Christmas Ornaments

Since this year is Jake and I's first year together we are starting at nothing for Christmas decorations. Though it will be one fun one day to afford to pick out Christmas decorations. This year is not that year. We would rather spend money on gifts for others. So ever sense I got married 6 months ago I have been looking in Goodwill, Deseret Industries, and other used or inexpensive places to find some ornaments that I could get for super cheap and create something fun.

I was able to get a couple dozen clear ornaments. I also found some cute gift tissue paper for cheap and made something I'm actually not ashamed for others to see. 

Here's what I used. 

1. clear ornaments (though you can use any kind of ornament because you are covering it.)

2. Christmas tissue paper

3. Scissors

4. Mod Podge and a brush

First, I cut the tissue paper in various sizes.

Second, I removed the little metal topper on the ornament. I used the hole by putting my finger inside the ornament. This made it easier to hold and gave me better support while placing each paper on the ornament.

Third, I put a light coat of mod podge on the ornament and carefully placed the paper over the top of the ornament as I saw fit. Repeat this step until ornament is completely covered.

Fourth, I topped of the edges of the papers with very little mod podge to help keep them down.

Fifth, let ornament dry.

Sixth, carefully place metal topper back onto the ornament.

(I then let the ornaments continue to dry for a few hours before placing them on the tree.)

The other ornament here was made by cutting up one of my wedding announcements and placing the picture inside of one of my clear ornaments. Though you can't tell by this picture I also used a star hole punch and punch little stars and placed them into the ornament to add a little something to it. :)

DIY: Circle/Infiinity Scarf (Beginner's version) Crochet Tutorial

Trying to make my first scarf and thought I'd give this a shot. I'll show you the finished product when I'm done. Hopefully it will turn out that cute. 

Civil War: Beavers VS Ducks

Most of the Seward's are Ducks fans. :) One of the

many reasons I seem to fit in quite nicely. 

Even in our little family loved ones become

enemies on this day.

Not really. It was all in good fun.

Everyone was very nice to each other.

It may have been because we all felt so sorry for the beavers

and their fans that we couldn't even

tease them.

Stick our tongues out,

or even do the victory dance.

Poor beavers...we understand if you switch sides next year...

You know who I'm talking to. ;)

Ducks(green and yellow) Beavers(orange and black)
Blake (Ducks fan) Ethan (Beavers)

Final Score: Ducks 48 Beavers 24

Go Ducks!

Date Night

Jake and I were planning to go to a friends wedding reception,

 but I messed up on the time and so we decided

to head to the Mall for a yummy meal

instead...

Our first time trying Thai food.

Love him!

So Yummy! I think it might have been a little Americanized, but we will definitely be going back. 

November of Thanks

For FHE (family home evening) Jake and I decided to

go over what traditions we would like to have in our family.

As one of our traditions we have decided 

that each day

we would write at least

ONE

thing that we are grateful for

during the month of November to help us keep

gratitude in our hearts

during this time of year when now a days

only Christmas and getting seems to be the biggest thoughts

on every ones minds.

(Jake and I went to the mall on Saturday and guess who was there ALREADY...Yup. Santa.

I'm not a fan.)

Then Jake helped me make this fun "I'm grateful for?" bottle.

Out of a cleaned miracle whip bottle, scrap paper, and mod podge.

 It's not perfect, but it was free and it works perfect.

On Thanksgiving Day we will open and read each slip of paper.

So excited. Love this idea already. :)

"Be Grateful..." -Anastasia

Who Loves Pomegranates?!

 I do. Have any of you had stained hands after trying to get to the 

yummy seeds as I have in the past.

Well, I found the cure. A pinterest find that works. :)

All you have to do is cut the pomegranate in half.

Place it in COLD water as you peel

the seeds away.

 As you can see here. The seeds drop to the bottom and the

shell floats. Making it easy to complete the task

and then get out all the goods with no sticky colorful mess.

See no stained hands. :)

Enjoy!

TOFW

Time Out For Women

A weekend for just the women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Full of Inspiration and loads of fun too.

Sheri Dew
Friday night was awesome. I loved the music by Jenny Oaks Baker. Her cd is now on my wish list.
We also had two amazing speakers. Loved them both.
Sheri Dew talk was really powerful to me.
Maybe it's because I have had so many people ask me about the very topic
since moving to Oregon and me not having a clue how to
give descriptive detailed answers, but I LOVED her talk on the Priesthood and our
role as woman in this church.

Me with the best in-laws a girl could ask for. Amelia (mom), Amanda, and Tiffany
 Only Sabrina wasn't there for the girl's weekend.
Hopefully she will be able to come in a couple years with us again. :)

Hillary Weeks

Hillary sang and played several of her new songs. They were great. I'm a fan, but honestly her little
spill about 'the clicker' helped me more. Simply because I am able to use what I learned
from her talk and change my behaviors for the better everyday.

She told of an experiment she conducted for herself. She grabbed a clicker and for one week she counted every day every negative thought that she had. She was hilarious in giving the details of her experience that week. 

She then said that by the end of the week she relies that for no 'real' reason she was considerably sadder, more depressed, and really didn't want to do anything.

 After taking a minute she realized that it was because she had been keeping track of all the negative thoughts she was having. So being Hillary she decided to change it. Instead of clicking for a negative thought she began clicking for only positive thoughts. 

As she did an amazing thing started to happen. She began to be happier. She began to find reason to click her clicker.

Happy positive thoughts are contagious. Much like when you smile at someone.

So she challenged us to see how many clicks we can get in a day.

There is even a website to enter your clicks to at www.BillionClicks.org

Kinda fun!

Think positively people. :)

Haunted Forest 2012

Jake's family owns and runs a Haunted Forest each year on 

Grandma Seward's property.

It is quite the shin-ding.

They have been doing it for 7 years(says Jake, he's not sure) now.

This was the first year that they actually charged.

Everyone comes and donates their time.

Any donations went to building up the trail for the next year.

They told everyone that this would be the last year, 

but we will see...they had a LOT of people begging for it to continue.

Jake and I personally are ready to call it quits.

Here are some of the (nice)pics from this year. If you want to see more you can find them on 

good ol' fb.

Blake w/ the unchanged chain saw.

I don't know what this scene is...

Mana with the sporting the t-shirts they sold this year.

Pharoh's Tomb

Mom and Mana collecting money and getting a head count. Just under 2000 went through this year.

Aliens

This is Jake as Jason. Wish I had never seen this.

Sadly I didn't get to babysit any of my cute nieces and nephew like I thought I would. I spent a quite night doing projects and mom and dads. Much better than being scared on the trail if you ask me. (Yes, I admit it. I'm a wimp!)

Mana Turns 26!

Today I got to spend the day with Amanda (Mana), Mom and Dad for Mana's birthday.

It was so fun...and well a little exhausting.

(I think shopping should be on the calorie counter list.)

First we had lunch at Olive Garden. Yum!

Mana eating her birthday dessert. Strawberry and white chocolate.
Yeah, I was a little jealous.

Dad and Mom

After since we were so close we had to go the Deseret Book. Mana got 4 books and added about another half a dozen to her Christmas list. Yup, she's a book worm and we all love it because 

she's got her own personal library. I'm reading one of her books now actually. :)

Then Mana wanted to go to the  DI (for more books of course).

I tried to convince her that she looked amazing in this hat and she should wear it the rest of the day.

Didn't work but at least I have a picture of the Awesomeness!

A Males Turkish Hat. You can't see but on top it was some kind of metal. I told her when it rained it would
play us music.  She still didn't buy it. Crazy woman ;)

Then we found an actual birthday hat but she didn't get it either. 

Mana is sure a fun sister. Love her!

Random

Yummy Pear...it memory of all the canning that I got to do this year with my new family. :)

Little Poette and my thumb. Wish I remembered how old she was when I took this.

Love this! Cracks me up every time.

Date Night. Walking in the mall...had to get Jake a Cinnabon. I admit it was Yummy,

Seward's front yard. Love this place!

Cam in his Birthday shirt we got him. 

Grandparents with grandkids. :)

My sweet Grandma Buck. Miss and Love her! She was beautiful even at  a 100!

Roberts' and siblings

Hanging Rod Picture Frames

This is an idea I got from Pinterest...but when I went to get directions on how to: I was sorely disappointed with only a picture.

The rod and frames I had already. The frames were silver from my wedding. The rod was used in my old apt. before I got married. Which we were not using because the size difference. The rod was a bronze color. So I got some spray paint and sprayed them all a metallic black. 

I also kept ribbon that was used to wrap a wedding gift that I used as well. So all I ended up spending for this project was for the spray paint which was about $6.

Since I had no instructions I played around for a few days trying to come up with the best game plan. Though I don't have a picture of it I layed out the pictures how I would like them to be placed on the rod and ribbon, then I

 Figure out measurements. Depending on the size of frames and rod  will depend on how far apart you will want each picture.

I used a cross stitch pattern to make the hoops that go on the rod.  I don't have a sewing machine ,but those who do I'm sure that would be much quicker.

I placed the ribbon behind each frame. Using the frame itself to hold the ribbon  in place.

Works great!

Putting the ribbon in sideways was much more difficult. I learned that  putting the ribbon  at the beginning of where the back of the frame would go to hold picture it place is the quickest way. After getting the ribbon into the middle of the frame it gets a little tricky. You need to hold the ribbon firmly in place while continuing to move the backing of the frame. I had to pinch the ribbon between my legs and then use my other two hands....but I got it.

Almost finished.


Once my sweet hubby helped me hang it up I then was able to play with the pictures to make sure they were straight. I was silly....and actually quite finished with this project so I didn't get a Finished picture...sorry.

I do love the addition, if I do say so myself. It was well worth the time and frustration it figuring everything out.

Bathroom Decor

I'm an amateur that's for sure. I learned a couple of things while doing this project....which probably those with common sense or at least a little experience would already have known. Guess I need to learn to ask questions.

My bathroom has nothing hanging on the walls. So I've desperately been wanting to find something that wouldn't be ruined with all the humidity.

I found these random shaped blocks of wood at goodwill for a $1 each. The other items I had in the apt. already. 

All the items needed.

Used the Elmer's glue to make design...this is a sun in case you couldn't tell.
Oh, and thick is best. It will show the best after painting.

Flower....after gluing wait....and  wait some more. The Glue needs to be completely dry before painting.

Sorry, it's a bad pic., but you get the idea.

Sunset w/ flower.

What I would do differently:
1. Remove paint with sand paper, before beginning. It caused problems with painting later...You can't see it in the picture here but the yellow has green streaks in it because of the black behind it.
2. I would double coat the Elmer's glue. After letting the first coat dry of course. As you can tell from the picture the sun and flower doing show up very well at all.
3. Be more careful when picking paint colors...both the yellow and the red are not that same colors as the rest of the decor. 

 Even though it didn't turn out like I had pictured I still like it much better than my plan white walls. :)