Blog Archives - Accidentally MJ

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DIY Travel Valet and Photo Frame

5/29/2015

Well, I am currently in Miami, Florida working on our annual international conference. The clouds were beautiful from the plane window...

When I travel, I miss my Hubby and our kitty Raven. A few years ago, I made a DIY valet and photo frame that easily tucks into my luggage. The photo frame fits neatly into the valet and snaps closed. Then the valet snaps open to hold my rings, watch, and earrings...

Here you can see where I sewed the snaps to create the valet:

The little frame is just an old cereal box cut up and covered with the same fabric scraps. I even installed little magnets to keep the frame closed when in travel. Yeah, just a bit of overkill... LOL!

It is so nice to have this handy little valet and comforting to see my Hubby and my Kitty on my night stand. I've been using this for a few years now and I love it!
If ya'll don't hear from me next week, I'm a workin'!! ;-)
Have a great weekend Everyone!
Cheers!
M J

Monday Boost... On Tuesday?

5/26/2015

Well, it was Memorial Day weekend and there was a lot going on in our little world. Mostly good, some bad and some whatever. Isn't it just the usual when the good comes along with the bad? It's always something...

However, I did get to gift my Mom and Dad with a car this weekend, got to spend quality time with family, friends and neighbors, and got to reflect on the men and women who have given their lives for this country.

It seems truly petty to complain about certain things when members of our communities are out there protecting our way of life. Protecting our right to complain, really...

Hardships often prepare ordinary people, for an extraordinary destiny.
- C.S. Lewis

I can't say I have always had it easy, but I can say I am a stronger person because of the hardships through which I have fought. In the moment, you rail against that hardship, but in retrospect, you see that it made you a more resilient person.

The problem then becomes, how do I temper my reaction to adversity? Wow, do I wish I had the answer to that question! We are just human, after all. Anger, sadness, depression, and, yes, even outright oblivious-stupidity, are not always avoidable in difficult situations. If we are lucky enough to have the time left in our lives, we can work through these human emotions and find a place of peace in ourselves. Because, without that place of peacefulness in our own selves, how can we be at peace with anyone else? I'll just leave it there for now... Searching for peace...

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Cheers!
M J

New Living Room Curtains

5/21/2015

If you saw my DIY Large Wall Hanging post, you know I realized the living room curtains needed a change, finally. Seriously, those crewel work drapes have been up for AGES... :-) After three trips back and forth to Target, we eventually got the curtains right...

These are the Threshold Semi-Sheer Wavy Lines curtains from Target. The color of the first pair we bought was totally wrong. Then, one of the wavy lines panels was sewed so crooked, it had to be exchanged. At least they were on sale! They look so fresh, especially with the other summery accents in the living room. AND the new wall hanging!

Hubby was just able to exchange to wonky panel yesterday, and today was the only day I've been able to take pictures. Of course, it is the most dreary day here. Little sunlight makes for drab photos, but I did my best! :-)
I hope you all have an incredible Memorial Day Weekend! Thank you to all who have, do and will serve this country! My undying respect goes out to you all!
Cheers!
M J

Monday Boost

5/18/2015

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Yesterday was my birthday, so we took a little camping trip this weekend to celebrate. My Aunt and Uncle joined Hubby and I in Harpers Ferry, WV for a little fun! It is such a gorgeous place...

Where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meet, a view from Jefferson Rock.
This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.
- Thomas Jefferson
I hope you all find some time this summer to explore our country, it is quite beautiful!
Cheers!
M J

DIY Large Wall Hanging

5/14/2015

So, I was gonna just pull out my usual summer mantel decor, but then I decided to create something completely different! I spotted this great rug at a local shop in town and thought, "Hey, I remember seeing a tutorial out on the web for a wall hanging using a woven rug!" I just loved this rug, and at 30 bucks, I was sold! If you are interested in steps to create something like this, check out this tutorial here. I already had all the yarn I needed to get started and it all coordinates with my summer pillow covers:

It took a few days to create. I made a final trip to purchase a cheap curtain rod and some Command hooks to hang it temporarily since I change the mantel so often. ALSO, I needed my tall Hubby to help me hang it (#shortgirlissues). I love it!

It looks great with a collection of white vases and items from around the house and it coordinates very well with the pillow covers and area rug...

After taking all these pictures of the living room, I now realize that the crewel-work drapes need to be changed for summer. Another project! ;-)
You may have noticed my posts have been lighter lately. Gearing up for our annual conference has been lots of work, but I will be back full strength after that!
Have a great weekend Everyone!
Cheers!
M J

Monday Boost

5/11/2015

Happy Monday Everyone! Yes, I'm late today, but Mother's Day was so fun yesterday and then I had to get up and work, so, yes, I'm late... LOL! ;-) Besides Mother's Day, my birthday and my Mom's birthday are in about a week. We celebrated those as well. Here is a shot of Me and my Momma singing happy birthday to each other... We're a mess...

In other news, our irises popped in the garden and I got some great pictures at magic hour...

All in all we had a wonderful weekend. I hope you all had a great Mother's Day!
Cheers!
M J

New Backsplash Tile Secured!

5/7/2015

We managed to pick another backsplash tile! Yay! It is more expensive than the first choice, but it is really pretty and goes great with the countertop and cabinets. Oh, and we also installed the new hardware on the cabinets:

It is a varied natural stone and three different muted colors of glass tile:

It is much thicker than the first choice, so it will be a more difficult installation. Hubby is working out the details of cutting the tiles and dealing with the outlets before we get started with installation. This tile also works well with the celery-hued paint that I chose a while ago. I was thinking of perhaps changing my paint color choice to a steely-gray, but the celery coordinates much nicer with the cherry cabinets and other aspects of the kitchen/dining area.
So, that is the new plan! We are hoping to work on this after this weekend, life just gets in the way sometimes, you know?
I hope you are all having a great week and that all you hard-working Mom's out that have a wonderful, relaxing Mother's Day!
Cheers!
M J

Monday Boost

5/4/2015

My friends, I think it is safe to say that spring is officially here! Our ducks came back for the 4th year in a row, the flowers are blooming and our trees have leafed out all over! Good night winter, Good morning spring...
Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!
- Sitting Bull

I hope you all got to enjoy some sun this weekend and soak up some vitamin D!
Happy Monday, have a great week!
Cheers!
M J

DIY Handwoven Pillow

5/1/2015

Since our kitchen plans are on hold until we choose a different mosaic backsplash tile (thanks a lot Lowes), I decided to occupy my time with a small craft. Rather than reinventing the wheel, if you would like a step-by-step tutorial for this project, please check out this post. It tells you all you need to know! Here is my little pillow project:

Here are all of the supplies I used to make this one tiny, little pillow... ;-)

I was going for colors to coordinate with our spring pillow covers in the living room. I think it looks really cute, even if the weaving isn't executed perfectly...

This bright little pillow just makes me smile when I see it, and isn't that the best sign of a successful project? It may not be perfect, but I know I made it with my own two hands! :-)
Happy Friday Everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers!
M J