2011 in pictures

2011 through pictures. The only thing I can't show you is Mike starting paramedic school and the joy he has with it and well as all the love we've felt this year.

                       

My hair before it was even at it's longest. 

Lindsay... kill me next time I see you. ;)

 And my hair after I cut 17 inches off of it.

A beautiful friend with a beautiful wedding and a happy marriage.

My new wedding ring and 1 year anniversary.

In April, my Grandma (Maud Sanders) 

passed away. Although it wasn't a

 tragic situation, it is still sad to lose

 such an amazing woman.

 I wish I could have known her better.

I graduated!!! And one of the besties 

flew out here and surprised me. 

They got me good!

 That's her in the top right.

 I bet the people in the airport 

were just as surprised as I was 

when I started screaming...

I got a kitty for graduation!

 This is Mitzy, the kitzy. 

She is crazy.

I got to go home

 and bring friends with me. 

It was the first time at the 

beach for some of them.

Mike's mom and brother came out this summer. 

We took a road trip to Saint Louis 

with my Mother-in-law. It was SO fun!

 A great 4th of July.

I helped with my cousins baby shower. 

It was the first I one I had any

 planning/decorating involvement. 

I made the diaper cake and 

did the topiaries and such.

Mike and I went to Seattle for my cousin's wedding.

We met up with my immediate family

What a beautiful, special wedding! 

Do you see how gorgeous she is?

These 4 pictures are from mine

 and Mike's Chicago trip.

It was so fun! 

It was our first vacation not with/for family.

We took the train and stayed at the Hyatt. FUN!

Mike's Dad came for Thanksgiving.

The Hagel and The Fairfield came to Kansas city! 

These amazing opal, diamond 

and white gold earrings from the

hubby for Christmas. 

I'm a lucky girl.

Well, I'm ready for 2012. I'm sure there will be some exciting times next year! 

What is one of your favorite memories or accomplishments from 2011?

Fancy Drinking

 I mentioned making wine charms in my post the Hagel, the Fairflield and Omaha. Some of you asked about them so here goes a tutorial!

Hailey (the Fairfield), found a tutorial online and while digging around on the Internet I think this is the one she found.

You will need:

Pendant Backings

Earwires

Powder Resin (Amazing Glaze)

An oven or toaster oven

Glitter (Martha Stewart glitter is recommended, it's the most sparkly!)

Super Glue (optional)

Gems/sequins/beads (optional)

{pendant backings}

{super glue in backing}

{tap glitter into backing... repeat}

{pretty}



{feel free to add gems, bead, sequins, etc}

{add powder resin. you will do this

in layers a few times! follow

package instructions.}

{bobby pins}

{bake and let cool}

 {On Stemware}

{Stars}

Slide the pendant backings on to the earring wires and enjoy!

If you have questions... contact me!

Happy crafting!

Closet Craziness

Phew. My closet was a MESS!  

See? I can't believe I'm sharing this with the world.

Did you really look,  I mean really LOOK at this!

Pure. Craziness.

This scary, scary place made me frustrated about not being able to find clothes. The sad (or awesome in my opinion) thing is that I wear all of these clothing items. But, I still had to have a "come-to-Jesus" meeting and ditch some of them and figure out a better organizational system.

 A couple of months ago (I took these photos knowing I would be starting a blog), I was out looking for some sort of solution to the scariness and found this...

It was $5!! That's it!

The very nice man at the thrift store helped me get it in car trunk and tie it down with men's ties (thank you 2nd Chance Thrift!!). I bought some fun paint and went to town. I am by no means a master at redoing furniture but I'm not afraid to do it either. If you want to look at some wonderful furniture redo's check out the RustiChic blog. Anyway, here's what you need for basic redo's. 

Mouse Sander

Sticky Cloth stuff to get the dust off

Paint

Paint brush

Those yellow stands so you get the base good

You also need your piece of furniture... Bookshelf!

A friendly helper... Mitzy the Kitzy

Now, you sand down the piece. All sides, insides and outsides. I like my mouse because I can get in the corners really well. I use a more coarse paper first and then go over it with a finer grit of sand paper to smooth it out. This is where your sticky (tacky?) cloth comes in. Wipe it down with you cloth. Now you're ready to paint!

1st coat of paint

 As you can see... it needed a second coat

I chose a vibrant purple! I knew it would be going in my closet so it could be whatever color I wanted. I honestly thought I was going to choose orange or some obnoxious neon color. But alas, I love my purple.

I didn't get any pictures after the second coat but I do have pictures of my new closet!

My pretty closet! And it still looks like this! 

Bins on top are for scarves, hats, shorts and sweatshirts. 

Don't mind the Target bag... it has Mike's stocking stuffers in it. :)

Yay, organization!

And there you have it world. A super duper fast read on redoing furniture and organization!

What space do you have that need some TLC?

The Hagel, The Fairflield and Omaha

The last few weeks have been pure business. But it was worth it. First, my father-in-law was in town for Thanksgiving and we had a great time full of food, museums and quality time. I married a man with french heritage. This picture is from the WW1 museum here in Kansas City. Oddly true. TMI? Oh well...

Even the writers of this informational poster know my husband is hairy...

 

After that whirlwind time with the father-in-law, the Hagel and the Fairfield came. Such Fun! Antiques, cooking and good wonderful life long friends to hang out with makes for a great 4 day weekend. Unfortunately, I don't have any fun antique shopping photos... :( but here is a fun picture taken in Omaha with everyone (but me)!

 



Aunt Brenda (The Hagel), Hailey (The Fairfield), Joslyn and Elliott





After the 4 day weekend, they went to Omaha and I followed 4 days later.  Omaha has a great area called Old Market. It's full of great little shops, restaurants and a park not too far.




A beautiful store front in the Old Market



This slide was SO cool (don't mind the pole)!! I wanted to
go but I would have been going by myself. Maybe next time!

 


Sunday was a crafting day! Hailey found a great tutorial on Pinterest for wine charms. I also made a bracelet and bobby pins. After that craft it was time for good ole' salt dough ornaments!



Before being baked in the toaster oven

 


After baking in the toaster oven





Yay for 2 fun filled weeks with family and friends! Sorry about the photos and lack of photos!

Have you done something you truly enjoy with the people you love lately?