carving skill

For this is Halloween

Today is the aftermath--all the pumpkin insides are being sorted through to bake the seeds!

if it's KISS boots it must be Halloween?

AHHM...yeah. I want to ride! While trying to conquer my love/hate/fear relationship with the bike I go into problem solve mode. I've tried maneuvering it around in the garage and driveway because I want to be sure I can manage the weight and size of it. Part of the problem is my legs are short. Another part is my lack of confidence. I'm taking teeny, tiny baby steps, like having training wheels on my first bicycle to get myself on the road. Since the accident in 2002 I've wanted to, but not braved getting out on my own. I remember I was okay when things were moving along but had problems STOPPING, and especially stopping on hills. I found these boots in Kanoe's garage and managed quite well yesterday. I plan to have lifts put into my Harley boots or into a pair of racing boots but until that happens, these will work. I'm experiencing the agony of de feet today from the height of these, but I'm not afraid of heights! I'm looking into lowering the bike-even a half an inch would help!

crafting

As we started craft night I realized I would need to come up with my own idea of something since I don't have a household that needs an assignment type of chart. Here's what I decided on....'olelo no'eau...Hawaiian sayings....this one is from the Baibala (Bible) in Corinthians. I used the Cricut to cutout the vinyl letters and although a professional sign maker told me the layering should go dark to light--when I did the first round of cuts the layering wasn't working for me. I decided on the large letters in the background ("LOVE IS..") to be light and the next layer to be darker. After I was finished (and getting those darn letters straight is more of a laughing matter than anything else) I thought it needed more. As I've been researching Hawaiian tattoo patterns and their meanings I found a combination that I myself would have on my body (some place where the sun don't shine on it). This is the sketch step. It is all that I have time for just now. In a few days I will handpaint in the details. I like it a lot. It's about 12 " x 24 ". Noe says I should sell these for twenty bucks!

Craft days

We don't have enough going on, you know, so we decided to have a craft day once a week. This is our first completed project. It is a chart for Family Home Evening assignments but could easily be used as a chore chart for your family. The gals wanted to learn some basic woodworking so I brought the saws and sanders and router and some of the husbands loaned out their tools towards this activity! We ordered some steel to be cut ; the little glass pebbles have the assignments glued to the backs, along with a magnet. We tried to glue the photos to the glass but that wasn't working too well. We cut vinyl letters from dark brown vinyl, which matches the painted wood so the words look like they were cut out of the metal. Photos of family members go under the magnets so everyone will be able to tell who is doing what. Upholstery tacks keep the metal on the wood piece and add a bit of ornamentation.

Our goal is to make some needed things, some decorative things, and/or to finish unfinished projects. This one was 2 weeks in the making by the time we collected and ordered materials.

Invitation and decorations

That Cricut machine I got from Wes last Christmas is really coming in handy!

Prom Theme

Prom Night

Every year Noe and Brandon have a party for their adult friends. This year they chose "prom night" for their theme. Invites were sent out to several couples, along with an RSVP and then the hustle and bustle began around the house and yard. From what I hear couples have been combing the local thrift stores for gowns and suits. Some people have gone out shopping, some gals may get a pedicure in preparation for the event.

I am the designated photographer, but I'm just doing the pre- and post-party stuff. I'm over the cut off age, AND I don't have a date. So far we have 2 strobe lights, a black light, a few thousand downloaded tunes, lights, and decorations and I believe a fun time will be had by all. One lady actually said, "Hey, it's one prom night we can get lucky at!" Everyone has arranged for sitters and some people are joining to go out to dinner first!! Each couple is to bring an appetizer.

One couple doesn't have a sitter so I guess Trishana and I will go out to eat and maybe go and see "Where the Wild Things Are" or watch their new blue-ray DVD's!

palm tree detail

I was in a rush when I shot the photos, and also when I posted.

It is finished!

I was sad to leave the mural in the restaurant. Somehow I got attached to the entire project--the guys working around us; feeling like I was on the beach eating Hawaiian food and swimming in the ocean. I'm really homesick now!

When I walk in and take a look at the work I can't believe that Betty and I did this! I suppose I need to have more pride and confidence!