Absent

Yes, I've been absent from my blog.

I've been absent in more than just that.

Lately, I've been feeling...

frustration.
disappointment.
depression.
anger.
anxiety.
loneliness.
sadness.

and really just wishing for better days ahead.

In all of this, we've been examining our lives. We have so much to be thankful for. We have each other. We have Wenda. We have a home, a working car, a job, food on the table....
and that list can go on.

In the midst of {_____________} (fill in the blank with a word from above), we have forgotten one very important thing in our lives--prayer.

I guess the word forgotten doesn't really describe it--it's more like we've ignored talking with God because of all the emotions going on. I think it sometimes is very easy to have the mindset of blame as reason not to pray, I'm mad with God and I just don't want to talk to Him ( Especially since it's been years!).

J and I really looked at our prayer time which has been off and on in our 4.5 years of marriage. In the beginning of our infertility journey, we were strong in our prayer life. Then, it kind of went downhill from there, just like our heartbreaking journey.  As we talked about our relationship with each other and with God, we realized that this has to be part of our marriage. Every night now, we are committed to praying together. In the last few days, I've seen how much of a positive thing this has been for our marriage. We are happier. We are more in love with each other. We are more appreciative of the things we have. Yes, there are still sorrows, and some of the emotions from the list above, but giving them to God is what we are doing. It's been very tough lately with many people in our lives having kids, and getting teaching jobs (yes, another thing that has been very difficult!) that I am just overwhelmed.

We're here standing still with our hopes and dreams. It feels as if it's pushed in our (mostly mine) faces constantly--and I take it personally. The comments. The remarks. The looks. Everything. The hardest thing to admit is that Satan has used our hopes and dreams to get in between God and us.

It really gets... discouraging after 4 years to say the least.

So, I cannot handle it anymore--we're handing it over to Christ, in prayer.

J and I are not just praying about the small things--we're going to be praying for the impossible too.

We're praying for:
{gratitude in all circumstances}
{wisdom in making financial choices}

{discernment with our infertility journey-- for a miracle(s) [we're good with multiples. ;)], finances (it's more than our mortgage payment monthly to 'try'!), when/if to start, bodies reactions to medications/vitamins/etc}

{contentment}

{excitement for others who are expecting & to find joy in those little miracles}

{a teaching position with an amazing staff & community- a place where I can make a difference and be a light for Christ}

He is listening. I'm counting on Him to make our path straight--obvious about where He wants us to be. We're giving it to You, Lord!

365 Days

In 365 days a lot can change.

For Taralynn over at Undressed Skeleton it took her 365 days to finally feel comfortable in her skin. She's used her story to inspire others! How neat is that!

So, I took her up on her offer to join others in her 365 Day Challenge. You can read about it here.

Wow, look at that beautiful profile. ;) ha ha

Anyways, here's a look into my goals... not that I didn't have any before, but this makes me reconfirm them and explain them a bit better.

Erin's goals:

Eating - {to eat clean, vegan} {try new recipes} {avoid pop}
Exercise -  {implement & stick with an exercise routine}{run a 5 k}{to not disappoint my walking buddy: Wenda}
Weight - {feel comfy in my own skin} {lose 25 lbs} {gain muscle} {be in a size 4ish}
Blog - {post 3 times a week: eating/exercise, recipe/DIY, pinterest post}
Love - {continue dating husband} {practice speaking my hubby's love language}
Life - {being & thinking POSITIVE} {spending time with God in word & prayer}
Finances - {be frugal} {pay off debt} {save} {give} {to remember that I can't take money to heaven--only others!}


And... here I go!

Infertility Statistics

As National Infertility Week is coming to an end, here are some facts you may not know about infertility:

• Infertility is a disease that affects the normal function of the male or female reproductive system.
• Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive a pregnancy after trying to do so for at least one full year.
• 7.3 million people in the US are affected by infertility – representing 1 in 8 couples and 12% of  the reproductive age population.
• 1/3 of infertility cases can be attributed to the female, 1/3 to the male and the remaining 1/3 to both the female and male.
• Following intercourse on the most fertile day in their cycle, women between the ages of 27 and 34 with no fertility issues present,  have a 40% chance of getting pregnant.
• 90% of couples will conceive within 1 year of trying.
• 25% of infertile couples have more than one factor that contributes to their infertility.
• An estimated 20% of infertility cases are unexplained.
• Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments for infertility include intrauterine insemination (IUI), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Sources: American Society of Reproductive Medicine, National Women’s Health Resource Center

 

National Infertility Awareness Week

This week, April 22-28 is National Infertility Awareness Week.

via

Please take a moment to find out more about this heartbreaking disease. Having a child should be one of the most natural things in the world... but it's not, for many.


What IF (www.theinfertilityvoice.com).

One of the most scary things about dealing with infertility is having to live without children... happily. But what IF we stop living in fear and start living as advocates. Infertility is real--and needs to be acknowledged in the medical world. We need coverage. We need help. We need to find answers to this disease.

If you are among the 1 in 8 like us, please know you're not alone! Help inform others (of course, when you are ready). From personal experience, when I opened up and let others know about our infertility the more others came out of the woodwork. I'd get emails, facebook messages, and even had conversations in a baby retail shop (my ironic part time job!) with complete strangers. It's allowed me to validate my feelings with others going through the same thing, and to know that I'm not in this dark place alone. We can offer support to each other and information to people who have no clue infertility exists!

If you are not struggling with this disease--please help spread the word about infertility, and support someone you know going through it. Remember, as someone struggling with infertility, we don't need advice about our fertility but rather, we just need someone to listen. Someone who will be an advocate for us in times we can't even do that ourselves. Inform yourselves, inform others.

Here's a few great links--
Don't Ignore Someone You Know
Resolve: The National Infertility Association
American Fertility Association
Fertility within Reach: Become Your Own Best Advocate
Fertile HOPE (LIVESTRONG)

And of course... check out more of my pins on Pinterest board: Infertility thoughts & hopes!

I can make a difference. You can make a difference. Get the word out. Be aware.

April is just... bittersweet.

This was us 9 months ago.
Happy.
Excited.
Prepared.
Blessed.
Eager.
Surprised.
Thinking that April 10 was forever away!


This month we were going to be parents. Our dream of finally starting a family was supposed to come true.

So, please, don't mind the grumpiness. Or the quietness and wanting to keep to myself this month.

On the bright side, here's what has been accomplished in the last 9 months that have been positive:
-new job in a school!
-losing 12 lbs!
-the bathroom makeover
-starting an infertility support group through our church (still in the works!)
-paying debt
-building a stronger relationship with the hubs
-becoming tan (which in turn, boosts the confidence!) (ok, it really was for the wedding but I'm definitely enjoying the tan look)
and...
-putting in our paperwork for fostering.

Monday night will be another happy time as I am off to Florida for my sister's wedding! Hello sunshine, hello pool, hello family. Looking forward to dressing up for a date night or two with the hubs! It will be a much needed break from life in the fast lane.

Changing Habits

Some things are just out of our control--and the only thing we can do is adjust our attitude and then trust that God's got it. Because, really, He's got it under control.

So...it's time to change my habits over at our house!

One thing that has been a total 'sucker of my time' has been...

Facebook!

Facebook is fantastic for keeping in touch with friends, family, and our neighbor's dog, but frankly, it's taken up way too much of my time. Not only is it fantastic for keeping in touch, it also makes way for the not-so-good: jealousy.

Whether you'd like to admit it or not, facebook entertains jealousy. "Oh, what a nice house they have, I wish I had that!" "Wow, they have a vacation home and a boat--why can't my life be that nice?" "They have a perfect life with perfect kids, I want that!" "Look at THAT car--I WISH I had that!" and the list can go on....

One huge one for me, "Oh, she's pregnant? Why can't I be?"

I see a lot of complaining due to kids/pregnancy/etc and want to shout out: "At least you HAVE kids or going to have them; do you know how many people would absolutely LOVE to trade situations?!"
I want to shout out in response to some, "It's not MY choice to be childless!"
I read too many status' that have me shouting so many things in my head that it's time for me to say good bye for a while.

Honestly though, I'm forgetting to mention that there are many who post wonderful things about their pregnancy/kids. I love it when I read when people are grateful and thankful for their pregnancy/kids--it makes me smile! As someone desperately desiring to have a family of my own, I truly appreciate people who don't take their pregnancy/kids for granted... they truly are a gift! I am learning that every. single. day. Thank you to those of you who post positive things on facebook! :) The world can always use more positivity--thanks for being an inspiration!

Instead of spending facebook time, I'm looking forward to putting my energies into spending time with the Lord, exercising, and spending quality time with the hubby. Tomorrow--I will sign off for a while.

My daily mission is to "honor God with my time AND my health (mental, physical, spiritual)".

So here's to a NEW week, with a NEW mission!

So are there any "suckers of your time" that keep you from things more important?

 credit

Then and Now

Late 2009 - Probably close to my heaviest [around 158 lbs]

Late Summer 2010

Late August 2011 - This was a happy picture as we knew we were expecting.

Feb. 4, 2012

I'm pretty sure something is working--diet + exercise = a happier, healthier me (& hubby!)

A surprise, a disappointment, and letting life go on.

There we were. Tempted in a store to go look for something that we never thought we would. At least, that's how it felt. Sneaking around we found the right area and started to shop. There they were...

Two adorable outfits.
How could we decide which one to buy? It was so early, that I looked at Josh and said, lets buy both. We were SO super excited and as we went to pay, we kept turning corners seeing people we knew. So the opposite way we'd go (who knew this store would be so busy on a Sunday after church? ;) ). We were giggly. We were the lovey-dovey people that couldn't keep our hands off of each other. We were the happy couple who were dodging corners and sneaking around the store. We finally made it to a register knowing our huge secret was safe.

Every night since, we had the two outfits hanging in our closet.

And every night we were reminded by the new hanging wardrobe and our secret.
We went to bed happy.
Excited.
Content.
Ready.

Then, I met our doctor. Oh, how great he was. To my surprise, delivering was his favorite thing as a doctor. Without hesitation, he agreed to get an early ultrasound done that I requested. I was so relieved. Nothing felt real at this point--except for the strange aversions toward chocolate (didn't see that one coming!), constantly tired, and losing a few pounds.

The first ultrasound brought worried thoughts but nothing 'real'. They said it was too early. We saw something on the screen, but not much. They said it just was really early, and we'll have another one.

We were very excited to see the second ultrasound--a little peanut, a heartbeat... proof. We were expecting to tell family, and friends with the picture of our secret. Our secret that we shopped for when we found out early on. A differently lady was our ultrasound tech, an older, non-talker. As she started the ultrasound, we were not seeing anything baby-like on the screen (just a gestational sac). Nothing that I knew we should be seeing at 10 weeks. No heartbeat. No little bean shape. Tears started flowing. The ultrasound tech lady wouldn't tell us anything. Just that 'we don't know anything yet'. Trying not to cry while walking out of the hospital was impossible. I couldn't keep them back. Something was wrong.

I was supposed to work the next day, I walked through the door and just starting bawling. Thankfully, I was blessed with an amazing group of coworkers. Emotionally, I just couldn't work.

My amazing doctor called us, wanting us to come in. He cleared time in his day. He was flexible. I could tell he really cared for us, and what we were experiencing.

Trying to hold back the tears in the doctors office, my hubby and I were trying to crack some jokes.
It'd work, then I'd remember why we were there.
If you know me personally, I'm just flat out emotional. No lies! Composing myself can be hard, especially with something like this. Teary-eyed we finally went into the exam room.

5 minutes pass.
In came the nurse and immediately I asked, Somethings wrong, isn't it?
Gently, she took a minute to pray for me, for us, for our family.
The doctor finally came in, and without hesitation, I ask him.
My worst fears were confirmed.

He said it happens randomly and to anyone. He described to us what happened--which I already knew what it was called, a blighted ovum (he was surprised I knew--I told him I was the research queen at my house with the help of google!). He said I would miscarry within the next few weeks.
I cried. My hubby held my hand and wept too.
The doctor held our hands and prayed with us.

I was upset.
Angry.
God, why did you let this happen to us?
We've waited for 3 years, and now we're the lucky ones to go through this too? I mean, come on! We've already got the 1 in 10 odds (due to infertility) and now the 5% luck of the draw of miscarrying the first pregnancy--I could think of better ways to use that luck!

Okay, I know it's not luck. But, really, with those odds, I would have liked to have won something.

In hindsight, I guess I have won something--it's called experience (yes, that's a little sarcasm there). But in all seriousness, I have gained and learned some things...

I've learned the last few months that God has been with us--and He certainly is our Provider. 
He's surrounded us with loving family, friends, and even strangers who have blessed us, prayed for us, and encouraged us.
He's provided strength, direction, and a renewed passion for living life.
He's shown us that we are brave, and that with Him we can go through tough things!
The more we talk and are open about miscarriage and infertility, the more God shows up. The more we feel at peace with where we are at.
We've learned to look at our life, to be thankful for what we have, to complain less, and to enjoy every minute of the great and not-so-great situations.
We've learned that life truly does go on, and in the end--there will be a reason, a purpose for this trial, this suffering, and this sadness.

And someday, I will meet this little angel who has forever changed our lives and our outlook on life. Life is precious, it is a gift, and a miracle. We miss what could-have-been but are blessed with what is and what is to come.

I'm Baaaackk!

I'm back! The last few months have I've been going through some ups and downs--and now I'm on break from one job (Christmas break rocks!) and still workin' the other one. Since I have some free time, I wanted to gather some ideas of items I may want to make in the next two weeks!

Pinterest has been SOOO inspiring! :)

First, we've been deciding whether or not we want to go vegan over at our household. I've been toying with this idea for many reasons: 1) I need to eat healthier. 2) We've been watching documentaries, and researching... we realize we consume too much meat. 3) We've also learned that dairy really isn't that healthy for us! 4) I need to lose weight. 5) Our diet, the way we live, and the toxins in the things around us may contribute to our infertility. 6) Out of curiousity, I'd like to see how my body reacts to a vegan diet. Now, I know it's going to be hard--and planning out meals is key to success. We've decided that December 31st, we're going to clean out all the cupboards, print out all the meal plans and recipes, and start fresh in 2012! We've already made small changes this month in preparing for next month like drinking almond milk (which has more calcium than cow's milk!), trying a few vegan meals a week, and incorporating more fruits and veggies in our lunches. Ultimately, I would love to just eat 'raw'--raw fruits and veggies, but it takes baby steps. :)

Since realizing that I've wanted to change my diet, I've realized we have lots of things we put on our bodies (shampoo, deorderant, lotions, etc) contain harmful chemicals that I don't want in my body! Our skin is the biggest organ, and truly takes in whatever we put on it. In lieu of all these harmful things, my goal is to also change out our hair/body items and cleaning items to things that are more natural. I've been so naive that the makers of the items I use have the best in mind for my body--and I've trusted them for years! It's time to change it up!

So here are some natural things I'd like to do during break:



Gentle, All Natural Deodorant Stick Recipe - http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/09/gentle-all-natural-deodorant-stick-recipe.html tells WHY it's better to NOT buy anti-persperant. Very interesting. Goal is to make and get rid of ALL my current stuff I use now!



All-Purpose Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Dishwasher Soap, Laundry Soap Recipes @ Design Finch. There's also some great recipes at Young House Love. Out with the chemicals, in with the all natural cleaners!



Homemade organic facial wipes recipe and how to with Ann Marie @ white house, black shutters. Technically, it's babywipe recipe but can be changed a little for makeup remover!

The hubby and I are also trying to get our house a little more like home. We've passed our one year mark, and honestly, after all the painting, and repairs--decorating has been on the back burner! However, we stayed up one night to rearrange the furniture in our living room adding a rug we had and an old sewing machine desk (I don't know what to really call it!) for our tv console! It looks good. My mom sewed some curtains with bolt of fabric we bought for $17! It's all coming together, and all very neutral, so... I need to add more interesting details! Here are some ideas for our living room...



The picture of the flowers I think I can do myself on plywood or something.... this was posted @ Decorno. I just love the look!



Tanya @ Trey and Lucy made big flowers that can go on pillows (or hats, etc). I need to dress up the couch, this would be perfect! Trying to find ways to add color.

Stacy @ Not Just a House Wife made this super cute frame! I'm not sure where I could put a frame like this but I want one! Maybe this will be my first project using a jigsaw!

Plank Frames from Project Cottage on Etsy. These look great but I think I can make 'em - we're on a budget. :)

 Up next, some ideas for the kitchen. The kitchen is a little bit more decorated but still needs work.

Floating shelves from Knock off wood posted @ Young House Love! Our upper cabinets are higher in the kitchen, making it perfect to put narrow floating shelves in for spices and such. This would be perfect!

Butcher Block Inspiration @ Johnny In a Dress. I can always use splashes of fun colors in the kitchen! I'm thinking teal...

Since we're starting and trying NEW recipes, I love this idea....

Recipe Cards DIY

Mason Jar Herb Garden @ Camille Styles - I've got the PERFECT spot for this!! What a neat idea. I think I'm able to do this... the hard part is figuring out which herbs I'd like to grow!

Kitchen Towel @ Make Life Sweet - SO adorable!!

Etched Dish Soap Tutorial @ lil blue boo. What a creative way to put it on the counter, so much more beautiful than the bottle. :)

And of course there's time for bedroom stuff (we hope to make progress on our empty, white room during break!) and other stuff...

Prayer Board @ Dukes and Dutchesses - We've been wanting a place to post our prayers, this is a fantastic idea! We'd probably put it in our bedroom.

I love you because @ Eighteen25 - She sells them on etsy but I think I can make something similar... once again, DIY budgeting!

you + me = aWEsome @ pumpkin and butterfly. LOVE this! I think I can get crafty and make it myself. But, she has them for sale if you can't make it. ;)

And... I'll need to finish my list tomorrow since it's so big. :)

Oh, it's been TOO long.

So much has happened over the past few months, it's been unreal.

There of course were the 'ups' and the 'downs' but I'm really blessed to have the man I love right by my side through it all. Maybe someday I'll write about the not-so-good parts but for now, we're keeping this post positive!

I have been failing miserably at this blog lately! So sad! We've both been really busy around here. My hubby is now working with high school students at our local Tech Center and absolutely loves it. I definitely get props for helping him submit his stuff to that job--he looks forward to it everyday! ;)You know what they say, if you love what you do then it's the right job for you. :) He's super excited to go back to school to get his teaching certificate and start teaching in about 4/5ish years. I have also had the opportunity to work with kids every day... but the totally opposite age--kindergarten! And boy oh boy do I love it! I'm not teaching this year but am learning new things every day as I help out seasoned teachers with their classrooms. I have so many ideas running through my head that when I do have my own classroom, I can apply those ideas! It's truly is a blessing how this has all worked out--what a great way to observe different teaching styles and lessons. It's fantastic. I'd absolutely be honored to be a kindergarten teacher someday--and hopefully sooner than later! As well as working full time in a school, I work part time at a store--so during many weeks, you can find me working anywhere from 45-60ish hours a week. Crazy but love the idea of saving, paying off debt, and contributing to our income.

Thanksgiving break is coming up, and I thought to myself, I MUST get craftier. Since I have 5 days off next week, I'm planning on doing 5 Pinterest Inspired Projects (DIY crafts/decor, sewing, or recipes). Are you excited? I am! I'm going to plan out the inspiration that will motivate me in the next few days. So starting next Monday, I'll be doing something fabulous and posting about it! Yippee! That will get me ready for Christmas Break (2 full weeks of Pinterest Projects)!

In the mean time, I might do a pinterest project or two this week. We'll see. ;)

New goals

I've been away for a while--sorry! Lots of hard things we're going through right now.

However, it's time to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start getting crafty again!

My goals for this week are to-
1) Make at least ONE crafty item, fall related!
2) Make at least ONE new recipe
3) Blog about them.
4) Find items to get rid of and post them on the FB online garage sale.

Secretly, I hope to do more than my goals. I really, REALLY want to create a little fall decor area in my living room.... so we'll see if I can do that! :)

There are so many things I'm missing out on if I sit around and do nothing.... hoping to be a little more productive this week and enter the blogging world once again.

Fight

credit

He's on my side.
He fights for me.
He must really love me.

Now, if I can just "be still".

Our dog in a nutshell.

 

Yup.

Sorry for the blurry pictures and cut off wording on bottom... I just wanted to share this before I try to fix it because it's too cute!

We love Wenda!

Together

My hubby and I have started reading a book together for our weekly devotional. We have been absolutely terrible with reading His word and praying together--I think it's been because we've been so stressed, angry, etc. with where our lives are right now.

Our lesson was about trusting God. It was strange as we were reading the first chapter of our Couple Devotional Book and the author mentions that they went through infertility as well--and that they had to trust God through everything. I mean, it's one thing when you read a devotional or a friend says "trust God, it'll be okay!"--without having a single idea what we're experiencing in our life (either not knowing what we're experiencing or knowing but not able to relate). And then it's another experiencing hearing that someone has been through it. Someone knows the emotions we're feeling; the depression or sadness, the stress, the incredible want, etc. Anyways, the author of the Couple Devotional Book experienced what we're experiencing, so it just means that much more when reading about trusting God and His timing.

Then, I saw this the other day on Pinterest....

After almost a week of fasting, I'm starting to feel this calmness---that in His time, things WILL work out. Things WILL get better.

What a great promise-- 1 Peter 5:6-7
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

So thankful for a caring God even when I've been distant and upset; He still loves me because His love NEVER fails.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Ok, so I didn't add anything fancy to the top like whipped cream or chocolate curls... but I was desperately needing some chocolate in this hot, humid weather! :)

I stumbled upon this recipe via pinterest, one of my favorite websites! I was thinking about making hot chocolate but because of the heat, I rethought that one. Finding the frozen hot chocolate recipe was fabulous--and it tastes amazing!

First, you can find the recipe over at Mama Foodie. She has a GREAT step by step tutorial on how to make the recipe with photos! I forgot to take some pictures during because I was so hungry. hehe If you are a part of the Tasty Kitchen community, she also has it posted here.

Okay, on to the recipe!

Frozen Hot Chocolate
You will need:
*3 Tablespoons Sugar
*1 package Hot Cocoa Mix - I used the "low sugar" kind (not that it matters since there is sugar added to this recipe anyway) ;)
*2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter 
*⅓ cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - didn't have any in the house--but I did have dark chocolate candy melts...
*⅓ cups White Chocolate Chips
*12 ounces, fluid Can Evaporated Milk, Divided
*4-½ cups Ice
*Any toppings like whipped cream, chocolate curls, etc.

1. Combine the sugar, cocoa mix, and butter in the top of a double boiler that is set over gently boiling water.
2. Stir often until melted and a smooth paste forms. Add semi-sweet & white chocolate chips; stir.
3. When chips begin to melt, slowly stir in 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature. This is the hardest part!
4.Combine the chocolate base mixture, the remaining evaporated milk and ice in a blender and cover. Blend until smooth. Put it in glasses and top on your favorite toppings--and ENJOY!! yum. ;)


Linked up to:

Family Binder

So, I've seen some examples around the blogging world of Family Binders (aka Household Binders).

I try to be organized. I really do. My husband is naturally more organized than I am (lucky!), and I'd like to become that way. :)

When I stumbled upon I Heart Organizing a while back, I was so amazed! I never thought I'd be able to be that organized, so out went those thoughts! And then fast forward a year or two...

I am now craving to be organized. It must be that my husband is rubbing off on me or something... or maybe I'm just growing up. So, now I'm looking to make a Family Binder in the next week (let's see if that gets done!). I want to create my own pages but also use inspiration from other organized people. :)

So, here's some examples of what has inspired me...

From Jen @ I Heart Organizing

Jen's documents that she has in her etsy store -  here

Setting up a Household Binder Post

From Mandi @ Finding Home

Roxann @ The Way I Am

Christy @ 3 Little Zzz's for Me

Jen @ The Deor Scene Blog

Alana @ Taylor Made Home

Jenn @ Clean & Scentsible

Danielle @ Organizational Hysteria

Jada @ Jada's Blog

Kathy @ Lovelace Files

See, how exciting! Don't you just want to make a Household Binder too?

So... I am hoping to get a complete binder done this week with my own creative spin on the pages.

Wish. Me. Luck.

Fabric Covered Magazine Holders DIY

Wow! Sorry for the lack of craftiness--it's been on my mind just not on my blog. :)

Today I wanted to show you how I made these cute fabric covered magazine holders!

I wanted some color in my office, and for inspiration I picked up fabric a while ago for my office colors. My table (which I should post at some point...) teal color was from the teal found in the fabric!

And for the first time... EVER, I have made a photo tutorial... :)

Here was my cost break down:
*Fabric - I had (got on sale a while ago...); maybe a couple bucks.
*Magazine Holders from IKEA - free from my grandma who was cleaning out her house.
*Mod Podge - Again, free from my grandma.
*Brush (to apply Mod Podge) - 1 out of a 10 pack from the dollar store.
Total cost - about a couple bucks and 10 cents. :)

The photos spoke for themselves. I tried Picasa 3 for the first time too...

I like being crafty.

But, I need to work on my photo/lighting skills.

I'll get there some day!

In the meantime, I am linking up to....

Jane @ Finding Fabulous

Cindy @ My Romantic Home

Rachelle @ Fingerprints on the Fridge






Gay @ It's a Hodgepodge Life

 Never mind, it's closed (it's only Friday at 5:30)! But she has some good links... Maybe I'll catch her link up next week!

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating with Kate (Sorry, the button didn't work for me!)

Joy @ Momma's Kinda Crafty

Holly @ 504 Main

I will try to get Holly's button to work...

Maria @ Joyful Stamper And yes, I totally put my name in the spot where I should have put the title of my project. :)

Kari @ Newlyweds on a budget

Oh my goodness. I could spend HOURS looking through party link ups! There are so many crafty people out there!