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February 23, 2015

Glass Etched Mason Jar - Wedding Center Piece




Do it yourself crafts for everyday decor is pretty popular. I have always liked to make things myself, rather than spend top dollar for something brand new.

My wedding was no different. My husband and I were going through a financial slump around the time we were planning our wedding. But due to a waiting period of six years we were just ready to get the marriage over with. Both of us had lost a grandparent, him a year before and me a month before the wedding. We didn't want to wait till we had enough money for the perfect wedding, but no one able to fly or drive to be there for our special day. So we found the cheapest place that looked decent, bought a wedding dress on the sale rack, and looked into youtube for "how to" tutorials

At the time I didn't know what I was going to do for center pieces. I kind of wanted mirrors with candles laying on top but was a little nervous of little hands wanting to play with them or starting a fire. Then one of my bridesmaids called me and said she was at a yard sale and she found 12 mason for a dollar. It was a no brainer, 12 mason jars for a dollar or glass mirrors $5.00 each. I told her to grab them and I would figure it out. Most brides have the perfect wedding already all planned out. I was lucky enough to have no idea and tons of crafty ideas to decide from. I was ready for cheap and compromise, compromise. 

So I didn't want to spend the money on ribbon or lace because that can add up as well. I do glass etching in my free time and already owned Armour Etch Cream. Once I found sticker I wanted as my stencil I was in business. I found them at Walmart for $1.00 a pack. So a total of $12.00. Also I wanted more than just the mason jar sitting in the middle of a large table, I wanted a candle on the inside so my guests could see the leaf shape so I found candles at the dollar store. 10 tea lights for $1.00. Grabbed 4 packs just in case and then I needed to get to work. 

Step 1: Wash the Jars surface of all dirt or smudges. 

Step 2: Place the stickers on the jar in the arrangement that you want.

Step 3: Apply the etching cream on the surface areas you wish to frost/etch. Be sure to not let the cream touch your skin! The cream has chemicals in it that burn the glass surface, which means it's going to burn your skin. I like to wear rubber yellow gloves when I work with the cream. 

Step 4: Let the cream sit on the surface for 1 minute. 

Step 5: Wash off the cream and peel the stickers off the jar and wash well if it's on something you will be drinking or eating from. 

For a video tutorial [click here]

So after all the jars were done I still wanted some some added width because the mason jar clearly had height but on such a large table, not enough width. So I found Silk Leaves to place on the table. It added color and width to the table. The final touch? My aunt asked me what I was going to do with the screw on lids from the mason jars. I told her nothing, I didn't think I was going to use them at all. My aunt suggested I spray them with Glitter Blast Spray Paint . My uncle sprayed them and I loved the added detail.  

So here is the finished product:



Supplies:


                      



I hope this gave you some inspiration and some ideas for your future Do it Yourself projects.

~~~

Have a Sweeter Day Than Yesterday

February 16, 2015

Be Happy




Being positive isn't always easy. It should be and it can be, but you have to work at it. Work at being Positive? Yep. If you see or speak with a highly active and motivated person, you might wonder how are they always so excited and ready to take on everything. First thing you must know is that that isn't 24/7. They have bad days too, so don't get discouraged. Second thing you need to know is that it took that highly positive person a lot of time and work to keep that positive go-to attitude.

If you don't already know I am a worrier and I tend to dwell on things I can't change. Or I used to, a lot. While working at a store called Candy Craze I worked under a woman who tried her very best to solve every issue with fairness and with a positive outcome. Which helped me see that even though things can get bad you just need to get through them, learn from them, and solve them with a smile. Working with my old boss definitely changed my way of thinking, not only in the workplace but in my everyday life. 

Anyway, in my most recent job I am in charge of a couple business Facebooks and other social media networking. Part of my job is to find motivational entrepreneur articles to post on the business websites. While going through my typical sources I came across this list called 39 Habits of Extremely Happy People. I love the idea of the list and out of 39 here are my favorites. 



2. They have nice, positive things to say about others and do not gossip. 
When you say positive things about people you are thinking positive already plus whoever you're speaking to will think of you in a better light. So it's a great starting point when trying to change your outlook on things. If you are speaking ill of others, your thoughts are dark and will continue in that direction. 

5. They don't rehash the bad things that have happened to them. 
The past is the past. You can't go back and change it, so learn from it and move on. Constantly thinking about bad things that happened will make for a bad day and can keep taking up your time. Time you could be using to for the present. 

6. They know that another person won't increase their happiness.
People who look to others to make themselves happy, tend to not only be disappointed in those people they depend on but of course end up not very happy. You need to realize you make your own happiness. Looking more to hobbies to keep yourself busy, doing things you enjoy, or just taking time to find something that relaxes you and centers you. Looking to others to always cheer you up and keep your attitude in check will leave you always waiting. 

My husband is an extremely optimistic person. Always thinking of clever ways to help his team. One of his natural charms is his humor. When he tells me about his morning with his team I always end up asking if he even got any work done. You see my husband jokes a lot. But his team is loyal, positive, and they help each as well as believe in themselves. I think it's because their boss is smart but extremely silly and keeps them laughing. When talking to people try to smile more. Smiling and laughter is a medicine that's been around for years. 

15. They donate their time, energy, and money selflessly.
Happy people tend to see those around them struggling and want to spread their great fortune. Even if you are not at your best donating your time to someone can make a change. You may be in a bad mood, but you just made someone's day and that person smiles at you and thanks you. You know you're going to smile back. By helping those around you are creating a positive reaction that will spread, very similar to Pay It Forward. And usually what goes around comes around. By you helping that person out, you set into motion a chain reaction. It may not happen immediately, but you have done something good which will stir something inside of you. 

So if you are having trouble seeing the rainbow in the rain, you aren't looking hard enough. Stop focusing on the rain or how soaking wet you are. Focus on the positives. You're breathing, your belly is full, or maybe that you are about to get into your car and drive home where clean clothes are. And when you get there smile that you made it home! Smile when the clouds clear and you do see the colors of the rainbow. It doesn't matter that you got wet, what matters is that you made it though thinking of something better and knowing you were going to find that something better. Be grateful for what you have and who you are. And remember to share your happiness and wealth with others, because only good things come from great acts!



Thanks for Reading  My Thoughts 
~~~~
Hoping You Have  
Sweeter Day than Yesterday!

February 8, 2015

Daddy's Should Set the Bar High


Okay ladies and gentlemen, a little life lesson from my perspective as a young girl growing up. First let me say this blog is not meant to be judgy, but more my thoughts based on my experiences and what I want for little girls who will eventually become young women. 

I saw the above quote floating around Facebook and I just had to share it. "A daughter needs a Dad to be the standard against which she will judge all men." Which I totally agree. 

Dads get your daughter something sweet.
Growing up my father worked very long hours to provide for our family. He mostly worked in workshops, working with metal and glass molds. This was not a glamorous job as you can imagine, however, he never failed to show up to work on even when he was sick. During this time he also went to college twice! A full time job of 40+ hours a week, full time school schedule and would never except anything less than Dean's List from himself. Now my father did not have time to play tea parties with me and he apologized once to me for not doing more with me growing up. Even though he didn't play pretend or sat through dull tea parties, I do have a couple memories playing hind and seek with my brother and I. And I my most precious moments were sitting on his lap in his recliner watching movies. 

Another father figure in my life was my uncle. He and my father were rather close even though they were not related by blood, but by marriage. A marriage that did not work out mind you. So for years they stayed close and were there for each other. My uncle and my dad worked in the same shop and would hang out often. One thing they together was talk. A lot. And when grew old he and my aunt would sit and talk with me. Something that always sticks in my mind is my uncle saying, "well let me play devil's advocate for a minute." 

My mother met a man and was with this man for 10+ years and in that time I adopted him as anther father figure in my life. Meeting him later in my teens I liked him because he actually made time for my brother and I.  The other men that mother had dated never seemed to bother with my brother and I. Did they pick us up from school when asked? Yes. But they didn't make plans with us. My stepfather took my brother and I to the movies often without my mother. She didn't care for the movies we liked. He also took us to the library. Which was humorous because he didn't like to read. He and my mother would make popcorn and we would have movie nights. I even wrestled with him. He was an ornery man with love for 2 teenagers that were not his own children. I still call him and visit him when I get the chance. 


Now that you've read all this you should be able to guess what my husband is like, right? I met my husband in my senior year of high school. We were both each other's firsts and we have been together for over 9 years now. When we first started dating my husband was the class clown. I loved his humor and the positive energy that radiated off of him. He is also a very hard worker. At the age of 25 he is a market manager doing sales and marketing. 

My husband reminds me of my dad, my uncle, and my stepfather. He works pretty much everyday, cares for his team and works even when we are home. Even though he is a manager now he still continues to research and network with others to learn as much as possible. Understanding that even though he is the boss he doesn't know everything and there is always something to learn to make himself a better leader. 

My husband is also extremely ornery. There are times where his humor doesn't have an off switch. He enjoys making others laugh. There have been times when I'm trying to argue with him and he has one liners that derail me, so I end up smiling while I'm trying to be serious and angry. He is extremely honest and cares for people in a way that when I met him most teenage boys did not. 

When my husband works day after day, for hours and hours and talks to me about someday retiring without worry, he reminds me of my father. When my husband jokes with me and says he's a stud and I say,"Who told you that?" He grins at me and says, "The list would be shorter of who didn't tell me that." He reminds my of my stepdad. When my husband is dealing with an unreasonable person, he tries to stay calm and see it from their point of view. Which reminds me of my uncle.

So my thoughts when I saw that quote on Facebook was immediately how I look at my husband on a daily basis and see the men that were in my life growing up. This is just my opinion, but I feel that a little girl takes a lot from those around her growing. And based on how those people act is how she will treat others as well as how she will have others treat her.

So men and Dad's out there raising a little girl or the next teenage boy, you should probably check your actions. Not to say everyone can stay calm and collected at all times. But there is a point when you are fighting with your wife, arguing with the neighbor, or complaining about going to work when others have things handed to them that you must look at your child and think what are they taking away from my attitude right now. Will this help them to be a better person when they're an adult or will they struggle like I have struggled? Do I want my daughter to date someone like me or have my son treat a young lady like I treat his mother? If the answer to these questions is."YES." Then awesome. Both of my Dad's like my husband and they are pretty funny when they are all hanging out with each other. Ornery men seem to have a lot to talk about. 


Thanks for Reading 
My 
Thoughts 


I Hope you Have 
Sweeter Day
than
Yesterday!