The Wonders of a Book Jar

Ah Yes.
Here we are, well into the first month of Two Thousand Fourteen (even though I still write 2012 on all things, this is what happens when you get old kids). Eighteen days into January and we are in that golden era where everyone's New Year's resolutions are looking good, going great, maintaining the I-can-do-this mentality. I've never been one to make big New Year's resolutions. I just never really get around to thinking about it much (maybe my resolution should have been to make a New Year's resolution?)
But this is the year that changes, I'm going big, I'm going crazy, in the words of a certain four legged animated character, "I'm a donkey on the edge":

This year I shall read new books.

Yep, ya got that right.
Let me explain. I love books, and I mean LOVE books. I am an impulsive book buyer (on the reals though, as my friends DO NOT let me go into a half-price books alone). I love having them around. It comforts me to be surrounded by shelves and shelves of wonderful books, full of stories and knowledge and joy. But here's the thing: I find even more comfort in rereading books I have already read. I love smiling at my favorite sentences, anticipating the great moments that I know are to come, laughing with characters close to my heart. Now you see the predicament. I have an VERY extensive list of books I want  to read and I do choose books off of this list, but alas time and time again when I have free time my hands drift towards the friendly well-worn pages on my book shelf, rather than the unfamiliar book from the library sitting on my night stand(I think its safe to say that we can zoom out and call this a metaphor for my life....but lets not talk about that right now). The result is me having read a handful of books/series way more times than should be allowed and all of those books on my reading list remaining there. But, huzzah!, this is the year that changes!

Here are the Book Rules of 2014:
1. NO PREVIOUSLY READ BOOKS ALLOWED
I'm looking at you Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling, and the many more (Jane, Elizabeth, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Katniss, Gale, Peeta(I guess), Sam, Aragorn , Emma we can still be friends we just have to take a break for a little while; it's not you, it's me?)

One of the many banned books of 2014 *silent tears*

 

2. May I introduce (drum roll please) The Book Jar!

This little guy is filled with 53 books and counting

All new books ever wished to be read are compiled, written on a piece of paper and placed in The Book Jar. The goal is to draw a book out of the book jar every two weeks and read it(I'll be "booking it" hardy har har)
3. Expand the mind and have a grand ol' time!

Woohoo here we go! You guys should take a whack at it too. The jar concept can be used in so many different ways to get you out of the mundane, whether it be places to go, foods to try, movies to watch, verses to memorize, etc. so go for it!

I've Been Framed!

Or more accurately I've been completely obsessed lately with all of the picture frame crafts floating around pinterest. Who knew there were so many uses for a plain ol' picture frame?

And so I've decided to draw inspiration from the craftiness of pinterest and do some picture frame projects for my room in my apartment at school!

Getting in the right frame of mind to do some crafting

The crafting adventure begins with a trip the local goodwill, where I found a plethora of picture frames.

I wanted to get frames in a variety of shapes and sizes so I can arrange them in cool ways on the wall. And I've decided that Picture Frame Project #1 is.....a wire/clothespin picture holder(a very creative name, I know)

For this project I chose a medium sized picture frame and spray painted it.(Side note: I'm so old now that I can legally go to the store and buy spray paint on my own, which means I'm really old.)

The next step was to attach the wire. I just used jewelry wire, which is pretty easy to bend but still holds its shape.The picture frame I used is plastic and had projections where screws were suppose to go. I was able to use these to wrap the wire around and tie it off on each end of the picture frame. I put a drop of hot glue on each knot to hold it down. If you frame is flat on the back you can try attaching the wire with just hot glue.

Add as many wires as you want, and wah-lah! You have a wonderful place to hang pictures.

Super easy and simple, right?? And super cute. Be on the look out for more picture frame projects to come!



Mother's Day Crafting Fun