Why I love fence panels...

I should probably be attending meetings for my addiction to fence panels. Honestly, it could be getting out of hand. It all started last year while we were putting up a new fence in the back yard. We bought a few too many panels, the hubs wanted to return them to get our money back, I quickly veto'ed that idea. While working with the panels images starting running through my head...hmmm, tables, headboards & coat racks, Oh my! I was sitting on a crafting gold mine! Here are a few things that I have made, but don't you worry...I have many MANY more ideas!

This is my American Flag. It is huge and beautiful, and I love it! Our front yard is a disaster, though as of yet FEMA has not come knocking to offer their assistance :( This beauty was super duper easy to make, fast, and adds the only trace of color to be seen in our yard.

This is my "children's" "lemonade stand". Why all the jazz? Well, because as soon as summer is officially over, it will become the adults outdoor 'bar'. I added shelves to the inside and am looking forward to the use we will be giving this guy :) Again, SUPER DUPER easy!

These are a couple of my signs. For this one I used a few stray boards from a panel. I love anything old looking :)

This was actually the VERY first thing I made with a fence panel...he started it all. I made a simple frame, added some posts as legs and gave it a quick stain... :) It may be getting a paint/distressing job later this year.

This guy is hanging in my dining room....which is all white....very boring, and NOTHING like me! I desperately needed a pop of color in there, and he gave me just that. I hang seasonal wreaths on him. I am thinking of adding a framed chalk board to the center????

This combines TWO of my obsessions: Jars AND Fence Panels....what a happy couple they've made :)

And THIS masterpiece, is my newest labor of love. (Newest as in I still have black paint under my nails and saw dust in my hair!) I live in a split foyer home, I love and hate it equally. In the entry I have a giant wall to fill up, and until now, nothing to put there....I think he'll be happy there, don't you?

Okay, so WHY do I love fence panels so much? Well, don't be so pushy...I'll tell ya!

• CHEAP, as in $15- $20 per panel....that's a 4' X 8' sheet! That's if you are buying them. Usually you can find people to give them to you!
• RUSTIC. I love all things rustic! Trying to beg the hubs into moving us to the country. I dream of front porch swings and old red barns....ahhhh.
• EASY. The boards are just about the perfect size for millions of projects. I can tear them apart, cut them up, or leave them whole.

What am I going to do next??? Here are a few ideas....

Hello beautiful, come here often? Yes, I get a little flirty with my dream crafts...

Does anyone else's kids (husbands) hate to brush their teeth? UGH, so gross! But I can make a super cute reminder....

 Come on! How cute is this? I imagine this as a great gift for Grandmas (or daycares!!)

I like it. I love it. I want some more of it! Okay, kinda' similar to what I just did, but I imagine this outside with cute fall sayings, "pumpkin patch" "hayrides" etc.

Yes please!

Hmmm, I may need a privacy fence panel for this one...we lose ALOT of socks!

This is on my hit list! It WILL BE MINE!

I've got my eye on you.... And I've made a facebook request for chairs...hoping my 'peeps' come through for me!

Well, these should keep me busy for awhile. I will try to add some 'tutorials' as to 'how to do' what I've already done...although I'm sure most people could just figure it out...you smarties!

Happy Crafting!

Weddings

We attended my husband's younger cousin's wedding last night. There are wedding you have to go to, then there are the wedding you want to go to...this was the latter. They are in their mid twenties, he's in the military, she is an English teacher. They are young, loving, beautiful, and faithful. Being a part of their wedding was an honor, we were there the day they became one.

I don't think you go be at one of these 'meant to be weddings' without thinking of your own wedding and marriage. I think about all the things they don't know about marriage, love, trust, faith. How they don't understand pain, happiness, loyalty, respect. I think how our wedding would be different if we were to do it all over again...today. You wouldn't pick people to stand next to you because they would look cute in the dress, or you've known them since elementary. You would pick the people who told you the truth, let you cry on their shoulder, shared mommy woes, encouraged you in your marriage. Not because they held your hair while you puked at a high school party. You wouldn't spend a million dollars on the ceremony, because after all, it's only one day and you have a lifetime to look forward to. You wouldn't be mingling with friends and friends of friends, you would be thanking the people who love and support you. You would hold each other's hand, dance and stare into each other's eyes.

 Your vows would probably sound a little different too. I'm sure I would write my own. How else could I convey the words that are in my heart? Greatfulness, respect, trust, memories...these would be part of our vows. I think about the 'love' chapter in the bible (Corinthians) these words mean so much more now, than they did while standing at the alter 13 years ago. Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, is not boastful; not conceited; does not act improperly; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will ease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know in part, as we prophesy in part. But when the perfect time comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, thought as a child, reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things. For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known. Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Hmmm, sure makes you think. I once received some advice that sounded a little odd at the time. "Treat your spouse, and family, better than you would a stranger." Of course I treat them better than a stranger! I love them, I live with them, how silly. But years later, I understood the true meaning of that statement. We put our best foot forward everytime we leave our houses. Dress nicely, make up, hair. We smile to strangers, use our manners, make friendly conversation. We offer up our seat on the bus, let a mother with kids ahead of us in line to the bathroom. Then we get home. We take off our nice clothes, we snap that our husband is late. We rush through dinner. Get annoyed with the kids for needing help with their homework/chores. Are irritated that their dad isn't helping out more. Can't wait for everyone to go to bed so we can have some peace and quiet.....hmmm??? It clicked.

I love my husband more today than the day I married him. We have had our richers and poors, sickness and health, better and worse, and we are still here. More dedicated to our marriage today, than that sunny November day that we vowed to do those things. Please remember to love, trust, honor, respect, and sometimes; even obey. ;)

Wishing us all, long healthy happy marriages.