A Mother's Love

I don't share many photos that I have taken...I'm not sure why. Perhaps I should. I enjoy photography and I have a series that I am currently working on that I will post soon. In the meantime, to honor Mother's Day yesterday, (hope all the mommies had a great one!) here is a photo I took recently for a friend that just captured my heart.

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HOPE HEALS Artwork Continues To Raise Money For Roosevelt Zoo!

As our community anticipates the re-opening of Roosevelt Park Zoo this weekend, HOPE HEALS continues it's journey to raise funds to help bring them back. How does that happen? Well, thanks to the generosity of area businesses and in this case, our community credit union.

Town and Country Credit Union will be displaying HOPE HEALS this May in their lobby at 615 South Broadway in Minot. With their $500 donation to the Greater Minot Zoological Society, Town and Country shows their true community spirit and investment into one of our city's finest family destinations! Thank you Town and Country!

If you are interested in displaying HOPE HEALS and making a contribution to our zoo, please contact me at 701.240.4478.

There is no date set to auction this piece. As long as our community continues to support it and keeps raising funds for the zoo, it will continue it's tour.

Don't forget this weekend is OPENING weekend at the zoo!!!

Andrew Crockett Memorial Basketball Tournament

Here are some graphics I designed for the upcoming Andrew Crockett Memorial Basketball Tournament. T-shirts will be sold to raise funds. The quote on the back was something Andrew used to say.

Minot Talent!

For a number of years now, a group of area designers have held Minot Fashion Week. I have never attended. I always meant to, but just didn't make it. Plus I am a little 'fashion challenged' so I may not fit in so well!

This year, though, they are holding an auction for these beautifully designed chairs. iKeating Furniture World donated the chairs and each designer/artist added their own flair. They are on display at Studio 18 and Sweet & Flour Patisserie before the event night held at Otis & James Photography.

Now, this is something I can get excited about!! These chairs are fabulous! A few of them were done by some very talented ladies that were once students in my design class.

IS MINOT FULL OF TALENT, OR WHAT?

I'd like to tell you to bid on them and support a great cause, but with the understanding that you may have to fight me off as the time on the silent auction expires!

The Littlest 'Gold Rush' Fans And Some Big Imaginations!

A year or so ago, my kids and I became addicted to Discovery Channel's Gold Rush. Each Friday night we watch the latest episode. My son loves it! This weekend he asked if we could play Gold Rush, and thanks to some awesome imagination and ingenuity, here is what we came up with. For those of you that enjoy the show as much as we do, you'll appreciate this post!

Porcupine Creek mine...that's one fancy wash plant!

Digging the Glory Hole!

 

The Dakota Boys' cabin

 

The first clean out

GOLD!

Separating the boulders

Fred and Dustin

 

Working hard

Pushing the gold through the wash plant

 

Our Tonka truck ladder made a good sluice box with the air filter!

Dakota Fred checking the panel

 

My son was excited to meet Dakota Fred last year

 

Panning for gold

 

Meanwhile, the Hoffman's big blue super trommel sits broken down...

Melody!

Little sister had to have her own mine, too, so she decided to be "Parter" aka "Parker" at Big Nugget

My First Experience With Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: Lesson Learned

Of  course I forgot to take a picture of the lower cabinets before I started, but this is what they look like.

All I've heard about is how fabulous Annie Sloan chalk paint is! Well, after my first project (and it was a biggie) I can honestly say that I am not impressed...at all. I've upcycled many pieces, I've painted numerous things, including a fridge, and I've used anywhere from acrylic to latex to spray paint. I've pretty much loved every result. Not so much with ASCP.

First off, I had to travel to Fargo to get the stuff. The lady at the store was very friendly and helpful but she did assure me it was not returnable! I explained how I wanted white cabinets. They have sleek fronts, so I didn't want an antique look (which usually works better with some sort of groove in the cabinetry for the darker stain to sit), but rather more of a clean modern look. She suggested a cream color, but again, I didn't want them to look too 'country' and I needed some contrast from my butcher block counters.

I was told that I didn't have to sand them at all, and from what I have been reading from others, this is the case. I was told to use their special brush. Normally, I would apt for a small foam roller to avoid brush strokes, but she said that I didn't need a roller and found the brush I needed.

I purchased two small pints of white, a clear wax and one brush. $200. Ouch! But I thought, well, it's worth it to avoid the hassle.

After the first try, I should have just given up, but I knew it was such a pain to wait until I went back to Fargo and she also said I couldn't return it anyway. (even though the paint did not do what was promised)

First off, the texture seemed too thick and was clumping and dragging. The brush strokes were awful. So, I tried to thin it. I also added water to the brush. This helped, but I knew it would take at least another coat. So, I went back to 'normal' consistency. It took three coats!! And it probably could have used a couple more. Not only was it not covering properly, but I had brown stains bleeding through.(and yes, I cleaned them beforehand) At this point, I thought, well maybe the clear wax will help.

I applied the clear wax after I roughed up the edges. At this point, I figured the only thing I could do was to distress them to try and make this work. (so much for not having antique looking cabinets) I planned on keeping my old cabinet handles, which are a copper color, so by distressing the edges it at least pulled the whole look together a little more.


At least now my copper-ish hardware shows up better.

Here is what the edges look like after sanding them. Even though I didn't want a distressed look, it actually does look better with the hardware this way.

After applying the wax, it seemed to show through even more AND it seemed to make the stains appear even more so. UGH!!


Here is a good example of how different it looks where wax was applied. (ignore the trim piece)

 

Originally, I had intended on painting the bottom cabinets white and the top cabinets a darker color so my exposed white dishes would pop. At this point, I'm just too tired to even care anymore. I have streak-filled bottom cabinets that basically look dirty up close and I have no idea what I will do with the top cabinets. Dad said, "You should have just primed them and stuck with Sherwin Williams cabinet paint." Yes, dad...lesson learned.

Overall, at least things are a bit brighter in my kitchen...just don't look too close!





Very Simple Valentine Decor

Want to make a simple statement with your Valentine decor? Take any three blocks and add a XOXO with paper cutouts. It literally took me a few minutes. I painted three small canvases prior (you could use wood blocks or whatever you wish) and then cut out the X and heart from plain white paper. I didn't even modge podge them on, because I plan to paint something different on the canvases later. In the meantime, they made the perfect statement on my shelf.

Try using 'non-traditional' Valentine colors to give it a more modern touch.

Extra hint: Keep some of your Christmas decor through the Valentine season by adding this cute little twist. The winter penguins seen on the bottom left of the photo were bought on sale after Christmas. For the month of February, I simply turned them to face each other for a Valentine smooch!

Office Decor

Here is a great little slideshow (click on the link below) featuring some of the accessorizing and decorating I did for Ackerman-Estvold Engineering and Management Consulting. If you recall from this post, I blended a mix of modern with heirlooms from the founder of the family company.

http://www.ackerman-estvold.com/careersculture/WhereWeWork/

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Birch trees requested. :-)

MSU's Campus Newspaper Features HOPE HEALS

Here's a great article from the Red & Green, Minot State University's campus newspaper.

http://www.minotstateu.edu/redgreen/2012_2013/2-7-2013_RG_quick.pdf

HOPE HEALS Makes Its Way To Minot State University

HOPE HEALS is now featured at Minot State University! As an MSU alum and current adjunct instructor, I'm honored that MSU was willing to join in the effort to raise funds for our zoo!

Teresa Loftesness, MSU Marketing Office is currently leading the fundraiser utilizing HOPE HEALS. Instead of the University making the contribution, Loftesness has opened up the opportunity for students, staff, faculty and friends to personally donate.

To make your contribution, please send checks (any amount appreciated) to:

Minot State University
c/o Teresa Loftesness/Marketing
500 University Ave West
Minot, ND 58707

Checks should be made out to the Greater Minot Zoological Society with a notion to HOPE HEALS.

And in other news, it has been announced that our zoo will be re-opening this spring!! I know everyone in the community is anxious to get all the animals back safe and sound and we look forward to spending our summers there once again!

Thanks again for your willingness to help!

Little Cowgirl Birthday Party

Custom design party invite. That 'badge' on top took me awhile, but I am happy with the result.

 

 

This is the first birthday party for my daughter that I didn't custom design anything but the invite. No big deal to most...but this graphic designer mommy felt a little guilty for it. But, sometimes in life it's just easier to do what works best for the amount of time you have. After all, my little sweetheart was more interested in the frosting and friends than the custom designed party decor! Here's a peek at some of the party details.

Every girl needs pink boots...

Cupcake toppers were simply square stickers on sticks while the holder was adorned with metal star garland

Vintage Ball jars make great cutlery holders

Details such as stars and patterned quilt patches, along with easy snacks (chocolate Chex)

Simple thank you Yogurt Raisins wrapped in wood scrapbook paper

Using the twine as a holder for cowboy hats and boot suckers

Trail mix, of course! 

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Here's a piece that I actually made for myself. I used illustration board instead of canvas for this one and placed it in a brushed nickel frame for some additional pop!

The Latest

My latest painting, Ride Cowgirl Ride.

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