Saturday, March 26, 2016

Photography & Design

Have you ever been afraid to do something because you don't know what people will think of you?  I have been sitting on a Facebook page solely for my photography and design for months.  I am afraid that people will judge and critique and make me feel like I am not good enough.  But today, I decided to share it and invite my family and friends to like it.  Because it is time to show the world that I am talented and capable.  It's more than just photography, it's graphic design and event planning too.  I can do all of these things and more.  So if you feel so inclined, please like my page and let me feel the love!
Not to mention you will get to see more pictures of the love of my life, my adorable nephew Fischer, who is pictured above!


Friday, March 25, 2016

Birdhouse Makeovers

Have you been to RiteAid lately?  If you haven't, you are totally missing out!  They have the cutest little birdhouses in their garden section and right now they are 50% off.  I have been eyeing these two birdhouses for awhile and finally went and got them.
They are both pretty cute as is but I knew that with a makeover, they would be even cuter.  I picked out some colors and got to work. 
When your husband is an auto body painter, some things tend to wear off on you.  The first thing I did was to mask off parts that I didn't want painted over.  I even used automotive masking tape.  I think my husband would be proud! 
Here is how they looked after they were painted.  How stinking cute are these now?  I wish Cody would let me paint our vintage camper like this but I just have a feeling he wouldn't go for it!
 
It's not a perfect paint job but it is so much better with these colors.  I left the silver but covered up the red, green and blue colors.   
I think these adorable birdhouses are ready to hit the road and take a camping trip as soon as the weather warms up.  I know I am too! 
Aren't the striped awnings so cute?!  Even the windows have curtains tied back on the sides and the front.  It reminds me a lot of my own camper
These will eventually hang somewhere in the yard, but for now they are chilling at the base of one of our trees.  I wonder if birds will love living in these? 
Some close-up shots to see the detail.  These are kind of a flimsy plastic so be careful with handling them.  I already broke the front hitch off of the camper and busted the tailgate on the truck.  Good thing some glue and body work was all it took to fix them! 
And just for fun, a little before and after shot.  So much cuter in my favorite colors!
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Sunday, March 13, 2016

Experimenting: Yarn Egg Basket

This Saturday, I spent the afternoon with my aunt experimenting with making yarn egg baskets.  My mom has had one since I was little and I always loved it.  When my aunt posted on Facebook that she was going to make some, I jumped on the chance to come make some with her.   
I thought she had made them before and would teach me how, but she hadn't so we learned together.  I made a smaller one and a bigger one and the smaller one turned out the best.  

I decorated them minimally because I couldn't find hot glue gun sticks.  Plus they are my experimental ones and I plan on making better ones soon. 
Here is what I will do differently next time, just in case you want to learn from my mistakes! 
Don't use yarn, unless it is regular yarn.  The yarn we used was sort of flat.  When I make new ones, I think I will use an embroidery floss of some sort or just string. 
Don't use flour and water. Instead, use sugar and water so that you don't have any white residue left over.  Also, don't cut the yarn into pieces and don't dip it in the sugar mixture.  Wrap the balloon in the string first and then "paint on" the sugar mixture. 
Wrap the entire balloon.  Don't try to leave a hole for the opening.  You can cut that out later! 
The little one will probably last a lot longer since I used more yarn but I think the bigger one will only last one season.  The more string you use, the better! As soon as I make the next one with my new found knowledge, I will let you know how it goes.
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Sunday, March 6, 2016

Trough Box & Faux Cotton Branches

We have been using a lot wood lately in our home makeover projects.  When I see the leftover pieces of wood, I think of all the little things we can make with them.  A trough box was at the top of my list.
I showed Cody what I wanted and thought that sooner or later he could make me one.  Twenty minutes later, this is what he made me!   
I put some vinegar and steel wool stain on it and went to town filling it up with pretty things.  I shopped the house and yard and was able to find a nice variety of things to put in it. 
Bed springs, horse shoes, silk flowers, candles and rag balls are both shabby and rustic, vintage and farmhouse.  Some of the things I love! 
I am sure that I will be adding and subtracting until I get it just the way I like it.  But for now, I think it's perfect sitting on my dining room table. 
I have also been crushing on cotton lately.  We don't have cotton fields in Idaho and I have honestly never seen cotton "out in the wild".  I tried my hand at making my own cotton branches and it is the perfect focal point for my new trough box. 
I cut egg cartons into petals and painted them brown.  I pulled cotton balls apart and formed them into bigger balls that were glued inside the petals.  I gathered twigs from the yard and glued the cotton blossoms onto them.   
I think they look pretty good and I love the way they look in an aqua Ball jar.   
Cody didn't realize how easy it would be to make a box like this or how much he would like the end result until he made one.  Now he wants to make a whole bunch in all different shapes and sizes and sell them.  I think that is a fantastic idea! 
I love having a handy husband who can take my wild ideas and turn them into something like this! 
I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing that I was able to shop my house and find all this stuff to fill it but I am glad that I had all of it either way! 
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