Canvas

Back at Christmas when I did the canvas for Aubrie's play house---I was looking around for ideas and saw a set of three large canvases that I really liked. So--I found a shape I could make work on my Silhouette and cut the vinyl....and the quit because honestly, it was not looking good. So I shoved them on to a shelf. About three or four weeks ago---I wanted to finish all the unfinished project laying around, so I pulled them out again. I stuck the vinyl on the canvas and went to town spray painting. The whole time I was hoping they would be okay--and knew that I could just spray paint over it if I didn't like them. Amazingly---I really like them. After three weeks I finally bought some nails (yeah--funny---I had to BUY nails to hang them up). I think they look really good. Here are a few pictures of the process

First I spray painted the canvases a cream color, then I applied my design, which I had cut out of vinyl..

Then I spray painted them brown. You can kind of see that vinyl. When they were dry, I pulled the vinyl off. 

I had a really hard time getting a good picture of them without a really bad glare and looking brown.

Project Life

This is an update on my Project Life. I am really liking it, we like to look back at it even though it has only been a month. So far it has been pretty easy to keep up on. I print my pictures at Costco and usually get them every 2-3 weeks. I have been trying to find new ideas for pictures. I am going to try and also improve my snapshot picture taking skills.


These two pages are one week. The pictures are from the week of Jan. 16. They range from Megan's birthday to watching for the bus, and the last one Megan took with her DSI of when she went ice fishing with Steve.



These pictures vary from birthday treats to taking pictures of a new baby, shoes worn to church and food.

Family Guess Who

I have wanted to make one of these Guess Who games for a long time. The kids at school have always seemed to like this game. Well--when I went to go buy a game to try it---at first I couldn't find the original game---and then it was like $18---which I didn't think was worth it. At Christmas time, I picked a game up for $10. For my mom's birthday---I took pictures of the grandkids and resized them to fit over the game pieces (I am still missing a few kids I didn't have recent pictures of). I just glued my pictures over the original game pieces. The kids REALLY like it---there's just something about playing a game that connects with people you know.

Photo lighting

I am not really very good out indoor pictures. I can do outsides usually with very little problems but inside not so easy. Here is a picture of Matthew using natural light inside my house. I think they turned out pretty good. I used a really big window inside and then hoped that he would be really good. He loved to climb on the chair so that worked out really well.

Margene's Creativity

So we are really slow at posting this, but back in January, Jenna wanted a new dress to wear to the Governor's Ball, but one that would also be her dress to wear for Sean's and Heatherly's reception.  So she found the dress she wanted online, and we took the picture to Margene and the material, etc.  Here is the final product - which was amazing, since there really isn't a pattern out there for this dress.  Jenna loves it and we were both so impressed with how well it mirrored the picture.  Great Job, sister!!

Class Valentine

This post is a little late but I think they turned out pretty cute so for next year if anyone is looking for cheap and cute valentines these were great. I printed the picture at Costco for 9 cents totally for Megan's class $1.89.
From this....

To This....

From This...

To this.....

I took these pictures and then edited them in Photoshop. I like how Ashlynn's turned out a little better because I could read the words easier. After I got them home I cut a small hole and inserted the sucker. Pretty easy.

Mormon Messages: What Matters Most

I think this is a great video for Valentine's Day. Remember to tell everyone you love that you really do love and appreciate them.

Valentines

Here is the start of my Valentine's. I'll try to get back later today and provide links for the free printables I've used. Isn't the CRUSH stinkin' cute. I really wish I could use it for school. But, I don't think the glass bottles would really work out too well. I also found a relaly cute game for my party on Stacey Julian's blog---It's a Minute to Win It Valentine game she made up---I'm really excited to try it.

http://stacyjulian.com/blog/?p=6710

 She also had a link to her sister's site that had a fun acupid's arrow game I'm going to try out.

http://darcidowdle.typepad.com/my-blog/2011/02/its-all-about-love-day-five.html

http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com/2011/01/crush.html

These are McKynzie's for her class

She's also doing the bouncy ball one off of Crafting Chicks

(she stays for afternoon kindergarten--so she needs two)

http://brownpaper--packages.blogspot.com/2010/01/clothespin-valentines.html

These are Tyler's for his class

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/01/valentines-day-i-wheelie-like-you/

This is for the teachers.

http://mydigitalcreations.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentine-tag-freebie-i-was-soapin.html

This is what I'm giving my class.

I found this off TaterTots & Jello

One Little Word

I'm sure everyone has heard of Ali Edwards' One Little Word. Each year she chooses a word and then kind of focuses on it throughout the year. This idea has intrigued me for a couple of years now. I guess I could say I always have a desire to become a better person--to be the person that I meant to be. So---I thought that if I did that this year that maybe it would help me in that quest. So, I am embracing that "one word" this year. I'm taking her class to help motivate me to get it done. This is the first entry--which is just kind of defining the word, a quote, a starting point. I don't have the title page or the picture done yet. I'm kind of excited to see how this goes this year.

Coupon Organizer

This is a gift I gave my mom for her birthday. She cuts coupons--and then sits them on the top of the microwave. This drives me INSANE because it is just a cluttery mess. I don't think she appreciates my hints at organizing them. So, I'm giving her this organizer as a gift (then she will feel obligated to use it!)

Here is a look at the coupons before.

And then the box...

...complete with dividers.

Okay...so I didn't put too much effort into this---I spray-painted the box and had a few issues with that. I figure if she likes it---then I could redo it nicer.

CUTE picture Heart

I saw a banner made with these hearts on a blog somewhere and thought they were so cute--so I had to try it out.

They were really easy. You just size your picture to 2x2. Then drop six of those onto a 4x6 blank page. Print that page, and cut it down the middle so you have two strips. I glued patterned paper to the back and then stapled it into a heart shape. If I was more ambitious, I would make more.

Blog Hop

I think this would fit perfectly for the blog hop this month. I or I should say Ashley made this really cool book called 10 Reason I love you. I took us about 3 hours to put it together but I would say it is worth it and next time it will be a lot easier. We used a digital template from Designer Digital by Ali Edwards
 

Note from Ashley--Merlynn just sat and didn't do anything!! (I guess she helped pick the pictures). To top if all off---she had a coupon for a free book from Shutterfly, so it didn't cost hardly anything.

Valentine's Day

Here is my attempt at decorating for Valentine's Day. Not much---but it's something.

 I printed this off Becky Higgins' blog. I bought the frame at DI for a buck and spray painted it!!!

 This I printed off eighteen25. It's a lot bigger than I was thinking. But, it's cute big.

This KISS letter aren't new. I think I made them last year or the year before. They are one of my very favorite wooden letters that I have. These are only about 4-5 inches high. I have a set at school that are twice this size. CUTE!!!