Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants!
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please only sign in if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week!
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Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
— 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)

I hope that you have pure inexpressible and glorious joy this weekend!

Around here lately...

The other day I went out for a little walk around our place.
I could show you different rooms in the house.
But some of them still aren't decorated. We've only lived here a year... (ha.)
And I'd have to clean it.
So the better option was to show you bits and pieces of the outside.












This tree was completely uprooted by a storm recently.



A hole in the shape of Texas. Fortunately it's not the size of Texas.

Our bridge.



Do you know what these are? Hedge Apples. Some people call them Osage Apples.
I don't know that they're really good for anything. But they look like monster brains, which is pretty cool this time of year.


Locust trees are completely covered in thorns. Huge ones.

Heart. Or pig snout?


When I was walking way back in the woods I kept hoping someone wouldn't jump out and get me.
It's spooky back there!
The Man thinks I'm crazy but if you were an escaped convict, where would you go?
To the woods!! Exactly. I'm glad you all think like I do.
I'd totally go hang out and make camp back in the boonies somewhere.
And if some strang lady came walking up with a big camera, I'd jump out and grab her.

Oy.
My imagination gets the best of me sometimes.
Hope you enjoyed the pretty rustic photos!

Never enough pumpkins...

I loooove pumpkins. And when it comes to Fall decorating, I think you can never have too many.
(by the way, the number one google search leading to this blog right now is "Is it time to decorate for Fall?" Yes. It's time. Do it.)

In the past I've been known to spend too much money on pumpkins, just to have tons of them sitting on the porch.
So this year I decided to grow my own. It's my first time.
Did you know they're incredibly easy to grow? But they spread and take up lots of room, so don't do it unless you don't mind losing a big space in your yard.

I grew these!


I've actually been able to cut 8 or 9 of them so far.
But they keep disappearing. And then I find them in the yard looking like this.


I know who's doing it. I have seen him a few times.
I don't want to name names, but it starts with S and ends with ully.


He thinks they're fabulous toys and even better snacks.
And with all the vitamins he's getting, his coat has never looked better.


He's a punk. A big soft fluffy cuddly pumpkin eating punk.

Fly butter... Flutter by...

I've mentioned before that I have a thing for butterflies.
Love them.
My bedroom was decorated in butterflies when I was a little girl.
It's why I drew this butterfly and had it made into a metal stamp.
So I've been very happy lately to see thousands of Monarch butterflies migrating through our yard!




There were days when entire trees were bright fluttering orange.
And I kept thinking I needed to go take some photos.
But then I'd get busy and put it off.





And by the time I finally went out to do it, there were only a handful left.
But you know what?
Monarch butterflies hibernate in the same trees every single year.
So they'll be back next year!





***Do you have plans for this weekend? We're just soaking up the weather, doing yard work and relaxing.

p.s. The recent giveaway winners are The Amazing Johnsons and Marianne at Songbird. Congrats ladies! Please email therustedchaininfo AT yahoo.com.

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants!
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please only sign in if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week!
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Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.
— Psalm 79:9 (NIV)

Thank you to each of you who participate in this every week! Our slow rural internet doesn't allow me to comment on very many blogs, but I do try to check out each link.
I love seeing what you guys come up with!

Craft Show...

We don't do many craft shows. And there's a reason.
The Man was raised doing them. His family did them for a living.
He was homeschooled and they traveled the country all year long doing craft shows.

He hates them.

So there's a real irony in the fact that he now has a wife who does craft shows.
I had to drag him to the one over the weekend. But he did it.

Here's a little peek at our booth.


I gathered frames from thrift stores and spray painted them.
I'm smart like that.
I think I spent $15 total.




It was cold and raining when we set up.
And it was cold and raining when we tore down.

My biggest goal was to have the display be as simple and easy as possible, without being cheesy.
And to meet lots of people.
And we achieved both. So many people came to look, shop, and meet us!
That was super fun.
And some people who've never heard of this blog, still recognized our business from magazines and other blog features.
That was fun too.

I'm still not a craft show kind of girl. I won't do many of them.
But once or twice a year, it's worth it!

I'm kind of spoiled. Being in my home studio. Surrounded by wild sunflowers.

No cupcakes.

You know that bloggers lives aren't exactly real, right?
If it seems picture perfect on the blog, I promise you there's something different going on behind the scenes.
Certainly some people have a happy and cheerful outlook on life. And I love that!
I try to be one of those. And generally I am.
But it's not always rainbows and cupcakes around here.
And if there's anything I am, it's real. Honest. Blunt. (to a fault)

For the past few weeks, every waking moment has been spent preparing for a big show we did over the weekend.
There were nights with 3 hours of sleep, only to wake up at 4am and start another new day.

My house looks like a tornado hit. It's not good.

Last night my dinner was Buffalo Wing Doritos and a piece of Dove dark Chocolate.

There's currently a 4 year old screaming as if he's being tortured in the room next to me. Hysteria.

I'm exhausted. Drinking a bucket of coffee. Already considering another one when this one is empty.

But despite it all, I'm so grateful.

There is beauty all around.





No it's not perfect. But it's good.
And I could sure use a cupcake right about now.

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants!
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please only sign in if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week!
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{We're seeing lots of deer lately as the temperatures drop!}

"But I am like a sheltered olive tree protected by the Lord himself. I will trust in the mercy of God forever and ever." Psalm 52:8

There's Something about Fall... {giveaway}

There's just something about Fall that makes me want to look cute.
To start piling on accessories. Boots. Scarves. Brooches. Necklaces.
Earrings. Hair accessories. Bracelets... oh the bracelets.
There's never enough jewelry in the Fall. (Okay I'm sure some ladies could prove me wrong on this theory, but if you do it tastefully, there's never enough jewelry.)

We listed several new pieces of jewelry in the shop yesterday.

Dream Big necklace


Audrey Earrings


Ashley Earrings


Vintage Pumpkin Earrings


Thankful Charm Necklace


Because we think you need to be well accessorized this Fall, we're giving away 2 $25 gift certificates.

To enter: Leave a comment telling which of these new pieces is your favorite.

For additional entries: blog it. facebook it. tweet it. pin it. (please leave additional entries for each of these you do.)

We'll pull 2 random winners soon.

Happy Fall y'all!

Come see me.

This is my favorite time of year. (until Spring comes and then I always declare it as my favorite... but really, it's Fall.)

I get to wear scarves and cute boots and it puts me in the mood to bake, get crafty, and go shopping.

I hit the Farmer's Market recently.








If you're around this coming weekend, come see me!
We'll be at the biggest Art and Craft show around, in Hillsboro.
We will have lots of one of a kind jewelry for sale, that's not available on the website.
Plus you can see what a dork I am in real life.
One of my favorite things is when I meet people and they say, "You are EXACTLY like you seem on your blog!" I love that.
I is what I is.

And in a few weeks, on Oct. 1st, we'll be selling at the Big Barn Sale. So you can come to that too.
Everything there is antique, vintage, and handmade.
It's full of fun shopping goodness!
Both events are free admission.

Are you feeling Fall yet where you are?