Inspiration Thursday # 7

So have I mentioned that life never, EVER seems to slow down?? Seriously. This whole week has just felt like I was constantly behind, missing something, maybe even losing my mind? One thing I have been missing really badly is my craft time and hopefully soon I can get back into a groove of not feeling so.darn.behind.

Speaking of behind- not that kind!- here I am for a better late than never version of Inspiration Thursdays!

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This one really resonated with me today. I feel like if you spend too much time worried about what others feel you should do or how you should live your life, you lose so much. It is so hard to make peace with doing what is right for you, even if others whole-heartedly disagree

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How true this is!! Remember that even though you see something in yourself that you feel is a negative, someone is out there to balance you out and it makes it GREAT!!! Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it isn't admired by others.

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Can I just tell you how BEAUTIFUL this is??? sooooo beautiful.

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What a wonderful reminder. Do what brings you Joy and you will have more JOY :) So easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of the 2013 life. 

I hope you found one of these to connect to in some small (or big) way and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! I hope to be back next week some creative posts (oh, please?!?!) I seriously have a list of things I want to make/do but need to have the time in the evenings after work to do so. 

Take care and Happy (almost) weekend!!

Lucky Jar

Nope- this isn't really about a jar that brings anyone luck. Rather, one that helps us count our blessings.

Ironically, I didn't make this in light of the Boston Bombing tragedy earlier this week. It is actually a {belated} anniversary gift for my sister and her hubby. They got married March 18th, 2007, just a few months before they were expecting the birth of their first son. 

They have since had 2 more (precious) little ones, moved a few times (one more to come this summer), and gone through some promotions within Cracker Barrel- where my BIL is constantly looking to be promoted and climb up through the company. He is really great at what he does, but of course we all know success comes with sacrifices. My sister is a great mother and stays at home with the kids- well 2 of them as the oldest is in kindergarten. They are able to do this because of the hours and efforts BIL puts in and of course this comes with trials and tribulations. 

I thought I would make them a jar which they can fill with pieces of paper or Popsicle sticks on which they can write reasons the are lucky. Then during tough times or a stressful day/week/month/year, they can look at these things as a family and remember how lucky they really are.

I really just started out with a sauce jar (ironically given to me by my sister) and my awesome chevron burlap ribbon from Hobby Lobby. I cut it to length and hot glued the ribbon onto the jar. 

I then had the genius idea to wrap twine all over the bare remaining jar. This seemed to take FOR-EV-ER.

It does look pretty darn sweet though, right? 

I used my cricut to cut this little tag out of some fun gliittery scrapbook paper (LOVE!!!) and used a paint pen to free-hand "Lucky" onto the tag. I really wanted to incorporate a clover or something but just didn't have anything on hand. 

Either way, I really like how it turned out. Best part is, they are getting it tonight. Hah. I never had time before we traveled to see them last (at my birthday), not to mention I got the burlap ribbon from my mom ON that visit and didn't really have a solid plan of what I was making with the jar until we got home.

What things and people make you feel "lucky" in life? 

Have a great weekend everyone! I will be off making memories as we celebrate Hubby and BIL's birthdays :)

Inspiring Quotes #6

This week, more than ever, we could all use a little inspiration. As a obsessive  runner, the news of the Boston marathon bombings was so heartbreaking and brought tears to my eyes. So many times the thought of what if I woke up and couldn't run tomorrow passes through my head and because of some idiot(s) there are many runners and non-runners alike who have to face just that reality.

Here is a weekly dose of quotes that hopefully provide nice little pick-me-up for you.

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Could this seriously be more fitting? Appreciate it all. Love stronger, hug longer, all the little things- enjoy them. You never know when your life might change forever- for better or worse.

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So important to remember that even though things are tough, sad, or whatever the case might be- it can only get better. Maybe it will never be perfect, but the sun will rise.

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I truly believe this statement is true. Often hate comes from disliking something you see in someone else, that you recognize also in yourself. Sometimes people hate out of extremists views which are often taken out of the context in which they were intended to be. 

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Running the next 2 weeks to dedicate miles to those who didn't get to complete the marathon and to honor those injured and lives lost. Every day don't take for granted what other pray to be able to do. 

Sorry if this is too sappy or emotional- really just my general feeling at this time.

I hope you can find at least one of the bunch that you can relate to. 

Happy Thursday everyone!

Unique Flower Preservation

This isn't really crafty or DIY or scrapbooking, but I wanted to share anyway. If you remember back to December, I wrote a tribute post to my recently passed Grandmother and not so recently both Grandfathers (here). Well cleaning house after Christmas, I rediscovered flowers we saved and dried from the funeral. I know that saving dried flowers often they are forgotten and tend to collect dust. I remembered this mason type jar that I inherited somewhere along the lines and thought how neat it would be to place them in this jar.

I really liked how they looked in the jar and decided to keep them this way. No way for dust to get in and the look kind of like a snow globe or something that holds some kind of magic. I realize this sounds a tad crazy, but I think it looks pretty neat :)

How do you preserve/store flowers from meaningful events?

My heart is in Boston

Although I have a few things to post this week and was going to start today, being a runner, I just can't.

Today my heart is heavy and thoughts are with those in Boston. 

It is literally all I can think about.  So sad for the kids and runners who had to have amputations and will have to go through so much to simply walk again. 

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