Hannahmade Modern Goods

Learning and Growing

As I sit here listening to the rain and drinking my Dunkin' Decaf coffee I am thinking about all that I have learned just being back in Australia for one month. I have been really struggling with homesickness since the day we landed in Sydney from our Georgia trip. I just wanted to be back home with family, friends, and what is familiar and comfortable. Just so happened that a week after we got here we had Vision Sunday at Hillsong Church. It was a total God thing because He knew exactly what I needed to hear. On Vision Sunday Brian Houston spoke about "Pioneering Again" and "Living the Uncomfortable Life". The following Sunday, the title of Chris Mendez's message was "It's Our Time" and spoke about going through different seasons, but no matter what season we are going through, our time is now! We need to make the most of every moment and opportunity, not look forward to the future seasons. We were placed on Earth at this time and place for a reason! Life is not always going to be easy, it will always have challenges, but God will be with us every step of the way....Which runs into Bobbie Houston's word from Sisterhood United Night (a special night for women to get together, fellowship, worship, and hear the Word). Bobbie spoke about the fact that "Love is on the Way" no matter what we go through the Lord already knows what we will need and is there ready for us when we get there. Such encouraging words from my pastors at Hillsong Church!

Hearing all of this I really thought about my life and about the fact that Kyle and I wouldn't be here in Australia if God didn't want us here right now. No, it's not easy being away from friends, family, and the comfortable life we are used to, but we are here right now for a reason. I have such a wonderful husband who is so supportive and understanding. We talked for a long time one night and he prayed for me and my struggles, and it gave me such a peace - I have an Amazing God! Now, instead of focusing on what I'm missing at home, I am choosing to enjoy this season in my life while I can. I am going step out of my comfort zone, show the love of Christ, and just go for it! This is MY time! I mean, who can say they lived in Australia and served at Hillsong Church anyway?

On another note, here are a few pictures of what we have been doing on the weekends or whenever we get free time.

Little Narra Beach

Australia Day fireworks in the city

Gordon's Bay

DIY: Glittery Shoes

My cousin is getting married this weekend, and I am one of the bridesmaids. I have been having a hard time finding gold or navy shoes that are affordable and I'm able to walk in. As a last resort I decided to look for some nude or tan colored pumps and just attempt to make them gold myself. I found a super cute pair of tan Nine West pumps at Ross on clearance for $20 retailed for $80! This is a step by step tutorial on adding a glitter toe to your shoes. It only cost me just over $30 for the entire project!

What you will need:

- 1 pair of shoes that you want to glitter
- Masking tape (found this at home in the craft closet)
- Mod Podge (I used glossy)
- Extra fine glitter
- Mod Podge sealer (or any other kind of sealing spray)

Pumps: $20

Michaels Supplies: $11 (with coupon)

Step 1: Place making tape to make a straight line where you want the glitter to stop

Step 1

Step 2: Paint Mod Podge on the toe starting at the masking tape and moving away from it (so it doesn't get under the tape).

Step 2

Step 3: Sprinkle glitter over the Mod Podge, then shake it off gently.

Step 3

Step 4: Remove tape immediately, DO NOT LET DRY. Otherwise the tape may peel up the glitter with it.

You may have a few spots where you can see the original shoe through the glitter, so if necessary you can repeat steps 2 and 3 after the first layer is dry.

Step 5: Once you are totally finished glittering and the shoes are dry, spray with the mod podge sealer and let dry for a few hours. (try to spray only the glittery toe of the shoe)

Finished glittery shoes ready to be worn!

Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck!

I will post pictures after the wedding so you can see how the shoes look with the dress!

Cowan - Family of 8

We have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the US for a little while and spending time with friends and family. This past week my brother and his wife came in town for Christmas, and my parents had all 6 of us kids under one roof for the first time! Bri (my brother Paul's wife & the newest addition to the Cowan family) is a photographer, so we took some family photos. Click here to see more of her photography.

Or course we had to goof off a little before we got any serious photos.

Then for the jumping fun....

Months in Review

So I've been a little busy lately and haven't had much time to blog. I've put together a few pictures to kind of sum up the past few months. We had several beach day trips, Youth events, Housemate Hangouts, Grad Ball, Hillsong's Christmas Lights Celebration, Newcastle Vacation, and moved into a new house!

Our new bedroom in our new house!

Our new address btw is:

489 Windsor Road

Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153

My Dream

So if you follow me on Pinterest, you would know that I have been on bakery & coffee shop pin overload! Well in case you were wondering why...it has been a dream of mine for a little while now to open my own bakery/cupcake/coffee shop. I never thought I would use my business degree, but now I'm thinking it may be a possibility. I love baking, love coffee, and I've always thought it would be fun to work at or own a coffee shop. So why not do it all at once...most of the time when you drink coffee or eat a cupcake you want the other with it right? I've been to several cute coffee shops and passed some bakeries here in Australia that have inspired me. I have also been baking for the canteen at youth on Friday nights and they have been encouraging me to bake more and sell it. For now I still just bake for church, but one day I would love to open a real bakery! Here are just a few pins that have given me some ideas of what I would like mine to look like one day.

As you can see I really like the vintage, rustic look with a bit of a shabby chic twinge. I mean how can a bakery with cupcakes not look a little chic? I like the chalkboard walls, distressed furniture, worn brick, vintage items on a shelf, old barn-wood, mismatched chairs, plants, and almost like organized chaos.

September Celebrations

So September has been a pretty full-on, but fun month! It started out with our anniversary in the 10th followed by my birthday on the 19th (we really celebrated that whole week). We've stayed very busy with everything going on at work, school, & church. We did manage to make enough time for a much needed beach trip. I've got a few pictures that I wanted to share from this month.