Cheers to 2 posts in 1 day!

I've been following this blog for some time now, it's called ArtfullyQuaint.  One day I was skimming through and came across the cutest craft project/keep sake ever!  My baseball player had to finish school in Indiana (to not get into to detail) for a better baseball opportunity.  So now we only see each other on the weekends... it's hard but we manage. Well I found this cutie little project and thought it would be a great way for us to always hold on to the memories of this chapter of our lives and relationship!

** here is the original artist that artfullyquaint pulled from alisaburke

Love Note Pillow

I started by selecting a couple of notes and letters that I scanned.

Or they can be photographed

I pulled the documents over to photoshop and adjusted the brightness and contrast-this could really be done in any editing program.

I added a warming filter for a subtle sepia look.

I enlarged the document so that I obscured entire sentences- for a little mystery :)

I then flipped it horizontal to prepare to print.

I used Tulip's photo transfer paper and loaded it into my ink jet printer.

I printed it out

I then placed the transfer down on unbleached muslin.

I covered it with a piece of scrap fabric and following the direction, ironed it down.

I let the transfer cool and I peeled off the top sheet to reveal my love note.

I used my craft iron to melt any obvious edges that were showing.

Next I cut it out.

and sewed it onto the surface of another piece of muslin that I had pre cut for my pillow.

I sewed the all of the sides together (with wrong sides facing).

and left a hole open too, so I could stuff the pillow and then sew the hole up.

YAYYYY can't wait to make my own!

Thanks again to Alisaburke and Artfullyquaint!

Cheers to things that make us happy

So as a "junior blogger" I've been doing some investigating on how to blog in general and what "blog style" I like.  I've been seeing a repeating trend of favorite things, unlike Oprah, I won't be giving mine away.  However, maybe you'll find a new favorite thing!


So here they are: Enjoy!

I was having a bad day while in TN, went to go get my nails done w/ an old friend and my baseball player surprised me w/ this book.  I've been dying to read it and so far I love it!

I found this divine hand cream at Anthropologie. It's a little pricey, but a little goes a long way with this! They have different scents: wish, dream, breath etc. I chose which best represented me and went with "In Love":) I can't wait to try more products!(yes they have their very own website!)

So I love Yoga, what could be better than relaxation and getting fit at the same time?!  After my first yoga class, during corpse pose, my instructor placed this intoxicating lotion on my neck.  I was instantly relaxed even more! You can only find it in select locations. For you Michiganders, it's at the house of yoga in royal oak! Other-wise here is the website: indulotion.com

The Ugly Mugg! I lived in Ypsilanti, MI for 4 years, what I miss most is he Ugly Mugg.  The first time I went I was hooked because the guy drew a heart with the froth in my latte!  Whenever I make my way out there for school or to visit friends, this is always a stop. Coffee, lattes, macchiatos, whatever your drink of choice maybe, you will not be disappointed.  Not only do I love the coffee, I love that it actually has the coffee house feel.  My go to place to study or read for sure. BTW you can buy their coffee to take home and brew your own ;)

SEWING! Yes that's me in the coral dress in 2006 at my Senior Prom.  Why does this picture represent sewing you ask? Welll...because I made that dress.  I used to sew all the time, it was my get away, then college got in the way. Darn you expensive, time consuming, educational experience. It was difficult to sew with such little space, money, and time.  I need to get back into this. I think my next venture to expand my sewing will be: learning to quilt, crochet, and make my own patterns:)

I use these little guys after I work out.  They are super easy to just throw in my gym bag and go.  The generic brand works just as well as any name brand.  You can get a 15 pack for $1.67!

That's all I have for now, I hope you enjoy! I'm off to do some more blog research and read Eat Pray Love!

Feel free to share your favorite things!

Oh wait...One more thing! Keeping with the theme, I'll end with one of my favorite really long quotes? I'm not sure who said it, but a friend shared it with me...

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Suceed anyway
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough
Give the world the best you've got anyway
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God
It was never between you and them anyway

**all pics were just google searched. Besides the one of me of course

Cheers to Daily Devotionals

My dear dear friend MC told me about daily devotional emails with Joel Osteen.  The devotion I received today, I thought seemed very fitting for things in my past, a little present, and will be helpful in my future.  

I thought I'd share in hopes that someone else finds it just as helpful!

“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you...I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand...”
(Isaiah 41:10, AMP)

"We all face situations in life that feel out of control. During times like these, it’s easy to get discouraged and allow fear to creep in; but instead, why don’t you focus on the fact that God is holding you in the palm of His hand! There is nothing too difficult for Him; nothing’s impossible; nothing is beyond His ability. When God holds you in His hand, you are safe; you are cared for. In His hand, there is victory. In His hand, there is strength. In His hand, there is provision. In His hand is everything you need.

No matter what you may be going through today, you can trust that God is for you. Instead of getting down and depressed over your circumstances, look up and get a vision of God turning that situation around. Let faith arise in your heart and focus on His favor, promotion and blessing. As you keep your heart and mind focused on Him and choose to obey His Word, you’ll see those supernatural breaks that will launch you further ahead than you ever thought possible because He holds you with His victorious right hand!"

Father in heaven, thank You for helping me and holding me in Your victorious right hand. I choose to trust You even when things don’t make sense, even when things seem beyond my control. I release my cares to You knowing that You work all things together for my good. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 MC and I-2006 an oldie but a goodie :)

Hot Sauce Chicken

Well, let me introduce myself.  My name is Brittney, I live and work in Metro Detroit. I decided to create this blog as a way to simply gather my thoughts, ideas, crafts, recipes, and any other gem I find along the way. If you get some insight too then that's fantastic!

Hot Sauce Chicken is a meal that my boyfriend and I used to make, just about every night at his apartment, when we first started dating. We were tight on funds and resources, but hey it turned out delicious! I don't know if it was the new love that filled the kitchen or the actual chicken, but we loved it.  My boyfriend couldn't have entered my life at a more perfect time, I know God placed him in my life. The chicken saved my hunger pains and he just saved me.


Cheers to Hot Sauce Chicken!

Hello!