Break

For the first time since moving to our new place,
we finally had a break.
Thanks to Thanksgiving, we had the opportunity to get away from chaos and relax in North Carolina with family.

Life has been going non-stop.

I felt like the little social life I had developed in Chicago was no more. I had no time for anything/anyone except school related assignments.
I really thought I was hitting the point where I was going to have to start from scratch.
Luckily, there are some really amazing people in Chicago and Florida who love the heck out of me and I am so unbelievably grateful for them.

I am so thankful for new friends.
I am thankful for those friends who encouraged me when I was at my lowest points.
I am thankful for my ridiculously amazing family.
I am thankful for my super awesome husband.
I am thankful for the ability to create.
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Because of all the hectic things going on, we haven't gotten a chance to focus on decor for our place.

I've been eyeing a bunch of things from CB2 that are definitely way too expensive.

I've had my eye on this sweet abacus that I think would go well with our living room.

Only problem is that I would want 2 and that's just not going to happen.

cb2.com

cb2.com

cb2.com

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I had ideas of one day maybe making one, but with the way life was going, there was just no time for crafts.

Well, I was talking to my cousin Pete about it, and he said "why don't you make one?"

I was like, "yea, why don't I make one?"

This is the perfect time. We are in the mountains, relaxing.

What better time to do arts and crafts then while in the mountains?

It just so happens that a Michaels just opened down in Boone.

So, we picked up some supplies and decided to start the abacus making project.

I took some photos along the way.
Hope you enjoy:

I bought some wooden beads so I could
choose the colors we would paint them.

I chose blue, green, gold, and brown paint
to match our living room.

Ruben , Pete, and I each painted a
different color.

I bought these 24 inch sticks and cut them in half.
Then, we drilled holes every 2 inches so they would fit
the smaller wooden rods we bought.
The smaller wooden rods were 36 inches and I cut three 12 inch rods from each one.
The holes on the side also give a nice texture on the side of the abucus.

This glue takes FOREVER to dry.

We put the beads on the rods and then squeezed
 them into the pre-drilled holes.
(Note: One of the green lines has 9 and one has 11-
we didn't realize until after the project was complete
- it's ok though, it was just a practice run)
Then we tied the wood pieces together so the glue would dry properly.

The final product!
Our hand-made mini abucus!

This was a super fun and fairly simple project.
It is fun to play with too. I plan on making two larger ones for the wall above our sofa when there is time.
This one will probably be on our coffee table for people to play with when they are over. :)

Thanks to Pete, Ruben, and my mom for help with the project!

Hope you all have a great week!
Driving back to Chicago tomorrow.
Wish us luck!