Having Faith

"Have Faith" seems like one of those things you hear others say a little too often.

Saying it is one thing, but doing it- definitely another.

Sometimes when life's got me down, I try and try to just be patient and have faith but I find myself being impatient. Ever feel like you just need a sign from above?

Its kind of amazing how God can send you your "sign" through the oddest ways.

The other day at work I was working some transactions that came thru the mail.

I open an envelope and inside was a bookmark with the following on it:

Sometimes a little assurance makes a big difference.

It reminds me that he's in charge.

NOELSbyNATALIE

I am in LOVE with NOELSbyNATALIE! They are always my #1 go to place for my holiday decor!

I've reviewed several items as well as purchased some and I've never been let down!

I love how many of her decorations have a primitive look to it :) It fits my home perfectly!

I reviewed 2 gorgeous items this week that were a perfect addition to my Valentines Decor!

I love this adorable felt heart garland! It fits my decor perfectly :)

The hearts are made of different colors and are sewn together.

I also reviewed this beautiful heart wreath with berries

I love how adorable this is! 

Its hard to pick out my favorites from her page because I just love it all!

Check out her beautiful Yarn Wreaths! LOVE

Love the bowl fillers! I have a set of my own ragball fillers and I LOVE them :)

Be sure to visit NOELSbyNATALIE online!

https://www.facebook.com/4NOELSbyNATALIE

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NOELSbyNATALIE

DIY Ruffly Apron

A few months ago, I found an adorable apron on Pinterest. It was a typical type of apron, but it had ruffles..and that makes a huge difference. After staring at the picture for a while, I decided to make my own, without a pattern (I like to do things like that way sometimes, it's like a small adventure). My apron turned out good, surprisingly! Since then, I have made several different aprons using the same technique, but they are all so different. The number of ruffles can vary, the pattern and print of the fabrics can change the look of one dramatically, I even changed fabrics in the apron that I will use as an example. But, as always, be creative, daring, and spontaneous with your own...it turns out to be much more fun that way!

So here's the stuff:

-At least 2 yards of fabric, any fabric...really, any. (unless, of course, you want to wash your apron over and over again, then you may want to stick to washable fabrics)

-Thread to match your fabric, or not. It's your choice.

-A measuring tape used to...well...measure. Unless you think you are awesome and don't need one.

-A sewing machine is nice to use also.

Step One:

Choose the order that you want to use your fabrics. You need one as the base of your apron, one or more to use for ruffles, and then one to use for ties and straps. A solid or more neutral color looks nice as a base with more detailed fabrics for the ruffles.

Step Two:

Measure your base fabric. To do this you will need to decide how long you want your apron to be. Measure on yourself so that you will have an accurate measurement and add two inches to that number*.

*You will need that extra fabric so that when you sew the hem you will not lose your length.

Measure around your hips (not waist) for the width and add two inches again. Now subtract 10 inches so that you will not have an apron that will wrap around your entire body...unless you somehow manage to get THAT messy when you cook and need it(:

Next measure your bust. No, not all the way around, but you will want your apron to fit you all the way across across your chest.

Measure exactly how wide you want that portion of your apron. This time you will add 4 inches.

Finally, measure how long you will want your top section to be. This will be the length between the top of your apron and your first ruffle and waist ties. This time add one inch.

Step Three:

Time to start cutting fabric!

First cut your base, I find it easiest to make the entire base one piece instead of cutting top and bottom separate.

(The photo shows the back of the apron already finished, but notice how the base fabric is one piece.)

Next, cut out those pretty ruffles. Use the width that you had to do all the silly math for and now add 6* more inches (that's all the math, I promise) and 12 inches long.

*Add 6, 8, or 10 inches. It depends on how ruffly you want your apron. The wider you make it, the more ruffly it will be, but be sure to add in multiples of 2.

You can do more than one ruffle if you would like, I will guide you through what you would need to do with more if that is what you choose.

Time to cut out those straps! You will need to cut three straps.

1&2 will be identical. They need to be 4 inches wide and about 35 inches long.

The third also needs to be 4 inches wide, but only about 23 inches long. This is the strap that will be at the top of the apron.

Step 4:

Put away the scissors; get out the machine! It's sewing time.

The next few steps will be old news to experienced sewers (which I am not, but I pretend to be).

Base and ruffles- Sew all edges so that the fabric will not start coming apart. You may want to pin the edges down so that it will stay together, but I find it just as easy to iron them down so that I will not have to worry about the pins.

Fold every side down about 1/2 inch and then again 1/2 inch so that the raw edge is inside a "pocket".

***In the picture, I have folded the fabric over much farther than 1/2 inch; this is so that you will understand how to do the folds.

Straps- Fold every strap in half (Width-wise). Fold them inside out so that the back side of the fabric is on the outside.

Sew one end and the length of the strap. Leave one end unsewn.

This step is always my least favorite, but it must be done. We will prevail! Pull the strap from inside out to right side out.

Don't worry about sewing the open end, you will do this when you put the pieces together.

Step 5:

Before we start assembling everything together, we need to sew a few pleats into the top of the apron so that it fits nice.

I find that two 1-inch pleats sewn down make the apron fit perfect.

Fold about 1 inch of the fabric back and sew a few stitches to hold it. Do this to both sides of the top.

Straps & Ties-  Sew the top strap to the apron making sure not to let it twist anywhere.

Sew on each of the ties. Make sure that you place the unsewn ends on the apron.

Ruffles- Line up your ruffle evenly with the apron (you will need to pin the ruffles down). Turn the top side in so that the stitch will not be seen. Make 1-inch folds across the ruffle so that it ends up the same length as the apron. Always make the fold toward the outside of the apron (halfway through, you will switch directions).

*If you have made more ruffles, do the exact same things but move the next ruffle about 5 inches down the apron.

That's it! I hope that you were able to read this easily and that you understand it! I must note that I definitely do not call myself a sewer, I don't know the technical words for things, or the "right" way to do things. I have taken what I already know, and taught myself a lot about sewing. Sometimes, that is the best way to learn!

If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask! I will try my best to answer them(:

Here is a little extra-

My fabric was from Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd, Va.

My camera has a scratch on the lens, so there is a blurry blob in every picture:(

My sparkly nails are OPI(:

My necklace is from Origami Owl. (Ashley sells them, so talk to her about getting one!)

Thanks so much for reading!

-xoxo Emily

Dove Chocolate Discoveries

Like pretty much every other woman out there - I LOVE me some chocolate. 

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate, I want it all!

I was super excited to be able to work with Dove Chocolate Discoveries. 

Dove Chocolate Discoveries was started in February of 2007 by the Mars Candy Company, so while you are enjoying their candy, you know you are getting the best!

Angela, with Dove Chocolate Discoveries sent us a few samples of some of their wonderful products to review.

The first thing I tore into to try was the sea salted caramels.

I had heard of these on tv and how absolutely delicious they were! My hubby helped me out with trying these!

The Sea Salted Caramel Collection includes both milk and dark chocolates. Each one has a different kind of sea salt sprinkled on top. You may be thinking- salt and chocolate?

They make the perfect combination! Its hard to describe the heavenly flavors that engulf your taste buds. 

The next item we tried out was the Dark Chocolate Mousse kit.

This was so simple to make! All you needed to purchase was heavy whipping cream!

First you just mix the mousse mix from the package with whipping cream. Whip it until it starts to form peaks and gets all fluffy. Then you chop up the chocolate bars and microwave them in 20 second increments until they are melted. Add to the mousse mixture and there you have it! 

I decided to enjoy this with some strawberries :) It was just as good though eating it from a spoon!

Lastly we tried out the Vitalize Drink Mix!

There are tons of drink mixes out there so you may be wondering what makes this Vitalize so great?

Did you know that chocolate can be good for you? Chocolate includes cocoa flavonals and vitamin C! Just add a packet to your bottled water and shake! 

They come in great flavors like Orange, Pomegranate, Plum Berry and Sea Salted Cocoa Caramel. 

We tried out the Plum Berry. It was just a great flavor! It was sweet and very unique! 

Dove Chocolate Discoveries has lots of fantastic products that you are going to want to check out! 

Please be sure to head on over and visit Angela's website and facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaDoveChocolateDiscoveries

http://www.mydcdsite.com/PUBLICSTORE/stores/angela/default.aspx

Creative Chaos

I happen to love anything personalized. Anything I can create and change around to make it my own just seems to be more than just a piece of jewelry. 

I was super excited when Creative Chaos asked us to review her beautiful charm bracelets!

What I love about these charm bracelets is how different they are. When you think of charm bracelets, normally some sort of metal bracelets with these little hook on charms comes to mind. 

Creative Chaos is different.

Instead of the typical metal bracelets, these bracelets are similar to a watch band with the same kind of watch band closure. I actually love it because my wrist is very small making it really hard to find bracelets that fit well! This bracelet adjusted to my wrist perfectly! 

Instead of charms that hook onto your bracelet, these slide onto the band.

This allows you to change out your charms whenever you'd like!

Creative Chaos has a HUGE selection of charms to choose from! They have anything from crystal letters and hearts, to sports charms and flowers! The charms are made of Zinc Alloy (lead & nickel free) then Rhodium Plated. 

Be sure to head on over and Check out Creative Chaos! They have much more than just these unique charm bracelets! They have lots of adorable clothing and other fun products!

Creative Chaos

https://www.facebook.com/adrianacreativechaos

DIY Cutie Pie Keychain

If you are anything like me, you love cute little keychains. Well..anything little and cute! These keychains took me less than 30 minutes to make, and they are so adorable!

Now don't limit yourself to making only little birds, you can make anything that you want! All you will need is a pattern to follow.

I was browsing Pinterest (because like any other lady, I am addicted to it) when I saw an adorable bird. Thats when I decided to make my own.

This is one of the simplest things that I have ever made, so if you are looking for something quick and easy to make, you have found it.

What you will need:

Different colored felt and fabrics,

Thread,

Split ring

Step one:

Draw your cute little thing. Remember that you will be layering fabric over fabric and you don't want it to be too thick, also remember that you will be cutting out several different parts of each, so limit yourself.

Draw with shapes, everything will have to be cut out. (I have added a photo of an elephant drawing if you would like him better)

Step two:

Trace the individual shapes so that you have multiple parts. Cut these out to use as your pattern.

Select your fabric and start cutting!

Cut TWO of your base shape(mine is the bird body).

Note-the lip that the keyring will attach to needs to be doubled in length so that it can hold the ring.

Step three:

Put all the parts together and see how you like it. If anything needs to be changed, NOW is the time to do it.

Any parts that will be on the sides(the beak and keyring tab) will need to be sewn onto the front 
of the "second" body.

Step four:

Sew body together and add any remaining parts. I decided that the bird looked better without the belly, so I kept that off.

I stitched a small eye using black thread.

Don't be afraid to add anything else! Be creative and have fun with it!

Let me know if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them (:

Meet Emily

I'm super excited to introduce all of you to our wonderful new DIY blogger! 

She'll be sharing some of her favorite projects and tutorials with us :)

Hi Married Life lovers!

I'm  Emily, I'm 19 years old, and I am not married (but I will be in about two years, so it's all okay:))  My goal is to be a wife and mommy one day, but because I can't exactly do that right now, I'm going to school and studying business. I am addicted to Pinterest and reading blogs; I love chocolate, and cake, and icing. My hobbies include finding adorable things, making cute things, fixing old things, and gardening. My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11 which reminds me that God has a greater plan for my life than I could ever imagine.