I'M BACK! {thanks to Pinterest}

Wowza...it has been a long while since my last blog. But thanks to my love of Pinterest, I am back!

I did some fun projects over the weekend. Some inspired by Pinterest and others, well, I used my own creative inspiration.

The project I am sharing today is so simple...almost too easy, but I am already plan on making some slight modifications I will tell you about later.

All I did to make this framed 'P' for my door was:

1) Spray paint a frame black
2) Attach the feathers to the side using wire and hot glue...needed to fill in some spots!
3) Spray paint the letter a silver bronze color
4) Glue dark brown scrapbook paper to a board cut to size to fit in the frame
5) Glue the P to the board
6) Attach ribbon to hang from the door

And here you go!

Easy! Okay - now on to the slight modifications I need to make. I am thinking decorative tin would be awesome as the backdrop for the P. I also need to come up with a better way to attach the frame to the door....ribbon and a new over the door hook should do the trick!

But for some much needed decoration to adorn my front door...this will definitely work!

Little Man's Dresser

Another project accomplished! Little Man's dresser turned out just as I imagined it would....PERFECT! I love the timeless shape of this dresser and I knew I could be creative with it. I got inspiration for this dresser from many places and it has just taken me awhile to get Brandon to clean out his stuff from it (it was in our room previously). I decided I would paint the dresser black (using the Behr Stealth Jet I used on my spindles), and then stain the drawers a dark walnut stain.

The dresser is old, but I think it has a new life now! Here is the (sad) before.....

First I had to sand, sand, sand - both the dresser prior to priming/painting and the drawers prior to staining. So a sandin' I went...

After a good sanding and wipe down, the drawers were ready for stain. I used an oil based stain in dark walnut.

The dresser got primed using grey spray primer. The primer felt a little sticky after sitting for while and I didn't want the paint to feel sticky either, so I lightly sanded after applying the primer.

(Okay so you are probably noticing that we did move the dresser from driveway to grass to garage!)

After applying the primer and lightly sanding, it was time for the black paint. I love painting with black, but there is always a slight hestitation before I start. I painted two coats and lightly sanded between each coat. 

Here is another before:

And the after:

Next up....Little Man's bed with the same finish!

Enough with the white....give me wrought iron (faux that is!)

My first before and after project! Yes!!!! This is one of the main reasons for starting this blog. First project on the agenda, my spindles! I have lived with the white, chipped spindles for almost 5 years and it's time they go. I can't help but think about the real wrought iron spindles I have sitting in my garage that should be sitting beautifully between my railing and floor, but I didn't have the patience to wait anymore. They have been sitting there for three years so they will just have to wait a little longer. I needed a fix, and NOW! So painting each spindle, one by one, is what I did. Although it's not real wrought iron, it looks the part and is much better than those that existed before.

Supplies and Prep:

I did a good cleaning and deglossing on each spindle. I then sanded each spindle so the paint would stick.

Here is the before (now keep in mind you can't see all the little chips and crayon marks on the spindles)

All taped up and ready to go! My kids even got into the action by helping wipe down the sanded spindles....what great little helpers!

Next up - PAINT! EEK.....this always requires a big SIGH, but my mind was set and I was committed. I painted each spindle with Behr eggshell paint in Stealth Jet. It provided a nice matte black color. I didn't want them to look harsh black or glossy, as I wanted to give the appearance of wrought iron. I used a sponge brush because it gave me more control on a small space than a paint brush did.   

Here is what it looked like after the first coat....EEK! It does get better, I promise.

Two coats later, I am extremely happy with the results! It was time consuming, but I thoroughly enjoyed the process - and the painting. I love how the black tones down the orange/brassiness of the honey oak that consumes my house.

The AFTER:

Here is a another before and after:

Some may prefer the white, but I love the black!

Now on to my next project.......Little Man's dresser! Stay tuned.

In rememberance...

There are situations that come into our lives and make such an impact that it changes everything you do, everything you are.

One year ago today, this life left mine. In his life and after, my life changed forever.

The way Suge came into my life, and ultimately left my life, defines an incredible turning point in my spiritual journey. I wasn't sure at the time what it all meant or what God was trying to say, but I knew he was saying something to me. Why else would we have brought home an abused and neglected boxer who we knew nothing about two weeks after having to make the difficult decision to put down our 5 year old dog for attacking our 2 year old daughter? Most people thought we were crazy! In fact, I am not sure anyone was on board with it, not even I. Even upon meeting Suge, I was unsure. But something in my heart was telling me YES, DO IT! He needs you, but more importantly, YOU need him.

At the time we brought Suge home, we were going through many changes in our lives. We were expecting (unexpectantly if I am completely honest) a second child. We also started going to a church that engaged us and brought us back to God's Word. In the two years that Suge was with me, my spiritual journey was defined. I believed...I truly believed. I believe in God, and I believe God sent his only son to die for my sins.

Suge helped me believe because he defined for me first hand the true meaning of forgiveness and unconditional love. The kind of love, grace and compassion God gives to us daily. It wasn't that I didn't know this to be true, but I needed to see it and feel it. Suge was neglected, abused, malnurished. In many ways, much of what Jesus endured. But yet despite all that Suge, and Jesus, went through, they loved the hands that mistreated them. I could finally see it! I believe God put Suge in my life to help me see it, to truly believe it.

I was not the only person that lost a part of my heart 1 year ago today. Everyone Suge encountered fell in love with him. He was a kind, gentle soul with an incredible story. The scar around his neck from a rope wrapped too tight was a constant reminder of his past life. He was our watchful servant - comforting my daugher every night as she drifted off to sleep, refusing to leave my son's crib side when he was very sick, licking my tears when I cried, protecting his fur brother from thunderstorms and proving that even the hardest exteriors have the softest interiors.

This heartwrenching picture below was taken three weeks after Suge passed away. I cherish this picture. Hutch is still with us today and what a great dog he is! To this day he will still wander over to see Suge, to pay his respects to his faithful friend.

I believe every person has the gift of compassion, but where you use your gift of compassion differentiates us as humans. I will be honest in my assessment of where my compassion lies. I was gifted with an innate love and passion for our four legged canine friends. It's not that I don't care about people, I really do, but my heart softens for these voiceless souls. I believe God instills grace and compassion in all of us, and this is where God speaks through me. Suge also gave me the gift of rescue...without him I would not have become so passionate and involved in rescue (and of course with the boxer breed). I am humbled daily and it's a constant reminder of the forgiveness and unconditional love that Suge showed to me – which God gives to us every day.

Suge will always be in my heart, rescue will always be in my heart, and there will always be voiceless souls that will need a voice. I will continue to rescue, and although I can't bring Suge back, I will rest in knowing I will have the opportunity to save another.

I was once again humbled and honored when a story of a one year old boxer came in to the rescue coordinator. Hit by a car with a broken pelvis and leg, as well as scrapes and bruises and a wound that will make the strongest of eyes cringe, he was left suffering for three days before a rescue volunteer found him and pulled him from the horrible shelter. The rescue named him Suge in rememberence of my Suge. He was flown from Kentucky to Minnesota via Pilots and Paws. I had the honor of picking him up from transport and loving him for a night. He is in good hands at our rescue vet and we await word on the severity of his injuries. I know he is in good hands now. Here is Suge II - despite his injuries and pain he is suffering, in all boxer fashion, he is the sweetest, most loving soul!



So today, as I reflect on the last year and Suge's life, it's bittersweet as I have taken part in saving another Suge's life. I reflect on where I am at now and what has transpired over the last year. I am grateful for all the family and friends that surround me. I am thankful for a faithful God, a loving husband, amazing kids and snuggly boxer boys.

And just when I didn't think I could love another as much as Suge, a face like this comes into my life.......



Jett came into our lives about a month after Suge passed away. He is so similar to Suge in soo many ways. Although he doesn't have the horrible past that Suge endured, Jett has a different story. He needed us as much as we needed him.

Despite what many people say or think, I believe Suge is waiting for me up there in heaven. I believe God will be there exclaiming, "Good job my faithful servant". And until that day, I will continue to serve Him and I will continue to rescue in honor of Suge.



New Life

I am so excited to introduce my new niece, Sophia Isla Erickson born July 27, 2011.

I already feel a connection to her. She is the most beautiful little thing and I am instantly in love with her. I LOVE and ADORE my kids and my niece Lexi, but Sophie is new and I am without baby! So the love is instantly there. And as Brandon said, "get your baby fix now", I will be sure to do just that!

Now if I can only get Brandon to agree on one more.......so the story will continue (I hope!)

Deal Hunter

I love a good deal. In fact, I live for good deals! Maybe I like the thrill of the hunt or just the satisfaction of leaving a store knowing that I scored a deal! I rarely buy anything unless it's 50-75% off.  But on the flip side, I am sucker for anything that is 50-75% off whether I need it or not.

I am one that is proud to say that upon coming into my home you will find more "deals" than not, I can count on my hands the number of things I paid full price for, and I am not shy about exclaiming just how much I paid for something (if it is a deal!). My home may not represent my ultimate design style, but I can be proud in knowing that the "deals" that style my walls and decorate my shelves are a result of the hunt. Piece by piece (or deal by deal) it comes together beautifully.....

Here is my recent "deal".....deck chairs for $8.50 (reg. $34) at Target! I got two for my house and two for our cabin. Give me a good book and this is where I will be!

I did score another deal last week. It was $1.99 at Goodwill. Bet you can't guess what it is! Let's just say it needs a little work and I can't wait to get started!

Happy 4th of July!

Wow...it's here! I love the 4th because we spend the holiday with dear friends. Memories are always made and it's a tradition we have done for over 10 years! A lot has changed in 10 years...started out as 4 college friends and their girlfriends....now wives....quickly growing child by child (there are now 7 kids!). Six of them are below at the 4th last year....can't wait to be with them all this weekend, 1 year later. 

What an adorable group! Each year our conversation always turns to these kids years down the road when they are all teenagers. We can only imagine!

One another note, I learned an important lesson in starting this blog. Don't start a blog when your computer is on the fritz! Our home computer has crashed. More exciting blogs with some of my pictures and projects will come when I can upload pictures - which means, when we purchase a new computer.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!