bless your heart: Posts by Erin

Showing posts with label Posts by Erin. Show all posts

Homemade Coasters {Lucky Finds}

>> Tuesday, December 6, 2011 – Lucky Finds, Posts by Erin

If you’re like me, you are shopping on a budget this Christmas. I found a easy and fun craft that is a thoughtful gift that will last forever!

It is simple, inexpensive and only takes a few supplies.

(There are two ways of doing it: tissue paper or actually pictures. I prefer the tissue option(it is more organic) but if you want to skip a few steps the real pictures turn out great too!)

All you need:
Mod Pog
Foam Brush
4x4 Tiles you can get a pack of 9 for $4 in tile section at Home Depot. (look for the guys in orange or you'll wonder for hours). I used 4 tiles per set, so you could get 2 sets out of 1 pack!
Clear Acrylic Spray (make sure it is waterproof)
Felt
Tissue paper and scotch tape *optional
Pictures

If you are doing the tissue paper method the first step is to print your pictures onto tissue paper (tape the tissue paper to sturdy paper to help it through the printer).

First cut out your pictures smaller than the coaster(you don’t want them hanging off the edge).
Then apply a THIN coat of mod pog directly to the coaster –lay your picture or tissue paper on top-allow to dry for a few minutes.
Apply a THIN coat of mod pog over the picture (I used a hair dryer to speed up drying process). Apply 3 coats, allowing to dry completely between each coat.
Apply 3 coats of acrylic spray (follow drying directions).
Last, cut out felt and use the mod pog to stick to back.

Ta-Da! I did this set with some of my pictures-the tissue paper ones are a gift so I can't show you :)

Christmas shopping tip: Make it thoughtful & personalized.

Life Lessons {Snapshots}

>> Thursday, November 3, 2011 – Posts by Erin, Snapshots

I recently had an amazing opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic and serve the people there. My eyes were open to a culture that is completely different from the one I've known. To see how little these people have but how freely they give gave me some of the most valuable life lessons I could ever receive.

Americans are 'blessed' with so much. But most of that much is a distraction from our Creator.

Live more simply. Make room for love. Value the relationships in your life. Search for the good in strangers.

Choices {Heart to Hearts}

>> Tuesday, May 24, 2011 – Heart to Hearts, Posts by Erin

“You don’t drift toward good, you choose it”-Trisha Davis

This quote is written on a sticky note strategically placed in a spot that I glance at every morning and night, hoping it reminds me to choose wisely.

I heard this concept from Trisha Davis' testimony. She explained that humans don’t drift toward doing the good things in life but rather have to choose them, (choosing forgiveness over bitterness, waking up early to study the Word instead of sleeping in, etc.).

Every single day we are faced with choices. These choices begin to shape our days, weeks, months, years and eventually lives.

Our power to choose is a precious gift that when used wisely can:

Produce character

Heal wounds

Grow bonds

Achieve growth

Build confidence

Use your gift to do good

Single in the City {Heart to Hearts}

>> Wednesday, May 4, 2011 – Heart to Hearts, Posts by Erin

Doesn't every girl have a life outline? You know, the one where you have your life perfectly planned out in bullet points.

What happens when life throws you off and you are forced to alter the plan? My big 2-5 is coming up and this birthday is a deadline for some of those bullet points. According to 13-year old me, I was supposed to be married with a baby on the way. (HA!)

Recent events have prompted me to look at my life and rediscover my plan. I never had dreams of living independently in a big city in my mid-twenties (omg, mid-twenties?!). But it's my reality, and I am grateful for it. Since my move to Nashville, I have grown more than I have in all my 24 years combined. I feel a sense of empowerment. I am independent, faithful, confident and I see the beginnings of the woman that God created me to be.

Not only have I been learning about myself but I'm getting to soak up everything Nashville has to offer. My heart and mind are open to change and I suddenly have the opportunity to explore my own desires and goals. I get to do things for me: take a pure barre class, start a blog, meet a friend for coffee at 10 pm on a Wednesday, volunteer with children, have my mom be the first person I call with big news, spend extra time with God everyday.

Being single in the city is a beautiful thing and I believe 'The Man Upstairs' knows just what He's doing.

My season of singleness is preparing me for a lifetime of happiness..

Throw out that outline and enjoy the rough draft!

Musicians Corner {Music Notes}

>> Thursday, April 14, 2011 – Music Notes, Posts by Erin

If you enjoy the warm sun, a cool breeze and new music...you're going to love this!

Musicians Corner is a FREE concert in Centennial Park held every Saturday that features upcoming artists from all over the country. This year the shows start on May 7th and are held every Saturday until July 2.

Last year the surprise special guest, Vince Gill(!!!!), played some of his new songs for the small crowd. <--Reason Number 49,753 why I love Nashville.

Here are some artists I heard last year that have stuck with me:
Shelly Fraley-I Don't Know
Jon Troast- You're That Way

May 7th is marked in my calendar!

The 72' {Snapshots}

>> Saturday, April 9, 2011 – Posts by Erin, Snapshots

My dad's #1 passions are cars and performance driving. He had his 1972 911 completely refurbished after an "incident" on the track. It took almost two years to have it redone, needless to say it is now his pride and joy.

We took it out on the Square in Downtown Collierville one evening to get some 'after' shots for him.

[BEFORE-at a Memphis autocross-that's me holding on for dear life in the passenger seat.]

AFTER..ta-da!

"What's behind you doesn't matter" (Enzo Ferrai)

The Grand Magnolias {Music Notes}

>> Friday, April 1, 2011 – Music Notes, Posts by Erin

America may recognize the name, Paul McDonald. But fewer may recognize the name The Grand Magnolias.

Paul is the leading man of this group straight out of East Nashville. Although Paul is winning over America with his funky moves and unique voice, The Grand Magnolias have won me over with their story-telling lyrics and dance-along beats.

Here they are in action in East Nashville, performing Heartbreak.

But click here for the good stuff, a Free Listen to their album! *added bonus-the lyrics are written out! we love lyrics!*

San Diego {Snapshots}

>> Wednesday, March 23, 2011 – Posts by Erin, Snapshots

My Dad & I went to San Diego this week. While there we were able to visit La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Coronado Island, Pacific Beach, and many more beautiful places. Of course I carried my camera along; these are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip.

[We made our way up to Point Loma-this beautiful light house and the view of the city were breathtaking.]

[Our view from hotel room-can't beat this!]

[Sunset dinner in La Jolla 'the jewel'.]

Dad is a combination of wit, brains, & soul. I enjoyed spending some quality time with him and learning more about where I come from. I'm blessed to have a wonderful man in my life.

Now Listening {Music Notes}

>> Thursday, March 17, 2011 – Music Notes, Posts by Erin

something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

Click on the link for a free listen to Matt Wertz's new album, {Weights&Wings}.

And while you are at it, download one of his old songs, {Red Meets Blue}.

Leap of Faith {Heart to Hearts}

>> Saturday, March 12, 2011 – Heart to Hearts, Posts by Erin

I’ve never been afraid of heights. As a matter of fact, I have always enjoyed thrill and adventure. Rollercoasters, whitewater rafting, you name it. If it is fast and furious I'm there. But skydiving? That’s a whole other story.

My adventurous side was tested as a friend and I headed to Rockmart, GA to Skydive The Farm. We couldn’t believe it. We were seriously doing this! At one point, we were literally ‘signing our life away’.

Though the instructional video gave me nerves and the plane ride up was frightening, the most terrifying part was looking over the edge, trusting the guy that ‘had my back’, and letting go.

One of my favorite musicians, Dave Matthews, sums this feeling up in his song You Might Die Trying.

'To change the world,

Start with one step.

However small,

The first step is hardest of all.'

Isn’t it true.. that jumping is the hardest part? For me it is, in life and surely in skydiving. But the second my shaky feet left the comfort of that solid floor and I was flying 15,000 feet above ground I had a freedom I had never known.

In the past few weeks I have felt pushed to start moving. Stop talking and start walking. I’ve made a lot of changes and took a big leap of faith in those changes. Things have not had time to completely unfold but what I’ve seen is so-far-so-good. They were not irrational decisions. I planned, prayed, trusted, confided, prepared, prayed some more and after all of that TOOK THE LEAP.

And let me tell you…it feels good to fly.

Write It Out {Heart to Hearts}

>> Sunday, March 6, 2011 – Heart to Hearts, Posts by Erin

I've been living in Music City for about 8 months now and I've started to think something is wrong with me because I don't write songs, sing, or play a variety of instruments (or all 3..at the same time..on a professional level).

After some recent misfortunes, (if you will) I found myself thinking until it hurt. Yes, I was over-thinking things and still getting little relief. So I picked up a pen and began to write my thoughts down. I quickly realized the intense healing power of writing. After only a week of writing, my journal is already full of poems, songs, stories and a lot of chicken scratch. My heart and mind are at ease. The journal has carried the burden for my mind.

I'm not saying my poems will be published or my songs will be hits, but I get what this city is all about.{MUSIC HEALS}. Not just for the listener but for the artist. So I encourage you, write it out!

My hope is that this blog becomes a safe-place of writing where people can read and write and share ideas and experiences. And most importantly someone, somewhere can find some healing of their own.

This picture is lyrics i wrote down from one of my favorite praise songs, How He Loves by David Crowder.

Meet Your Match {Heart to Hearts}

>> – Heart to Hearts, Posts by Erin

Update: You can probably tell from my Meet Your Match post (below) I wasn't taking the issue seriously. That all changed today. A second guy informed me that this same girl had used roughly 200 of my pictures for a fake facebook account and gave me some other disturbing details that gave me the hibbie-jibbies.

Match.com has removed the profile. I've contacted Mark Zuckerberg. A police report has been filed.

Moral of the story:

identity theft is real.
update your profile privacy settings.
i still like the fact she used my snuggie picture.

Alright. I admit it. I've had some relationship epic fails. But who hasn't, right? I would prefer to meet someone naturally and not resort to online dating in my mid-twenties. But someone else had other plans for me.

I received an e-mail last week from a stranger saying he recognized me from match.com? I wasn't sure if it was a lame pick-up line or if it was something I needed to look into. For me to even check into this matter, I had to make my first profile account. Sure enough, user au_tiger2010, a 28 year old nurse living in Birmingham with 3 God children, has managed to find dozens of my pictures and is using them to meet her match.

I'm still not sure how or where they got my pictures but I'm further perplexed about why they thought the snuggie picture was the gem to use for the profile pic?