Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so excited for this weekend, Wes and I are headed to Cali to visit family. :) There are SO very many things I have to thank the Lord for this year....

*Salvation in Him *Husband *Wonderful Family *Our new home

....to name a few. But, I wanted to thank the Lord for a small way he has provided for me. I just love the way He shows his love and care in every detail of our lives. Even minor things that just remind us that He knows us and our needs even before we ask Him! 

I have been wearing boots constantly this fall and into the winter. They are so much nicer than having cold feet all day! I noticed, that I didn't pay a dime for a single pair of boots I wear! Between a friend who wasn't going to use hers anymore, my dad bringing home a pair from work, and receiving a gift card at my job, I have adorable boots in perfect colors and styles! Such a small thing, but what a blessing. :)

I very well could have bought the shoes, but I love how the Lord just decided to bring them right to me! Maybe, a silly thought, but I'm thankful for a God who is interested in the small areas of our lives as well as the big, life changing events---I like those too{Wes.Marriage.Moving.Utah} ;)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ~James 1:17

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!

Tutorial: Scrapbook Paper Advent Calendar

December is only a few days away! I can't believe we are entering our 5th month of living in Utah. :) I am super excited to make our home cozy and Christmasy. Seeing as we are living on love.... :) I decided to pursue a DIY Christmas when it comes to decor, stockings, ornaments, etc. My first endeavor was this garland-style advent calendar made from scrapbooking paper. Here's how I did it!

You will need:

• Holiday scrapbooking paper- 13- 12"x12" sheets
• Scissors
• glue stick
• string- Baker's string was perfect!
• Fine point sharpie
• white cardstock or printer paper
• Hole punch
• Advent Calendar Verses {I'd be happy to email you my PDF, just message me if you need it!}
• Pattern for the pouches {Again, let me know if you would like to print off mine. :)}

1. Trace your pattern onto scrapbook paper 25 times. I fit 2 on each page.

2. Cut each pattern out. I doubled up pages to cut 2 at a time, while watching a movie, and it went by fairly quickly. 

3. Lay the paper pattern down and in half. 

 

 4. Fold in the wings. 

5. Apply glue to the wings and seal 2 halves together.

6. Punch 2 holes into the back of the pouch.

7. Repeat steps 3-6 with all 25 cutouts. Layout the pieces in the pattern order you wish and number them 1-25. 

8. Print out 25 Verses. I chose a Biblical task for each Day and a verse to meditate on to go with each. Cut out your verse cards, and place one in each pouch. 

9. Finally, string the pouches in order through the holes in the back of each.

 Hang your calendar up, and your ready for the Christmas Countdown! Unfortunately, I don't have a mantle, we do have a perfect sized living room window. :)

I am looking forward to the challenge and reminders each day from God's Word as we prepare to celebrate our Savior's birth!

The Winner and Some Reminiscing

A name has been drawn....{drum roll please} and the winner of the Christmas Card Giveaway is Joslynne Trygstad!! Congratulations Joslynne :) You will receive your cards in the mail soon!

Thank you to all of you who entered the giveaway! I so appreciate your support, I wish I could just draw everyone's name. ;)

 On a second note, before everything goes all out Christmas, I wanted to share some thanksgivingness that has been on my mind. These last couple weeks mark a year since I officially became a Teacher! The way it worked with my student teaching, I didn't finish my degree until November. It was so neat that the Lord worked it out for the school I student taught at needed a teacher right at that time.

I was so thankful! It was such a fun time to start, I wanted to share the first projects I did with my students for Thanksgiving.

My students loved these projects! I think they would be so fun to do at home with the kids to get ready for Thursday too! What an awesome year it was at Southside Christian School. :) I will definitely always remember and be thankful for those first few weeks teaching there!

Will you be my Bridesmaid?--Box

 Last week, I shared the cards I sent out asking my lovely friends to be bridesmaids. Here is another idea my so-cute-and-creative friend Cheryl sent to her girls. This was so personalized and special, I love it!!

Cheryl sent each of us one of these gorgeous boxes {she MADE} with our initial and dictionary pages with that letter, and a pretty little planner.

 Adorable, Right?? Both are making awesome decorations in my house right now. But, this wasn't just a sweet little box. Inside were all kinds of goodies :)

1. Pretty Initial Box

2. A string of paper dolls naming the other ladies in the wedding. I loved how there was a string of bridesmaids, one of jr. bridesmaids, and a little flower girl! Everyone was included.

3. Sweet planner {amazing since I was also planning my wedding simultaneously}. The planner had the dates, times, and places we needed to be during the wedding weekend. {See Below} This woman is ORGANIZED, and it was so helpful!

4. Chalkboard style Save the Date

5. Loved this: Sample pictures of Cheryl's vision for bridesmaid dresses and shoes. So nice when when going with bridesmaids-pick-their-dresses.

6. Paint sample cards showing the color palette for wedding party attire, and a note telling us we may pick our own dresses!

7. Photos previewing the style of the wedding- cake, reception type, wedding location, attire styles, etc.

As I bridesmaid, I loved receiving this box in the mail. I was so pumped to be a part of Cheryl's wedding after getting a taste of the special day--in a box. :) More to come showcasing Cheryl's incredible wedding soon!

**On another note, don't forget to enter the Christmas Card Giveaway TODAY! I will be drawing a winner at the end of the day**

Christmas Card Giveaway!

Its that time of year! Get a jump start with on the holiday season by entering the Christmas card giveaway! On winner will receive three handmade cards and envelopes. :) 

Here's how to win! Your name will be entered for each of the following you do:

• "Like" Raindrops on Roses on Facebook. If you have already, just let me know! 
• Share the Giveaway link on your Facebook page.
• Pin this post on Pinterest.
• Follow me on twitter @JacqMurdock and tweet about the giveaway!

Simple as that! Complete one or more of task and your name will be in the drawing once for each! 

**The key is to comment on Raindrops on Roses' Facebook page or the end of this post letting me know  what you did**

The contest will end SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, and I will announce the winner early next week!

Good Luck and thanks for all your support!

Will you be my Bridesmaid?

I was so excited to ask these lovely ladies to be in our wedding! Each girl has been such a wonderful friend to me. I wanted to ask in a special way.

Photo by: Paige Overturf Photography

One of the first thing in every bridesmaid's mind is, "what color are we wearing?" I made these cards by cutting dresses out of scrapbook paper that matched our wedding color scheme to give the girls an idea. {Excuse the photos, they were taken with my not-smart phone ;)}

 

 

These were such a simple way to "pop the question", but who doesn't love getting mail?? I couldn't wait to hear the replies. :)

I know, who has time to cut and paste all these little dresses? You're in luck, because I already did all the work for you! These little bridesmaid dress sets are now on my Etsy shop. If I don't have your colors available, please contact me and I would be happy to whip up a custom set for you!

Thanks for stopping by! Stay tuned for more ideas to come. :)

A Very Special Gift

You may have noticed, I have been posting quite a few recipes lately. I have been in sort of a baking frenzy, but who wouldn't be when you have this gorgeous apron to wear!

This was a special gift from my mom at my bridal shower. It is perfect! It is not just any little apron, she made it! In the box, I received a note from my mom explaining how she sewed this apron using scraps of fabric from all the little projects we did when I was a little girl-- doll clothes, pillows, curtains. :) Each of the patterns in the apron is familiar to me and so special! I couldn't ask for a more precious gift. Now, every time I'm in the kitchen, I have my sweet mama with me and all the memories of everything she taught me! She is amazing.

Thank you, Mom, for everything!

I love you :)

Wedding Details

Just sharing a few favorite details from our wedding. Ah, so very many details involved it that day! It wasn't until I was in the midst of planning that I realized just how many little things need to be thought of in this business of tying the knot! I remember wondering where in the world to start, wishing there was a "this-is-where-to-find-every-thing-for-your-wedding" website. No wonder people hire wedding planners, just to keep you sane during the process! 

For those of us who want to make the day special, love pretty details, and have a BUDGET, wedding planning is an endless treasure hunt for deals, tricks, and solutions. 

So, in the months ahead, I plan to post how-to's, tips, resources, and ideas we used in an effort to offer any small tidbit of help to brides who are on the hunt! 

If you are a bride-to-be, please, take any ideas that you wish, ask any questions you have! Even if all I have to offer is assurance that you are not going crazy, I'd love to help!

If you know a busy bride, please share this link!

If you are neither, enjoy our beautiful photos by Paige Overturf Photography. :)