{J and M}

I was so excited when I found out I was going to be taking {J & M's} wedding pictures.

I love weddings and being able to capture and witness all of the special moments was pure enjoyment for me.

We literally took hundreds of pictures and I couldn't decide which was my favorite...

Don't you love how much height {J} got?

Obviously, one happy guy!

{J} twirled and danced {M} all around the temple while taking pictures.

Seriously... SO sweet.

An Aunt said it perfectly when she said they looked like a young Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.

They look timeless.

{M's} sweet sister jumped in. Love the happy moment.

The {S} Family

I had a such a great time taking pictures for this fun family!

It happens to be {Z's} preschool teacher.

She is seriously the BEST.

Aren't they such a cute happy family...

The boys were perfect on-cue little smilers.

We love everything about this family!

{Not to mention they paid me with a box of See's candy... Oh my goodness! BEST Christmas present EVER.}

favorite things...

We had a beautiful weekend!

Saturday was ninety plus degrees (in April!)

We spent the morning at {Z's} soccer game and then the rest of the day was spent working in the yard. I love the feeling of a hard days work. I could easily say working in the yard is one of my favorite things to do with my husband.



There is such satisfaction in growing flowers or maintaining a garden.
(Still working on that garden part.)



Gerbera Daisies are one of my favorite.

Seeing pretty flowers like this every time I step outside is a reminder of a beautiful day spent with my family.

As is my sunburned arms and face... =)

Decorative Box

I have this piano in my house...

It was given to me about a year ago. I love the "antiqueness" of the piano. BUT, it is so HUGE it kinda sticks out in my house. I'm still working on it, but I'm trying to decorate around this thing to make it fit in with my home a little more.

It is an old auto piano (one of the piano player kind, like below).


I checked out the history behind it... and it was originally built as a piano player model. During WWII the auto piano company were still selling piano's, but needed to cut down on building materials and supplies. They started buying back old piano player models and modernized them by cutting the top part off - adding a mirror and a shelf on the back.

The history makes me like my piano all the more. =)


I decided I wanted/needed a long narrow type box/basket to put on the lower shelf. I scoured the stores near and far, but had no luck. One day, while browsing aimlessly through Michaels I came across the "Balsa Wood" display.

Inspiration kicked in that I could build my own.

I don't own fancy wood cutting tools, so I loved that the balsa wood was thin enough to cut with my exacto knife. =)

A little Gorilla Glue (love this stuff!)

A couple of decorative handles from Lowe's...

and...




I had myself the perfect box!




Loving the handles... right?

The basket balls are from Ikea and the linen is from a little boutique shop up in D.C.

I have the perfect artwork to hang above my piano also...
that is as soon as I'm rich enough to walk out and put down $300 on a piece of art.

One day.

Family

After sweet {K} was born we took a moment while my Mom was here and took some pictures of my boys.

I love his sweet innocent smile in this one...

Isn't this sweet... In all honesty we didn't pose this - It was just a sweet moment that luckily got captured.

The {Z} Man

{Z} is getting big.

He is as sassy and stubborn as they come.

And is crazy dramatic... all the time.

The good thing about your own is that you would never ever trade them.

You love them a whole lot.

My {K} Baby...

Some of the first "photo-shoot" type pictures I took were of my sweet Baby {K} at one week old.

It is hard to believe six months have already flown by.

He is still just as chunky (or more) and sweet.

I also designed his birth announcement.

Would love to do this for anyone who is interested.

Brothers

It's been almost a year since I took these cute boys pictures.

I wanted to still post them to show how far I've come with Photography in the past year.
I didn't own Photoshop and Manual mode was a little nerve racking.

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We sure love these two little guys.

They were some of our first friends. As soon as {P}'s Mom and I found out our boys were born only three days apart - we knew it was an instant friendship.
Little {L} knows how to run just as fast and jump as high as the big boys.

They are too cute.











{P} was in heaven when we found a "tractor!"

You're Hired! =)

I just started doing a little Interior Design work on the side.

I was able to meet with my first client on Saturday... Miss Helen!

She has a great sense of style.

We went through her house talking about where to place artwork, possible paint colors for her dining room, rearranging furniture for the best use of space, and window treatments.

I am now on a quest to find the perfect window treatments and hardware for her house.
(This is more of an "extreme" adventure considering it's my first client and I'm only familiar with the WEST side of Huntsville. I may just have to start exploring the East side!)

I am SO excited to be working with Helen as well as being able to do something I love.

Pictures to come when we get done with the final work...

Spring Subway Art

Subway Art keeps popping up everywhere...

No wonder it does.
It is SO easy to make and a fun way to decorate for the season or any holiday.

I just put together this fun one for Spring.

I love looking at it on my kitchen counter and all of the bright colors!




YEAH for Spring! =)

About me...

I've wanted to do this for awhile...

A little scary to say the least and I admit I'm a little shy about sharing.
BUT, as Mom my always said, "You never get anywhere by being shy."

So here it goes...


I feel like it is SO important for stay at home Mom's to have an outlet.
Some way to be creative... to keep their mind busy at work, thinking and learning.


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Just a bit about me. Who I am. What I love.

Wife to JC.

Mom to two very cute and very active little boys.

I love my family!
I love crafting, decorating, photography, pottery barn, peanut m&ms, my church, boutique stores, and being a stay at home.

Even stay at home Mom's need their time-outs.

I started doing photography and crafting for that exact reason!

It was something I love that gave me some time for myself.


I have always loved decorating.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be an Interior Designer.

In High School and College I took every Interior Design class I could find.

I missed out on completing a certificate program by one credit.

One day I plan to go back and complete my education in Interior Design.

I have also always been fascinated with Photography.

How do they make things look so beautiful...

I love pictures that make life look so real, so perfect.

I would love to pursue an education in Photography as well.

For now, I get to be a Mom which I love more than anything.
I feel truly blessed that I get to stay home with my boys every day.


I LOVE to craft. I love to create.
BUT, I'm a picky crafter.
It can't be cheap, it can't look cheap, if I see what I want and it's already made for me... I'll just buy it. I love a good deal. I'm also a copy cat crafter... There are SO many good ideas out there, why come up with your own! I have a list a mile long of things I'd like to make.

I LOVE taking pictures.
The saying a picture is worth a 1000 words is true.
Especially, when it is a picture of beautiful people you love.
I love real life shots... esp, the random every day moments. The ones that depict how life really is at that moment.
I want to capture your moment.
My goal is to create a cherished classic memory for you.
I'm still learning and studying constantly about new tips, ideas, techniques, and wanting major money to spend on new gear.
My wishlist is never ending.

I feel like Photography and Decorating/Crafting go hand in hand and instead of separate blogs - created one...

Because, really, as a Mom of two... How many "Spare Moments" do you actually have!?

-Carin-