Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect—I’d love to hear from you!
How to Rehab an old School Desk: Decoupage
So in typical Me fashion, my first order of business after deciding to homeschool was to obsessively organize, plan, and pretty much avoid thinking about what I would actually be doing every day.
The House Built on Good Intentions
This blog should be titled, "The Blog of Good Intentions." Because just the other day I was thinking, Wow I need to post about the chicken coop! But wait...
Bathroom Remodel From Hell: How to Remove Wallpaper in Just Four Years!
A special note to whoever installed this hideous wallpaper: there is a special room in hell, just for you.
Dum Dum DONE! My First Rug Hooking Project Finished At Last!
At long last the Rug That Would Never Be Finished is all grown up!
Another Upside to the iPhone 5: Cutest Purse-Bag-Diaper-Bag-All-In-One Ever
I needed a new bag with separate pockets for phone and keys so my keys don't, duh, scratch up my phone!
RTD: Rug To Date
An update on The Rug That Will Never Be Finished.
DIY Wool Cloth Diaper Soaker Cover With Floral Applique!
How to Sew a Wool Soaker!
Step 1: Collect 100% wool sweaters. Medium to heavy weight, any style or color. Thrift shops are fabulous for this. As is your closet - finally a way to use all those "thoughtful" wearable gifts from your mother-in-law!
Step 2: Felt the wool. It sounds fancy but is as easy as...
Dorky Postpartum Obsessiveness (I Made Wool Diaper Covers!)
How's that for a groovy title? Let's see how many Google search hits I get - thinking zero. Anyhow, there's something about maternal hormones, and being on maternity leave from writing, and being a wee little bit cheap, or um, frugal ... and maybe a bit touched in the head.
But I got in my craw that...
Long Lost Rug
When was the last time I took a photo of my rug-in-progress? Before the finger break, I think. Anyhow, here it is. I'm probably about one third of the way through. Far enough to realize I'll need a two-inch border to tie it all together.
Nesting Instincts Gone Awry: or How to Make Your Own Fitted Cloth Diapers
Six years ago when I was expecting Mud Pie, I was all out of nesting opportunities. We had a nursery (from Fish and St. Nick), diapers, clothes (we didn't know Pie would be a girl), car seats, dishes, toys, everything. So what did I do?
I tie-dyed all my prefold diapers. And a heap of onsies. And...