Enjoy the view...

Short and sweet post today, friends. 

    Nature  

__+_Art___ 

2 of my favorite things.

Why not marry the two for the perfect union...

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Ahhhh...enjoy your long weekend!

Random Act of Kindness #47

Okay, this RAK seems really familiar but I've searched my archives and couldn't find one like it. If I'm duplicating, I guess it's okay since it's all in the name of kindness, right?!

This RAK comes in tow with a funny little story attached. I realized the need for today's RAK challenge on Tuesday when I was shopping with my friend, Katie, and her precious little one. Babies are magnets, right? So, of course, when we entered the store and a little old man was near by, what did he do? You got it...he marched right over and started talking to us.

Within two minutes of the conversation I knew that his daughter had been married 9 times and all the recent literature he had read about Texas law! Katie gracefully exited to change a diaper and left me alone with sweet, little mister. He We continued talking for a few more minutes then he decided to grant me permission to continue shopping. So nice of him!

Wouldn't you know it that I ran into him again? This time he playfully accused me of following him. I noticed his wife at this point and told him I was smarter than to flirt with a married man. He got a good giggle and let me know they'd been married for 56 years.

I continue shopping...

I go to check out and guess who is literally hiding behind the aisle to jump out and surprise me?! Yep...little mister. We got a good giggle out of it and he said, "Come here and give me a hug. You've been fun today." Then, he told me all his Navy war stories. ;)

Sometimes, people just need someone to listen. They need to feel important. They need human interaction. I challenge you today to be aware of the opportunities placed before you and take advantage of the next time you're able to lend a listening ear. It'll make someone's day!

You know the drill...go out and be kind!

Guest Room Update

We're about a third of the way through with our shelving project. Here's a peek at our progress, but remember, there's still lots to do! The next part has required some serious creative problem-solving. I've spent hours perusing the aisles of Home Depot trying to figure out how I'm going to create a specific look without breaking the bank. I think I finally figured it out!!!

I was talking to my Home Depot friends and soliciting their help. One man couldn't help me so he decided to pass me on to another man. In doing so, he said, "This young lady needs some help and I have to warn you...she doesn't think like the rest of us!" Is it horrible that I took that as a compliment?! Actually, I think that may be the nicest thing anyone's ever said about me. ha!

Anyway, I have some protocol testing to do before I let you know if my "outrageous" thinking will pay off.

This room is difficult to photograph because of my limited skills and the windows, so the boards on the wall are not black like the ceiling. They're stained Jacobean (a hair darker than walnut). And, yes, that's a level on top that I was too lazy to pull out the ladder and remove.

I've made a few purchases along the way for the rest of the room...

This great little chair was a complete steal at the Four Hands Warehouse sale. Loving the worn look and studded details.

Speaking of steals, let's address this rug...

I'm thinking it's going to look fabulous when I have it cut up and made into poufs. Anyone else seen this tutorial? The jury's still out if I'm going to do it or not. I need to see the room come together a little more before making the final decision.

Transparent Tuesday

Today's Transparent Topic: Being paralyzed with fear

Have you ever been paralyzed with fear? I was once. It was the wee hours of the morning and my husband had left to go hunting. A short while later, my dog decided he needed to go outside. I sleepily made my way through the dark to let him out then turned to head back to bed. Next thing I knew, I body-slammed into another, much larger, human being. I was stunned! My mind was saying, "Run, run...get away!" But my body was NOT responding. All I could do was scream, the strangest sound that's ever left my body.

Seconds passed, but it felt much longer, before I heard the words, "Dana, Dana...It's me, John." My brain was trying to process this information as I was flooded with emotions. I was shaking from head to toe and could still barely speak or move. John and forgotten something and had come back into the house without me hearing him. Man, just thinking about that moment makes my insides quiver again.

So, in life, do you ever let fear control your decisions? Fear of failure? Fear of looking stupid? Fear of what may/may not happen? What if you missed out on the most amazing opportunity simply because you let fear paralyze your actions?

If we could live our lives in retrospect we'd realize how many times fear got us absolutely nowhere. You've heard it said before, "the only thing to fear is fear itself." So true!

If you're allowing fear to paralyze you right now, I'd love to pray for you. Hand over that fear to God, friends, and allow him to work out those details for you. Leave me a comment or send me an email: dfrieling1@gmail.com.

Art for under $20

Oh yes, it was a productive weekend around here. Lots of progress on our guest room shelves, but still nothing picture-worthy. We sold the dresser from that room yesterday and when the lady came to pick it up she asked, "What is it?" as she questioned our handiwork. She didn't seem too impressed. ha! Like I said, nothing picture-worthy just yet, but it's getting close.

So, since I don't have good pictures to share of my house, I thought I'd help you guys out with some fun pictures for your own. Raise your hand if you have a gallery wall with frames hanging on it but nothing's in the frames. I have two friends that are in the same boat. Those friendly model faces are soon to be mistaken for actual family members if they don't fill those frames with their own art/pictures soon!

Here's a quick fix if you're in need of interesting art to dress up your frames. Society6 offers numerous prints for $20 and under. Score, right?

Here are a handful that caught my eye...

                                                                       Headlands                                 

Salt Water Cure       

  

       Park Plants      

January

deer

Penguins

You looking at me, fishy?

Garden Flowers

Bloom Art

Aren't they great?! There's a huge selection and from what I could tell, the largest print in the $20 price range was 8x10. I also noticed that there were odd sizes that may be just right for that funky sized frame you're trying to fill.

Wondering if this is a sponsored post? It's not! But it sure does sound like one, doesn't it? 

I'm off to go buy popsicles (lots of them). My kiddos have invited oodles of school friends over to celebrate making it through the first day of school. Let's pray for smiles and happy anticipation for the year ahead when they come rushing in the door today!

Client Project Progress

Remember the super cool surfer room my dad made the giant stencil for? Well, the painter's been busy and it's almost done! Isn't it the grooviest? (hee hee, couldn't resist)

 If you look close you'll realize the isn't a surfboard under the boy's feet. We're giving my client's son creative freedom to make his own design. He's picking the colors, patterns, etc. I love it when kids have ownership of their rooms!

We've got several other plans for this space but clearly, the surfer is the main attraction.


This is what's been going on in their dining room. Good-bye chandelier. Good-bye venetian plaster. Hello, crazy cool plans!

 You're thinking, big whoop, it's wainscoting. But you're wrong! It may look like that now, but we have a sneaky secret twist that's going to put this project over the top. I'm so pumped to see it completed.

And lastly, many of you have asked about my guest bedroom. Well, we're on a slow boat to China and this is all I have to share today.

Aren't you excited? Can't you see my vision? It's really coming to life. Ha! It's a shame my husband has a full-time job that interferes with my projects. (Just kidding, I'm very grateful he has that great job.)

Well, friends, I thankful that you shared your time with me today. You guys are awesome for letting me string you along on these projects. And, you're even better for cheering me on. Let's have a big rah! rah! for weekend guest room progress. Fingers crossed.

Random Act of Kindness #46

Happy Thursday, friends! Today's RAK challenge is not for the squeamish but it could definitely save a life. 

I have to admit, I've never donated blood. Honestly, I've tried but they didn't want my blood! What?!! Yes, you read that right. My iron levels are never adequate. The nurse told me to go eat a big spinach salad the day before I plan to donate next time. It's an easy fix.

John and my dad are regulars when it comes to donating blood. They're such awesome examples. My dad's blood type is conducive with all types so I remember the blood banks stalking him for his blood with I was little. They would literally call and ask him to come donate!

It's easy to donate when there's a huge blood drive organized, but the reality is that there's always a need. This is an easy way to make a difference...a life-saving difference!

Okay, you know what to do, friends...Go out and be kind!

If I had an etsy shop...

this would be my newest addition.

Close-ups of the details...

One more...

My newest hobby, painting, is quickly becoming one of my favorite past times. It's so fun to get wrapped up and completely lose track of time. I'm realizing I've put myself in a box most my life. I never thought I could draw. I certainly never thought I could paint. And, while this is purely the work of a beginner, it gives me great hope of what I could accomplish with even more practice.

When's the last time you tried something you didn't think you could do?

Transparent Tuesday

Today's Transparent Topic: Percentages

Wait a minute, don't let that scare you. This isn't a math lesson, I promise. We'd get nowhere if I were actually trying to teach you math but that's beside the point.

My parents and I were handed some percentages recently that have led to a very difficult decision. Let me give you a little background. Many of you know that my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in June. He had surgery to remove the tumor and we were thrilled beyond belief when the surgeon said there was no cause for chemotherapy. Well, that was his opinion and wouldn't you know it that the oncologist had a differing opinion.

Enter the wonderful world of percentages. After testing the tumor the oncologist told us he has a 15% chance of the cancer returning in the future. So we had to decide whether or not to put him through the not so fabulous chemo treatments. In case you're new my blog and don't know the background to my dad's story, I need to tell you at this point that he suffered from a virus that left him with brain damage about 6 years ago. This is why I'm involved in the decision-making. It's a lot for my mom to take on this burden by herself. 

Anyway, if he does chemo his percentage rate drops to 7%. This means chemo or no chemo there's still an 8% chance of the cancer returning. So, what do you do?

Sadly, one of the side effects of chemo is what the oncologist called "chemo brain." There's no way to tell exactly how this would affect my dad but more than likely his cognitive functioning would decrease. For the "normal" person this isn't a very bad side effect, but for someone with impaired cognitive functioning already, this is a tragic side effect!

Back to our percentages. I found myself getting bogged down with that silly 15% number. It finally hit me that I was looking at this situation with a glass half empty mentality. Let's look at it differently now...he has an 85% chance that the cancer will never return! Hello, isn't that a much better way to think about things?!

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If you were told there was a 15% chance of rain today, would you even grab your umbrella on your way out the door? I wouldn't! Honestly, does the weatherman even mention it if there's less than a 20% chance? Not usually.

So, friends, it's all about perspective. Do you face life worrying about the 15% or do you celebrate the 85%?

We've decided to celebrate the 85% and put our faith in God that He'll bless our decision to not put my dad through chemo.

God handed me a sweet memory this past weekend as we took my parents, niece, nephew and sister-in-law out on the lake. After watching the kids ride on the tube, my dad embraced life to its fullest and jumped in fully clothed to take his turn. He didn't want to miss out on all the fun. The smile on his face melted my heart and I thanked God then and there for the "extra" time He's blessed our family with.

What about you? Have you found yourself getting bogged down with tiny percentages? I'd love to pray for you and ask God to fill your heart with hope. Leave me a comment or send me an email: dfrieling1@gmail.com.

Crabby Bedroom Moodboard

Have you paid any attention to the amazing wallpaper selections that are currently trending? One of my clients is entertaining the idea of some crazy cool wallpaper in their bedroom so I've been drooling over eagerly working toward bringing in this great design element into their space.

Naturally, I'm drawn to this wallpaper for its geometric print. I love how the subtle colors add drama quietly behind the scenes. Need to get your hands on some? It's by Graham & Brown.

Let's take a minute to appreciate the other stars in this moodboard. How about the beautiful bone in-layed nightstands?!

These come with a hefty price tag, but Jenny shared a great tutorial on how to use paint to achieve this same look. If you're at all handy with a paintbrush, it'd be a great way to add character to an otherwise dull piece of furniture.

You know I love to have one thing in each room that has a little bit 'o quirk to it, so in this room Mr. Crab does just the trick.

Crab 4 Wall Art

The tiny hints of color are the key to pulling in the coral-colored duvet cover from West Elm.

What about you, friends? Have any of you lucky souls adorned your walls with fabulous wallpaper?

Vintage Etsy Love

I stumbled upon an etsy shop this week and made a very spontaneous purchase. I don't typically make on-line purchases but when I saw this, it screamed "you need me for your next DIY project!"

See the cute little letters in the first two frames?...They're push pins and guess what mine say? Be Kind. I'm brainstorming the ways they'll be displayed but I'm waiting to see them in person before I make any final decisions.

 This etsy shop has tons of great vintage loot. I rounded up a few items just to wet your palette. 

1. Create Push Pins- $12

2. Much love Push Pins- $10

3. Industrial drawer set- $42

4. Brass general store bell- $47

5. Industrial factory wheel- $59

6. Mortar set/pharmacy cup set- $34

Any of these finds would add great interest to a coffee table or bookshelf. I love finding unique pieces and layering them into my decor. They become instant conversation pieces when friends are visiting.

I hope you all have a great weekend. John and I hope to get a little work done on our shelving project for the guest bedroom. Remember the black paneled ceiling? Phase 2 is beginning...so excited!

Random Act of Kindness #45

Chances are, even if you don't have kids, you know someone who teaches. It may be a neighbor, a friend or just an acquaintance, but you know one, right? Good...because they've just become the target of your next Random Act of Kindness!

So there ya have it, friends, it's the 45th RAK Challenge that's been thrown your way. I hope you'll carve out time in your hectic schedules to share a smile and spread a little kindness today.

Now, you know the drill...go out and be kind!

Surfer Boy Room Sneak Peek

I've been blessed with an amazingly fun client. This family is all about creating fun spaces and bringing in things that are unique and different. Right up my alley!

Today I'm sharing a tidbit of what's happenin' in one of the boys' rooms. Check this out...

 Talk about a giant stencil!

 Remember my artistic dad? I called on his talents for this project.

See it now? Just enough to get you excited, right?!

The painter's tackling this room today and I cannot wait to see it come to life. This will definitely be a room that grows with my client and he'll be able to enjoy it well into his teenage years. Fun, fun!

Transparent Tuesday

Today's transparent topic: Control

Are you a control freak? Does your world turn upside down if you don't have every i dotted and t crossed? Have you ever stopped to think how life would be different if you didn't try to control things so much?

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I've had a handful of conversations with people recently that have led me to think a lot about control. We try to control things so we can feel in control. Is it possible to have this type of power? Sometimes. But many times it's not possible at all. I think about the time and energy that's spent "controlling" things beyond our control. Honestly, it wears me out.

I think it's time to shake loose this need for control and begin to see the beauty in spontaneity and happy accidents.

Are you trying to control too much in your life right now? Do you need a little prayer coverage to help you give this control over to the Lord? I'd love to pray for you, friends. Leave me a comment or send me an email: dfrieling1@gmail.com.

How to paint straight lines on textured walls

Have you ever stared at pictures of beautiful striped walls and thought, "Boy, I'd love to do that in my house but it'd NEVER work on my textured walls!" Well, I'm telling ya today that there's hope, friends!

Here's a quick breakdown of the surefire process:

1. Use painter's tape to mark your stripe. (I've used Scotch and Frogtape and they both work great.)
2. Run a credit card along the edge to push the tape into the those little textured gaps.
3. Use a foam brush and paint Mod Podge along the edge of the tape to form a sealed barrier.
4. Precede to paint with desired color.
5. Remove the tape and admire your line. (I remove the tape before the colored paint has time to fully dry.)

If you're the type of person who needs a few more visuals to go along with the process, click here to read another post I wrote about the secrets to stripe sanity.

To show you I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is, here are a couple projects I completed using my Mod Podge trick.

and

Giant painted "F"

So, friends, don't let those stripes intimidate you anymore. With a little attention to detail and a little Mod Podge you'll be saying texture smexture in no time!

Priceless Art

A new piece of art has come to live in our house! Okay, okay I feel like I have to give the disclaimer that I know this may be odd or even offensive to some of you, but I'm hoping you can see past the content matter and appreciate the skill and sentiment.

Like it or not, hunting is a big deal in our house. The boys are all about it, the girls...not so much. We support them in their hobby but don't call ourselves active participants. But, when your son gets his first buck at the ripe 'ol age of 8y.o., it's kinda a big deal!

The stories have been told, awards have even been given (yes, literally) and now we have an original piece of art to mark the event. My dad couldn't wait to get his hands on the picture of Reed and his deer. This week he finished it and Reed was beside himself when Lil' Paw Paw came over to deliver it!

Doesn't the smile on Reed's face say it all?!

Want to compare? Above is the original picture and below is my dad's work.

His medium is pencil, drawn on foam board. It's hard to tell, but there's a 3-dimensional aspect to it. So cool!

I love, love, love having personal artwork adorn the walls of our home. If you have an artist in your family make sure you capitalize on their talents. These are the elements that make your house a home.

Want to know more about my dad's art? One of my first posts shared his story of how God used this talent to help him through recovering from a brain injury. It's an incredible story...read it here.

I hope you have a happy weekend, friends. Thanks for sharing your time with me today!

Random Act of Kindness #44

It's Thursday friends, so let's put on our happy faces and get ready to be kind. Today's RAK challenge benefits our furry, four-legged friends.

Next time you're picking up food for your own dog (or any pet really), throw in an extra bag and drop it off at a place that needs it. Those sweet puppies waiting for a forever home will love ya for it!

Short, sweet and to the point, so I'll leave you with some adorable pictures to get you in the mood for this challenge.

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Please, please, pretty please. (Don't make me beg!)

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Will my puppy dog eyes make you take this challenge?

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Please, God, let them buy me some yummy food.

Okay, friends, now that you're feeling all inspired...go out and be kind!