DIY polka-dotted fridge

Well folks, we are week 2 into summer and I'm staying true to my mantra this summer, "Use What You Have."   Ever since I spotted this fridge the other day, I coudn't stop think about adding a little pizzazz to our fridge.  Shea and I went to Target and I was ogling over this wallpaper, but he said "No way"  because it was $30.  I don't blame him and I didn't wanna spend that much either.  Then I looked online, but I wasn't really in to waiting either.  As I was cleaning up the kitchen from lunch, it hit me all of the sudden. I could make my dreams come true FOR FREE, people. I just happened to everything on hand, but you could do it pretty cheaply as well.  If you're not into DIY, you can buy pre-cut dots here.

Things you need (or things I used):

• vinyl (mine was white)
• gold spray paint
• handy box to anchor vinyl while spray painting
• Cricut cutting machine
• scissors

I grabbed my vinyl and anchored in the box we had and started spray painting it gold.  (hint: spray paint with wind, not against it!) I waited 30 minutes and got it out.  I trimmed it to fit on the cricut mat and started cutting circles until I had about 60.  The Cricut cartridge I have is SimplySweet, but I think most cartridges have a shape option. You could also easily use a circle punch and gold contact paper. I just used what I had, so it wouldn't cost anything!  TADA!  I'm loving it.  Best part is its easy to remove in case we ever get tired of it.  (which I don't see happening anytime soon)  

Hope you're inspired to do your own fridge now!  :) 

Linked up with:
Katherine's Corner Thursday Favorite Things &

summer bucket list

Summer is here and as my friend Sara always says, "I can't wait for Summer Emilee to get here!"  Well friends, she's back and in full-force.  I have SO MANY plans for this summer.  Some are surprises and some you'll get to see along the way.  As always, I had to start with a bucket list.  Some items never leave as they are essential to each summer for me, but as you can see, there are plenty of new things on my list as well!  Today I visited the library and I'm so stoked to read the books I checked out.  I had to refrain from checking out more because I knew I'd be back in July.

So without further ado, this year's bucket list:

On my list, I mention "a ridiculous amount of sewing" and "slash the craft stash."  With these 2 goals in mind, I plan on using up what I have and swapping with friends as well.  I hope it helps spur more creativity as well.  As far as sewing goes, I've got a few things up my sleeve.  I can't wait to try new patterns and challenges.  I love to be able to say, "Oh yeah, I've done that before."

Seriously excited about giving this a whirl SOON...
http://april-rhodes.com/products/the-staple-dress-pdf

                          This was one of several staple dresses sewn by Sew Caroline

In case you're new here, this was last year's list and post that went along with it:

I was looking at my goals and some of it was accomplished during summer.  I did accomplish most of those goals last year though, sewing-wise.

SIDE NOTE: I also made this ridiculously good iced coffee and you should stop everything you're doing and go make some right now.  And as if that isn't enough, I have plans to make funfetti creamer this afternoon as well.  I'd say summer is off to a pretty great start!

via crazy for crust

thoughts on life

[it appears i'm doing a series. my last post titled thoughts on teaching, this post: thoughts on life, maybe i'll wrap up with another thoughts post]

I had every intention of doing a craft post. This does seem to be the season of gift giving: weddings, babies, graduations. I have made some of the gifts and was going to share that here, but I think I'm going to wait.

I also considered posting my summer bucket list. Again, this will wait. Its gonna be quite fun though!

Today marked 5 years of teaching for me and I expected this day to feel different. Its amazing to think of all the things these 5 years have brought. Some things make me smile, some break my heart.  Isn't that life though?  Why do we often expect to get through life without pain or struggle?

As I continue to sort out my thoughts, pinterest provided plenty of wisdom to ponder.

Isn't it interesting how God created us as flawed beings?  That we would have to learn how to receive and give grace based off of His example. That we would continue to need grace all the days of our life.

Glad we have choice, even if sometimes we have to keep choosing to make ourselves strong simply because its necessary. (and by make ourselves strong, I really mean Christ standing in the gap and being our strength-I can't take any credit for any strength I bestow.)

I posted this quote earlier this week on instagram, as it has been a long time favorite of mine.  It reminds me of the journey, the process we go through as we strive to be like Christ, even as we mess up and endure hardship along way.

Tomorrow's Friday. I hope it finds you well.