Paper & Glam

Salt and Light

Once a month, my best friend and I get together to make handmade glitter and glam, affectionately known as "Bestie Craft Day." This month we made Christmas candles using epsom salt (a.k.a. snow) to decorate our homes, and to give as gifts.

The gospel imagery of our little craft using "salt and light" hit me five minutes ago at the end of my morning Jesus date. This post felt too basic, so I prayed for "words to speak" to spice it up...and the words of Jesus hit me like a train (true story, that just happened!).

Jesus told us to be "salt and light." He said:

13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand.16 Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

{Matthew 5:13-16, MSG}

Salt & Light. 

My mom taught me to start the day by lighting a candle, "the Light of God," and welcoming the Lord into my home, my heart, and my life. I watched her do this every morning, and now that's how I start my day. Physically putting the Lord first in my day, helps me put God first in my life. It shapes my perspective and strengthens my faith.

If this is a project you'd like to embark on...here's the step-by-step:

1. Snag white pillar candles (60% off at Joann's!)
2. Place a rubber band around the top.
3. Brush modpodge adhesive up to the rubber band.
4. Roll the candle in epsom salt.
5. Remove the rubber band (for a clean line).
6. Candles dry over night.
7. Ribbon.
8. Let them remind you that you are the salt and the light of the world!

 “You are the light of the world—
like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

{Matthew 5:14, NIV}

with Love,
Lisamarie 

Glitter Pumpkins

To say Halloween snuck up on me would be generous, sneak attack would be accurate. I just wrote a check and dated it for September. Priorities are realigned, time reallocated, and choas averted. My home is decorated, festive baking, and crafting has taken place!

My best friend and I set asside some quality time this Friday night to put a personal spin on the pumpkin carving tradition, and start our own tradition "pumpkin glittering." We glammed up some pumpkins, and the best part of our tradition? We won't have to say goodbye to these pretties this week. We're sure they'll make an appearance for many Halloweens to come.

Please enjoy our October project. We love it, and hope you do, too!

 {Glitter Brooms & Pumpkins}

Step 1: Paint glue on pumpkin one vertical section at a time.

Step 2: Gently shake glitter on to the pumpkin for even glitter distribution. 

Step 3: Spray clear spray paint to laquer pumpkins and seal the glitter.

Step 4: Wait 24 hours for the glitter to set, and tie ribbons on the stems.

Step 5: Place glammy pumpkins in a dreamhome or on a mantle near you!

Brooms: We used the same process for the witch's brooms. Except instead of loose glitter, we used spray glitter since we weren't concerned with even "glitterage."

{Before}

{After}

SUPPLIES

Glitter & Glitter glue (Martha Stewart)
Craftable Pumpkins & Brooms (Hobby Lobby)
Clear Sprap Paint & Ribbon (Michael's)

It's Friday night, there's glitter all over the room, pictures just ended up online, and I'm pretty sure these pumpkins rule. We didn't "max any credit cards or get kicked out of the bar" (winning)....we made glitter pumpkins. And next year, we're doing it all over again...get ready Halloween 2013!

TGIF,
Lisamarie 

Love. it.

It's Britney...she's back on tour with a killer album and a rockin' bod. Don't call it a comeback, call it INSPIRING! 

Also, love the design of her new site. Brit is embracing a little backwoods Barbie style! Looks like she's in Napa or maybe Denver, ha. Well, we can be certain that she's gettin country!

Continuing the theme of girl anthems, one of my friends turned me on to a new theme song:

The lyrics remind me of every conversation I've ever had with my mommy. When life gets rough she says, "Stand and stay strong, and stay on your same path. This is just another test and you know what to do."

And lastly, I found a Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt!!! Priceless!