I should be ashamed of myself. I have yet to post about pretty much anything that is holiday related.
Baby Jesus would be ashamed. (not really…don’t think He cares) Mary would definitely be ashamed. (also…exaggeration. Probably doesn’t care…but I like to think that maybe the virgin mother was a decorator at heart). Do you ever think about Mary? I mean…like more than just oh-the-mother-of-Jesus….but more as a pregnant chick who then had to ride a donkey into the next town? I always think…was she overdue? was baby Jesus early? was Mary huge? did she gain the recommended 35 lbs? did she drink while pregnant? on a grosser note, did she pass her plug or her water break while on the donkey? did someone bathe the donkey? was the manger show evidence of a birth? did they clean up the hay? what did they do with the placenta back then? All sorts of disgusting but important medical questions….
which leads me to my next point…this mirror…
So many folks asked me about the mirror in our little hall makeover that I knew it was of upmost vital importance that I post how it got a brand new life. My mom had this little painted dude…
Yeah. About 98% of that is not my style. I did like the little rivet texture on the ‘trim’ and the fact that it was round…but that’s about where the appeal ended. It actually reminded me of our old bathroom vanity paint job…what with the flowers and curly cues. I decided that I wanted it to be a little patterned…a little bold…so first thing I did was paint the trim black.
The paint was leftover from our front door makeover, so it was glossy and black and you can see where it really was very ‘textury’ where the little flowers and leafs used to live.
After picking out my fabric, I grabbed the Mod Podge and gave the entire inset area a good coating.
Then I laid the fabric on top and smoothed it as much as humanly possible. It stuck pretty well pretty fast. I then got to work with the trimming. I always start with cutting a big X in the middle.
Since it was so smooth, a little x-acto knife action did the trick. It took probably three or four passes on the same ‘line’ but eventually the knife could get a clean cut.
After it was all cut, I did another layer of Mod Podge and let that dry. If you dig the more ‘fabric’ feel, then I would skip this step but know that the fabric edges could fray if it was touched a lot.
Totally different now…
I also did this technique to a yard sale picture frame and it was so cute. The greatest thing is…you could do this project pretty much no cost.
Tomorrow…christmas. All Christmas. All over my house.
I feel like you should know, you’re not alone in your questions about Mary. In elementary school we always watch the 3 Kings (I think that’s what it’s called) and I’d literally spend most of the time wondering how it is Mary was in labor while riding a donkey… She was a very strong woman is about all I can come up with.
Man, you’re so crafty! And handy! And funny! Merry Christmas Katie!
I’m digging that fabric! You could use it for your sink nook in the basement!!
I wonder about Mary too. Tonight in church they said it was likely she was around 14. I just can’t imagine. Have you heard the song “Mary did you know” ( not sure if that’s actually the name)? She was pretty awesome really. We named our daughter Molly after her (it comes from Mary). Your mirror is pretty awesome too.
Where is your print, “Love you to the moon and back” from? It’s adorable!
Hi Katie,
I just wanted to let you know that 1) I love the mirror! 2) My McAfee has a bar across the top of your site that says they tested this page and blocked content that comes from potentially dangerous or suspicious sites. Just thought you might want to check it out. I read your blog faithfully and wouldn’t want something to be wrong.
I hope you, Jeremy, and the boys have a wonderful Christmas!
p.s., loved the pic of Jeremy and the kids and the tongue sticking out. So cute!!
what a cute idea!
Love it! What a transformation. Between this and the frame for the feather I realize I must try thrift stores again.
You are one crafty mamma!! I love how it turned out, great addition to the space!
Gorgeous! I love the fabric you chose…it’s one of my favorites! Merry Christmas!! Xo!
If I don’t like something on anybody’s, I usually don’t say anything because face it, it’s not my blog and you can’t please everybody as you well know. However, I just have to say it: I usually enjoy your sense of humor, but I’m sorry, just can’t get into it when the holy family is involved. I just feel some things just shouldn’t be made light of and you really don’t need to respond to that, just voicing my opinion. I know full well others will be opposed to my opinion, too. Okay, that’s awkward and out of the way. This project is very cool. Really love that. My friends think I’m creative but it’s more like crafty, because I rarely can come up with gems like these on my own. I have to copy! Love that fabric. Also, I wouldn’t worry about not posting Christmas stuff prior. Enjoy your babies; born and unborn. A very blessed and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Oops, that should read …*anybody’s blog…
First, I love your blog, & read almost every day. You’re hilarious. Second, I didn’t love your comments about Mary. A little too graphic to describe the Mother if the Christ Child. She deserves more respect & tenderness.
It looks great! Where did you find the fabric?
What DID they do with the placenta??!?
It’s from DecorSteals…it was a gift from the folks there to Weston.
xo – kb
I’m not trying to offend anyone…I really do wonder about it…and I try to be honest about the weird thoughts in my head.
xo – kb
I got it at a discount fabric store for $3 a yard (they only had a remnant available…so I only got about a half a yard).
xo – kb
Sometimes it’s better to keep those weird thoughts in your head. It’s a sign of maturity/wisdom. I’m sure you didn’t mean any harm and that it wasn’t malicious.
I know you aren’t. I believe you have a good heart.
Jesus became human. Mary was human. We are all human struggling in a very human world. And you bond together as humans because you go through the same kind of experiences. I think its natural and very human to try to relate and gain strength from each other by identifying with each other.
Katie, I love that you are so honest because I’ve had those very same thoughts. I like to think of Mary as my mother and I would hope that if I got to sit down next to her we could have a very loving and very real conversation and I think she would answer all of those questions and laugh with you like a best friend.
Sorry, Lisa, consider me your first opposer.
I know!
This is so off topic, but I just saw this Bacon 5K and you were the first person that came to mind. It’s at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and supports St. Jude’s Hospital! http://baconchase.com/
I believe your intent was not to be offensive to anyone or to The Lord. But we all know what is said about “good intentions”.
The Bible tells us what our thoughts and actions should be toward our Lord.
Reverence, awe, respect, fear, honor, adoration.
If anyone deserves serious respect, it is God. And the birth of His Son, Who left Heaven to come and die for our sins, so that we, who do not deserve it, shall be saved, should not be fodder for the sake of jokes. In any way.
Just because our sinful minds think thoughts, does not make those thoughts okay. Quite the contrary according to Jesus!
An excellent article to read (but please open your Bible and read the annotated scriptures yourself rather than taking anyone else’s word for what it says, including mine!):
http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Sovereignty/sov_10.htm
I took the time to type all this because you are worth it! I think you are a very special young lady, I know you are, and pray that only good comes from this, for you, your family, we–your readers, and above all, that our Lord will be glorified.
Cute fabric, another cool project.
I like your blog but cringe at almost every other post. I know you are trying to be a blogger who stands out by being witty/funny/cute, but all your “jokes” and musings lately about Jesus/The Holy Family are not being received well by some of your page visitors – myself included.
Take a page from your bff/#1 diy home bloggers out there. You don’t have to try so hard. It’s OKAY to just talk about how you did your projects and the occassional cute kid post. People will still visit (and not leave).
I am right there with you with the whole Mary thing. (And, for the record, I am a practicing Catholic who comes from a family VERY devoted to the Blessed Mother. Like, I grew up with a Mary statue in my backyard). Anyway, last year I was pregnant at Christmastime, and all throughout midnight Mass I was thinking about how Mary was a mother and went through all the things I was going through/about to go through. I felt so connected to her in that moment. So you are not alone and I don’t think your comments were offensive in the least! Merry Christmas Bower family. 🙂
Lots of people on their soap boxes for this post. And they say us Catholics are nuts! Lighten up people… It wasn’t disrespectful period. I love when people dish out a lecture “for your own good.” But say lots of nice things around it to disguise how they are patronizing you… And on your blog! Guess you can’t keep out the wackies.
I love and respect my Lord and his mother. I pray to them daily to give me a baby. And I talk to them about all kinds of things. I’ll ask them your questions.
She’s not trying hard. She’s being herself.
Love this!
I just bought a mirror just like this and plan on applying your super crafty/super thrifty technique!!! I can’t wait – thanks so much for the inspiration!!!!!!
I’ve just read through all of the other comments here and I think that your blog is no place for you to edit yourself and try to please everyone. These questions about Mary are VALID!! There are probably whole theological researchers who have dedicated their lives to such questions and issues.
I think you’re funny… I think you’re crazy creative. If readers have problems with some of your content, well, it’s a free country, read something else or skim over until you get to the part that you want to read. C’mon man!
Christine, I love (LOVE) everything you’ve commented on this post with my whole heart. And I love Katie’s uncensored thinking. Katie, I too have wondered literally the same stuff! And it brings me closer to Mary and the Lord. The Lord designed Jesus as a human among us for a reason. And Jesus went to the bathroom, too! If one is Christian and one has not taken the time to wonder what exactly Mary, Jesus, and others truly experienced day-to-day then I invite them to. One may just find oneself with even more reverence, which would hurt anyone at all.
Agreed!
Yes. It’s a free country and she can say what she wants to. And so can those who disagree with her. It goes both ways.
True statement, very true. Haters gonna hate, also true.
Instead of taking the time to be mean and run someone down how about the haters stop and think about doing something that makes them happy. It takes a few minutes to craft a really good hater comment… why not go study up on hexes, or stab a voodoo doll, or steal a toy from a kid.
Read things that make you want to leave nice comments……….. please!
This is awesome! It looks beautiful!