Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Halloween Preview.
Hayden & Layne soon.
{they haven't had to dress up just yet}
{post edit}
Color, as requested.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Today I am grateful for:
Seasons. Don't get me wrong, I'm a California girl at heart. I never used to think it was odd to go to the pumpkin patch in shorts or to go to the beach on Christmas morning. But now that I've officially lived in Utah longer than I've lived everywhere else combined, I think it's safe to call myself a local. We have rainy, muddy and flowering springs; triple digit, snow cone, swim-filled summers; orange, cool and leafy autumns; snowy, crisp and cozy winters. And I really do love them all.
Self-Esteem. I wish this were supplied in endless amounts and that every adult in the world always did their best to build our kids up. I know it's not always the case, but dammit, I'm gonna try. And the best I can do is to start with my own family. I hope my kids always know how special and beautiful they are. And if I have to remind them every day of their lives, I will. That's my job...I'm the mama.
Siblings. I love when people ask me how many kids are in my family. Well...it's complicated. Not because there are so many - really only 5. But the way we all fit together is pretty un-conventional. And yet, it works. I won't get into the details of the semantics - they don't really matter. Just know that I'm a lucky girl to have them all. And another bonus - no one tells you that one of the great things about getting older is that you just keep earning more! My husband's siblings, their spouses, my brothers' significants. I feel very blessed.
Sisters. I didn't get one for 14 years, but it was so worth the wait. I have the most amazing, selfless, focused, beautiful, smart, funny, loyal, fun-loving, kind and compassionate sister in the world. If you know her, you how much of an understatement this description really is. She is what I hope for my girls to someday be.
Santa Claus. I love the tradition of giving. I like that my children have a real belief in someone who gives unconditionally and makes the world happy. I know there is deeper meaning to be had {and we focus on that specifically, too), but the symbolism that Santa brings is a big deal in our house. Plus, I love playing the role. Not in a freaky-what-are-the-Ballards-into way. But before I had children, I never really got it. The joy in their faces when they wake up on a cold morning to find warmth and love in the living room is priceless. And new bikes don't hurt, either.
Suckers. The end all, cure-all in our house. At almost any given time, you can find enough to treat 20 kids in my purse. Sometimes a mom needs a bribe.
Stain Remover. I have three kids. Need I say more?
{I will finish this grateful list}
I think I can.
I think I can.
I think I can.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Now Selling!
If my girls were small enough, I'd be all over these for fall!
$7/pair or 2 for $12
Here are some samples:
I can make them in your choice of color - all items made to order. Please know, that as supplies available vary, specific patterns and colors will not always be available. But you have my personal guarantee that I will shop my little heart out to find the specific colors and/or patterns you order! :)
If you are interested, please email me at evonneballard@yahoo.com with the quantity and colors desired.
{Etsy shop in progress, but far from complete}
Stay Warm!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Due to a scheduling conflict and a few requests for an alternate day, I am going to need to change the date for photo sessions.
If the new date doesn't work for you, please let me know and we'll work around your schedule as best we can.
I'm so sorry for any inconvenience!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
I will get you your prize this coming weekend.
Everyone else - watch for more giveaways soon!
Everyone else - watch for more giveaways soon!
Congratulations!
Friday, October 09, 2009
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
{check below this one for many, many new posts}
Finally Finished
Finally Pierced
Hayden started soccer this year and plays on a team with her cousins Jakelle and Kehlden {they are all within 3 months or so apart}.
Finally {finally} she played. Not the whole game, but she was out there and having fun.
And, might I add, looking pretty darn cute, too.
p.s. The 3 Ballard grandkids also had their own personal cheerleader. Tatum insisted on wearing her cheerleading dress up and even graced us with some of her best moves.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
That's right!
You can own your very own countdown calendar, free of charge.
To be entered, please leave a comment on this post.
Giveaway ends at midnight on October 9th.
Extra Entries:
1 entry- Place a link to this blog on your personal blog
1 entry- Become a follower of this blog {join followers on right-hand sidebar}
3 entries - Publish a post on your personal blog about this giveaway
{please leave a comment indicating any extra entries you qualify for as well}
Good luck!
Congratulations Krystal!
Please contact me to schedule your free Halloween mini-session.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
I'm willing to bet that there are few projects easier {and cuter} than paper covered door stars. If you haven't noticed already, I'm totally addicted!
The process is simple.
Supplies Needed:
Metal Door Star {found anywhere - garage sale, your local craft store, maybe even already hanging in your house}
Scrapbook Paper {these can be made to match your home, a holiday, a special occasion - anything!}
Modge Podge {or any other brand of a dcoupage finish}
Foam Brushes
Glitter, Ribbon, Trim {optional}
Directions:
Arrange your scrapbook paper in the order you'd like it to be on the star. For my spiderweb star I used the same paper throughout, but my year-round star {the one that hangs when I don't have a holidar star to display} is made of different patterns. You can use as many as you'd like!
I suggest using a piece of paper bag to create a pattern of the shape for your star planes. Keep in mind, each star tip has two planes - they face eachother to make one point. So, if you're mixing papers, be sure you cut the pieces of paper in the right direction.
Making the patterns is simple! Just place your paper bag paper over the star and press into the creases. Once you have a good idea of where to cut, simply use scissors and make your pattern piece. I suggest making the pattern pieces just a tad smaller than the actual piece on the metal star so you don't have any overlap. I tend to like to see a little bit of the metal star between each piece. But, only a suggestion - it's all up to your personal taste!
Once you have all of your paper pieces cut, it's time to modge podge! The easiest way is to work one strip at a time and then to work your way around the star one piece at a time. Don't be afraid of the modge podge, either. Cake it on, place your paper and smooth out any bumps. You may have to watch the pieces and smooth them out as they dry, but the wetter the modge podge surface, the less bumps because it will all dry cohesively.
After letting the paper pieces dry onto your star a bit, cover the entire star with one more layer of modge podge to seal the paper in. At this point, if you want to add some glitter {like I did}, sprinkle it on while the top layer of modge podge is dry. Once everything is dry, feel free to tie on some decorative ribbons, trim or tulle to finish the look.
And there you have it!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I'm officially hooked on repurposing items I find for little cost or {even} better...free! So far this week I've finished:
My new message center {to go in my kitchen}
Months will rotate {I've made enough squares for all 12 months}
Dates will rotate {numbers will be moved monthly to the day of the week that they belong on}
Birthdays will be remembered {I'm making a magnet for each person in my family - immediate and extended to siblings, nieces, nephews, grandparents - and that will replace the number magnet on the month of their birthday}
And to think, it all started with a $4 dollar, hideously plain white {w/ spraypainted corkboard} find at a garage sale!
Dresses for the girls{made from super-discounted women's skirts}
And just when you think it can't get any sweeter...
Stone Ridge Tart Frozen Yogurt.
When a girl can't afford to go to Red Mango every day {ohhhhhh, how I wish I could}, this amazing grocery store find will suffice. It's so good, people! Tart yummy flavors - strawberry, peach or blueberry pomegranate. And lowfat. If I need an extra something, I put some fresh fruit or a few mini-chocolate chips on top. Heaven, seriously.
Tuesday was good.
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