Bar Stools: Plain to Stunning

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We've had four of the plain, bland barstools for over 10 years. 

I spray painted the tops black and then used a vinyl design as a stencil. 

Once the design was applied to the tops of the stools, 

I sprayed red paint over the entire stool. 

Once the red paint was dry, I peeled off the vinyl 

and the black flower design was revealed. 

Sand paper was used to rough up the edges a little. 

A deep mahogany brown stain added a nice glaze. 

Finished with two top coats of clear polyurethane.

before

One of My Favorite Invitations

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I had a couple come to me to help them design their wedding invitations. 

They had a great sense of style and we created the most unique invitation for them. 

I absolutely love how they turned out!

Vinyl Lettering Projects

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I have designed with vinyl lettering since 2005. 

I love being creative with vinyl.

Here are a few samples of work I did for Uppercase Living.

Valentines Day Decorations

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I LOVE using pink and brown to decorate for Valentines Day. Not a color combination I can use very easily in my home of 3 boys and my husband!

Dance Performance Poster

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This is a poster I designed for a new dance company in Utah.

Christmas Neighbor Gifts

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For Christmas 2010 we gave our neighbors some fun gifts. 

We used metal keys and attached a poem with them.

The Innkeeper’s Key

“Mary and Joseph had come to stay

But each lodging place turned them away.

At the last place they tried, still no room at all

Except for a simple hay-filled stall.

Thanks to one man’s kindness to those needy strangers

Jesus’ life began, safe in a lowly manger.

This innkeeper’s key is a symbol of 

How a simple act fills the world with love.

Keep this key, and remember God’s love is the reason

We are filled with blessings each Christmas season.”*

But wait, is that enough –

Just keep the key to remember the reason for the season?

Rather, shouldn’t we keep the key – yes 

Keep it where we might always be able to see - 

For the sad, the lonely, the ill and bereaved 

Have no certain season to show forth their need.

We have a key like the Innkeeper did.

Jesus gave each of us one when he said

Love one another as I have loved you.

Imagine keys being used all over the world

Opening the hearts of men like

Endless waves of clear water hitting against the shore

Till acts of love and service permeate the entire earth.

Why not turn your key and let him in.

Ione Mortensen  *original text by Les Hollowed

On Christmas Eve you hang your key outside your front door. 
It is a symbol that you are inviting the Savior into your home on Christmas Day.

You can download these JPEGs and make your own tags.

Another fun idea is to give fleece blankets with the quote "Fleece Navidad"

Download this JPEG to make your own fleece tags.

3 tags per 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.

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Nativity Blocks

Another Great Christmas Gift Idea

Custom Christmas Pajamas

January 2011

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Winter is full of ice and snow—silver and white.

Here are two boards I spray painted silver, 

distressed and then applied a custom black vinyl design.

The Work of Creation

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The Work of Creation

I have been thinking a lot about the concept of creation lately. It is one of my strengths to create. I love to create beautiful gardens, art projects, organized spaces and printed marketing pieces. 

I also have weaknesses that counter the creation. 

I have a hard time with the mundane, repetitive parts of life, 

especially the parts of taking care of small children... so tedious... 

the never ending messes, baths, meals, clothes, school papers (oh the paper!!), sicknesses, etc....

I read a book called "Weakness is Not Sin" by Wendy Ulrich and it has really helped me to see how I can live more joyfully. I will never absolutely LOVE the unimaginative tasks of being a mom and that's ok. I can work on certain daily tasks and move my weaknesses more to neutral. It's ok that I will never be super-good at any of those tasks, but I can get better.

As I use my gift of creation, I know I can bring more joy into my heart, my home and my boy's lives.

I LOVE this talk given by Elder Uchtdorf in General Conference, October of 2008.

DIETER F. UCHTDORF

Second Counselor in the First Presidency 
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. 

You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment.

Remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.

Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.

If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them.

The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.”