DIY: Shabby Chic Knotted Fabric Valance

I've been dreaming of making a shabby chic style scrap fabric curtain (valance) every since I first stumbled upon this image on Pinterest. It was super easy to make and all it cost me was a curtain rod from the dollar store (and some berry colored faux fur yarn from Hobby Lobby)!

I already had various colors and styles of fabric purchased in the past from Hobby Lobby and Joann's Fabric. There's a mix of fabric with words, prints, solids, and burlap. I cut the fabric into strips approximately 1" wide. I didn't measure, just cut. I didn't even cut straight lines. The shabbier the better!

Some of the fabric was from fat quarters so they weren't as long. Those strips were knotted together. 

After all my strips were cut, I tied them around the curtain rod.

Once all my fabric strips were tied, in no particular order, I added a few strands of the yarn to add a bit more texture.

Finally, I installed my curtain rod and stood back to admire the shabby loveliness!

Hugs,

P.S.
November is fast approaching so don't forget to sign up for Art Every Day Month starting November 1st over at Creative Every Day! I had a blast last year (here are my AEDM posts from 2011).

Tender Heart

I shared with you recently that I’m working through Spirits of Joy from Hannah Marcotti. One of the daily joy prompts was, “I am.” in which we finish the sentence. She encouraged us to look through magazines, listen to music, or whatever until our I am appeared.

“Express who you see in your visions of you, who you know in your spirit you are.”

I thought about it all day, looked through magazines and catalogs, and I thought and thought and then thought some more yet my I am continued to allude me. Later that evening I was having a mental conversation with myself about something unrelated – please tell me I’m not the only one who does this! – and at some point I internally responded (to myself), “I can’t help it, I have a tender heart.” And then BAM! It hit me, I am a tender heart. That’s my I am!

I’ve shared with you here before about how I’m sensitive but after much hating on myself I realized that sensitive isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It means that I’m more observant and understanding to the feelings of those around me.

sen·si·tive/ˈsensitiv/

Adjective:  Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.

Synonyms:  responsive - aware - receptive - tender - perceptive - insightful

ten·der/ˈtendər/

Adjective:  Showing gentleness and concern or sympathy.

Synonyms:  soft - delicate - gentle - mild - affectionate - loving - caring - kind - kindhearted - warm - sympathetic

I am a tender heart. <3

With much love,

Quote - Everything

image credit

It is love that holds everything together, and it is the everything also.  ~Rumi

What I've Been Up To

Good morning, lovelies! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week and looking forward to a fantastic weekend. I wanted to touch base and fill you in on my latest happenings.

Let’s see…I finally finished going through my house decluttering and we had our yard sale last weekend. I made a little extra cash and got rid of stuff. Yea! I’m doing another sweep of my home to deep clean, remove any remaining clutter, and make sure my new organizational systems are working. This weekend I’ll be catching up on some art projects and tackling the to-do list, mostly yard work – trimming trees, raking, cleaning flower beds, and pressure washing. Doesn’t that sound exciting? No, not in the least but it has to be done.

I’m looking forward to an outdoor retreat with the Florida Trail next weekend. Lots of camping, hiking, and even zip lining. Yikes! I’m a little nervous about the zip line since I’ve never been one to enjoy heights (okay, so it’s really the falling) but I’m going to soothe my nerves and go for it. I’m sure once I get up there I’ll have a blast.

Lately I’ve been working through projects with the Brave Girls Club Art School as inspiration. I’ve made two letter bracelets and these clay pendants/paperweights/I’m not sure yet things. LOL. I found it quite relaxing to sit at my breakfast bar and craft with the clay. I went through my art supplies and pulled out a bunch of items that could be used with the clay for embedding, texture, or glued on after it baked. So much fun.

I’m also working through the daily prompts sent out by Hannah Marcotti for the 30-day Spirits of Joy. It’s nice to dive deep and deeper into my hopes and dreams for the future. Check it out and start where you are. It’s day 19 and I’m still working on day 6. *giggle* I see no need to rush and would rather sit with a prompt until I’m ready to move on to the next.

Evidently I’m a teenager trapped in a thirty-something body. I started reading the House of Night series from P.C. and Kristin Cast a few months ago. I finished the series up to book nine and was waiting for book ten (Hidden) to be released. It came out on Tuesday and I finished it by Wednesday afternoon. I’m such a nerd! I’ve also read The Immortals series by Alyson Noel and will start the Fallen series by Lauren Kate here soon. I wanted to finish Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck first. I’m doing a post at the end of the year or the beginning of 2013 with all the books I’ve read this year. I haven’t counted but I’d be interested in knowing just how many I’ve read in 2012.

I hope your weekend is filled with lots of art and relaxation!

Hugs,

Quote - Sacred gift

image credit

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.  ~Albert Einstein

Inventory Your Blessings

image credit

Today I feel blessed because…

…I’ve been hand-picked by our Creator, as you have been too.

…I’ve been able to create a beautiful new life within my body and he is my greatest achievement.

…I have a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, and food in my belly.

…my slate wiped clean at the end of each day and a new day to try and get it right.

…I have endless possibilities available to me at any given moment.

…the freedom to have my own opinion.

…the wisdom to make up my own mind.

…I’m able to watch the sun rise and set and see the beautifully twinkling stars.

…I am surrounded in beauty when I choose to see it.

…I am cradled in love and understanding.

…I know that I’m never truly alone.

…I can now look to the past and see memories instead of misery.

…I can begin to look to the future with hope instead of fear.

…I’m filled to the brim with hopes and dreams.

…I’m beginning to believe I deserve what my name means (Amanda=worthy of love).

…I can own my thoughts, feelings, and truths without shame.

…I am alive and well.

Hugs,

More than meets the eye

image credit

There have been many discussions lately on body size and body image. Especially with the news story of Jennifer Livingston the newscaster from Wisconsin who was criticized for her size. (BTW - What gives someone the right to critique her just because she’s in the public eye.) Anyway, I felt like it was time to discuss this on a personal level even though it’s generally something I would rather be the elephant in the room.

I truly believe that the most attractive feature of a person in what’s on the inside, their true inner beauty. No matter your size, shape, genetics, etc. if you are filled with love and kindness you are a beautiful person. Have you ever met someone who had good looks outwardly but as soon as they opened their mouth it ruined the whole image? You know, they were mean-spirited or smug and you no longer saw their outward appearance. Instead you saw their inner unattractiveness. They no longer had the same appeal they did at first glance.

image credit

Unfortunately, society generally bases a person’s worth solely on what the eye can see. Regrettably, we also tend to judge our own selves by this same standard. The truth is – we are so much more than that. Our beauty runs so much deeper than our outward shell. The core of who you are, your essence, your heart, and your soul, cannot be viewed with the naked eye.

These words that I type are words that I’m trying to remember each day as my own truth. I’ve struggled with my body image for a far back as I can remember. For the past few years, you can add my weight/body size to the ever-growing list of personal struggles. This is a delicate and private battle that I’ve endured and my self-worth has suffered the most.

I don’t want to live in shame. I have no reason to be embarrassed or uncomfortable. I’m the same person I was two years ago and I’ll be the same person two years from now (hopefully a little bit wiser!). This body, this shell, is not who I am. I dress it and decorate it and cover it in war paint to hide my battle scars. It is the mask that I hide behind. It is my armor and my shield. It is my vehicle in which I will travel this lifetime within. It is a part of me but it is not ME. It is not my true authentic magnificent self.

image credit

I am so deeply amazed by the incredible women who have spoken up lately about how this news story personally touched them and their bravery in sharing their own stories with the community. We have to be here for each other and build each other up. When we embrace each other and acknowledge our shame, the shame no longer controls us and the healing can begin.

You are beautiful.

image credit

Hugs,

P.S.

If you don’t believe me, read these stories:
Kind Over Matter
Vivienne McMaster
Her Holistic Health