My DIY Office

Visiting Orphans moved offices! I was so excited to get my own space to decorate. Now that I have a cozy space I feel like I can focus so much better! Although transition and change can be really tough, a fresh start is just as rewarding. I have definitely learned to be patient trying to figure out new phone, printer and email systems and my old computer completely died in the middle of a work day. But after 3 weeks of transition and more change than I thought I could handle, I am embracing and enjoying the this new season. It is starting to feel like the perfect "office home"!

Here are some pictures: 

Before: Grey walls and carpet

After: So much warmer with beige walls and brown carpet

I couldn't afford new furniture, so Michael and I built a bench out of some shipping pallets. 

Before stain: 

After stain: 

I made the cushion out of thrift store pillows and fabric I got while in Rwanda. 

I went to Goodwill, Ikea and Home Depot and got everything for $60. 

-3 curtains that I made into 2 massive curtains: $10

-5 frames that I spray painted black: $10

-4 pillows: $8

-Lamp: $2

-Grey Rug from Ikea: $20

-Stain for the bench: $10

I filled my frames with some art that I made and 2 beautiful photographs that Alison (from my December Africa trip) took. 

My office would not be complete without my favorite Anthropologie candle, wedding photos, and my pen holder made out of pretty fabric and a bean can!

Paint chip art! But seriously, if you want a cheap (free) and interesting medium for art, go to Home Depot, Lowes or Walmart and grab some paint chips. I am working on an entire post dedicated to paint chip art. I love using them!

Some more of my pen and ink drawings (I am a little obsessed with trees).

Side note: Happy early National Arbor Day! Every state celebrates it on different days, but the national day is tomorrow, April 27th! Michael and I will be celebrating this weekend :) I love that there is holiday dedicated to trees!

That vase will soon hold red fabric poppy flowers. 

 Thanks Urban Outfitters for my office motto :) 

 I had to combine three curtains to make one that was tall enough for the window. I love the texture of the deep purple curtain paired with the blue and brown patterned fabric.

I really like it here. 

I am a Hobbyist

I recently discovered that I don't know how to not do. 

I enjoy making things.

I love the feeling I get when I finish a project.

I am always trying new crafty ideas.

Could this be one meaning of being made in the image of a Creator? 

Hobby: a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.

Some current hobbies:
1. Gardening (or rather learning how to garden)
2. Quilting
3. Scrap booking
4. Card making
5. Crocheting
6. Cooking
7. Embroidering
8. Jewelry making
9. Pen and inking
10. Painting

My 'craft' room is always a mess.

Jo Ann's and Hobby Lobby gift cards are always a winner.

I like the challenge when people ask me, can you fix this? or can you make this?

Many people have said that I am very crafty, but I think I just enjoy following instructions and problem solving. If there is such a thing as a left-brained creative, that is me.

 I don't really know what I am doing half the time but if I can make it systematic I love it. 

Quilts involve math, charts and precise measurements.

All of my drawings are full of lines and details.

Gardening has been an experiment in scheduling and charting. 

So to all the list making, control loving, organized, type A, administrative people out there, you can craft too!

Take a Saturday and conquer one of your Pinterest pins.

 If you mess up, try it again. If you hated it, try a different craft. 

And then take Sunday and learn to rest and not do. 

I would say I am working on it, but then that wouldn't be resting, right? ;) 

Christmas Creations

I have really struggled to make some diy posts after writing about Africa but I have accepted that I am where I am for this season. And I will continue to write about what brings me joy while I am in this stage of my life. 

Naturally my posts will shift as I become pregnant, possibly move overseas, enter into new seasons, but until then I will share yummy recipes and diy crafts.

So with that said, here are some gifts Michael and I created for Christmas:

1. A laptop case for Timothy, made out of a cool plaid skirt, some grey felt, and quilt batting.

I even added a pocket in the front for the charger. I really liked how it turned out!

2. Michael made a box for Evan's art supplies.

It has a little drawer in the top for brushes. 

Here they are at Christmas, Evan with his box and Michael with his sweet wine rack that Evan made. I love handy/crafty/creative men! (Oh and their new pj pants) 

3. I made a pen and ink piece of art for Sami and Jonathan. Michael created this beautiful frame.

The verse in the middle says:

"By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding

it is established;

through knowledge its rooms are filled

with rare and beautiful treasures"

-Proverbs 24:3-4

I love lots of details and lines! I am really happy with it. 

4. I made a quilted picture book for my nephew Liam. 

The cover says "Who loves Liam?" and then I added 8 pages that say "Mommy loves Liam", "Aunt Merrill loves Liam", "Abi loves Liam", etc. 

I was going to create a diy blog with instructions on how to make it, but I decided there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Here is Susan Weinroth's blog. She has great instructions. Her blog is actually the blog I stumbled across that led me to start quilting 2 years ago. 

What new crafty creations have you made recently?