Amazing offer

Hey friends, still at girls camp but came across a great offer from one of my favorite printing companies, www.prodigitalphotos.com. Check out this great birthday bash!!

See ya in a week!

Headed to Girls camp for a week as a leader over the youth in our congregation! Hope you have a great week! Have a few great things to post about when I get home!

Happy Fathers Day

 First to my Dad! My hero, and the most incredible person you will ever know. I have never known someone to have so much integrity, dedication to anything he does, and sacrifice for us kids. Love ya Dad!

Next to my dear husband Adam, the best husband, friend, and daddy you could find. 5 weeks to go until he is done with school. We can't WAIT! I love you!!!

Our home ... One year later!!

Today is the Anniversary of the day we officially got the keys to our house!

I can't believe it has already been one year since we got the keys for our house!! Everyday we feel so blessed to have it!! Is it a mansion? No, but definitely big enough for our little family of 4. We have such amazing friends and neighbors, our ward (congregation) has been so wonderful to us. Our boys have lots of little, and big friends to play with. We feel so blessed to have been able to purchase our home.

Looking back through this last year, I noticed I promised to show my readers portions of our house, yet I never have followed through! I guess I have been waiting for our home to be completed with furniture, and decorated like a model home. If there is something I have learned in the last year,  it would be that everything takes a lot of time and money. We have done a lot to the house, yet I have an ever ending list of what I want to do. I guess all in due time right! 

I know it isn't a model home, in fact, I took all the pictures with my iPhone. I decided enough is enough and it might be more fun to show you a work in progress right??

Let me show you some pictures of what we have done!

THE ENTRY WAY

I found a quote a few months back that says this:

"The key to having it all, is believing you already do"

I put this front and square in our front entry way to help me realize that I have a great home, a great little family, and a wonderful life. It keeps me in check when I get discouraged!

Frames found at Poppy Seed Projects

Picture of Christ Surrounded by the Family Proclamation & the Living Christ

I am hoping to redo these frames soon with This included

This is my boy's bathroom. The towels and rug are from LLBean

BOY'S BEDROOMS

Here are the boy's rooms. We just barely painted the blue in Chad's room. It was a terrible tan color that almost looked peach before.

The Boys beds we got for a steal a few weeks ago from Downeast Home They are actually bunk beds, but separated for now.  The dresser above was the one we used with our crib. The hope for these rooms is that WHEN we adopt a baby we will put both boys in the bedroom below, and make Bryson's bedroom (above) the nursery. I am also in the process of making another quilt as close to Bryson's as I can so they will match when they are in the same room together. 

MASTER BEDROOM

This is our Master Bedroom, super plain, but does the job for now. Still would like to do the stripes on the wall, but I am having a hard time talking Adam into it! Adam & I made the headboard out of an old door. We love it! As for the Dresser and end tables, they are the same pieces of furniture I had in my room in high school. I am really ready for a change. Again, lots of ideas, a new quilt, and much more  I would like to do. 

The Master Bathroom has a rug, one picture on the wall, and a plastic shower curtain. Can you say I feel a project coming on?? 

GREAT ROOM / KITCHEN

Next is our great room and kitchen. I am really ready for new couches, and to finish off everything, but in the meantime, it is homey and lived in! My future for this room entails curtains, replacing the carpet with a wood floor and granite countertops, as well as a tile back splash, but those are WAY down on the list. Isn't that quilt killer cute? My mom made it and gave it to me for Christmas. I LOVE IT!

BACK BATHROOM

Back Bathroom, not much to explain, other than it was a dramatic change from when we moved in. The art above is on the wall to the right. I hand drew them in illustrator and framed them in ikea frames. I am willing to sell additional prints, email me if you're interested!

LIVING ROOM

The living room is a work in progress. Adam and I decided to get furniture for our Christmas, and even that, I was so surprised how expensive it can be. I have LOTS of plans for this room. The picures are just there temporarily, until I can get what I want :) I can't wait to finish it off with wall paper, paint, curtains, round rug, beautiful picture of the temple, & possibly some botanical art my mom did! Lots more to do, just need the cash :)

BASEMENT

 This is our playroom / basement. No furniture yet ... but a great room to send the boys to play!

Just so you can know I am normal, here is what the basement looks like 90% of the time. (and this is on a good day!)

If you're interested in the Custom Subway Art Design, email me for more details. 

I can custom design one for your home!

OFFICES & DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM

This is the rest of the basement. A Bathroom, Adam's Office / Man Cave where he studies, and My plain little office. I almost don't recognize it. I haven't seen the carpet in months! I am hoping for some wallpaper, curtains, and to paint the oak shelf. Hopefully I can do something about this room soon!

GARAGE

This is our garage. Almost finished painting, and one improvement I haven't loved. (although I have to admit I am loving the finished touches!) Adam has wanted to finish it since we moved in. It is looking great though, and I will need to show you a picture when we are done.

Hope you have enjoyed the tour of our house. We love it! Can't wait to see what else we can finish so I can show ya'll!

Baby Shower

A few weeks ago I was able to throw a baby shower for a cute friend of mine in my neighborhood. I decided that we would do a "little man" theme, and it turned out super cute.

My inspiration was the products I used to design the shower invitation. I used the DELIGHT IN THE DAY Digital Scrapbooking products from My Digital Studio, aka MDS (Stampin' Up's digital designing software) Their products can be used with their software or even Adobe Software and is super cute. Click HERE for the Catalog

I first off must give a toot at this software I used. This is completely my opinion and Stampin' Up is not asking me to give a review of any of these products. These opinions are completely all my own. That being said, their cute digital software really is outstanding. SUPER easy to use. They even will allow you to try it out for FREE for 30 Days. Click HERE to find out more about it!

I already gave you a sneak peek of the invitation, but I wanted to give you a few more details!

One of my favorite things about MDS is that you can create it and print it right off your printer. You don't have to print it with them if you don't want to! So a lot of the party stuff I designed, I used their products, Designed in Adobe Illustrator, and printed off on my home printer! SWEET HUH!

 Greeting sign, with close pins, onsies, and some paper circle garland that I sewed together in strips! 

Upon entering the shower, I asked each shower guest to write on an index card some advice for our new mom. Then I took a picture of each guest with the new Mommy. I used MDS once again to make a little flip book of the pictures, advice, gifts given, and pictures from the shower. This was given to Nikki as part of her shower gift.  I did have this printed for our new mommy through Stampin' Up! and love how it turned out!

More decor

 The food turned out FANTASTIC! Thank you to pinterest I found some wonderful ideas! Below are the links for the recipes. All the "toppers" again made with MDS in Illustrator, and printed out on my own computer.

Mini Fruit Pizza's

TO DIE FOR!! 

 Oreo Pudding Cookies

I seriously have made these 5 times in the last month!

 I made these on Studio 5 for the Man Cave Party

Hillshire farms mini sausages and refrigerator crescent roll dough. EASY! Mustaches cut out on my silhouette and hot glued onto a toothpick, even EASIER!

 Veggies prepared by my awesome friend Lindsay! Thanks woman!!

These little mini parfaits were made for two different Studio 5 segments

for the Strawberry Parfaits click HERE

For the Oreo Parfaits click HERE 

Food Table Love

I haven't had many opportunities to throw many baby showers, so I was really excited to throw this one. We decided to do a small shower and make it an open house, so there were no games, however it was just perfect. GOOD LUCK to you NiKKi! You're going to be such an amazing mom!

Stampin up card love!

A few weeks ago I got the new Stampin Up catalog. (Check it out here) I was thrilled as usual at their awesome products! I was also given some great products to try out and decided it was time to make some cards that I have wanted to make for months!

Every time there is someone close to me with a birthday, I find myself scrambling for a cute card. Same think goes for Thank you, and even Thinking of you cards. I sat down yesterday afternoon and cranked out some darling cards. I just couldn't wait to share them with you.
The cute products were so fun to work with!

 Make a Cake Stamp Set, Patio Paper Designer Series Paper, In Color Designer Series Paper, Stitched Satin Ribbon, Raspberry Ripple, Misc happy birthday stamp

Patio Paper Design Series Paper, In Color Dahlia Buttons, In Color Designer Series Paper, Thank you misc. stamp.

International Bazaar Designer Series Paper, Raspberry Ripple Satin Ribbon, In Color Design Series Paper, Decorative Label Die Cut, In Color Dahlias Buttons, Thinking of you misc stamp

I need to do this more. It is so nice to have a stack of cards to have on hand. Be sure to visit www.stampinup.com to get the new catalog and get these cute products!

Movie Night Details!

I had really great intensions to post all of this before my segment yesterday, but alas, life is what it is and I decided a good nights sleep was more important.

So I had a few emails and questions in regard to the food, so I thought I would give you a few more details about it!

First off, the Banner:

I created this last minute, but used the font BUDMO for the letters. Printed them out on White Cardstock, then attached them with pop dots. The red flags were simply plain white cardstock, and then some simple yellow ribbon. Came together really quick, but I love how it turned out!

 The Stars I simply just formed into a star cookie cutter. I melted DOVE Dark Chocolate and dipped half of them in it. Put some cute sprinkles on the chocolate when it was wet. I put them in the fridge to set up, then stuck a cute stripy straw in the bottom. Wrapped them cellophane, and tied it together with some glitter ribbon from American Crafts. To stick it in the popcorn bowl I used some florist foam, then stuck skewers into it. Put some tissue paper around the bottom and slid the straws onto each skewer! It was PERFECT!!

 Can't get by without those yummy "night crawers" (found at target) and Moon Pies (which either you like or your don't ... not my favorite to be honest.) The only place I could find them is one of those Sara Lee Bread outlets. There is one just off Main Street in American Fork.

The bingo Printable you can find HERE

Glow Sticks & Bracelets found at Walmart. Glow star wand at Dollar Star. Glow nail polish from Sally's Beauty Supply.

Popcorn Flavors are my Favorites! You can get them at Target, and well worth it!

 I loved making these cupcakes! The really weren't that hard ... I promise. Click HERE for instructions of how to do them. Click HERE for the cute printable label.

I saw these months ago and needed a great excuse to try them. The idea came from www.livinglocurto.com. PLEASE visit the link to Pin this on Pinterest. Thanks much!

Please comment or email me if you would like more information!

Night at the Movies – Outdoor movie party!

I always enjoy finishing my segments for Studio 5 and having a break ... but I have to admit, intermixed with lots of stress and late nights, I have a BLAST!

Here are some additional tips for you on the segment today!

Movie night tips!

The Place – Make sure you pick a great spot! It could be anywhere in the backyard, on the patio, porch or even on the garage. Be creative. 

Be sure to control the amount of light in your settting. (bright street lights, a busy street, etc).  

Make sure you turn off the sprinklers on their automatic cycle! 

Let your neighbors know ahead of time your plans so you don’t disturb them, or better yet, invite them!

Setting up –

The Screen

Use something you already have – The side of a house, even a garage works just great!

Make your own screen using a king sized flat white sheet. On about.com they even mentioned tacking the top and bottom of the sheet onto thin strips of wood. Drill the hole in the top of the wood so you can hang it from the side of the house, garage or any other building.

Equipment –

 You will need a movie player (a laptop works fantastic), and a movie projector.  You will also need some speakers. If you’re a little technically challenged, you can hire companies like www.utahoutdoorcinema.com. They will come and set up an inflatable movie screen, bring the projector, and set it all up! In fact, they will even come and set it all up for you! They also will rent just the projector, just the screen ... be sure to visit their web page to contact them!

Utahoutdoorcinema has been so generous to donate an outdoor movie night complete set to a lucky Studio 5 viewer! Be sure to go to Studio 5’s Facebook page to enter!

Making your guests comfortable – You don’t have to purchase expensive seating. It can be as simple as providing camp chairs, & blankets. Even ask your guests to bring something comfortable to sit on! Don’t forget the bug spray, and maybe some tiki lamps to provide a little light by the concessions!

Picking a movie –

Because we are now in the first week of summer, I thought I would suggest a few of my favorite movies that have to do with summer! Another great tip when picking a movie is make sure you know your audience. If your neighbors have a great view from their house, be sure to let them know if you’re going to be showing a horror, or higher rated movie.

I thought since this was a Summer Movie Party, all of the movies should have to do with summer vacation. Here are my recommendations!

Concessions-

All of the items have something to do with "NIGHT" at the Movies

Moon Pies

Milky Ways

Star Bursts

Night crawlers (sour gummy worms)

Star Rice-Krispy Treats dipped in Dark Chocolate

Night Owl Smores

Popcorn with flavor choices (cheddar, cinnamon sugar, etc. - Flavors found at Target) 

Popcorn Cupcakes

Making the night magical-

Lighting – Party Patio lights, Tiki lights, Glow in the dark balloons, glowing drinks!

Give everyone glow bracelets, rings, necklaces, and even glowing star sticks  (All found at the dollar store!

Entertain your Guests!

Last but not least, We want to keep your guests entertained. So I drew up a little bingo card. Provide some stickers, and as they see these summer items on the big screen, have them put their sticker on the card. The first one to yell BINGO, gets a prize! 

To download the Bingo Card for personal use only, click HERE

Studio 5 tomorrow!

So excited for Studio 5 tomorrow! All I can say is MOVIE NIGHT!!! Be sure to watch if you're in Utah, and if not, Check back here tomorrow afternoon for the segment details!

Between Adam & Chad's Birthdays, Youth Conference, and preparation for my segment, I haven't had a lot of time to update you all on what is going on, and all my fun projects. Lots of life changing experiences, and not a moment to blog about them all!

I might not be able to get everything updated by tomorrow, but rest assured, get excited for some really awesome projects!