Family Tree Wall Art

I am OBSESSED with showing off my family. Seriously!! Every home I have ever lived in has always had a wall of family photos. I have always worried over displaying them in just the right way so everyone can truly see the depth of my love for them. Those photos are on the list of things I must grab if the house is burning down. If I couldn't save them, I can imagine myself crying to firefighters that my family is inside.

When Pinterest came along it only upped the level of my CRAZY. I mean how can you not love these gallery wall ideas?!?

I like to consider myself a pretty creative chick but, it never really occurred to me to mix other items into my photo walls? Just attempting such a thing could send my OCD spiraling out of control and send the family into hiding. 

Then I saw this

It is EVERYTHING and I had to find a way to make it mine, or die trying.

First things first. The tree. This particular one appeared to be hand stenciled/drawn onto the wall. A couple factors come into play here.

• I definitely have the artistic skill level to achieve this, however I do not have the patience for this. I did some hand work years ago in one of our kitchens and it left me irritated and in pain. Worst of all I wound up hating it a short while later and painted over it.
• We currently live in an apartment and spending the time and money on this would be a waste. We plan to move in another year and I don't want to have to paint over it after all that work. Also, I'm not into spending unnecessarily.

I wasn't going to be put off of this though so I went back to Pinterest for a workable solution.

The answer : Vinyl

The Decal Lab

Walldecorative

There were plenty of vinyl options available on Etsy, but if it was affordable it was too small. I really could have spent whatever amount I wanted on this. My boyfriend really liked this idea and was willing to go all the way with it. Have I mentioned how much I love him? I really couldn't bring myself to spend that much on vinyl though. It still is going to be taken down when we move and most likely will not be salvageable after that. I had almost given up then on a trip to Target I found the solution.

 Roommates Trees Branches Wall Decals

Twenty bucks!!! Can you believe it?!? I should have just gone to the promised land in the first place. I mean where else would I find my everything, but the one place that is everything!!!!

I can absolutely afford to toss it when we move. Unless there is some fantastic way to save it... I'll get on Pinterest for that eventually.

I was a bit apprehensive about whether or not I could make it work with my space and ideas. I mean could I make $20.00 into a masterpiece? 

Well what do you think?

Our lighting is the worst. Our apartment is in a shady courtyard and there is only one overhead light in our living room.I'm so jealous of everyone with fancy pictures. LOL!

I didn't do any before pics. It was quite literally a huge blank space. I couldn't get during pics because I was doing too much back and forth trying to get everything lined up just right. I put up the trunk first, and I have to say I wish it was a little bit thicker. I also went a little nuts over it not being perfectly straight at first, but my OCD and I were able to come to a peaceful agreement. The branches were a little trickier because I wanted to be sure the frames would work with them the way I saw them in my mind. With a trim here and there and it was easy enough. I even added a sign I've had for years that I may have stolen from my ex last time I was at the house, and one of my letters. I plan on making a couple more things for it in the future to change out for holidays, but for now I'm thrilled with it as is.

Do you have a gallery wall?  I'd love to see it. Leave your photos in the comments.

Vision ~ Life Church series

These are my personal notes from a series our pastor did back in 2012. It really hit home for me at the time and I kept the notes in an old journal. As I was cleaning out a box yesterday I came across that journal and I'm sure by no coincidence I turned directly to them. As I sat reading them they once again spoke to my heart and I decided to save and share them here. I hope they will inspire and speak to you the way have me.

VISION

 A picture in your mind of the kind of life you hope God will let you live. 

Something you are reaching for.

When we don't have a vision we tend to live beneath God's best for our life.

When we have a vision we tend to reach for greater things.

The beginning of vision comes when we give ourselves permission to dream about a better future.

Believe God for a better future!

Like the saying goes...Nothing worth having comes easy. You have to be willing to work for it. Keep going even when the going is tough. It seems this is a lesson that God has been teaching since the beginning of time. Along with learning to trust in God for all of our dreams so we must trust in His timing and have faith and patience... Just like Paul in Acts 16:6-13 we must proceed on.

 6They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

      11So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.

Don't let one door closed stop you from moving forward.

Don't stop just keep going!!

Matthew 7:7-8

Delay is not denial. You will eventually get there. It's not a a matter of if, it's just a matter of when.

Delays teach us to trust God.

Delays keep us asking, and seeking, and knocking, and reminds you God is in control.

  Don't sweat the how. Leave the how to God. Leave the details to him.

Pursuing the vision is what will position you in front of the right door. Pray that God directs your steps.

Don't give up...

One vision can totally tip the scales.

Together we're better ~ Partner with God

Partner with each other.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Pity the man who falls down and has no one to help him up.

Partner in building what God is building.

His people

His Church

While pursuing our dreams,our vision... we must remember to remain humble and honor God by helping others.When we humble ourselves God lifts us up. We should keep Holy ambition.

The first time God put this message on my heart my whole life changed, and I began to see things so differently. As I hear His words and feel them moving my heart once again I am eager to listen and come upon the next great chapter in my life.

Pinterest, why have you forsaken me??

It pains me to say this but I am kinda burnt out on Pinterest lately. Where is the inspiration? Where is the individuality? Have I pinned all there is to pin? I miss being able to take a quick scroll through the "Popular" or "Everything" boards and become dazzled by DIY. Maybe I just need to work on some of the projects I've been hoarding supplies for in order to make room for something else to pique my interest. Have you found yourself scrolling by the same old DIY projects,hairstyles,make-up tips,and fashion? What are you pinning these days?

Hi everyone!!!

I am so happy to be back on the blog. Life got a little crazy for a while there and I had to take a break to get things back under control. I sure did miss sharing with you and I am so looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.