another first...

ZUMBA

it kicked my booty.

and i loved it.

tired.

thanks mary for suggesting and being my sidekic...zzzzzzzzz

my first mod podge experience...

took place last month w/ my sis-in-law, christy, after we delved into the world of PINTEREST.  omgoodness, i was in love immediately!  we were both glued to our iphone/ipad oohing and aahing while looking at each other's screens.  i had seen it before while scoping new apps on my iphone but by-passed it as it looked a little confusing.  then my friend mary told me about it, and then i saw it popping up everywhere on facebook.  so, i gave in, and i am SO glad i did.  it's like craftgawker but soooo much better.  you find ideas on cooking, decorating, DIY projects, and even hair-do's!  oh, how i love it.  anyway, i came across two DIY canvas photos from thisismeinspired.blogspot.com and bluecricketdesign.net.  here are two that i have completed thus far (i plan to do two large one for the guest bedroom!)...

things to keep in mind:

use MATTE mod podge (i accidentally used lustre on the second)

paint your canvas FIRST

these instructions are a compilation of two diff projects

supplies needed:

scrapbook paper

canvas

paper cutter

matte mod podge

paint brush or sponge brush (to apply mod podge)

paint brush (to paint canvas)

sponge (to blot paint)

-trim your picture to fit on front of canvas

-trim your scrapbook paper to fit the sides of the canvas, trimming them leaving just a hint of canvas as a border

-paint entire canvas w/ mod podge and allow to dry (10 mins should do it)

-paint mod podge on back of paper and press firmly onto canvas

-w/ a sponge, carefully blot sides of photo w/ paint and allow to dry

-apply mod podge on back of photo

-and carefully apply to front of canvas

-use a towel to press photo firmly

-paint on mod podge to sides and front, it will look milky, but it will dry clear!

i purchased a tiny easel from joanne's and painted it the same color i used on the canvas

this is w/o the painted edges, and the canvas was painted after the paper and photo were glued on

so sorry if my instructions were confusing w/ the merge of both projects!!

this is such an easy project that leaves you w/ a very special looking piece of art for your home.  i think they make great gifts, too!

thank you so much christy, my dear, for joining me in my first mod podge adven-cha ;)

it's october 2nd...

and that means two things...september is over and i haven't posted the fab mama-jama of the month!  AND i am already behind on busting out my halloween decor...BOO (pun intended!).  i blame it all on sickness :(  my poor fab mama-jama had to reschedule her photo shoot b/c she was really sick.  and a few days ago my household was BUGGED...yup, my worst nightmare came true.  my oldest girl threw-up on the couch minutes before my friend brooke and her fam were scheduled to come stay w/ my girls so me and the hubs could have a date night.  omgoodness, i'm so glad the sickness started when it did (how awful would it have been for my friends fam to be here w/ their little ones, and i'm away)!  not even an hour later, my poor baby vomits (as i'm holding her on my hip, talking on the phone rescheduling the next days' events).  good times.  two days later...hubby is down for the count.  this mama was and is the last man standing (so, i guess my worst nightmare didn't come all the way true)!  so, my hands are dry from all the washing and anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.  i've done countless loads of laundry, smell of lysol, and i'm finally getting some time ALOOOONE in my lovely lady cave...w/ a little lamp on as to not wake up any sleeping babies (and i keep whispering heytells to mary) and a much deserved glass of chilled chardonnay...*sigh*

day two...two sick sisters watching cartoons for hours

day three...pretty much on the mend...

it was a GORGEOUS day and mama locked them out while daddy was passed out and she was lysoling and scrubbing carpet :)

today was a new day.  we woke up, had a super yummy breakfast and i got one halloween decoration up...

isabella gets excited about this one!

and we all left the house!  mr. dandy (i'm sure the hubs is going to love that!) was still feeling a little shaky, and i thought he was going to stay home, but he mustered up the strength to venture out w/ me and the girls for a trip to the bakery for dee-lish cupcakes and the park :)

isabella - mama, daddy is coming w/ us, isn't that lovely?

me - yes, sweety, that is lovely