Wipe-Off To Do List || DIY 2013

I am a list maker. I love writing lists. Lists for the week, the day, the grocery store, a project. Give me something and I'll make a list about it. I'm a little organization crazy. So when I found out I could make a cute Wipe-Off To Do List, I was all in! This is the first of 13 (or maybe more...) DIY projects I'm going to do in 2013. You can check out the full list here and make them all with me!

So let's get started!

 Total cost: $29.17

You can buy your supplies here :

Spray Paint, Markers, Hanging Strips, Frame, Scrapbook Paper (found at craft store)

I love this project because you can do virtually anything with it. Use it for a menu board, love notes or just a to-do list! Put a magnet on the back of it and put it on your fridge or just hang it on your wall! I'd love to see yours. Make one and send it to me, comment below, or Instagram it with the hashtag #13diysfor2013. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Love,

Alison

To New Beginnings

The past six months have been a whirlwind, an adventure, a journey. Sometimes when we're in the storm we don't see the beauty of it until we're looking back on it. Six months ago I thought I would be done with school for good and pursue my photography business full force. Little did I know that the journey that God had placed me on would lead me to apply to Moody Bible Institute. Throughout this whole process I have been completely undone and overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy in my life. How amazing that the Lord is leading me to pursue full-time ministry and counseling.

In six months I'll be living in Chicago.

In six months I'll be starting all over.

Moral of the story: Life is really crazy and God is so good.

Yach Family || Portraits

I just LOVE this family. From Adelyn's chubby cheeks and Tim & Tracy's sense of humor...what's not to love?! Tracy and Tim have been a part of the high school youth ministry at my church for years and Tim had the awesome opportunity to be an Associate Pastor at another church plant of Harvest in Kansas! Sometimes God calls us to take big steps of faith and the Yach family has definitely done that! They made the trek to Kansas just days after Christmas but we snapped these pictures just before. They will be missed from good ol' Chicago very much but I am just so excited about the path that God has them on.

Aren't they just wonderful?! Leave some love for the Yach family below!

Love,
Alison

Ring Holder DIY

This is quite possibly the easiest and most inexpensive DIY ever. All you need is an empty egg carton and some spray paint. Yes, that's all...really. You can either cut the egg carton in half or use the whole egg carton. I used half. Then all you need to do is spray paint it a color of your choice and you're done! This is an easy, affordable way to store your rings, earrings or whatever. 

[& don't you worry. That super cute dry-erase frame DIY will be on the blog shortly!]

Happy Friday!

Alison

Worrying Will Never Change The Outcome

(via Pinterest)

The beginning of the semester always freaks me out. Starting a new routine and getting in the swing of things takes awhile. 18 credits (15 of them being photo) and finishing my program is putting me in a little bit of worry-mode. Night classes aren't my favorite. I don't particularly like finishing the day when the sun is gone and it's way too cold. Sacrificing joys to get it done is not the most appealing thing. But I know that this impatient girl is going to have to stick it out and it will be worth it in the end. Late nights, way too much coffee and a whole lot of encouragement. 

This is a season of change. I'm saying goodbye to one chapter and saying hello to a new one...and it's scary. I've worried, I've journaled my thoughts late at night, I've gone over the scenarios in my head. But most of all I've been completely in awe. I realize that this life isn't my own. I realize how amazing it is that God would involve us in His plan. I've been completely overwhelmed by His grace and mercy in my life. And after all, how good is life?! Why worry...it's going to be amazing

Love,

Alison

December in Instagrams || Personal

Yes, I am doing a December recap mid-January...better late than never, right? January has been a tad crazy and I guess you could say I'm a bit behind on my 2012 recap posts and all that but December was an exciting month so I figured I should still fit it in :)

December was full of no snow, surprisingly mild days, cookie decorating, the smell of christmas trees, a warm puppy named ellie to cuddle with, early breakfasts, nature hikes and joy. Even though it's mid-January I feel like Christmas has not passed and it's not even a new year yet. Funny how time flies and the feelings our seasons bring us determine things.

Just a few short days after the celebrations had passed, I took a flight to Atlanta, GA with a few friends to attend Passion 2013. Passion is a Christian conference for college students. You can learn more about it here. It was good so good to be back and a privilaege to experience the community and unity in Christ. I'm always amazed at the things that the Lord shows me during those days. I can't explain the feelings of pain hearing all the stories of the 27 million trapped in slavery. Slavery still exists. Did you know there are more slaves now at this point in time than at any other point in history? And the scary part is that almost no one knows it! I'm looking forward to writing more about this but for the time being I encourage you to go to slaveryfootprint.org and enditmovement.com.
Together we are a force for good.

Better late than never...? So looking forward to what 2013 has in store for the blog and many other things. Hope 2013 has started off well for all of you, dear friends :)

Love,

Alison

13 DIYs for 2013

I don't really do new years resolutions. Just like everyone else, I end up disappointed that I don't accomplish them. The only sort of resolution I make is "doing more projects." After finishing Project 52, I feel like I need to get my hands on something new. I'm notorious for pinning a million DIY's on Pinterest and barely accomplishing any of them. So 2013 is a DIY kinda year. I decided to pick out 13 projects that I could accomplish this year. My resolution for 2013 is "make more things."

1. Jewelry Display Branch

2. Wipe-off To-do List

3. Sharpie Mug

4. Paint Sample Calendar

5. Scrabble Tile Coasters

6. 2013 Memory Jar

7.  Instagram wall/canvases

8. Modern wall art with paint swatches

9. Candles

10. Framed Jewelry Display

11. Best Friend Wall Art

12. Cork Board

13. Planning Marker Board

Pretty stinkin' excited to get moving on these projects! They will simplify my life and get things organized. Always good :) Do you have any new years resolutions? Are there any DIYs that you've been putting off? Share them with me!

Alison