Back On The Treadmill

Christmas is coming and I am getting fat!!!! Went to my Dr. appointment on Monday and I gained 10 pounds last month! AHHHHH! Even my dr. cringed when she saw the number. Don't say it's the baby, she only weighs 1 pound right now. Unless I am carrying twins in my butt, it's not the baby. It's my horrible eating habits I've allowed to take over.

My treadmill has been out of commission for over a month since we needed to move it. It's finally hooked up again so I can start exercising and hopefully keep myself from having another month like that. Gotta keep healthy for me and my Coco!!

Temple Square Photowalk

I did this 3 Christmases ago when I first got into photography. It was a great experience and I learned a ton. For one reason or another I wasn't able to go again until last night. It was great to see so many friends there and say hello (Ann, Scott, Jeremy, Tara). I really miss getting together with all my photog friends. Didn't realize how good they are for my soul. They are like family to me now. I even got to meet a fellow photog and 365-er, Angry Gardner, and he was so nice. Hope I get to run into him again.

A new friend and fellow photographer, Jess Bishop, came with me and we had a great time. Anxious to see what she gets since she is one of my all time fav photographers.

As far as what I got, nothing extraordinary, but I at least accomplished my goal of trying to get different shots I've never gotten before. I took the same approach I did at the Louvre in Paris, taking pictures of the little things that make the big picture so amazing.













Here's a few of the typical "Big Picture" shots I got for my mom since they are her favorite.

Snow?

I always dream of a white Christmas. Is this even really snow though? It looks like someone just sprinkled sugar everywhere.

More pics for presents!

I wasn't crazy about the pics I got of my girls yesterday so I did them over today. Much better :)

Pics for Presents

Last year I started giving all the grandparents albums of the grand-kids. Took some of the pics today for it. Once they are made I'll show you what I do since it's such a great gift for grandparents!

IKEA

Lu loves IKEA. She had a Doctor appointment today and had to get 4 shots. The nurse was terrible and cut her leg with the needle so I told her we'd go to IKEA and have lunch and pick a toy. It cheered her right up!

So cold

It was so bitterly cold today even the weeds were freezing! If they weren't already dead I'd make them tiny sweaters :)

Happy Anniversary

Today was my 9th anniversary. Married on Friday the 13th. Whoever said it was an unlucky day didn't plan on us getting together. Our little Lu was born on Friday the 13th too.

Horrid pic but it's a phone and a waiter taking it.

Picky Lu

This will be Louisa's last preschool program since she starts Kindergarten next year. She did so good! Made me proud right up to the end, until she picked her nose and ate it. Yes, that was my kid and I am so ashamed. If any of you know any great tips of breaking the habit please pass along. She doesn't do it often (thank goodness) but once is too much for me! Ewe!!!

Basket Case

Is this where the term "Basket Case" came from? Yes, she did this herself.

(I'm having to rely on a lot of iPhone pics over the next couple days since I didn't take any with my D700.)

Bridals

Did the bridals today for the second wedding.

December Wedding

I have 2 weddings this month and today I shot the first. I love weddings in December, probably since I myself got married in December!

Candy Wreaths

I've never had any cute ways to decorate my kitchen at Christmas. This year, I decided to make something to dress up my cabinets in a little bit of yummy, minty cheer using these Christmas classics.


What you need for one wreath: 9" Styrofoam wreaths, 1 1/2 bags of mint candies, glue gun, clear spray enamel, ribbon, and command hooks.

Step 1) Unwrap all those little buggers. If you are smart you can bribe the little people that live in your house with a few to eat if they unwrap them for you. I made 6 of these wreaths so there were 9 bags of candy to unwrap! Separate the broken ones from the good ones (you will use the broken ones later).

Step 2 - Glue them on! Put the glue on the upper center of the candy since they hang off the wreath a little.


I always started with the top row of candies and went in a circle. If there is a gap once you complete your circle, no worries, the ribbon will cover it.

Start the second row in the same place as you started the first so all your gaps will be in the same place.

Then do the outer edge and the inside edge. It only requires one row of candies. Remember, always start your rows at the same place so your gaps are at the same place. Sometimes you get lucky and they line up perfectly.

Since you don't really see the back I use all those broken ones and just glue them in a zig-zag pattern to fill in the back.

When you are done you will see lots of what I call "glue spider webs" all over. They are super easy to get rid of. Just use a blow dryer on it and they all magically melt away!

Step 3 - I took them out to my garage and sprayed a clear coat of enamel on them to not only protect them, but make it so they aren't sticky.

Step 4 - cut ribbon to the length you want it to hang, string it through the center of your wreath and glue it into place on the back or bottom inside. Then tie a knot at the end. I got command hooks and hung them on the back side of my cabinets upside down and hung the knotted edge of the ribbon on it. I then got some "crafty tack" and put it on the back side of the wreath so it would stick to the cabinet and not swing around and break when we opened and closed the cabinets.

Here's how they look hung...

You can add bows to the tops of the wreaths but I like them simple. These are super fragile so you need to be careful with them. I had one wreath break in half at the bottom but just glued it back together and you can't tell.

Window Frame

I rescued this old window frame from a property that was being destroyed. At first I was thinking I'd use it for a photo prop. Then I took those pictures of my kids at the red bus in July and new the old window would be the perfect frame for them. All I did was bust out the broken glass, wash off all the dirt, put in the pictures and hang it on my wall. It's my favorite thing in the house.

Sad, I took these in July and am just now making the prints and getting them on my wall. New Year's resolution is to change that next year. My own pictures will be a priority!!!!

100% NO SEW Leggings

In case my other leggings I made weren't easy enough for you, I have a no-sew method I use as well for all you who can't sew a stitch! These are ones I made for my daughters to wear but you can use the same directions for adult sizes as well. It just depends on the width of the sleeve on the sweater.

1) I found this sweater that had the cool pattern on the sleeves. As you can see the sleeves are thin so it's the perfect size for a child. For an adult you would want to look for wider sleeves.


2) Determine how long you want them to be and cut straight across.


3) Take the Fray check and go all along the bottom cut edge and let dry.


That is it! You can make them in less than 5 minutes. Here they are on my daughter. She wore them to school today with her favorite pink Ugg boots. She insisted.