MY LATEST PROJECT

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My latest project has actually been going since December! But I finally had a chance to finish it today :) I made a photo book using all of my favorite pictures from the trip to Europe that Justin and I went on in May. My darling husband took me all around Europe for 10 days to celebrate my graduation. We had so much fun and got to see so many incredible sights. I especially enjoyed the art (that Italian Renaissance Art History course I took really paid off!) I hope you like it!

The new way to make a photo album: photo books by Shutterfly.

MATERNITY PHOTO SHOOT

Before I get to showing you my pictures here is a little back story. (By the way they turned out AMAZING! I am so excited.) I want to introduce you to one of my favorite people and great friends- Audrey, from ALL Photography. Audrey and I met at our Freshman Orientation for the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah when we started in 2008 and have been friends ever since. Isn't this picture a gem! (I think I look a little like my brother Erik in this picture.) 

 

Audrey is an incredible photographer and graphic designer. Audrey is also one of the most creative and kind people I have ever met. She has her own company- ALL Photography and Design. Please check out her Facebook page by clicking here.

Now let's get to the pictures! I was so excited to do a photo shoot to remember how our little family of 2 1/2 looked. I was 35 weeks along at the time. There are so many photographs that turned out great but here are a few of my favorites. We did an outdoor shoot in American Fork and the lighting turned out perfect. I can't get over it!

 

And thanks so much to Audrey! I had so much fun working with her, and isn't her work fantastic??

TIME FOR AN UPDATE

Well it's February and it's been a little while since my last blog post. The biggest reason for this is that my husband and I just moved into our first home! (*Commence Cheering*) It's taken some time to land back on our feet and even begin to think about unpacking. The good news is that we love our house and are looking forward to meeting the baby boy coming our way. By the way, I am 36 weeks pregnant today (*Commence Cheering*), I feel like I am about to pop, I am starving all the time and am out of breath by the time I reach the top of the stairs. 

With Baby Boy (still without a name) coming soon, this month is all about nesting. I am feverishly working up a storm to have "everything" ready by the time the baby gets here. (I say "everything" because, let's face it, my to do list is much too long and unrealistic to actually accomplish, but a girl can dream right?) Anyway, this post is dedicated to a few projects that I have on my radar this month.
I will link you to some of my favorite Pinterest finds, and for others you will have to wait and be surprised with the finished product (don't worry, I'll make sure to make a tutorial)!

Ready. Here we go.

Easy Baby Blanket

 This Minky baby blanket is perfect for cuddling and the tutorial from Greener Grass is incredibly easy to follow. I am making mine out of  the same fabric I used for the bumpers in the crib. (Pics coming later.)

 

  

Journal for Baby

This cute lady says that she starts a journal for each of her children as soon as she finds out she is expecting (or adopting) their child. I am a little late on that one, but I would love to start writing to Baby on the day of their birth. Then when they leave home, they have a beautiful story of their growing up and memories from their parents. 

Baby Mobile

Sorry no link, this one's a secret...

Burp Cloths 

Lots and lots of burp cloths. There's no tutorial on this link, but her choices of fabric are great!

 

Hand-Stamped Curtains

I found a great Pottery Barn black-out curtain at Down East Homes, it was $20, but I know that sometimes means it could be stained or smudged or something. I decided to get it anyway because I have been wanting to try fabric stamping. I am looking forward to the finished product and will let you know how it goes! Here are links to some of the best instructions I have found thus far.

From Centsational Girl
and
From Unruly Things

Wishes for Baby

 I saw this on Pinterest awhile back, but can't find the link, sorry! I want to make cards like this to have at the hospital and at the house when people come visit. It will be a great way to always remember the first few days of Baby's life.

 

 

I am really looking forward to these projects and don't forget to check back in to see the finished product!

LIVING IN THE MOMENT

This year I have really decided to put in a special effort to not only achieve my New Year's Resolutions, but to continue making new resolutions throughout the whole year. My Happiness Project, as I've been calling it, comes from Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project. I have come up with a goal for each month of 2013. January's focus is to Live in the Moment. This also goes along with #1 of 10 Things I Want to do in 2013- Do One Thing Every Day That Makes You Happy.

Here's how I plan on doing it:

Get dressed! Being pregnant definitely makes me feel like lounging in sweats and no bra all day, but let's face it, that doesn't really make me feel the best. Like it or not, a well put together outfit and some fresh make-up can go a long way.

Walk with a purpose and keep your shoulders back. Not only does it make me feel happier, but I will look happier on the outside too.

Take a bubble bath.

Take time to make something with your hands. I get so much satisfaction from seeing something that I made get finished (and also getting complimented on something you make works like a charm). Lately I have been doing a lot of sewing for the baby's room and drawing in my sketchbook.

Call a friend.

Tidy up! Organizing and cleaning my house makes me feel so energized!

Eat a piece of chocolate.

I would love to keep adding to this list throughout the month, so feel free to post any things that you do to get happy!

NEW GOALS FOR A NEW YEAR

After a recommendation from a friend's utterly adorable blog (harleyandjane.com, check it out!) I began reading The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. This book details one woman's yearly endeavors at making her life simply happier. She chooses 1 area of her life each month and focuses her attention on making that aspect of her life happier. Rubin is an upfront sort of writer and doesn't mind sharing her own failures and short-comings, which makes for a pretty enjoyable and motivational read. After beginning my own happiness project in December I decided to make several more goals to help me throughout 2013. This is what I came up with:

 

10 Things I Want to do in 2013:

1- Do one thing every day that makes me happy.

2- Develop an art-making routine.

3- Create weekly menu plans, and cook 4 days per week.

4- Work on the blog.

5- Become a mother.

6- Learn to share my accomplishments with others.

7- Ask for help.

8- Be kind to everyone.

9- Create a peaceful and stress-free home routine for me and baby.

10- Don't worry about things you can't control.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS, 2012

Sometime last year I saw a cute idea for a Memory Jar on Pinterest, and decided to actually do it! Throughout the year I wrote down several of my favorite memories or exciting things that happened to me during the year. I kept them in this cute jar, right on my desk. I figured if I kept it handy I could write down things right after they happened. 

The blog that I saw this idea on recommended opening the jar on New Year's Eve and reading the things that happened throughout the year. I decided to turn my notes into several journal pages.

I had a lot of fun making my jar and reading the things that happened in 2012. I am definitely going to do it again in 2013!

P.S. I hit 30 weeks in my pregnancy today! That means only about 10 to go :)

A YEAR IN REVIEW

December 15, 2010

Happy Anniversary!

December 15,2012

Today is our Second Wedding Anniversary. I tend to think of this as the beginning and ending of the new year since it is so close to the actual New Year. At this time I want to look back at 2012 and all of the things that have happened to me and Justin this year. Some of my greatest memories go like this:

I graduated from the University of Utah in May 2012. I got my BFA in Art Education and Drawing and Painting.

My husband took me on an incredible tour of Europe where we stopped in Rome, Florence, Naples, Provence, Cannes, and Barcelona. In Rome I was finally able to see some of the incredible works of art that I have been studying for so long! The city of Florence was also incredible, we visited the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. 

May 2012

I started a new job in the summer teaching at a charter school in Magna, Utah. I have been teaching 4th grade at Alianza Academy and have enjoyed working with tiny individuals! 

Justin and I announced the upcoming arrival of our baby boy. Baby Boy Ence will be here in March of 2013. I have had a great year of morning sickness (that lasts all day), strange cravings, and a growing belly. 

October 2012

Most of all we have enjoyed spending as much time together as possible, and with our close family and friends. I feel so incredibly blessed for the experiences I have had this year. I am also excited to see what the next year brings :)