End of the Year Portfolio {a Homeschool D.I.Y.}

Earlier this year, while listening to a podcast from Sarah McKenzie, my heart jumped at one of her inspirational ideas to create an end of the year portfolio. 

This was one of those I wish I'd been doing this for the past ten years moments.

but it's never too late to start though, right?! Right!!

These portfolio's aren't anything fancy, just personal, which is exactly what I wanted.

I made mine similar to Sarah's, which you can read all about on her blog, Amongst Lovely Things.

I chose to include artwork, a narration sample, book/poetry list, along with photo's of special moments from the year. I think the best part was asking each child what specific highlights of the year were for them.

Compiling these folders encouraged my heart tremendously! Revisiting the moments from the year truly allowed me to conceptualize the beauty we had in our days.

  These portfolio's are such an encouraging reminder of each child's personal efforts and

highlights of my children's life captured, well that's priceless.  

 

{fabric wrapped hangers} D.I.Y.

September barn sales are right around the corner, and I'm gearing up for my semi-annual events at
The Strawberry Patch and The Hayloft.
I'm routinely asked about my fabric hangers, so today I wanted to show how truly simple they are to create!

  

With a handful of lovely fabrics and inexpensive plain jane hangers, you can create a perfectly, colorful

 "pretty-fied" {yes, that is a word!}happy space in your closet!

 

All you need for this D.I.Y. is plastic hangers, scraps of fabric / lace, and a hot glue gun.

First, cut your fabric into approximate 1" strips 

{this doesn't need to be perfect, you just don't want your pieces too thick, as they wrap easier when thin}

Next, apply the hot glue directly to the hanger, beginning at the top curve.

{I like to use multiple, short scraps around the top area, then longer strands at the bottom area.}

Continue applying hot glue, wrapping the hanger in small increments. Rinse and repeat!

If you're anywhere in the Nashville area, The Strawberry Patch and The Hayloft are not to be missed!

Especially in the fall! A weekend of barn sale shopping in the crisp, cool air is good for the soul!

 I'm definitely loving our laid back summer, but equally looking forward to the changing of the seasons. 

inside our home {pantry}

I'm so glad spring is here, aren't you?! I'm home after being away at Teach them Diligently.
I'm exhausted.

I don't know what you're experience has been with a home school convention, but personally, there is abundantly more material than I can take in.

I listened to a handful of encouraging speakers, bought a few fossils, pondered science curriculum and walked endlessly. My overwhelmed, introverted mind just needs to decompress!

Saturday evening, as I pulled into the driveway, my amazing husband was working in the garage,
                         Finishing the barn door I've been dreaming of for our new pantry addition!

We moved into our new builder style home five years ago, and while our home has been maintenance free, we wanted to add a few additional, functional spaces. This space is downstairs near our kitchen / dining area and originally was a small coat closet. Now it's a beautiful pantry, with floor to ceiling wrap shelving.

The door coordinates perfectly with this gorgeous light fixture hanging above our kitchen table, which Ben also made! I love it so, so much!!

I absolutely love all things farmhouse with a mix of industrial/vintage texture, 

                                         You can view some of my inspiring home ideas over here

sunshine and truth {a reminder for my soul}

                             it's been way too cold for me these past few weeks. way to cold!

                         not warm enough for this "flip flop wearing all year around Southern gal".

            this weekend we actually made it to the 50's. I grabbed a few photos of Sweet Pea in the sunshine.

                             i think she definitely takes after me. sunshine + outdoors = happiness

 

 

    When the chill of winter seems to be residing in my soul; the sunshine reminds me that life truly is there too.

                                        I love the reminder of the Father's promises found in nature.


    Just like the grass in the photo appears dead and unsightly; it is full of life, waiting to spring up, in time.

    Though I may not prefer the season I'm in ~ walking in life with Him is exactly where I want to be.

                 Sweet Pea : floral vest {Target} hat {Etsy : Effy Bags}  Littlest Brother: Mini Boden

perpetual Thankful calendar {DIY}

                                        this year i've begun a new habit; a daily thankful calendar. 
       i'm sure you've seen many varieties over the websphere, so this idea is nothing new ~ just my version.

i've had this project on my "to do" list for some time, but starting in the middle of the year was unmotivating.
                                  thanks to Christmas break, i've got my calendar started!

                                                  here's a peek and {very simple} how to:

my husband built this little box in shop class from high school, and i never found the perfect use for it, till now. I downloaded the front page "Count your Blessings" {here}trimmed it and then cut graph paper just a bit smaller. inserted monthly dividers, then wrote the date on the top of each page.

                       
i believe every day holds a reason to be thankful ."may we all have eyes to see the beauty in every day"

Sweet Pea {a girl Gift Guide}

             Having a little girl after 10 years of life with five boys is truly more than I can put into words!

      I've always considered myself a sort of boy mom, and inside, I would truly get hurt by those quick
                                                  to spout off statements like,
         "You must have been trying for a girl" or "keep trying, maybe you'll get a girl soon!"

                I've loved having five boys and I love that we've been blessed with one girl after them!

  Christmas and birthday's recently have been predictable with our five guys; Lego's and musical instruments.

Sweet Pea's shopping this year was such fun; here's a sneak at some of the fun girl things now in my home!

                                                   {custom made doll : Roving Ovine}

                                                         {wooden camera : Twig Creative}

                                           {pink / red retro RadioFlyer scooter : Amazon}

                                                                         {new pj's}

                                                         {vintage deer set via etsy}

                         {{yay for sweet girly things and a Sweet Pea who's changed my world!}}
                    

                          

Merry Christmas. Happy New Year & "Best of my Day's" DIY link up

 

This year I didn't get around to Christmas cards, again. To those special friends who sent me cards,

 I truly loved receiving yours.

This season of life I'm learning that the plans I make, just don't always go the way I want.

 I'm growing through the painstaking process of prioritizing

It's 2014. A new year and there's so very much on my heart.

the abundant life I'm so blessed to live; beautiful friends who inspire me; crafty D.I.Y.

homeschooling six kiddos, one who is on the cuff on being a teenager!

For now, I'll link you over to Ashley's blog, {Under the Sycamore}

Over the Christmas holiday, I made each of my boys one of these "Best of my Days" notepads.

{photo via Ashley}

I originally planned to give these to the boys in their stockings, but I'm so glad life delayed it until today.

While I'm not a "New Year's resolutions" type, I love establishing new traditions,

meaningful traditions.

I know that through recording their joys, each of my boys will grow in the awareness of how abundantly blessed they truly are.

Blessings to you this new day and this new year!!

D.I.Y. {colorful arrows}

                        I haven't posted a D.I.Y. in a while; so here's a fun one for your weekend.
 

                                                               

I spotted these arrows a while back over at Heather's blog, lifemadelovely.

 Carly made the above arrows for her sons room, found here. 

I thought these would be great for my "bigger" guys room.

I made mine up this week, while my kiddos had a spring break of sorts. I do want to make more, but I only accomplished this single one. It's not complicated, just takes a bit of time...

                                materials: dowel rod, embroidery thread, felt, and hot glue

assemble: wrap embroidery thread around the dowel, hot glueing as needed, then hot glue the arrow pieces.

                                                                 
                                                   Hang in a colorful, happy place and enjoy!

our {handmade} Holiday Home

Christmas is such a special time of year. The air is crisp and cool, cider and treats linger in the air, classic Christmas songs play while lights twinkle.giggling boys try to keep each others Christmas gift a secret, counting down the days until Christmas morning. I love this time of year!

The holiday season brings warmth to my soul, memories with the ones I love most. The thrill of HOPE, the Christ child. His birth and the ultimate HOPE of redemption.

                                                    

our tree is full of meaningful ornaments. my wonderful sister in law sends the kids each a Hallmark ornament every year...they love this tradition!! the wooden ornaments above were mine as a child.

 

traditionally I purchase a new ornament for each child every year. This year my oldest and I attended the Nutcracker, as a dear friend of his danced as Clara...so nutcrackers it is.

        

                                     Praying your home is filled with Peace. Merry Christmas.

{lovely San Francisco wedding}

Beth allowed me to graciously share these lovely photographs today...

Beth was recently married in San Francisco and I'm beyond thrilled that she chose my circle garland for her wedding backdrop, as well as decoration for the chairs and  tables.

                     These make me happy! what a special thing to create for such a special occasion.

                                                               Congratulations Beth!
                                              {You can view more photos from the wedding here }