Well maybe just a half a drink more...

One of my favorite Christmas movies is Elf...SAAAAANNTA!!!!!!!!! SANTA'S COMING!!!!!! One scene puts Woody the Elf and the girl that he is crushing on in a very awkward situation. But, the song that they sing is my absolute favorite. So for this Christmas I decided (because I still had left over foam board from J's Halloween Costume.) to make two small, easy, paintings to hang by my Christmas tree. But, I wanted them to be extra interesting and I wanted them to have a personal touch. And since my favorite Christmas song is Baby It's Cold Outside, I couldn't resist putting the lyrics on my foam board.

I really can't stay, but baby it's cold outside!

I love these two boards that were made for zero dollas, holla!!!

Whose ready to Deck em'?

I have been a busy bee, I was unable to post since Thursday and I am soo sorry! But, I hope you know I have been planning and preparing posts. I have come to the conclusion that even if no one reads them, I still love to write them. So, thank you to those who do read! I love it! After a pretty hectic week, I am glad to finally relax and blog my little heart out!

This week Josh's mom and grandmother came down to southern Arkansas for the first time. Along with Josh, they got to taste Backyard BBQ, which still to this day is the best BBQ I have ever had, Magnolia Bakery, and Mules Catina. Pretty much all my favorite places to eat, so that is good. It was good to spend time with family and friends!

Josh and I had our last shower this weekend and it was a-maz-ing. We both couldn't believe the blessings that were poured out on us. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by people who love us so much! I can't wait to move into our new little home and play with all of our new toys, I'm so excited!

Whose excited for the Holidays?

I know I am. The Holiday Season is officially underway here and I have all my decorations up. I put them up early because they are having to come down before the holidays even get here. Josh's favorite holiday is Christmas and because his holly-jolly, Christmas, spirit has rubbed off on me I have a little winter wonderland in my own little room. Beginning with the scent of Christmas, I can't exactly explain what it smells like but, if I had to describe what Christmas smells like I completely believe that the new oils I bought from Bath and Body Works embodies it.

This is Frosted Cranberry Christmas oil and let me tell you, it smells like Christmas. They also have Winter and Evergreen oils that smell just as wonderful. Plus, there are combo's that you can make by mixing the oils. My ultimate favorite is 10 drops of Frosted Cranberry and 10 drops of Winter, smells just like Christmas!

Since I enjoyed writing questions for Halloween (if you didn't have a chance to read them check them out here!) I thought I would do it again for Christmas. Starting December 1st, I will be asking those tugging on your heart strings, candy cane tasting, snow-flakes on your nose and eyelashes type of Christmas questions. So start thinking about your favorite holiday memories, foods, smells, movies, songs and anything else holiday related. I can't wait to read all of your answers!

Quick note: Head on over to Our Joy...His Glory to see my sis's Christmas decorations, they are Deck'n the Halls over at her home and she did awesome! By the way, my sister is almost 8 months pregnant and she busted out her Christmas decorations and put them up all by her self. All my women, who independent, throw your hands up at me!!! Way to go sis, too cute!

Tie what? Tie Dye?

Got some old t-shirts you want to spruce up? Well for the sake of recycling (shout out!) why not tie dye? I actually learned a new way to tie die today using the same basic steps but without any of the dye mess. It's called reverse dye and I'm sure everyone has known how to to do this for years and I am just now catching the dye wave. Instead of using RIT dye or any other dye for that matter, pick a solid shirt and dye it using bleach.

This is what you'll need:

1. A shirt, preferably old
2. A cup
3. A bowl
4. Rubber bands
5. Buttons
6. Bleach

Then place buttons where you like them, then begin placing rubber bands around the buttons and continue the process until you get a voo-doo doll.

See, voo-doo doll.

Then soak the the shirt in bleach and let it sit until it turns the color you like. This doesn't take very long before you know it the shirt is practically white.

After soaking the shirt to your preference remove it and begin rinsing it in water. Try to remove as much bleach as you can, you will be doing this with your bear hands. No one wants bleach-damaged hands...not cool. Plus, bleach could leave one painful skin rash.

Rinse, Rinse, Rinse.

Next, begin snapping those rubber bands, but be careful those little guys got a mean bite.

After your done snapping the rubber bands ball the shirt up and rinse it one more time. Then after your final good rinse hang the shirt up to dry. It might be a good idea to place a large bowl or bucket under the shirt to catch any left over bleach that could drip.

Then turn on Fleetwood Mac, burn some incense, grab your bell bottoms, and become one with the hippie inside of you...groovy.

We've got a bad case of Puppy Love.

For as long as I have known Josh he has had a friend closer than any brother or sister for that matter and her name is KC. She is a beautiful golden retriever who is cute as a button, is a good catcher, and loves her belly rubs. Since I've met KC I have longed for a dog for Josh and I to call our own and one for KC to be friends with! We have flipped flopped between Jack Russell Terriers, Golden Retrievers and many other kinds of playful, happy dogs. This is the one, the only, KC. She is too cute and sweet! I mean who wouldn't want a dog when this is the face you see everytime you go to see your future family? I know I want one. It always seems that I hear people say, "Oh, Don't get a dog, they are so much work and you have to clean up after them." Honestly, I don't think I'd mind. Ever since J and I have decided that one day....long down the road...when we can afford a dog (I want to stress that, there is no way we could afford to take care of a dog and ourselves right now. No way.) we want one, we have looked at different breeds and I think we have come to a conclusion. We're not ones for "yappy" dogs or prissy dogs; more like playful, fun, sweet, and loving dogs. Introducing...the hopefully sooner rather than later member of the J and K Blackman clan:The GOLDENDOODLE! To me, there is no denying how cute they are as pups! So sweet awww! I can't get over how much it looks like a golden retriever but has curly hair. Josh and I both want a girl, I was surprised but he said girl dogs are sweeter than boy dogs, so we should go with a girl. I agree. We wouldn't make this descicion without any research, we do want to be good pet parents. So after researching Golden Doodles this is what we found, I will say we were worried about the Golden Doodle being more like a Poodle rather that a Golden Retriever. But, none the less, this is what we found.

• The Goldendoodle does not shed
• The breed can get into micheif if left alone for most of their lives...but, who can't?
• They are hypo alerginic
• Loving dogs, who are loyal to their owners and sweet to their familes.
• Great with people and visitors
• Funny and happy, loves to play!

We were so satisfied and excited to know that the dog we desire is not a hiper, crazy, fool dog like the one I had as a child...(PJ, may he rest in peace.) Instead, Goldendoodles are better more like KC, less like PJ. Hooray! What about you guys? Any puppies taken over your hearts? I know J and I are pretty much in love.

Whoa! Cool Finds!

Lots of R&R this weekend and LOTS of web surfing. One of my favorite things to do! I went through many of my most-visited websites gathering inspiration for Chateau De Blackman that is fastly approaching becoming a reality, I can hardly keep up! So far...I think we have a little bit more furniture than we thought we were going to at the beginning, which I am thankful for! Hallelujah! But, I love being inspired and picturing J and I putting things together...together! He is kind of a handy man, so I know deep down in the bouls of his soul, he likes it too. Take a look at some of my finds!

Yes, this is a world map and no I'm not kidding. I have been searching, for what seems like forever to find J and I an 18 X 24 world map for one of our ideas for a DIY art project...hopefully we can show you once we are in our home. But, J told me to check out allposters.com and low and behold...there it was, Hoooo-ray! I am so excited, I hope to order it soon, and I can't wait it will add a nice, cheap, and DIY art touch to our home.
Dosen't this belong in a fairy tale some where? I think so. Picture it in a little girls room while she bounces around to the Wiggles...hmmm...sounds like a little girl I know! This was found on IKEA and was to interesting to pass up! What are the odds of a Dandilion ceiling light? Well, I am thankful that IKEA made it possible for us to enjoy!
I have fallen, completly and utterly in love with these little guys! They are Dryer Pillows made by The Lavendar Road, found on Etsy. For $15.00 you get a pack of 3 pillows that will last longer than any dryer sheets. Yes, they are reusable and yes, you'll be doing the environment a favor by not using 2 dryer sheets per cycle. Honestly, I use 3 or 4, so I would be doing the environment a HUGE favor. Plus, they are made using real scents, for example, these are actually filled with lavendar, not sprayed with a fragrence. Pretty cool, huh? This was probably my favorite find of the weekend!
Since, our future room is the following color scheme: light blues, creams, white, silver, brown, and a touch of green here and there, I adored the sconces from the get go. As seen here and here, I love candle light, and what a perfect way to add some to our room. I found the sconces after doing a little sniffing around on Z Gallerie, they were pretty reasonably priced. But, I do also see a possible DIY that could happen from finding some sconces at a garage sale, Wal-Mart or Target.
Another fantastic IKEA find, the Linus Chair. I picture this sitting in front of my of the future, refinished, desk that I had for most of my childhood. I can't wait! This was my second favortie find for the weekend. I think it's silver legs are fresh; plus, I like wicker. A lot of people discourage having any wicker furniture, but I like it, especially this chair.

Finally, a little personal want that has nothing to do with DIY or appartment building.

Lisa Leonard is a jewlery designer who makes really interesting and one of a kind pieces. Ofcourse, I wouldn't want a necklace that says "Henry", mainly because I know no one whose name is Henry. Her designs were so new and creative that it was hard to narrow down my favorite. I loved her braclettes and her necklaces, but this necklace was my favorite. I thought it would be neat to put 01-09-10 on a necklace someday. To cheesy? I thought so.

Shoot on over to any of these sites for new and interesting home pieces, designs, and of course, jewlery.
One last note, keep it up AG your doing great becomming a "Big Girl"! I'm so proud of you! I know your Bobby and Daddy are too!!

Get your hair did!

I have been getting a few calls about headbands and hair pins. So for a little incentive and hopefully to spruce up the blog, TODAY and only TODAY...if you who are reading this right now become a new follower of Writing Left Handed, you will receive 50% (holla!) off any one head band or flower pin of your choice! Regular price of pins is $10.00 and headbands are $15.00. Plus you get to create it all on your own!

Step 1: Shoot me and email at kelsey.scroggins@gmail.com titled, I am a follower (I thought it was funny!)

Step 2: Tell me the felt colors and button colors you want in the same email, two birds...one stone. Oh yea.

Step 3: I email you a pic to make sure you like it, I want you happy!

Step 4: I mail it to you!

Hurry! Hurry! There is no time to waste and honestly, I'm ready to start sewing and cutting for all you guys!

Even Lilly Jane cannot believe this deal!

Project Girl Compeleted

I am not a great artist, but I do enjoy painting, drawing, sketching, molding...and, I l-o-v-e looking at other people's work. That is where the true talent lye's, right? A few days ago I was doing some web surfing for some ideas for DIY projects for J and I, things that we could make for our home and save lots of moolah. Well, needless to say...I got inspired. Which is rare and I was excited, thrilled actually, as I began to work on the first actually art project not required, but for the pure enjoyment of painting and drawing. I decided I would recreate a painting I saw on a t-shirt website, the artist is amazing.

I didn't want to spend a lot of money, I am on a tight budget after all. So, I decided I would wait until paint went on sale at Hobby Lobby. I didn't realize how much I am in Hobby Lobby, but actually going to Hobby Lobby has become a hobby. Interesting. On Tuesday, I decided I'd swing by and check it out, when I walked in and grabbed the usual coupon sheet there was wonderful news. Acrylic paint was on sale for 77 cents. Hooray! I would never find it that cheap at Wal-Mart. Whoo-hoo! Since paint was on sale I decided to go ahead with Project Girl and get my paint on.

I had some left over foam board from J's costume that I decided to use for my canvas, I didn't want to spend money on a canvas (even though at HB this week canvas's are 40% off, but even still...out of my budget) so I jiggled for joy when I realized I found a penny saver for this project. Recycle, recycle, recycle. Using foam board isn't the greatest surface to paint, it's smooth as a baby's bottom, but it is BRIGHT and it doesn't absorb paint well. Therefore, Project Girl took about...forever. Painting 3 coats for the background, three for her hair, and two for the white in her hair and her profile.

I chose the mustard yellow, chocolate brown, and buttermilk (that was the name of the paint, it kind of grossed me out) white for my palate. I like these colors because, I wanted neutral, fall, tones but something that would match my room pretty well.

After all was said and done, this is what I came up with.

Sorry the lamp is blocking the full picture, but you get the idea. It was a lot of fun painting Project Girl, I haven't really ever felt inspired outside of the required projects in my classes. I was excited to do something that came from pictures and other works that I saw on the Internet.

The artist that inspired me did just about the same project. Honestly, I just recreated what I saw and added a few personal touches of my own. I want to give credit where credit is due! But, I don't know who did it, I was googling some t-shirts and found t-shirts at Dream of Stars, really innovative stuff! So whoever designed Project Girl, way to go, thanks for the inspiration and letting me borrow her profile! I love it and I promise, I am not going to sale it!Project Girl gives my room warmth and light, it's different walking into my room now with a large painting on the wall, but I'm loving it so far! Thanks again to Dream of Stars for the inspiration.