Welcome back  to Your Turn To Shine!! I love Thursdays when I get to see what all you’ve been up to…. whether it’s a piece of furniture you’ve redone, a delicious recipe you’re sharing, or just anything else you’ve created and want to share, I’m excited to see it! I wish I could leave a comment on all of your posts, but time just doesn’t allow it.If you are new, Your Turn To Shine is a weekly link up party where you can share any DIY, crafts, home décor, recipes, and family friendly posts! I host this party with 4 super talented ladies and by linking up on my blog, your post will appear on 5 blogs!!! If you’re returning to link up, thanks for sharing with us each week!

Joy In Our Home

DIY Glue Gun Stand | Homemade Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade | Reclaimed Wood Towel Holder

  Kendra   ||  Facebook  ||  Instagram  ||  Pinterest 

Welcome back once again to Your Turn To Shine!! We are so excited to see what you’ve been up too! I was so happy to see so many fabulous link ups last week…. everything from spring and Easter décor and treats to other fabulous creations !!   I really enjoy looking through them all… wish I had the time to thank each one of you personally!

If you are new, Your Turn To Shine is a weekly link up party where you can share any DIY, crafts, home décor, recipes, etc! I host this party with 4 super talented ladies and by linking up on my blog, your post will appear on 5 blogs!!! If you’re returning to link up, thanks for joining us once again! We sincerely hope you all come back each week to share and to see all the inspiring posts! 

 Joy In Our Home

Speckled Eggs | One Room Challenge: A Bathroom Makeover | Mini Banana Splits 

 Kendra   ||  Facebook  ||  Instagram  ||  Pinterest 

Framed Dry Erase Boards || How To Transfer Images With Mod Podge || French Graphic Dresser

 Vicki & Amy  || Facebook || Instagram || Pinterest || Twitter || G+

Hello Friends!

It’s the second Wednesday of the month and that means time for another Monthly DIY Challenge! It seems like just last week that we had our last challenge like this and I shared our Upcycled Barn Door and now here we are again! This time around, our theme is Scrap Wood/Wood Shims. With projects forever on the go around here, there is no shortage to our pile of scrap wood!

And so today’s project I want to share with you is all about practical. Nothing really totally gorgeous and breathtaking. If you’re looking for something like that, maybe check out my Pinterest boards where you’ll find lots of amazing inspiration. Or this beautiful room that we just completed in a 6 week makeover!

However,  I am super duper impressed with this little beast… my new Glue Gun Stand!!!!

  Now, I’ve been using a glue gun forever. I think this one might be my third one (they do last for ages though it seems!). Up till now I used a big piece of tile to set my glue gun on. While it worked perfectly fine, I always had to make sure it didn’t scratch any surfaces I set it on and it got very messy all.the.time. The bigger the surface, the more you have to clean, right?

A couple evenings ago we were working around in our garage and staring at our big pile of scrap wood when I asked my husband if he’d make me this stand. Of course, being the sweet husband that he is, he said sure! It probably took him about an hour from start to finish (including painting). I’ll show you how he made it… very easy and so handy!

We started with some scrap pine that was left over from the coffee table he made for me.  The size of the piece of wood and tile will depend on the size of your glue gun.  Mine is a medium size and so the measurements I’ll share are perfect for it.  You’ll need one piece of scrap wood that measures 3 1/2″ X 8″.  Ours was 3/4 inch thick.  For the tile, he used a small scrap that was left over from the bathroom renovation and cut it down to a 3 1/4 inch square.  He then lightly sanded the edges of the tile to make sure they were smooth.  For the “Y” shaped piece pictured above, he used another scrap piece of the 3 1/2 inch wide pine and it was 3 inches high.   As you can see in the photo above, the “tail” on the “Y” originally started out much longer but the total height of 3 inches was what worked best for my size of glue gun.  The tail itself measures 1 1/4 inches to the bottom of the “V” and the “V” makes up the other 1 3/4 inches.  Any longer and the glue gun wouldn’t sit in properly.  The “Y” itself was then cut on an angle so it would sit slanted on the base to cradle the glue gun.

You can shape the base if you want to or leave it as is.  I like the slightly rounded end where the glue gun handle rests.  It gets rid of the sharp corners and gives it a little more character.  Using a hand sander, sand all the edges of the wood including the “Y” piece. This’ll get rid of all the rough edges and any future slivers 🙂 

Position the tile in place and then trace where the base of the “Y” will sit.  Carefully drill a pilot hole from the bottom of the base up into the “Y”.  Glue the “Y” to the base and then screw the “Y” to the base.  We used regular carpenter’s glue for this and to attach the tile to the base. 

After a quick coat of white paint it was done! I immediately started using it and the stand is perfect! Once the hot glue dries, it’s so easy to just peel or scrape of the piece of tile!  

 I just think this little guy is the biggest deal! Wish we could just mail one out to ya’ll!

And lastly, I just had to share a little close up of these adorable succulents!

Before you run off, I’d love it if you checked out what my friends came up with… it’s amazing what you can make out of scraps that would’ve ended up in the dump!

Thanks so much for stopping by today… have a lovely day!

-Kendra 

 Welcome back  to Your Turn To Shine!! I love Thursdays when I get to see what all you’ve been up to…. whether it’s a piece of furniture you’ve redone, a delicious recipe you’re sharing, or just anything else you’ve created and want to share, I’m excited to see it! I wish I could leave a comment on all of your posts, but time just doesn’t allow it.

If you are new, Your Turn To Shine is a weekly link up party where you can share any DIY, crafts, home décor, recipes, and family friendly posts! I host this party with 4 super talented ladies and by linking up on my blog, your post will appear on 5 blogs!!! If you’re returning to link up, thanks for sharing with us each week!

Joy In Our Home 

 Bathroom

Happy Monday everyone!

Is anyone else having a hard time believing it’s May? Where does the time go? The countdown to summer holidays is on now…

I don’t often share personal stuff on my blog but sometimes it’s fun to have a little sneak peek at the blogger behind-the-scenes. When I saw Little Bits of Home take part in this new “What’s Up Wednesday” post, I thought I’d join in as well… even though I’m a few days late!

What We’re Eating this Week:

Today, we hosted a delicious lunch and had 20 of our friends over. Our menu was Barbequed Pulled Beef Sandwiches (will be sharing the recipe soon!), Hashbrown Casserrole (a crowd-pleaser), a veggie tray and a few salads. My husband made his amazing Coconut Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie and some friends brought a couple Mixed Berry Pies…. it was all.so.darn.good!

This French Onion Soup that I posted a while back is also on the menu for this week! We love this soup and soo delicious when you serve it with salad!

What I’m Reminiscing About:

I was visiting with my mom on the phone and  she was telling me her and my dad were going to visit my grandparents this weekend. They are 97 and 93 years old and I love them dearly. I grew up living next door to them on the farm and I have countless childhood memories that involve them, especially my Grandma. What I love is how special our two little ones are to them now, as well. This grassy trail used to be a dirt road and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ridden my bike here or gone for a walk with my sisters or friends.  So many memories…

What I’m Loving:

Those two kiddos in the above picture. They’re our absolute pride and joy and I can’t imagine life without them.

What We’ve Been Up To:

We have been crazing busy remodeling our bathroom for a One Room Challenge I’m participating it. The final reveal is on Thursday and I cannot wait to be done!

What I’m Dreading:

I honestly can’t think of anything I’m dreading …

What I’m Working On:

This should maybe say, what are you NOT working on? My husband could tell you that I’m famous for starting one hundred ten projects at a time. I am currently painting baseboards, working on a staircase gallery wall, a barn door, etc. I’m excited to share some of these on my blog soon!

What I’m Exciting About: I am soo, soo excited for camping season! Every year we anxiously wait for the websites to open up and allow bookings! Let me tell you, the summer months fill up so fast! It’s become our yearly tradition to spend a week at the lake in the mountains. It is one of my favorite places to visit… and can’t wait to make more family memories there this summer!

 What I’m Reading:

I love, love reading but to be honest, I am not reading anything lately!! I am known to not be able to put a book down once I start it so I’ve become verrrry wise in not beginning one unless I know I have some spare time coming up! I read mostly fiction when I do get a chance.

What I’m Listening To:

My favorite music is Christian and this band from Ireland has quickly become a favorite. Here’s Rend Collective singing “My Lighthouse”

What I’m Doing This Weekend:

Yardwork. And more yardwork. Our yard has come such a lonnnng way. It was pretty much a disaster when we moved in but with a lot of hard work and sweat it’s a huge improvement. I hope to get some much needed weeding done. And maybe with Mother’s Day this weekend, there will be a surprise or two for me!? heehee!

What I’m Looking Forward To Next Month:

I don’t want to rush the time by but I am so excited for the end of the school year! It seems to have flown by and I can’t wait to have our babies home every day and have no routine for two whole months! We’re also going to our church convention at the end of June and it’s definitely one of the highlights of our year. So encouraging and refreshing to spend time with so many people we love and just feed on God’s Word!

Thanks so much for reading friends! I hope you all have a very wonderful week!

 Before you go, a few of my blogging friends and I are doing a Mother’s Day giveaway!!! Please enter below for your chance to win a $300 Target giftcard… you could split it 50/50 with Mom or if your mom is as amazing as mine, you could treat her to the whole thing! Good luck, friends!

This giveaway could not be possible without all these fabulous hosts featured below so be sure to stop by and give them some love.

Burlap and Babies | Table & Hearth | Little Girl Designs | My Creative Days | Carrie This Home | 3 Little Greenwoods | Wetherills Say I Do | Joy In Our Home | Curly Crafty Mom | The Rustic Willow | AllThatSrocks | The Logbook | The Robin’s Nest Designs | Sisters, What! | Home Remedies | My Own Home Blog

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Well, hello, hello!

I am over the moon excited to tell you that I am joining up once again in the One Room Challenge!

Hosted by Linda from Calling It Home, this challenge encourages us to makeover/redo any room in our home in a 5 week period. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you might remember that I’ve participated in two of these before. Last spring, we redid our Master Bedroom and last fall we did our Laundry Room. And this time, we are tackling our main bathroom. Now, don’t laugh it may be the smallest room in our home, but it needs some serious attention! Plus, I didn’t want to let this challenge slip by me without jumping on board! Coupled with a busy spring, this room will keep us on our toes!

I’m going to share the pretty pictures first! After all, I don’t want to scare y’all off with our bathroom’s current state! Here’s what I’m dreaming off…

Sources: Clockwise from top left: DIY Show Off,  Pinterest, Target, Better Homes and Garden, Miss Mustard Seed, Better Homes and Garden,  Trusper (Please note: If you want to pin any of these images, please do so from the original source only so the proper people get credit ! Thank you!)

Well, I can’t hold the suspense any longer… it’s time to share the “before” pictures. This is always the hardest part for me! Just promise me you’ll keep following along on this journey with me!

Purple countertops. Green paint. 90’s medicine cabinet. This is the one room in our house that’s basically been untouched since we moved into our home. I’m excited to get started on it and make some changes!

No makeover is complete without a to-do list…. so here we go: 

•  Create a bright and happy room! (Painting the walls is my #1 priority in this space!!!)
   Get rid of purple counter tops. 
•  Change sink and faucet.
•  Get new light fixture.  
•  Pretty shower curtain.
•  There’s some awesome shelves behind the door and I want lots of storage baskets and pretty storage containers for here.
•  Build some open shelving above the toilet.
• Make hook rack for towels.
• Change oak trim to white.
• Get rid of medicine cabinet and get new mirror.
• Change hardware on cabinets and on main door.  (One knob is already changed… had to see how they’d look!)
• Change flooring.

There it is in writing now! This is such a crazy awesome way to stay on track and accountable! No turning back now!

Here is the plan for all the participants… I am so excited to have you follow along!

Thursdays, April 2nd (week 1) – Introduce your space, and tell us your plan. 

Thursday, April 9th (week 2) – Show us your progress. What have you accomplished?   Thursday, April 16th (week 3) – Have you encountered any setbacks? Any happy accidents?   Thursday, April 23rd (week 4) – How’s it going? Week 4 is the hardest!   Thursday, April 30th (week 5) – Did you revise your plan? Hang in there, you can do it.    Thursday, May 7th (week 6) – The Finale – It’s all about the pictures.

Linking to these fabulous parties:

 Inspire Me Tuesday, Time To Sparkle, On Display Thursdays, Tuesdays At Our Home, Motivational Monday, The Dedicated House, The Makers Link Party, Party In Your PJs, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Whimsy Wednesday, Moonlight and Mason Jars, Work It Wednesday, Pin Worthy Wednesday, Wednesday Roundup,  Artsy Fartsy Link Party, Inspire Me Please, Grace At Home, Creative Collection, Weekend Wind-down Party, Best of The Weekend,  Super Saturday, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop, Share It Sunday, Talented Tuesdays, Pretty Pintastic Party, Think and Make Party, Something To Talk About, The Creative