Learning to Live Like Giants

Once you are over your shock that I am finally updating my blog, I hope you will enjoy this little insight into something I have learned over the past few months.

Since Maddy was born, Chris and I have been under a transformation. Many, actually. We both experienced job changes (mine was more of job additions...), we both turned into parents (the most miraculous transformation of all), and we are both learning that in order to survive this time in our lives, we must be larger than life.

When I look back on the past months, I see so many moments when we really should have just crumbled beneath all the pressure. Plenty of opportunities have presented themselves that could have delivered a damaging blow to our marriage, our family, our happiness. I know that I was weak in those moments, I know that I thought "why is this happening?" and "what are we going to do??" I know that I questioned God's plan in our lives. I have realized this and repented it. Because, in the end, HE was faithful, HE answered the questions, and HE provided when we were in need.

This road is a long one. We have another two years to go (at least) before we get out of this financial hole. We have plans, and dreams...and hope that spans our lifetime! It is just a road of small steps on the way to all of that.

So, in the meantime, we have learned to grow beyond ourselves. At the point when we feel like falling over from exhaustion, or retreating into isolation from the frustration, we have to get be bigger and larger than ever. For Maddy...for our marriage. Often this is simply choosing positive thoughts and words over negative. Sometimes it means Chris stays up for 48 straight to be there for maddy or myself in between long nights at the hospital. For me, this means I often put on a brave and happy face even at my most exhausted and overwhelmed- checking off the to-do list, getting the jobs done.

For our marriage, this is simply putting aside expectations and supporting one another. It is finding humor in absolutely everything and treasuring the brief moments we have with one another. Being a giant for us is doing something we absolutely have no time for, just because we know it will lessen the load for one another or bring a smile to our faces.

This time in our family's life is good for testing our mettle. To see what we are really made of. To see if we can make it through with joy intact! I would say, sure we will! By the Lord's grace alone!

To live like a giant, to grow beyond ourselves...it requires this- less of us, more of Jesus.

A New Journey to Behold

I am always touting that I have many dreams....mostly things like dreaming of our someday home with a backyard and large functional kitchen. Or dreaming of Maddy someday being joined by brothers and sisters. Or dreaming of all the many ways I really could impact my world if I really put my mind to it. I dream of being a novelist and a published children's author. I really have a huge list....but the most immediate is- Financial security.

In my attempt to assist Chris in this strange place we find ourselves financially, I currently have three jobs. As editor of Hall County Magazine, as a freelance writer, and as a TA at a local church preschool. Even with all of these wonderful opportunities, we find ourselves still not quite making it.

So, in a leap of faith and a flurry of excitement, I have joined a wonderful faith-based company as a sales consultant. 31 Gifts offers everything from signature purses and totes to kid's items and accents for the home, you'll find something to fit every personality and situation. The company continues to develop new products built on the idea that our products must be stylish, functional, affordable and easy to give as gifts to encourage someone special.

My job is two-fold. I get to offer these wonderful products to the people in my life to enjoy and give to others. Just looking through the catalog as a consumer made me happy and filled me with ideas for ways to give the products thoughtfully and cheerfully. I also get to offer this same opportunity to those who are also looking for a way to pursue financial peace, new relationships, and personal career fulfillment.

So, needless to say, I am so excited to begin this journey and have high hopes! I hope that you will enjoy the journey with me through my updates as I accomplish my goals!

www.mythirtyone.com/erynaustin

Fourth of July SHINE T-shirt

I wanted to make something for Maddy to wear with the family this coming weekend. I initially wanted to do fireworks, but this is what it turned out to be. All of my pieces are freehand cut...meaning I do not use templates...so the stars were not super fun! But I love the result!

I used white and yellow floss and the cute yellow button to add a little something different. Plus, I love yellow and navy, so I had to stitch some yellow on the navy star!

So simple and cute!

Peace, Love, Cupcakes

I have fallen so hard for applique and embroidery. I cannot stop, I will not stop! Not until I have made everything my heart can dream up!!! Here is a shirt for Maddy with a few of my favorite things- Peace, Love, and CUPCAKES!

I'm in love with the sprinkles!!

She sort of loves it too!!

The Simple Answer

There was once a time when I, being young and precocious, thought that I had an answer for all of the questions. Even if I didn't know the ACTUAL answer, I did my best to come up with a plausible response. In college I found that a few big words, a little cynicism and a dose of humor would usually do the job.

As I have grown older, and begrudgingly found myself an adult, I find I cannot even fathom the answer to many questions. Be they questions I ask myself, or questions asked of me, I just don't have the answers.

Rather than work to conjure up something to respond with, knowing it would be just a hollow lie, the simple answer is - I just don't know.

I find solace in the fact that 1- I just don't need to have all the answers, and 2- it is barely summer and so hot you can fry an egg on the concrete. Both give me immense comfort and allow me to simple bow out of any explanation requested.

The first is comforting because I know that He who holds the answers, and my heart, will remain faithful. He has gone before me.

The second because summer reminds me of my fabulous childhood. It makes me think of watermelon on the front porch, lazy rides down the Suwannee River, and late night movies with my daddy.

So, for now, despite all of the pressing, nagging, gnawing questions....I will choose the simple answer and leave the rest alone.

Weekend crafts- Fleece Blanket and Embroidered Onesie

I got this idea from my sweet friend Harlee's mother Lisa. Harlee brought her cute fleece blanket with her to the beach a couple of weeks ago and I set my mind on making one. Easy peasy, made with 1.5 yards of zebra and 1.5 of green fleece. 2 is recommended for older kids, though. I cut out Maddy's monogram in a coordinating fabric and hand stitched it on with a little "firepop" as embellishment.

Next, simply because I was bored and antsy after being home bound with a sweet and sick baby today, I decided to put a bird on a onesie and this is the result.

So, yeah...that was my weekend in craft world. YAY!

I request that you create!!!

Hello little lovers of words and phrases. Haters of the split infinitive and dangling (gasp) modifier!!! How are your participles?? Since I last called upon you for the daunting task of writing creatively with me on this blog, I hope you have been finding time to make words do your bidding!

Tonight, I want to do another prompt. This time, it will be less open-ended. You just take the first three sentences given here and turn it into a story. We will maintain the same rules and requests. I would love you to comment on a few other submissions as well as submitting your own. Nothing but positive critiques tonight.

Are you ready?? Let's try for a 100 word limit on this one.

Your prompt- A man approaches you on the streets of a small town you have only visited once before. You attempt to maneuver around him but he blocks your way. He catches your eye and your breath goes cold in your lungs.



now go!!!!!

Fourth of July Fabric Wreath

I will not be providing a tutorial on this because it was not my idea. I will tell you that the entire thing took less than one hour to complete. I found the idea here and the flower tutorials here and here.

I plan to make one for summer also, with green, orange, and raspberry colors.

Hope you like! Hope more that you make one.

Oh, also, it all cost 15 dollars. That includes buying more thread for the flowers and some glue gun replacements.

Here are a few shots of the production:

Super easy guys! I just love it! I will get better at the flowers I hope. These are far from perfect!

Happy crafting!

  

Embroidery Hoop Monogram Tutorial

Another easy project for you here, and one I have really come to love!!


This is another project that cost me pennies and looks super cute.

Tools:
1/4 yard fabric with design
Complementary fabric left over from another project
Embroidery floss in complementing colors
2 Embroidery Hoops- small
Straight pins
Iron-on webbing (optional)- I only used it to stiffen the monogram letters

Instructions:


1. I free cut our initials out of brown fabric backed with webbing.



2.- I cut my material in two even squares just big enough to cover the hoops. After threading the fabric through the hoop and tightening, I trimmed all of the excess fabric from around the edges.











3. I tightened the hoops as much as I could and now realize I should have hot glued the underside of the hoop to keep everything in place...so I highly recommend it.

4. My favorite part was stitching on the letters. I used straight pins to affix the letter exactly where I wanted it and then stitched around the edges. I also stitched some French Knots on the flowers where there was a polka dot. I quickly retired that idea as it was tedious and the base fabric was tearing a bit. I did do a little bit of decorative stitching on some of the flowers with straight stitching and that worked better. You can see this below to the right of the E.







A quick and easy project that can double as a cute gift anytime. I also have aspirations of using this idea in other ways, but I must increase my stitching skills before then! I will keep you posted!!

                                                                                                         

Wood Block Photo Tutorial

In my haste to find an inexpensive and unique gift for Chris' birthday, I was struck with an idea. As a photographer, he loves to see his photos on canvas. I obviously cannot afford canvases for all the photos I would love to display, so I headed to trusty Hobby Lobby with an idea and no clue how to make it reality. This is what I ended up with:

In reality, this was a super simple project. Here's how to do it:

Tools:

Pre-cut unfinished wood blocks in varying sizes
Black spray paint (craft enamel)
MOD PODGE!!! Are you surprised?
Sponge brush
Photos printed and cut to match the flat surface of the block
Sanding block

Steps:

1- Give the blocks a good even coat of spray paint. I did not cover the center completely, focusing mostly on the edges that will be visible. Thrifty, you know?

2- After paint is nice and dry, do a little touch up if you need to. Then, apply the photo to its appropriate sized block with Mod Podge. Once you have the photo placed, start applying Mod Podge over the photo in a cross hatch pattern, giving the photo a nice texture.









3- Let the Mod Podge dry before doing a second coat if needed. I really wanted a canvas texture, so I did a few coats then set them aside to dry for an afternoon.










4- You cannot really tell in this photo, but I used the sanding block to chip off some of the black paint. This gave the blocks a little antique feel.







Finished product. He flipped over them! I want to go back and make some two more of each size. I am thinking that you could make these into a little table stand by drilling a small hole and inserting a wooden dowel? I will try it next time!

        

She loved them too!

I used these new command photo hanging strips to hang these. Loved them!

So yeah! That is easy, right? As always, I hope you will make one of my simple little projects! I would love to see photos!

New Giveaway -- Shabby Apple!

New Giveaway -- Shabby Apple!

Go visit Jen at Tatertots and Jello to enter to win this great value towards a purchase at Shabby Apple. I am absolutely salivating!!!

Burlap Mail Bag with Embroidered Accents- Tutorial

I sort of just dreamed this idea up one day when staring at a pile of mail that I had no place for.

I had some left over burlap and thought- hey...why not? I had no plan, no measurements, and no clue how to embroider.

But, in case you want to make this cute bag, I will do my best to fill you in on how it came to be!

Tools-
24x12 piece of burlap
Iron on backing- to make material stiff
1/4 yard fabric
3 complementary colors of embroidery floss
Embroidery needle
Straight pins
Iron

Because my burlap was creased, I ironed it flat. Then I folded over the edges along the length of the burlap and ironed it to stay put. Those folded edges will be the sides of the bag. After all the ironing, I folded the entire piece in half to mark where I wanted my letters.

I cut a 4x8 square of fabric and a 4x8 square of the iron-on webbing and fused them together with the hot iron. Then I freehand cut out letters. I attached the letters with straight pins to the front of the bag.

With the straight pins in place, I did a simple back stitch to start my embroidery. Then, I just stitched around the edges of each letter. I didn't guess at how to stitch...I used this.

It is actually a children's book about embroidery. You can find similar info online!

Once all of the letters were sewn on, I took all of the pins out and re-threaded my needle with another color floss to do the side stitching.

I pinned the folded lengths of burlap together now that the letters were done, and stitched large X's up the side. I stitched in a dark blue first, skipping a space between X's to allow for a contrasting color.
Then I followed that by stitching lighter blue X's in the empty spaces and removed the pins.

I hated the top. It looked so raggedy where it was cut. So, I cut a length of fabric that would span the top. I pinned it so that it folded over the top and stitched it.

I attached ribbon to each corner at the top by poking the ribbon through both sides of burlap and knotting it in the back.

Done! Easy peasy. I actually did most of this watching Lost on the couch!

Please send me photos if you make this! I would love to post them here!!

Happy creating!!