New Craft & Home Blog

Hi Guys,

I thought it would be good to make a blog entirely to craft and home, instead of using my family blog. I hope you check it out. Let me know what you think.

http://lorigarcia.blogspot.com/

A New Kind of Chalkboard

Seven years ago I had this fabulous mirror above my dresser. I got it half price at Hobby Lobby, and then I negotiated 25% more off (I'm not comfortable negotiating, but I did it anyway) because it had the smallest of cracks in the glass. Fast forward a few years and the mirror's crack got bigger and bigger (thanks to two crazy boys jumping on the bed?!) and we had to throw the mirror away. I begged my hubby to let us keep the frame (who knew what I could do with it in the future?!) and reluctantly he left me store it in the garage. He tried to throw it away a couple of times (I had to go get it off the curb once...) Now, seven years later we move into our new house, and I needed a new menu board. Thus, the fancy menu board was born (or reborn if you count it's former life as a mirror.)

What you need:
- frame
- tape measure
- Chalkboard paint (I like the spray can one because it's quick and easy)
- Bistro Markers (if you're fancy) or regular chalk if you're not


Step by Step:

1. Find an old frame or pick one up at a thrift or discount store. Clean it and decided whether it needs a nice coat of spray paint. (I like mine the way it was, so no painting required.)

2. Flip the frame over and measure the length and width of the inside. Write it down, go to your local hardware store of choice -- mine is our local Home Depot. Pick up a piece of MDF. It's pretty inexpensive since essentially it is paper-based.

3. This is where your measurements come in. At my Home Depot, they will make up to two cuts for free (or if you smile pretty, they make as many as you need :o)Have them cut the MDF to your measurements.

4. Lay out your MDF in a well-ventilated place on newspaper or drop cloth and spray with chalkboard paint. It will most likely need 2-3 coats before you are satisfied.

5. Place MDF in frame and secure it.

6. Decorate with Bistro Markers or chalk. (PS. Most craft stores sell Bistro Markers for about $10. I bought mine with a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby)If you do choose Bistro Markers, you will most likely need a damp cloth to remove it each time you change your chalkboard.



Now, whenever we have guests (or even the air conditioner man) in our house, one of the first things they mention is how much they like the chalkboard in our kitchen.... hmmm,good thing I didn't let my hubby throw the old frame away!

Valentines Cards

My friend Kristine had this great idea (okay, so she found it on the Internet, it's her's right?!) and we decided to do them for our kiddos for Valentine's Day. Enjoy!

My Baby is 4!

I can't believe my baby boy is 4 years old today! I seriously remember "just having him," and we still call him "baby" half of the time. Oh how time has flown by!

He is a sweet, fun-loving child, who worships his brother, wants to be around his dad all the time, and always has hugs (but not kisses anymore...."remember, I don't like kisses," he says now) all the time.

He's a huge fan of batman, the Hudson Hornet, backagun and all things boy. I love his energy (except during scripture study) and his enthusiasm, and his big heart that is always filled with "best friends." He likes order and neatness and always has to finish whether it's closing the door, putting all the "batman guys" in their cars, or get the glue lid screwed on tight.

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

What's a Mormon Church like? This is a good explanation

First of all.... I know, I know, many of you are like, "what?! a post?" We actually had an awesome day yesterday of which I will post more on later this week.

When I saw this article on LDS.org I thought it was worth sharing, especially for those friends of mine who always want to know more about the Mormon Church. I thought you might find it interesting:

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/what-you-will-find-when-you-step-inside-a-mormon-chapel

Enjoy!

Lori

Spring Photo Session with my Favorite Clients

Bishop Daddy?

I am excited and humbled to announce my husband's new responsibility at our church. For the next few years, he will be volunteering his time as the Bishop in our congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (He will serve as the preacher of our congregation. All positions at our church are filled by volunteers with outside jobs and responsibilities.)

With this added responsibilty and time to serve our God and our friends, I will have to take on more responsibilities at home. With this being said, I am going to cut back a bit on my photography sessions. I am limiting my availability to Saturdays, with one appointment a week.

There will some exceptions for rain-out appointments and emergencies.
Thanks to my dad for snapping this impromptu photo.

Lori

Happy Valentines Day!

It feels like we were just doing the big Christmas Card rush - tons of photo sessions, last minute print jobs and getting them to clients in time to be mailed - and now it's time for Valentines Day. I love doing sessions with my kiddos, but it's always harder than I anticipate being mom and the photographer at the same time. Lollie pops, pleading and lots of goofy smiles later, I think we did suprisingly good. The boys favorite part was jumping...those didn't make the cut, but I'll post some here later. I hope Daddy likes his cards as much as the boys do!

The Birthday Party

The kiddos before the treasure hunt, dressed, armed and ready to go!

Rudi was their guide --- gotta love the hat!

Lining up to feel the Monkey Brains, Guts and Eyeballs

Blowing out the candle

And the invite

Indiana Ethan was the theme of Ethan's 6th Birthday Party! They had such a good time! We're grateful there are such good friends in his kindergarden class.

Happy 6th Birthday Ethan!

We can't believe our Ethan is 6 years old today! He's growing up so fast! We love you, Ethan! You're growing into such a fun young man. You'll always be our little boy!

Mother's Day Pictures

Just a few from our Mother's Day photo session.

Better late than never!

Not So Random Things Around the House

Here are some random, and not so random, things around our house. I'm such a copy cat. I saw this sort of thing on someone else's blog, and I thought I'd do it too.

My headboard

Stuff from the mantel...the flask is from Rudi's trip to Germany a few years back. He has such a hard job! Poor thing!
I think these flowers give me tranquility
Rudi brought this Buda back from Bangcok (again, what an awful job he has!). I think it's funny that he put it here on our entry table with the pass-along cards....It's since been relocated :o)
Oddly, I think the table itself is also from Bangcok, by way of Hobby Lobby, of course :o)
Still in PJs, nice face, Ash. Note, the cool sweatshirt. I think I found it at a garage sale once for $1. How could they let this go?!

Like I said, still in PJs. (and we obviously need a haircut!) My boys, always the hams. I guess it's my fault, as they have grown up with a lens in their faces.
The candelier sans the cobwebs -- thank you Dish TV guy.
Sis Flanagan (my favorite seminary teacher) gave me this picture (she owned a frame shop) and I have kept it close to my heart ever since. Thanks!

Storybook Exhibit at Downtown Library

The big downtown library was once a bank is is just a beautiful place. Today they had an traveling story book exhibit that Ethan and Ashton and I went to for his preschool. We liked it so much, we took Daddy back on Saturday.

Cinderella's carriage

Ethan's an elephant...I thought this was a clever way of making an Elephant costume.
Ethan posing for me (he's such a trooper) on the balcony of at the Beauty and the Beast exhibit

Ashton climbing up the beanstalk And both boys sliding downAshton stuffed himself into one of Cinderella's buckets at the cinder.
I love the door to this old bank turned library. I see some senior photos here... Lots of fun downtown urban stuff.

Sticky After Pancakes!

This is an impromptu photo session, as I was still experimenting with natural light and the boys had just eaten pancakes and were sticky. They started to take off their sticky pj shirts and were dancing around the room to a little Beasty Boys, and I grabed the camera. My favorite one is where Ethan has his hand on Dad's head, and Ashton is laughing kissing dad's cheek and Rudi looks trapped!