Eating my candy...

Birth Photography

2013-04-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

On March 19th I ventured into the world of Birth Photography. A month prior my good friend, Chelsea, approached me with the idea of photographing her birth. It took all of two seconds to think about it and commit to doing it. I was so excited and honored to be given the chance. Waiting for her to go into labor was like waiting for Santa to come. So much anticipation.

Finally the day arrived! Not only did I get to photograph the labor and delivery, but I got to be a birthing coach as well. Unbelievable experience. Here are a few of my favorites.

Welcome to the world Baby Charlie!!

Procraftination

2013-01-28T20:10:00.001-08:00

I love this. I am a serious procraftinator.

Mack Quilt

2013-01-23T11:14:00.001-08:00

My mom made this quilt for Little Man. My nephew got one too. It's freaking adorable. Little Man is a HUGE Cars fan. Grandma has reached "awesome" status in his book (which isn't too far from where she was before. He's a total Grandma's Boy.) I don't even want to know how long it took her to make it, but it's cute, cute, cute.

Star Wars Baby Quilt

2013-01-23T10:24:00.001-08:00

My BCF (Best Cousin Forever) and his cute wife are having a little boy any day now.

Their nursery theme is Baby Star Wars.

Baby. Star. Wars.

Is that not the cutest? It totally fits them too.

As soon as he told me, I knew I had to make a quilt for his little man

and I knew it had to be Star Wars related.

The first thing I did was scour the internet for Babyish Star Wars fabric.

Guess what? There is not a surplus of them. There is one.

One.

Luckily it's adorable and it's available at Spoonflower.com It's also available in pink and fat quarters.

So while I waited not-so-patiently for my order to arrive I started on R2D2. I drew him out on a piece of card stock. I then chose his colors and ironed the fabrics on to Heat n Bond iron on adhesive.

After all the fabric scraps were ironed on, I started cutting my R2D2 out. Starting with the biggest piece. I traced it onto the white fabric and then cut the pattern down smaller (Don't worry, I made a copy of him beforehand so that I'd be able to make another one of these babies later on.) I traced each piece on to it's corresponding fabric and then ironed him all together one piece at a time.

I then used Sophia (that's my sewing machine's name) to stitch around each piece in coordinating thread. I used a zig zag stitch. Yes, it took forever. It was so worth it though.

After I got him all stitched I added a button for his "eye"

and used my embroidery attachment to add the words "the force is strong with this one."

I think it turned out pretty cute myself.

Once my fabric arrived, I joined the two pieces with a thin layer of quilting batting and finished the edges.

I gave this to my cousin and cousin's wife last week.

They loved it.

Yay.

Linked up here today:

Personalized Coasters - Inexpensive Wedding gift

2013-01-18T12:08:00.001-08:00

I'm photographing a wedding tomorrow and I thought it'd be fun to give them a cute personalized gift.

This as easy for me because I also took their engagement photos so I had access to a variety of shots of them. This would make a fun gift for 50th anniversary or something too.

I bought tile coasters from the Dollar Tree and made a copy of a few different print that I liked.

I cut the photos to size and sprayed the backs of them with spray adhesive and pressed them firmly on the tiles.

I then filed the edges to make them look worn and to keep the edges from curling up.

I modge podged over the photos and allowed them to dry.

I'm pretty sure that I could have been done here, but I happened to have some spray sealant on hand so I gave them a good spray with that too just to make sure they stayed water-proof for wet glasses.

After letting the sealant dry for a few hours they were done.

They turned out great.

Homemade Hand Lotion

2013-01-08T15:29:00.002-08:00

I'm sure you've seen this roaming around Pinterest. It's unbelievable. This is the most amazing hand lotion I've ever used. It's the only kind that keeps my family's hands soft during the winter. I put some in pretty jars and gave them as gifts for the special ladies in my life and they all loved it.

I made more today after hearing my husband and kids request "the good lotion" again.

It has three ingredients.

6 oz. of Vitamin E Cream

6 oz. of Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)

18 oz. of Baby Lotion (I've used regular scented and the lavender night-time lotion too. Both were great.)

*Optional - A few drops of essential oil. I used 3 of Lavender and 3 of Serenity today.

(The Vitamin E containers come with 4 oz, in each bottle, so I used 8 oz. of it, 8 oz., of Vaseline and 24 oz. of the baby lotion so that I could use both of the empty Vitamin E cream bottles to hold the lotion.)

You put all three ingredients into your mixing bowl. (This completely freaks my husband out.) I just dump it all into my Kitchen Aid mixer and mix it up good. Mix it for several minutes so that it's thoroughly blended. Then you just spoon it into some containers. Don't use metal containers or it has a tendency to rust. You just dip your finger in and get a small amount and rub it into your skin really well. It feels a little greasy until you rub it in well. After a day or so of using this stuff your skin will be so soft and stay soft after washing your hands. Enjoy.

Also...don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Beadsbee Boutique Watch Set!

Beadsbee Boutique Giveaway!!

2013-01-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

**Update: the giveaway is now over. Ashley Peppler was the winner of the watch set. Congrats Ashley!

Have you heard of Beadsbee Boutique yet?

If you have then you already know how great they are. You probably already own a watch set or two.

If you haven't heard about them yet, then pay attention!

Beadsbee is a Utah based company. They make unique beautifully designed jewelry and boutique goods that are sure to make your wardrobe complete. Their watch band styles are 100% original and new designs are being added all the time. All of their watch bands are hand-made for top-notch durability and style. They don't just offer watch sets but bracelets too, for you non-watch wearers.

AND they offer FREE giveaways WEEKLY on their Facebook page.

Now that you are in the know,

do you want to win this gorgeous Thunderstorm watch set?

Of course you do!

I can hear you holler "Heck yeah!" from here.

I happen to have it right next to me and I'm so tempted keep it.

But since I happen to own 3 of my very own Beadsbee bands (and get complimented every single time I wear one) and since I do love my followers so much I'm going to give you a chance to win it for yourself.

Head on over to Beadsbee Boutique and take a look around.

Here are a couple of my favorites.

AND get this,

while the giveaway is running (today-Saturday at midnight) you can order any product from Beadsbee Boutique and receive 30% off using this code: PKNBNS30

Here's how to enter to win the Thunderstorm Watch Set

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Sponsor - Gotta Dance!!

2013-01-03T16:06:00.003-08:00

Meet my new sponsor

Gotta Dance Performing Arts Studio is located in Eagle Mountain, UT

and offers a variety of dance classes for boys and girls ages 18mo. to teens.

Tumbling, Jazz, Creative dance, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop just to name a few.

They also offer aerobics classes for adults like Zumba, Turbo Kick, YOGA, Hip-Hip and Boot Camp.

My own kids have attended Gotta Dance over the past 4 years.

We really love it there.

They have great teachers, Jamie, Tiffany and Amanda, whom my kids just love.

They are affordable.

They are so much fun.

They have two recitals a year and take part in the city's parade every year.

If you live in the Eagle Mountain area you really need to check them out

and sign your child (and/or yourself) up for a class or two.

I'm so excited to have them as my newest sponsor! Welcome Gotta Dance!

Serving up: Snowman!

2012-12-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

I spotted this cute guy on my BFF's porch last week and knew I had to share him with you.

Missy used three plates, she painted them and glued them to a PVC pipe and mounted him in a flower pot. She added eyes and buttons and ribbons until he came to life like any snowman should.

So cute, huh?

If you happen to be local

(Utah County)

you can buy one from her for $15!

That's quite the bargain for a snowman who will return to sit proudly on your porch year after year.

Let me know if you want one and I'll send you in the right direction.

Thanksgiving Treats

2012-11-19T12:59:00.003-08:00

We made these in our Sunbeam class yesterday at church.

(The sunbeams are the 3 year old class)

They were so easy and they are adorable.

We're going to make them again before Thanksgiving dinner with the Little's to keep them busy.

The How-To is pretty self explanatory.

The head is made out of a Jr. Mint candy and the beak is made from the tip of a candy corn.

The eyes are made out of sprinkles.

I just used frosting for the "glue".

Give these plenty of time to dry or else they fall apart pretty easily.

Oh...use Double Stuffed Oreo's too.

Linked up here:
http://www.clairejustineoxox.com/

I love to see the Temple

2012-10-10T16:44:00.002-07:00

As a member of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

I spent several hours this last weekend listening to our Prophet and leaders of our church speak to us and give us guidance and (much needed) spiritual nourishment during General Conference.

I don't take the chance enough on my blog to share my testimony in my beliefs.

I'd like to take the time to do that today.

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been a huge blessing to my life.

I was born into this Church but I have had many opportunities and trials throughout my life that have forced me to take a good look at what I believe, not just what I was raised to believe. I know without a doubt that there is a God. He is my Heavenly Father and He knows me personally and He loves me. He knows my heartaches and worries and He shares in my joys with me. I have personally felt his presence near me numerous times. I have felt his loving arms around me while I cried over my lost babies. I ave felt is guidance in raising my children and I have felt the Holy Ghost testify to me that the Book of Mormon is true and that the Prophet Joseph Smith restored the gospel as it is today. I am so thankful for this knowledge as it's been a great comfort to me many times.

I have a strong love for the Temples that are scattered throughout the world. I am thankful for the peace that I find within those walls. I am thankful that I was sealed to my husband for time and all eternity inside the Salt Lake Temple nearly 16 years ago. Our family will be together forever. My 6 children who I am honored to mother here on Earth and my 4 babies who reside in Heaven will be together. Forever.

That is so important to me. It's comforting. It's a knowledge that helps me endure life when it's less then easy and glamorous. The Spirit felt inside the walls of the temple is something that can't be felt anywhere else. I'm sure of it. It's a little piece of Heaven on Earth. It's a reminder of what is waiting for us when we are reunited with our Heavenly Father and our lost ones again.

I have many photos of the temples in my home. Each are beautiful and invite the spirit into my home.

I was recently given a new one from LDSWallArt.com.

It's absolutely beautiful! I want to share it with you and share a coupon with you if you want to get one of your own.

Our name is printed along the top along with the year my husband and I were married.

Not only is it a professionally photographed quality photo, but it is absolutely gorgeous. It's beautifully designed with watercolor aesthetics which gives it an antiqued look which I love. Each photo is edited by

the artist in an effort to elegantly represent the beauty of each temple. The modern colors and textures

resemble water color fine art which politely enhances any room. All customization's are done by the original

artist to guarantee high quality and a pleasing aesthetic.

Not only does LDSwallart.com have these beautiful Temple prints but they also have a variety of artwork for LDS artists. Including Del Parsons, J. Kirk Richards, and Julie Rogers. So many inspiring pieces to choose from.

If you are interested in ordering a Temple print or any of the other

beautiful artworks offered go to LDSWallArt.com and use coupon

code TEMPLEEMC50 for 50% off until the end of the year!

Also, go "like" them on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

Thanks!

If you are interested in listening to any of the talks that were given during General Conference

please visit LDS.org.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

2012-10-02T16:51:00.001-07:00

My BFF needed a spider puppet for her awesome music classes so I offered to make one.

It was so simple and cute and CHEAP!

Supplies: Dollar store pair of gloves (that's $1 for TWO!),

some scrap black fleece, googly eyes and hot glue.

I cut up the fleece in scraps and glued them one at a time in the center of each strip. I rolled up one strip into a ball and glued it on top and added the eyes. Done.

This is for Missy, the music teacher. If I were going to make one for Littles to play with I think I'd sew the strips together and then sew them on to the glove. I'd also use button eyes instead of gluing on googly eyes so that Mr. Spider would be more durable.

Fall Mantel

2012-09-24T18:12:00.003-07:00

I am so in love with my fireplaceless mantel that the hubs made me this last Spring.

This is my first time decorating it for Fall. I have too many mouths to feed to spend a lot on decor, so I have to be thrifty. I didn't spend a lot for my Fall decor either.

1. Pumpkins. Glittery little fun (and cheap) $1 pumpkins.

2. Picket Fence $7.50 (It's actually half of a four piece fence that I bought from someone for $15. The other section is currently on a shelf in my bedroom.)

3. Autumn sign. Free. Made it myself.

4. Indian corn. $5 off ebay years ago.

5. Wire basket. $1 @ the Thrift store

6. Fall flowers $7 @ Ross years ago.

7. Vase with twigs. $1 glass spaghetti jar from thrift store,

spray painted and a metal star hot glued on. Filled with twigs off a dead tree I found.

8. Candle. $1 @ Dollar Tree

9. Small brown vase. My son made that in Jr. High.

10. Star. Souvenier from Nauvoo, IL. $4

11. Keys hanging on fence. $5 @ Hobby Lobby, I think.

Canning Lid Pumpkin

2012-09-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

I saw this today and just had to share. Is this not the cutest most simple pumpkin you've ever seen?

Kristen over at Simply Klassic Home made it. Brilliant, is she not?

I love it and with the boxes of canning lids in my storage room I'll definitely be making one or 5 this week.

New Sponsor!

2012-09-07T13:44:00.005-07:00

Eating My Candy is excited to have a new sponsor!

Welcome Music Makers!

If you live in the Eagle Mountain, UT area or the surrounding areas you need

to enroll your little one into one of

Missy's Music Maker classes.

She offers piano lessons, Mommy and Me classes for 12-36mo. kids (my Little Man and I are in this class and we LOVE it!), Music and Movement (2-4 year olds), Mini Mozart classes AND she does Music time for local preschools.

Details below, but go check out her blog at

MissMusicMakers.blogspot.com

for more info and updates!

Mommy and Me (Ages 12mon-36mon)- Tuesday 9:30-10:15 $25/month

Over the course of the session we will explore different types of music through song and movement, percussion instruments, puppets and dance. I hope to foster a love of music and to help these little guys develop listening skills, sustained concentration and creative expression. Music is vital during early development and provides a strong foundation for your child’s critical early years. Weekly classes can help your child achieve new milestones and prepare for more advanced challenges during each stage of growth. The best part is that with the Mommy and Me class you will be along for the ride and get to enjoy the expressions and fun interacting with and watching your little one learn.

Music and Movement (Ages2-4)-Monday or Tuesday 10:30-11:30 $22/month

This class is for preschoolers to experience the joy of music through movement as we learn songs, rhymes, chants, and bounces, move to music using our voices, bodies, and kid-friendly instruments, we will explore tempo, tone, pitch, and rhythm. Puppets, scarves, and other playful materials will help heighten the learning experience.

Mini Mozart’s (Ages 4-6) Mondays 3:30-4:00 $20/month

Classes are tailored to the age and development of the children and are a comprehensive approach to musical learning that develops singing, movement, and listening skills simultaneously with an introduction to musical styles and concepts. In class we sing, dance, play instruments, and laugh a lot! A lot of serious learning happens, but we're having too much fun to notice.

Private Piano Lessons $25/month Contact me to set up a time

Preschool Music Time

Do you run your own preschool from your home and you’d really like to add music time but lack the instruments, lesson plans and time to do so. Now’s your chance! Contact me for a customized bid on having “music time” included in your preschool curriculum. Typically preschools have been between $30-$60/ month for weekly or biweekly visits that last 30 min. Price is per month not per student!

Field trips

Need an inexpensive field trip close to home for your preschool kids? For $20 per preschool you are welcome to come and experience music and movement in my home studio. Contact me to set up an appointment.

Classes run for 12 weeks from Aug 21^st – Dec 12th with holidays off following the Alpine School District Calendar. Email missysmusicmakers@gmail.com or call 8013621854 for more information.

Hidden Brilliance

2012-08-11T10:28:00.003-07:00

I am so proud of my long time friend, Chris Garvin.

He is the author of the blog Brilliantopia and now a book titled

Hidden Brilliance

a self help memoir about emotional healing and living our dreams.

He is offering a free download of the intro to his book and I encourage you to take advantage of his generosity and download it.

It's uplifting and inspiring and it gives hope.

I read the intro yesterday and look forward to reading the rest because within his pages I know there is hope for a healing heart and a better me.

There's No Place Like Home, Baby!

2012-08-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

I hadn't planned on taking the summer off from blogging, but life is what it is.

I spent the first part of the summer, with my Camp Assistant Heather, neck deep in Girl's Camp planning.

I planned and bought and crafted and planned and bought and crafted...

All our planning paid off.

Girl's Camp was fantastic. It was without a doubt one of he best experiences of my life.

Being guided and directed in planning our camp the way Heavenly Father wanted it to be for those girls and then watching it unfold just as it was supposed to was a very humbling and exciting thing for me.

Anyway, it was great and I can't wait to share our fun ideas, crafts and treats with you.

Our theme this year

Was

We turned The Wizard of Oz into our personal guide to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.

We were at camp for 3 days.

Each day we focused on

Knowledge - Scarecrows Brain (light bulb)

We talked about the importance of a good education, learning something new every day, and learning the most from our scriptures.

Love - Tin Mans heart

We talked about loving one another unconditionally and serving each other.

Courage - Lions Courage (medal)

We talked about having the courage to make the right choices when the rest of the world wants us to do things differently. We talked about facing the world with bravery.

We also spent time talking about Toto, Glinda, The Emerald City, The Yellow brick road, the ruby slippers and how they all fit into our spiritual journey.

But, I'll get into those later.

Camp is over (has been for a few weeks) and I'm ready to get crafty again. :)

Here's hoping the Little's let me have time to blog again.

Last week of school!

2012-05-30T11:51:00.001-07:00

I found some cute gift ideas for my kids' teachers and bus drivers.

They turned out pretty cute.

Thanks so much to the talented ladies who created these and shared the templates!

I made these for the teachers.

Ironically, or maybe not ironically, another mom found this idea and made the same things...

and funnily (yes, funnily) she has three kids in our school...in the same three classes as my three kids are in.

So, yes, those three teachers each got 2 of this exact same gift.

Oh well. The more the merrier, right?

I made these for the bus drivers.

We have a morning bus driver, a Kindergarten bus driver and an afternoon bus driver

and that doesn't even include the Jr. High bus driver who sadly did not receive one of these awesome gifts.

What did you do for the important people in your kids' lives?

Busy!!

2012-05-14T08:31:00.002-07:00

I'm still around.

Life is crazy again...still..always.

I've been given a new calling (assignment) at church and I'm the Young Women Camp Director.

It's exciting and a lot of fun but all of my spare time has been going to planning and preparing for camp

...leaving very little time for crafting.

Featured on Better After!

2012-04-24T12:34:00.003-07:00

Woot! Woot!

My desk-to-end table was featured on

So exciting!!

Go check it out!

Chop and Change

What an honor!

Thanks Lindsey for the feature!!

Bacon Cookies. Bacon. Cookies.

2012-04-20T08:12:00.002-07:00

These are hilarious.

They aren't weird cookies made from bacon.

(I don't understand those...I'm mildly curious about these bacon desserts, but not enough to actually try them.)

These are cookies that look like bacon.

My kids would die!

(from laughter, not my cookies. Just to clarify.)

I found them over at

Not Your Momma's Cookies

Go check them out.

And then make some.

And then bring some to me!

Beignets

2012-04-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Beignets are a house favorite treat around here.

One I only make a few times a year.

Boy Child #4 has been asking me to make them for weeks and this week after he should have been in bed he brought me this note.

(After asking me how to spell Beignets.)

He knows that it takes all afternoon to make these and so the dough has to be started in the morning.

He was so afraid that I'd forget that he left me little notes.

I woke up the yesterday and started the dough.

By evening we were ready to make them.

Little Man helped me cut the dough, I fried them and spooned the oil over them.

Then he rolled them into the powdered sugar.

He was a big help and they were delicious, as usual.

Even the Littlest Man (2)

managed to sneak a few from off the counter.

This makes me laugh.

Recipe:

Beignets

1 C. milk

2 Tbs shortening

2 Tbs. sugar

1 pkg. dry yeast

3 C. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 egg

oil for frying

powdered sugar (1-2 cups)

In an enameled pot, heat milk. Combine shortening & sugar in a bowl and add milk.

Stir until dissolved. Let cool. When cooled add yeast and dissolve. Sift in flour, salt, nutmeg. Stir half of the flour mixture into the milk mixture. Mix until smooth. Add egg and beat well. Add the remaining flour mixture and stir until all is smooth. Cover bowl with damp towel and all to rise (about 5-6 hours).

Pour dough unto a floured surface and roll out to about 1/4" thickness. Cut into 2-3" squares and let stand 20 minutes.

Heat oil in skillet 1-2" deep and fry squares.

Carefully spoon oil onto top of dough while frying (this will make the beignets puff up).

turn once and once they are a golden brown remove with a slotted spoon onto paper towels and blot excess oil. Roll in powdered sugar and eat immediately.

Ugly Mat to "Whoa, how'd ya do that?"

2012-04-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

I found this butt-ugly mat for $1 at WalMart.

It's a memory foam floor mat and it feels all sorts of soft under my feet.

It was regularly priced for $8.

But, I am not a wine drinker.

So, that had to go.

I gave it a few good coats of primer.

and then a few good coats of black.

After that dried I lightly taped stripes across the mat.

Then I painted a cream color over the top and let that dry.

I removed the tape and this is what I got.

A cheap, soft, stylish mat.

Happy Easter

2012-04-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

Remembering the reason we celebrate Easter...

Fleece Easter Grass

2012-04-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Does anyone hate Easter Grass as much as I do?

I think not.

I hate it.

It clings to everything.

I find it for months in corners of every room.

It's an awful mess.

So, I made my own, reusable, Easter grass out of fleese.

I know.

I'm a genius.

I just cut some long thing strips and stretched them out.

Yes, they look a lot like spinach fettuccine.

I'm sure if I cut them into 4 inch pieces they would look more like grass.

But, that would be more of a mess.