Book Cover Tutorial

I have a small Bible that I keep in my purse most of the time. It has also become my main Bible that I use. The poor little cover has seen it's better days . . .

I kept wanting to sew a book cover for it and never seemed to get around to it. Today was the day! I finally buckled down and made one after finding this tutorial. It was very easy except my first go I made it too small. So I opened up the seams and re - stitched it, this time sewing closer to the edge of the fabric. Also, don't round your corners. I thought I needed to for some reason but as you can see, my book has square corners! 

Finished product! (not a HUGE fan of the pink, but I have an excessive amount of pink fabric from a shower and am trying to get rid of it.)

I hot glued the buttons on but if you want to ensure they REALLY stay, you could sew them.

I added a little lace elastic loop on the back cover. I hot glued it. I may stitch over it to ensure it stays! 

So there you have it :)

long time no see . . . and Texas

I know it's been awhile! I apologize! I feel like I'm being stretched thin and oddly enough, I kinda like it! I like feeling busy (most of the time) - I tend to get more done when I have a full to do list. 

We just returned from a 5 day trip to Texas to visit my parents. AND here's the "cat out of the bag" - to look at housing, jobs and the general living of Texas. Yes, we are considering a move to Dallas, Texas in the near future. The main reason that draws us to Dallas is my parents, of course. Had they not moved there, I don't think I would ever consider Texas a possible place to live. But more than my parents, we found an amazing church that we connect with. A church that is where we are at and where we want to go spiritually.

When we tell people about this grand move, I know many think we are crazy. Why would Durrell leave his great job? Why would we sell our darling house that we just finished renovating?? Why would we leave family and friends behind?

and my questions is WHY NOT?


Durrell and I feel that life is too short to stay comfortable. Don't get me wrong - the thought of picking up everything and moving freaks me out at times! But when I think about staying where I'm at the rest of my life (location, job, spiritually etc.), I feel a restlessness well up inside me. I know some people can live in the same place and do the same thing all of their life - and there is nothing wrong with that! I guess Durrell and I are wired differently. 

And so, the adventure begins :) I'm so thankful that I have an amazing husband to walk with along this journey. Being married to my best friend makes life feel not so huge and scary. We're taking a day at a time, seeking God's direction for which path to take next. We know that if we don't do it, we'll always look back and say "what if".


So . . . a cute little house in New Holland will be up for sale come the beginning of the year or spring! :) Pass along the word :)

-A

DIY - shortening pants

2 posts in 1 day!!! WOW!!

I was browsing blog land when I came across a tutorial on how to shorten pants. I always seem to have a problem finding jeans that are the right length for me. I had a pair of jeans shortened as a teenager and they looked so dorky so I just deal with the length by rolling them up.

And then I found this blog!!

I tried it this after noon with a pair of jeans and they turned out a w e s o m e!!! You can't even tell they are shortened!

Kinda ridiculous how excited I am about this. A problem I've had for the past 10 years is solved!! :)

homemade granola

As I promised awhile ago, here is the homemade granola recipe I use :

Homemade Granola

Mix together in large bowl:

8 cups rolled oats

3 cups unsweetened coconut
(I don't add coconut - instead I add pecans or walnuts and more almonds)

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup olive oil

1 cup honey

1 tbsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix well and spread evenly onto baking sheets.

Bake 30min @ 315 degrees

busy-ness . . .

I am still alive. Besides working 4 days a week, my time is consumed with random busy work. Cleaning, cooking, Miss Lyss Designs, planning for our upcoming Texas trip . . . I have little inspiration for blogging lately.

But I'm still here :)

the little entrepreneur in me . . .

When I was a kid I somehow accumulated a large amount of seashells. I don't know if I got them at the shore myself or they were given to me. Either way, I tried to sell them at my parents yard sale. I eagerly sat waiting for someone to come and buy them for .10 each. Much to my delight, a lady came and offered to take the WHOLE bucket of sea shells (I don't remember the amount - probably like $3!). She wanted them for her flower beds! I was beyond delighted!

Since I was a kid I've loved "crafting". I was the kid that would go with my dad to his office and make something out of Scotch tape, scissors, paper, highlighters and the stapler. Through the years I've enjoyed making cards, jewelry, and random other little projects.

Since being married, I've jumped into the roll of being a house wife. I found that I enjoy cooking and making homemade food and yes, even cleaning! I've been too busy to craft between homemaking and work. Or maybe it was I didn't feel inspired. In the past few months, I've turned the office into a craft room. It's very temporary and un-pretty, but it's a place I can have everything out and accessible, including my sewing machine! I've come alive!!! As I mentioned in my last post, Miss Lyss Designs has been born in the past few weeks. It all started with making headbands for myself. It's something I enjoy, and the little entrepreneur in me is so excited to have people buying something I made!!!!!

I want woman to feel beautiful through my creativity. 

More than making a little extra money on the side, I want the buyers of my product to feel beautiful when they wear what I've created. Whether it's a mom having a bad hair day or a girl who just wants to feel a little more "dressed up", my prayer is that whoever's head my designs are on, they will KNOW they are beautiful. 

Oh Fall, how I love you!

I have been thoroughly enjoying life the past couple of weeks. I feel energetic, excited and at times giddy. The fall season has something to do with that, I know. Here are some other things I've been up to that have brought me joy:

Date night with my hubby! We went to Second Friday in Lititz. Grabbed coffee/tea at the Tomato Pie Cafe and then walked around and checked out the shops! A great and relaxing night :)

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Shoe rack!!

Durrell build me a new shoe rack for the laundry room closet. We had a dumb one from Walmart that was tilted and shoes wouldn't stay on. 

stained and in use!

my hubby is a w e s o m e!!!!

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HAIR CUT!!

before (in the early morn before work and no makeup)

after!!!!!

I liked the look of having long hair - WHEN I took the time to style it. But it took me an hour to actually blow dry it, and then straighten or curl it. I just don't feel like taking that much time to look good! So it ended up in a pony tail most of the time. Sooooo I decided to chop it off!!! And l o v e it.

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Crafting and fall decorating . . .

my wreath I made

I think I've inherited my mom's enjoyment of decorating for each season. When I lived at home my mom would decorate for each season and even some holidays like July 4th and valentines day. I used to think she was crazy sometimes but now find joy in decorating for the seasons too :)

My front porch has a mum and pumpkins. Fall is fav season of mine to decorate for! 

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Miss Lyss

Designs

  

One of the most exciting things currently is the beginning of my small at home business called Miss Lyss Designs. It all began with my sis in law showing me how to make fun flowers on a hair clip. I've become obsessed! I make and wear them often and have people asking "where did you get that". I decided to begin making them to sell!! I now have a facebook page that you can order my creations and have also put some of my pieces at a local hair salon. It has made me feel so alive to have people love my work! It's also a great little side job that brings in some extra spending money for me :)

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So that's my life from the past few weeks in a nut shell! My hubby has been so wonderfully supportive of my time in the craft room. I can't imagine my life without him being by my side. He's the best!!!!!!