Modern day housewife :)

Spring break has meant spring cleaning in the Koch apartment.  I will be completely honest that this is one of my most favorite things in the whole world.  I have never liked clutter too much and always feel so refreshed when things are organizing and in their place (this is a fault as well.....the Lord is teaching me to be more flexible in this area....cough *David* cough).  I have been a busy bee organizing our pantry and closets.  The only thing I have left is going through drawers and tidying up the closet more to make things fit. 

A huge reason for doing this is because we have chosen to stay in our apartment for awhile longer.  Lots of things have brought us to this point, but most financial wisdom in feeling like we would like to pay off more debt before going forward with a house.  I'll admit my heart was not settled with this decision earlier when we made it, but this break has made me appreciate the good gifts the Lord has given us.  He gave me wisdom in how to change things up a little and make it feel more homey.  It also got me excited to organize things and make some space for the possibility of a little one.  David and I have enjoyed praying and talking about this a lot lately and are excited for what the Lord will do for us as we live here in Trappers Cove.  Also, we have two couples that we love and adore living close to us and really enjoy having community literally right next to us! (The Hulls live in the same building as us only two outside doors away and the Roths live in the same building only one outside door away).  We feel like this is the best place for us now and I'm thankful the Lord has given me a creative heart in making things my own.

There have been a couple projects that I've been working on this break.  One being our key hanger that we've had sine we got married.  It was always so plain for me and I never liked the mirror since I'm so short and the top of my head would be the only thing I could see (also I don't like a lot of mirrors since I hate that I can nitpick myself in them......not good).  Anyways it was a dull wood color with a mirror and I decided to paint the wood a easter egg blue (one of my fav colors!....shabby chic) and use chalkboard paint to make the mirror a chalkboard.  Below are pictures of the process.  I must admit I love craft projects and that yes.....I'm a Martha Stewart fan.

This is the before...you can see it hanging....not ugly by any means just wanted something new.

This is after I painted the outside.

I put down a bunch of newspaper and sprayed the back of the mirror with chalkboard paint and let it dry for a couple hours.  Warning *this stuff smells awful, I've always struggled with breathing in things and this was a whole new level of strongness! I had to take a couple puffs of the inhaler and open the patio window for a couple hours...not fun on a colder day!*

Finished!  I couldn't love it more!  So happy with how it turned out!

I don't remember where I read this quote, but I've always loved it!  My next purchase is a cross from hobby lobby to put above the key stand.

I've also been up to a couple other projects around the apartment.  It has been so fun making things feel more at home and being frugal in doing things myself.  I'm so thankful for amazing coupons to craft stores in the newspaper.  Crafting, cleaning and organizing are so cathartic for me :)  Here are pictures or more projects:

I sewed some new pillow covers!

I got the tin bird art from Hobby Lobby and used a frame and scrapping paper to make new living room art! 

New place to hang cards and such!

I added some scrapboxes on top of the shelf for all my paper and supplies and found a place for a quilt that I've had forever.  Not sure if I like the quilt yet, but for now it will stay!

Hope you enjoys all the pictures and I plan to write another post soon about quiet times and fighting to be faithful.  I've learned a lot about this over break and have enjoyed reading some books and blog sites lately.  I'll make sure to post the books as well as the blog I enjoy thoroughly about simple living and being a housewife. 

*Blessings*

My start to the morning!