East Entrance

How To Make Hollyhock Dolls

2013-06-20T08:54:00.005-07:00

My wonderful neighbor and her three darling daughters showed me how to make these little dolls! I thought they were just fabulous! It made me wish I had a daughter to share these with (even though I would never trade my son!) But I thought I would share them with all of you and your daughters, sisters, friends, nieces and neighbors!

They are so simple to make, they would be so cute as a center piece for a little girls tea party.

First, you (or someone you know) need a hollyhock plant that is in bloom. We cleaned off ours just to make these!

You will need one flower and one bud. The colors vary, and you can mix and match them!

You will want to "peel" your bud. This will become the head of your little doll.

The bottom of your bud will have little holes in it. It is a bit hard to see in this picture.

You will want to make the stem of your flower pretty short, and you want to pinch off about 1/3 of the stem, this will be her neck. Then insert the "neck" into one of the holes on the bottom of the bud.

Now, you have adorable little fairy dolls. They are such a delight! I had so much fun watching my neighbor girls play together with these. They have such imagination!

Blessings!

Ashley

The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8

This Old House

2013-06-06T15:21:00.006-07:00

Welcome to our home! Let me tell you a little about it, and give you a tour!

I wasn't super ecstatic about moving into this house at first. It began to grow on me slowly. Then a good friend and I spent two days scrubbing every inch of this house, and I liked it a little then. I began to get really excited about this house!

Jon and I had such a peace about moving in! We knew it was what God had for us.

I went to Texas to visit my sister, and my sweet husband moved all of our things into the house! Of course I had packed most everything up before I left. When I got back I had a lot of boxes to unpack. Though Jon had tackled the kitchen, I had some rearranging to do. But that's just because I like my kitchen to "flow" a certain way. But he had it really close!

Once we had most things in their place I began to fall in love with this old house. I think I love it more and more everyday! It just fits us so well, actually it's a little large, but that just means we can grow into it! :)

It has some odd quirks, but that's why it works so well for us. We are, after all quirky people!

The front of this old house!

This old kitchen!

Living room.

Bathroom... I think the pink is funny, maybe someday it can go away!

Our bedroom. The paneling will most definitely be painted ASAP!

This room has more than one function. It's earned the name "The Bumproom" because the floor it raised in the middle. It is Arrow's bedroom, our office, the guestroom (the couch is a pull out), and a place to hold my artwork that still needs to be hung.

The upper floor is just one large open room, and one bedroom. They are being used as storage, and Jon has shell reloading equipment in the bedroom, that's his work shop.

Blessings!

Ashley

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

Flats and Handwashing Challenge- Day 6

2013-05-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

Today, or the 25th, is another open topic day! So, I thought I would touch on a couple of things. Which kind of come together.

First, the simplicity of flats. All they are is a flat piece of fabric. That's it. Simple. They will fit your baby from newborn to potty training, because there are endless ways to fold them. It doesn't matter if your baby is chunky or skinny.

And second, because they are so simple it's easy to make them from things around the house.

There is your basic flat. They can be purchased at Walmarts, Targets, and just about any other place that sells cloth diapers.

Then we have your flour sack towels. They can be purchased just about anywhere that sells kitchen towels. I personally never used mine, because I only have this one, and it was hand embroidered by my great grandma... NO WAY ON EARTH I WILL EVER USE THAT AS A DIAPER!

A large or XL t-shirt with the neck and sleeves cut off, and the front and back cut apart will give you two flats. You can purchase t-shirts, well, just about anywhere!

All those receiving blankets you were given at the baby shower, use them as a flat!

I have even read of someone who cut an old towel down to size.

So, cloth diapering doesn't have to cost you $20 + a diaper, it can be much easier on the pocket book!

Blessings!

Ashley

What is Working for Me?- Day 5

2013-05-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

I want to talk about folds. There are endless ways to use a flat. One the reverse side of that there are endless things you can use as a flat... but that's not what I am talking about today, maybe tomorrow.

Just like, pockets, fitteds, AIO's and AI2's, and from brand to brand, some diapers just fit your baby better that others, and even baby to baby and your personal preference. It's all about what works for you, and your little one. That is the beauty of a flat there are so many ways to use the same flat, all you have to do is find which fold works for your baby.

I personally LOVE the way to "jo" fold fits my baby man. None of the other folds seamed to be getting a good fit around his waist and legs. So, I thought, no big deal, I will just pad fold. Then I found the "jo" fold, and thought I would give it a try, I liked it, but I was still getting hung up on the boingos.

Picture tutorial on the "jo" fold:

1- lay your flat on a flat surface, smooth it with your hands.

2- grab a corner, and pull to the middle, smooth the edge to make a crease

3, 4, & 5- repeat steps two on the other corners

6 & 7- once step 5 has been completed you should have a square, tri-fold the square

8-choose an end and pull back the top layer and crease creating a wing.

9- take the next layer and fold out, crease, creating the other wing

10- fold top down to create a little "pocket" just in case poo goes up the back. this will help hold it in.

11- turn the diaper, so that the wings are at the top.

12- place baby (frog in my pics) so that the top of the diaper is about belly button height.

13- fold the "rise" of the diaper up, and tuck the wings behind the rise.

14- pin, snappi, or boingo, the rise to the wings.

I have boingos, at the start, I was having trouble figuring out the best way to use them, and struggling to get a good grip with them. My wiggly baby was any help there. Then I saw a picture someone who tucked the wings behind the rise, if you read one of my previous posts I talked about this, there.

Here's my little man sitting on my beans in the garden! In his flat with our free cover!

Blessings!

Ashley

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Thoughts on Handwashing- Day 4

2013-05-24T09:57:00.002-07:00

Well I missed yesterday's blog... Oops! So two post today, one now, one tonight.

Handwashing has been going well! I wash more often than I did with my pockets, because the flats have to be changed more often, and I only have 12. Yesterday, I actually ran out... Oops, again! I cut a shirt into a flat. I didn't pay attention to what the shirt was made of, but it wasn't cotton, or flannel.

My wash routine goes something like this;

Soak- I dump my dirty flats into my tub and toss in my wet bag right along with them. I use a plunger to agitate for about 5 minutes, then let them sit for a while (this amount of time varies depending on whats going on.)

Rinse- I dump the water that the dipes have been soaking in and cover the diapers with water again, agitate for about 5 minutes, then dump.

Wash- rinsed diapers, soap, cover diapers in water, I like to stomp wash. I use a tote so there is plenty of room to stand in it. I run in place and spin in circles while running in place, I do this for about 15 minutes, dump soap water.

Rinse- I cover the diapers once more, and run in place again for about 5 minutes, then dump the water, followed by each individual diaper under the faucet.

Hang to dry. Sage-man helping me hang the diapers!

I haven't had the best line drying weather this week. I hung the flats yesterday, they were on the line for four hours, when I brought them in they were still damp. I spread them all over my love seat overnight, this morning they were finally dry.

Blessings!

Ashley

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Open Topic for Flats and Handwashing Challenge- Day 3

2013-05-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying this challenge. I love the simplicity of flats, I love that they aren't as bulky as a pocket or fitted. However, I think they need a doubler for just a little extra absorbency, they just don't hold much pee.

I have been having some trouble using my boingos, I couldn't quite figure out how to get the "wings" of the diaper attached well to the "rise" of the diaper. I was inspired by a picture one of my fellow challengee's posted on the Facebook support group. I prefer the jo fold, but tucking the "wings" behind the "rise" was the BEST idea EVER!

I have washed twice. First time I used my tote in the bath tub, then decided I wanted to do it outside! So, today I moved outside with my washing, I really wish I had a hose, then I could rinse the diapers while they were hanging on the line... but that's just me. rinsing them at the spicket works just great!

Washing diapers...

Drying diapers..

p.s. I love my clothes line!

Blessings!

Ashley

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Perpetration for the Flats and Handwashing Challenge- Day 2

2013-05-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Let me start with a note to self:

*DON'T EVER USE A WOOL COVER OVER JUST A FLAT. USE A PUL COVER/FITTED UNDER THE WOOL!*

Now, I will explain; Since Arrow started sleeping through the night, he wakes up with a fairly dry diaper. However, I like using the wool overnight. So, I decided to stick with the spirit of the challenge and use my flats through the night. I chose the "jo" fold and put an extra flat folded up in the front just in case. When we got up this morning, I placed him standing next to his activity table while I folded a fresh flat. Well, the boingos holding the flat in place had found their way loose, I look over at him, and the cover and flats are at his ankle and he peed on the floor, it was comical, but not something I want to repeat!

For this challenge I purchased:

12 flats- $29.90 (I also received a free cover with my flats.)

2 boingos- $ 4.69

Nicki's Diapers was running a deal on Imagine Baby flats. Buy 2- 6 packs and get a free Imagine baby products. Since I only had three other PUL covers I jumped on this deal. I had sold some fitted diapers, that didn't fit my little man well, on a Facebook Diaper swap and used the money from those diapers for the flats, I also bought boingos. I spent a little extra for the cute prints, but since the money was from diapers for diapers, and it was in my paypal already, I figured, I could spring for the extra, and I still had extra!

Other supplies:

My mom had given me a couple of bummis covers that she had left over. $0.00

I had bought the wool cover when I first bought all my cloth diapers. I thought it would be a great overnight leakage protection! (I was right!) $8.00

I had also purchased a used Bright Star cover a while ago to use over a fitted diaper we use overnight. $6.00

I have a plastic storage tote I plan to use to hand wash, though I may end up just putting in my bathtub stop.

He thought it was funny at first to wear the diaper cover on his head, but then I stared to take a picture and he got mad that I wouldn't give him my camera.

I also just had to share this adorable picture with you!

I took it but my sister Leah of Mele Photography edited it!

Blessings!

Ashley

The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down

.Proverbs 14:1

Why the Flats and Handwashing Challenge?- Day 1

2013-05-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

For the next week I am trading in my 12 pocket diapers, 1 AI2, and 1 fitted:

(two pockets not pictured)

For 12 flats, 4 PUL covers, 1 wool cover, and 2 boingos

(one flat, and one cover not pictures)

Why am I trading them?

I decided to take part in the flats and handwashing challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.

This challenge lasts one week. It started this morning at the first diaper change. and will last until the last diaper change Sunday, May 26th.

Why did I decide to do this?

I chose to take the challenge, to learn. There are a few things I can learn from this challenge.

1- How to use another style of cloth diapers. All I have used, are pockets, and one fitted pocket.

2- It's a great way to cloth diaper, if we go camping, or need to stay someplace we don't have access to a washer.

3- How to make cloth diapers using everyday items.

4- The many different ways to fold a flat diaper.

Also, we hope to one day live in Haiti, and I would like to have this experience, should I need it there.

I first found this challenge before I had Arrow. I was pregnant, and considered cloth briefly, then decided against it. When Arrow was about 5 months old I started to feeling like cloth was something that God wanted me to do. I still didn't want to. So I started doing a lot of research. I spent hours on the computer. Every time Arrow was napping, I searched for blogs and websites, anything about cloth diapers. The more I researched the more I wanted my baby in cloth. So I took the step, and bought 14 diapers.

About three weeks ago I stumbled across the challenge again, and decided to take it!

Blessings!

Ashley

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

One Thousand Gifts

2013-04-26T12:04:00.003-07:00

Most of you have probably heard of, or read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It is such an encouraging book. It's more than just a book. It's a dare, "A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" as it says on the front of the book. It's all about being thankful for the little things God has given to us, finding joy in this moment that God has blessed us with. It's about eucharisteo, it's about thanksgiving, grace, and joy all wrapped into one. The way she writes is vibrant! Her words are convicting, piercing, uplifting.

I have accepted her dare. I am logging one thousand gifts. I am a hunter of blessing.

1- Salvation

2- A hard working husband

3- Arrow Sage

4- Baby wearing

8- Goofy baby smiles

12- God's Provision

25- New journals to fill with thankfulness

26- The ability to express gratefulness and thanks

These are just a few, of the gifts I have sought. But my adventure of seeking the joy found in thankfulness continues.

You can find more on my blog's facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/EastEntrance

While you're there like my page!

Until next week,

Blessings-

-Ashley

Psalm 118: 24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Eczema and Gluten Free

2013-04-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Mid December my little man broke out in a rash. I had put an outfit that I had not washed on him, and I thought maybe he just has sensitive skin, but he never cleared up. He began to scratch at his head he had scratches and scabs all over his poor little head. Then I had asked a friend of our, who is a PA, about it. She told me it was eczema. To my thinking it was just a skin condition, there was nothing that could really be done about it. But I hit the Internet hard with research about it. I knew there had to be something to ease the itch for my baby. In the picture below you can see some of the rash, but it was worse than it appears in the picture. All these pictures were taken as I was dressing him for bed.

But I found the following article:
http://drrodneyford.com/extra/documents/172-curing-eczema.html

"My research has been in milk, egg and gluten reactions. These food allergies cause a wide number of different symptoms (where you get attacked depends upon how your immune system is dealing with these food allergens). I have subsequently discovered that gluten (a protein in wheat, rye and barley) is now one of the commonest causes of adverse food reactions"

"Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. In children it is usually due to some sort of allergic manifestation. In children it is also has the name atopic dermatitis . About one in five children are troubled with eczema. Some get it really badly. In my experience about 80% of eczema is due to food allergy – so it can be cured.

Most infant eczema is related to food allergy"

The above paragraphs stood out to me. Could this be my baby's problem? Surly, not! It's not like he was eating bread, or pastas! He hadn't ate anything with gluten in it! Other than just starting to introduce applesauce, and sweet potatoes he was exclusively breastfed. I have heard of babies being sensitive to dairy products in their mama's milk, but could gluten find it's way into my milk supply? I contacted a lactation consultant, she told me she had never read or heard of anything.

I began to pray for wisdom, was it the gluten? Or dairy? I just knew in my mama's heart that it was gluten. I quit eating anything with gluten. I was prepared to stick with it for a month, and if I still saw no improvements, I would switch to dairy.

But after just one day I saw small improvements!

After only 2 full days, my baby looked so much better! He would soon be clear, and stop scratching at his poor little head!

After three weeks he was totally clear! (I didn't take the picture until 4 weeks though) The red spot on the back of his neck is a birthmark, I have the exact same one.

I am still gluten free, and loving it, most of the time... every once and awhile I slip something small in, and he doesn't break out. My thinking is that it's just not enough to sneak it's way into my milk supply!

I often thank God for his guidance in this area! I am so thankful I found that article!

Blessings!

Ashley

Psalm 34:19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

I'm Back!

2013-04-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

As the title of this post states, I am back! It's been almost a year since my last post. A lot has happened this past year. I would like to bring y'all up to date.

In June (I think it was June), we decided to put Jon back in school. We chose Linn State Technical Collage (LSTC) as the school and then looked at the programs they offered. He chose aviation mechanics. It's a two year program. About a month before school started we moved into mom and dad K's basement.

On August 16th our baby was born. A beautiful 8lbs 2oz, 20.5" long. We were shocked! We had been expecting a girl. I had painted our changing table purple, the clothes I had brought to the birth clinic were pink, my car seat was pink and brown, all the clothe from NB to 24 months were pink, purple, and flowery! Though we were shocked, we were ecstatic! We had a son! We laughed and laughed and laughed! We brought a beautiful life into this world!

This photo was when we realized we had a boy.

My lovely midwife had a boys outfit that was 3-6 month she gave us so he didn't have to wear pink home!

Look at those chunker cheeks!

He is now 7 and a half months old, has two teeth, is crawling all over the place, pulling up on everything, walking along furniture, and trying to stand on his own. He is a very happy baby!

This is my Arrow Sage Kling! I love this child so much!

About two weeks ago we were able to move out of mom and dad K's basement. We were blessed to find a house closer to Jon's school and work for a great price! The house is old, and need a lot of love! But we are prepared to give it all the love it needs!

I am excited to be blogging again!

Blessings!

Ashley

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal

2012-05-11T12:41:00.002-07:00

Dear Readers,

(that is if I have any left!) No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth! I seem to have a motivation problem about getting to the library (or to my MIL's) to blog. Which I have to do since I only have internet on my phone at home. I know, that's no excuse! Butt it's the only one I have! Ok... moving on now!

Don't y'all just love pinterest?! I know I sure do! Especially when it comes to making my weekly menu! Speaking of weekly menu, I'm going to blog those, along with the recipes! (I was secretly wondering what this post was going to be about!)

I usually plan a weeks worth of meals on Thursday, build my shopping list of what I will need to make those things, then go shopping! Making a menu and building a list of the items you need to make those meals saves time and money. You aren't wasting time running to the store to buy this item or that item that you didn't get, and your not throwing away unused groceries... have I convinced you yet?

I usually don't put sides on my menu, just kinda whatever veggie sounds good to me, I buy, and then put with whatever meal whatever night! Desserts, however I do put in my menu, about one every other week, except this week I have two! Hey, it's Mother's day this Sunday!

Menu for May 10th - May 16th

Thursday: sub sandwich

- Jon (my hubby) really likes this because then he takes the leftovers to work for his lunch...will post a 'recipe' for this next week!

Friday: egg sandwich (LOTS of protein!)

Super easy, just fry two eggs, throw a piece of cheese between them and put it on toast or bagel!

Saturday: leftover taco pasta (last Wednesday's leftovers!)

http://www.plainchicken.com/2010/09/taco-pasta.html

Sunday: dinner with mom and dad K.

Monday: grilled chicken on salad, strawberry cream cheese crescents

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/breakfast/other-breakfast/strawberry-cream-cheese-crescent-rolls.html#.T2uFIYLOB50.pinterest

Tuesday: breakfast burito

Wednesday: mac and cheese with bacon and some veggies

WELP! that about wraps it up! I can't promise when I'll be back but I will try for next Friday!

Excuses GALORE!!!

2012-03-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is where I make all my excuses about why I have neglected my blog!

So, after my last post Christmas happened, then Hubby and I decided to go to Texas with my mom to visit my sisters! We were there for about four days, then we went back to IL for New years, while there, New Years eve to be exact, I got sick. I was throwing up every morning, so I decided to take a pregnancy test...

Yep! We are pregnant! Old news now, but still really exciting! I was already six weeks along! (And to think I missed it for that long!)

Right about that time things started to get crazy busy, were were getting things ready for while we were in Haiti. We were there for a month, we returned to the states on February 22nd.

I don't understand the words they are singing, but they are praising our Lord! Hearing them sing is one of my favorite things!

It was rough being there and being sick, but I would not trade what we got to do and see for anything! It was worth it!

While we were there, we got to hear the baby's heart beat! Sheryl Brumley, a nurse there, had a dopler! (read Sheryl's blog: http://brumleyblog.blogspot.com/ )

We are at 17 weeks, now!

Just starting to feel baby move around!

And we got to have an ultrasound and see baby for the first time, last Saturday!

That's OUR baby! Still just a little too early to see if baby is a little boy or girl!

I will do my best to get back to blogging!

Blessings!

Ashley and little baby!

Gift Wrappings!

2011-12-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

Well it's that time! All the last minute shopping, gift wrapping, and bustling about of the holidays!

I just adore this time of year! And as a Christian it's extra special to me, because I get to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! (not that we can't any other time of year)

I love that almost everyone greets each other, all the smells of yummy food, Christmas cookies, lights! All of it!

Well today I just have a cute way to wrap your small packages if maybe you have run out of ribbons, or you just want something a little different than ribbons!

First wrap your box, I uses the "funnies" from an old news paper, and a piece of a brown paper bag. But you can use whatever you want! A word find, a cross word, wrapping paper, plain brown craft paper, whatever you can find!

Second, the paper (or ribbon) for the weave, I used construction paper, you could use scrapbook paper ribbons, a picture, again, WHATEVER you want! cut 4 or more strips, I used 6 on both of mine, they can be alternating colors or all the same!

You want them to be long enough to fit around your box, and as far as the width, it doesn't matter, thin strips or wide, whatever floats your boat!

Then you start to weave! It's really simple! Just lay one strip vertical, then one horizontal, and two vertical on top of the horizontal piece. For the second horizontal strip, just slide it under the middle vertical strip and on top of the outer two vertical strips. and for the third horizontal lay it the same as the fist horizontal strip!

See! Easy!

Lay your box on top of the woven strips, and pull the ends around and tape them to your package!

After all the ends have been taped into place you can put a gift tag on it and put it under the tree!

Happy giving!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Ash

Indonesian Pasta

2011-12-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe in a book a friend gave me for a wedding gift and it sounded good. I made it one night and Jon and I fell in love with it! We have it every other week if not every week!

It's simple, it takes about 30 minutes to make and tastes SO yummy!!!

If you try it I promise you will LOVE it too!

What you will need:

1/2 c. chicken broth

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

2 T. soy sauce

2 T. peanut butter

1 T. minced dried onions (I used fresh, works just as well!)

1 T. lemon juice

1/4 t. brown sugat

6 oz. uncooked angel hair pasta (I just use half a box... there is only two of us!)

18 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 sweet red pepper

2 t. olive oil

1/2 c. sliced green onions (optional)

I break my angel hair in half before cooking it. It makes it easier to eat, without all the slurping!

In a small saucepan, combine the first seven ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; keep warm.

Cook Pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute asparagus and red pepper in oil for 6-8 minutes. Optional: add green onions, saute for 2-3 minutes longer.

Drain pasta; toss with vegetable mixture and reserved sauce. Serves 4.

Even though there is only two of us, I really don't change the the recipe much. I use half the box of pasta, and a little less than two whole jalapenos, but other than that no change! We love this meal!!! I cannot tell you how delicious it really is! You just have to try it!!!

-Ashley

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-12-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

This past week we went tree hunting! I have never been before, or at least not that I can remember... I remember having a real tree only once growing up. So this is among many of my new firsts since I married my wonderful husband on July 2.

As an aspiring photographer I am continuously gleaning tips, from other blogs, magazine articles, and personal experience. This week I found one by my own mistakes! Oops! but there is almost always a way to fix whatever blooper you have in post processing.

This week, I found that before you actually take any pictures change the settings to capture the correct exposure.

What I should have done as soon as I stepped out of the truck with my camera is looked at my settings, and taken a test shot to make sure I had everything set right... but no, I didn't! And because what I was taking a shot of was happening so fast I didn't have time to change my settings and re-take the shot.

I ended up with this:

Ugg! The withe balance is off and it's just so unaetheticly pleasing! So, I thought I would share with you all my new found wisdom; CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS BEFORE YOU TAKE THE SHOT!

BUT, there is hope! As I said, there is almost always a way to fix it in post processing!

I started with just darkening and deepening it... and got this, it's not as bad but it's not quite there:

So, when in doubt: Go B&W!:

Ahhh! Much better! That I can live with!

Also, I thought I would introduce you to my husband's actual face now that you have seen his back! (He's really cute!)

I like him!

I also snapped a picture of my sister-in-law (SIL) J4 as she is referred to (all their names begin with J's so they have J1, J2, {J2, is my man}, J3 and J4).

She's a little doll!

Have a Happy Holiday season! and don't forget to spend some time with your loved ones during this special time of year!

-Ashley

DIY: Easy art!

2011-12-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

Hi! My name is Ash. I am a new wife, a photographer, a cook, and a housekeeper… and now a blogger!

I plan to write weekly, I will be posting photos, creative ideas that I have had success with, and recipes that my husband and I love!

To start off, I have a project I decided to do. I saw the idea on Pintrest and decided I wanted to try it!

Here is our project this week!:

Items needed:

· A canvas of any size- I bought mine at walmart, 2 for about $8

· Sharpies (or black paint)

· White school glue

· Water

· A jar

· An old book or news paper- I got mine at an old book store, the lady actually gave it to me, she said no one wanted the book so I could just take it! But you can find them at garage sales, and sometimes a resale store.

First off, I made my own decoupage (Mod Podge)

To make decoupage, take a bottle of white school glue, and empty it into the jar. Fill the glue bottle with water, and shake to get any remaining glue out of the bottle, and then add the water with the glue. Screw the lid on your jar securely, and shake to mix the equal parts of glue and water.

Tada! You about $1.44 to make what cost more like $7 to buy it pre-made!

Second, remove the pages of your book, I used a knife because I wanted a smooth edge instead of the torn look. But if you don’t mind that look, go for it, just tear the pages out.

And, third, cover your canvas in the decoupage, and the back side of your book page, then place the page on the canvas and cover the page in decoupage, continue until your canvas has been covered. Make sure you fold the paper around the edges if you have a stretched canvas.

Once your canvas is covered, let decoupage dry.

Fourth, If you are confident in your sketching skills, go right ahead and start with a Sharpie, if not, grab a pencil and sketch on what your heart desires. Words… birds… trees… trees with birds… the possibilities are endless!

Fifth, hang and enjoy! And when people ask where you acquired your beautiful piece of art, just tell them you made it!

(The pages on my finished project picture are a little crinkly, because I wrote words on it and then decided I didn't like it... so I covered them up with more pages! and they were still wet when I took the picture! it dried flat and smooth!)