The Hall Family {Fort Lewis Family Portrait Photographer:: JBLM, WA}

I had so much fun with this adorable family! So much LOVE!! <3

PB Kids look-a-like (crafty photog)

PB Kids look-a-like

Lately I’ve been feeling like my home needs a little (ok a lot) more “TLC” in the decorating department.   I especially love making things myself and with my new addiction to Pinterest it wasn’t hard to find my first project!

 I decided to take a break from editing and try this crazy awesome Pottery barn Growth chart knock-off. 

Word on the street is the Pottery Barn version is around 150 bucks. With other pinners claiming to have made the same thing for $10 dollars…I thought I’d be stupid not to give it a try. I found this pin from the Naptime Decorators blog. (http://www.naptimedecorator.blogspot.com/2011/10/ruler-growth-chart.html) I thought her tutorial was great. I will share how I went about making this just in-case you are too lazy to click her link or because you know I’ll share every detail;)

Supplies:

1x8x6 wood board

Stain 8oz ( I used minwax cherry)

Fine grit sanding block

Old rag

Foam stain brush or paint brush

Container for the stain (I used an old bowl)

Measuring tape

Black paint marker

1 ½ inch letter stencils (with numbers of course)

Pencil

Old piece of cardboard (or save the paint marker packaging, which is what I did)

Protective finish 8oz (I uses minwax water based polycrylic)

Making your totally rad board:

First, you want to prep your board by sanding it down *lightly* with your fine grit sanding block. Rub all the excess off with your old rag. Stain your board with your chosen wood stain. I only did one coat. Once the board is completely dry (I let mine dry for about 4 hours) Use your pencil to mark your measurements on the board.  I started the bottom of the board at 6 inches so that I can hang it 6 inches off the ground for accurate height measurements. Start your board at however high you want to hang your board from the ground.  I did my markings down the left side and made my quarter and foot marking longer in order to give it the “hey, I’m a real ruler” look.  Do your first lines in pencil.

SO one thing I couldn't find in any of the tutorials I read was how long those stinkin little lines actually were. So bare with me as I try to explain this…. My regular lines were 1inch long, the quarter inch lines are 1 ½ inch long and the foot marking lines are 2 ¾ inch long. There is no method to that madness. Basically I just made myself a line template. You can do that on your piece of cardboard or the thick paper packaging off your marker package. That is also how I got my lines straight…I used the cardboard as a guide.  

I then traced my numbers in pencil using my stencil. Then I painted in the numbers with the paint marker.  Once that was all dry I then painted on a protective coat of polycrilyc. I attached the gator picture hanger to the back. As you can see in the picture... It hasn't been hung yet.  Only because I am not 100% sure where to hang it. I am waiting for the hubby to get home to get a second opinion on that!

I will say I am SUPER happy with the final product! Being a military family I can’t think of a better piece to follow us from home to home! If you decide to make one feel free to share. If you have any questions let me know!

Random note:: if I were to do this project again I would add gloves to the supply list- they would have come in handy for the staining part. I am known to get a little messy when I craft - maybe its just me! ? Oh and I’m not one of those “OH,  it cost me 5 dollars because I already had the supplies” girl. I didn't have ANY of these supplies so it cost me around $27 total for this project. I may have told I lie- I did have a rag and old bowl so add a buck or two if you don’t have those!

**disclaimer:: all images were taken with my iphone and are not edited – please excuse all photography in this post;) 

Stella + Norberto {San Antonio, TX Wedding}

What a gorgeous wedding! 

This lovely couple married right on the river walk in downtown San Antonio at the Southwest School of Art.  Every little detail was beautiful from the rustic signs all the way to the baby breaths! The rain stayed away for the day (even though it had been forecasted to pour)…for that I am SO grateful- the clouds made for the perfect lighting for their outdoor wedding.

Stella looked stunning!. Norb was totally handsome.  The day was beautiful. Everyone had a great time.   I am so honored to have been a part of it!  THANK YOU!!!

Baby on board! {Maternity} :: Fort Lewis Maternity photographer

Have you ever met someone and felt like you've know them forever? Your personalities just “click” and you are instantly comfortable. This beautiful mamma to be has such a warm personality that she just puts me at ease. My “job” was so easy as she is beautiful and a natural in-front of the camera. I must add that her beautiful Green eyes are all hers- not editing! Seriously- beautiful!

Thanks for all the fun ladies!!

xoxox

Silver

Baby E {Newborn} :: Fort Lewis Newborn Photographer

Meet 9 days new Baby E….

I loved the sweet snuggles from this precious newborn. She did GREAT considering she had a little cold. I am happy to have documented her tiny-ness...as we all know it doesn't last long!

xo's

Silver

Who needs juice anyway?

I have to admit ( i'm on a confession roll right now) I am super proud of myself for catching J* on creative live today. I missed her last workshop....so I was determined not to miss this one. Don't know who J* are is? Shes , Jasmine Star,  the most fan-tab-ulous wedding photog out there. I learned so much today:) I also was able to network with a bunch of really great photographers around the world. That always puts me in a good mood. Which is probably why instead of freaking out I grabbed my camera to capture this....



Oh what do we have here? my sisters juices....

I don't think they belong in the pantry...

 they look better in here....

Nope, your eyes are not fooling you! That is trash can full of perfectly good juices :)  

At least I was able to take some notes and pause the show for some quick pictures of my son. Oh and in-case you're wondering...I left the juices there to show his DAD. I can't wait to see his face when I tell him to look in the trash! 

xoxoxoxo

SILVER

My Confession.

I have a confession.

I rarely complain publicly, I promise not to make it a trend. But I must confess I have found the source of my frustration:

He has two teeth

Can’t be more than 3 feet tall

He can clearly say three words:: Dad, bellybutton, and poo poo (we prefer to think these words are all unrelated)

He’s decided that rearranging my pantry cans is more fun than toys

He climbs on furniture and gives me mini-heart attacks daily

And makes messes 3x his size

All of you out there with children can relate. Who knew adding another child to our family would be so HARD **cough,cough** I mean FUN! All of you who have it together please don’t stick your nose up at me, since I’m obviously not very talented in some areas…like singing songs that get my kids to take their medicine. I’ve never claimed to be the Marry Poppins type.

Nonetheless…

There are frequent moments of frustration.

Frequent moments when I’m faced with the decision of getting mad or laughing (and thus encouraging bad behavior) or worse yet, crying. 

I get mad sometimes.

I get overwhelmed.  Stressed out. 

I suddenly understand my parents better, and why it truly is necessary to have a secret chocolate stash.  A glass of wine, and quality alone time….

And so I head up the stairs to lay on my bed and pout a little, with chocolate in my pocket…. I never make it all the way- suddenly I am face to face with all the photographs mounted on my hall walls (why do I have to have 3 hallways just to get to my room?)

I see his beaming smile.

I see his gorgeous blue eyes.

I see how handsome he is, and how much he looks just like his daddy.

I see him hugging his sisters, and how much love is in our family.

I see the joy that he brings me

I see an image of myself pregnant – smiling and so anxious to meet him.

SO

I laugh

I pause

 I feel the way I felt in that moment

 And suddenly - the clouds part….  My heart smiles. I laugh out loud.  And head back downstairs to hug my angel.

I see a three foot wonder who only wants to explore.  Who sees me as his best friend.  Who teaches me to be happy with the little things, like cheerios and bubbles.

Photographs are powerful.

They have the power to alter your mood. They remind you how things are and WHO people are.

My frustration is also my inspiration. While I might not be the best blogger out there I still want to share my gift with you... I want to help you experience this same truth! I want to blog, I need you my blog world friends!

 I hope you will join me in 2013 while I shape my blog to reflect my world and photography! I’m bringing my photo tips back, and going to spend this year shaping my blog, posting everyday images, to give you a glimpse into my life! 

xoxoxo

Silver