Sunday, November 22, 2009
New Job, Projects, Christmas, etc.
Amongst all this chaos, I've been working on Christmas presents. This is the year of the hand-made gifts and family books. I can't make a lot, but I can at least give to some family members. I've been making scarves and hats and working on little projects for me. I like making things to put in my house. Such as my Harvest sign:
I had seen several signs at craft stores and decor stores, but they were vinyl lettering and cost more than I could afford. So, I bought fall-ish type paper, printed the letters reversed from the computer on the backside of the paper, cut them out, and Mod Podged them to the stained wood. I'm rather pleased with myself. I think I spent a total of eight dollars or so. My neighbor let me use a little of her wood stain. Bless her!
With Christmas coming up, I'm getting excited to start decorating. Brant and I are having our first Christmas in our own place and there is so much room to put up decor! Day after Thanksigiving, I am decking the house! I already know how I'm rearranging the furniture to fit the tree and everything. Now if only I can get Brant to help me put up all the lights.
I'm sure I'll have more projects soon enough. Once I start decorating for Christmas, I'll get ideas for things to make.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Long Awaited Day I Thought Would Never Come...
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Target Shooting Togetherness
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
More creativity!
This is a set of frames I painted like my previous set. I found this color scheme in some scrapbook paper as well. Brant doesn't seem to like it, but then again, when do men appreciate pinks and red?
I love this one. It is simple and yet, elegant. It is visited a lot on my etsy shop.
I have to say that Brant has been a great support for me. He encouraged me to pursue this because it lets me release my creative energy. I don't get so antsy and it cheers me up when I'm alone while he is at work. The other upside is it very well may help me buy new tires for my car. We've been tight on money and my tires are going VERY bald. Meaning I'll need new ones before another nasty Logan Winter. Wish me luck!!
Thanks to my friend next door, too. She's great at helping me critique my work.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My First Commision Job on Etsy.com!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Brant
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Nature Outings
This was a tree near the beginning of the trail. I really liked how the setting sun colors lit it up. I love random photos like that. They're fun and unique.
We'll be taking off early Saturday to get a camping spot. It's probably going to be a busy weekend there because the Bear Lake area is celebrating Raspberry Days. They have the BEST fresh fruit shakes there. Hopefully we can get a good spot.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Recent Projects and Fun
Here is another project I started. Since Brant and I are on a tighter budget, I thought crocheting an afghan for my niece's birthday would be appropriate. I had leftover yarn so I also made her a scarf. She'll be three. Her birthday is also Brant's birthday.
I have three more frames to paint with a different color scheme. I'm excited to see how they turn out. I'm kind of using the same idea, but I'm going to try something else.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
How does your garden grow....
Here is a shot of the flowers. I can't wait!! I LOVE fresh tomatoes!
These are the flowers I got for my birthday from Brant's Mom and sisters. Brant told them I wanted to have some flowers to take care of because it was something I always did with my Mom during the summer. She and I would find new creative ways to landscape the yard. It was our "thing". The biggest start was when we landscaped around the two evergreen trees in the front yard. we planted some roses and a juniper-type looking tree (I'll be darned if I can't remember what it's called) in the center. If you were to look down at it, it would look wavy, instead of being in a straight line. Doesn't make much sense to anyone but me, oh well.
Hopefully I can keep everything alive!! Hopefully my green thumb makes itself known.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Some pictures I found.....
The Long Awaited Graduation Pictures
Darrin Brooks, Me and Steven Mansfield. Two of my professors
(Don't tell, but Steve is my favorite)
My Hubby and I afterwards (Isn't he cute!?)
Steve and I, just before my name was announced
And here I am walking to my seat before the ceremony began. The white sash is the Stole of Gratitude. It's given by the graduate to the person they feel helped them the most throughout their education. I gave mine to my mom, but she insisted I keep it with my graduation cap and everything.
The lights were REALLY yellow, so no, I did not color my hair or anything. It was great having my and Brant's families there to support me and celebrate with me.
Afterwards we went to Olive Garden to have a nice lunch. There are two parts to the actualy graduation ceremony. The first is a general for all the colleges, and they award honored staff and dignitaries, etc, etc. The Second part is when each college separates for their own ceremony. Luckily, my college (Humanities, Art and Social Science - H.A.S.S) was in that same building and started directly after the first portion. However, they were both long enough that EVERYone was really hungry. I have now been graduated just over 2 months. It's been great. the job market is awful, so I'm staying at Staples. It doesn't pay as much as I would like, but every little bit helps.
Thank you to everyone who came to support me, to those who sent me cards because of the distance, and those who wrote to me.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
One Week and Three Days later....
Brant and I have been moved in for a week and three days now, and boy are we glad to have ALL our stuff (junk and useless items included) in our new place. Moving day could have gone much better, but we're glad it happened and was not put off again. To start, I was disappointed I had to work that day, but I got off at four. I proceeded to head to our old place to change into appropriate moving clothes and join-up with Brant and my family, who were so gracious as to help us move stuff. I don't know how we woud have accomplished that day without them.
Anyway, so I change my clothes and call Brant only to find out there was a new lock on our storage unit door. Apparently, the bookkeeping division of our storage provider is AWFUL. In May, we were checking our bank account to see which checks had cleared and which had not. This was on May 13th, our rent was due the 7th. Normally it is taken out by then. So we call, the storage unit person tells us it probably got lost and to then cancel the lost check, and send a new one. We would not be charged the late fee - we also included a written note with the new check explaining the situation and who we spoke with. So we figure everything is hunky-dory only to find out the storage unit people think we have NOT paid and claim the check we sent won't let them use it - they really DID have the first "lost" check, and were too stupid to realize it, and THEN claiming they never received the other check. To add to our luck, the owner was on VACATION and they hired a TEMP to replace him. She had no idea how to run things, and we SHOWED her bank documents to prove we had sent the check and that our two days (june 8th and 9th) were to be prorated. She didn't believe us andtold us we had to pay her $70 to remove the lock. My parents AND Brant were all yelling at her that she was wrong, that it was the company's fault and error, and to remove the lock. My dad went so far as to call a lawyer about it.
This all happened while I was at work. my family had been sitting around for 2 and a half hours waiting for this dippy girl to show up. She kept saying "I'll be there n 20 minutes" and never show. She finally gets there and thats when the fighting began. Well, my parents paid the $70 because she was being so stupid, stubborn, and unreasonabl; Brant and I are penny-pinching right now, so we couldn't afford the money, otherwise we'd be delinquent on on of our bills. Brant has been calling every other day since to speak with the owner and chew him up for the distress and delay he caused us because he can't do his own book-keeping.
Next, it was raining all day and the day after, and the day after, etc, etc. It's been raining a LOT this year, more than normal. So we're moving everything in the rain, and getting somewhat wet. It made it difficult, but then again, the rain is a blessing.
So, here we are, still with several unpacked boxes. We've made three trips to D.I. and gotten rid of a lot, for a newly-wed couple. I still have many more boxes, like child-hood stuff and holiday decorations, but it's hard to let go when it reminds me of childhood memories. I'm very sentimental. Our married friends two doors down helped us dejunk, moreso the wife than the husband. She helped me get in a 'let go' mood and filled my car. It's looking more and more like a home, but it will take time to get it all the way we want it to be. Just another task on the to-do list.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Spreading the music - Jon Schmidt
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Crochet Fun
However, during the last 5 years I haven't been able to fervently on a project
It has been quite frustrating because I learned all these different crochet stitches and now I don't remember anything past a slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, chain stitch, and a front post double crochet stitch. I used to know all these neat, decorative stitches and I've lost them all. My friend and I decided to start crocheting together, with me relearning and she learning altogether. It was a hilarious experience. Imagine two women sitting on a sofa, with yarn and hook in hand. In front of them, sitting on the coffee table, is a laptop. On the screen is the youtube.com main screen. The two women are searching for self-help videos to learn how to do these stitches.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Moving Day Looming Overhead
Anyway, I took some pictures of us packing so you can see how many boxes we are living around and out of. It's crazy how much stuff and junk we have. I am going to have a hayday dejunking as we move. I'm sure brant will too. He's excited to take boxes of stuff to the local D.I. As this day has crept ever closer, I've been jumping ahead of things and looking at the curtains I want, rugs, wall decor, side tables, etc. Its torture! Don't ask me why I do it. I can't help myself. I'm so excited for a place to call my own.