Proclamation to the Family {mini tutorial}

Want to win a photo session from DW Photography?!    Click HERE for all the details!  Or just scroll down to the next post!

We've been getting our crafts ready for Super Saturday eh that one day of the year where our Relief Society gets together to uh learn some important skills. ;) Yep even though it isn't until November 6th, we are in full swing planning and executing our ideas.  The tricky part is coming up with ideas that are purposeful AND don't cost a lot of money.  Luckily we have managed to do that and we came up with some great stuff! 

 :A little teaser for all my Pasco 1st Ward ladies!:

My sweet friend Celia {she's right down there in that photo!}is a graphic designer and had reformatted the Family Proclamation.  We went round and round on how to make it a craft in a larger format and then I thought:  What about going smaller?! So here is what I came up with.

 I started with 3 blocks.  Two that are 5x7 and one 1.5x7. 
 First I painted the wood black, let it dry and then modpodged on a family photo.   

Then I added my vinyl to the small block.  

I  modpodged the proclamation on my third block.  After all three were dry I sanded the edges of the blocks and the paper AND the picture.  Then I used my distressing ink pad {walnut stain} to distress the edges a bit.  Doesn't wood always look a little better distressed?

It would also be cute if you used a 4x6 photo and put some scrapbook paper behind it.  You could also add any kind of embellishments that you wanted.   Kind of fun huh?
Just a little bit more personal way to display the Family Proclamation.  


EDIT!  CLick HERE to get your proclamation download.  

I'm Famous! {a giveaway} CLOSED

A big shout out to Marcy {who I met at Project:Craft!} and became my 100th follower! You are going to thank her in a minute too. 

Ok.   I'm not famous.  Not really.  At all.  But you guys are making me feel so great lately! Seriously. 

Especially when I get to meet you in real life.

 

{source}

First let me apologize for being so absent lately.  Then I'll get to the good part.  I have been cleaning out.  Rearranging.  Re-evaluating.  I've even sat down to write out some meaningful type post about my feelings lately.  I'm not much of a writer though.  I decided its best to stick with whats easy to share for now.  So this space has taken a back seat.  Mostly because I don't have much in the way of craftiness to share.  Its hard to create something when you can't even see the craft room floor!  But I'm feeling good.  Slowly getting my mojo back.  Plus the sun is shining today.  It makes me happy! 

So here's the fun part!  I've been saving this giveaway for when I hit 100 followers.  And because I'm feeling so loved by all the fabulous people here in the Tri Cities this one is for you!  {Unless of course you are willing to come visit  me for the prize, and its totally worth it.  But travel expenses aren't included} ;)

 

Darin wants to give one of you lucky peeps a photo session! For free! That is a $299 prize so whoever wins is super lucky! Isn't fall an awesome time to get your family photos done? Or are you feeling like pampering yourself and having your own beauty shoot done?!  {Its ok to do something for yourself every once in awhile!}  Its senior season too, so whatever you are needing/or wanting thats what you'll get! {excludes weddings}

Here is the nitty gritty.  

+You need to leave me a comment telling me about your favorite photo you have seen lately.  

+You will definitely get bonus points if you are a follower or become one.  So leave me a comment about that too. 

+I'll even throw in a extra chance if you use your favorite form of social media to spread the word.  I know you are thinking it just gets more people to enter which lessens your chance.  But Lyssa won last time because she did. Just sayin.  

+You HAVE to comment though.  Because a winner will be drawn FROM THE COMMENTS SECTION on Friday October 1st. 

See I told you that you would thank Marcy too.  ;)

Craft Projects for Project: Craft

Happy Fall Everyone!  

Ivy and I spent the last week in Portland so we are still getting back in to the groove around here.  It is always super fun hitting up the Big City!  The highlight for me was actually taking Ivy to the Children's Museum.  If the fire alarm hadn't gone off after 4 hours of playing we probably would have just stayed all day!

Well Project:Craft is this Saturday and after getting my ticket in the mail over the weekend I am getting super excited.  I just don't know what to bring as a craft!  And you probably haven't either I'm guessing ;).  So here's some ideas for you! {and me}

  I just pulled out my Halloween countdown and still love it!  

{I've got kits available for Halloween or Christmas.  Just email me if you want to make one!}

A pennant banner!  The Crafting Chicks share a super cute halloween one! I'm in need of a birthday one myself...

Not in the mood for a Halloween project?   How about this really cute ruffle necklace.  This has been on my list for a while so maybe its time to cross it off!

Or how about heading over to Target and picking up a pair of Odell Flats for a shoe refashion? 

Did I help you out at all?! What do you want to make this week?  {Whether you are going to Project:craft or not!} 

Level Up

There's this photographer I know that is really good. ;)  He has started teaching some workshops that are amazing. Do you have a DSLR and want to step up your game?  Darin is definitely your guy.  Not only is he a lighting master he is one of the best teachers I know.    This weekend is his Intro to Dynamic Lighting class.  

Here is what Darin has to say about it!

I've had requests for an intro to lighting class, so here it is! Half day class, with room for 10 students. We will go over the technical aspects of dynamic light and off camera flash with an emphasis on creating portraits that stand out from the rest.

A common question is "how did you do that?" We will go over the "how to" part, but also delve into the "why did you do that" when looking to develop our own unique style as a story...teller.

With minimal impact on your wallet, I'll show you how to build a portable, lightweight lighting kit that is always with you and ready to go. Easy to set up and tear down. No more excuses for not creating the lighting you want!

+Class will include a power point workbook/presentation as a future reference with links on where to get the pieces you need for your kit.

+2 hours in the classroom and 2 hours shooting on location with models provided.

+No previous experience or special equipment needed.

There are just a couple spots left!  The class is this Saturday September 18th from 3-7 pm.  Cost is $100.  If you are a member of the Tri Cities Photography Club the cost is only $75. So be sure to contact Darin so you can secure your spot! 

Who Wants Pie?!

Whew!! I have spent the last 2 days canning three boxes of peaches.  It feels so good to sit down! 35 quarts of peaches is no joke.

I have canned a bunch of stuff, but I haven't actually done any peaches.  If you are getting ready to do yours here are some things I learned.  

+If you have someone to help it is a lot faster.  And more fun.

+Wide mouth jars are your friend.

+If you are working alone Fruit Fresh is your friend.

If you want a really great visual of how to can peaches then I will refer you to the ladies of Little Birdie Secrets.

{She apparently has four hands and can cut peaches and take a picture of it at the same time!}
 Even though I've done my fair share of canning, a couple of tips from their post on canning peaches seriously made today go much smoother. 

I mixed it up today and made pie filling too.  The recipe I used is from Darin's grandma and aunt and is so delicious.  I just want to eat it out of the jar!  EDIT: I just found out the recipe is a family secret.  So I went to cooks.com and found a very similar recipe to share.  The best part is you can use the recipe for peaches or apples.  

{Just so you know I halved the recipe and it made 7 quarts of peach pie filling.  It might do less with apples since they aren't as soft as peaches.  Also you will need to be familiar with things like blanching fruit.  Refer to above mentioned post for more info}

 First things first blanch, peel, pit and slice your peaches.  Sprinkle with fruit fresh and then fill your jars.  This will take way more peaches than you think so be prepared!  Then make your pie filling sauce.

Peach {and apple} Pie Filling

4 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup corn starch
10 cups of water
Stir and cook over medium heat until thickened. Then add...
1 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg 
3 tablespoons of lemon juice
{you can adjust spices to your liking}

When done it will look something like this

 I accidentally deleted my next picture and this is the only tiny bit tricky part.   Using a funnel and a ladle put in one ladle-ful of sauce.  Using the handle of a (non-metal)spoon or spatula push the sauce down to the bottom to spread it out.  Then add some more sauce leaving 1/2 inch headspace.  Add lids and process in a hot water bath for 30 minutes.  

Now you can make some delicious pie, cobbler, dump cake, or eat it on waffles or straight out of the jar. any time you want!

 

In A Rut

Seriously.  I have lost my touch.  I can not decorate this house how I want to save my life.  I think a big part has to do with the rust color on the walls in the kitchen and going in to the living room.  Don't get me wrong its a really pretty color.  But its holding me back.  And it also has a little to do with changing style....  I know there isn't anything I can do about the color.  But maybe you can help me with my Ung Drill frame?!    This frame has hung on the wall just like this for 6 months.  

Ok more like this, but I can't decide.  I was going to put a vinyl "W" in it but do you know how hard it is to find a pretty W?  *sigh*.  I've looked, but I can't seem to find the right idea.  How about you.  Do you have a fabulous idea?

Can you help me?!

Do You Procrastinate?

I sure can kick it in to high gear when I'm running out of time!

Today I ...

+sewed a skirt,

+painted three chalkboard frames, 

+took Ivy swimming {in the bathtub} 

+sewed a blanket for my newest sweet nephew

+and made 10 loaves, 24 muffins and one mini loaf of zucchini bread.

+Plus everything else that needs done in a day and went to my nephews baby blessing.  

And I didn't get one picture to prove it.  

Does anyone else thrive under the pressure of procrastination?