Anna's Design

Gardening Class Poster

2011-01-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

We have a gardening class coming up for our neighborhood and I did these fun petal posters.

Bar Stools: Plain to Stunning

2011-01-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

We've had four of the plain, regular and 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 black and the vinyl design. Once the red paint was dry, I peeled off the vinyl and the black flower design was revealed. A little deep mahogany brown stain and sand paper to rough up the edges. Finished with two coats of clear polyurethane.

One of My Favorite Invitations

2011-01-17T23:00:00.001-07:00

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

2011-01-17T22:55:00.003-07:00

I have designed with vinyl lettering for over 5 years.

It is a fun medium to create projects with and also to use in decorating.

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

Valentines Day Decorations

2011-01-17T22:38:00.003-07:00

I have created a few Valentines Day decorations over the years.

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

Dance Performance Poster

2011-01-17T22:33:00.001-07:00

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

Christmas Neighbor Gifts

2011-01-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

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.

We also gave fleece blankets with the quote "Fleece Navidad"

January 2011

2011-01-09T21:16:00.001-07:00

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

2011-01-09T21:03:00.001-07:00

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.”