AmandaCarver Designs

Coutdown to Christmas

When we were little we always had the awesome paper house with windows and doors that opened to reveal a stale piece of chocolate each day until Christmas. My brother and I would take turns opening the day…we loved the ritual of it. I have done something similar each year, but now that the girls are even more aware I wanted to try something new. I found this link to a scripture countdown to Christmas from my sister-in-laws blog. It is super easy to access and then I just printed and cut the strips. Next I raided our cabinets for candy. Since this was the most memorable part of the countdown when I was young I thought it would help to grab the girls attention. This is what I was able to find. I also purchased these small tins (sold for

One-Of-A-Kind Christmas

I love to give a gift that is one-of-a-kind. Here are some inexpensive and unique Christmas gift ideas in the Porch Shop Old black tin $12 Vintage jewelry, key necklaces and funky clocks (All under $20) Vintage teddy bear piggy bank $10 Hand carved wooden elephant $11 Old school dart board $14 Old tool box $19 Bar cart $50 Marble cutting board $20 brass candlesticks Porch Shop open Thursday morning, as well as by appointment all week!

JUST One Girl

Recently, in a very reflective tone, Caroline said, “Mom, Roman wants to marry me, Luke wants to marry me AND Brody wants to marry me…but the only problem is I am JUST one girl.” I think most of us girls can truly relate to this very precious situtaion. Wonder how it will all shake down???      

A Bench and a Few Side Tables…

A few new things in the shop… Funky blue bench.  22H x 32 L  $50 And just to show how staged these shots are..here is right outside of the frame. I have a valid story for why this pile is right there, but becasue I am a secure woman..I feel no need to share it. (cue..throat clearing)  This little gal, who might be Fern’s  second more “leggy” cousin. 30″ H x 24″ W $65 And lastly, another sweet blue side table (23 H x 22 L). $55 Let me know if you are interested, or swing by the shop today between 3 and 6 to pick one or all of them up! Cheers!

She’s feminine, she’s weathered and she can send a message. 52 H x 22 W $60 in The Porch Shop

Hill Avoider

I started running a few months ago (barely). I always hated people who loved to run or who said, “anyone can run.”  I would smile and nod and want to whisper “LIE” under my breath. See, I was a soccer player for about 14 years, all year round, travel team soccer player. Soccer players run a lot. Towards the end of my soccer career I fell out of love with the game, it became an obligation rather than a joy. Also, in those final years, running was used as a source of punishment…if we left something at the field, or our coach didn’t feel like we were giving the game our all, he would say “get on the line, ” this meant, we were about to run, for like ever. Even after we finished games we would have to “get on

This Happened.

It is so special to see the girls find joy in unexpected places.

Fern

I’ve been a  little negligent at posting pictures of my re-worked Porch Shop items, but here is a little statement-making table available right now. I call her Fern. She measures 27 H x 17.5 W ($55) Acutally the tray ($6) and suitcase ($10) are Porch Shop items as well.

Vintage Bar Cart

Added a new awesomely retro bar cart to the Porch Shop today. She measures 17 Wx 26 H and 28 L Close up Looks sorta exactly like this one on etsy selling for $150, right? Bar carts are very in. You can use them as bedside tables… (Pinterest) Or as a functional piece in your living room (Pinterest) So, you probably want this cart, right? $55.

I Need My Art

Last week I asked a friend to help me sort through some feelings I was having (all of which are too embarrassing to mention publicly. ha) and she helped me see something I want to share with you all. Now, as a sidenote, it’s crucial to have these kinds of friends…the ones who let you say the type of thing you wouldn’t dare share with anyone, but then when you do, they still love you all the same. Bottom line…I was considering giving up some of the things I love to do, just because I thought they might not be all that crucial to the world at large. All you need is 10 minutes of web browsing and you can idnetify 150 other blogs on similar topics to what I cover..they are more professional, have better content, and are all