Wedding Card Book

We received so many beautiful cards for our wedding. 

The messages, notes, and blessings written inside meant so much to us, that I couldn't bring myself to recycle them. A few days ago, I posted this on Twitter:

Thankfully the wonderful Molly suggested I search Pinterest.

I searched and came across this idea. 

It seemed simple enough and a great way to save those cards that mean so much to us.

Here is my version: 

For the first two pages, I used an extra invitation and program from our wedding (the heart is covering our last names).

Overall, this project probably took me 10 to 15 minutes. 

It was very simple to do. 

The materials I used were a 3 hole punch, 2 large binder rings, and our wedding cards. 

Although I only punched two holes in each card, it was easier to use a 3 hole punch because this helped make sure the holes were as even as possible. 

I love this because with the binder rings, it is flexible enough to hold every card even though the cards are a variety of different sizes. Right now, our wedding card book is sitting on our mantle. I am excited to have it so that we can go back and read the cards on an anniversary, with our kids, maybe even our grand-kids one day. 

Locks of Love

Since my junior year of college, I have been growing out my hair so that I could have long beautiful hair on my wedding day. I was so happy with my hair on my wedding day. It was beautiful and perfect. 

Photo via Geri Cadle, Photography

But to be honest, long hair can be extremely annoying and frustrating. It would take me a good 10 minutes just to brush my hair after washing it. I could spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour blow drying and straightening my hair. I decided it was time for a hair cut. It took me a while to decide exactly how much to cut off. My hair hasn't been above my shoulders since high school. 

After a lot of back and forth, I decided to cut off enough to donate to Locks of Love.

I cut off 11 inches of my hair. It was a dramatic change, but I am very happy with it. 

Especially knowing that my hair will help someone in need. 

(the back after getting it cut)

(the front, Tim and I at the Renaissance Festival)

That Time I Met My Favorite Author

A long time ago,  I created a list of 101 Things to do in 1001 Days.

Lately, I haven't done a very great job of keeping up with it. 

One of the things on my list is to write my favorite author a letter, telling them how much I have enjoyed reading their books. Well I am pretty confident that meeting that author in person definitely trumps writing him a letter. 

Of course my favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. 

I was able to meet him a few weeks ago at one of his book signings.

I bought his new book, The Best of Me and now it is autographed! 

I was so nervous and excited all at the same time. 

Nicholas Sparks was very nice and it was so wonderful to meet him!

Have you ever met anyone famous?

Happy List (2)

I have missed creating happy lists, they always helped me focus on the positive. 

My current happy list:

1. Being his Mrs.

2. The beautiful fall leaves.

3. Getting the giggles from conversations with my first graders.

4. Admiring the beauty in an old building (picture above)

5. Living in our new home. 

What is currently on your happy list?

How to Improve Your Every Day Pencil Holder

Before school started I knew I needed a cute container to hold the pens, pencils, and markers I would be using every day. My mom gave me a wooden pencil holder that had seen better days. I decided to give it a make over. 

I grabbed a sheet of scrapbook paper, scissors, a bottle of Mod Podge, and got to work.

About 15 minutes later...

I had a wonderful new container to keep my pens, pencils and markers in. 

It now sits on one of my tables at school and I love looking at it every day!

This was a very easy project to complete. 

It did not require a lot of time or materials.

Plus I love the final product! 

What is one of your favorite things DIY crafts?