgold, Georgia, has a population of 1,923, one traffic light, one Dairy Queen, and one Catherine Grace Cline. The daughter of Ringgold's third-generation Baptist preacher, Catherine Grace is quick-witted, more than a little stubborn, and dying to escape her small-town life. Every Saturday afternoon, she sits at the Dairy Queen, eating Dilly Bars and plotting her getaway to the big city of Atlanta. And when, with the help of a family friend, the dream becomes a reality, Catherine Grace immediately packs her bags, leaving her family and the boy she loves to claim the life she's always imagined. But before things have even begun to get off the ground in Atlanta, tragedy brings her back home. As a series of extraordinary events alters her perspectiveand sweeping changes come to Ringgold itselfCatherine Grace begins to wonder if her place in the world may actually be, against all odds, right where she began

By Chris Cleave - Simon & Schuster (2010) - Paperback - 304 pages - ISBN 1416589643

WE DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS BOOK.It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it.Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this:It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific.The story starts there, but the book doesn't.And it's what happens afterward that is most important.Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

So what are you reading? I'm out of books to read right now, so I am looking for the next good read!

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Sweaty Bands knock off revisted

So I happened to be looking up some of my stats from the blog (bloggers cool like that yo) and one of the most visited blog posts I have done yet has been my sweaty bands knock off tutorial.

As I prepare to run my second (and third) half marathon in the next few weeks, I thought I would share this tutorial with you again. I have used these headbands every time I work out and they have held up so well and no joke, they stay in place during boot camp or if I am running 13 miles.

a picture after I finished my first half marathon in September

I run, but I don't like to call myself a runner. The way I see it is, I'm not a nudist just because I walk around naked in my house, so just because I log a dozen or so miles a week doesn't make me a runner.

I think there has to be enjoyment in the act to claim the title.

I do work out 5 days a week for about an hour and a half a day. Part of my "gear" is a no slip pony tail holder and a black scrunci hair band. So when a friend of mine from college e-mailed me and told me about Sweaty Bands , I knew I had to try them out.

Only problem...I'm cheap! Those bad boys are pricey and from what I am told, looked easy enough to replicate. So that's what I did.

I thought I would try making two so below you will see the materials for making two sweaty bands. You will need: 3/8" elastic (I used black)

1" thick ribbon

Velvet ribbon (I think this was 5/8" thick)

Cut your elastic to 6 1/2" long and cut both ribbons to 15 1/2"

I singed the ends of the ribbons to keep them from fraying, just be careful when playing with fire!

I didn't pin anything, just tucked the elastic between the two layers of ribbon, backstitched several times over the short end to keep the elastic sturdy, and then continued to sew all the way around the ribbon making sure to catch the velvet ribbon into place, but sewing as close to the edge as possible. Don't forget to tuck the other end of the elastic in when you get to the other short side.

That's it!



Here's my typical hairdo for the gym. I wore it today for my workout and couldn't believe that it really does stay put. I didn't have to readjust it once. Don't believe me? Make one, put it on and go get sweaty!

**I still have this very headband that I made last year and it still holds everything in place. They are awesome and totally work!**

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Garage Sale Finds Friday 8

Welcome to another edition of Garage Sale Finds Friday, where I share with you some of my favorite finds from the weekend.

I've been spending a lot of time outside this summer, so when I saw this patio set, I couldn't resist getting it.

Mostly, because of the price tag! The whole set with two chairs, small glass table and bench complete with all of the cushions was only $40.

I was also able to pick up a new umbrella for our "old" patio table set for only $10. I think it matches perfectly and saved me a little money.

We have really been enjoying these sets as we entertain more throughout the summer. Did you find any great deals this weekend?

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Things around the kitchen I couldn't live without

We don't eat out much. Maybe once a month (if that) so I spend a LOT of time in the kitchen feeding our family of five. A few months ago, I took you on a tour of my kitchen. You can see it here .
Today, I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite things. The stuff that gets used every.single.day at my house. Just a disclaimer, my opinions are my own, I am NOT getting compensated for telling you how awesome this stuff is.
First up, the Pampered Chef mini serving spatula. These guys are only $5 each and are good for doing everything from flipping pancakes, browning ground beef or serving up brownies. I love that they are small, fit comfortably in my hand and are easy to maneuver.

Another Pampered Chef product that I use nearly everyday is the classic batter bowl {similar item}. I love that it has a lid and lines for measuring on it. I can put up to 8 cups in this bowl (great for making lemonade) or I can use it to store cut up fruit or leftovers (especially soup). And the fact that it has a handle makes it ideal of mixing pancake batter in too.
The one thing on our wedding registry list that my husband cared about at all, was the Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I never had one growing up, so I didn't know how awesome it was. But after 13 years of marriage, I have not only one, but two of these bad boys. In my defense, they are two different sizes and when I do lots of baking it's nice to have more than one.
I make everything from mashed potatoes to pizza dough to chocolate chip cookies in here, and no matter how much use it's still going strong. 

About five years ago my mother in law bought me my first Cutco knife. Despite a full knife block, this is the knife I always reach for first. Once a year, I send my knife back to Cutco to be sharpened, and if it's broken in anyway, they will send me back a new replacement (so far, that's happened once). I love a company that stands by it's product and it's guarantee. Despite having granite countertops and the ability to cut directly on their surface, I still reach for these acrylic cutting boards. My sweet friend Lisa picked a few up for me and I haven't gone back since! I am constantly washing these after slicing cheese, or cutting fruit or veggies. And because they are clear, they don't stand out in the kitchen.

My favorite new appliance is my Viking gas range . The range came with our new house and I am so glad it did because I don't think I would ever splurge on it myself. It's got 6 burners, a convection oven and is pure awesome. It makes cooking easy and despite my initial fears at having gas, I have really gotten used to it and enjoy it.

When I am not cooking on the range, I am using my old faithful crock pot. I cook meals in this at least once a week. I love that I can start dinner at 8 am and not think about it again until 5. This cheapo crockpot is just like the one I have and costs only $20. It's lasted me at least 10 years so far.
So what are your favorite items around the kitchen?

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Let me Introduce you to Our Wonderfilled Life

A long long time ago (o.k. maybe not that long ago!) in a pledge class above me, I met Kennedy. Well, really Michelle, but back in the day we were too cool to go by first names (yep, some people still call me Foster...it's gansta or something).
Through the wonders of Facebook, many of my sorority sisters from the Delta Zeta house are able to keep in touch with each other. Facebook gives us the chance to see lovely growing families, hear about weddings and births, job changes and moves.
Michelle is one of those people who I have connected with more on facebook than I probably did when we lived in the same house! I'm pretty sure my craft blog addiction (and the reason I ultimately started Holy Craft) can be blamed on Michelle.
Michelle is an amazingly creative woman.
She sews Little Marvels Capes

She does complete room makeovers in the middle of the night

She plans amazing birthday parties for her boys

Boys... that's right, did I mention that she has FIVE boys?! Yep, five of them! Four of them share a birthday.

How cute are they?!!!
Michelle to me, is the ultimate expert on all things boy. Just check out her Boy Wonder Toy Awards .

So if you didn't think Michelle was cool yet, get this. Before kids, she worked at Anthropologie in their home department (and in my opinion it's the best department there). Check out some of her insider tips .

Michelle is currently running a giveaway. She will be giving away three of her Little Marvels Super Hero Capes.

You can enter here . And while you are it it, stay awhile and check out the rest of Michelle's blog . I know you will love it!

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Mirror Mirror on the wall...

Last week, I shared with you the details of how I made over my master bedroom furniture with spray paint. If you missed it, head back here to see the before and after pictures.

Speaking of before, here is one of the before pictures of the room.

See the wall on the far right of the screen? It was dying for something to fill it's space. Pretty sure the house was staged with a leaning mirror (it was a model) and then the people who owned the house had a leaning mirror there, so I thought for sure, it needed a leaning mirror. The power of suggestion? I think so.

I spent tons of time searching for a leaning mirror and man, those things are pricey! Every one I found cost anywhere from $500-$800...out of my price range! The few I found at the big box stores weren't quite big enough.

I sent it to my husband with the hopes that he could make me something like it for WAY less. He set to work, and here's what he came up with.

It's anchored into the wall and leans out just a bit

I think it's pretty massive (3 1/2 feet by 6 1/2 feet) , and pretty awesome all at the same time.

The grand total for the wood, paint (yep, same spray paint as we used on the furniture), and mirror cut at the glass cutters was around $150. Pricey, but way cheaper than buying it at the store.

Plus, I get the bragging rights that my hubby made it with his own two hands!

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Garage sale finds Friday 7

Welcome to another edition of garage sale finds Friday where I get to share with you some of my favorite garage sale finds.

This week, I will be sharing with you a few of my kitchen decorations that I have picked up recently.

First up, this pear. Isn't she a beauty? It still had the $35 sticker on the bottom. Back in the day when people were flipping houses, the couple who I bought this from had a thriving staging business. That ship has sailed, and I got to snatch up some of the brand new decorations that they used.

For some perspective on how big it is, it's as large as my Kitchen Aid stand mixer is! I paid $5 for it.

I don't drink wine, but I like the vintage feel of this sign ($1) and the holder (50 cents).

And last but not least, my kitchen crock. I have plenty of drawer space in my new kitchen, but sometimes it's nice to just have what you need right at your finger tips. I picked up this crock for $2 and love having my kitchen tools handy.

What did you find this weekend?

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The best of whats around

My husband is out doing manly things with manly men (he's learning worship songs to play on guitar) so I had a second to peek around blog land and get inspired. Hopefully, you will be inspired too.

I found out that I am not the only one out there who loves a good animal hanging on their wall. Dream Book Design just finished mounting theirs and they look fantastic!

We are in the midst of a baby boom so when I saw this blanket I thought it was a genius idea. Head on over to Me Sew Crazy to see more.

Red is my absolute favorite color. So when I saw this desk makeover, I fell in love. Go to The 36th Avenue to see the bleak before shots and how awesome it has become.

I seriously wish I were invited to this backyard BBQ bash where Lisa *just for fun* set up this amazing pie table. The pictures will have your mouth watering!

Finally, go check out these amazing vintage sewing pattern tags From Glitter to Gumdrops. Love them!

Such great stuff out there! What's your favorite find this week?

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Captain Ahab

My in-laws built a beautiful house on the Bay about seven years ago. It's such a fun place for the family to get together, complete with ski boat and dock. The way the lot was when they bought the land required some major engineering to get the driveway and the house situated just right.

There is a long steep driveway heading down into the garage that often requires driving down and then reversing into the driveway.

Because of the reversing that has to be done, this cone is placed in a little turn around area so you know how far to go before reversing. It's helpful, but has always seemed like a temporary fix for me.

The cone just says "under construction" not settled and living comfortably. But alas, it does it's job. I did ask my mother in law if she would mind if I found a more appealing fix instead of the cone. So after a year of thinking and searching I think I found something!

I call him Captain Ahab

Instead of seeing the cone first thing as you drive down, Captain Ahab sort of blends in to his surroundings...that is, until you need him for all of your reversing needs.

He does need a few minor fixes to make him more useful (reflector tape and a sturdier base) but I think he looks happy in his new home, don't you?

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