Category — life

It seems as though this year has been our busiest yet at Off The Wall. In addition to our faux finishing business, we created our own line of custom made picture frames to the mix over two years ago. And with our biggest show coming up, it’s harder and harder to take the time for the little luxuries we women should treat ourselves to every now and then.

There are two things I don’t go without no matter what the day is filled with…

First, or I guess I should say last because this is a night time routine, I treat my cuticles to Sally Hansen’s Cuticle Oil. I’ve always had a hard time having long and healthy nails, but even more so now that my hands take a regular washing in paint thinner and brush cleaner. I started using this little bottle of oil a while ago, and it is truly the only thing that has ever made a difference!

Another vital part of my day…

Some of you may be wondering where we are at this week. Jaime and I took the week off, the first time this year!!! My husband, Bart, is speaking at Kid Blast at Lake Guntersville, Alabama. We have had so much fun! The church has been so awesome and welcoming. It’s right on the lake too. Yesterday, we had the privilege of riding a jet ski out on the lake. I must say, it felt like we were kids again. Thanks to everyone at Lake Guntersville Church for having us. We had a BLAST!

Later, I will post some pictures that Bart and I took as we drove up and around the mountains here. The lake side homes are so gorgeous. I’m dreaming of retirement!!!

The Jeff Hindman Band worshipping and leading worship during Kid’s Blast. This guys are simply amazing. Have you heard them sing worship? We were blown away!

Today, Bart and I celebrate five years of marriage! Wow, it’s funny because I can’t believe five years has already gone by, yet it seems like I have known him forever. Before I met Bart, I wondered if God had marriage in His plan for me.

Throughout my life, I struggled with not ever feeling good enough. Without getting into the long story of it all, I always felt unworthy of the truly great things in life that everyone else deserved. God has taught me A LOT, and most importantly shown me that I was wrong… way wrong. As a child of God, I don’t ever have to worry about actually being good enough. And though I wasn’t worthy, my God loved me so much, that His one and only son died for me. Crazy right?!?!?

God also knew what He was doing when he brought me a husband. He has shown me so much about how He loves me through Bart. It was, and still is, as if God is revealing a side of Himself to me that I did not know before Bart. When Bart seeks the best for me, when He protects me, when He fights for me, when he cares and comforts me… this is all just a fraction of what God feels for me!

Working with teenage girls, I hear some of them talk often about how they just want to be done with school, get married and have kids. I tell them that marriage is really the best thing they could ever imagine all wrapped up with the hardest thing they can ever do. It takes a lot of work! When God spoke of dying to ourselves, I believe he also meant that to be true in marriage. I don’t mean that we lose our identity and completely change the person we are, but we desire to always make our spouse feel honored, cherished, chased after, and loved above all others.

Thank you God for creating Bart for me. Thank you for creating the marriage relationship as an example to us of your love.

Thank you to my wonderful husband, whom I completely adore, for loving me unconditionally, always chasing after me, and for challenging me to grow as a women of God. You are an inspiration to me daily! I love you. Happy Anniversary!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mom’s out there!

(Reagan & Lissy, by Reagan Scobey)

Those of you who know me well, know that Bart and I are waiting patiently for God to bless us with children. I used to have a difficult time discussing this, actually I used to not want to discuss it at all. But I know that this is part of our story. And I believe that there is a reason we have stories… to share them, to inspire and encourage others. I once thought that I needed to have a biological child to really experience motherhood. But over the years, I have learned that you don’t have to be a biological mother or father to really be a parent.

Though we are blessed with two of the most wonderful nieces we could have ever asked for. I am SO extremely thankful that God has allowed Bart and I to have a close relationship with them, and I am always amazed at what God has taught me through these two girls. I especially am blessed by watching the relationship my sister has with them. To see the love between mothers and daughters, the way they laugh together, play together, cry together… it makes my heart break sometimes because I know that is just a fraction of the kind of love The Father has for us!

I went by my sisters the other day after Reagan got home from school. It was so beautiful outside, she wanted to go play with their sidewalk chalk. I had so much fun that afternoon, getting back to the basics of what art is all about. When we ask Reagan what she wants to do when she grows up, she say she wants to be an artist like her Aunt Lissy (at least for now).

After spending a long, but so much fun, couple of days in the studio, I came home to see this on my computer. For those of you who know me, this is no surprise, for those who don’t… this is my weakness! I love all things chocolate. Well, let’s be honest, if it has sugar in it… it’s for me! I found this recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie over at Bakerella.

There is nothing like a good does of something gooey and yummy to give you that burst of creative energy you need!

Jaime and I sometimes turn to sweet little indulgences like this for that little pick me up we need while plugging away in the studio. Does this work for anyone else, or are we just crazy?

Thanks to everyone for the lovely birthday wishes this weekend. As I entered my last year to enjoy in my 20’s, I’ll admit that at first, I had a difficult time. Has anyone else experienced getting older to be somewhat hard?

But as the weekend played out, and I was surrounded by my friends and family, God just overwhelmed me with a sense of THANKFULNESS. I am alive and healthy, I am loved, I LOVE OTHERS, and most importantly, God has created me to bring Him glory. So why should turning another year older be so bad?

This weekend, I spent a lot of time reflecting over my life. As I did that, God really walked me through a lot [Read more →]

(Good Hope Pitcher and Sweet Shrub Bedding by Antrhopologie; Easter Table Setting by Heather Bailey)

Well, today is officially the first day of Spring! It’s finally here… time to open your windows, sip your coffee on the back porch, clean your house from top to bottom, plant flowers and prune your garden. [Read more →]

Chapter 2 : Ask Yourself, What’s The Big Idea?

Martha’s Rule #2: Focus your attention and creativity on basic things, things that people need and want. Then look for ways to enlarge, improve, and enhance your big idea.

This is one idea that Jaime and I really thought long and hard about. There are several faux finishers in our area, so we are constantly asking ourselves, what set’s us apart from the rest? There are lots of people who make picture frames, quote plaques and the like for people to buy, but what makes ours different?

As a business owner, this rule is an important one to remember. If Jaime and I offered a service that no one needed, would we really be able to make a living doing what we do? If we were making picture frames, but no one was taking pictures any more, would people buy our frames? The answer is obviously no… however, so many people often take something they love and try to offer it or sell it, but quickly find out that no one needs it.

As faux finishers, it’s EXTREMELY important to us that we fulfill the dreams and exceed the expectations of our clients. If this means, that a year later, we go back to that clients home to fix a bathroom vanity door that they spilt nail polish remover on… then that is what we do. Sure, we shouldn’t have to. Sure, it wasn’t OUR fault or OUR mistake. But when you are making the client or customer feel valued and special, this creates a certain level of loyalty, it builds a relationship. They will start to talk about you to their friends, and recommend you to others. When a friend is complaining about not being happy with their kitchen cabinets, the client will think about you.

Do you have a BIG IDEA? How is it different from other’s?

Recently, Jen from JLC Studio tagged us. Now, according to the law of the Blog World, I must provide all of you readers with 7 random facts about me. Hey, I’m not one for breaking the law, so here you go:

1. My favorite TV show of all time is Friends. That’s right, I’m not ashamed either. I LOVE this show!

Put me on a sofa and turn on Friends, I am instantly in a good mood and laughing my head off. It’s not uncommon either, if you hang around me for long, to hear a few Friends quotes slip out of my mouth every now and then. [Read more →]

“Feeling guilty about wasting time on computer solitaire? Join the growing guilt-free multitude at FreeRice.com, an online game with redeeming social value.” - USA Today

I just discovered this wonderful website, FREERICE.COM . Click on an answer that best defines the word given, if you get it right, you get a harder word. If wrong, you get an easier word. For each word you get right, 20 grains of rice is donated.

Yes, I know, you may be wondering what this has to do with art, design, and home decor, however,

[Read more →]