Friday, September 6, 2013

Happy Read a Book Day!!

Hey guys!



In case you didn't know already, today is Read a Book Day! I will be honest and say that I didn't know that this day existed until my husband told me a couple of days ago. I have been an avid reader my whole life. Sometimes there is nothing better than curling up with a good book in a park, by the fire, on the couch, heck anywhere is a good place to read! In honor of today, I'm going to share a few of my favorite book themed pins that I have found. 

Go here to see what fun and quirky things you can do with all of those books you own that are just laying around the house.


With all of the movie adaptations of books coming out, I highly suggest heading over to this site to see which books you should read before you see the movie. Let's be honest - books are ALWAYS better than the movie.


This post really hit home since we are expecting a little girl. I want her growing up with role models (whether real or in novel form) that inspire her to be strong and be herself. I think this list is a great one to start with.


Lastly, here is a list of books to read before you die. With 1,001 books, I think there should be something in there for everyone. 

I am a true believer that reading is cleansing for the soul. Books can take you places both mentally and emotionally that real life can't at that moment in time. I always seem to find parallels in my life with whatever I happen to be reading at the moment. I haven't made a lot of time lately to sit down and read, but I think I will have to find some time today to do just that. Hopefully you will too! Happy Read a Book Day!!

Happy reading, 

Sarah



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Baby Bunting Banner

Hey guys!

We will be welcoming our first baby girl, Madeline, within the next couple weeks and could not be more excited. Do you want to know what was not exciting? Trying to figure out what sort of art/decor to hang above her crib. See, we are renting right now so a major re-do of the room wasn't possible regardless of our budget. Also, she is sharing a room with her older half-sister so the whole room can't be dedicated as an actual nursery. Trying to find baby decor that will also look tasteful in a 10 year old's room isn't exactly a walk in the park. We received our first piece of decor at the baby shower when one of my mom's co-workers made Madeline this gorgeous deco-mesh wreath.


Isn't this adorable? It has little rattles, rubber duckies, and clothes pins mixed in among everything. I just love everything about it. So with this being the focal point, I tried to find artwork inspiration that I could  make to go around it. Nothing turned out how I wanted it to, but hey - that's the curse nature of DIY. 

That's when I started noticing all of the bunting banners that were popping up around the interwebs. A lightbulb just went off in my head. "Hey! I could get really cute fabric and make one of these with Madeline's name on it!" I thought it was a brilliant idea, but I JUST learned how to sew. Like, the first time I had ever used a sewing machine was in July. Ambition and spontaneity took hold and I went out and choose some fabric bundles and bias tape. Next thing I know, I'm cutting and pinning and sewing my heart out. The end product could not have turned out better. 


I wish I had taken more pictures of the process to share with y'all, but my hands were always a couple steps ahead of my mind with this project. However, Laurel over at Laurel Lane was the one that truly inspired this whole project. She explains everything beautifully in this post. You should definitely head over there to see the how-to. Next time I make something like this, I will hopefully be able to be as thorough with pictures and explanations as she is.

This is a sewing project that anyone can do. Not all of my seams are straight, especially when I sewed the flags to the bias tape, but that adds to the charm of this banner. I promise, if I can do it, so can you!

Happy crafting!

Sarah