Memories of Steve

Have you ever had someone who made an impact on your life, even though they weren't a big part of it? I have, and he passed away yesterday. 

He was very kind, very honest, very giving, and very funny in his own way. It's hard to believe someone can be gone so quickly. 

Steve wasn't a huge part of my life, but for some reason or another, he is someone I will always remember. He was a very patient teacher, a kindhearted boss, and just a good person. He gave me a job when I was maybe 19 or so years old. And I stayed with him until I was almost 21. To tell you the truth, I might not have ever left his shop if I hadn't been getting married and moving away. I still always joke with Sam and say, "don't tempt me to move back to Tennessee, I know I've got a job with Steve if I need one!" 

It was just one of those chapters in life you didn't want to see end. Granted, I was just the girl who steamed the clothes, ran the machine every once in awhile and messed up a countless number of stockings, Steve always made me feel like I was doing something right. It may not have seemed like much to the people around me, but I was working at Steve's shop at a very crucial time in my life. I was making a lot of life's decisions and somehow Steve made a way of making life sound so simple. It's exactly what I needed.
I'm pretty sure Steve loved his wife Terrie, more than most men love their wives. There wasn't a time he didn't talk about her without a huge smile crossing his face. She was the light of his life. He would say her name like she was the funniest woman on earth. Their love had a lasting impression on Sam and my marriage, because when Steve talked about how they were celebrating their "first date" anniversary, I thought it was the sweetest thing ever. So I was determined that Sam and I were also going to celebrate our first date anniversary, like they did.

After I got married and moved away, there wasn't a time I came back to visit Cleveland and didn't stop by to say hi to Steve. And the times I didn't get to, it never failed, I would complain on the way home about how I didn't stop at the shop while I was in town. I even brought in Jude as a newborn so he could meet him for the first time. 

There are very few people in life, that make a lasting impression on our memories and Steve Kirkpatrick, was definitely one of them. I am so brokenhearted for his wife, children, family and friends. But I am so happy we get to celebrate the awesome life he lived. He will be so greatly missed.

Those summa nights.

Michigan has its pros and cons.

 

Pro: Amazing summer nights.

Wish you all were here to sit with me.
 :)

 

 

DIY Wall Planters

DIY Wall Hangers

I decided this week I'm going to give out my little secret. (Ok, its not really a secret BUT I haven't told my readers how to make it yet!) The how-to on my Etsy wall planters. I ship approximately 3 of these out a week thanks to my Etsy shop. Thank you Etsy.com for being the easiest place to sell homemade goods, ever! These are awesome little hangers that can be used for much more than plants or herbs, alot of my customers use them in the bathroom for toiletries.

This DIY is a little bit different than my normal crafts because it involves some power tools! One thing I'm not the best at, so you'll notice my handy husband in the pictures. :) But if you like this look, go for it. It's definitely worth the effort.

What you need:

Old pallet or any other weathered wood

Wide mouth Mason jars

3.5 inch diameter metal clamp

Screwdriver with drill bits

Screws

Handsaw

Flat head screwdriver

 1. Start with your pallet, we used a crowbar to separate the wood from the pallet.

 2. Using your handsaw cut a plank of the pallet wood to a desired size, I usually make mine around 16 inches long.

After you have it the length you want, measure how where you want to place the jars. I like to keep mine 3 inches from each end and about an 1-2 inches apart. (If any of you are like me, this is the hardest part, I don't specialize in mathematical measurements)

3. Drill hole in clamps to prepare for the screw, to do this I used a drill bit proportioned in size to the size screw I would be using to attach clamp to wood. Below is what your hole would look like.

4. Once your holes are cut, drill your clamps in your measured areas. I would suggest using shorter screws to avoid poking out the back side of the wood.

5. Last step! Place your Mason jars in the clamps and tighten with a flat head screw driver.

Tips:

Don't worry if your measurements are off, just unscrew and try again. You can probably eye it better than you can measure.

If you are using these as planters; hang the plank where you want, put your soil in the jars separately, then tighten them into the clamps.

 I absolutely love these planters,  Enjoy!

Easy Monogrammed Burlap

Anyone been down the Target home aisle lately? (You know you have, and if you haven't...something is wrong with you) During a recent (frequent) trip to my local Target I saw that they have a new line of burlap decor items, and one of the concepts looked so easy anyone could do it. So, why not me! I decided for the first attempt to try a letter, my favorite letter of course, "A".

 Here's an easy tutorial for all y'all Target lovers. Wait, that is everyone right? I mean, who doesn't obsess over Target? Ok, that's what I thought.

Here's what you need:

Old frame

Burlap

Mod Podge

Scissors

Tape (or paper and exact-o knife)

Paint

Foam brush

 1. Start with whatever frame you choose, paint it whatever color you fancy.

2. Cut your burlap to fit the size of the frame. (It wont be perfect, that's ok) *For any of you who don't know how to cut burlap. Let me give you a little run down. Decide where you want to cut the burlap, pull a strand of it out, and cut along that open line. See below:

3. Spread out Mod Podge against the entire back part of the frame, lay down your burlap where you want it, and spread Mod Podge back over that.

 4. Close up frame and cut off any excess burlap. Allow Mod Podge to dry before painting. 

 5. This took some skill. You can do this 2 ways; You could tape off whatever letter, number, symbol that you want, OR you could exact-o knife a piece of paper in whatever shape, word, symbol you'd like. Similar to the stencil I did on the record player.

Since I was doing a fairly easy shape, I decided to go with the tape.

6. Using a FOAM brush, I dabbed the paint onto the burlap. *Be very careful to dab, not brush, because the tape didn't want to stick to the burlap very well and you'll find your self painting outside the lines like 1st grade all over again. :) 

Aaaaand your done!
I wanted to hang mine up with some cool wire, but couldn't find the perfect adhesive, so for now it's just hanging by a nail.

*As always, check out my Etsy shop if your interested in buying one for yourself!  

Ps- You know you love my vintage retro craft room tabletop, don't you! 

Science Institute

Yesterday was free admission night at Cranbrook Science Institute. It was a super cool place, with lots of fun information. I'm not sure if I would pay 12.50 per adult to go, but for free it was a fun time!

Fun facts:

A mastodon bone (extinct type of elephant species) was found in Michigan, near my house. In fact, it is our state fossil because so many have been discovered here. (250+)

40,000 gallons of water can travel through a single oak tree within a year.

Bats are creepy.

Anything long, swings longer than something short.

There is a fish that literally has a saw for a nose, it's called a sawfish. :)

The cave man skulls kind of give me the hibby-jibby's.

God is freakin' awesome. Because everything that was blowing my mind tonight, he made.