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4 weeks without carbonation

January 7, 2013

Yes, that’s right – 4 weeks without carbonation. For those of you who know me well, you know what that means: No Mountain Dew! I cut it cold turkey. There were headaches, and I still crave it sometimes. I don’t want the boys to drink it when they grow up, so I knew I had to set the example.

In fact, our entire family gave up carbonation. The boys are enjoying it. They can have lemonade, etc. so it’s not only water an milk for us.

Why would we make this change? As I stated before, I don’t want the boys to drink Mt. Dew when they are older and they were asking me what age they had to be to start drinking it. Talk about a smack in the face!

And, they wanted satellite. In our new home we were able to get 2 channels with rabbit ears. AND, the antenna had to be in a different spot for each of the two channels. They also want the Disney Channel and, of course, the PAC-12 network. It’s been about 8 years since we got rid of satellite. We were cutting back on our expenses and eliminating everything that wasn’t necessary in order to keep me from leaving home to work.

With their desire to have satellite, we challenged them to give up something. Carbonation was it. They both have committed to the change and we have all been carbonation free ever since! Here’s to a healthier lifestyle and hopefully some weight loss for me!

I can’t wait to tell you how it goes.
Reindeer Food–Neighbor Gifts

December 10, 2012
One of my favorite parts of this time of year is taking the time to acknowledge those who have meant a lot this year. Around here, that can mean giving a lot of neighbor gifts. Unfortunately, my heart is full of more gratitude than my wallet is so the challenge is coming up with a gift that meets the cute quota and is also budget friendly.

While in Michael’s the other day I saw these darling apothecary jars.

Guess what, they are only $1 each! They would be really cute to store smaller craft supplies in (hint). So I picked up a few and got to work on thinking of what I could fill them with for my neighbors. And that’s when I remembered the reindeer food my friend had given me a few years back. The reindeer food is so easy to make:
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup red and/or green sugar crystals (I use sugar crystals in lieu of glitter – it still catches the light and is safer for any animals that may eat it)
After I filled the bottles with the reindeer food, I got to work decorating the bottles using our ultra-fabulous All Is Bright collection. The decorative tape quickly adds a designer touch to the bottles. I printed and cut out the cute tags (download here) and layered and embellished to my hearts content. I love the way it turned out and hope my neighbors like it as much!

I have created instructions you can download here: GTU_2012_12_10_Reindeer Food

I am also demonstrating this project on today’s Good Things Utah program. When the segment is available to share, I will post the video here:

(segment coming soon)

Although, with all the deer we have had around our houses this year, I probably should hope they still like me after receiving this gift (wink).

I hope you are having a spectacular holiday season!
Give Thanks Banners

November 15, 2012

Like each of you, with each passing month/holiday our family is creating more memories. We are having a great time decorating for Thanksgiving.

Growing up, my sweet grandma would ask each of us to state one thing we were thankful for before we ate Thanksgiving dinner. I wasn’t always prepared for it and usually came up with a lame comment. As I look back on that experience, I realize that because of my grandma, I am able to be grateful for the small things. I want to pass that gift on to my family.

Like a lot of families, we spend a lot of our “together” time in the kitchen. I thought it would be fun to have a reminder in there.

I used our new Lost & Found 3 – Oliver collection. I love the colors and the patterns – AND those gorgeous embossed papers – YUMMY!

(front)

(back)

(close ups)

(full room view)

To make your own, download the instructions along with the files for the letters here: Download 2012_11_15_Give Thanks Banners

I am demonstrating this project on Good Things Utah this morning. For our non-local friends, we will upload the segment here when it is available!

I hope you have a fabulous time making memories with your friends and family this holiday season!
Lost and Found Halloween layout

October 25, 2012

If you have been a follower of my blog for a while, you know that I take Halloween pictures BEFORE Halloween! The kids are excited to be in their costumes and aren’t (in their nicest voices) asking you to stop taking pictures so they can get to the task at hand and begin Trick or Treating. It works out great for our family!

Today on Good Things Utah, I shared how to create this layout. This was the last layout I created for CHA-Summer. I used the delicious Lost & Found Halloween collection. The beautiful collection I used to create my Halloween mantel. I was tired and not sure how to keep the design mojo going. Thanks to the beautiful designs, it wasn’t hard and this is one of my all-time favorite layouts. I just love the way it came together.

Wouldn’t it be fun to display THIS year’s Halloween costumes in your home on this beautiful layout? Take you pictures early and/or make the layout early. You will ease the stress and increase the enjoyment of the upcoming holiday!

Halloween Layout Instructions: Download Amber_LF Halloween_Cad Bane

For my friends who are unable to watch the segment live, I will up load the video here when it is available.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow when Good Things Utah celebrates 10 years! P.S. I’ll be there!
Mastering Manual Mode Winner!

October 24, 2012

Wow! The winner is the last person to comment…

Congratulations Tracy Bohman!

I’d love to take this class but funds won’t allow it. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Tracy

Posted by: Tracy Bohman | October 23, 2012 at 10:51 PM

Seriously, it never happens that way! I’ve sent an email to Tracy. Thank you to all those who took the time to leave a comment! I hope you will come back soon.
Mastering Manual Mode – Giveaway

October 19, 2012

I learned long ago in my scrapbooking career that good pictures are important. As I design pages, especially for catalog work, if I don’t already have the “right” picture, I will take the right picture. Since I can’t afford to have my favorite photographers take ALL my pictures (darn it), that has fostered a desire on my part to become a better photographer.

A few years ago, I bought my first shiny new DSLR camera. It was beautiful! And, even on auto mode it took better pictures than my point & shoot. And, I loved not having to anticipate a kick in Neal’s soccer games. Ah, the freedom! But, I started realizing that even though it was a huge step up, I still ended up with pictures with faces in the shadows, etc.

I had this powerful camera and I wasn’t using it to its full potential. On the recommendation of my cute sister-in-law, I bought this fabulous book: Understanding Exposure. It’s fabulous, I read the whole thing, took notes in the margins, but I was confused. About this time my friend, Natalie, suggested we take a class from Pictureline. We had a great time and for a couple of years, a group of us took a class once a month. I learned a lot thanks to tour amazing teacher, Sasha.

I now shoot in manual mode 99% of the time and will even use RAW. I can tell a HUGE difference in my pictures. But lately I’ve been feeling the urge to get better. Isn’t this what we do in this life? Step-by-step, line by line, precept upon precept improve ourselves?

______________________________________

ENTER Big Picture Classes:

Mastering Manual Mode with Elisha Snow

I’m enrolled in this 8 week course and THRILLED beyond words! I’m so excited to refresh my knowledge and take my skills to the next level – AND just in time for Christmas!

Here’s where it gets good for you – REALLY GOOD! My friends at Big Picture Classes have given me the opportunity to have one of YOU join me – on the house!

That’s right. One of you, my friends, will get to take this $139 class for FREE!

Mastering Manual Mode: Reaching your full potential as a photographer

8-week workshop taught by Elisha Snow valued at $139

10/25/2012-12/19/2012

http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/masteringmanual.php

About the class: You’ve finally purchased that fancy digital SLR camera and have started shooting pictures in auto mode. You’ve probably been amazed at the difference in quality, speed and clarity in comparison to that old point-and-shoot, right? If you haven’t taken your DSLR camera out of auto mode, then this class is for you! There’s so much you can do with your camera, so get ready to be amazed!

In this 8-week class, you’ll learn how to reach your full potential in digital SLR photography — exploring what you can do in program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and other creative modes. You’ll learn exactly what ISO, shutter speed and aperture mean individually and how they work together to create that perfect photo. You’ll delve into white balance settings and focus modes, and learn more about camera equipment, accessories and lenses. You’ll get a refresher on some basic (but important!) composition tips and discover some fun and amazing photo techniques that Elisha has amassed throughout her own learning adventures.

Read rest of description and register here

New to Big Picture Classes? Learn more here

http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/howitworks.php

________________________________________

Giveaway Info: The class starts on October 25. That means this giveaway is going to be a quick one!

Leave a comment on this blog post by midnight on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. I’ll randomly select one lucky commenter to take the class with me! I’ll email the winner, so be sure to fill in your email information when you leave your comment. (To be fair, please only enter if you have or have access to a DSLR camera)

If you are not the lucky winner, I hope you will look into joining us! You will love the freedom and creativity that comes with understanding what your camera can do!

I will be sure to share my assignments and progress with you. There are some pre class photos I need to take this weekend.

p.s. Look at the other Big Picture Classes. They have a great variety!
Lost & Found Halloween Decor

October 4, 2012

Each year, my Halloween decorations become more and more elaborate and a little more spooky. Not gross, just spooky. You can tell that my boys are maturing and enjoying just a few more creepy crawlies.

I love, love, love – did I tell you that I love Lost & Found Halloween! Jen certainly outdid herself when she created it. I love the orange glitter, black chevron, advertisements and, of course, the embellishments.

All those gross but cool “can kill you” potion labels that are so cute on layouts, make the easiest, cutest home décor! I did not want to spend a lot of money on super cute jars, so I raided/cleaned out my refrigerator and my pantry. I also bought some sparkling mineral water and bottled root beer (the boys loved that). The shrunken heads and skeletons were purchased from a dollar store and everything else that fills the jars came from my pantry.

As you can see, adding just a few spider webs really adds to the authenticity of the jars.

In our CHA booths, we always frame our newest papers. They really are beautiful works or art! The Lost & Found Halloween papers are no exception. I grabbed a few unused frames from my basement and voila! My friend, Jen, who created this beautiful collection, did this in her house, too.

Mixing in a few pumpkins, skulls, candlesticks, books and other personal artifacts, completed the look. My sons loved it when they woke and our mantel looked like this one morning!

I also created a large dimensional spider for my gigantic spider web on my front porch.

I demonstrated these projects this morning on Good Things Utah. I’ve included instructions of the projects that you can download here: Download 2012_10_04_MME_Lost & Found Halloween Decor

I will add the video here when it is available.

I hope your month is fantastically sp
ooky!
Gigantic Spider Web

October 3, 2012

In last year’s Pottery Barn catalog, there was this amazing 4’ x 4’ grapevine spider web. Unfortunately, it was out of my price range. As I was looking at my parent’s corkscrew willow tree one day, I realized that we could create a similar spider web out of the amazingly twisted willow branches.

The boys and I and my parents set to work gathering branches, sorting them out by size and laying them out into the shape of a spider web. When we were finished, we added orange lights and a gigantic spider. They loved it!

Now that we are in our new house, it was time to make our own. See this box of corkscrew willow branches? I gathered them last year, didn’t get ours made, and MOVED them to the house. But, I did not move them on moving day so that those who wouldn’t understand the need for a box of branches wouldn’t question my choice. *wink*

After you lay the branches in the shape you want, use hot glue and lash the twigs together with jute. Be sure your branches overlap. Start with the center, since it is the most difficult. The spider web will get stronger the more sections you get put together.

After you have glued and lashed the branches together, trim the overlapping twigs. You are ready to hang the spider web if you would like. Since I have tan hardie board on my house, I thought that leaving the twigs natural like we did last year would make the web not stand out. So, I spray painted the web black. I did not do a solid coat of paint and in places, you can see the natural wood through. I think it adds to the “spookiness” of the web.

To complete the look, I created a large spider using My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Halloween.

Be sure to watch Good Things Utah tomorrow. I will be demonstrating the spider! If you are not able to watch Good Things Utah, I will be posting the information and segment on my blog so that you are able to see it as well!
Milestone Birthday Celebration

September 5, 2012

Our family, like every family, has birthday’s that are milestones. My youngest son has one coming up this month. I sort of feel that he gets gypped a little when it comes to birthday parties (my fault) and I want to make this birthday extra special for him. He is getting baptized on his birthday, so we need to make this big!

We will have family and friends coming to our house to celebrate this special occasion. I had better get going on invitations, décor an party planning!

Like many of you, I love The Sweetest Thing from My Mind’s Eye. The modern, yet masculine patterns and colors in “Bluebell” will be perfect decorations for the party!

For this type of invitation, I think it’s important to have pictures. Since a lot of growth may have occurred it is fun for those family and friends who may not have seen Riley in person for a while to see that growth, too.

I actually need to take new photos. The photo on the cover I took two years ago and the one inside is from this Easter. I am hoping to take new ones this weekend. I think I’m going to have to recreate the one on the cover, because it is too perfect with the theme of the invitation.

When Riley came home from school and saw his invitation, he was thrilled! He is dying to eat the donuts, too! I have a few more surprises up my sleeve. You’ll have to watch the segment live or here on the blog to see.

I have also typed up instructions so that you can create your own! Download 2012_09_05_MME_Birthday Celebration Instructions

Be sure to come back to my blog at the end of the month to see how it all comes together!

Hugs!
That nagging feeling

September 4, 2012

That nagging feeling… you know the one. It makes you panic when you don’t have reason to panic. It’s the little voice that’s telling you that the path you are on is not right.

The past few days I have had that feeling. I have been stressing that I won’t be able to get everything done this month that I need to get done. It’s a busy month: Good Things Utah, speaking in church, teaching at Pre-IU in Las Vegas, Riley’s baptism, new calling I really need to get going on and the jungle of weeds in our backyard. Busy, but not really more busy than usual.

I figured out this morning what that feeling meant. I thought I was on Good Things Utah on Thursday (my usual day), but I am not. I’m on tomorrow (Wednesday)!

That nagging feeling I had was telling me that if I didn’t get my act in gear, I wasn’t going to get everything done because I would have not shown up to the studio and I really wouldn’t have accomplished all that I needed to. Well, because of that feeling (I like to call it a prompting), on Sunday night I printed pictures for the project and was inspired to sketch the entire project out. I even included what papers to use in my sketch.

I am thankful for that feeling and thankful for where it came from. Now, I’d better get to work!

Hugs,

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