Party of 4

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Cute, Cute, Cute!!! I am in love with everything about this nook cover.. My niece is a HUGE reader and would really like a nook. I might have to but a little bug in my brothers’ ear and tell him if he buys her one I will make her a cute little cover like this one. Don’t you think this would make such a great gift?

I you haven't had a chance to check out Taylor Made's adorable blog yet, you should hop on over and check it out.

Bandit Bibs

2011-10-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

I was reading along through some really wonderful blogs last night and came across these adorable bibs that TaylorMade has created.. I have to say I love these and only wish that I had them when my boys were little. I do however know 3 people that will be soon having a baby. I might just have to make some of these up for there gift baskets. What do you think?

What a cute idea right?!?!

My 101 List

2011-09-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

I was reading a blog the other day and thought to myself this wonderful lady has come up with a great idea. Her idea was to come up with 101 goals to reach in 1001 days. I am going to try this adventure and push myself to reach my 101 goals. Thank you Kate at Twenty-Six To Life. Here is my list. Think I can make it? J

Health

1. Lose 10 pounds

2. Lose 20 Pounds

3. Reach my goal weight

4. Workout for 14 days straight

5. Workout for 30 days straight

6. Do 10 push-ups

7. Do 20 push-ups

8. Cook 15 new recipes

9. Walk on treadmill for 30 min. 15 days straight

10. Walk on treadmill for 30 min. 30 days straight

11. Drink a protein shake for 30 days straight

12. Do a 5K walk

13. Log 250 miles walked

14. Log 500 miles walked

15. Do a 10 day cleanse

16. Lose 3 inches around waist

17. Lose 5 inches around waist

18. Lower my BMI to 23

19. Be pasta free for 30 days

House and DIY

20. Decorate Guest Bedroom/Office

21. Repaint a piece of furniture

22. Make an old door a headboard

23. Repaint master bedroom

24. Redecorate master bedroom

25. Buy new furniture

26. Make 20 new household items

27. Replace the carpet

28. Clean Garage

29. Redecorate living room

30. Crochet a blanket

31. Make a new camera strap

32. Make a new lanyard

33. Paint Justin’s Desk

34. Paint & reupholster chair

35. Organize laundry room

36. Revamp a dresser for DJ

37. Revamp a dresser for Justin

38. Fix Dakota’s dresser

39. Make a Christmas wreath

40. Fill my pantry with canned food

41. Make a wall of photos on the stairway

42. Grow a nice garden

43. Redo back patio furniture

44. Make a chalk board out a picture frame for work

45. Make life skills students place markers

Splurges

46. Buy a new camera lens

47. Buy a new comforter cover

48. Buy 10 new outfits for myself

49. Buy something off Esty

Life

50. Learn a new hobby ~Done

51. Sew 10 crayon rolls

52. Get my husband’s desk organized

53. Make a Will

54. Hike the butte

55. Go one week without TV

56. Don’t lunch at work for 1 month

57. Don’t lunch at work for 2 months

58. Make a list of 100 things that make me happy

59. Create a binder of all my craft tutorial stuff ~Done

60. Host a holiday meal at our home

61. Spend a week at the cabin relaxing

62. Keep a planet alive for 90 days

63. Attend a charity ball

Dogs

64. Buy a dog cage for Avery

65. Get Avery trained to not chew things up

66. Get Avery trained to not get on the counters

Photography

67. Get 10 new customers

68. Take 12 photos that mean the world to me

69. Make calendars for Christmas presents

70. Rent a lens to tryout

For the Blog

71. Have a giveaway

72. Get featured on another blog

73. Put buttons on my blog

74. Blog for 10 days straight

75. Comment on 10 blogs posts in 1 day

76. Have 50 followers

77. Have 100 followers

78. Comment on 20 blog posts in 1 day

79. Review a product

80. Guest host on another blog

Money

81. Pay off my car

82. Buy son’s a car

83. Adjust my medical insurance ~Done

84. Save $100 a month for a vacation

85. Go somewhere new

86. Sell something on craigslist

Charity

87. Donate to campus life

88. Donate to food Agape house

89. Donate clothing to Agape house

90. Collect 50 blankets for the homeless

91. Volunteer somewhere

92. Participate in race for the cure

93. Participate in relay for life

My Boys

94. Teach Dakota how to drive

95. Get DJ into the Portland State College

96. Add 10 more pairs of shoes to Dakota’s collection

97. Get DJ’s braces off

98. Help Dakota get his driver’s License

99. Help with the planning of DJ’s graduation party

100. Take the boys to Silverwood

101. Take the boys to the beach

What would you put on your 101 list?? I have already started on my goals. I can't wait to meet them all. My dead line is June 18, 2014.

FALL is in the Air

2011-09-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

I love my early mornings when I open the back door and I feel a little cool breeze. Since it has been 2 weeks since I posted (sorry about that) I thought I would share with you some wonderful Fall decorating. I wish I could take credit for it myself but I can't. I will be doing some decorating soon as I am hoping all of the crazy stuff in our life will be ending soon. So until then please enjoy these photos and links to where you can find out more about them.

Lets start off with this lovely party table. Create H Design has created this fun yet warm party setting.

Next up is we are going to hop on over to The Nest to see this cute shabby chic pumpkin dispay. What a cool idea!

I know you are as excited as I am to see what is coming up next.. Here it is!! I adore how simple yet elegant this looks. Click on Girl Talk to see more..

Lets slide to the left and view this peartastic table display that has been brought to you by Frusterio. Wonder if I could find these at the craft store??

Now slide to the right.. if you are anything like me you love decorating the outside of your house will all the fall colors to match the leaves that will soon be changing colors. Deck the Halls put together this inviting welcome.

Are you all still with me on this little journey??? Shall I go on? Okay, maybe a couple more.

Lets skip to the lou and fall in love with some pumpkin fun.. I will be showing you a few of my favorites and hopefully they become your favorites as well.

The Auto Crathaley

Our Southern Nest

Uncommon Designs

Okay, Okay, I am sure you are getting tired of all of this. So I will do one last one. This set of photos makes me want to cuddle up on the porch with a blanket and a good book. Maybe even a fire in the fire pit while sipping hot cider. Can you picture it?? Go on a tour with Carol Spinski and find your happy place.

Thanks for going on this little fourney with me. Now I can't wait to get out all my fall decor and get busy!

Hunters Widow

2011-08-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

When I first decided to start blogging I was trying to decide on a name that not only fit me but my family. My husband suggested Hunters Widow due to the fact that my son Dakota and husband are always gone during any kind of hunting session. Today they leave to go ~~throw some sticks~~ archery hunt. As much as I hate them being gone I also enjoy my "me" time {for the first few days at least}. With my older son DJ working I will be home {after work that is} to get some stuff done. 90% of the time I don't even have to worry about cooking. So here is one example I will be working on..

What child wouldn't want one of these cute little crayon rolls? The Pleated Poppy gives a great tutorial on how to make these.

I think I will have to make a couple.. One for my house and one for when I niece is in my car. I have the perfect material in my scrap bin.

Are they not the cutest??

Stylish Lanyard

2011-08-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

We are headed back to work/school on Monday and all the employee's now have to wear their name badges all the time so I thought I might as well dress mine up a little. So I went to work on my computer looking for the perfect tutorial of a lanyard that is so me. That's right, I will be sporting one similar to this beauty.

To see how you can make one just follow along on The 36th Avenue's tutorial. What a stylish yet easy peasy project.

Oh yes, I can see it now.. I am so going to have to make a few to match different outfits since I do have to wear it 5 {oh yes, I said 5} days a week.

I'm Back

2011-08-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

I know I said I was only going to be gone for the weekend well I was sorta. I have been back since Sunday evening then edited photos all day Monday from a family session I had on Friday morning before I left. I had gotten a phone call on Monday that my co-worker had pasted away {R.I.P Jan Nichols). Heaven will relieve you of all your pain. I know you will be watching over us all.

Tuesday I had a meeting and than took my son Dakota and his two friends to finish his school clothes shopping. Man was that a chore :) Wednesday, I had meetings all day!! Today I am going to play catch-up on some photo editing and projects I need to get finished. Tomorrow it will be meetings all day again and getting ready for our students to come back to school on Monday.

I will post a few of my favorite things I have found stocking some other blogs that are a must have {or must create} today and tomorrow. I hope everyone enjoys there Thursty Thursday!

Road Trip

2011-08-18T16:39:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow I will be leaving on a trip to Bend with one of my girlfriends to photograph one of our high school girlfriends get married. I am so excited!! I’m not sure if I will have time to do any blogging while I am gone but I’m am sure I will have lots to blog about when I get home. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

See you all on Monday!!!

Vickie

Recycled blah to FABULOUS

2011-08-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

Since my sons ever so loving lab puppy decided that he needed to climb up on the dining room table one day while we were away and broke my beautiful center piece I had I decided I was going to use somethings I had around the house to make a new centerpiece. I was drooling over blogs and all the wonderful things out there {like I do all the time} and came across these wonderful DIY candy jars. Factory Direct Craft gave me the inspiration to make some of my own. I love using chalkboard paint on just about everything so I thought what the heck and busted it out yet again. Here is a photo of what the finished project looks like. I just love when you come across a project that you already have all the stuff at home to make it. I always save my jars because you never know what you might need them for. Just scroll on down to find out how simple they are to make. Total cost for this project $3.00 for the candy!!

Candy Jar Centerpiece

Here is what you need:

3 jars {I used 3 different sizes}
3 candle stick holders
3 different colors of paint
Very small amount of chalkboard paint {the size of a quarter will do}
Hot glue gun to glue the candle holder to the bottom of the jars.

This is what I used.. Then onto the spray painting

First one I spray painted ocean blue from Kryon

And then...

I spray painted the other two, one a red and one a green.
then you do a bead of glue around the top on the candle holder
and set you jar right on top of it. don't forget to press firmly to
set the jar in the glue.

Here is another photo of how they turned out..

Awe... So cute and simple!
I think I will make a couple more for
my desk at work.

They are just so darn cute.. Just wait until my sons discover that it is real candy inside.

Vintage door headboard

2011-08-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

I was given not one but two old doors. I know for a fact that I am using one of them for a headboard. The other I haven't decided yet on what I want to do with it. I wanted to share with you my inspiration for my headboard. Budget Wise Home made a very cool Headboard from an old door. I am excited to finally get started on mine. My biggest debate in my head right now is what color I want to paint mine. There are so many wonderful colors out there. What color do you think?

Here is a photo of my inspiration... Isn't he she a beauty?!?!

Distressed with Style

2011-08-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

There is a new paint in town!! Okay maybe its not new but it is new to me and I have to say I can't wait to use it. Now it is finding somewhere around here that sells it. This paint is called Chalk Paint. Here is a stand that was painted with this wonderful paint. click here to see how Mudpies and Marigolds did it.

Wedding Project #2

2011-08-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

I was asked what I could do with these old window panes and this is a little story of what I did..

The I received the window panes they we covered in dirt, spider webs and only a few piece of glass in each window. Of course once again my wheels start turning. Since they were going to be used in a wedding I thought a creamy white would be a perfect color for them.

After hours of sanding and taking the rest of the glass out of the windows I was on to painting them.

I left the glass in the long one since we had something special to do with the one. After 3 coats of paint do to this wood just soaking in the paint I started sanding again. Next I found some burlap mesh at Walmart in the garden center and some clothes pin at Hobby Lobby. I stapled the mesh to the back of the boards but it was stating to pull away so I got some Mod Podge and starting painting the back of the mesh to make it stiff and keep it in place. I have to say they turned out beautiful. The photo's below are from inside of the barn at the wedding.

This lst one was used in the back of a old Chevy truck surrounded by all the things that represent who they are. What a great idea!!

Going Green

2011-08-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the cute little projects I did a wedding last weekend. The mother of the bride asked me to put together some stuff for the wedding for her and how could I not say no?!?! I love doing all this kind of stuff. The hardest part for me was not sharing it right away. So here is the first of many things I will be sharing with you. I wish I would have gotten photos of everything I did, but I was so busy that I forgot to get some of a few of the wonderful things.

Our friend brought me over these letters and my wheels instantly started turning..

Before

I got the letter and knew what I was going to do with them so I headed off to our local Home Depot to find a piece of wood. I headed straight for there scrap wood that is cheaper than buying the larger pieces and then having them cut down.

I spray painted the letter a sage green at first and didn't like it. So back to Walmart I went for more spray paint. I just happen to run into the mom of the bride there and asked her to help me pick out the green that will match her wedding colors. We ended up with the beautiful Ivy Leaf green made by Krylon.

While the paint was drying I went to sanding the board I was going to use to stand the letters on. Then sprayed another oat of paint, sanded board, flip letters over, sprayed another coat, sand board, another coat of paint, sand board & finally paint board as well. After everything was dry I was in a hurry to get the letter on the board because they were going to be picked up really soon. I got out my glue gun and started gluing away. I crossed my fingers that it would last through the wedding. Knowing that it would be very fragile to touch. (will have to drill holes and put some screws in it after wedding) Phew it made it!!!

After

From this angle of the photo it looks like the letters are leaning but there not (at least I hope they weren't)

"You Are My Sunshine"

2011-08-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has been having a great summer. I know mine is going by way to fast. The majority of my summer has been spent on projects for a beautiful wedding that just happened on Saturday evening. I know I have been MIA from my blog for a couple of weeks but I didn't want to show all the things I had been working on before they graced their presents at the vintage wedding. So while I am getting everything in order today to show you I thought I would same this Sign that Red Hen Home has made. This touch my heart in a HUGE way since I used to sing this song to my boys when they were little. Then my son Dakota starting singing it to me and added his own little cute touch to it. He would sing..

"Mommy is my sunshine, my only sunshine

she makes me happy, when skies are gray

she'll never know how much I love her,

please don't take my mommy away"

Wouldn't this just melt your heart as well? I first few times he sang this to me it brought tears to my eyes. Dakota is still a sweet heart to this day at the age of 14. I think I am going to make a sign like this but with Dakota's version of the song on it.

Wine Barrel Planter

2011-07-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

This is such a great idea, I have a couple of empty half wine barrels out back that I have been trying to decide what I was going to put in them and where I was going to put them. I now know.. I even think I know where a old pallet is! Now lets just see if I can get my hubby to do some cutting for me. Hmmm... What can I bribe him with?? :0)

Centsational Girl has a great tutorial on how to make this great planter.. Click here to see how it was made.

So Cute.. Right?!?!

Trash to Treasure #3

2011-07-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

My friend Amy and I set out last weekend yard sailing and I found these beautiful frames. I picked them up and instantly my wheels started turning. I could think of all sorts of things to do with them. So I purchased them for .25 cents each. Yes, you did read that right! Wow is right!!!!!

I had some paint left over from some window panes I just painted for a vintage wedding. I will be blogging about them soon. I also had a cute bird stencil that I got at Hobby Lobby a while back. I started going through my paints in the garage and found some dark walnut stain which was perfect.

Frame #1 Before

Frame #2 Before

Step 1: I painted both of the frames a creamy off white

Step 2: In small sections add paint and wipe off right away with a paper towel.

Step 3: On this one I used the stencil and just painted the bird on.

On this one I cut out a piece of card stock paper and painted it with chalkboard paint. I then used the same bird stencil and dry brushed the bird on. I wrote "Welcome" over the top of the bird with chalk.

I found the perfect spot for this one on the Kitchen counter.

I put this one on my front porch. The photo is not the best due to it being so bright outside.

Beautify the laundry room

2011-07-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of a redo on my laundry room.. I was grazing through some blogs drooling over all the wonderful crafty people out there doing some amazing work when I came across this great idea for my laundry soap. I ~~hate~~ dislike the look of the big plastic laundry detergent container. My new mission is to find a stylish container simulair to this one that PinkPostcard found.

What a GREAT idea!!!

Trash to Teasure #2

2011-07-20T08:00:00.001-07:00

I was going to wait and post this blog tomorrow but I couldn't wait.. I am in awe on how this $10 yard sale ~~trash~~ treasure turned out. I was so excited to put the green on it but then when I had it done I wasn't so sure about it. So I thought I would add some of my other cheap (yard sale & goodwill) decor on it and I just LoVe how it turned out!!!!

I think I'm liking the green!!

I reused the old knobs and drawer pulls I just sprayed them with some silver metallic paint. I like how they turned out. Please excuse the reflections in the glass :0)

This is what it looked like before..

I took off the knob, drawer pulls and took the glass off. I gave the whole thing a light sanding..

Then I started painting away..

What do you think? Do you like the green??

Postcard Coffee Table

2011-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a way to make that old coffee table look beautiful?? If you are anything like I am I want to do everything and I want to do it on a budget of nothing. Red Hen Home was given this cute coffee table that had been in a dentist office for years and when the dentist retired she inherited it. Karen at the postcard graphic at The Graphic Fairy has this adorable stamp for FREE!! I know after you read this wonderful tutorial you will want to design one for yourself. I know I do..

Click here to follow along with this wonderful tutorial.

After

Isn't it dreamy?!?!

Before

You say mini, I say AMAZING make over

2011-07-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

I am so in love with the fabric Meg and Mum's picked out for this phone chair make over. I just love the vintage style of it. Meg and Mum's you get a 2 thumbs & 2 big toes up for this beautiful stand. I love the knob you used on it as well. Thank you for sharing your wonderful project with us all and giving us the inspiration to turn that Trash to Treasure.

Here is the after photo.. If you would like to see the tutorial on this please click here.

After

Before

Hope you enjoy this make over as much as I did.

Glamour Lamp

2011-07-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Can you say speechless?!?! You will be as well when you hear what Katie at Matsutake made this wonderful lamp out of. I have a tall lamp that I haven't used in years that I am so going to be a copy cat and create one of these. Now, I hope my sons and husband are ready to drink A LOT of soda. I am sure they will be just fine with it.

To check out this amazing tutorial for this lamp click here to visit katie's site.

Before

After

Have a wonderful day!

Globe Bird Feeders

2011-07-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have a globe that I picked up at a second hand store for $1.50 and have been trying to decide what I was going to do with it. As much as I LOVE the look of these retro looking bird feeders I am worried about our ~~sometime~~ always crazy wind here. We are talking 40+ mph winds. Crazy right?!?! This might be something I do to hang indoors in my craftroom aka "Mom Cave". Wouldn't they be great for holding buttons and ribbon? I think yes!!! I will have to be on the lookout for a couple more.

Check out this sweet tutorial here by Karen at Design Sponge

What a great idea and so cheap!!

Victoria Lynn

Toddler Cushion

2011-07-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am in love once again.. I know I say that a lot but how could you not be in love with all the crafty stuff out there. I only wish my sons (DJ 16, Dakota 14) were young again. I would be all over making them one of these. I do have a 3 yr old niece that I think would be crazy about one. I love how she has added a handle so your little one can easily carry it around. Susan at Living with Punks has done a wonderful tutorial on how to make these.

Check out the tutorial here to make one for your little one.

Portable Fire Pit

2011-07-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

OMG!!!! I just can't get enough of Karen's creativity. I could stalk her site all day. I wish I was half as creative as she is. I think I will attempt to make a ~~dozen~~ a few of these fire pits to put on my back porch.

check out her AMAZING tutorial here to follow here step by step process on how to make your own portable fire pit.

Can you say AMAZING?!?!

Lots of love,

Victoria Lynn

Revamp Those Lamps

2011-07-11T09:32:00.001-07:00

I have had these lamps since my now 14 year old son was a baby. I think it was time for a little revamping don't you think? Back to good ol' wally world I went. Purchased 2 lamp shades, 1 roll of brown silk ribbon and 2 gorgeous buttons. I had a can of brown spray paint at home. So I went to work!!

Before

Now it was time to remove the shades and add a little spray paint!!

I also decided to repaint the end table lamp while I was at it.

Purchase to plain but cute lamp shades at $13.00 each.

As much as I loved these shades they were a little to plain for my taste so here is what I did...

wrapped a ribbon around them and hot glued it down.
Then made two tails to hang down and hot glued them on.
next came the bow part and wrapped a smaller piece of ribbon around it and hot glued it all together.
Then you guessed it.. I hot glued the button on.

I LOVE how they turned out!

Very quick project.. What took the longest was waiting for the lamps to dry after spray painting them. I am thankful for our warm weather that made them dry a little faster.