A Better....Banner Year!

Remember this post? 

I told you about my word for 2014....BETTER. 

I was in my craft room tweaking, cleaning, and organizing a little and decided I wanted to make something, and this is what I came up with. A little banner to hang in there to be a constant reminder to be better in all that I do this year, I used my new scallop punch (bought with a Michael's gift card I got for Christmas from my sister, Nancy), alphabet stamps, some chevron tape, buttons, jute, a Tim Holtz rub-on clock, and some distressing ink to create this part. 

I used some tags I had on hand, some more buttons and jute to hang it and this is the result. I like the way it turned out. It was fun to make too!

Here it is hanging on my craft desk. You can see a new addition here....the two white tension rods on either side of the banner. One is holding my washi & decorative tapes. I'm sure the other one will fill up soon since I discovered it at Wal Mart for $1 a roll the other day!

Not the ideal solution for storage, but it works for now. I like the way it looks with all the bright and cheery colors.

Another update was this piece of jute that I strung up on the closet curtain rod to hold stickers and other decorative items I have collected to make tags with. 

I like that I can see them without having to dig through a box or container to find what I need. 

I love these little clips I ordered from Amazon.

I recovered my pincushion in burlap and finally glued it in the dish.

I painted my new twine holder black and added it to the desk as well. 

I added this star shaped basket as well. I bought this when I went to church with Miranda a few weeks ago. They had missionaries visiting from Honduras and brought several items to sell. All the proceeds went to support the orphanage & counseling center they run for Honduran children. I was in tears listening to their story and what they are doing in Honduras to help these children. I bought both my nieces the cutest little purses, this basket, and a beaded rooster which I placed on my Christmas tree. 

It holds tags and other supplies.

It is made from pine needles. Isn't is just beautiful? 

So much work went into the making of just this one basket. 

I still have quite a bit of work to do in my craft room, but I got a lot accomplished. I still have a few projects that need to be completed. A few need to be painted and with all the rain we've had, that has been all but impossible! I need to file all of my 2013 paperwork, create some new files, print some things, and finish cleaning off my other desk. Such a chore...keeping up with so much paperwork!

Anywho, I intend to finish up in that room tomorrow. 

One last photo to share. This is Cruella...one of my 5 cats. She is an outdoor kitty and loves it although she used to live indoors and was scared to go out. She usually doesn't like to come inside any more, but she came in earlier and decided to jump up in the chair with me and lay on the laptop while I was typing this post. You can see it in the background...lol! She is such a sweet kitty. Something happened to her mother when she was just a couple weeks old and we rescued her and hand-fed her. She was so cute and tiny. She is such a sweet girl...just look at that little heart shaped nose....:) 

I'm off to get to work on something! I have so enjoyed having time to blog every day this week. I will miss it when I get back to work, but I will try to post as often as possible. As always, thanks for dropping by and for the sweet comments you leave. I appreciate them so very much!

Until next time.....

One Word.....BETTER

One word.......

I have been struggling with my word for the year. Last year I chose gratitude and I think I succeeded in applying more gratitude in all areas of  my life. I learned to appreciate not only the big moments, but the smallest of moments as well. I learned to appreciate more and complain less and be grateful for ALL things. God really put me to the test on that one here a couple weeks ago. I have tried to show gratitude more throughout the past year and will continue to do so in the years to come. I am a happier person because of it.

But, like I said, I was having a hard time coming up with the perfect word for this year....I contemplated several different words, but I was trying to come up with one word to cover everything. And then.....this morning, reading Facebook of all things, I stumbled upon my word. You saw it above....BETTER. By the way.....like my artwork? That was super fun and I will now be creating more fun things like that. I will also be printing a copy of this to place in various locations around my home....fridge, craft room, bathroom mirror, etc. I want to be reminded constantly to be a BETTER......

~person

~wife

~mom

~daughter

~daughter-in-law

~sister

~aunt

~friend

~blogger

~teacher

~planner

~organizer

~crafter

I also want to have better.....

~eating habits

~exercise habits

~study habits (mainly Bible study)

~menu planning habits

~sleep habits

I simply want to try to be a little better than I am now. I am OK with these things now, but things can always be improved and I aim to make that happen. Here's my quote for the year to go along with my word.....

To simply wake up every morning a 

BETTER 

person than when I went to bed.

~Sidney Poitier

So...what's your word for the year?