A few pictures of Lester 2012

 December has been crazy with basketball games, wrestling, school programs, and church activities. I just barely downloaded my camera cards and decided to post all the happenings with Lester lately. I tried posting a few on facebook, but ended up skipping quite a few days. I can't wait for my kids to get out of school....we are all in dire need of a vacation. I am just looking forward to hanging around the house and doing nothing. My husband even took next week off, which is a miracle. He never gets to take vacation around the holidays. Thank goodness for Christmas falling in the middle of the week this year. So on with the show.....These are listed backwards from most recent....

Day 12

Playing with blocks....a great way to send the kids to school this morning

Day 11

Taking some down time and playing Angry Birds

Day 9

elf sized chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast

Day 8

Doing a little wrapping....not so easy with out thumbs

Day 7

Caught red handed in the cookie jar

Day 6

Taking time to remember the true meaning of Christmas

Day 5

Keeping a close eye on everyone from on top of the piano

Day 4

Having a chat with Rudolph

Day 3

Light bright art work

Oh' Christmas Tree

Day 2

Painting some nut crackers

Day 1

Husker game day! We didn't do so well.

Now I am off to get my Young Womens activity ready. I will try and post Lester as the action occurs, but no promises. Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Rhonda

Gratitude 2012

This Thanksgiving I am celebrating by posting all of the things I am grateful for in 2012. 

1. A home that provides safety both physically and spiritually.

2. A loving Savior, Jesus Christ

3. My son... who inspires me to be a much better person. I know this kid will do great things in his life and it challenges me to be a better mother.

4. My daughter, Liz...she keeps us laughing around here.

5. My daughter, Rachael.... I admire her enthusiasm and spirit.

6. My daughter, Christyn.... I just adore her cuddles and 5yr old chats

7. A car to drive me from here to there

8. Food in my cupboards

9. My husband who loves me and provides for our family.

10. My computer that not only helps me with my job, but keeps me close to far away friends and family.

11. Temples

12. My calling in Young Womens at church....I really enjoy hangin with the youth.

13. My many talents...both old and new.

14. My studio filled with many projects and fun stuff to play with

15. Our cows

16. My father-in-law... Although we don't see eye to eye politically he is a kind hearted man with a wonderful sense of humor.

17. The bills that have been paid this year

18. Our bird...I look forward to his morning song

19. A washer and dryer

2o. My kids school

21. A comfortable bed to sleep in

22. Medication that helps me start my day

23. The 40 lbs. I have lost since June.

24. My treadmill

25. The body for life program.

26. New converse....I swear I could never own to many

27. My repeat customers.... I love the many people I have had the opportunity to work with this year.

28. Being published in a magazine

29. My mother... she is my best friend

30. My sewing machine.... I had to use it more than usual this year. Mended and made many of my girls clothes plus some curtains for the basement.

31. My new iPod

32. Music....all music

33. My health

34. Scriptures

35. Prayer... I am grateful to know that my Heavenly Father loves me and hears my prayers.

36. our trampoline... it is way too much fun on those things

37. The garden my son worked so hard on this year and the produce we did get from it.

38. I am grateful that no one in this family broke any bones this year.

39. My camera that lets me document all of the days this family has.

40. I am grateful I was able to go to my cousins wedding and see family this year.

41. The trees that were cut down in our yard this year.

42.My church...ward family

43. My daughters baptism

44. our movie collection.... what we do on many family nights

45. My friend, Melane

46. My hands

47. The doctors that help to find answers for our daughter

48. Make-up

49. My wardrobe ....you can never own to many sweatshirts

50. Electricity 

51. Pinterest

52. Facebook

53. My weight machine

54. Thomas S. Monson

55. Bishop Horton

56. Good teachers for my kids this year

57. Candles

58. Bubble baths

59. My magazine collection

60. My cook book collection... we explored many new recipes this year....most of them healthier

61. My sister...I am grateful for our long talks and all the guidance she gives me

62. My brother, Brandon....grateful for our visit to the pumpkin patch...He Always inspires me

63. My brother, Greg... I am grateful we spent time with him on Harper's 1st b-day

64. Grateful for the drywall pile in our basement and finally having time to start putting up walls

65. I'm grateful for the many ideas that swim around in my head

66. Fly swatters ... boy I needed those this year

67. Fluffy Jammies

68. The little town we live in

69. Hunans ....this year it seemed to be the only place everyone wanted to eat at on special occasions

70. Internet shopping

71. The Fed Ex guy

72. squisshy cheeks

73. bedtime stories

74. family meal time

75. Pandora

76. All the projects I accomplished this year.

77. The military....I'm Grateful for all the men and women that serve our country

78. Craft time with my girls

79. Grateful for the right to vote...even if Mitt Romney didn't win

80. Grateful to live in the US

81. This one is hard to say but this year I am grateful for Walmart... Only place to late night shop

82. Telephones

83. My Dad... and his occasional phone calls

84. Girls Camp... I really didn't like it, but I came home closer to my Heavenly Father

85. Clean drinking water

86. My sons scout troop in Lexington... making him a better man

87. Extra bonuses on my husbands check

88. Fresh clean babies

89. Grateful for the time with my son watching TV shows on Hulu

90. Massages

91. Hot apple cider

92. The ocean...although it's been forever since I've been there it will always be a part of me.

93. My sons online seminary class...I am grateful I get to listen in on occasion

94. Cliff protein bars

95. Calorie tracker

96. art work on the fridge

97. dirty finger prints on the walls

98. girl days

99. the 2 dates I did get with my husband this year

100. Goodwill, junk shops, and antique stores

101. I am grateful for the many artists that have inspired me this year

102. fluffy blankets to cuddle in

103. sketchbooks

104. art journals... that help me release my thoughts

105. Banana/ cinnamon protein shakes

106. Preschool

107. Farm drives

108. Perfume

109. fabric softner

110. Hobby Lobby

111. well water for our crops

112. shopping days with my mom

113. My brother-in-law....he really is the coolest guy and such an example

114. P90X

115. High speed internet

116. cleaning the church with the Burtons

117. Hometeachers

118. Sunday school

119. Food storage

120. my blog

121. avocados

122. Family Game Night

123. Little Nebraska towns we explored this year

124. The great friends my kids have

125. hot showers

126. my testimony

127. new art work on my walls

128. little notes from my kids

129. new hair color

130. General Conference

131. video games

132. fresh flowers

133. afternoon naps

134. kisses

135. my watch

136. soft scrub

137. Mindy Gledhill

138. new internet friends

139. chicken pot stickers

140. family history

141. late night chats with my teenagers

142. Playdates 

143. Food Processor ...makes my life easier during canning season

144. Chocolate...need I say more

145. superglue

146. HONEY....Yummmy

147. Family Prayer

148. Family Scripture study

149. summer nights

150. walks with my kids

151. Mary Kay

152. hunting season

153. night lights

154. laughter

155. rainbows

156. The sun or good ol' Vitamin D3

157. Parks

158. family vacations

159. Aspbergers

160. Foggy mornings

161. Bonfires

162. Arrow ... my new favorite TV show

163. Fireflies

164. rainy days

165. late nights in the studio

166. Picnics

167. leftovers

168. stars

169. running shoes

170. dishes in the sink.....not my fav thing...but I know my kids are fed when my sink is full of dishes

171. Gas

172. tire swings

173. laundry on the line

174. the smell of a wood burning fire

175. that I am not in high school anymore....I really feel for my teenagers

176. lunch dates

177. fresh fruit

178. mutual funds

179. movie theaters 

180. building snowmen with my kids

181. being a stay at home mom

182. positive people

183. warm weather

184. email

185. etsy

186. photoshop

187. flipflops

188. the girls daddy dates

189. twinkling lights

190. The Holy Ghost

191. children singing

192. fashion...my own sense of style

193. sunday naps

194. My sister in law....Ika. I couldn't ask for a more awesome sister. She is perfect for my brother

195. fresh orange juice

196. farmers markets

197. goals...especially accomplished ones

198. unexpected mail

199. color .... all the colors

200. bare feet

201. camping

202. motivational quotes

203. My own canned goods....yummy

204. Birthdays

205. Dreams

206. trips to town with my son to buy him Gyros

207. Mountains

208. Antibiotics....been grateful for these a few times this year

209. new notepads

210. Disneyland .... I can always dream....SOMEDAY

211. being organized

212. a clean refrigerator .....or fridge in general

213. Farmers

214. a good sweat

215. Photographs..... I absolutely <3 pictures

216. Paid bills

217. Deodorant  

218. Seatbelts

219. Toilet paper

220. Air conditioning....oh i was sooo grateful for AC this year

221. nieces and nephew

222. Jack Johnson

223. Baptisms

224. Ice cream

225. my kitchen ..... for the times I do want to cook

226. A good pair of jeans

227. My kids math homework...so much I need to relearn

228. morning walks alone

229. A good nights sleep

230. Instagram

231. Pumpkin patch

232. corn mazes....getting lost with my brother in one

233. Fix a flat

234. smiling people

235. Football games

236. rental cars

237. inspiring conversations

238. Hawaii....something to help inspire me

239. school programs

240. the dentist .... I love our dentist for giving my family beautiful smiles

241. dance recital ....I going to miss this next year

242. iCal

243. teaching classes

244. Alisha....I love serving in Young Womens with her

245. vintage furniture

246. Hardware stores

247. Scrap days with friends

248. summer vacation

249. SOOO grateful the elections are over

250. Cerritos...the neighborhood I grew up in

251. portable dvd player...that came in handy on vacation

252. The Killers

253. chalkboards

254. a new roof

255. genuine kindness

256. fishing on the river

257. The farming game

258. moose... I just love them

259. book stores

260. Calculators

261. courage

262. sleeping kids

263. adversity .... it makes me stronger

264. Hart of Dixie

265. vacuum cleaner

266. porches to lounge on

267. our health insurance

268. 4H...grateful for that experience 

269. a clean house

270. waterfalls

271. drive-thrus... sometimes they are too handy

272. big puffy clouds ...naming shapes with my kids

273. miracles

274. creativity

275. fresh air

276. Drivers ed

277. Honesty

278. freedom of speech

279. my bathroom scale....it is always nice to see lower #'s

280. so grateful my kids are out of diapers

281. big hugs

282. dancing

283. tickles

284. Amazon

285. walk-in closets

286. art galleries

287. porch swings

289. forgiveness 

290. my kids musical talents

291. Zumba

292. confidence

293. farm fresh eggs

294. grateful for the entire month of October... it = lots of me time

295. my husband cooking dinner

296. showers

297. meditation

298. hand sanitizer  

299. Wednesday night activities

300. the gift of giving

301. cell phones

302. freedom

303. science

304. get togethers 

305. Maps

306. Willpower 

307. grateful for spray sealer

308. grateful for my eyesight

309. Joseph Smith

310. Sunsets

311. grocery shopping

312. The atonement 

313. big fluffy pillows

314. Eternal families

315. grateful for family members who have passed

316. compliments

317. The moon

318. swimming in the lake

319. Peace

320. the earth

321. back highways

322. taking Sacrament

323. 400+ thread count sheets....YUMMY

324. steak...grateful for a wonderful b-day dinner this year

325. city life

326. paper

327. LOVE

Happy Thanksgiving, to you all!

Rhonda

Is it really beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I went into Walmart this week and was surprised by the fact that the register lights were already wrapped to resemble gifts, the shelves were stocked with Christmas goodies, and the seasonal isles were loaded with Christmas housewares. It amazes me how every year the Christmas season always starts just a little earlier than the previous year. Slow down people! Can't I just sit back and enjoy the holiday of Gratitude! Have we all forgotten how far we have come. I for one will be taking the next few weeks to just embrace all that the Lord has given me this past year and I hope to be celebrating this glorious month of Thanksgiving with the ones I love.

Posted below are some santas I made for a lovely costumer. It was a joy to work on these and I hope they will bring much cheer to those that will be receiving them.

Just a few things I am Grateful for this month.....
My family.. whom I adore and love unconditionally
A loving Savior who gave his life for me
My home that keeps us safe and warm
My Talents ...without them I might just be a little psychotic
My friends...because we all need to laugh now and then
My car that seems to transport me and my children to every activity
And today, I am especially grateful for the right to VOTE.
And let me not forget how grateful I am for all the men and women who so
diligently serve this country to help provide the freedoms we do have.


Happy Veterans Week to all of you and I hope you all take time this month to find the things you are Grateful for in your life.
Until next time,
Rhonda

Halloween tree

This is our Halloween tree in progress. My oldest daughter and I have been working on all the ornaments. We are still working on some clay ornaments and a prim witch hat for the topper. I think it is coming along quite well. 

We are on our way to Minnesota tomorrow and will be gone all weekend, so we won't be getting much more done on it this week. I just wanted to post some pics of how it is coming along. The kids and I are actually very excited to be getting away for a few days. We are also stopping in Omaha to see my brother and my niece. My kids are missing their cousin. I'm so happy my brother will have some time to see us. Well, I'm off to pack some bags and get some cleaning done. Hope you enjoy our tree. 

See ya' all next week!

Rhonda

A girls day with a surprise

My oldest daughters birthday was this week and to celebrate we were going to have a girls day on Friday. The plan was to have a Harry Potter marathon while creating some Halloween things. She ran out to check the mail and came in the house with next months issue of Stamper Sampler. There was no better way to kick off this crafty weekend then to find out I had been published in the Oct-Dec issue. We ended up heading to town to get some groceries and then stopped to see my mom. Elizabeth decided to get Snow White and the Huntsman while we were at the store. It was already getting late when we got home, so we changed our plan of action. We ended up watching Snow White and then went to bed. Today we woke up and got to work on our crafts and started  movie 1 of Harry Potter. This banner below is one of the cute things we have been working on. We also spray painted a bunch of things we plan on using in projects. We mostly played with paper crafts today. Liz had some great ideas for a few clay crafts, but we didn't get to those. I think we will need to schedule some more time next week. Hopefully she won't be swamped with homework. I have really enjoyed my weekend with her. It was just the icing on the cake that I was published in next months issue of Stamper Sampler. I adore this magazine and have oohed and awed at many of their publications. It is always an honor to be featured among so much talent.

You can purchase this issue here... http://www.stampington.com/thestamperssampler/index.html

Happy weekend to you all

Rhonda

Altered Halloween Spools

I had so much fun creating these altered thread spools. My oldest daughter even created one. Hers is the one with the candy corn. I found a bag of these vintage wood spools in my closet and thought the Halloween theme would be perfect for them. They are a great addition to our fall decor. My kids must be getting excited for Halloween, because three of them have already mentioned getting out the Haunted Houses and other decorations. I'm thinking they have a great idea, so I will be pulling out the totes tonight when the house is quiet. They will wake up to all our fun Halloween decorations. It really
wouldn't matter what is put on display as long as the Haunted Village is up. All of my kids are obsessed
with miniature things. I'm not sure where they get that from...wink wink! As a kid, I was always a tad bit obsessed with those sort of things myself.
I am still working on lots of other fall creations, so stay tuned. I will share them as soon as they are complete.
Happy Monday to you all!
Rhonda

Christmas Configuration

I started the day spray painting some shelves and cleaning my studio, but it didn't take me long
to get side tracked with a few projects. I guess, I should clean my studio more often, so some of these
unfinished projects will get done. Creativity is easy to find after going through all the piles of junk I
have laying around. This Christmas configuration is one of the things I finished today.
It is nice to have a few hours alone in the morning while my little one is at preschool. It is amazing what 3 hours will do for a mother. Just this week I was able to get laundry caught up, activities for YW finished, lots of cleaning, and of course a few crafts. I better not forget the best part, I have been able to get my workouts completed without having to stop midway to assist a whining 4 yr old.
It's time to get the little ones to bed. I will post more of my projects as soon as I can.
Rhonda

Just a little canning

I just haven't been able to get much crafting done these days. I am certainly eager to get started on some new projects, but my schedule has been filled with lots of time in the kitchen. Canning season is fun in the beginning, but not so fun after 2 weeks of standing on your feet in a hot, messy kitchen. So far, I  have canned 1 case of dill pickles, 2 cases of sweet relish, 1 case of hot pickle relish, 3 cases of corn & a few jars of tomatoes. I also froze 200lbs of potatoes and 6 lg bags of corn on the cob. There is still so much that needs to be done. I hope I can get tomatoes, pears, salsa, and maybe some spaghetti sauce done this week of next. The great thing about all this canning is the fact that my kitchen is well stocked for the winter. It seems like a ton of work, but all this canned yummy goodness is well worth the work. I love knowing that everything we eat is natural with no junk added. 

Thank goodness for Pinterest during this time of year. Let's just say I am an addict. In between every batch of canned goods I am pinning away. I love seeing all the fall pins lately. I definitely have found some fun fall projects I want to give a try. This time of year is my absolute favorite....football games, apple cider, leaves falling, cooler nights, kids in school, oh my list could go on.
I guess my pressure cooker is calling, so I better run.
If you would like to see all the fun fall pins, you can always follow me on Piterest.
Have a great week,
Rhonda

Art Journal Case and a few pages

WOW! It has been a while since my last post...I barely recognized my blog and all the new things going on with blogger. I don't really post about things that are so personal but, I have an excuse for being gone so long. I was not doing so well for a few months (health wise). I am feeling much better now and have a new doctor who has been wonderful. The last 3 months have been rough....lots of Dr. appts., countless tests, and new medications (some worked and some didn't). Let's just say I am finally feeling somewhat like my old self. I have been on a health kick lately....new exercise routine and diet and I am finally losing some of the weight that was put on this year with all the illness. I think this lifestyle might stick. I feel that GREAT! Enough about all that. I am happy to get back to creating and blogging.
Here is what I have been working on lately. I found this sweet little suitcase at a garage sale for
$1 and decided to turn it into a traveling studio.

Before photos

I decoupaged some paper, stickers, and diecuts to decorate the outside.

I cut a piece of fabric to fit the inside of the lid and then stitched down some elastic to hold brushes, pens and anything else my little heart desires.

What is inside: 

paintbrushes

water colors

watercolor crayons

Gel medium

white and black pens

scissors

ink pads

random stamps

spray inks

charcoal pencils

paint pens

gel pens

decorative tapes

decorative papers

paper embellishments

and of course my 

journal

Here are a few pages

So until next time,
Rhonda

My studio was in tip top shape just a few weeks ago and while I love a clean and organized space, I also feel inspired by a messy studio. Every morning I wake up and turn on Pandora and get to work, or should I say play. Inspiration comes and goes as most people know. Right now, I intend to embrace the chaos in my studio and let go of all that stuff in my head and turn it lose on the pages of my art journal. I started one of these a few years ago and felt like I didn't know what I was doing and quit. I finally get it, there are no rules. It's just a matter of putting your feeling down and letting go. I have to say, I have not felt so free.
I don't have to spend hours trying to decide what paint to use, or how to draw a straight line, or where the shading needs to go, and the best part is freeing my thoughts after I finish. I hope that all this inspiration decides to stay a while, maybe even move in permanently just as long as I can keep up with all my mommy duties at the same time.
Speaking of which, it's time to run my girls to 4H, so until next time.
Rhonda



Pandora list:
Ramones
Blondie
The Weepies
Joss Stone
Otis Redding
The Killers
Adele
and of course
a little
Jack Johnson

Rainy days

Having some afternoon thunderstorms in my neck of the woods and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a rainy day than sewing for my girls. My little one has helped me to clean her room, had lunch, and now she is watching Barbie. I figure I have a few minutes to get some more sewing done today before I head off to dance classes. I traced out a few patterns last night and started cutting them out today. I hope I can start sewing tonight once the kids are in bed, but we will see. Tuesday nights are usually pretty late. My son and I watch Castle on Hulu when the girls go to bed, so it's late before everyone gets off to bed. I guess I'm not really in a hurry or anything. It's not like they can wear shorts anytime soon. I just got so excited after the first few pair I made. The picture above is for a romper and I really can't wait to see how it turns out. I'm hoping they turn out cute, but I won't know until the girls get to try them on.
I have a favorite junk shop in a town not to far from me and they sell the most awesome things, anything from farm junk to furniture to dishes and even vintage fabric and sewing goodies. I need to make a trip next week, so I can pick up some more fabric. I don't know what it is about vintage fabric, but I love it. I tend to buy the 70's and 80's stuff. I found a strawberry shortcake pattern there last year, but still haven't used it. It is a girls dress pattern with tons of ruffles. I may have to break that out and make Christyn a new church dress.

Here are some capris I made for Rachael and shorts I made for Christyn. I made some others, but these are my favorite so far. The capris were made with vintage fabric I found at the junk store (4yards for $1 you can't beat that) and I absolutely love the way they turned out. I ordered some shirts from Old Navy to mix and match with the bottoms I have been making. I am going to work on making some summer shirts in a few weeks. I guess it is just easier to work on all the bottoms first.
Gotta get back to work before the day slips away from me.
Rhonda

Happy Valentines Day

I've been working on lots of projects for an up coming spring show. The little one was on the computer this morning playing Elmo and helping me in the kitchen with my clay projects. I decided to take a wee break and snap some pics of her. She broke her arm last week and I've been wanting a few pictures of her with her purple cast on. Sunday night she was up all night being sick, so Monday was not a great day for pics. Today, the sun was shinning through the front window just perfect so I seized the moment. She sat just long enough for me to capture a few precious Valentine pics.   

 signing I Love You!

Her new Valentine Monkey that Grandma Bert dropped off today.

This was the last picture I took, and as you can see, she had just about enough of me and the camera.

Happy Valentines Day to you all,
Rhonda