expanding my horizons...

Today I added another another bit to my repertoire (I know, I know... I need another project like I need a hole in my head...)

When Bryan called and told me he wouldn't be home for another 3 hours, I decided I had time to waste on Pinterest.  Looking through some boards, I came across this beauty and was absolutely inspired...

While I have no idea who the Avett Brothers are, I completely love the birds and the idea of being set free.  It took my mind to one of my current favorite songs.  The lyrics read, "Captivated, but no longer bound by chain.  Left at an empty grave, the sinner and the sacred restored."

I got to thinking and designing (of course) and recreated this work of art in photoshop with my new wording.  But how was I to print it, and then where would I find a frame big enough that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg?  Because if its going on my wall it needs to be large.  8x10 picture frames on large walls absolutely drive me nutso...please please add more frames or upgrade your sizes.  Please?

Anyways, I was dreaming of something about 3 feet by 5 feet.  Live a little people.  Close your jaws.  :)

Turns out we had a huge piece of particle board in the basement.  Not quite as big as I was hoping, but 30"x44" will do.  So, what did I do?  That's right.  Yup, I'm now a painter.  Apparently.

And I'm in love...absolutely in love with the outcome.  

Imagine Bryan's reaction when he came home to this:

"Umm where did that come from?"  "Oh I just whipped it up."

He thinks I'm certifiably crazy.

Jersey Knit Bracelets

Do you ever have the itch to create?  Oh, I do.  There's just nothing like creating something.  Call me crazy, but I woke up this morning craving to create.  Running to the computer to run through my blogs, I finally found this adorable DIY while perusing through Pinterest.  (oh, and please oh please tell me you know what Pinterest is...if not, go there now...my blog can wait!)

You can see the full tutorial here from "V and Co.":

I didn't have the fun colors that she did, but I scoured my t-shirt drawers and found the perfect too-old-to-wear stretchy t-shirts to use.  I did the 2-strand one and found that it was easier to use my middle and ring finger rather than my pinky.  Maybe it's just me, but my pinky was so much shorter than my ring finger that it just wasn't workin out!  And I found that about 18-20 links is a perfect size.  It will look too small, but they will stretch way out when you put them on.  

And here's what I came up with (don't mind my attempt to take a trendy pic like V):

I know, I know...compared to V's mine look like athletic sweat bands, but I promise they are cute in person!  I got many compliments at church today :)

And then, I spent the rest of my day creating over at AllThingsNew