Ornaments

Every year I try to find us a special ornament that represents something we did that year. We did a lot this year, but I had a hard time finding that "special" ornament. I got one in South Carolina while we were there, Jacob got a new Boy Scout one, I found an awesome camera one. They are all great, but none of them are "the one."
While browsing Pinterest one day for ideas for my photography class, I came across this tutorial. I thought it would be a great project for my class to have them take their own family photo and turn it into an ornament. A few days ago, I thought I should have a completed one to show what they will all be making. I printed off one of our photos from our recent family photo session with my friend Chris Malpass, and got to work. I am so glad I did! This ornament means so much more to me than all the others we have gotten this year.
When I found out we would be staying in Virginia for the weekend, I thought it would be a great time to get some family photos done. We don;t have any professional photos of all of us, so when Chris said he was available that weekend, I was so excited! Despite the cold cold wind and unfortunate circumstances we were facing that weekend (which I have been told is written all over my face), I am so glad we toughed it out and got them done. This ornament will be something I cherish forever!

Here is my step-by-step:

I first gathered all my supplies- paper, Mod Podge, a foam brush, my photo, and the rectangle piece of wood for the ornament. the tutorial called for a 5x7, but since I am hanging it on my tree, and using this for my class project, and Hobby Lobby didn't have enough in stock, I went with the 2 1/2"x 3 1/2" size


 Then I cut my paper down and sized the photo to fit, and adhered them to the piece of wood with the Mod Podge.

 I had to find a way for it to dry both sides at the same time without sticking to something (Yes, because I am impatient!), so I cut a hole in the bowl I was using!

 I added a sparkly silver ribbon and another coat of Mod Podge...


And here is the finished product!! I just love it!!

Do you have any special ornaments or traditions?? I would love to hear about them!

Christmas Art

I love Christmas!
This year, we will not be travelling, and I think this has left me with a need to decorate EVERYTHING! We usually put out decorations, but we are never here to enjoy them. Then we come home after Christmas, and have to take them down. This is no fun!
I have been finding some great ideas on Pinterest, and we made some this week. First, I found a canvas painting of a quote from The Grinch. It is pinned on my Christmas board.  I have a bunch of 8x10 canvases, so I thought I would make my own. I am pretty impressed with how it turned out. It is on a shelf in my kitchen :) Kyle wanted to help while I was painting, so I gave him his own canvas and paintbrush, and let him go to town!  His is hanging in his room! Every time he goes in there now he points at it and gets so excited!
The next project we did was hand print Christmas tree and Santa. Also onthe 8x10 canvas! :)  Jacob did the Santa since his hands are a little bigger!
This was Jacob's art project for the week! Today we will be making a special family ornament. I am doing the project with my photography class this Friday, so I thought it would be nice to show them a finished product! I will be adding those photos soon!
Here are our photos of this week's projects!

Tupperware Tuesday

It's Tuesday again!
 This week I am so excited to share with you one if my very favorite pieces of Tupperware! It is the Modular Mates Storage System! I . Love. Them! Both my pantry and baking cabinets are full of modular mates in every shape and size. They come in four different styles ( square, rectangle, oval, and super oval) I think the rectangles have to be favorite of all the shapes. They are so versatile. I have my baking items in them. They are also great for snacks. The rectangle 1 size holds a container of Oreos perfectly! No soggy Oreos in this house!
Have you ever found three boxes of baking soda in three different cabinets because you thought you were out? How about starting to make a cake and realie that the bag of flour you thought you had is almost empty?
The rectangles and super ovals are also made to fit in any standard size cabinet from front to back. This means you are not losing any space behind the container where something could get lost and forgotten about. They are also see through so you will always know exactly how much sugar, flour, chips, etc. you have left with just a quick glance. I took these photos this morning of my cabinets to give you an idea of what your cabinets could look like!

I have the blue seals on mine. It is a personal preference. They are also available in red, and...coming soon...black!!The black will be around for a very limited time. You can view an order them HERE. nd if you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message!!

Menu Plan Monday

It's December already! I can't believe this year is almost over! We have spent the weekend getitng back on track after being gone almost two weeks to visit family for Thanksgiving. It was such a great feeling to be disconnected from everything that keeps me busy here everyday! I even procrastinated my menu for this week until this morning!
Before we left, I doubled some recipes and froze them for when we got back, so we will be eating a couple of those this week. (Like tonight, since I still haven't gone to the grocery store!)
Here is what I ahve planned for us this week:

Monday: Potato-Ham Bake- I am linking this one because it a favorite here! We all love it and I    have passed it on to many friends who love it, too!!

Tuesday: Chili- It's getting colder here, and chili is my favorite warmer-upper! (Yes, that's what I said! )

Wednesday: Savory chicken and rice

Thursday: Taco Soup

Friday: Homemade pizza

Saturday: spaghetti

Sunday: Slow cooker chicken and dumplings

I look forward to everything on our menu this week! What are you cooking?

For more recipe ideas, head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for their Menu Plan Monday!!

See you soon!!