My Trip to Better Homes & Magazine Corporate Offices {Behind-the-Scenes}

I had such an awesome opportunity to go up with the Canvas Corp crew to a meeting with 12 BH&G Editors and Creative team at their corporate offices in Des Moines.  I have never been to Des Moines in it seemed like a very lovely city.

After our presentation, our sweet hostess gave us a full tour of the buildings on the BH&G campus.  We saw photo shoots in session, test kitchens cooking, history all around.  I have been a subscriber of BH&G for years, it has been around for over a hundred years...Americana!!

They had storage shelves all over full of props and displays.  I really couldn't take pictures fast enough to really soak it in...

This is a picture of one of the buildings of the Meredith Corporation, I was standing in the Test Gardens.  I just wanted to pack it up and take it home with me!!

This is the Scrapbooks Etc and the Quilting Magazine's Craft Lab where we had our presentation, as well as our luncheon provided by BH&G catering service.

There I am in action, I didn't know that Michelle {the Editor of Scrapbooks Etc} was taking my picture, I thought she was just taking the picture of the flowers I made out of the new Canvas Corp Tissuestock that I LOVE! 

We actually went through this kitchen {pictured below}, but it was in the middle of a photo shoot with two young kids eating something.  I am guessing it is for the Parents magazine or something.  It is gorgeous!!

BH&G really tried to keep really good records of their history in chronological order, so cool!

 We got to see in their "basement" the make-shift rooms for photo shoots.  There was a guy in this one straight ahead that was painting and then he was going to put moulding up on the walls.  So cool!  They had several of these rooms and the biggest woodworking shop ever.  Well, they do have a Wood hobby magazine.

I loved seeing the faux walls for photo shoots, if they want one painted pink...they paint it pink.  I know they try to not waste and use what they have.

 The official BH&G Test Kitchen...it looks like a normal kitchen! :)  We were happy to see it in action.  It looks like they use Bosch appliances.  On the next isle to the right, there are a few gas stoves and ovens to cook at, this is the prep area.

I guess when you are cooking all of that food...you need a lot of fridge space!  This is just one of the few walls of fridges.  They have a full-time grocery shopper, I wonder if she is into couponing. 

This was a beautiful kitchen right off the test kitchen, I am calling it the "Taste Kitchen" because they had food out for people to try and see what they think of the recipes they come up with.

Seriously, the prop rooms/closets were my favorite to see.  Look at all of that stuff they use!!

I asked if I could take a picture of this photo shoot in action, I believe it was for the Scrapbooks Etc website.  She was styling the carmel popcorn in this little holder.

Isn't this the sweetest little shed, it was in the test gardens.

 Ok, I am going to get one of these...in the Craft Lab they have on of these tray holders like you see in a bakery.  Each designer has their own tray {with their name on it} that has a project they are working on, so if they are not done they stick it back in their slot to keep the Craft Lab clean!!  My craft table has stacks of projects on top of each other, I would be more organized with one of these!

 When we first walked into the building, this is what greeted us...so cheery!

 Better Homes and Gardens actually was called Fruit Garden and Home.  The Meredith company actually started with publishing Successful Farming magazine in 1902, then they realized that the house/farm wife needed something for themselves and then that is how BH&G started.  Everyone has a red/white checked cookbook, a wedding gift staple, right!? 

 A photo of the Canvas Crew with a couple of the Scrapbooks Etc. gals.

{l to r:  Sonya, Christine, Michelle, Michelle Rubin {Editor of Scrapbooks Etc.}, me, Deb Berger {Art Director}. 

I love the sign on the wall to the right...

"Make Something Good Today"!!

Wonderful day to be a part of and see the behind-the-scenes of so many things to make a magazine come to life!

I hope you enjoyed my little tour!!

Question for all of you DIY-ers...

Ok...I haven't called any painting companies yet to get estimates for painting my cabinets.  I happened to find on someone's blog {I forgot which one} them talking about the new Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformation Kits.  I had to check into it...I am all about saving money when it comes down to it.  I may have to recruit my sisters or sweet talk my dad into helping me if we decide to go this route.  I found this picture of someone's after picture that they posted on the Rust-Oleum website.

If you have tried this product, please give me your feedback on what you thought of it.  I really like the idea of no sanding!

I might just try it out on my kid's bathroom cabinets first and see how it goes...

This is a picture of the kit:

{Website link}

Just a few items:

I have been working on a lot of upcoming projects for Canvas Corp, so I can't show them yet.  Lots of new and exciting things happening at Canvas Corp...I can't wait to announce them!

I made these flowers for the gals that work with Bill. Pam requested a huge orange/red flower for a hat that she bought on a trip...I still need to make her a huge black and white satin one.  The large flower is about the size of a small saucer plate.  I made the black satin one for Janet, even though she didn't request one...I hope that she likes it!

My little Sam has been so cute, he has been coming up to me asking if he could "decorate" {he means scrap}.  He has been making Go Utah State signs for our fridge, it is covered with signs...I love that he is being creative!  He loves the decorative scissors.  We are soooooo bummed that Utah State barely lost to Auburn last week!  It was such a great game, especially playing the former National Champions! 

 
This is a project I did for Canvas Corp's booth at CHA. That sweet little guy in the picture is my darlin' nephew, Cameron.  He is seriously the cutest thing ever!

I made it using a 12"x12" stretched canvas and layered a 10"x10" stretched canvas on top.  It is a really fun project.

These are Mr. Cameron's hands, his picture is on a 4"x6" stretched canvas.  I would love to cover a wall with all different sizes of canvases just like this!

Have a great weekend!

A few items...

I did a trade with Debbie from the flea market and this is what I got!  A spoon necklace with a "J" that she made.  She hammers the spoon out flat and then stamps the letter...so cute! 

While going though my piles of stuff around the house, I found this mini album that I made years and years ago.  I passed it down to my sister-in-law that has two little guys for her to use.  The colors reminded me of her and her dudes.

 Okay...down to business. 

My birthday is in a couple of weeks and all I want is my ugly oak {builder's grade} kitchen cabinets to be painted.  They are just worn out and have water stains on them, not pretty!  I have been checking out on Pinterest all of the amazing kitchens and I keep coming back to white cabinets. They are timeless!  I can't decide if I want it glazed also.  My husband refuses to paint {he'd rather chew broken glass he always says to me} and so he said to hire someone.  I wish I felt confident enough to do it myself...

I love this kitchen!  I already have the beadboard backsplash.

{southernhospitalityblog}

 I found this picture on Pinterest also that I just adore!  What a great idea to paint the pantry door a color and that helps you not to have to commit to a wall color that bold.  It is subtle, yet striking.

{thehouseofsmiths.com}

Wish me luck!

Have a wonderful day!

This and That

Yes, another couple of weeks gone by and I haven't posted!  Yes, I am still alive and have tons of projects piling up.  Lots of fun assignments that I am working on, as well as some trade projects with my junky friend, Debbie.  I will share soon!

Today, my Mom and Dad are celebrating their 39th Wedding Anniversary, they really have an amazing story of how they made the trek from Louisiana to Manti, Utah to be married in the LDS Temple. {click here to see the Manti Temple}  Both of them are converts to the LDS church and knew it was important to be married in the temple, my mom had to get special permission to be married before her year anniversary of her baptism by President Harold B. Lee.  They drove their little yellow VW bug {named Agnes} with chaperones {their home teachers}, they hardly had any money since they were in college.  But, the sad thing was they didn't have one friend or family member there because they were not supportive at the time to my parents.  I cannot imagine not having that kind of support on my wedding day!  They are such amazing examples to me to always do what is right, no matter what others think.  They have been so blessed in so many ways making that sacrifice at that time.  I love you mom and dad!!

I made them a mini album with some of their wedding pictures that were taken after they got back.

My dad had tons of hair, check out those burns!!!  My mom made her own wedding dress, it is gorgeous!  I wish I was that talented in the sewing department.

My son informs us late Saturday "oh, by the way I am running for Student Council and it starts on Monday".  It is a good thing that I had everything on had to make posters, hand-outs and these pins for his friends to wear at school.  I had 58 brooches on hand! :)  I really don't think I could've done it without my cricut machine!!  His theme was "Captain Aaron" {like Captain America}, his speech this morning was pretty cool.  Whether he makes it or not this has been a great experience for him {and for me making these really quick}!

Etc...

While going through our stuff and my "stashes" of treasures, I found this fun stitch projects that my mom did for me when I was a wee little lass.  I just think they are so cute!

This one is on a burb cloth.  I need to ask her if she had a pattern to make it.

This is the bib that I am sure I drooled quite a bit on it...:)

 I just have to say that Space Bags are awesome.  I was able to get a lot of our linens and blankets condensed to save space!!  Love it!

Last, but not least, Canvas Corp is having a "Back to School" giveaway of awesome products.  Check out their Design Tool Tote..ultra fab!  {Click here to find out how to enter}

Have a delightful day!

Purge, baby, Purge

Today I am purging and cleaning-out closets.  It takes a while when you have so much stuff between 6 people.  I have had to use the thought process...'have I worn this in the past year, 6mo...' 'has Tommy played with this toy in the past 6mo...'& etc.  I am a natural born pack-rat and because I usually think, "oh, maybe one day I will make a purse out of those old jeans"

It is time to let go.  We don't know what our future looks like right now so besides just cleaning out our house, we may move one of these days {we have grown out of our house!}

These are some inspiring pictures that I have found...I can have cute closets {dream!} I love how the clothes are color coded and the cabinets!

{source}

I have to remember to only keep what I wear!

{source}

I can see this being a fun and functional closet for Kate.  I think I am going to try to fit her little kitchen in her closet for more room in her bedroom.  We'll see.  Her bedroom is first on my list to decorate...soon!

Have a wonderful weekend!

I want to hear about your closets and your secrets of keeping it clean and functional!

Pinterest Saved Me...

Our drive to Utah is very long and extremely boring.  When I had spots of internet coverage, I took advantage of it and spent most of the time pinning fabulous finds to my Pinterest boards.  It seriously saved me from going crazy on the trip. {Kate had to watch Chicken Little a million times, whatever it takes to keep her happy!}

Here are a few of my latest Pinterest finds that make me so happy!!

This is a sign from etsy.com.  I need one of these...my brother-in-law calls me "y'all" because it is a part of my vocabulary.  Plus, I think he is secretly jealous that he doesn't live in the South.

I love this picture of President Monson!  {from sassysites.blogspot.com}

My dream house is a brand new house that looks old!  I would love this one!! {source unknown}

Along with my dream house, I would love this dream functional room!!  All-in-one for the modern, creative mother!!  {from dreamhomesource.com}

There are tons of hair design ideas!  I love this side braid/ponytail look! {source unknown}

Aren't these gorgeous!!  I would love to wear them in the fall! {topit.me}

I want this in my entryway!!! {younghouselove.com}

Avocado Chicken Salad from cheekykitchen.com...yes, please!  Anything with Avocados in it I will eat!!

I love how open and bright this kitchen is...It would be a perfect backdrop while I am eating those yummy Avocados!!

Have a wonderful day!!

This is the Place

Well...it has been a while since I have posted {again!}.  We went to Utah for a couple of weeks and totally enjoyed ourselves!  Then once we got back our two little guys started school at the beginning of the month.  Always something happening, I am just trying to get back into the groove...creating stuff groove!

I just wanted to share some pictures from our visit to This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City.  It was a really neat place to visit!

I just love this window with the patriotic bunting.  We took a "train" ride around the park and listened to the stories of what the pioneers had to endure when they first arrived to Salt Lake, it wasn't as beautiful has it is today, so they worked really hard!

 The kids were able to wash their own laundry using a wash board and then hang them to dry. 

 Bill loves the "old-time" games, especially the stilts...he is good at it!  Maybe I should get him a pair for Christmas!

 We had to stop of course for some Farr Ice Cream.  This is a picture of Olivia and Cali in the shop.  Bill is related to the Farr's and has a pioneer heritage. 

 The boys and Aunt Lara had to try out the children's game that helps them to learn how to milk cows.

Lots of fun!  I miss Utah tons!!!!