Front Step Decorations

I took advantage of this long holiday weekend and finished the planter for our front steps. I found the planter at the goodwill for $10, gathered branches from our yard, some berry accents from Michaels, fake spruce tips and a couple of decorations from the goodwill. Using white and glitter spray paint I gave the branches a new look. The previous owner left us a couple bags of paver base in the garage so I placed a decent amount in the bottom of the planter to help hold everything in place.

After assembling everything in our utility room, I moved the planter out to the front steps. I'm pretty happy with the final outcome, but think I could use some more 'filler' next year. Either more branches or more spruce tips...but for everything in this planter the cost was about $25 and all I will need to do next year is gather some new branches as I can re-use everything again next year!!

-Amy

Holiday Center Piece - and sister bonding

After living in Colorado for two years, us Jes sisters were long overdue for some quality sister bonding time. So while my husband was out of town - it was our perfect opportunity to have quality bonding time at my new house! We fell asleep just after 10:00 and were up at 6:00 am on Sunday so we made the best of our day together.

After some coffee, coupon clipping, and a trip to Michael's we decided to start on some crafts. I had a couple of projects I wanted to work on and my sister had something in mind as well. So I got started. I've seen a project on pinterest where you put rubber bands on vases and spray paint them white to use as candle holders (http://pinterest.com/pin/177258935303090407/).

Well during a recent trip to the Goodwill, I found three bottles that would work perfect as a centerpiece during the holiday season. There is no room for candles in these bottles so I needed to make them work. At $2 a piece, I couldn't pass them up, I was going to make them work. During a trip to Michael's - I found some berry garland that I figured I could intertwine within the bottles in the center of the table. Below is the final product - total cost is under $15 for bottles and garland (spray paint will be used among multiple projects)!!

Thank you Pinterest for the great idea for a fun, inexpensive, festive centerpiece for the holiday season!

Tu-Tu for a Princess

What does every little princess need besides a crown...a pretty pink tutu of course! After spoiling my nephews for the last 7 years, I was SUPER excited to spoil my little niece. I didn't want to buy her just anything for her first birthday celebration so I decided I would make her a tutu!

After getting introduced to Pintrest by a co-worker and instantly becoming addicted, I found a tutorial on making a tutu that didn't require any sewing! You can find the instructions here http://justwemoms.blogspot.com/2009/06/easy-no-sew-tutu-tutorial.html. I altered the yards of tulle to 6 yards total and it was the perfect amount (I only had a few yards left over). After deciding on the perfect pink colors to use, I gathered up the rest of my supplies and headed home. I read the instructions a few more times and then it was time to get started.

My husband went for a bike ride with his brother and this was my perfect window of opportunity to work on my project. I poured myself a glass of wine and got started cutting tulle. After a couple hours of cutting tulle and folding it over the elastic, I was done! Overall I spent aprox 2 hours making the tutu, but that included cutting the tulle, sewing the elastic together, and folding the tulle to make the tutu.

Attached are a few pictures of the final project - including the cutest 1 year old I know wearing the tutu!!

Happy Holidays

Beginning on November 1st, ALL holiday greeting card orders custom OR Carlson Craft will receive a free set of address labels with each order.

This is our way of saying Thank YOU for your business.
Contact us with any questions and be sure to check out our Carlson Craft store at:
www.shopcarlsoncraft.com/?storeid=studiowestdesigns

Rainy but busy day

Hello Everyone - wow, long time no blog!! I thought I would take the time to write a little something. Well, I have officially started my 'lay-off' and kind of enjoy the time off, but just wish I was making some money some how. Yesterday was my first day off and I made it to Target and a couple stores at the outlet mall, then dropped off a few serving resumes, made some brownies and added a little peanut butter to them, stopped by home depot and picked up some flowers (see picture)...phew it was a busy day! I did have to bring my flowers in overnight so they didn't freeze...looks like they need some more water :)

Today I have done some wash, took the recycling into the center, and went for a walk/run outside! I went past the fire dept and there were a few firefighters working on one of the trucks when I passed. I am going to try and make it out again tomorrow as long as the weather holds up...its supposed to rain the next couple of days.

How did the May Day 5K go? I don't know if I could do a 5k just yet, a few more runs by the fire dept and I should be good ;) I hope you had a good turn out, and good weather! Any big plans for the rest of the weekend?

Well, I should hop in the shower and wash the stink off me. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Love,

Auntie Amy

Back to work

Well hello there Molnau Family!!! Today was my 'Monday' at work - it was pretty quiet in the office so that was nice! I tried to post a blog on Saturday while I was at work and I was having some technichal dificulties so I thought I would try again.

I have included a couple pictures from my trip to REI with Joe. We looked at camping/hiking items and it was pretty fun! I found myself a backpack and a nice sleeping bag - both items were 'killer deals' as Joe would say.

Did you all have a good Valentine's Day?? Joe and I just stayed at home and had a nice meal at our apartment. We didn't get each other gifts, just cards. I hope you both enjoyed your t-shirts I sent home for you.

Well, we get to enjoy one more week at work before the executives return from their travels to Europe. Its been nice and quiet here in the office while they have been gone so I am sure we will be busy once they all return.

I would love to meet up with you when I am home so that I can see everyone!

Take it easy! OK, I will have to load the pictures at home tonight as I am still having some issues here at work.

Lots of Love,
Auntie Amy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are some pictures of the boys in the shirts you sent them!

Have a good night.