I have dabbled in wall art for a little while here. When I learned that Photoshop does more than edit photos I knew that I wanted to make Subway Art for our friends and families. It's really popular and its a great addition to your home. I have done Disney inspired art, music lyrics and of course anniversary art for my sister and brother in law.
When my dear cousin asked me to make one for her ten year anniversary, I took to Pinterest to get some inspiration and we talked wording and we came up with this:
The quotes "The art of married life is in the journey." and "It takes faith to go forward together without knowing what the future holds." are verses from their wedding vows. We used dates, various cities and other items that were important to their relationship and we included their little ones name also. I used vintage inspired fonts to keep with their retro theme that is in their home. I put it on a chalkboard background and sent it over to Costco for printing. Three days later and it was ready! It's so fun to make these and I hope to make one for my own family one of these days!
Happy Anniversary to my favorite cousin and her family!
We're coming to a close on our anniversary vacation. The hubby is packing his suitcase as I write this (mine gets re-packed every time I take something out or put something in.) I figured I could give you a little recap of our last couple of days.
The smoke was gone until Saturday night and then it returned. It was sad, but it was still a great trip. Saturday we spent most of the afternoon talking and enjoying time with D's grandparents before we headed into Reno for their annual Rib Fest. We went to The Summit (an outdoor mall) for a little shopping first. Once at rib fest we people watched, listened to country music and of course ate ribs. We met up with both of D's cousins and just enjoyed each others company. We also got our first pair of cowboy hats. Albeit cheap and fake non-authentic, they still work and can be used for years to come! Bring on a country concert!
Sunday was our anniversary. We awoke and went to a local casino for breakfast with the family and then managed to get in some gambling as well. D's grandma was the only one with luck that day as she won well over two hundred bucks. I managed to last on $10 for about an hour but eventually lost it. Next stop was a local feed type store where we ALMOST bought cowboy boots. They didn't have the hubs size, so we will visit Boot Barn when we get home. D is turning into Johnny Cash, you know "the man in black." He continues to want all things in black. It's pretty funny. We went back to the house for happy hour then made our way to Reds 395 for a makeup 21st and anniversary dinner. I'll have to tell you another time about D's 21st birthday. We preceded to have the saltiest chicken wings ever, and were disappointed that they weren't like The Abbey, but honestly no wings compare to the wings we get in Florida. After we just had a nice relaxing evening playing cards and visiting.
Oh I forgot to share with you. We did manage to find the spot and take an "after" photo. I did a side by side comparison and belly laughed looking at it. It's obvious to me that our styles haven't changed that much when looking at the photo and we haven't nearly the identical outfits on that we did 11 years ago. I smile now remembering how far we have come and still love each other so much.
Hope you all have a safe and happy Labor Day. We will be bearing the traffic trying to get home with everyone else!
Today marks the 6 year anniversary of our wedding. It is amazing to me that it has been that long. We have been married longer than most people we know, our own age, and still love each other more and more each day. We still talk about the biggest party of our lives and the memories that it created. Every year we like to watch our ceremony video and re-live those words that we spoke out of our hearts. Holding hands and snuggling, we remember the vow that we took and the love that we share. I always ask if we can have the wedding again, because I truly mean that I would marry this man all over again. He is my soul mate and my best friend. Even during our struggles we can always overcome them and in the end it makes our bond that much stronger. Remember my love, "If you knew how happy you are making me, I never thought I'd love anyone so much." There were never truer words spoken in a song and listening to that still brings tears to my eyes as I re-live each memory.
This year on our anniversary we are going to be in Lake Tahoe. Our first vacation spot together. I wish to re-live a memory that we created by driving up to the Emerald Bay overlook and taking a "now" photo. Once of my favorite photo's from our early years is in this spot and I wish to re-create it.
AHHHH! I need to stay off Pinterest and Craftgawker! There are so many cute things to make! The votes are in on the quilt to make for my hubby. By overwhelming popular vote, ok I got about 15 votes, and of course blessing from the receiver himself.....drumroll........
The Hope Valley quilt! Yayayayaya! I really like this one a lot! I thought that it might be complicated and since the link to the Esty store is completely sold out of the pattern I think I am just gonna have to wing this one! Now to shop for fabrics and get busy!
Our friend has also requested some more photo edits from me to complete his loft space. You may remember I did several comic book style prints for him months ago, and he has requested I do a couple more.
AND! I found this great little crochet pillow tutorial! So cute! And since I have leftover yarn from my Christmas gifts this will become the perfect project to add to our bedroom pillow cover collection. Slowly but surely I will recover all the pillows in our home! Haha! Who wouldn't want to make this bad boy?
Well enough chatting and it's time to get crafting! Well after our anniversary dinner! Today marks the 11th anniversary of the hubby and My's first date! I cannot believe it's been 11 years! I love him more as each day passes! Happy Anniversary to the LOVE of my life! I wouldn't be the person I am today without you! Love Love Love!!!!
Ah! We are so excited! For Christmas my folks got us a trip to Catalina Island for our 11 year anniversary! We are so excited to plan our trip, and to make another check off our bucket list. Were gonna go sometime in February. Sure it may be a little chilly, but at least the weather should be relatively clear! The closer to summertime we get, the more opportunity for marine layer....no bueno! So....that being said we know that we are going to tour, eat and photograph the beautiful island, but what we want to know is what people who have been there recommend to do. Zip lining seems to be a favorite item on the to-do list, but snorkeling may be out of the question due to the cold water in February. Kayaking is something that interests us as well. Any and all advice for this little island off our coast is welcomed!
Also on the to-do list is our make-up trip to see my step-mom. We were supposed to go to Boston in October, but my ectopic pregnancy prevented it. So, there were thoughts tossed around to go to Nashville, the Florida Keys, The Grand Canyon....lots of places. I don't want to go to New England in the spring, cause the best time to go is in the fall. Unfortunately we have to use our tickets by August, so the plan is to get together in March for spring break. Location, still TBD. Thoughts and ideas help this indecisive planner always! Where are some places that you have been that you loved and would go back to?
Here's part 2 of our epic lake vacation. Well not really epic, but highly entertaining. This is a long post, but there are some fun photos! The entire house awoke on Saturday morning buzzing with excitement for the weekend ahead. We were particularly excited because it was our five year anniversary, and we were excited to make memories. We packed up our stuff and made our way down to the boats, which were all beached. No need to launch everyday, it was so nice to just walk down and sunbathe while we waited for the rest of the clan. We ate lunch, told stories....talked about Pinterest!? and then we all piled in and took off. One boat had a GIANT pull tube called the buzz bomb. The kids jumped onto that and I clicked away from the other boat. Love our long zoom! We took a trip around the lake and then pulled into "The Cove." This essentially is where all the 'young-ins' come to tie off their boats, drink and dance in their itty bitty teeny bikini's. This time, due to the fact that the lake was so low, we were very limited on space. What was once a cove that you could drive through, was about 1/4 of the size. We anchored and tied off to our other 2 boats. We jumped in the water and just people watched and sunbathed for several hours.
When we got bored with the antics of the other boats we decided that it was time to leave and try some water sports. D wanted to use his kneeboard. He got set to go and I glanced over at the other boat. All the ladies decided to go onto the buzz bomb. I had the camera out to take photo's of D and while we were looking for the flag, I hear "Diane what are you chicken? Get on that tube with them!" I look up and I am being flagged over. I said that I would go, handed the flag over to JP, put away the camera and jumped into the water to join the ladies. I get onto the tube and get situated on the front of the tube. I had to sit on my feet and I felt like this was going to be a bad idea. The lake was a little rough as we started to get pulled. Sharon grabbed me and said "you know that your on 'The Menopause Movement' right now. Bailey coined it as that" I turned and said..."well I don't really fit into that category." I didn't mind though. These are great ladies and I like being with them. I heard many interesting statements from behind me and all of a sudden, in a turn, we lost Marilyn. She fell off the back and somehow we lost Sharon too. I was focused on my throbbing knees that I missed the entire event. We turned back to get them and did a seating shift. We all laughed and had a great time. Once we got started again, I think the driver was trying to toss us off because it got rougher the longer we rode....at least for my poor knees. We eventually lost Kory and Sharon again! They laughed so hard and my knees had enough. I decided time to exit the tube and sit on the boat for the remainder of the ride back.
Once back on solid ground we all trekked back to the house to get cleaned up. We were going to have some dinner, and then make our way over to the Lumberyard for some beer and live music. Meanwhile, we were waiting for dinner to be done JP decided that it would be a good time to go shoot some rounds into the hillside. The three of us piled into the cart and drove to find the perfect spot to set up our targets....empty soda cans. JP took the first round and decided that we needed hearing protection. While he went off to get some headphones I took some photos around the area. Once back D got off a clip, when he was finished and it was my turn we heard a neighbor shouting down to us to stop because we will start a fire. The likelihood of starting a fire with a bullet was very slim, but we didn't want people to yell at us so we decided to pack it up and go back to the house. I told the boys that they were lucky that I didn't have an opportunity to shoot, because I would have shown them up. Haha. I used to be a really good shot, and neither of them hit a can. Just a little practice is all that's needed.
Once we ate, we all packed into the trucks to head to the Lumberyard. It was pretty full with people listening to the band and drinking their wine or pitchers of beer. We found some hay bales to park our group and then moseyed inside to get some drinks. Sharon and Dean bought pitchers for the whole group and one for us for our anniversary. It was really nice of them to acknowledge us that way! D and I drank our beer and danced with the crowd to the music. The band wasn't the greatest, but it was still really a fun time. I did find out the distaste one of our group members had for the song "We Are Family," but that didn't deter me from dancing with the love of my life to it. We had such a great day and a wonderful anniversary!
In honor of our 5th wedding anniversary that is this Saturday, I am reminding my followers of the wonderful song that we danced our first dance too. It still brings tears to my eyes! Thinking about our beautiful day, and marrying my best friend!
"Feels Like Home" - Chantal Kreviazuk
Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself
Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms
There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've been so alone
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
A window breaks, down a long, dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see, through the dark there is light
Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law's first anniversary is today! One year ago they said their vows in front of all their closest family and friends. The hubbs and I were honored to stand up in support of those vows. It was a beautiful day and they were a beautiful couple. Just wanting to wish them all the happiness in the world and on every anniversary to come!
In order to celebrate their nuptials I wanted to make something meaningful for them as a keepsake. I had seen this idea back in December for Christmas and I realized that I still had their invitation so I thought that I would give it a shot. What you need: Wedding Invitation, (or other paper keepsake) Glass Ornament, Paper Cutter and a pencil. Cut the invitation, into strips keeping in mind to leave the important parts; names and dates, easily readable. Curl them around a pencil and feed into the glass ornament. Voila! Instant keepsake!
You might have to curl the strips several times, depending on the thickness and number of pages that you have. I had three layers so I did it a couple of times.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The moment the door opened and your eyes were the first thing I saw. Full of excitment and something new. But it is the memory of four years ago that makes my heart sing. The blur of the people as I walked by, the strength of my father's arm as he led me towards you, but I focused on those same eyes that were full of excitement for something new. The words we spoke hold true to this day. You are my forever friend and I will never let that go. You hold strong when I am weak, pick me up when I am sad, and always ALWAYS know how to make me smile. Thank you for always being that person for me. You are the one that my heart yearns for and will always be. I love you!
