Home Project Galore

You all know how home projects start. You see this item you just love.

Well I fell in love with this Pottery Barn light.

Bought the light and it sat in the box for months.

Hubby and I finally put it up and WOW...I loved it.

600 watts of lighted bliss.

The kids are pretty sure they can sunbathe on the table it's so bright!

Well you know how it goes...then the fan was really dated.

So I looked and looked. I wanted just the right thing.

And thank you Monticello's Antique Mall.

Lo and Behold...a vintage milk can strainer. With a little customization thanks to the boys, this took the place of the dated fan.

Ignore the popcorn ceiling...it's ugly but this girl ain't scraping that crap off!!

And then the pulley...oh the pulley! My favorite.

We found the lights at Home Depot and customized them a little. Cut wires and rewired them through the pulley. And thanks to the boys, Brian and Chris.

They lost out and were voted the ones who had to climb in the icky attic insulation to hook up the wires. But this Momma loves it!!!

And this was my summer project. I took all the old plywood doors off our pantry/laundry room cabinets. Added ceiling tin and moulding. I'm getting pretty good with that miter saw.

Nothing like a girl and her powertools!!

And the handles....well those are all old Ford wrenches. The boys welded threads onto them so we could use them as handles. LOVE....LOVE.....LOVE!!

Just another view of the laundry from the other side.

And the final piece to the laundry room puzzle. I had this huge, ugly electrical panel.

Well my Dad found me these great pieces from an old sewing machine. Voila!!

The main piece covered the box and the lid covers the switches. Easy fliptop access to the panel. It just needed a little creative touch. So here it is!!

Hope you enjoyed the trek through a few of the projects. Still finishing up the bathroom.

This shower curtain is going to be the death of me! Almost got it though!!

xoxo

Lonnie

Christmas Stocking Loveliness

Just look at this lovely box. I truly gasped when I opened the it.

My swap partner, Kadee Metzger, totally got me!!

Oops...a little sideways but still lovely! Look at that packaging.

I can't wait to hang those snowflakes on my tree, which still isn't up yet!
And that baby dress...oh my!!
Thanks Carrie for hosting this amazing swap.
Can't wait until the Valentine's one!

xoxo
Lonnie

Affaire at Tiffany's

So over the moon excited to be teaching at this wonderful event.
Won't you join me in the beautiful California weather for an event that will knock your socks off. Kim knows how to put on an event with amazing detail!!

Lonnie

Meet the Little Cheese

I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to our little family!
Meet
Eli Rhyon Maahs

This Grandma has been a little busy getting this posted.
He was born on September 1.
Isn't he most the most precious thing ever!

xoxo
Lonnie

Homefront News

First off....we want to wish this soon to be new member of our family, Rhyon a safe return from his current deployment to Afghanistan. We're so proud of you!
Hoping these next 7 months fly by for him and us.
Stay safe and we're praying for you!

These to never cease to amaze me. They both just got granted some amazing scholarships for school and some fabulous internships.
Stephanie will be headed to Iowa for the summer.
She'll be doing an internship at Iowa State University.
Thinking I will be paying her a visit...
considering there has to be fabulous antique shopping there!
Melissa will be finally a little closer to home.
She got an internship in Pendleton with NRCS.
Now she'll only be 6 hours by car instead of 6 hours by plane.
You girls make your Momma proud!
Keep up the good work!

This little beauty just celebrated her 25th Birthday!
I can't believe it!
It just seems like yesterday she was the little baby!

And rounding off this week....
Brian turns 22.

Boy these kids are growing up!
Just seems like yesterday they were following me around
like little ducklings.

So proud of them all for all there accomplishments!

xoxo
Lonnie

Friends and Laughter = Happiness

I've been reading a lot lately about the importance of girlfriends in your life for your well being and happiness.
And I completely agree!
I've been lucky enough to meet some of the most amazing women,
whom I consider best friends.
We've come together in this wonderful art world and have made relationships that I am so excited about.
It's not just about art...even though that's how it started.
It's about friendships, families, business and just being silly.

How often do you get that at home in the hustle and bustle of it all???

You can just let loose....and laugh! and I mean really LAUGH!!
How often can you steal cupcakes from someone else's room
(yes Stacy and I did that...thought I was gonna pee my pants from laughing so hard)
stick chopsticks up your nose,
(that was Colleen...not me)
tell silly jokes and laugh! Laugh at yourself and your friends!
Just be a kid again!
I want to thank you all for being a part of this amazing life of mine!
(and thankful my husband gets it and knows how important it is for me)

I've gotten to spend lots of time with these few amazing ladies below
and many more I don't have pictures of.
But these girls below......you're the best a girl could ask for!
Thanks for being my travel buddies and partners-in-crime!

Thanks from the bottom of my heart
for being
MY FRIEND!

Me, Kerry Lynn, Colleen and Stacy
and once the laughing started
there's no stopping it!

Karla, Natalie, and Iva

Our crafting moments!

Our rain soaked day in the Garmet District in LA...totally worth it!

Waiting from yummies at the cafe!

Shea, Debbie, Colleen, Me, Stacy and Natalie
and yes....Birds of a Feather Flock Together!

and notice......we're all smiles! That's a healthy dose of happiness I would say!

LOVE YOU GIRLS WITH ALL MY HEART!

XOXO

A Little Lacking in the Blog Department...A Family Update

Boy have I got some family updating to do.
So many things happening here on the homefront.
Seems like life has taken off on me and I'm in need of catching everyone up on what's going on with this family of mine.

First off, on December 23 we welcomed this new little granddaughter into our world.
Mike and Jenn blessed up with
Paige Rosemary Murphy.
Isn't she the cutest thing ever?

And then Christina and Patrick, the newlyweds, blessed us with news they're expecting on
August 31st.
Let's just say they are over the moon excited.
And so are we!

Then in February, this little guy turned 2.
Wow how time flies.
Love this little guy to pieces!!

Mid March brought the completion of Brian's diesel mechanic program.
All done and working like crazy! Woohoo!!!

And then these two...gotta love them.
Meet the newly engaged, Melissa and Rhyon.
We're excited for them and can't wait for him to become an official member of this crazy family!
Might be a bit yet...with Melissa finishing school and Rhyon serving us proudly in the Marines,
they want to finish up those duties first!

And finally, Chris, the baby of the family!
We welcome him into adulthood!
Can't believe he's really 18...Oh My!

Life's been a little crazy busy. But wouldn't have it any other way!
Now I need to get on it and keep you updated on what I've been doing.
But that's for another day!
I promise...not 3 months from now! :)

xoxo
Lonnie