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make the most of the mist … ♥

Raising up Rubies10 Comments

i’ve spent the last few days getting Christmas stock made for the shop
and i still can’t believe how fast the holidays came upon us…
why is it when you’re young everything takes forever to get here
when you’re older everything comes too quickly?
i wanna know where that line is …
where things start to fade … from slow to fast
is 30 the magic number? when you start to realize life is short?
is it when you have kids? maybe it’s when you lose a loved one…
maybe it’s just in the everyday …
You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. 
What is life? 
You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears … 
James four. fourteen.
i feel the urgency to live out this instruction … don’t’ you?
it makes me want to hurry up and slow down



the other day my daughter said to me …
” i just can’t wait ’till Christmas, i wish it was tomorrow”
🙂



i can wait … cause tomorow will be here in blink of an eye
♥

James 4:14


Happy Thanksgiving & much love to you and your families … 

i’ll peek in tomorrow for Wrappin’ up Wednesday 
with some finally new Christmas things for the shop … 
and be sure to check in this weekend ~ for a giveaway & black Friday discounts 🙂
gladness in my ♥ for you

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Insta Friday … ♥

Raising up Rubies10 Comments
it’s been a busy week of busy-ness 
we’re almost back into the swing of things
after the BHG whirlwind 🙂 and my in-laws visiting with us
i’m trying to catch up … and haven’t posted any Instagram pics in the past few weeks
so thought i would share them today ♥
are you on Instagram?? why in the world not?? it’s super fun 🙂
you can follow me at raisinguprubies

linking up with Life Rearranged

life rearranged
i kinda went totally overboard ‘n crazeeee all out for the BHG photoshoot,
and checked a lot of things off of a very dusty “last things to finish up in the studio” list
a new sewing machine cover from a vintage sheet … isn’t she purdy?
the sheet strips turned into a bunting i’ve been wanting to make for a while
to hang above the built-ins … and my fabric is organized finally 
i can see all of it right there! no more huge tangled mess in a canvas bin under my sewing table … oy  
(i think a craft room update post is in order 🙂 right?! yes.)

i got some layers and a trim… BHG was comin’!!
the day after Sandy, we were blessed with hardly any damage here, but school was cancelled for some reason … the girls built a fort thingy out of sticks in the backyard 
then played in the leaves & mud
did you vote? 2 Chronicles 7.14 was on my mind that day 
BHG came, they shot, they left! it was a crazy-fun two days that you can read about here
got a few Christmas gifts crocheted while hangin’ out with the hubby’s rents 
who were up for a visit from NC
 they bring us all the bad things we can’t get up here in the north … 
Chik-fil-a … nom nom nom
 Krispy Kreme …nom nom nom nom 
(chocolate iced are my fav) …nom nom nom
(then we go on a diet for 2 weeks)
(blah)

these are my crazeee gurls
on a shopping trip
(i’m sorry but goofy hats & missing teeth get me every. time.)
(wish we woulda bought the hat)

i don’t know if i’m getting old or what
but i was ASTOUNDED at the amount of Christmas candy that’s at Target!
um,  do we need this much candy??
(nom nom nom)
cute gift ideas & tutes for Christmas coming up soon!
 … happy felt rainbow bows make me happy 🙂

oh and since you’re here and i’ve been rambling on and on and on
for a ridiculously long amount of time
 check out our favorite song this week … it’s awesome

happy weekend ♥ loves!
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wrappin' up Wednesday and a little gratefulness … ♥

Raising up Rubies3 Comments
happy Wednesday ♥
Christmas is 40 days away …
40 DAYS!!
i have tons to do … do you?
here’s a quick project i’m posting about over at Everything Etsy


using just manila tags, twine, felt and some mini clothespins 
{ i ♥ mini clothespins … can you tell?}
{heehee}
hop on over a take a peek!

the coupon code is up in the store today 🙂
gladness in my ♥ and much love to you …
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behind the scenes … ♥

Raising up Rubies12 Comments
what a day 🙂
I wanted to share some behind the scenes pictures of the day of the shoot!

i’m just so grateful to have had this opportunity to be in Better Homes & Gardens! wow!
and to experience a fun two days full of styling, wardrobe, and photo taking 🙂

a big thank you to Kit Selzer ~ Senior Remodeling & Projects Editor
for offering me the opportunity to have my room grace the pages of  BHG! right?!
♥
how fun were these ladies … they were super cool, down to earth, and just made the day so so fun … i’ll always remember it 🙂 forever and ever … and ever :):)

an amazing stylist and practically famous … she’s the brains behind bringing everything together, and making every detail perfect.


a wonderfully talented photographer who made the whole day fun and comfortable 
{even when you feel self conscious and have to do silly things to take pictures :)}
she’s amazing at what she does!

it’s amazing how much work goes into shooting just one room … even just shooting a few small details requires a lot of thought, process, and equipment .. and these girls were so fun to observe, and maybe, just maybe i absorbed a little bit of their knowledge just by watching them work?? 🙂

photography & lighting stuff went up everywhere … it was exciting to watch everything unfold … a very tedious process of taking photos, examining the details, the lighting, making sure everything is just so 🙂
the outside of my house looked crazy! 
my mom said it looked exciting as she came driving up to the house…
like either the paparazzi was here, or the police… um mmm’kay?
wonderin’ what the passer-byers thought {heehee}
after a crazy few weeks, i think layin’ low these next few days just sounds nice 🙂
be back soon! and thanks to all of YOU! who were so excited and lovin’ on me with such sweet comments … 
i appreciate you so!

the pictures will be in the February issue, but will be on new-stands in January
i’m so excited i can’t even stand it … thanks again BHG crew! you guys put so much gladness in this girl’s heart ♥

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pretty diy ♥ up~cycled dishrack

Raising up Rubies26 Comments

i’m super duper excited about the Better Homes & Gardens shoot this week 🙂
and i’ve been super duper busy shopping for some new clothes, making paper flowers, spray painting stuff and putting a few finishing touches on my craft room …
{and cleaning my house}

so i thought i’d sneak in a quick project that i did last week
using some more of Keren’s beautiful digital art!

if you’re stopping over from FPTFY … welcome!


i was inspired by a few pictures i saw on Pinterest of old dishracks turned into neat little organizers for holding file folders, pens & pencils … i spray painted a thrifted dish rack white and covered the utensil holder with some strips i cut from a vintage sheet
i made my file folders out of chipboard {but any manila folders will do} and used the bicycle image from Keren’s shop to embellish the folder that would be in front 🙂 fun!


washi tape and a sharpie … all you need to label the folders
if you’re like me {and change your mind a lot} they’re easy to remove & replace when you need to reassign the folder


it’s a great project when you can take something you aren’t using anymore and turn it into something that has a new & fresh purpose … and that’s cute to boot 🙂



much love to you all this week ♥ 
hopefully i’ll be back Monday with a bunch of fun stuff to share!
happy crafting …
linking up here:  ♥
the 36th Avenue ♥ Party Time!
Funky Junk Interiors ♥ Saturday Nite Special
i {heart} naptime ♥ Sundae Scoop Link Party
live laugh rowe ♥ live laugh {linky}
Tatertots & Jello ♥ Weekend Wrap up Party
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wrappin' up Wednesday & some big news! … ♥

Raising up Rubies28 Comments
i’ve been scarce this past week in the bloggy world 
but it’s been a happy scarce  🙂

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS 
IS COMING TO MY CRAFT ROOM!!

{last week was the only time the Lamaze classes i took when i was pregnant came in handy}
{i might have caused a scene in Chipoltle while eating lunch with my hubby}

i’ve been so excited to share this with you guys!
WHAT A DREAM … right?!?
and they are coming next week! like in 6 days, next week!
{my to-do list is for a person who has 6 months to prepare}


some new things


some painted things

things to sew & finish hanging
and things to put away!
{this is all stock from the store! it had slowly taken over the room without me knowing}
{that’s a good thing though :)}
so please excuse my absence
and it won’t be for long … just till next week
{while i run around spray painting things that i didn’t know i needed to spray paint}

and i plan on taking lots of behind the scenes pictures of the whole thing so so i can share it with you! 
… the issue comes out in February 🙂

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!
loves ♥
oh and if you want to use the coupon code in the shop
WRAPPINUP20
it’s good for today!


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wrappin' up Wednesday no.4 & some muffins… ♥

Raising up Rubies20 Comments

i made sour cream chocolate chip muffins this morning

at 6am.

now don’t get me wrong
i’m not that woman who’s up at the crack a dawn 
baking bread for the family’s daily consumption … 

🙂

but i would like to be
not really the baking bread part, but the happy early riser part
i’ve been feeling a tug on my heart lately to wake up earlier … to be happier when i get my girls outta bed, to not walk around in a fog for an hour while trying to figure out how i’m going to fit oddly shaped lunch items such as green beans and cheese into a kitty cat bento box …  i want to be cheerful and have a happy heart … and i’m realizing that i need to get up early … have some quiet time before i interact with my family, and not after they’re all gone for the day and i’ve had 2 melt downs over dirty gym clothes and forgotten socks
…

i’m not totally there yet, but i’m moving in the right direction

“…to exchange whispers with God 
before I exchange shouts with the world”
~Lysa TerKeurst

then i read this verse in Proverbs the other day that made me laugh out loud
” how long will you lie there…when will you get up from your sleep? “
proverbs six.nine
ok ok … got it … i’m up 

🙂

i wrote it out and clipped it onto my message board in the kitchen
a reminder that God certainly does have a sense of humor …

oh and the muffins were yummy! recipe is here
from my ♥bake board on Pinterest
do you follow me on Pinterest yet? why not!?
don’t forget to use the coupon code in the store today
WRAPPINUP20
if you plan to do some shopping 🙂

Happy Wednesday♥

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thanksgiving heart art … ♥

Raising up Rubies16 Comments

i am so thankful for you guys
always leaving me the sweetest comments
and the nicest compliments
you make me wanna do a happy dance
(i do like to dance 🙂

i feel so very blessed everyday to be living out these little dreams of mine ♥
and you all make it so much more enjoyable than it already is …
so let’s do a happy dance together
well…
let’s make something instead 🙂

here’s another fall project idea that was stuck in my head for a while
i dig the paint chip art that’s all over blog land
thought i’d throw my spin on the whole idea 🙂

come on! let’s make stuff 🙂




all you need are a few of my favorite things ♥
(or a few of your favorite things)




i used rub-on transfers since i had them layin’ around
printing out the words in a pretty font on heavy card-stock would work just as well




i used another one of my loopey frames 🙂
this one was an 8 x 10
i taped twine to each end of the paper and used the mini’s 
to clip the hearts to the “clothesline”
 … space them as you please or use pretty colors!




here’s a quick shot of a little vignette in my entryway
it’s still a work in progress … i want to hang the chalkboard and change it up a bit







tomorrow is wrappin’ up Wednesday 🙂
(and i think it’s actually Wednesday)
(tomorrow that is)

loves to you ♥
sweet parties here … ♥

live. laugh. rowe. ♥ live. laugh. {linky}
the 36th Avenue ♥ Party Time!
made by me Wednesdays ♥ JAQS Studio
Funky Junk Interiors ♥ Saturday Nite Special
i {heart} naptime ♥ Sunday Scoop Link Party
Tatertots & Jello ♥ Weekend Wrap up Party
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Insta ♥ Monday

Raising up Rubies8 Comments
hope all had a wonderful weekend
mine flew by…
since i was a day behind last week, 
i figured it was only fitting to post Insta Friday on Monday
(besides i had a cute wreath tute to share with you guys on Friday
and that’s way more fun…)

last week was full of sweetness ♥


i got happy mail from here
have i told you how much i love pretty packages? 🙂


what was inside made me do a happy dance


salted caramel mocha & pumpkin scone
(this was my treat while my family got ice cream … i’m not an ice cream girl)


my pretty little (not so little now) ready for church


creamy grape dessert
newset / yummiest recipe that i found on Pinterest from here


pretty pretties from the shop


had fun with a custom order this week ♥


flowers … just ’cause from the honey ♥


his ‘n hers coffee date
(just realizing that i have 2 pics this week that involve starbucks
and we are soooo not Starbucks people … you can find us at Tim Hortons all of the time 🙂
(unless the honey is at work, then it’s DD 🙂


sad face me 😦
it was a blah & rainy day, and i had so much to do but couldn’t get a move on
just wandered around
know those days??

be back with another fall project ♥
linkin’ up …

life rearranged