Just Add Water Kit Reveal Day and other exciting news!

Good morning!  Hope your day is getting off to a great start! Ours is starting off a little lazy...we went to our first Atlanta Braves game last night.  It was fun, and for one night we embraced all things Braves. ;) But there is no doubt that our love for the Texas Rangers will forever run true...we might have spent as much time watching the scoreboard for their scores against the Angels as we did watching the game we were at. ;) In all seriousness though, we had a really great time, and it was fun to get out together and watch our favorite sport. But you didn't hop over here to read about that, did you? lol.....


Today is the big reveal day for this month's Front Porch Kit by The Little Blue House! This month's kit has a fun, beachy, summery theme....perfect for your vacation photos!

It even worked well for this picture of my boys and their cousins....these were taken last month and I was itchin to scrap this one (and the rest are waiting for me)....love the blues and greens in the kit!

This project was tough to photograph because it's so long, but I turned the Play minibook into a wall hanging, using pics of my boys playing at the beach. :)

Here's one a little closer. One of my favorite things from the kit is the word sticker sheet....just about any summer splashin' word you can imagine is on there, which goes very well with my scrappy style.

 And last, a layout of the hubs and me...these papers were PERFECT for this photo.  That trip, even though it was so fun for our entire family, was especially romantic and special for the two of us,and I'm so thankful for these photos to remember it by.  Already counting the days until we go again next summer....that number is way too large right now. ;(

Now once again (for the last time) here is the link you can go to order your kit: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com  It is here you can see all of the the products included in the kit, and also where you can view the online inspiration gallery and see all of the different projects the entire design team has created just for you! Orders yours today...you know, if you haven't listened to me yet and done it already....lol

And now, in related news....it's with mixed emotions that I share with you that I have resigned my position on the Front Porch Kit design team.  As a lot of you know, Tracy and I go way back...working together at Recollections, then with Create Joy Workshops, then the brief stint at Anthologies, and even though I moved before The Little Blue House opened, I was able to stay involved long-distance for awhile.  The thought of not working with her directly saddens me greatly, which made this decision difficult.  I credit Tracy with getting me where I am today...she has taught me, encouraged me, believed in me, and fought for me when others didn't think I could do it. And I know without a doubt that if we still lived in Texas I would still be working right alongside her. She is a dear friend and the big sister I never had but always wanted. :) 

But due to life changes it's time for me to make a change.  Brian's ministry schedule is demanding and I want to be more available to work alongside him (we are starting a new Sunday School class this weekend), I'm now serving on our school's PTA board, taking on a new mentor role with our Moms group at church, and now with all 3 of my boys in school all day I am taking my little side painting/decorating business to a new level.  More on that later....I'm really excited to be at a stage in life where I can devote more time to this dream and make it a reality.  Be on the lookout for new information to come.  I will be painting and decorating homes in the metro Atlanta area, but will also be starting an Etsy shop to sell all kinds of home decor and gift items.  In the planning/thinking/marketing stage now....more info later.

And then I still need time to just be mom and wife and friend and sister and daughter....so it was time to let FPKs go. :(  Thankful for the time spent working with these lovely ladies, and I know the kits will continue to be the huge success they are.  Much love to you all, and please keep checking in....I'm going to continue to need your encouragement and input as I begin this new adventure.  Love to all of you!

Oops....last sneak. For REAL this time ;)

You know what happens when you're redecorating two rooms in your house, finishing an order for a client, making back-to-school gifts for 24 teachers, and have a deadline to meet for a design team?

You just might mix some dates up. ;)

 I thought the big Front Porch Kit reveal was today....so I'm sorry if I got you all excited for nothing.  However, it IS tomorrow (I double-checked), so you don't have to wait much longer. :)

Here's my last sneak before tomorrow....tomorrow you will get to see it ALL, and it will be worth the wait...this kit is all kinds of beachy fun!  Hang in there....and we'll see you tomorrow!

Preorder your kit TODAY here: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com  

You know...if you're a little impatient like me....lol

Happy scrapping!

Last Sneak

Hello there!  Wanted to give you one last sneak before the big reveal tomorrow.....

 Can you tell my boys are crazy-nuts for their darling cousin?  She and her brother are both fab, and I'm having LOTS of fun scrapping them. :)


If you haven't ordered your Just Add Water kit from Front Porch Kits, seriously.  DO. It. 


Here's the link again: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com
 

Big reveal tomorrow....lots of great inspiration and of course photos of everything you will get in this kit.  You'll be thrilled...promise. ;)
See you tomorrow!

Sneaky Saturday

Happy Saturday!  I am ddrrraagggggging this morning. I can smell the coffee brewing though, and that helps. :) Still have a few finishing touches to put on my projects for this month's kit, but it's been SUPER fun to work with! Gotta get busy, so here is today's peak of a project....

 If you haven't pre-ordered your kit yet....what are you waiting for?!?!  Just imagine having all you need to make memories that will last a lifetime from this summer's adventures, in ONE very happy box. :)

Visit www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com to order your kit!

See you tomorrow!

Just Add Water Sneak #1

 Good afternoon scrappy friends!! Hope you're having a great Friday. :)  We are on the countdown to school starting (Aug. 6 for my middle schooler....ugh) so I am LOVING the chance to revisit our beach photos from our trip early this summer.  Perfect for this month's Front Porch Kit~ Just Add Water!
 

I know, I know....not much of a sneak....but it won't be long until you get to see it all. ;) Beautiful colors, TONS of fun embellishments....everything you need (and more) to make some beautiful works of art from your summer memories.

Pre-orders start today~ contact the Little Blue House by visiting or calling them at this address/number below:

The Little Blue House
118 W. Olive Street
Keller, Texas 76248
817-431-7930

Or if you aren't in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex (like me...*sad face*) you can visit their website at

www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com

Happy blog hopping!

See you tomorrow......

Chalkboard Wall How-To

So I've been jonesin' for a chalkboard wall for awhile now, and even though this summer has been crazy-busy, I decided now was the time to make it happen.  Apparently I'm not happy unless I have some kind of project going...lol. Poor Brian. ;)  He's so patient....not sure what I did to deserve him, but I'm so thankful.

My hubs loves to say that Pinterest is the bane of his existence...lol ;)  He spends a lot of his free time cutting wood or hanging something up or painting something....God bless him. This time though, I lovingly let him know that Pinterest isn't to blame for this project.....

The Duncans are. ;)

The boys and I LOVE this show.  In case you haven't heard of it, it's called Good Luck Charlie, and is about a family of 6 (oops...7 now).  The oldest sister, Teddy, is doing a video diary for her little sister, Charlie, because she knows she won't be there for her teenage years. It's hilarious, well written, and I get just as excited as the boys do when a new episode comes on. :) If you haven't, check it out...lots of family-friendly fun. On the Disney Channel.

Crazy about how this house is decorated....pretty sure Amy Duncan and I would be fast friends if she was real. ;) And I'm thankful that she is so crazy that she makes me look a little less crazy...lol

But anyway...back to business. ;)  We purchased a quart of chalkboard paint at The Home Depot (our favorite DIY store) for $10.99, and used a small foam paint roller. After we painted the chalkboard with two coats, (which looked like solid black paint would) my dear husband offered to frame it out for me.  Really think we need our own husband and wife DIY show....add the boys and the 2 puppies and it would be all kinds of entertaining....lol. ;)

 Then we had to condition it by rubbing it all over with chalk. 

 It took me four full pieces to cover it all.

 Then we took a wet towel a wiped it all off, and it looked like a real chalkboard!

 My dear friend and former boss, Tracy, sent me a few chalkboard ink pens to try out (and they are awesome!) and they look like chalk without all the dust and mess that goes along with real chalk.  Real chalk, however, is easier to clean off.  I covered it with a Bible verse, our weekly menu, chore lists, and special events/dates to remember, and then the bottom is for the boys to express their artistic abilities. ;) And me....lol

We had some extra paint so I decided to paint under our kitchen island as well.  The boys love having their own space to draw and write on, because really, the big one is more for organization/planning type things, which has been super helpful.  I strive for our home to be kid-friendly...trying to find the balance between my clean-freakiness and not wanting to spend my life cleaning.  This board is freeing me up in all kinds of ways...lol.

So there you go....really an easy project I encourage you to try.

Next project for me? Painting our kitchen cabinets black...not going to be nearly as fun, but can't wait to see the results!!

Room Re-do X2

The boys and I got back a few days ago from our summer trip to Texas.  We had a such a GrEaT time....lots of swimming, shopping, farm work, target shooting, a Rangers game....but mostly just loved being together.  Our time there always goes by way too fast, but knowing that B was back here alone, working hard so that we can do things like spend two weeks in TX made it much easier to come home. :)

I know I've mentioned this before, but in case you missed it,

the boys have 2 new cousins (making the total they have now 5, which they think is greatness).

My mom wanted photos of all of her grandkids together, so we called in our favorite photographer and she worked her magic. :)

I know....STOP. IT, right?

The cuteness is almost too much. ;)

I can hardly wait to get these framed in my house....the boys are crazy about Finn and Bailey, and vice versa.  Can't express enough how incredibly good it does my heart to see these 5 together, and that even though they don't live close to each other they've been able to pick right back up where they left off at each visit.  Their bond is tight, and I have a feeling it always will be.  My sis and I are finally getting our dream of being moms together, and while it rots that we're not even in the same state to live out this dream, we're making the best of it....making darn sure that these kiddos are going to know each other well and love each other BIG.  So far, so good. :)

You  might be wondering why I'm posting this on my art/crafty/project blog instead of my family blog, and there are two reasons why:

One: I know a lot of you who read this live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and a lot of  you are scrapbookers.  So you need good photos.  It's WAY more fun to scrap great pics....making me a very thankful girl that my best friend (a.k.a my person) also happens to be a fab photographer.  If you live in the metroplex, take advantage of the fact that you live near her and schedule a session.  You won't be sorry....in fact, you just might be so thankful you'll want to send me a present.  Lol....seriously, go visit her website: www.gypsyheartphotography.com.  She's so much fun, has a great eye, and is brilliant with color and catching your littles' personalities.

Have I mentioned how crazy-in-love I am with my niece and nephew? ;)

I've gotten very attached to these little people.  

They have left little footprints on my heart, and I am one smitten Aunt Jac.

Reason #2 for posting this here is because I did a little work while I was visiting.  But it didn't really feel like work because I was getting to paint and decorate for this guy.....

.....who has already developed a love for baseball and needed to reflect that love in his bedroom. :)  So I painted a baseball-looking stripe in his room, and added the "Rawlings" logo that you'll find on baseballs to give it a little something unique.

My sister was working on painting his bathroom when I came over to take these photos, and when I left there were still a few things left to hang on the walls (one being a large sepia-toned photo of Finn wearing Hunter's too-big-for-him Josh Hamilton shirt....yummy), so I will post more when I get the final photos. There are several little touches that make his room so much fun....great for him now at 2, but a room he will be able to grow in for several years.

I also got to decorate Bailey's room and oh my....it has opened up a whole new world of fun!  I know I was made to be a boy mom (and I LOVE that....it suits me),but I've learned quickly that being an aunt to a girl is pretty fantastic.  Especially when she's fun and girly like Miss B, and even at the young age of 2 understands the importance of making things pretty. ;)

Some of the things for her wall collage were bought and a few I made, but it all came together to reflect her personality, and is just SO much fun. :)

And of course, she had to have a tree.  And we decided that it needed to be pink...because what girl doesn't need a pink tree in her room? ;) The paper leaves were chosen to coordinate with the other wall decor, and the birdhouse "hangs" on the tree like a frame would...I'll never forget her reaction to seeing it for the first time.  Made every minute spent working on it completely worth it.

My sister painted this old desk yellow (and has since purchased some super cute knobs for the drawers)....it's a great touch. :)

And last (for now), the curtains.  We found these white ruffled curtains at Target (of course;) and added wide grosgrain ribbon to each ruffle.

We headed back home before the rooms were completely finished, but I'm so happy I got to help make their bedrooms happy and cozy for them....one of the many reasons I love my job. :)

And now we're in serious project-mode around here.  B and I painted a chalkboard wall in the kitchen tonight, and I'm starting Hud's room re-do tomorrow.  Got a couple of canvases to work on, and helping Harrison reorganize and change up his room a little.  And not to be left out, we're going to rearrange Hunter's room so his bed is away from the window because it "makes him nervous" when it rains outside.  Little punkin. ;) Pics to come.

Summer is a great time to give new life to your favorite spaces, so I encourage you to get busy!  Post links in the comment section below~ I'd love to see what you're up to.  Happy Re-doing! ;)

Front Porch Friday

Hi everybody!  Hope you're having a great week!  My family and I are wrapping up our vacation...we've spent the week in Florida, and it has been wonderful...much needed. I've definitely got beach brain...I just now remembered I was supposed to do this post this morning.  Oops.  Please forgive me....I'm not prepared like I wanted to be (my plan was to do a step-by-step tutorial on how I did the heart canvas from the kit) but I think I can still give you a good idea on how it's done.  Ready?

But before I start, let me just say that I've been blown away by inspiration this week.  The colors here are breathtaking.  I get so caught up in the sights here, all the beautiful little details, and let's just say....my boys don't appreciate it at all. ;)  Lol....at least they are mostly patient with me while I take it all in.
As much as I love the beach, I think my favorite part of the trip was visiting this little town (pop. 1200ish) called Seaside.  It's about 15 minutes away from where we're staying at Santa Rosa Beach, and it's the most picturesque, darling little town I've ever seen.

All of the stores have these sweet porches, beautiful displays....my brain was on overload. ;)

I mean, seriously....these colors?  They spoke to me. ;)

And I found this paper tree in a little children's store called "Duckies." I mean...STOP IT. :)  Love.

I expected to walk away from this trip re-energized, rested, and ready to make the most of the rest of our summer.  I didn't expect to be so inspired by everything I saw....but I have been.  Ready to get home and get busy on some home decor projects, and some scrapbooking as well. Can't wait. :)

Ok...the canvas.  Here is one closer up shot of the heart itself.  I have been playing with this concept for awhile, trying different techniques to get it right, and I bombed every time.  When I finally decided to simplify things a bit, I finally got it right...mostly.  Still have some tweaking to do, but overall I'm happy with the outcome.

I used an 18x18 square canvas, and  painted the edges and sides black.  Next, I drew the heart. I free-handed it, wanting it to have more of a whimsical look, and then placed scraps of all different sizes from the kit around it using mod podge, inking them first. I opted not to put a coat of mod podge over the top of the scraps, but that is a matter of preference. 

Next, the scary part. ;)  The heart.  Here's the secret to making the heart: joint compound and polyurethane.  Yep...that's it.  I took a spoon (a butter knife will work too, but I felt like I had more control with the spoon) and started scooping out joint compound and spreading it all over, filling in the heart outline I had drawn.  You want it nice and thick.  After I was happy with the size and shape of the heart, I took a pencil and drew in my swirls.  Next, you have to wait for it to dry COMPLETELY (that's important), which takes 24 hours.

The next day after it had dried completely, I painted it with a higher quality acrylic paint.  You want it to have a thicker consistency than some of the cheaper ones do. I chose a dark red, and then brushed a little bit of black and turquoise over the top after the red had dried somewhat.  It blends better if the red is not completely dry.  After all of that dried, I brushed on polyurethane over the top. Two coats...it has to be the type you paint on, NOT the spray.  After that dried I added the "X" and the "you are here" letter stickers, using a little liquid glue.  And then....you're done!  See?  Not nearly as scary as we thought. ;)

So there you go...hopefully this little tutorial was helpful.  And as a bonus....we've had a couple of rainy afternoons this week, and luckily I brought my scrappy stuff.  When I was in TX in April I visited The Little Blue House, and bought the stuff to make this Fancy Pants journal.  I have really missed journaling, and figured if I could combine that with scrapbooking it would be just what I needed to get back in the habit.  I can tell I'm going to have so much fun with this....I'm making mine a family journal...things about us, our favorite things, places we go, people we meet, etc. 

Do you recognize the pinky-red trim along the spiral?  Yes...it's from the Sew Artsy kit!  It was one of my favorite trims in the kit, and I'm so glad I had some leftover to add to the journal.  I've got some more ribbon to add to the spiral, and then I'll be ready to start filling it up. :)

Have a wonderful weekend....take a little time to record something important, scrap your latest favorite photo, or take some new pics of your favorites.  See you again soon!

Kid Venture Wall Art~ Done!!

Back in March I was hired to do my first real official wall art job, painting the children's area for Sugar Hill United Methodist Church. I was really excited, and a nervous wreck too. Worried about my abilities and if I would really be able to get what was in my head onto this big gigantic "canvas." ;)  When I started it was four walls painted blue, and after hearing the children's director's vision for what she hoped it would look like, I learned that we have a very similar, whimsical taste. :)

This is the main wall of the kids' area....we wanted to portray the idea of an adventure, 

a journey that is kid-friendly and fun.

 Happy flowers and a butterfly...and a tiny little ladybug on a long blade of grass.

 The registration corner...tall sunflowers with scrapbook paper centers....because it wouldn't feel like it was mine without some paper involved. ;)

 The main doors, where the road ends and the adventure begins.

 The children's director's favorites are dandelions and dragonflies....so I 

was sure to include plenty of those. :)

 Big turquoise tree with a paper bird and nest....

 close-up view

 another tree, but this time with paper leaves :)

and the sun...which I think ended up being my favorite part.

They ordered green trim for the bottom of the walls...I can't wait to go up and see it after that is installed!

Hoping this is the beginning of a fun new journey for me....it was without a doubt one of the most fun jobs I've ever had, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead.