Design on...Scraps

The longer we are in our current house, the more I realize it is okay to personalize my space. I have never done much with decorating in case we were to move. Since we seem to like it here in Basin and have no plans of leaving in the near future, I have been cooking up ideas to make my "house" feel more like "home". I am inspired by all the women out in Blog-land that share their talents for home decorating and organizing, and how they accomplish all of their plans without spending much. I have decided to try my hand at some home-made projects.

I  have always loved the idea of hanging a picture of a bathtub in my bathroom. Not sure why this appeals to me so much. I have seen so many cute designs in art and craft stores, but could never bring myself to spend the money on any of them.

I recently took up scrap booking and now have a file full of paper scraps begging to be let out of their drawer. While looking through my scraps I saw some patterns that I thought would be cute in my bathroom... then the idea hit me. I grabbed scissors, glue, my ink pads, and set to work....

Ten minutes later I had this....

Okay this, minus the frame.

I used only cut out paper shapes and ink to distress and add depth to the picture. Believe it or not, none of this was drawn. Only free-hand cutting.

I ran across the frame at the dollar store, and loved the distressed silver.

Total cost of project... drum roll please... $3! It could have been less, but I just fell in love with the frame.... (I could have recreated it but I got lazy).

A fun little accent for my bathroom... don't mind the circus curtains. Very fun for a beach theme, but not what I am going for. They came with the place and I just haven't found the right curtains to replace them.

New Ideas

Home made hair bows seem to be all the rage on various craft blogs. [one of my favorite crafters] I have seem some pretty cute ideas around and thought I would try my hand at a few. I think rosettes are my favorite.

I may have some practicing to do, but so far they have made some cute gifts.

All Grown Up

I always dreamed that when I had my own place I would have a garden. Now that we are in a house with a perfect little plot for a garden, my dream has come true. We started relatively small for our first go. Corn, peas, carrots, melons, green beans, pumpkins, and tomatoes and peppers.

Growing up my mother and I always planted the family garden from starts. Sam and I tried using seeds for everything but our tomatoes and peppers. I was a little nervous at first. I was not sure anything would even grow.

Look at the magic growing in our back yard!

Except for the neighbors dilapidated shed... it is not all that bad.

Okay, so it is not that much to look at, but for my first attempt at growing anything from seed.... I think it looks pretty good.
Happy growing to all you gardeners!

Where does the time go?

Whoa! Life sure gets away from you sometimes. Time for a little catch up since my last post wasn't since Christmas... Sam and I have now been married over a year, and it still seems like yesterday we went through the Temple. We are still living in Basin; however, we are now in a house... yes a house. Our two bedroom apartment was beginning to close in on us and through a work connection I was able to get us into a four bedroom, two bathroom, two level rental! The adjustment has been good. We have a yard, a garage, and three little plum trees that will produce fruit this year. There is also a good sized area where we can put in a garden (that I am very much looking froward to doing).

We are both still working. Sam has swiched employers and is now working for a plumber and liking his work. I am at the retirement center still, and everyday is a new challenge for me as I grow as a nurse. School is also still on my to do list.... I plan to be finished with my BSN by next spring (fingers crossed) I am hoping I can go part time with work and full time with school for fall so I can knock some classes out.

With our busy schedules it seems like we do not get a whole lot of time to visit family, which makes me sad. My little brothers will be graduating next month and then off on missions!! Where does the time go?

Sam's family has a lot coming up this summer too, but with most the siblings out of state if feels like all the action is happening too far away.

I cannot wait for the warmer months when our families can all get together and spend some quality time!

Christmas 2010

This Christmas marked Sam and mine first Christmas as a married couple. I had always wondered how to coordinate holidays between the two families, but I have found it is much easier than I expected due to our convenient location almost exactly half way between both places! I was scheduled to work on Christmas day, so we elected to spend Christmas eve with my parents, and then Sam would spend the next day with his while I was at work. I was not the only one who had a holiday work schedule, Sam's brother David was working as well, so the Olsen bunch put on a belated Christmas dinner the 28th so all could be included. As always it is a treat to be able to spend time with both families, and getting to share the holiday with both was extra special.

One thing my side of the family has always enjoyed in the winter season is ice skating. A relative of ours has created a rink complete with skates to borrow, warming hut, and basic hockey necessities. It is the Moncur tradition to make several "hokey" trips while the ice is on. This year we took Sam on our Christmas eve visit. I had forgotten how much balance it takes to be successful on the ice, and it took me a while to find my skating legs. Sam and the other boys took to it with ease.

As a fast paced hockey game ensued, I stood back to watch as pucks flew, sticks smacked, and Dad said hello to the ice a couple times. It was a blast, and well worth the trip.

This was easily one of the most pleasant Christmas seasons yet.