Happy Friday!:)
Just stopping in to share some more progress on a painting I have been working on this week… I am really enjoying the process of using petroleum jelly! It’s so fun to see the outcome… I plan to share a post with more detail on my process for this piece, but for today I thought I would share some progress photos!:)
Ok, so its not the kind of cake that might initially come to your mind, but its fun to say that we eat cake for breakfast! This is a gluten-free zucchini breakfast cake. I made it for the first time this week and we really like the flavor and hardy taste it has. I found this recipe, which was the inspiration for making the cake, however I didn’t have all the ingredients, so I improvised and added some other ingredients. I wanted to share my recipe with you, which is a variation from this original recipe I found over at gluten-free goddess. There are a decent amount of ingredients, but its worth it, and it really doesn’t take to long to put together!:)
Enjoy!:)
This would also be REALLY yummy with some homemade whip cream!:)
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After spending some time unpacking all of my art supplies and putting the studio together after our move last week, I am back in the studio working on a new painting today… vintage wallpaper, canvas, petroleum jelly, and paint… This is my first time experimenting with this combination of mediums/materials. I am really excited to see how this piece develops. I will keep you posted on progress…:)
We are officially moved into our new apartment (just a disclaimer…when I say moved in, I mean we still have several unopened boxes and lots of unpacking to do… a good lesson in patience ;)). Thanks to family and friends who helped us in so many ways! We are truly so thankful for the support, the help with packing, loading, unloading…for the delicious meals that we were given, and the warm welcome we have received from nearby neighbors and friends… Thank you!
We pretty much got right to work on our little garden space the day after we moved! I was really excited to plant our herb pot… to plant seeds in the ground for kale, lettuce, spinach, arugula… we planted some cabbage, tomatoes, and we are currently working on getting some flowers and foliage in the ground!:) I am super thankful for our little garden space. I am not the most patient when it comes to watching something grow, but I am hopeful we will have a good amount of harvest!:)
We are loving the beauty of the land that surrounds our new home…:)
Sunrise view from our patio
view from the window in what will be the art studio
Pot of herbs!:)
I will keep you posted on our garden adventures!:)
It has been a full week of packing! Today we load everything into a moving truck and tomorrow we hit the road for the move from PA to NY!:) Crazy how fast it has come!
A new home is like a fresh clean canvas on my easel, so much to create and decorate. I am sure I will have a lot to share as we begin making our new apartment home :)
Sharing some of my new antique finds from our little overnight stay in Charm, Ohio (if you missed photos from our trip, you can find them here). I usually would wait to post new antiques until I found a place for them in our home, however, Jesse and I are in the process of packing to move… in just about one week! crazy, huh? :) We will be moving to western NY area, pretty much just a short bike ride away from where we first met… Houghton College…:) The last few weeks have been filled with a mix of emotions as you might imagine… it is exciting to look towards what is next, sad to face the reality of leaving friends who have become so dear to us here… fear in not knowing fully what this change will look like, joy in being closer to family and friends, excitement in the midst of this adventure. I easily feel like I don’t have control over it all and at moments desperately want to feel like I have some sort of control over the move, the unknown, etc… As I desire control, God is reminding me that He is enough; that there is freedom in giving up my control and placing it in the arms of the one who leads our steps. It is only in Him that loss of control yields freedom, as He reminds us that He will care for us, supplying ALL that we need and that He is the essence of ALL that we long for. “We know and rely on the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16). I can rely on His perfect love, that He is enough and truly what satisfies. It has been my prayer that this truth would captivate and change my heart. It is so beautiful and gracious that He uses all circumstances, experiences, events, relationships, and situations in our lives to draw us closer to Himself! What an adventure this journey is!:)
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I wanted to share my finds… I just get so excited about new antique finds, especially when they are a bargain, and these all were!:) You will be seeing more of these as they find a place in our new home:)
locker basket
3 gallon Crock
Mini Mason Jar (you can’t tell from the picture, but it is only 3-4 inches tall… so cute! :)
Ironstone Bowl
Iron Planter (maybe for our future herb garden?! :)
We have had a full few days… Jesse graduated on Saturday with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy!:) I am SO proud of him!:) We had a wonderful time cerebrating and having family with us for the day!
Even a cap, gown, and doctoral degree couldn’t keep him from climbing a tree…that’s my hubby!;)
Jesse and I traveled to Charm, Ohio early Monday morning to stay at a Bed & Breakfast, Charm Countryview Inn… we had been given a nights stay there as a gift! It was an absolutely beautiful area… located in Holmes County, home of the world’s largest Amish community. …mountains, country meadows, farms, singing birds, horses, rolling hills, beautiful color, home cooked breakfast… truly a wonderful way to get away and rest, taking in the beauty of all that was around. We also got to visit several antique shops (my favorite :)) in nearby villages, which was so exciting! We picked up a few new finds, which I will share on Friday!:) I wanted to share some photos with you from our trip!:)
Charm Countryview Inn
I wanted to share with you my new art desk that Jesse built for me! YAY!:) He has been talking about making me a new art desk for a long time to replace the little desk I have been using that we found at a yard sale. As soon as he had a week off to do so, he built it! I absolutely LOVE it… I have so much more desk space to create and put all of my supplies…and the style is perfect!:) I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to have a good work space/desk… My creating process seems that much more exciting… I know it probably sounds silly, but it really makes a difference for me.:)
He bought all the building supplies at Lowe’s. The finish was done in multiple layers using aged oak stain, white paint, petroleum jelly (similar process to our recent chair makeover), dark furniture wax (Annie Sloan), and clear furniture wax.
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On another note…We have an exciting weekend ahead… This photo is from the day Jesse and I graduated from Houghton College in 2009. Tomorrow, Jesse will put on a cap and gown one more time to graduate with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy!:) I could not be more proud of him and am so so excited for him to graduate and to celebrate this incredible journey that we have been on! Go get em babe! ;)
Sharing some photos today of a little project we have been working on! Jesse and I re-upholstered and painted these chairs together! I really love the look of antique linens and so the chair cushions are inspired by this look. This was our first time attempting to use petroleum jelly in the finishing process to achieve the worn, paint-chipped appearance. We were a little skeptical of this technique, but it really worked GREAT! Basically the paint didn’t adhere to the areas on which we rubbed the petroleum jelly, and therefore when we sanded the chair, the wood beneath these areas was exposed in a very natural looking “chipped” fashion. I think these chairs really add to the vintage farmhouse look I am going for in our dining area.
Jesse had last week off so we have some other projects that we were able to wrap up and I will be sure to post some pictures in the next few days. One of the projects was an art desk that he built for me! I love it and I can’t wait to show you!
sharing with:
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday
Jennifer Rizzo Fabulously Creative Friday
I Gotta Create Wildly Original Link Party
